Tag 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?

Do testimonials work… do you read them or skip over??

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When you’ve completed a successful shoot and your client is really pleased… should you always remember to ask for a review or testimonial? This is usually the bit I forget!! … although some clients spontaneously provide one anyway 🙂

I’m told google likes them, and sources like ‘Trust Pilot’ wouldn’t exist if people didn’t look for them – LInkedIn and Facebook have a business page ‘review’ feature, so I guess the answer is that you should. It feels like ‘self praise’ and blowing your own trumpet, but nowadays it’s much more about showing you are a credible and trustworthy business and who better to authenticate your services than happy customers.

So, do you read reviews and testimonials? Well, yes if I’m purchasing items from a source that I don’t know personally, they are very helpful. Or, researching the best item to buy on say, camera equipment. Does this apply to services too, especially those that are hugely personal, such as photography? In addition to ‘reviews’ and ‘testimonials’ we should add ‘recommendations’, as these are frequently asked for on places like Facebook. I ask this, because most of my work comes via face to face networking and getting to know people, who in turn use and recommend my services.

Perhaps reviews, in addition to a solid portfolio, are mainly part of a credible and true presence online, including all the various social media platforms … will you read any further 🙂 ??

” I can not begin to express the delight I felt when I saw our photos however the outstanding service started months before we got them!
For my 50th I wanted a picture of my family so hubby duly got a voucher from Penny and then handed over to me! Oh my what a pain pinning 4 sets of families and diaries to one Saturday. Penny was supportive and patient, no pressure just gentle reassurance that we would get there. So we got a date and we all turned up at the most beautiful house and gardens… chaos ensued with sorting two 3 year olds, two under 12 months and one teenager who needed to be serious.
Penny had taken the time to ask questions before hand so she knew all the likes and dislikes and all the names, plus Terry supported Penny and entertained the children and took additional pictures.

Thank you thank you thank you ?

If you are looking for someone who cares about the service they give and the shots they take then please use Penny – you will not be disappointed

Venitia Billings “

All ready for delivery..

All ready for delivery…

#portrait #suffolk #family #together Family gathering

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.

Happy New Year….

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Ok, I will admit, the blogging has been absent for a while now… but with New Year coming, it’s not too late to wish you all the very best for 2014.

Much has gone on in the last few months and rather than attempting to catch up with all the news, thought I would share a few of the many faces I’ve had the pleasure and good fortune to be asked to capture in 2013, in mini version.

Lots of plans are afoot for the New Year, so keep an eye open for more information.

The first people I would love to hear from are all those who dislike… (yes you read that correctly)… having their photograph taken and think they are not particularly photogenic… I have news for you… which I will blog about very soon.

In the meantime, enjoy spotting a few familiar faces 🙂 and may you and your loved ones have a healthy and prosperous New Year!

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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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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