Category Archives: photographer

Covering Dressage Competitions at Topthorn Arena…

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Topthorn Arena is the popular Equestrian Centre, near Stonham in Suffolk. With a large indoor school, they run frequent and well attended competitions.

I went down recently and photographed a dressage competition. As nobody has been able to get their horses out recently because of the snow, there were not the usual number of competitors, which was ideal to run a test shoot.

After adjusting for light levels and movement, got my ‘eye’ in and have attached a few of the results.

I’m happy to say, there was interest in the images taken that day, especially as it was meant to be a trial shoot and was not expecting too much success. So… this Sunday I will be attending again… and there are many more competitors this time.

What I love alongside the photography, is the stories behind the horse and rider partnerships. I feel more blogging material here!

Good luck to all who compete – looking forward to catching some good shots.

Beautiful profile, so willing...
Beautiful profile, so willing…

One of the worthy winners!
One of the worthy winners!

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Competitors going through their tests.
Competitors going through their tests.

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Finished... with a well deserved thankyou!
Finished… with a well deserved thankyou!

 

Equestrian Photography portfolio is growing….

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Some of you may recall a folder of images I displayed after a visit to Burghley Horse Trials in Sep 2011 – well they are still on my website, in a brand new section for Equestrian Photography .

I’ve been gradually building on this portfolio and eager to share some of the results with you.

Back as an eager young teenager, horses was my love and the direction I intended to follow as far as work went. After training for a year and qualifying as an instructor, I did indeed head out to find employment in the equestrian world. During that year, I got the chance to compete, hunt, teach and conquer a few of my own fears… I learned a lot!

However it was short lived, as married life beckoned and I needed to earn somewhat more to afford and run our own home. Having embraced ‘office work’ to help achieve this, I also had an opportunity to return to a nearby equestrian centre and work at weekends. This turned into full time (very hard) work and lasted a whole year. At that point I was able to buy one of the horses I’d fallen in love with and return to an ‘office’ environment for employment. ‘Oscar’ was part of our family for nearly 10 years and I will post some old photographs of him soon. He was much happier in a private home than a riding stable and his character blossomed.

So it is with much excitement that I’m hoping to find a niche in Equestrian Photography and as mentioned earlier wanted to show you a few results.

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Fine Art Cards…

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Several of my photographs have been printed into fine art cards, which I wanted to share with you.

Except one, all are taken in and around Suffolk.

It started with the idea of having something smaller to sell and hand out when doing fairs and exhibitions, therefore somewhat of an experiment. Also an opportunity to display another side of my photography work.

A few weeks ago I ran a small survey on social media, asking which they thought from a choice of five (at the time) would make the best wall hanging piece. The results were quite the opposite to my thoughts and was invaluable help for which one was finally chosen.

The piece was duly made (which I photographed) and donated as a raffle prize at a Ladies Evening run by the Heritage Well Being Centre at Nowton Court, just outside Bury St Edmunds. A goodly sum of money was raised for the St Nicholas Hospice 🙂

Before I share (another blog I feel) which one came out tops, I would much appreciate your comments and thoughts on the images. Which ones are your favourites and (if you know) why?

River Reflections

Winter Sunrise

Sunset Grasses

Autumn Boat

Spring Poppy

Woodland Footpath

Squirrel Foraging

Sunset Grasses (2)

Summer Wild Flowers

Wild Garlic

Christmas Collection (1)

Christmas Collection (2)

Christmas Collection (3)

Christmas Collection (4)

Christmas Collection (5)

Anyone recognise where a few of these were taken….?

Winter 2012 – Mellis Photo Shoot Day…s

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Friday 28th Dec 2012 and Thursday 3rd Jan 2013

Due to the success of the Summer Photography Day Special back in August, I’m setting up another Photo Shoot day…. well two actually, as there is a choice of dates.

This time it will be here in Mellis over the Christmas and New Year period, when sometimes it is the only opportunity families have to get together.

As before, not one, but FOUR SPECIAL OFFERS – available on those days and open to all, businesses included!

It would also make an ideal Christmas gift!

For full details of the packages available on the day, download the information sheet:

PHOTOGRAPHY DAY INFORMATION SHEET

To book your slot, email pennyjm@gmail.com or,
telephone 0845 257 2038.

You can also download and view the following flyer.

Oh and don’t forget… please bring some of your warm Christmas cheer with you…

 

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.

    

   

  

  

   

    

   

 

Summer 2012 Photography Day Special…

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If you would like to join me either indoors, or outdoors (our beautiful summer permitting!) and take advantage of a photography day, with FOUR special offers to choose from.

WHY:

Treat yourself and your family and take time out together with your own photo shoot.

Do you have a special friend staying with you for the holidays?

Girls, would you like to be captured in that gorgeous outfit?

Mums, dont’ worry about the kids looking at the camera, relax and enjoy your time with them! Leave the rest to me…

It’s not just for families – need photos for business? You are all welcome!

WHEN:

The date – Tuesday 21st August 2012

WHERE:

Heritage Wellbeing Centre, Nowton Court, Nowton Rd, Bury St Edmunds, IP29 5LU

HOW:

Email or call to book yourself a slot during the day.

Email: pennyjm@gmail.com or Tel: 0845 257 2038

 

Download the following PDF information sheets to find out more about the special offers – or share this with anyone you think would like to take part:

Photography Day Information sheet

 

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

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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’.