EDUCATION, MENTORSHIP AND TRANSFORMATION

REALTORS JOY AND CHERIE OF HOUSE TO HOME 

EMPOWERING WOMEN PROJECT GREY

Its been way too long since I last blogged but it has really been a busy year so pulling up my socks just before the year ends.

So now that summer is over i have been busy with 2 things. Personal Branding/Headshots..so if you are looking for a refresh or haven't done one this is your chance to book one with me.

The other is Mentoring and Education. I have been for the past year been teaching  (its been nearly 15 years of this but I took a bit of a break after teaching at UNBC  a few years ago).
I have had 8 people this past year that I have mentored  and was seeing what the response would be and how it would work out with my clients.Happy to say we have all come through and learned a lot . Would I do it again?
Yup, I am going to run it again next year and on Nov.
20th I am hosting an open house to let you see the programs I'll be offering in 2020. From 6 week classes to one day workshops to the full Mentoring Program. So if you are someone that has been thinking about this jump on it as it fills up as seats are limited to 6 per classes. Just let me know if you want to come to the Open House and we can get your name on the list. It is free to come.

So what was I doing before spring? 2 projects with other creatives honestly. Hairstylist Jackie Collyer of Sweet Horizons Sailaica of Pommette Beauty Salon and Bri of Urban Alchemy Jewelry teamed up with 6 women who were all going through the choice of going grey or dabbling in it. We Made a video as well and then went on and did another project with men showcasing their hairstyles. What a lot of great feed back from everyone on both projects. So if you want to see more about those just go to my Instagram page ( philomena_hughes) and go back to spring and see the clips .

Coltan and Fintan Men's Hair Styles Project

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’

Teaching Photography and In Studio Fair Nov 3 -5th

My Apologizes as I slipped from posting. No excuses.

But here it is October and we are back from traveling and working with
so many clients from before our trip.( If you are curious do check out my Instagram Feed
under https://www.instagram.com/philomena_hughes/ )
I was in Amsterdam Underground ( England ) and all Around

  I do have room for only have time for a few more  portrait sessions
before the end of the year and for us that will be Dec 1st this year as we have
alot going on so do call me if it is something you really want to do.

Our pricing has recently changed as well to offer an even more archival product .
We just love it. It is more but You are worth it.

We are going to be participating at STUDIO FAIR  with several other artisans upstairs
of the Regular Show Downstairs. We will be sell a few art cards and our services
as a portrait studio so if you are looking for a lovely gift of a family portrait sessions
you can pick that up from us there.

I have also begun teaching again!! Yes Took a few years off but we began already in Sept
with smaller class sizes so that I can give more personal attention to those who come out.
They are offered through me ( as I used to teach at the UNBC Continuing Ed Program ).
To check what we teach please see the tab PHOTOGRAPHY Courses on our WEBSITE
http://phughesphotography.ca/index.php?site=DECLAN#!/PHOTOGRAPHY_Courses

Those classes will also be available to book at STUDIO FAIR too.Sizes are limited so make sure
it works for you and pay your deposit and the SEAT is yours.

See you out there!!

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 .

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!

Ridge Side Art now at 127 3rd Ave

Oh my I am finally able to let you all know about this wonderful "expansion" of our Art Centro here at 1127 3rd Ave . Her Grand Opening was Sept 24th ( sorry I was not able to let you know sooner - I just returned from holidays ).


Christina Watts is the artist and owner of Ridge Side Art who fills a need she saw in the community for a art supply for budding and established artists. She already had an online business under the same name and represents various Northern Artists  http://www.ridgesideart.com/
But she wanted to take it to the next step and have a storefront. She offers a variety of local artists pieces there as well as paper and supplies. Take a wonder down to see for yourself.
Hours of business are Tuesday to Friday 11-2pm Sat Noon-4pm . There are art demos as well as classes in various art forms so get on her Email List to learn about those. Email submission is on her front page of her Website at the address above.

I am still photographing for sure but you won't find me down there unless we have an appointment just so you know.  If you follow me on INSTAGRAM ( Philomena_Hughes) I've been away all summer.
But I have also been working on a few other projects.The Firemen New Calendar for one which launches Oct 22.  You will see more about it but it will be at the PG GOLF CLUB Pub called Fore Bistro & Patio.

Here is their fb page : prince george fire charitable or follow them on Instagram and watch the behind the scenes I created .

My current project is for the Prince George Community Arts which I am the Vice President of.
We are launching a "InvestLocalBC" fundraising campaign..rather like a GoFundMe but this is a Northern BC Group we are working with. I will link it here when it launches.

