Family Portraits They Can Be Fun

As i grew up the idea of getting our family portrait "done" loomed over us every few years
and honestly I don't know why people have such an aversion to them. Certainly in my day, it was such a formal event but here we are now in 2018 and the style of family portraits has definitely changed .
Clothing and photo styles? Funky clothing,unusual locations and less formal studio setups,more relaxed "poses",bringing in our wild and crazy pets ( a must in my opinion) but most importantly the "feeling of connecting" with real expression.

Recently the Mayor Lyn Hall and his wife Lorrelle and daughters and beau  along with Arlo the adorable mini Aussie (who stole the show). We were doing a formal Portrait for the Mayoral B&W Ball,  but the for the family, we wanted a lighter side so these are some of the ones we created for them.

                                                                               

Maybe its your first family photo shoot or its been a few years,let us help make it a fun process as we know how to make it enjoyable.

Exist in your photos as waiting to be the "exact" person you want to be can go on for years and your families will change and sometimes it just doesn't get done.

Give us a call and let's talk at least about it and start booking a date and soon you  will be looking at your proofs ordering the images for your home and sitting back and looking at them over and over saying " I am so happy we finally got it together and had them taken, it was alot of fun to do , what were we so afraid of?"

Prince George Citizen

The Local Paper - The Citizen, called and asked for an interview
as they heard about the article  published in The Lancet.

 I also have to mention that Allan from CFIS-FM had called me as well for a radio interview  on the same subject.

" How did a photographer from Prince George BC Canada get the job of photographing for the Prestigious Medical Journal The LANCET?" You will have to read the article to know that answer!
Or read my previous Post on my Blog!

The article is about me essentially, these were the 2 images that were chosen to accompany the article.
 I was thrilled to see Megan Hunt and Earl Henderson taking up the majority of the page. LOVE the image of Megan and to bring attention to both what  she and others do for so so many deserves the focus.  Thanks so much to the Citizen and their new writer - Stuart Neatby for writing it. Stuart is new to Prince George so watch out as he was an excellent listener.

Now as a followup to all this ...do you see that there is a call for Nominations  for Healthier You also in the Citizen Newspaper? Its right there beside the photo of Earl.
It turns out that a couple of people from the articles were Nominated including Dr Nadine Caron and Myself!  We all have no idea who put our name up for nomination but we thank you who ever you are. The chance to bring more attention to what good work is being done here is most appreciated!!
So on April 6th we will be attending the Awards Night presented by PG Citizen. Good luck to all nominees and  I will follow up and let you know how that turns out!

‘Reprinted from The Lancet, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30468-9, Palmer, Picturing health: health advocates for Indigenous communities in British Columbia, Canada, Copyright (2018), with permission from Elsevie

The Last Hours of 2017 What are Yout Thinking About ?

photo by chris harris canada

photo by jo blackwell uk

So is it just me or do you feel like oh my i had wanted to get around to doing such and such before the end of the year but didn't? So here it is, a few hours left to at least write one Last Blog and that was on my list!!

This year I have been thankful for still being employed and in this industry. I am happy to say that I still ENJOY and LOVE what I get to do for People in photographing them.

I choose these 2 images to remind myself how it is important to put life in perspective - that we are so tiny and not as Big in the scheme of things as we sometimes find ourselves thinking we are.
Thanks to Chris Harris who took it of me ( yes that little "thing" sticking out on the ground is me - but it could be YOU if you like) when I took a 3 day workshop with him along with 6 others in 100 Milehouse 2 summers ago. The "heart" shape above me really gives me shivers too as we are not alone but a Creator is watching over us and yes I see Hands holding the Heart ( do you?).

The other is from this past fall, when someone I just met in Los Angeles in May, invited me to visit her if I was in England so I did. Jo is another photographer who was taking  a workshop for women over 50 still in photography or starting out in it and wondering how to do it with our Mentor Sue Bryce. We photographed and talked the 48 hours we had together from the moment she and her husband picked me up in Nottingham thru photographing 3 women, from going out to dinner and  into the next morning dashing to the train station (The Pic was taken on the road literally to the train).

 What I learned and wanted to share is I/we are not alone in this journey (as a photographer for me - insert your profession/passion) and that sometimes being honest and sharing the fears one has with someone else just allows it to be a little lighter. There is always time to make things happen if you truly want to work at it. Keeping one's eye on your own story instead of looking at who is doing what is a challenge but I am working on it. I am SO looking forward to 2018 and sharing my next great change in my community of Prince George.

With all this I sincerely wish you all Happiness in 2018 in what ever shape that comes and If I can be apart of making your year please do call . Love to meet you and yes photograph you and those you love.

