Author Archives: Penny

Five headshot images of a woman in a row.

Five steps to stress free photographs

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How many times in your life has someone said to you “take it one step at a time”?

There are many relevant points on what it takes to be at ease in front of a camera. However this article shows just how easy it can be to get there, by following my five steps to stress free photographs. I’m not just talking about working with a professional photographer, I’m also talking about any time you find a camera being pointed at you.

Some of us need a goal or an incentive to step out of an uncomfortable place.

When we do, we grow personally ending up mighty pleased with ourselves and a feeling of real achievement 🙂

Imagine this analogy – the place you’re in now, with regard to being photographed, is like standing on a river bank. It’s familiar, but you want to be on the other side, because all the things you’d like to have, do or be, are over there!

You’ll get on with life in the same format that you always have. You tell yourself that you’re fine where you are, or it’s too dangerous to cross the deep water.

But you are always given a way forward when you decide you want to change something.

Finding someone to help you on that journey makes it a lot easier:

They show you how to step forward
Guide you through
Give you the tools to find your way

One step at a time can get you across to a better place on the other side of that river.

Analogy of the river

Analogy of the river when taking things one step at a time

Imagine the river has stepping stones – you can choose to take a first step and see the journey ahead. You have the option to go back, but you can’t move onto the next stone until you’ve achieved the goal of the one you’re standing on. So you always have a choice. Here are your five steps to stress free photographs.

Step 1

Is all about acknowledging where you are now and being ready to take that next step.

Step 2

It’s a bit like a ‘Photo-less Photoshoot’! We explore all the issues that affect people; identify and discuss which apply to you and discover insightful information and technique for you to move forward – no photography takes place!

Step 3

‘The safety net step’ – go through the motions and methods of working in front of a camera, BUT, no photographs are taken. It might be possible to move across step 3 quite quickly, but it’s there as a safety stone if you need it and a valuable part of your journey 😊

Step 4

Armed with information and control, using all you’ve learned so far, you ease into a photoshoot. We discuss the results and how you feel and re-cap on your available strategies to use for the future.

Step 5

Reaching the far bank and a stronger place, celebrating, and receiving your images.

When we really want to learn a new thing or change something in ourselves, without knowing where to start – it can seem like a wall right in front of you. All we see is the insurmountable task of getting past it and the stress and anxiety that brings. You can turn and look the other way, but it doesn’t get you past the wall. When someone helps you stand back and see a different picture, full of possibilities, things you probably haven’t thought of, it opens up a world of potential.

Life is not always as it seems – you always have a choice – you always have a way forward and that brings you control and confidence.

Having a free review is your first step – get in touch and you can find out more – Love Your Image 5 step success.

In the meantime, do sign up to the mailing list for Love Your Image and stay up to date with new information and blogs. There is also a You Tube channel – you get to know when a new video is published by being on the mailing list.

Proof of your success

Proof of your success through five steps to stress free photographs.

picture of a dslr camera and a phone camera

Photographer responsibility … part 2

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I could probably write a book on all the tales I’ve heard relating to people in front of cameras. But always particularly recall this one…

Many years ago, a lady came to me for business headshots. She explained she had asked her adult daughter to take some photos of her, but it hadn’t worked out and relayed how that event panned out. Her daughter got her to stand in front of her and took a step back, held the camera up, snapped, looked at the camera and said it wasn’t very good and would try again. Again she held the camera up, snapped, looked at the camera and explained “well you had your eyes shut that time”! This continued for a while, but without apparent success in the daughters eyes. Eventually, daughter announces, “Mum you’re just not photogenic”!! Ouch…

They may have had a giggle with it along the way and nobody fell out.

But the comment went deep and caused mum to doubt how she looked.

Now here’s the thing – if the daughter had gone outside and taken a landscape image and decided it wasn’t as good as she’d hoped – she wouldn’t turn to the landscape and say “you’re just not photogenic”. So why would you say it to a person? Can you see where I’m heading with this? The word ‘photogenic’ gets taken out of context from its true dictionary meaning in a big way.

Do you know how to get the best out of someone.

Do you know what would be the most flattering angle, height and lighting to produce an image they will like of themselves? Are you happy if the person you are capturing takes a look and doesn’t like what they see and thinks it’s all their fault? Would you stand up and take responsibility?

Well here are a few things to know and consider –

It’s very difficult to know how to be or how you are appearing in front of a camera without any helpful guidance. You won’t have any idea of the height or angle someone has their camera pointing towards you, so how can you know what the result will be? Yes others see us often quite differently to how we view ourselves, but that doesn’t relinquish our responsibility to how we capture others.

