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,

 

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 .

Summer Time and Family Time

Family Time.Catching the moments we so take for granted.This is what I want to give you back in our family sessions which include a book and a print. Call us and we will go over the details.Just loved working with this family. I have photographed them as their daughters were born .Their youngest was still cruising so catching her holding onto her great grandmother's bureau in her parents bedroom was so precious.Celebrating her Birthday within a few days of the session was also important hence the balloon. The closeness of the family is evident without seeing all their faces.These are the raw files meaning I haven't removed the stool in the family pic!Had a lovey morning doing this session so thanks all of you.

Mothers Day & Razors Edge

Mothers Day

what a great way to celebrate this day

with a gift of hair makeup and photoshoot for two with

Razors Edge and Philomena.

Limited sessions so book yours .Incl 1 8x10  = 1 5x7 print

Available through Razors Edge at  120 - 1437 Commercial Drive

(Behind Starbucks on Central) Prince George

250 562-1239

 

56 Today Feb 5th DO IT!

Thought this might be a good day to blog about trying something new and yes scary..like having your "picture taken". Yes even for me it can be nerve wracking as one who has their "vision" of what they look like, then reality comes a knocking and then you have to realize that the two may not entirely line up quite the same. Now I know that it takes a great photographer to really get it together - the angle,lens,lighting and the ability to make one relaxed to get something even close to our "ideal self"  but i know that you have to "let go" to really enjoy the whole experience to truly get inside of a person.Jen Rozenbaum was the photographer I went to last summer when I went to New York for the first time and asked her for a boudoir session. Hair and Makeup was done there in the same room as the shoot - a daylight session that lasted about an hour.
The Main point I want to share with you is  "do it" what ever that "it" is. Don't put it off when I......whatever.
Yes I wish I was a slim trim thing but I am not nor probably ever will be but at the moment I am who I am and love that .  So whether that is a Family portrait or business or boudoir or beauty session call your photographer and book it. And if that happens to be me you do this with I will make sure you shine and have a positive experience which let's you look back and have an image you would be proud to say really let's your soul shine and truly looks like you!!

Openhouse New Location Sept 12th 9-3pm 1217 3rd Ave

 

With Melanie Desjardines at Groop Gallery and announcing our Joint announcement in the Citizen newspaper.

Our new Location  is 1217 3rd Ave.Nearer to the Courthouse end of 3rd Ave. Groop Gallery has been there for 5 years but I am the new gal on the block.
There used to be a Black gate...but now cream so easy to find..and now my signage is there too.
Hazelwood Signs did the signs for me so thanks so much.
Join us for tea /coffee and  a slice of cake ( come early for that at 10am!!) and have a look around at our new digs
Oh and LISTEN to CFIS-FM PG 93-1 local station at 9am this Friday morning as Mel and I will be on their morning show with Lisa Redman.

Getting closer to our opening date 2 days away!!

Lots of changes means lots of work so as you can see i was getting down and dirty with gardening friend Val and my 85 year old Mom. She also was my "model" testing the setup for lights in the new Studio Gallery - caught her taking a nap while waiting for me to "figure things out".

Modern Love..Video

Lots of fun was had when we created this session for our clients .

So to help you think of what you can give him or her ..we made a little

video for you.

Watch for more videos as we would love to photograph you .

Time to drop a hint a BIG hint by giving a session to the one you love

and that can be for yourself too btw.

Call us at 564-3033

or email phil@phughesphotography.ca

Its less than 2 weeks till Christmas!! Yikes.

Hope we see you in 2015.

