Category Archives: children

When children are a bit quiet… what’s really going on?

As a child and in the middle of a brood of five, we had to learn to entertain ourselves much of the time. We were lucky to live in a rambling old farmhouse that my father renovated and had our own ‘playroom’, where nothing had to be tidy… as long as there was a pathway through the middle to get to some of it!

It’s often assumed that when children are a bit too quiet, someone is up to no good! But from a child’s point of view, it’s probably quite different. Reliving elements of a much younger person, I can recall things that brought me much amusement … just because you could. Out walking, you had to jump into puddles… on the beach, digging holes in the sand trying to reach Australia. Collecting things and keeping secrets. Spending hours in the playroom making stables for my toy horses out of shoe boxes (we were allowed scissors in those days). Re-painting my bike frame with ‘tiger stripes’ (???). Creating cardboard guitars, so we (my brothers and sisters) could be a pretend band… and numerous board games.

All this mischief happened and I’m sure along the way we were told off for few things that went ‘too far’… someone got a bit rough and someone ended up crying.

But I also remember it being a very creative time, lost in my own world of doing something, or, playing with my siblings and always enjoyed Christmas with them.

Relate that to a business world

I’ve been rather quiet lately, with no time to post as much on social media or get newsletters and blogs out. I could say ‘I’ve just been busy’, which is true, however as well as much photography, this has included several other projects, both on a personal and business front, and new work to arrange for 2020…

My ‘photography mischief’ has included, weddings, families, horses, personal branding, headshots, modelling knitwear, food (a new one!) and Christmas parties.

In addition to photography, I’ve stepped up my involvement with the FSB, hosting their Connect networking meeting in Bury and also becoming an Area Lead for Norfolk and Suffolk, taking me out and about across both counties.

So I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your support this year and wish you and yours a very happy Christmas and festive break. May your 2020 will be as creative and fruitful as I’m ‘quietly’ planning mine to be.

photography, Christmas, 2019, children, creative,

When children are quiet… what’s really going on?

How much priority should we give ‘down time’?

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Easter is around the corner bringing with it a term holiday for those with children in school. Now what to do with the them? Is it a holiday for those in charge? ’I’ll do that, if I have the time’, or, ‘we’ll do it later’. Do we find the time, or are we chasing our tails and it feels like another working week? Remembering the simpler times when we could work out where our friends were by who’s house they’d left their bikes outside and being told as kids to be home by tea time!

No mobiles or internet, just our bikes and imagination.

Not pining for rose tinted nostalgia, too many reminders of dodgy clothing choices and shocking/questionable haircuts, but how much downtime do you book for yourself and your loved ones? The benefits of ‘head space’, enjoying the great outdoors and doing the things that bring enhancement to your life… why on earth don’t we give it a higher priority?

Future memories are being made today.

Outside is free. These things don’t have to be financially restrictive. Build a blanket den, hide & seek or get crafty – make stuff from, well, stuff! But are teenagers going to want to be involved with a ladybird search? Our past experience has included tame pheasants, quad bikes, dogs, sport, music, oh and imitating Mo Farrah and Usain Bolt, to name a few things we’ve captured with the teens of the family.

Picnic in the park, beach walks and nature trails, liking these simple things for what they are, not for the ‘likes’ it may achieve on social media is still pretty priceless.

Create your future memory this year.

Create your future memories this year. Photograph copyright of Penny Morgan Photography.

Jump Into Spring With The Kids… and more…

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Spring seems to have arrived perfectly this year and gardens are already full of colour.

I’m seeing people out and about enjoying the improved weather with their friends and families and there is something irresistible when observing those brilliant moments children give us… and wanting to capture it… every image tells a story!

With Easter round the corner, a perfect time for a Special Spring photo shoot offer to celebrate your kids and available to book until the end of April.

For full information, please download the attached leaflet, or get in touch directly via my website.

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Jump Into Spring with the Kids

And….

At the very end of last year, I shared a first ‘Wall of Fame’ and being in a spring like mood, thought I’d take this opportunity to share the second ‘Wall of Fame’ from the last years photographs:

Who can you spot on the second wall of fame!

It gives me a lovely reminder of all the great people I get to meet and photograph! #feelinghappy #loveyourimage #naturalexpressions.

Celebrating 4 years! August Photo Shoot Offer…

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So this week I’ve celebrated reaching 4 years as a professional photographer and what a great year this is turning out to be! If you’ve been following my blog, you may have seen several firsts and lots of images to illustrate.

A huge thank you goes out to all of you who have, supported, promoted or used my services and helped get this far 🙂

As a way of celebrating, I’ve opened a great offer available to book until the end of August – if you or anyone you know may be interested to take advantage of this, do get in touch.

Don’t miss the fun of the holidays – its proving to be such a brilliant summer!

Personal photo shoot for £49.99 and images to keep forever.

Available to book until the end of August. Can be taken by 3^rd November 2013 (includes half term).

Families, children, couples, individuals and of course equestrian!

At home, in the garden, or out on location.

Images will be available to view and choose from, in your own private online viewing folder.

Shoot includes an 8” x 6” card framed print, or, a hi res digital file, of your choice.

All other photographs from the shoot can be purchased as hi res digital files, card framed prints, desk or wall mounted items.

Please note – venue hire for studio requested shoots is additional.

Limited time offer and subject to availability.

Phone Penny on 0845 257 2038, or, email pennyjm@gmail.com

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Summer family photo shoot…

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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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Summer Photography Day 2012 update….

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Wanted to share a selection of photographs from the Summer 2012 Photography Day.

The weather couldn’t have been more perfect – warm, bright but no direct sunlight. We had the french doors open to the Rushbrook room, which was our meet & greet/studio area and for walking into the beautiful gardens at the Heritage Well Being Centre at Nowton Court.

The feedback has been very positive from both commercial and personal customers alike. It was within easy reach of Bury, so business clients could pop out, have their shots done and back with little fuss. Someone even commented they found it less stressful… perhaps that has something to do with the lovely calm atmosphere there is at the Centre.

My challenge was to keep to my schedule, so as not to overun with each clients allotted slot!

The next morning I received an email from one of my attendees, thanking me for the shoot, as her children had thoroughly enjoyed themselves and her youngest (3yrs) had asked “can the picture man with the white sirt come and play with me today mummy?” – he was of course referring to my partner and very good assistant, who helps me get the children engaged and focused on something other than me (behind the camera) until I need their attention.

It is definitely a day I will consider repeating and if you know anyone this would be of interest to, please do get in touch and I can keep people posted for the next one.

Supporting less fortunate children

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I wanted to help promote my friend Pauline, who, on 8th April will be going to Nepal to support the work of a foundation that is commited to improving the life chances of children in lower caste families by giving them an education. This is not a ‘gap year’ charity – they actively seek the support of people who have skills and education to give. Pauline has spent all her working life in the care, support and education of children and her contibution to this project will be very valuable.

Please click here for further details about the project.

She does need to raise a small amount of funding prior to going and as times are hard for everyone is inviting people to The Big Brunch on Sunday 20th March, at her home in Burgate. The cost will be £7 per person and will be serving a full English breakfast, home made cakes, tea, coffee and hot chocolate, from 10.30am until 2pm.

She does need to know numbers in advance, so if you are interested please email her at pauline.morgan1@googlemail.com

Thank you in advance to anyone who can help.