Staying Alive and Well: A Small Business Story of Survival during the Pandemic

Its Been nearly 7 months since my last blog entry- Forgive me.  How are You Doing?

Covid 19,the Pandemic has caused us all worldwide to completely stop how we  lived  our lives. I too stopped my business and went on CERB (I am grateful for it . I reopened in May after implementing the safety measures. Simply opening ones doors doesn't always mean people were ready. I looked at myself and how I was responding to this time and I found that I just couldn't take in alot at first.My whole set of priorities flipped from the excitement of life and  photographing, mentoring & teaching to basic survival, ready to work and the care now of my 89 year old mother who now lives with us (she has dementia so it was the best for her well being) It has presented its challenges but also its rewards of no regret. I have read and heard from many of you how you wished you were able to do the same for your parent and so I appreciate the opportunity to do so.

I too have incorporated into my sessions the "are you ok to be photographed" health inquiry,  along with the cleaning,the hand sanitizers and masks being worn inside our studio.  Our makeup artist Ashley https://www.instagram.com/lipsnlasshes/  is back working with me again which is super..I had a half door grate put in to be able to leave the door open for air flow but honestly many sessions are out doors (which when the weather is cooperating  is wonderful).

The classes and mentoring came to a stop completely. I refunded most but have a couple of people who are still seeing if zoom works for them but for now all classes have been cancelled and I have made the difficult decision to completely stop teaching at this time until  Spring 2021 when we will see where we all stand .  I have to say I have invested in my online presence with equipment to make my appearance of these Zooms better so if you feel that is an option  for you to learn I will keep our name on a list.. I also am learning about online streaming which i do for the church i attend https://www.facebook.com/Parish-Church-of-St-Michael-and-All-Angels-Prince-George-BC-121693677890307/ 

As to what will happen in the fall and winter months I truly do not know if I will be open in the studio as I feel we will be locked down again so that remains to be determined but with our numbers climbing upward I think the writing is on the wall. I will post again when I know. For now here is my Instagram so you can see what I am up to daily https://www.instagram.com/philomena_hughes/

So for all of you who are seeing the need to have a Stronger on line presence I am here to help with creating a good head shot for you and your business. If you need More to put on your social media we have an answer to that too. If your family is together for what ever reason then getting that family portrait done Now is even more important  as we do not know what the future holds and how long it may be till you are able to be together . For Grandparents celebrating anniversaries and wedding anniversaries I am here. For personal projects you need photographed I am here.  If you know you want to do it for Christmas I am working out side as much as possible between now and say mid Oct ..as the weather has really not been terrific as many as you know but we make the best of it while we can.

On top of my work  I am also taking a Government sponsored program to help small businesses to survive with a 6 week program run through Alacrity Academy https://www.alacritycanada.com/digital-marketing-course/ with nearly 400 other businesses of all sizes around the province and that in itself has been really inspiring. My goal is to improve my business from what I learn and help others in my community do the same so I am pivoting my business once again for that

So if you have someone that could use some help, pass on my name. I hope to offer a  consulting package (first 30 min are free ) by the Fall and over the winter help them prepare for 2021 and relaunching themselves.https://philomenahughesphotography.ca/

 It has been a delight to run into some of my former students and have a quick check in with them so good to hear you are all doing ok. Seeing my clients also out and about a bit but it is usually a wave from a safe social distance but i so miss you all.

We have a new reality to embrace. Let's make it the best we can. 

The last of the human freedoms: to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” Viktor Frankl - Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist, and a Holocaust survivor,

 

2017 Easter a Good Day To Start Again

Happy Easter Everyone....Now i have to apologize that I took a few months off writing a blog as I just wanted to get myself caught up on so many things in the office and I had a trip in there as well to Mexico and time just slipped faster than I could keep up with. I have been working with alot of people these last few months on several projects  including putting these together. Thanks to Robyn and Michael and their family for letting me showcase their story to you. I looked back  on all the sessions I would do for people when they were feeling they had to make a choice to "pick" the one or 10 images they loved leaving so many many others aside so I created a package that would allow for clients to keep those memories in a book and an enlargement to see everyday. The book is gorgeous. If you have had a session with me you know our work but if you are interested in having a look at the book give me a call and see it for yourself. Its Free to see me and i would be very happy to meet you. There are lots of occasions that these can work for everyday life in a family,special occasions and gatherings except for weddings ( sorry I gave those up 10 years ago)....though I do baby showers and birthday gatherings - even for Adults!! They start at $2500 . Lots of interesting projects are on the horizon.so I will be back posting at least once a month if not twice.If you are wondering why one has sound and one doesn't. I wanted to see which one people responded more to. If you have an opinion you care to share I would love to hear it. Marketing is always interesting to me.
Of course I am on Instagram if you are wishing to see more images and stories I am at philomena_hughes and I would love to follow you too. I love Prince George and telling its story too and maybe one day YOURS!

Last Session of the Year

  

Can I say that Family Photo Sessions are my favorite to do? Yup Guess I can when I am the one writing the Blog right?! It may be stressful getting everyone together and over the holidays it seems nearly impossible that it will happen but when your family is only together during the holidays it becomes the Gift you give yourself that means the most. 

Thank you to this family who I have worked with over the years since boys came on the scene 18 years ago and their little sister a few years later. We wanted an outdoor session with everyone in the family which means the family dogs who both were super. 

Happy New Year Everyone. Thank you for making me your Professional Photographer to photograph the events in your life that are precious to you. 

Maybe next year you will consider asking us to do the same for you .

Thinking of You Dads!!