Christmas is coming so If you haven't had the chance to have your family portrait updated or you need a gift certificate for Christmas let me know and we will create one for you .

Happy Thanksgiving All.

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.

March = Mexico April = Open (house)

MARCH IN MEXICO
Tough eh! I hadn't been down since 2014 so have to say I sure missed the break and getting down there. The weather had changed and the waves were very high all over which is fine as I walk the beach and take photos .

I have been working on the new space which will be open to the public again as we closed for the winter months at the gallery/studio. We are always accessible by phone for appointments .
So just to celebrate we are having an Open House April 1st ( thought it would be a good day to open ....as we have NOT been open to the Public.) So come join us .5pm -8pm . White Goose will have a few goodies for us and there will be a cash bar and of course art work for sale. We have a new line of art cards so come on by and say hi. Love to see you.

Photography Classses Nov 2 with Philomena

Photography
It is a subject I find many many people love to talk about and ask  me questions about.
I know it isn't hard to imagine "me" wanting to listen right?! Eventually  they ask if I ever
teach and I have had to say not at this time.  But I now have some time to do so.
It has been many years since I last
taught at night school up at the University for their Continuing Ed Program. I am not
teaching back there but rather at my our studio.
I wanted to do this at our new location at 1127 3rd Ave.
We start  Nov.2
at 7pm for 2 hours for the next 4 weeks.

We have space for just one more ( max is 5). It is how to work with studio lights.Cost is $150 for the 4 Monday at 7pm-9pm.

I will be doing one next year only again sometime in the spring though not sure of the date
at this time. It will be an outdoor composition and posing class.

If you know of someone or are someone who is interested I am taking names for the next one
and again it will be limited this time to 7 for the spring one.

Can't tell you what happened to October other than I remember alot of packing boxes and preparing
the house where our studio has been of nearly 20 years, for sale. We have an offer and if all goes well
it will be sold in the next few days.

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.

Spring Has Sprung 2015 Thursday April 16th

  Yeah, finally - SPRING HAS SPRUNG and I delighted to be the host for this event again. If you are interested in joining us you are most welcome but we do have a limited number of seats available. So phone Philomena Hughes Photography at 564-3033 before April 15th to make sure you are coming. Erin from Dandy Lines  and Laura from Qurvy Queen, Marie of The Painted Shed and Denise with The Movement and Melissa of Wilda Moon will all be here to tell you about their businesses and will be giving you a chance to win one of their door prizes. This is such a popular way to kick off the Spring to see our Photography Studio and yes I will be speaking  as well. This is mainly a women's only networking event. So don't miss out on this and come have  a little sushi and a glass of wine and bring a friend. It is lots of fun.

Behind the Scenes A Video Tour of Our Studio

 FINALLY its going to be "your Year " to have a session with us!! RIGHT.
We've created the video for you  to see and show your friends what we look like.
We would love to show you it in person.So call us to plan your session - whatever
it might be a Glamour one or a Lingerie/Boudoir Style Session or Mother Daughter
or a couples session. You don't have to wonder "what does it look like in there!".
Love to give you the experience you will be talking about for years.

It is Prince George's only Studio designed for Women.Come on and see it.

We have a special evening in April (9th) for the first 15 women to  send us a message at phil@phughesphotography.ca.
It is from 5 - 7pm.You bring a friend with you for a glass of wine.Some nibbles maybe win some of our prizes we collect from our vendors and receive a discount from us good for one year.

These seats go fast so jump on it now.You could win a Photo shoot with Hair and Makeup included!!

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.

                                            Happy to Greet 2014

We are looking forward to this year! All of you who have been "meaning" to contact us- let's make 2014 the year you finally made your dreams come true with a glamorous session.
 We are looking forward to seeing what we can create for you.
                                  Happy New Year !!!

Maternity, An Outdoor Session

Maternity is such a beautiful time in a couples life.

  We met this couple through their Mom who also came out for a few pics with her First Grandchild to be.

They wanted to be outdoors and with their dog and we wanted to be safe so off we went to a friend of mine's farm . Their dog Murry,was a very happy to be the centre of attention.

 Mom is due around Thanksgiving so we will be thinking of you around then!!

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!!

Women Graduates.University of Northern B.C.

So Congratulations to all the grads in PG..either high school college or like the gals here University

It was a pleasure working with each of you and hearing your stories of hard work and perseverance.
May you all know how beautiful you are and how very proud so many people are of you.Thank you for
choosing our studio to make these images for you.               

!!