Cameras give us fabulous technology, so we can all be photographers now. But it’s what we do with it that makes a difference… a difference that could so easily affect others, both positively and negatively.

Perhaps you might stop and think next time you want to take photographs of people, or, get in touch and I can give you some help 🙂

Did you read ‘Photographer Responsibility’ Part 1?

In the meantime, do sign up to the mailing list for Love Your Image and stay up to date with new information and blogs.

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Photographer Responsibility … part 1

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How do you feel when people point a phone camera in your direction and “snap”… take your photograph without asking?

Nowadays some people feel they have the right to photograph you when and where they please without a second thought to ask if it’s ok? 

This is something individuals in the spotlight, celebrities and the like have had to endure for years. But you could say that comes with the territory of being in that position. Journalist photographers working for newspapers and magazines all want to catch your every public move – its news! Although many law suits have been issued when the paparazzi take it too far and attempt (often successfully) to catch people in the privacy of their home or on vacation. It’s a subject of regular controversy.

Let’s bring it a bit closer to home – 

Perhaps you’re a member of a group who meet for whatever reason of mutual interest and someone insists on recording the gathering… every single time! Despite your protestations, you’ll likely get the reply “oh don’t worry about it, you’ll be fine” and they carry on. It makes you feel highly uncomfortable! You might consider leaving the group – so what are your choices? You could just put your hand up to cover your face, (as in the image) or turn away (I’ve done that before now!). But that’s pretty drastic and could create social barriers within the group. You can try talking to the person and explain how you feel. You hope they are a reasonable and understanding individual who will allow you to stand aside and be out of shot. But that in itself could make you feel even more at odds, as then we could feel we were being the ‘difficult one’.

There is currently no law in the UK preventing this if you are out in public spaces. 

So if you find yourself being one of those photographers and someone objects, stop and consider for a moment how it is for them. Accept that they find it a particular challenge and your actions are making them feel very uncomfortable. If you can do this without question or judgement, even better, it will be appreciated.

There’s more to be discussed on the subject of ‘Photographer Responsibility’ which will come out in a future blog.

In the meantime, do sign up to the mailing list for Love Your Image and stay up to date with new information and blogs.

Woman behind a camera lens taking a photograph

I had to step outside my comfort zone…

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When studying my my own journey of why I hated being photographed, there were definitely a few things I really wasn’t happy with and had to face.

I had to step outside my comfort zone – was I prepared to do this?

I had to step outside my comfort zone and I knew this would be important if I was going to truly help others. But more than that, I wanted to change these persistent negative thoughts. Were they simply becoming a bad habit?

Along the way I heard other photographers saying “why do you think I’m on the other side of the lens?” It didn’t make them a bad photog, far from it. I hold great respect for others skills in this profession. However, felt that sort of comment perhaps provided empathy, but didn’t solve a problem.

Collecting stories and information from others helped too.

Because we don’t all come with the same reasons. Some don’t mind the actual photography part, but don’t like the results. For some it’s the other way round – and for some it’s all of it. People have shared stories of the lengths they will go to avoid these situations.

I also discovered that the stories could be separated between professional and non-professional shoots and results. So there was my first route to helping others when they weren’t in front of my lens. Tips and things to look out for in non-professional shoots… that so many of us find ourselves in!

So back to that comfort zone.

Tthe photograph above illustrating one of those places for me. Did you know one of the first things that can cause a dislike in what you see in an image is familiarity. Because we’re so used to seeing our own image in the mirror. It is of course reversed when we see ourselves in a photograph and can look decidedly unfamiliar, but is how everyone else sees us. Our first reaction could be to dislike what we see… because it’s unfamiliar. Camera distortion, filters, light and many other elements will all be subjects of future blogs and articles.

Studying what affects others has helped my own journey

… and adding my experience as a professional photographer, I continued my research. Although there can be similarities, it’s a very individual journey for people. After trying and testing different things, that worked, Love Your Image began to take shape in its concept.! I therefore mixed skills from both sides of the lens – it’s REALLY difficult to know how you are in front of a camera without any sort of helpful guidance. Photographer responsibility is the subject of another update!

So when you feel brave enough to bring about some change (that can have a positive effect on other areas of your life too) get in touch for a free review session https://loveyourimage.co.uk/review-your-image/. In the meantime don’t forget you can sign up to the mailing list, access free tips and receive updates and information.