I have been always so impressed with the men who have come into my studio for these sessions with their newborn children. We have plans but babies do too...and they don't always align. Unless we wait and be patient as did this wonderful (experienced) father. To all you Fathers Old, New and those to be...I wish you all the best throughout the year but know that this Sunday we salute each of you.   These are the raw images directly out of the camera. Enjoy your day. Maybe one day we will meet and we can see what kind of an image we can create with you! Thanks Michael.

Family Gatherings...Plan A Portrait to Keep those memories longer

When my friend Erin of Dandy Lines called to ask if I could possibly photograph her family who were gathering this past weekend to celebrate her Dad's Birthday, I was delighted as I was staying in town on the Long holiday weekend this year.
You know I often hear after the fact that people forgot to get a photo after all the planning that goes into getting together for such wonderful occasions, to NOT have a photo is such a missed opportunity.
Not so in this case.We got to do a little something for everyone and let them continue with their family gathering.
So this summer if you are planning a special event don't forget to put your photographer's name on the list of to dos and really relive those moments over and over.

BLACK & WHITE Soiree and Me

November 16th Saturday

The newly renovated Hart Crown Banquet Hall (across from Northern Linen) 

545pm Doors Open

Dinner Dancing Fashion Show Burlesque Show Stiletto Competition  Shopping Silent Auction

Proceeds will be Donated to Prince George’s new Cancer Center for the North.

Ok now you know the what, when, where and why.

This year’s Black and White Soiree will donate their proceeds to 

Purchase your tickets already from Shine Hair Salon or

Sssh Shop (hurry though only a few left)

WE WILL BE THERE...SO PLAN ON SEEING WHAT WE WILL BE PROMOTING.

You know you want to do this..why not book it and do it!!

 

Young and Old....Sisters forever

I have to tell you that yesterday's session was a really lovely opportunity to photograph Sisters..at different stages of life.Jaylene  one of the co-owners of Chinook Yoga ( where I go for Yoga in PG ) brought her Mom and Aunt over for a photo session and her 3 gorgeous daughters and their family Dog Kodi. It was a chance for them to see their Grandma in a "new light",one where she radiated beside her sister. We did lots of pics with the girls both the young ones and the more "mature" ones. Jane is seated and beside her is her sister Mary ( Jaylene's Mom).They immigrated to Canada over 50 years ago and though one lives here in PG and the other in Victoria they are extremely close to each other.You can see the love they have for each other. Now the granddaughters of Mary had lots of energy in the beginning but as the afternoon went on they came to the end of it..which really makes the bottom image great as they quickly went into a position they found themselves and I just refined it a bit.And look at Kodi he is an older dog..but as Jaylene said he looks 3!! See even dogs love us! Thanks for coming out and being such great people to work with.
Hair and Makeup for Mary  and Jane was by Christina at Razors Edge and Makeup with Theresa also at Razor's Edge ...who have moved to their new location behind Starbucks and the Bank of Montreal on 15th and Central. Great job Christina and Theresa as always!!

Lauren & Tara Team up with Salon Spice

Doesn't every woman find a hairdresser and follow her to the ends of the earth ok..well where ever she goes in the same city right? Me too..Lauren has been MY hairdresser for several years and I would follow her even if she moved to Quesnel..maybe Williams Lake too!! ( Ps please don't!) Tara has also been around where Lauren has gone as well from La Tienda - Craze  now to  Salon Spice.So if you are looking for either of them because they are already your hairdressers now you know where they are.Or maybe you are looking for one.I can recommend MY Hairdresser ( and she can recommend Tara!!)

Just like I said she is MY Hairdresser (and I don't go to anyone else) we welcome you to call me  to be YOUR Photographer ( and yes we hope you only come to us but we know that isn't always the case right...but maybe....things will change when you come here!!) Love to be Yours!

Business Women Updates

 

Women in business also need to have their sessions of course and Camille came to us for hers.We like to have you come in after you have had your hair and makeup session as well .A consult is essential to knowing what kind of a look you need and the places you need to place your "face" in your marketing campaigns.It isn't just one look and we know that making the most of your time with us really adds value.Our business sessions are booking now in mid July so give us a call and get on top of things before the Fall comes!!

Family Portrait Sessions are Perfect for the Summer

With summer just around the corner, we’ll soon be greeted with an assortment of invitations to graduation parties, birthdays and maybe even your odd, long-overdue family reunion. Regardless of the occasion, the fact remains that summer is the most ideal time for family members to get together and reconnect.

Let’s face it, not many of us get to see our family members as much as we might like to. That’s what makes summer time so great: all of the celebratory gatherings held during this season give us an excuse to put our busy lives on hold and make time for one another. Now while you have everyone in the same place for once, it may just be the perfect time to suggest signing up for a special family portrait session before everyone goes back to living their own separate lives. Regardless of where you are or how long it’s been since the last time you saw each other, at least you’ll all have your family portrait to remind you of the love you have for one another.

Need even more incentive? Philomena Hughes Photography now offers hair and makeup services with all of our photo sessions. Depending on the number of family members included in this session, this portrait could be hanging in a number of homes, so we want to help you feel good about yourself and make sure that you are proud of the picture you choose!

When it comes to families, we understand how difficult it can be to stay connected – especially if distance is involved. So when it comes to your next summer family gathering, why not suggest making the family portrait an annual thing? This may help to keep you from saying, “Oh my gosh, when did you get so big?” to your nieces and nephews at each and every one of your gatherings over the years, and of course, it doubles as another excuse to have some more fun together!