Dec 31,2017 5:00pm

Alison in the Looking Window July 28 & 29th Prince George BC

Live Window Performance Alison Keery performing her Rendition of the Sculptures made by Rodin Vivant! This Friday between 12pm-2pm  and Saturday 11am-1pm from  come see the live performance of Rodin Vivant, a french sculptural dance with beautiful poses by Alison Keery! Alison is a resident of Prince George who migrated to Toronto for performing arts school and she will be in town this weekend only to perform her choreographed rendition dance based on the Rodin Vivant sculptures! This is going to be an outstanding opportunity to view performing arts live in a bold unique way.  For you artists out there studying life drawing, bring your cameras.  She will be in a draped silver cloth.  To help support her endeavors please leave a donation in the shop that will go directly to her. Performances will be held every half hour for 15 minute intervals; with breaks in between for the performer.

OFFER FROM THE VIDEO...HOMEBUILDERS HOMESHOW SPECIAL

Now if You saw my video on Instagram or my Facebook you will know  I said to come here for something.

 If you Book & Prepay  during  the HOME BUILDERS HOME SHOW you will get $100 off our Fee and  an extra digital Personal Branding Image! 
  You Do NOT HAVE TO HAVE ATTENDED THE HOME SHOW TO GET THIS OFFER .

  BUT MUST  Prepay during the HOME SHOW Weekend
( send me an E transfer  up and until SUNDAY 4pm only)
and receive it for the  $100 off the regular fee!! A BONUS TO THE BONUS!!


 That will mean  you will get an additional digital file Retouched and ready to go into your LinkedIn/Website/Business Card/Advertising/Facebook/Twitter /Instagram.

S0.................. Total for Women will be 504.00 ( 450 plus taxes ) GET 3 DIGITAL FILES
                        Total for Men  will be 392.00 ( 350 plus taxes)     GET 2 DIGITAL FILES


  If you book after it goes back to our New Regular Fee ( see below), so if you need to do it, why not take advantage of the offer. It will be another year till we offer it at that low price.

(Our  Regular Personal Branding Package is 550 for Ladies  and 450 for Men
                                                            ( Plus taxes 616/ 504 respectively)
 Both includes hair and makeup for Ladies with a professional Hair  Salons ( ie Shine/Razors Edge)
 Shave and Haircut for Men
 
2 Retouched Digital files of your choice
3 Outfits included 45min photo session
Additional files are available at $100 each)*

*Business Consult 15 min consult to go over your company needs and what to wear for your shoot.

 WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA?
 I have really been interested in business and how much social media plays into the marketing aspects of it. I have been teaching Instagram to small business and medium business owners as well as taking Personal Branding Images of them for their Social Media uses. I met Robert Quibel about a year ago and starting  on Business Marketing Program . You Might know him as he completed his MBA here at UNBC and is now riding around on the back of a bus in an advertising that is!!

Robert and his team are VORTEX Social Marketing and this weekend will be at 2017 HOME BUILDERS HOME SHOW. We have a booth promoting Social Media business and I have teamed up with him and will be doing some Live Facebook Feeds. Check us out if you want to learn more about Social Media. I work with his team doing Social Marketing Strategies and Branding Images.

1. What is Social Media?
2. Do I Need it?
3. How do I learn more about it? 

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 .

Studio Fair Celebrates 40 Years but we need your support (please)

 

 I LOVE the Arts. I Support the Arts.I really Do.

I have been working on this project for nearly as long as the 

Fire men's Calendar

This one is Their Biggest Fundraiser - Studio 2880.

 It's this weekend Nov 4,5 and 6th. 

But STUDIO 2880 is a Non Profit organization and so The 40th Annual Studio 2880 Fair is run by the Prince George Community Arts Council ( Studio 2880 is under their umbrella).

 So when you come to the Fair you will be asked to support us by purchasing a button for $2  or a  50/50 tickets for $5 or to check out the  INVESTLOCALBC campaign that you can donate to online or at Studio Fair or at the Gift Shop on 15th Ave ( Studio 2280). Please consider one or all of these to show that You Too Love and Support the Arts. Funds are being used to help keep the aging building updated and to keep programs running as grants don't always come in.
Many artists have donated pieces of art/service and when you donate at certain levels you  will then have the option to get the perk( art/service)  You can also just donate and not claim a perk. Its Up to you . Its really up to all of us to keep the services going here in our community. Hope we see you there. I will be upstairs as well selling mini cards for the holidays and Firemen Calendars!!

OCT 22nd LAUNCH OF PG FireFighters Calendar.Get Yours First

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM pgfirecharitable for behind the scenes videos to watch videos.

