Category Archives: professional

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?

Quick tips – how to be in front of the camera:

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If you are one of those people who feel mighty uncomfortable in front of a lens and you’ve not had the opportunity to work with a professional, I wanted to share a few ‘rules of thumb’ and tips to help, that you can take away and actively put into practice.

First of all, I firmly believe that the responsibility lies with the photographer to capture a good shot of someone – not that of the people being photographed. Everyone without exception can take a good photograph, no arguments – and if you are working with a professional, they should have the knowledge to guide you all the way through it.

There are exceptions to the rules and as a professional photographer, I work with the individual and capture what is right for them, as we are all different.

However in a ‘non’ professional situation, you have more control that you may imagine, because it’s unlikely there will be any guidance of where and how to be, whether you are seated, standing, on your own, or in a group. It’s also very doubtful you will be given an indication when the image is about to be taken.

1 – When standing full on, or square to the camera, this is your widest angle and gives little opportunity to show your personality. If you stand sideways onto the camera, it’s going to look quite awkward turning your head so far to look at the camera and also shows all your outlines. 45 degrees towards the camera is your best angle and streamlines everything.

2 – Stand comfortably, either equal weight on each leg, or, place your weight on your back leg and allow your other leg to casually point forward. Hands can either be gently clasped in front of you, or behind.

3 – Angles to the camera are good – we’ve already mentioned in Tip1, but SMALL tilts of the head also help. The camera is at a more flattering angle if a little above you and less flattering if below you.

4 – All the above also applies to being seated in front of the camera.

5 – If you find yourself in a group, say at a party, wedding or family gathering, apply the above tips, focus on the fun of the event, allow a smile to come to your face and resist the urge to chatter. Watch the camera and wait until they have taken the image and put the camera away.

Boring old headshot… really??

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I recently saw a statement on social media that made me read further… it read ‘don’t want a boring old headshot?’ It occurred to me that I’ve never seen a ‘boring old headshot’ – a poor one perhaps, but not boring. It might be poor in its technical production, for example, poorly lit and too dark, too much contrast, out of focus, an old holiday snap, wrong angle… and then there’s the expression… stiff, nervous, apprehensive, serious and decidedly questionable. So if the offering to pep up a ‘boring old headshot’ is to put someone on a brightly coloured background, what about that expression??

90% of the success of a good headshot is in the expression. Many people who dislike their photograph being taken, will also say they would like to be captured as ‘friendly and approachable’. Yes you can have a fantastic fine art portrait of someone with a non-smiling expression. It could be wistful, contemplative, cheeky, thoughtful… but for business engagement that’s probably not the best style to go for. There is a friendly and approachable expression in all of us… after all it’s part of our personality.

Our image says a great deal about us and if you form opinions of others by their online image before you get to meet them, you can be sure others will be doing the same about you.

So if you want to encourage trust and engagement with others in your business world, friendly and approachable is the best way forward. Not fixed and posed, but natural and spontaneous… and definitely not boring, whatever background is decided upon.

Professional headshots on different backgrounds.

Professional headshots packages for those less than comfortable in front of the camera.

The ‘Elephant’ in the room… a photographers focus.

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So for the last two years, I’ve talked about getting to grips with changing how we feel about being photographed. Discovering just how many dislike it and/or the results, has been both eye opening and yet strangely not a surprise.

After developing the program ‘Love Your Image’, to help people who don’t like being photographed change this mind-set, has been an interesting and rewarding journey. Just about everyone thinks it’s a good idea and most will talk about it on a ‘general’ level, but how open would you want to be to discuss this subject on a much more personal level? No so much I find. Often what we don’t like about our image may feel somewhat trivial or connected with vanity and nobody really wants to admit to being vain? I hear so many different stories of why people don’t like their photograph taken, but if you are in business, can you afford to be an Eeore about it?

Being aware of your ‘Mind-set’ is being applied to many things these days and how you present yourself in images IS hugely important. Therefore so is changing your mind-set in front of the camera… and change it YOU CAN… this is something that is within an individuals reach regardless of how you have felt… perhaps for many years? With the right help and guidance you can do this.

To change how you feel and be among a growing group who have learned to ‘Love Their Image’ has MANY rewards. It’s neither trivial nor vain to decide to address this and the benefits are considerable.

The first step of the journey is:

Learning and understanding ‘why’ we arrive at such an attitude.
Useful tips on ‘how’ to be in front of the camera and why they work!

… and when you feel brave enough…

A photo-shoot – that only you see the results, until you are ready to share.

And that’s just the start, to making it a permanent change.

This doesn’t ask anything more of you than a willingness to be open minded to change.

So consider this… and its nothing to do with your size… can the ‘Elephant’ in your room be ignored any longer…?

Elephant In The Room

Photograph copyright of Penny Morgan Photography

What is Valentine’s Day?

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Flowers, a card and a meal out? It’s origins belie a mixed history. The day of romance is named for a Christian martyr and dates back to the 5th century, but it’s beginnings can be found in the Roman holiday of Lupercalia. This was a pastoral festival held on 15th February to avert evil spirits and purify the city, releasing health and fertility.

Ancient rituals have been adulterated with a modern commercial twist.

The special day falls on a ‘school night’ this year so do we crack open a bottle of fizz? Fuzzy head at half past week! We have realised that we are officially a ‘Coople’, a term used in an illustration by the very talented Jessie Cave. It goes something like this… Jed & Emma have been together for 9 years. They are one of those infuriatingly happy and committed cooples who live for the moment someone asks “how did you meet?”

Deep down we all like the high we get from making others feel special, but how we feel about ourselves is where that happiness truly stems from.

