Tag Archives: summer

Perceptions of value.

What do you consider to be a bargain?

What is ‘good value’ – buy cheap buy twice?

We are bombarded with offers, reductions, sales, time limited deals, bogof, interest free & deferred payment.

Pricing for the modern consumer is a minefield of pitfalls for the SME. If you pitch a low price quote then you may be perceived as ‘too cheap’, on the other hand charge too much and you may put yourself out of the consumers budget.

Even after you have submitted a competitive quote there could be further ‘negotiation’. We would like a discount. But can we feasibly work for minimum wage, does it make your business viable?

If you truly believe the work/product that you produce meets the standards expected by the client then why do people feel so awkward in their pricing structure reflecting that high standard? Despite researching and obtaining a comprehensive brief from the client and meeting the exact specifications of the proposal how many providers have gulped and lost confidence at the prepared quote?

Preparing and calculating for all the possible scenarios and outcomes is a time consuming exercise and ultimately is comes down to the perception of value in your work. If providers do themselves a disservice then why should the client respect the value of their product?

Image copyright Penny Morgan Photography.

 

Summer family photo shoot…

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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Fine Art Cards…

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….?

Summer Photography Day 2012 update….

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…

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

 

Advent Blog… December 9th

While out one evening in the summer, I stopped to photograph a field of corn shocks in the late sun – not a very common sight these days, I think the field belonged to a local thatcher. While doing so… a hot air balloon floated over and disappeared into the sunset!

 

Advent Blog… December 7th

Something a littel calmer, in contrast to the wild weather currently outside!

These were taken late one summer evening during a boat trip on the river Orwell. The first was catching the final rays of sunlight as we sailed past the yacht. The second is of the Butt & Oyster at Pin Mill… taken from the water.

It was a very special evening.