Photography, The Lancet and Instagram

 As a portrait photographer every once in a while you actually get an opportunity that you can not believe comes your way. For Me it was in January when a past client recommended me to work on a project that was looking for a photographer to document the focus on Indigenous Health and Wellness in Northern BC. Honestly at first when the people at The Lancet (a prestigious Medical Journal in Oxford England) looked at my website to see if I was a fit for them there was doubt. So I asked them to check my Instagram thread and with that I was offered the job of producing 10 images to show case Indigenous Peoples who are working within the medical  system as physicians,social workers,elders to help improve  health and wellness.
There was alot of coordinating of schedules in a short amount of time as we had to get everyone to answer 3 questions about their job and for me to figure out from those answers where was the best place to take those images. Thanks to Nadine Caron and her husband and daughter (and yes the family dog!)  for the fun shoot we did for the Lancet. Nadine and Patrick are both physicians who I met when their daughter was a baby and came to me for a newborn session. Nadine was the one who put my name forward to the people at the Lancet and I am so grateful that it meant we got to work together again.

Here is the link to the article and photos
http://www.thelancet.com/gallery/lancet/canada



: ‘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 Elsevier’

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

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? 

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".

May Day 1....Best D@*N Little Art TODAY

ART LOVERS..and those wanna be lovers....take note..May 1st today at the PG Public Library you will be able to see and bid on Over 170 pieces of  art  T O N I G H T.  The doors open and you can google over all the art at 630pm.
$2 gets you in the door...( main floor ) slip  into the Jack Bryant Room and purchase a glass of wine or not...and take a gander.  710pm the
silent bids begin...see how far you go!!   I do have 3 pieces in there as well..so it will be interesting for me in a new way this year.  Bids start at $35..and work their way up. 50% goes to the artist and the balance is shared between the Library and the Arts Council. Show your support in whatever way works for you....maybe it will be just bringing a friend...or two !!
      If you are an instagramer..use these Hastags and share the love and check me out at philomenahughes
 
#IlovePG  #tourismPG #HellYeahPG

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!!

Christmas Ideas.....looking for one??

Sharing these before and after pics is one of the most popular blogs we get feedback on.
This gal came to us for a gift for her groom to be for her wedding in Sept. Now that the wedding is behind us
I can share these with you.He was thrilled to receive them and she was super happy with his response!! 
We sent Our Client to have Her hair and makeup done by Analise of Pinups Punks & Pretty Things Hair Lounge.  (250) 960-9305 if you are looking for an awesome stylist/makeup artist.
 
She was really happy with how it looked that she wanted to repeat the look for her wedding!
Keeping her images private of course is our promise so unless you know this gal this is all you will see. We have makeup and hair included in our sessions for your glamor or Boudoir session.So
keep us in mind ....Christmas is coming! You will need to book NOW though to have it ready on time to slip under the pillow!!

Chris Hadfield In Our CIty Prince George April 6th

April 6th is going to stay with me having had the opportunity to attend the Dr.Bob Ewert Dinner this year celebrating its 10th year honoring its physicians service to the community.This year's keynote speaker was   Col.Chris Hadfield. What a honor to have been there to hear this lovely, lovely man speak about his life experience not only as a dreamer but truly as one who had a dream from childhood and  who saw it through to becoming an astronaut.   To those of us here on earth who have been given the gift of his photography we marvel. For all the accomplishments in space and as a leader we appreciate his sacrifices and those of his family too..As a humanitarian and as a gifted humorous speaker we all say Thank You Chris you make us want to be better Canadians known for our stewardship of "our" earth. I have to say I hope that the physicians look at all the amazing women in medicine in the North and honor one of them as I did not see one woman's name listed as having been a past recipient.

DECEMBER 9th Judy Russell Dance Studio Holiday Fundraiser

philomena hughes photography and friends will be out to support this event of the year!

You know you will be sorry if you miss it.

The actors & actresses from the Buddy Show are going to rock this event along with you.

If you have seen their show at TNW you know it is going to be amazing.

If you haven't you had the chance to see it ..then you REALLY want to come to this!!

Celebrating 5 Generations of Love

 

Five Generations came together today and how beautiful it was to see all these strong women together.They truly radiated in the room.Little Marlee has strong wonderful role models in her life.My friend Lana is the lady on the bottom left and over the years I've met her grandchildren Sarah and Jess here and daughter Candy.Jean I only met today but I felt like I had known her a long time.For Marla it was a busy day with her first photo shoot and baby shower to follow.Hair and makeup for Lana,Jess and Candy was done by Razors Edge.

Spring Has Sprung Studio Tour 2414 McBride Cres THURSDAY APRIL 11TH,2013

Hard to believe it is SPRING..but we are going full steam ahead and celebrating regardless with our event.
So if you have received an invitation to our Studio Tour we look forward to meeting you all and sharing our fabulous businesses with you ( and give you the chance to win some wonderful prizes!)

If you have 2 friends and want to come terrific you are welcome ( sorry no photographers please!)

Starts right at 5pm and every 15 min we have one of these gals talking and giving away something so don't miss out and come for the entire time and someone is going to also win a PHOTO SHOOT !!!!

New Restaurant in Town..Persian Food "SHIRAZ"

 A Mother and  2 month old baby enjoyed the opening night music and with Morteza Akbari.

Mother of the owner -Mahrokh (Mary) Akbar   relaxing with the baby.

The Chief - Nahid Taheri (holding chin )

is off and visiting with her friends and their baby Rika.

Owner Reza Akbari and his Proud Father Morteza Akbari  after at the end of Opening Night

Day 4  Cheers to our new friends. (L-R) Lynda Anderson,

Marie Hay, Nahid Taheri,Reza Akbari,Mary Akbari,Morteza Akbrai and Hanna Hughes.

