Tag: Feature

How to…Measure your online influence using Klout

Ever wonder how much influence your social media input has? Find out with Klout, a free tool that measures your online power and even rewards you.

While we’ve always had the power to influence other people, that power, which is being democratised, is much easier to harness with new social media tools. But how much influence do you have over others? Do your Facebook ‘likes’, retweets, posts and comments go unnoticed, or are you an online mover and shaker? This is where Klout comes in, measuring your influence based on your ability to drive action in social networks, and providing you with an updated Klout Score each morning.

Klout provides insights to help you better understand your own power – whether others trust your opinions online, what topics are you the most influential on and how you compare with your friends. Your Klout Score measures your online influence on a scale of 1 to 100, but the average Klout Score is 20, not 50 – bear that in mind when you get yours.

In this tutorial for Windows: The Official Magazine I show you how to get started with Klout.

Rachael Sharpe

The secret to organising happy holidays

From better deals to the hottest hotels and made-to-order travel itineraries, your computer holds the secret to happy holidays. In this feature published in Windows: The Official Magazine I share my top ten ways to organise your best ever holiday.

Rachael Sharpe

5 best intimate wedding venues in the UK

Modest guestlists lend themselves to unusual and exceptional venues. Be inspired by my top 5 venues for small and chic weddings in the UK, which you can read in this month’s Perfect Wedding magazine.

Here are my top five:

1. Temple of Apollo, Stourhead, Wiltshire

Who for: Romantic couples who want a beautiful, classic and intimate ceremony. The garden temple will seat 30 guests to witness your wedding.

What: A tranquil paradise. Situated in one of the finest landscape gardens in the world, the stone built Temple of Apollo, built in 1765, is truly stunning. Looks familiar? You may well have seen it in the proposal seen in remake of Pride and Prejudice. If it’s good enough for Keira Knightley Matthew MacFadyen…

Why: It’s timelessly beautiful and will provide a magnificent backdrop for your photographs.

Marriage license: Yes

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

 

2. Millbrook Estate, High Bickington, Devon

Who for: Nature lovers who want to be married hidden away, in a breath taking valley. Millbrook specialises in weddings for up to 20 guests, they also do ‘Runaway Weddings’ for less than four guests…

Why: Stunning and very private, Millbrook is set within a valley location of 32 acres of beautiful countryside with lakes, wild flower meadows and mature woodland. Marry in the extremely intimate secret garden conservatory or in the summerhouse, which has enormous folding doors to let the outside in, and a huge fireplace for roaring log fires in the winter months. The venue even offers private dinning for true romantics.

Marriage license: Yes

Website: http://www.millbrookestate.co.uk

 

3.Forter Castle, Perthshire, Scotland

Who for: The Bride and Groom who want a venue fit for a King and Queen. The castle can accommodate 16 for a sit down meal or up to 24 for a buffet and sleeps up to 12.

What: This16th century fortified tower is like something from a fairytale – it’s been lovingly restored from a ruin to retain it’s original character and charm, but with opulent modern-day comforts and even boasts its very own chapel. The surrounding highlands are unspoilt and sure to impress.

Why: It’s dramatic and intimate at the same time.

Marriage license: Yes

Website: http://www.fortercastle.com

 

4. Nash Point Lighthouse, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales

Who for: Quirky couples looking for a unique place to tie the knot. The spectacular Lighthouse can hold 25 guests, over two floors.

What: One of the few operational lighthouses where you can get married, beautiful Nash Point Lighthouse is situated on one of the cleanest, sandy coastlines in South Wales and noted for its variety and birdlife. You’ll be treated to a spectacular view while you say ‘I do’ – a great choice for those with an affinity with the sea.

Why: It’s a deliciously different option and a real statement about who you are as a couple.

Website: www.trinityhouse.co.uk

 

5. Tunnels Beaches, Ilfracombe, Devon

Who for: Couples who want to a beautiful, informal ceremony at the beach. Tunnels Beaches encourage weddings for up to 60-70 people, with the option of more even guests.

