Category Archives: lighting

I love me, I love my image

How many times have your heard remarks which are derogatory in nature, but not seriously intended, ‘off the cuff, ‘in jest’, ‘I didn’t mean it’? Things about our looks, body and face features, height, weight, personality… anything really.

They are often mitigated with an ‘only joking’ caveat, as though this somehow limits the damage, but it’s too late, the seed has been planted, germinated and is thriving. These comments can leave unseen impressions on us.

We scrutinise ourselves in the bathroom mirror, however photographs are the exact reverse of how we actually appear. This is one of the reasons why we think the images are not a true representation of how we look and why we are unfamiliar with them. Other people have only ever seen you as you view your image and, our friends see US, whereas we see what we perceive as our faults.

The camera never lies – Oh yes it can! No, this is not panto season, but we do see images that are not accurate and really believe this is how we are. Here are a few things that can effect the image:

1) Phone camera distortion – all the pictures of ourselves/friends we exclaim ‘Ooo eck, bulbous moon face’.

2) Light & shade  can be our friend and foe. As good as cameras are some lighting conditions can overwhelm them. Therefore its interpretation of light and shade is not always accurate.

Filters – flowers, big eyes, puppy dog ears and noses. All these things are seen as fun and amusing, but how many of us use them to hide behind?

We hear comments from ‘Can you make me look 10 years younger’ to ‘I look too young to be taken seriously’. 

Despite the bravado all the points covered affect men as well as women.

You have options, you don’t have to live with not liking your image.

Where do we turn to for reassurance? Online presence of beauty guides, behaviour guides, makeup, relationships, both personal and family. Who or what is right? For you – you are right. Our friends mean well but are they helping or worsening the situation? We share and empathise with each other but what do we do about it?

‘Love Your Image’ & ‘Evolve Your Image’ are bespoke products that will guide you through the potential pitfalls of having your photograph taken. You can learn why you feel anxious, nervous, or ’dread the thought’ … and how to do something about it.

Photograph copyright of Penny Morgan Photography

The Photo-less Photo-shoot – no photos… guaranteed!

Friday 27th May 2016, 10.00am – 12noon – Bury St Edmunds
£19.99 per person.

If you dislike being photographed and are less than happy with the results, then this seminar is for you!

Change your thinking and learn to ‘Love Your Image’.

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Number are limited, so BOOK NOW to secure you place!
Get in touch by phone or email – 0845 257 2038 – design@pennymorgan.co.uk

Turn what you learn to your advantage, for business and pleasure – come and find out:

  • Where the dislike comes from
  • Guest speaker Linda Barbour – Calm, confident you
  • Learn valuable tips for being in front of the camera
  • Discover the lasting benefits to both work and personal life
  • Boost your confidence

NO ONE WILL BE PHOTOGRAPHED!

“Really enjoyed it and format was good. Felt there was privacy to sit in the audience and just watch, listen and then to chat afterwards. Great use of assistant, really helped get message across in a humorous and visual way.” – K.N.

When?
Friday 27th May 2016 – 10am – 12noon.

Where?
The Active Business Centre, Bury St Edmunds.

Cost and how to book.
£19.99 per person, includes VAT and tea/coffee.

Places are limited, so book your seat NOW.
Phone: 0845 257 2038
Email: design@pennymorgan.co.uk

For more information, please visit our website page.

This seminar is part of the ‘Love Your Image’ program.

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If you feel you would like to go on and complete the program, all attendees of the seminar will qualify to book their photography session at a special rate – come and find out!

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Profile photography day – 17th May 2016

Another head shot day is set for 17th May, at The Bury Farmers Club and in conjunction with The Best of Bury St Edmunds.

If you would like to update, refresh, or have brand new profile images, take advantage of this day. You can stay ahead of your competition buy having great profile photographs that represent you and your business – suitable for print, website and social media!

Individual sessions will be up to three quarters of an hour and you can book your session time by getting in touch and reserving a space. Your shoot will include 3 high resolution images of your choice from the edited selection. These will be available to view in a private online folder and always the option to purchase more if you wish. Choices will be made available to download from the website.

Special prices for this day are £90 for Best of Bury members and £100 for non members – prices include VAT.

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To book your session, contact me by email – design@pennymorgan.co.uk, or phone 0845 257 2038.

Deposit payment of £50 will be required to secure your session and payment details will be provided together with a VAT invoice.

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You can Love Your Image…

Sometimes blogs can be a bit like waiting for a bus… however…!

In January of this year I gave a talk on a very common subject, but very little discussed – those who dislike being photographed and think they’re not very photogenic.

If you think it’s all down to you and there’s nothing that can be done… think again and read on. The cause can be very different from person to person, but the result is very similar.

Hear me out… it’s not all down to you and there is something you can do about it.