Virtual Photography… is it something you can actually have?

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As small business owners and self employed, what is the one thing that has a big thread of commonality to all of us and the way we currently work… ?

… and what’s the one thing that could be missing from your marketing material in the way you keep in touch and continue to help your customers and clients?

We are all working ONLINE!

  • Staying in touch with your customers online.

We’re not able to meet face to face, but we’re doing our best to stay visible and stay in touch, whether that’s on the phone, or using video conferencing platforms such as Zoom… it’s become the norm. But does your marketing material reflect that?

What if you could have photographs of you actually online with someone… and have them taken from the safety and comfort of your home or working area?

Staying in touch with customers and clients
Zoom calls on just about any platform.

Capturing you, capturing your personality and actively showing how you stay in touch and continue to support your customers and clients…. perhaps you didn’t realise you have gaps in your marketing??

You can continue to help and support your customers online.

I’ve discovered many different businesses have kept in touch with their client base, providing support and advice, in the absence of being able to be ‘hands on’ … but I’ve not seen the evidence??

We still gain so much from a friendly face and the support and advice they can provide.
Just talking to someone and giving them your time, strengthens your customer relations during this lockdown.

In an online conversation with a valued contact, I quote “I diagnose a great deal for my clients by simply talking to them” … how valuable and essential during this time!!

So isn’t it a good idea to show this? The relationships you continue to look after in whatever way you can, will be greatly appreciated and highly valued – let people know you are there for them.

https://pennymorgan.photoshelter.com/gallery/VIRTUAL-PHOTOGRAPHY/G0000av1aenw_k68/C0000cKG0QPfaW7I

Images copyright of Penny Morgan Photography

‘Home Grown’ diary project – the photography update …

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Recording Veggie McVeg patch project on my iPhone…

Sometimes the best camera to use, is the one you have to hand…

ISO, shutter speed, aperture, exposure settings, focal length, focusing… I could go on and to many people this is like a foreign language and they glaze over and switch off… so my observations and comments in this blog will be kept technically easy peasy. My current phone is fairly middle of the road and not one of your top of the range models. By the way, you don’t need high end editing software. Look for the editing capabilities that your phone camera will have, or, look for some freely available editing apps out there that you can use – these will help with simple cropping, rotation, light adjustments, contrast, colours and the like.

As great as it is to have my pro camera (the big C) to use, I also get a lot of fun from using the one on my phone and this was the ideal choice to record my ‘Home Grown’ garden project. Why, well outside (even on a dull day) there is plenty of light to capture good shots. Also, I spent a lot of time (certainly in the early days) preparing, planting, thinning, potting out, keeping it all protected… and lots of watering… and I didn’t really want to spend equally long amounts of time taking photographs. It was fun, but functional to tell the story with visuals, in (hopefully) an interesting way.

First thing was to make sure my cameras grid lines were switched on… oh and that my lens was clean – generally speaking throughout the images, I’ve tried to keep horizontal lines, not perfect, but as straight as possible where that was the intention. Sometimes though, the best illustration is to get a good perspective angle. Also, caution here, depending on how close you have your phone to your subject, you will see some distortion in relative distance and size.

vegetables, fruit, grow your own, new skills,
A perspective angle, to show the area in the early days…
vegetables, home grown, growing
Not quite the same angle, but similar, to show a more recent state of the main veg patch.

Then there is the angle you take the image from… phone cameras are very sensitive to small variations in tilt – either left to right, or top to bottom… or both – and something you can be quite unaware of. Also make sure you know where your lens is pointing from… is it top right/left, or would you get a better angle to turn it 180 degrees so the lens is bottom right/left? Generally, I needed to take a shot just above and looking down at a slight angle, to illustrate what was in a particular pot or tub, but not too high that it lost perspective. Probably the most challenging thing to get the angle right, was the lettuce house, because of the cloche over the top, which took two people to lift off and many a moment spent leaning in as far as I could get without falling over!!

tomatoes, home grown, vegetables,
Quite a good example, of the angle used to illustrate the small plants, without all their leaves merging into one another.

I had a few challenges getting either close enough or the right angle, not just for the ‘viewability’ of a shot, but if the sun was out that day and reflecting straight onto my viewing screen… I couldn’t see a thing. Talking of sunlight, this made a difference to the time of day I captured things and the direction I took the shot from. However, given that most days it would be first thing, or late afternoon I’d be out checking on the garden, that was the best time to be taking photographs. But any time during the day at weekends, when many of the longer tasks were completed, the light is more of a challenge, especially when part of the garden was in sun and part in shade – so bear this in mind. The evenness of your light will make a difference to the success of your shot, unless you are intentionally going for a more artistic contrast effect.

lettuce, salad leaves, grow your own,
Just got away with some mottled sunlight and shade, and the angled perspective helped.
This flower taken in very full and strong sunlight just worked in its beauty and detail… they don’t stay open for long!