What: A network of hand carved tunnels lead you to a tidal Victorian bathing pool and stunning sheltered beaches, where this chic, contemporary venue lies. Get married in the Thatched Gazebo overlooking the sea, with a sublime view of the rugged coastline and the sound of the sea.

Why: It’s a stunning yet understated choice and the scenery will look fantastic in your photos.

Marriage license: Yes

Website: http://www.tunnelsbeaches.co.uk

Rachael Sharpe1 Comment

How to buy your wedding dress: Expert Secrets

Perfect Wedding magazine is one of my favourite wedding magazines, so I’m always more than happy to contribute to the monthly glossy. For this 2012 Fashion Special, I spoke to top bridal stores and designers, including my favourite dress maker: Candy Anthony, to compile an 8-page essential guide to choosing the perfect wedding gown. If you’re a bride-to-be I recommend you have a read – researching this feature has certainly made the somewhat daunting, but super exciting, task somewhat easier. Perfect Wedding Issue 65 is in newsagents now.

Rachael Sharpe

New series in Photography Monthly magazine

 

I’ve kicked off the New Year with a brand new monthly series in Photography Monthly magazine. Each month I’ll spend a day  shadowing a professional photographer at work to gain an insight into their unique vision and how they translate that into an image. This month I hit central London with street photographer David Solomons, who has the enviable ability to see the unusual in the everyday and to capture those fleeting moments that make memorable pictures.

Click on the pages for a bigger view.

Rachael Sharpe

Editing Portfolio: October’s 247 Magazine

Autumn is approaching fast, no that you’d know it by the crazy weather recently. This issue we lead with a feature on a band very close to our hearts – Crazy Arm. We must declare a vested interest as two members of the band work for the magazine, but outside of that, they truly deserve a big up as they are on the verge of something big… Elsewhere, we talk to the biggest Drum and Bass DJ in the UK, Andy C, about his new Alive tour and show, we also catch up with US hip hop group, Ugly Duckling, before they appear in Exeter and Plymouth, and we also interview original prankster, Steve-O, and the excellent Benjamin Francis Leftwich. Add in all the usual fashion, art and listings info, and there you have it, your monthly helping of 247 Magazine, go forth and read it here.

 

Rachael Sharpe

Editing Portfolio: September’s 247 Magazine

September marks the end of the summer and the start of the very busy autumn gig season alongside the return of thousands of students back to the South West. In our latest issue of 247 Magazine we follow the story of a homeless man signed up to release his music. We chat to The Maccabee’s ahead of their Exeter gig, speak to Totnes based Cosmo Jarvis about this new album out this month, homegrown rock trio, The Subways who play in Falmouth in mid Sept and finally, last but no least, Metronomy, the Barclaycard Mercury Music Prize nominee’s and latest success story to come out of the South west. They have two homecoming gigs in September, and 247 Magazine is proud to support them and play it’s part in getting them to finally play in Totes and Torquay.

Finally, to guide the new student faces coming to the region, we have our annual student guide, highlighting the best places to go, things to do and generally get the best out of the area. Alongside our monthly listings guide, our September issue is bursting at the seams – check out the online version here.

Rachael Sharpe

30 photography project ideas: feature published in Photography Monthly

Undertaking photography projects is a great way to make sure  you always have something to shoot and concentrate on, so you’re constantly developing your skills, rather than editing old pictures and feeling uninspired. Projects make you a better photographer because they force you to get out there with your camera, come rain or shine, which can only be a good thing. Some projects can last for years, while others will take only a week, or even a day; choose a few which appeal to you and see your creativity and inspiration levels soar. Don’t be afraid to quit a project if you’re not enjoying it, though; they’re supposed to be fun, not a hardship to endure – you’re better off starting something more suitable than becoming disenchanted. In this feature for Photography Monthly magazine I compiled 30 tried and tested projects, one for every day of September, which should see readers occupied for quite some time…

 

Click on the pages for a bigger view.

Rachael Sharpe
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