Give the Gift She/He Really Wants in a GIFT CERTIFICATE

The Festival of Trees...and Studio Fair always are the signs of Christmas in the air for me..but truly we have been working on our Christmas gifts for our clients since August as we have to photograph it first and then work on the orders to have them ready for your Christmas. So if you haven't had that chance you can still ask us to be apart of your Christmas by pre purchasing your Gift Certificate and then let's book you in for your 2015 Session.It can be a updated family session,Glamour ( bring your beautiful outfits/dresses etc) and maybe your daughter/mother for one of these popular sessions.
A Maternity session or Grad Session or a Boudoir Session ( exclusively designed studio for these particularly sessions)  ALL SESSIONS are $385 which include hair ,makeup and photo session.And we also include a second session for you to either share with a friend or use your self in the same year. Yup, hair makeup and photo shoot included.  Merry Christmas.

PS We donated to the SPCA Festival of Trees Tree..for their pet portrait!! Can't wait to meet who that will be !!

2014 is the Year we want to see You.

                                                                       2 0 1 4 

I can't believe it is March and I haven't actually put a new blog up so My apologizes.

I have been busy and here are some of the women I have been working with and I thought you would like to see their before and afters.The lady at the top had her hair and makeup done with Razors Edge
while the other three all went to Salon Spice and you can see for yourself how beautiful they all are.

And yes, certainly having your hair and makeup and the clothing makes a difference. But what I see is beyond that.It is the confidence in themselves and their real beauty shines through. And get this, three of these ladies have not even seen their images yet at the time of writing this today!! Thank you for giving your permission all of you to put these up and share your images with other women.It is through you that others believe that they too can have an image that truly truly reveals the beauty I see in all of you ( and now I hope you believe too!)

Happy 1st Birthday Grace

Grace came to us with her parents a year ago...and back today for her first year portrait...with Grandma and Lucas their family dog! It was a little busy but we got some amazing images.Can't wait to show them.
Have a super Birthday Grace..This was a great idea Mom had to share a cupcake...Lucas Liked that ALOT.

Ready and waiting to become a Mother - again.

Georgina told me two things at her consult for a portrait session. She said  her due date was May 12th.and  the image she wanted the most was of her pregnant with her second child. I was looking forward to using this outfit though at the time she wasn't sure if we'd be able to.So very glad we did as this is now in one of my all time favorites of a pregnant woman.The shape of the belly is gently accented with the outfit and that colour just works with her. We also worked with her husband and son after these ones were completed. I look forward to hearing about their newborn but feel this is a wonderful image full of anticipation and pride.
Mother's Day is just around the corner and I wonder if it will be the new baby's Birth Date??
What way do you dream to be photographed? Call me and let's talk about it.

Boudoir Photos: The Perfect Surprise For Your Groom

Most people recognize June as the most popular month to get married, and while this cold weather may be doing its best to disguise it, that’s really not too far away! So if you’re one of those lucky brides-to-be, chances are that wedding bells are constantly on your mind as you try to sew up every last detail.

Why not take this time to step back and remind yourself what this wedding is all about; you, your husband-to-be and the love that you two share. If you’re searching for the perfect way to express your love and let him know that you’re all his, I think I have just the solution.

Boudoir photos are becoming an increasingly popular wedding gift from a bride to her groom. Wonder why? Just take a few seconds and imagine your man taking a peek at your beautiful, sensual photograph for the first time, saying “Wow! That’s going to be my wife!” Just thinking about it feels good, doesn’t it?

Trust me, I know how nerve-wrecking it can be to imagine getting into your most intimate apparel and posing in front of a camera, but when you put your inhibitions aside, you open yourself up to a whole world of self-confidence and sexiness.

If you’re nerves get the best of you, a little research may be able help. Before your appointment, browse around the boudoir gallery on this site or search the web for some ideas on a few poses you may be interested in trying out. Seeing for yourself that you’re not the first one to take sensual photographs may be just the little push that you need.

Additionally, you know your body better than anyone else ever could; therefore, you know which outfits are going to give you that extra va-va-voom and which angles are going to highlight your greatest features. These facts are at the core of what is going to make you shine during your photoshoot, so just focus on being your natural, beautiful self! Your man won’t be able to pick his jaw up off the floor!

(Posted by: Philomena Hughes of Philomena Hughes Photography)