Since the early spring some of the Prince George Firefighters have been preparing themselves for the 2017 Calendar featuring them in the traditional style of Firefighters around the world to raise funds.
We photographed them in various places around Prince George and area so lots of  fun which resulted in great images.

The Fund raising is for the Burn Unit that was built this past spring in Vancouver for all residents of British Columbia in need. Prince George Firefighters pledged $100,000 to be raised and have been doing various fundraising activities to see that promised fulfilled. So we want to see us run out of them!

The Launch and Release of the Calendars will be Saturday Oct 22 at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club Restaurant called Fore Bistro at 6:30pm till 9pm. There is a DJ and a cash bar. So grab some friends and come down and support these guys. They heard you  and have made a calendar that YOU want to see and own. Buy a couple extra for Christmas gifts too!

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

 

House for sale...Yup moving the studio

Can you believe how fast this summer came and went? Honestly it has been a full one for so many people including me. Got a dream trip to New York in after our daughter graduated from high school.
Then made a BIG decision about selling the current location and moving into a new one downtown so as of Sept 12th I will be at 1217 3rd Ave sharing a space with Groop Gallery! We are having a grand opening day on Sept 12th so come down and see us and if you know someone or are someone looking for a beautiful home in the Crescents its for sale privately. Call 564-3033 for a private tour.
                                             2    4   1    4        M c B r i d e        C r  e  s
Features : covered courtyard and backyard with crabapple, willow tree and rose bushes.

 Original glass handles and wood floors

 Modernized basement suite with separate entrance. Unique extras

2 Bedrooms Up One down Newly renovated. New bathrooms on both floor.
  $315,000   Two City Lots on corner of 10th & McBride  Circular Driveway and double parking in rear. Separate Heated studio in rear .Located near Duchess Park Senior High School and Park.

Knock Knock, Guess Who?

Totally Did NOT expect to see these guys at my door today. I did check to see if there was a fire behind me that I was not aware of ( just kidding). Theses are some of the guys I worked on the Fireman's Calendar Project last year as a fundraiser for the  Burn Unit In the Lower Mainland for all residents of BC. They dropped by to bring me a gift of the framed signed cover of the calendar to say thank you . Quite the surprise to say the least.  They said it made them about 13,000 so thank you to all who supported them. They have a book coming out soon for another fundraiser so watch out for that. Can't wait to see what the next project will be !!! Stay tuned.

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.

Prom 2015 with My Daughter

For so many parents these last weeks of spring are filled with our teens tittering not about only their soon departure from high school (and groaning about exam hell)  but of what to wear to prom.  Hairstylists,makeup artists along with several shopping trips are consulted and the frenzy of the day can hardly be remembered other than in photos.
 This is our second and last child to be going through this and seeing it through the eyes of our daughter is certainly much different then with our son. "Being a photographer comes in kinda handy at this time I am told".
 Our day started  at 7am for her  ( I had already walked the two dogs an hour earlier!)  as we went to her friends home, who did her makeup, next was Salon Spice before reaching our studio. It really was fun to work with my daughter and create her memories.  Hanna had a  lovely prom dress she ordered on line ( turns out from Australia) beware shipping makes it incredibly more expensive then you might originally think! But it really was a bargain two piece and she was the only gal with that style so an even more important at PROM right. The day carried on for her but stopped for us as it really was about being with friends for photos and going around the city on a bus for more pics ( one does tire of this event going on too long). We are so grateful for all those in her life who have got her to this day particularly herself. Hanna is a wonderful,funny, articulate confident young woman who brings out the best in people. I truly am so so proud of her and how hard she has worked to get to these days that I hope she can find joy in seeing herself years from now in these images and remember it fondly.

I see so many people with these amazing dresses and suits on and just hope that they all get a pro image of them for their families as it really is such a rite of passage that it would be a pity to miss out on a photo that really reflects all the work that went into making Prom memorable. Thanks to Caitlin ( makeup) and Rebecca (hair) and I guess I get a little credit too. Next is Grad..but we have a month to prepare !!

I have one more on Instagram if you want to see it go to philomenahughes and you will find me..or go to our website and click on the Instagram link there. Maybe you will be there one day!
philomena hughes photography

Girlfriends Who Care April 25th Ramada PG

 

People who support others who can resist ( if you are not already booked ) is a great

chance to hang with the important women in your life or Support those who are needing just that.

Laura Hansen with Qurvy Queen  supported our Spring Has Sprung Event so we are paying it forward with a donation to their silent auction and letting our friends know about their event.

Lots of fun to be had...( wished I wasn't already booked!!) 

Next Year I got it down and will be there!!