View from the tea & alcohol bar!

Persian Tea and Father of Owner - Morteza Akbari

SHIRAZ Cafe and Restaurant just opened their doors in the Parkwood Mall here in Prince George.  It is the fist PERSIAN Restarant in town. Sat Dec 29 was their Grand Opening.  Music and dancing was enjoyed along with the great food!

We were delighted to have had the owner and his parents and chief to our home for Christmas Day Dinner. .Quite by coincidence  my partner went in to get some food the night before. It was after the  Lessons and Songs Service we attended at St.Micheal's and All Angels Anglican Church where I sing in the small choir.

When she said she had invited them for dinner I realized I knew who she was inviting - the family of my friend Roya Akabri - another photographer who now lives in Vancouver.It is a small small world.They are a delightful family and though our English is limited we are able to communicate no problem.The parents have been here 4 months now from Iran to help their son Reza with the restaurant.Reza has been here several years and has lovely English..So if you haven't already been to their cafe/restaurant as it is open during the day ...and till 11pm so you can go before or after a movie or any time for Persian tea and baklava ( absolutely my favorite ) do go.It is a lovely new diverse addition to the  dining out options here in Prince George."Like" them on their Facebook Page too and share your secret new get away.

Happy Holidays..family portrait session with a twist

With families gathering for the holidays we often go on location in and outdoors for sessions

and this past weekend we were at the university to photograph 20 people 10 under the age of  5!

They were marvelous.We did this as a fun one on the steps. Happy Holidays to all our clients

of  past present and of course the future ones too!!

Boudor Winner from our Weight Watchers Draw Dec 24,2011

She kept saying she was in a dream..but Fern woke long enough to enjoy her win from our draw on Christmas Eve to have her hair styled by Renate at La Tienda.Then off to Heather at Les Beaux Visage for her makeup then to us for her session which was done today! Even to the choosing her images Fern was having a hard time this was all happening to her - now she is walking on a cloud and you can certainly see why! Yes it really is her in both images.Honest.

Hollywood Glamour

What a stunning woman! Pampered by having her hair coiffed by Renata at La Tienda in the morning, then followed up with a beautiful makeup session with Heather at Les Beaux Visages, she came to us for her session.Our client Dana won her session from us at the HOMESHOW and patiently waited while we worked on our new sets.It sure paid off!
Here are her words:

I really can't thank you enough for this wonderful prize. What a wonderful boost to the self esteem, and a beautiful and personal gift for my husband. Every woman in the world should experience boudoir in your hands. You certainly have a gift. Thank you for sharing it with me.

Dec 2nd Kris Kringle Silent Auction Boudoir !

Here we go...off to the KRIS KRINGLE luncheon - a fundraiser for the Child Development Centre .
This year we are supporting it with a silent auction item..which I think will break the silence!!
Already the staff at the CDC are thrilled at this item they have for tomorrows lunch.Dec 2nd at the Civic Centre. Jody from Craze Hair Salon is giving the lucky gal a hair and makeup session and sending them off to our studios for a wonderful Boudoir Session in our newly renovated new "girl den"!! And I thought the plum pudding was the highlight ( pardon the pun). Hope to see you there.

HOMESHOW 2011 April 29 - May 1s t Fri-Sun

It is Homeshow once again and what an auspicious day the 29th April is !! Wills & Kate's wedding of course which I will be up at the crack of whatever to watch that day! Then it's a full weekend of meeting new people and visiting with clients and friends the rest of the time. I am so excited to share the BOUDOIR experience with
Prince George ( though I am sure not everyone is as crazy to hear or see it!) i can't wait and we have another chance for some lucky gal to win a session with me. They will also have their Hair done by La Tienda ( thank you for sponsoring that Wendy!) and then their makeup done by Les Beaux Visages Salon (thank you Heather for sponsoring that part). We have a couple of other prizes to win (but you have to actually
prebook and pay for a boudoir session to qualify for the draw!! Save $50 off any of our package deals!
We also have something for our families too....we have a special which includes this year a $75 credit towards their order. Again these specials only happen once a year at the HOMESHOW so if you were planning to have a boudoir experience or need a gift for Mother's Day and are doing it in the next year this is a SUPER deal to Pickup.
PS.you could also prepay for a boudoir session for your wife or girlfriend and give it to them as a gift ( for both of you!!) See you there BOOTH #213 Kin 2

I will be wearing my "wedding hat"!!!!

Theatre NorthWest Winefest Auction Bid Boudoir Session

In December, we put an Auction Item up for a fundraiser for the Theatre Northwest Wine-fest. This is the Lucky Lady who received it as a gift. With 3 outfits & sets we spent Saturday afternoon creating wonderful images ( and laughing a lot) for her 8x8 album. Hair by Renate at La Tienda Hair Design and Makeup by Yvonne at Les Beaux Visages Salon. Can't wait till we plan your album later this week!

2011 First Session - Boudoir

What a better way to start the year than with a Boudoir Session for this lovely lady a gift to her sweetheart. The second image shows the sensual side. These were two of her favorites as you can see the fun she was having .Her nails were done beautifully the night before and Craze did her makeup and hair.
Again great work Jody (hair) Brooke (makeup).

"Christina" From "Burlesque" Look a Like

Wow - another wonderful Boudoir today with Laurie from Razor's Edge Spa! It was not our intent to do this but it just came out looking like Christina Aquillera from Burlesque! If you have seen the Movie you know what we are talking about. Next time you see Laurie - ask her about her Boudoir Experience. She was so thrilled and speechless!
Stunning to look at I would have to add!