Imagine being completely comfortable in front of the camera and not let it become a repeated challenge to your self esteem.

I’ve launched a specially designed experience to help you explore this further and discover a fresh new outlook and confidence.

Click on the image to read more, or, the following link, for full information on the website – LOVE YOUR IMAGE:

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et in touch if you would like to learn more:

Telephone: 0845 257 2038

Contact: Via the website

 

Summer family photo shoot…

While I don’t blog about all the different shoots I do, had to share a few of the photographs from a recent family group.

Happy to say, a returning client (3rd visit) and this time I got to meet and photograph the grandchildren. Three wonderful little characters and their mum out in the garden on a scorching hot day. The lovely walled garden and angle of the sun (all pre considered) provided a great backdrop and shaded area down one side… however I was over on the sunny side with my camera, slowly melting…

Not a pretty site when trying to stay professional and friendly and your hair is sticking to your forehead! However they understood and appreciated what I needed to do to get the best out of a 6, 5 and 2 year old and kept me plied with necessary fluids and the offer of food to keep me going!

After lots of games later, including mum and grandparents, the children were allowed to play in their paddling pool and I turned my attention and lens to mum to do some portrait shots.

I had been shown 3 generations of wonderful black and white portrait shots of the female side of the family and this would add a 4th generation to the collection – it created a beautiful keepsake… great grandmothers picture looked quite like Helena Bonham-Carter 🙂

This is an ideal time of year, when the children are on holiday for this type of shoot and so much opportunity to capture their wonderful personalities.

 

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Gig in the Garden – Action Medical Research…

Now if there is one thing I love… apart from photographing horses… oh and people… and that’s capturing live performances on stage 🙂

This wasn’t so much a concert, as a mini festival  in the heart of Suffolk and a whole afternoon and evening of different singers and bands, entertaining the crowds who turned out to enjoy a scorching hot summer afternoon and support everything there was on offer. It included a beer tent, tea tent, various eateries, giant Jenga, bouncy castles, face painting, putting, laser tag, rodeo bull, stalls… yes plenty was on offer.

The music was opened by the lovely Jade Donno and the evening was finished off with the great tribute band Ultimate Madness. As the day progressed the sunlight got lower and the stage lights took more effect. It can be quite a challenge to photograph, but so great when you capture the mood and theatre of a performance.

Just over 500 people attended and raised in the region of £6,000 for this worthy cause – Action Medical Research – raising funds for premature and sick babies.

Children’s Charity Action Medical Research

Help a Children’s Charity Today

It’s definitely one for the diary next year, here’s hoping they do it again.

For images from the day and all the bands, they are here on the website – click here.

Chasing Storms

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Underline the Sky

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Ultimate Madness

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Ultimate Madness

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Ultimate Madness

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Polar Collective

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Noughts and Crosses

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Mt Wolf

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Jade Donno

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Chasing Storms

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Photography development day….

About a month ago, myself and Steve Stoddart from Wandering River, shared a collaborative day of photography.

There were various projects we both wanted to do development work on, so pooling our equipment, we had a thoroughly enjoyable day working together.

With kit out everywhere, you’d think we were giving Warehouse Express a run for there money! However, being reasonably strict with our time schedule, can happily say, much was achieved.

Will post the various results as they get edited – and the first was from part of the day with our two lovely teenage models, Alice and Catherine. We started by asking them for different emotions – now without saying any more or how the girls know each other, would be interested to hear people’s opinion about what they see from the images and what emotions they express, if anyone would like to comment.

Would also add, we did take several shots of the girls together and individually with much happier expressions, that they loved!

 

Why do we respond as if it’s our fault?

It gives us a nice feeling when we see a good picture of ourselves – but it’s quite disheartening when looking at photos you’re in, only to be disappointed with the results.

We’ve all heard people say, “I’m not very photogenic”, or, “I don’t like my photo being taken, as I take such an awful picture”.

We take it on board as if it’s our fault!

Who/what is a bad photograph really down to?

No wonder, if we are among those who feel this way, when we find ourselves lens side of the camera, it’s difficult to relax, we become self conscious and don’t enjoy the experience.

It’s not about looking like our favourite superstar, or fixing every reason, we might not like pictures of ourselves. But don’t underestimate what a good photographer should be able to achieve for you.

A pro photographer will not only know their equipment thoroughly and what settings are needed – works with the lighting they have (whatever source it may be) to achieve the results – but will also be able to respond to their subject, encouraging them relax, be themselves and enjoy being photographed. Those great shots that the subject will love and want to have, can then be captured.

If I could package and give to my subjects, an essence I truly see in each of them, whether we spend 15 minutes or several hours working together, perhaps they wouldn’t be among those who consider themselves ‘not photogenic’.