Living in The New Year Now with Gratitude

Ok so here we are again another year another chance to finally do ONE thing we said we
"do in the new year".
For me it was "doing" more fun things like stopping to talk with a friend if I saw them
instead of opting to go to "work".
Being there for people just leaves you feeling "good" that you took the time and what did I get out of it?
I noticed it was sunny out...not alot of that happening these days.
I felt more connected with real time and not just "facetime".
I got to renew our friendship. We met two more times that day as it turned out. One was at a funeral
of a woman who truly lived life her way and the other the university at a talk about
Astrophotography. Both were so uplifting for so many reasons as they gave me new perspectives.

Have to say that funerals of wonderful people who have had time on this earth and
have time to say goodbye is not so sad.But I also had a celebration of a family friend who died suddenly at the young age of 66 and that was a whole lot harder for the family. I had photographed them when they stayed with us this past spring.How glad I did this with them.

 I see how I life my life so that I do not take things nor time for granted.  Trying to
 "do" the "it" whatever the "it" it is you and I keep putting off..and I am not just talking about photography but with the people in our life, and doing thing you want to DO.
Are you spending time with them? Quality time? I can't always answer this honestly with a YES but I sure do try.And do I do things that I have always wanted to do ..well I am getting better at this one.
I will tell you about one in the another blog.

An earlier Portrait of Sophie who died in her 80s last week.Cliff was 66.
The trees infront of my friend Alison's home as we talked
I noticed how gorgeous they were in the sunshine.
Keith is the man in the bottom image as he talked about how
he photographs Nebula s &Clusters.
I so appreciated all these people and their gifts .
You have all added to the fabric of my life truly Thank You.

Our Friend Collette B. is getting hitched.

Collette is a friend to many people around town and so it was a great honor to have been able to celebrate here in PG for  her upcoming wedding ( August in Vancouver). There were many people who wish her and Lucy her daughter so much happiness and many who were not there do as well I know. Paul is the lucky guy and Lucy has a lovely young man in her life too Luke who sang a few tunes so there was dancing at his insistence!  I do not cover weddings but I sure love "life events" like these to share with you . We will all be thinking of you Paul and Collette on the 16th August!! xxxx

BCSPCA NEWS MAY Update: Hudson Got a Home

So this is Hudson who we photographed for the local SPCA Fundraiser  "Dog Days of Summer Gala". We also had his photograph up on the SPCA Website and this portrait at the Gala
 Well, Hudson's story has a super happy story as he was adopted just from his photo on line with the SPCA to a family in Vancouver!
 They loved him just from this image. Sure shows the power of capturing a personality.

We have teamed up with the SPCA to photographing their "needy" to share them with all of you.so watch out for updates. You can follow us on facebook at philomena hughes photography or the SPCA facebook page 



So Meet "Lou" who is also in need of his home that we also photographed for the Gala and is still looking for his home.He has a couple of interested parties but still waiting to forward his address out!
So  head to the SPCA website for more info on this gorgeous guy  at

http://bcspcapets.shelterbuddy.com/search/searchResults.asp?task=search&searchid=2542

                                                            LOU  needs YOU

My Mother

 

What Does MOTHER mean to you?

I am so so lucky to have my Mother still number one.I know that is not the case of many of my friends and many of you so believe me I do NOT take it for granted. I do know that we only have today. My Mom has just moved back to Prince George after living in Chemainus for  the past 20 years. People say that they don't understand To PG after moving to the Island.  We know why,  Mom came to Canada in the late 50s and settled here in Prince George.Then  she met my Dad and raised a family here for 40 years.It is as she says like "coming home" now. She experiences a lot of firsts in her life now, including purchasing  her first condo.She absolutely has modeled for me a woman who has taken what life has given her. Mom has decided that she is going to make the best of the situations and make life count.She challenges herself and has expanded the number of people in her life .WE are her family.WE love her and she in turn loves and shows her love for all of us.She has shown us how to be a Mother and to each of us here who are mothers in one form or another ( cause I think mothering is interactive love of others ),THANK YOU Mom from all of us.You mean EVERYTHING to me and to so many many others.

March 8th International Women's Day -

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY Is celebrated all around the world today but I have to say It is one of the relationship I truly love photographing in my career.I can hear the laughter the joy and the great hugs given and stories told when I look at these images and know that LOVE is present and truly gives joy to those who know these women.The strength they are given and the re gifting of that to their daughters and granddaughters. Amazing.There were so many many of you that have come through the door to work with me and I wish I could put you all up but know that you are here in spirit and more importantly you are visible to the people in your lives and that is more important. "Be in the Picture" this year.