Tel: 07715 889457
Wow - has it really been 15 years?
I really can't quite believe that the photography business I set up on the back of my favourite hobby is now 15 years old.
Back in 2009, my children were much younger and I had done a 3 year photography course to improve what had until then been just a hobby. Facebook had around 350m users and I was one of them posting photos of my family up in the woods having fun, using natural light and beautiful settings.
I think the outdoor settings were a real contrast to the kind of photos that a lot of friends had had done at Venture studios and I started getting requests for photo shoots for their families too. Before I knew it, my business was born in September 2009. It was ideal as it was a job that fitted around my family, used my favourite past time and was also complimented with my background in marketing.
After a few years and a lot of networking, I branched out into Commercial photography - still mostly using natural light and always including people. By 2016, corporate photo shoots were filling the diary, so I took the decision to focus solely on being a Commercial photographer.
This is my first headshot - and me in action on a family photo shoot.
Nowadays, the bulk of my client bookings can be divided into the following:
I absolutely love what I do - the variety of photo shoots mean that one day I could be taking a bunch of headshots for a big corporate in London and the next day, photographing a conference. Or I'll be taking website and social media photos for a school, then another day, photos of a property for an airbnb listing.
I also find myself getting into all sorts of peculiar situations - from standing on railings to get a better angle........to hanging out of windows.....and on stepladders. Luckily, being only 5ft 2", I can get into some small spaces!
There have obviously been some highs and lows over the years - highlights mostly include some of the stunning locations I get to shoot in, lowlights definitely occurring during Covid when my work diary emptied overnight. But thankfully, many clients came back when the time was right.
Over the years, the business has grown and evolved, but the heart of what I do remains unchanged - I'm driven by the same core values that inspired me from the very beginning. This can be nicely summed up by singer-of-the-moment, Taylor Swift in her song Fearless: “In this moment now, capture it, remember it.”
So, I have one big thank you - and that's to my fantastic clients - none of this would have happened without you - lots of which I have been working with for many years. From sole traders to multi nationals, I have loved working with you all.
As a thank you from me......for any clients I have worked with before, I am offering a 15% discount on any bookings* received until the end of the year.
And finally, given that a 15th year anniversary is typically associated with Crystal, it got me thinking about if I had had a crystal ball in 2009, what would I have wanted for my business? Well, as I mentioned, there have been plenty of highs and lows, but mostly I have been incredibly lucky to work in amazing locations, with amazing people. I’m sure I would have been very happy with that.
Thanks for reading - and do connect with me on my social media channels below if you want to hear more from me in the future.
Pennie
*15% off any bookings made by previous clients before 31st December 2024 and taken before 31st March 2025
GET IN TOUCH
Commercial Photographer
INDUSTRIES COVERED
New paragraph