What I enjoyed the most were the detail shots… where I got in really close to the subject to illustrate a point I was making. This often involved delving under a quantity of foliage to get an interesting angle. Getting to know your cameras focusing distance is important here, to make sure your image is sharp. You can also achieve an effective ‘depth of field’ when getting up close to your subject, which will help highlight what you’re talking about… if you get your focus point correct.

tomato flowers, vegetables, home grown
I got right under this tomato flower to capture its detail, which worked with the dark background of the shed behind.
bees, pollenation, wildlife
I was able to get right onto the bees level and get him sharp as the flower conveniently sloped away to the front.

I hope the above has been of interest or useful and from now on, I’m going to spread out the recording of the fruit and veg growing, as time is needed on more work related projects. However, I still hope to do a couple more updates, as there are still things to learn, harvest and sow 🙂

For next time, among other things, baby tomatoes have appeared 🙂 …

Do enjoy your summer 🙂

‘Home Grown’ diary project – update 12 … Veggie McVeg Patch…

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Trying to outwit the local wildlife …

Each week, when I think I’ve probably reported enough, something new happens! Having sown some new lettuce plants, which appeared really quickly in that warm spell, I’m greeted with this site…

Lettuce, home grown, vegetables, eaten
Someones helped themselves to my baby lettuce!

I’d recently said how safe I thought my lettuce were from pests – suddenly I realise I could have a slug problem. I stuffed all available holes round the cloche with newspaper and thought these upturned pots over the lettuce at night might protect them.

protection, pots, vegetables, home grown
This worked and helped me capture the culprit.

It worked and not only did it protect them, it helped me catch the culprit. Two mornings later, I came to remove the pots and found this little guy in with one of the lettuce! He was a bit camera shy for this, so before we fell out completely, came to an agreement with the slug… or I told him what was going to happen… he was going to move and live out on a big wide beautiful common… well away from here, so he can happily munch something else other than my lettuce! I still have no idea how he got in?

slug, pest, vegetables, caught in the act.
He wasn’t showing his best side for this photo…

So everything else seems to be growing well… the beans are still flowering…

Dwarf beans, flower, vegetables, home grown
I just think these are the prettiest shade.

One or two raspberries are slowly starting to ripen… I’m picking them just before they get too ripe, as not prepared to share with the birds and have no way of putting nets over to protect the fruit.

raspberry, fruit, home grown,
I’m picking these just before they get too ripe and attract the birds.

A lot of growth continues, above and below the ground... I will be digging up a few more carrots and beetroot this weekend and have a regular supply of courgettes to pick.

vegetables, home grown, growing
Growth continues above and below the ground.

Even the tomato plants have started to flower – happy days… or so I thought…

tomato flowers, vegetables, home grown
First tomato flowers showing – more excitement.

Now I have several close friends who are following this and are far more experienced growers than I am. So I’m eternally grateful, after last weeks blog, that two of them (thank you W and A 🙂 ) reminded me that I needed to pinch out some shoots from the tomato plants… WHAT … quick… where was my book or google! So, hoping I’ve understood this properly, you can see the stub of an extra shoot (that I’ve pinched out below the flower buds) that grow at the apex of a leaf branch. I went round all the plants and removed several.

tomato plants, vegetables, home grown
I’m hoping I’ve got the hang of this job now and understand why it’s necessary.

However, this wasn’t the only excitement going on in a week. I come out one morning to find lots of evidence that a mole had been using the main veg bed as his new home… tunnels had been dug everywhere. I was a bit shocked – in all the years I’ve lived here, I’ve never had moles in the garden… and… there was no evidence how he/she got in.

holes, moles, pests, vegetables, home grown
This is just one of several areas showing a trail of tunnels all over the main veg bed.

How was I going to catch the little blighter, I can’t bring myself to lay traps, but it had gone everywhere, round the beans, courgettes, beetroot and carrots. The very same evening I came out to more carnage … fresh overground trails straight through the new carrot seedlings in a couple of places and evidence of a tussle…

carrots, seedlings, vegetables, home grown
Carnage among my new carrot seedlings.
carrots, seedlings, vegetables, home grown
Carnage among my new carrot seedlings.

