Photos by Pennie 2017 - the best year yet!

Despite being in business over 8 years now, I realise I have never actually done a review of the year. So - here it is for 2017 which turns out to have been my best year yet! I have sat myself down with a frothy coffee and challenged myself to take a look at what I have done over the last 12 months, my best moments and how the business has changed.

I started the year with my annual trip to SWPP in London with my photographer friend Claire. This is basically a gathering of photographers (not sure what the collective noun is for us - maybe a 'click' or a 'focus'?!) and it's a great way to look at new kit that's been launched, get some fresh perspective on the industry and generally talk about all things photography.

I also started the new year with a real focus on my marketing activity - thanks to Lisa Vassallo from One to Three Marketing. We have met every 8 weeks throughout the year and I have been so excited to receive totally organic business enquiries - all as a result of the work Lisa has helped me with. I can't wait to continue this into 2018!

In terms of the photo shoots I have undertaken over the year, I have found myself working with every type of business that you can imagine - everything from one-man-bands and SMEs to global companies. Everything from schools to solicitors, design agencies and marketing consultants, personal trainers to VAs, solicitors, equine vets and PR agencies. I just love the variety.

I have found myself up ladders, in tiny spaces, hanging out of windows and even in the Royal Box at the Royal Albert Hall! Each and every shoot has been fantastic fun.

But if I had to pick out some specific highlights, I think it would have to be a toss up between photographing a Christmas carol service in Westminster Abbey along with a screening of Beauty and the Beast at the Royal Albert Hall with music by the Philarmonic orchestra. What a treat - amazing locations and beautiful music while I worked!

But my job isn't all about glamorous locations......another one of my favourite shoots is with one of my regular clients, Farr + Pursey equine vets. I throw on my wellies and we whizz around the chilterns in Rick's 4 x 4 visiting stables and yards photographing beautiful horses. Talk about the sublime to the ridiculous!

So - onto the 'business side' of the business.....I am now working with 18 clients regularly - some of which I've been working with since I first started in 2009. I am so happy to be an integral part of their marketing activity. But this year, I have also worked with over 40 new clients - wow, that's a lot of shoots! Thanks to my marketing activity with Lisa and also my weekly networking at Bni Thames Maidenhead , the business has just grown and grown to become my best year yet.

On a personal level, I still love walking or running with my dog and generally keeping fit. I'm not very good at taking time out and sitting down, but my favourite time is spent on the river in Wargrave from March to September with friends and family. After all, that's what it's all about right?

So - hopefully that gives you a flavour of what I've been up to this year. I'm really looking forward to working with my regular clients again in 2018 but also some new challenges too.

In the meantime, I'm looking forward to putting my camera bag away over Christmas and enjoy some lovely family time! I hope you too have a great Christmas.