Enjoy February 14th, whether you’ve planned for it or not.

Image copyright of Penny Morgan Photography

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Is it all in our heads…?

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This blog is asking people to think about their profile image on social media, whether you’re representing yourself personally, or in a business capacity. I’ve started asking people at events and networking what first impressions they draw when making new connections on social media?

Photographs on these platforms can be clear, up to date, friendly, approachable, even creative and quirky! However, many are also, unclear, dark, out of date, too far away, doubtful in expression… or missing altogether – we call these people ‘Mr Grey-face’!

So the question is, if someones photograph causes you to draw a first impression of that person, what does your image say about you? If you are in business, or represent a company, have you ever considered people’s first impressions about you and does it have an impact on your business?

A head shot is a window into our personality – does yours reflect the true person?

What first impression do you want to make?

This autumn on Tuesday, October 20th and Wednesday, November 4th, you can come and find the unique way I get the best from people and have fresh/new profile images sorted in either Bury St Edmunds, or Mellis.

To book your place on either of these dates, please call me on 0845 257 2038, or email design@pennymorgan.co.uk.

A – Z Photography tips and information… starting with A

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Thought it would be worthwhile and interesting to create an A to Z of photography tips and information… in bite size chunks, not too technical or long winded. While I’ll cover some photography ‘jargon’ and try and make it as ‘non techie’ as possible, will introduce a few less obvious things to consider… all relevant and my own take on the subject.

So (A) is for… aperture (an obvious one)! Very simply, this is the hole in the lens that allows the light through to record your image onto the sensor of your camera. Measured in something called ‘F’ stops, these just represent a ratio between the diameter of the aperture (hole) and focal length of your lens. The lower the ‘F’ stop number, the bigger the aperture (or hole) and more light gets allowed in – the higher the ‘F’ stop number, the smaller the aperture and less light gets allowed through.

(A) is also for ‘angles’ – an important part in the composition of an image. Just one example below regarding portrait images – notice body angles, face angles… angles are all over these images, all creating an interesting an appealing position, BUT, kept in perspective and looking natural. The same angles are not right for everyone in a given situation and it’s important for the success of a shot to find those that best suit your subject… even if you are taking a selfie!

TipsInfo(a)

Subscribing to the blog will keep you up to date with the next letters and more pieces of the information puzzle will fall into place – enjoy your camera… 🙂

Awesome Autumn 2014 promotions…

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Well it’s been a long and busy summer, with shoots as varied as I can remember!

I have a bag full of blogs waiting to share with you, but in the meantime have launched a couple of Autumn promotions.

The first is so important to those of us in business and was recently reminded by a clients quote… a strong indication that good profile photographs can draw people to you.

“I get a lot of compliments on the photo’s that you did! I ask all my clients where they found me and a good majority of them reply from my website. They chose me because they like my photo and I look approachable! ” 🙂

I will be arranging the first session dates in the next week if you would like to take advantage of this promotion.

Click on the image, or, the following link for further information – LATEST PROMOTIONS.

The second is making the most of our lovely autumn colours that have started to appear and a great opportunity to enjoy some valuable downtime to yourself or with your family.

I won’t mention the ‘C’ word yet, but a promotion worth considering if you would like gift ideas!

These shoots will be arranged and held at a beautiful outdoor Suffolk location – flexibility with our lovely British weather will be allowed for!

Click on the image to read all the information.

You can get in touch via email, phone, or my website for any further information.

Side Saddle Association Area 4 show at Beyton…

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Well it’s proving to be an exciting and busy summer, with continued opportunities to photograph horses and equestrian events.

As a result of images I took at a very cold, but very enjoyable Side Saddle Demonstration at the Topthorn Arena, for the members of the Gipping Valley RC, (back in the cold days!), I was invited to cover a summer show on the 9th June. It was still a little chilly, but a brilliant event.

The venue was perfect, in the grounds of Beyton House, just outside Bury St Edmunds. It was a relatively small event in terms of competitor numbers, but is an annual event for the Area 4 of the Side Saddle Association. They all seem to know one another, we were made to feel very welcome and the lunch, for which EVERYONE stops is famous… and quite superb!

I’ve included a selection of shots taken across the day, from the smallest (and youngest) duo, to the beauty and elegance of this equestrian art.

A great double page spread of photographs from the day have been published in the July edition of The Showing Journal – which is a new nationwide equestrian magazine, plus a link to the full selection of shots on my website.

I’ve included a link for those of you who would like to know more about side saddle – click here.

The youngest competitor … and smallest duo!

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Beautiful chestnut showing his paces…

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The fun of the ‘Champagne Challenge’…!

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You really are much safer on board than you think…

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and … its made to look so easy…

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Love the top hats…

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Fancy dress…

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One of my favourite shots…

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This is Gorgeous George, captured by Terry… and I love it!

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Radio Suffolk – James Hazell’s Saturday morning show…

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So the 9th March, saw me trundling down to Ipswich for a short interview with James Hazell on his Saturday morning show Radio Suffolk. Another first I guess – he has a slot during the show, called ‘A beginners guide to…’ and this week it was ‘How to be a professional photographer’. In hindsight barely scratched the surface on the subject, but did my best to impart a few tips and some worldly information on the topic! Inevitably, after walking out of the studio, you realise some of his questions could have been answered far more informatively… I guess there were a few nerves kicking around…

He’s obviously a keen photographer himself and a really easy guy to chat to 🙂

If you’d like to listen, click on the following link. Have added a few photos, that we captured while in the studio, mostly thanks to my partner Terry, sitting at the back of the studio with his camera!

Penny Morgan on Suffolk Radio

Radio Suffolk - James Hazell's Beginners Guide to Photography