… and there on the concrete next to the main veg bed… one dead mole. I was rather hoping to somehow catch it and move it to the same place I had taken the slug… out on the common (don’t quite know how this was going to happen). However someone else had stepped in and resolved my problem…

mole, wildlife,
So pretty, but very dead.

You may recall from week 6, one of my cats helped me inspect the new greenhouse, well she took the matter into her own paws and caught the mole at some point during the day – she simply did what cats do – a hunter through and through.

I would add this following image was not taken on an iPhone.

cat, feline, pet
She just did what cats do…

Carrot seedlings re-planted, tunnels collapsed – I’m hoping it was a one off visitor!

Next week – I’ll try and devote to a photography blog…

‘Home Grown’ diary project – update 11 … Veggie McVeg Patch…

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If you’re going to grow fruit and veg… make sure you have plenty of time on your hands …

I’m so pleased, I’ve managed to sell some of the surplus plants and make a first donation to the charity of a whole £10… but I still have 17 tomato plants to sell… any takers … please?

While we’re on the subject of tomatoes, I’ve selected the ones I’m keeping (eight in all) and have potted them out in grow bags. The grow bags were actually for potatoes… but never got used. You will also spot that I’ve sunk a pot next to them – apparently this helps get water straight to the lower roots, as they need a lot to drink especially when there are thirsty tomatoes growing.

Tomato plants, grow bags, home grown, vegetables
I’ve sunk a pot next to them to water the lower roots.

These four are going to live outside in a fairly sheltered but sunny spot. A mix of both Alicante and Gardeners Delight variety – I thought I’d play safe with my first attempt at growing tomatoes.

Tomato plants, grow bags, home grown, vegetables
The tomato plants I’m keeping and transplanted into grow bags.

I’ve made a fairly basic support frame, with bamboo canes I harvested from the garden. Have done the same for four more plants that are staying in the greenhouse. So if it gets breezy, they won’t get battered and broken.

Tomato plants, grow bags, home grown, vegetables
These are being grown outside, so need some sort of support.

In order to attach them to the frame, found some really soft green cord in the shed, that I loosely tied round the stems as a support and in just a week am going to have to re-tie as the plants have grown so much!

Tomato plants, grow bags, home grown, vegetables
Found some lovely soft green cord to loosely support the tomato plants without damaging them.

So with the tomato plants potted on and surplus selling, I had a mini harvest last weekend… first courgette was picked – another milestone…

courgette, vegetables, harvest, home grown
Had to record picking the first courgette plant!

… plus some baby carrots – I know they look the colour of parsnips, but they’re ‘rainbow’ variety …

baby carrots, home grown, vegetables
Don’t worry about the colour, these are apparently ‘Rainbow carrots’.

… and baby beetroot… I just had to dig down and see how big they were 🙂

baby beetroot, vegetables, home grown
Just had to find out how big they were.

With kind creation from the household chef, we enjoyed a courgette, carrot, beetroot, bacon and feta salad, all sitting on a bed of salad leaves – yes I’m still picking those regularly 🙂

courgette, beetroot, carrot, feta, lettuce, salad, home grown, vegetables,
The household chef is a dab hand at coming up with wonderful food!

… it was hugely tasty and these two photographs are a further donation from the chef 🙂

courgette, beetroot, carrot, feta, lettuce, salad, home grown, vegetables,
The household chef is a dab hand at coming up with wonderful food!

Next week – someone’s had a munch at the lettuce!

‘Home Grown’ diary project – update 10 … Veggie McVeg Patch…

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Just when you think things are safe… the squirrel is back!

The very day after last weeks blog was published, this site greets me! Yes both little hazelnut trees had been dug out of their pots and left on the concrete! Now I love all wildlife, but the pesky squirrel has overstepped the mark… just because he thought there was a nut underneath 🙁 – ok, he was only trying to find a meal and probably thought I put food out for him as I do for the birds.

Fortunately, the roots seemed to be intact and I’ve put them back in their pots. So far they seem ok and are currently sharing the security of the lettuce house 🙂

hazelnut plant, potted, home grown,
That pesky squirrel is still after his nuts!!

Talking of lettuce, I’ve had a steady crop of salad leaves to harvest almost every other day from this little lot and they’re currently still going.

salad leaves, vegetables, home grown
I’ve save countless bags of bought salad!

So as I mentioned last time, I’ve sown some more, which started showing within four or five days! These will be allowed to grow into proper lettuces and will very soon need thinning out, as they’ll need room to develop.

Lettuce, seedlings, vegetables, home grown
These started showing within four or five days of sowing!

I had to take the wire mesh off the carrots, as their tops were growing through it and I don’t think need the protection now. However having sown more carrots just beyond them, you can see the wire covering in place – it works well.

Carrots, foliage, vegetables, home grown
I’m so hopeful for carrots soon.

Beyond that are the beetroot that look almost as big as rhubarb! I’ve also just discovered you can eat the leaves… something new to try 🙂

beetroot, vegetables, home grown
I’m finding these need a lot of water when its really hot, or they start to wilt.

As with the carrots, I’ve been watching to see if there is any sign of something edible at the base of all that leaf… and there we have it, little beetroot are growing. I may try digging up one or two (to eat of course) and give the others more space to fill out, because I probably didn’t thin them enough in the early seedling days.

Beetroot, vegetables, home grown
Ok, a bit wonky, but definite beetroot forming 🙂

Take my hat of to these little guys – while this was captured on a wild flower, they’ve been doing what bees do in the garden, because all the flowers on my plants have been turning into vegetables…

bees, pollenation, wildlife
Our garden is full of hard working bees.

… and more joy, I’ve discovered little dwarf beans forming…

dwarf beans, vegetables, home grown
More excitement when I saw the beans forming.

… and courgettes growing 🙂

Courgette, vegetable, home grown
First fruit forming.

Last week I mentioned having a surplus of plants and an anticipated surplus of vegetables. I’ve decided to sell anything (locally) I don’t have room to grow, or, more than we can eat and give the money raised to a local charity – anyone want a tomato plant or nut tree?

This is the one I’m supporting: COVID 19 Hardship Fund

tomato plants, vegetables, home grown
I now have a healthy surplus of tomato plants.

Next week – plants are selling and more to harvest.

‘Home Grown’ diary project – update 9 … Veggie McVeg Patch…

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Things I’ve discovered along the way…

A few conclusions so far – someone asked me if I’d thrown any seedlings away when thinning out? Well yes I did (just a few), but I didn’t like doing it 🙁 – so as we are two months on, I’ve sown more carrots and more lettuces, to stagger my crops throughout the coming months. This time, I’ve been more careful when placing the seeds out to minimise the need for thinning and therefore wasted growth – is this right or wrong… I don’t know, but it feels right to me.

Was everything organic? – was another question I’ve had – well no, I can’t claim that because I started off using bags of soil and compost bought last year. Plus I have bought some Tomorite which I will use sparingly – however, I can claim that I’ve not used any pesticides or other fertilisers and plan to keep it that way if possible.

Finally, while we continue to enjoy the salad leaves (regularly harvested) – I’ve noticed there are no bugs or slugs on them (bonus!). I guess because they are in a slightly raised large wooden tray and their added protection of the old cloche over the top, nothing can really get to them!

carrots seeds, vegetables, home grown, planting,
Two months on and more carrots have gone in.

More triffids? no these are the courgettes that were potted out. All I can say is all the courgettes seem to be very happy in the large outdoor pots … and …

courgettes, potted, vegetables, home grown,
More triffids? The courgettes have gone bananas…

… we have flowers – Amazing! Yes, I can confirm, baby courgettes are forming 🙂

courgette, flowers, vegetables, home grown,
Getting the camera under the huge leaves, revealed the first flowers.

More flowers …. yes the dwarf beans have joined in and produced the prettiest shade of lilac flower. So we will have beans to, assuming our lovely wild bees find them.

dwarf bean, flower, home grown,
Thought this was the prettiest colour flower ever.

Talking of bees… I managed to capture this little fella on one of the raspberry plant flowers.

raspberry plant, bee, pollination, home grown, fruit crop
The bees are at work and just managed to catch this fella doing his thing.

… and he’s obviously done his job well, because we have some actual raspberries forming 🙂

raspberry, fruit, home grown,
Our first fruit forming.

An update on the tomato plants – to date I’ve only had one seedling not make it, which so far gives me about forty baby tomato plants all growing – again, what was I thinking …

tomatoes, home grown, vegetables,
They are all growing steadily in the warmth of the greenhouse.

Finally, do you remember in update 7, I mentioned I’d rescued two hazel nut seedlings when weeding the main bed. Well they are very happy in their pots and growing well.

Hazelnut plants, home grown, potted
They’ve definitely survived and are growing.

Next week – what to do with surplus plants and produce.