As I am moving to the Charente next Friday ( sooo excited!!), I have spent the past few weeks looking at creative businesses in the area and PamelaJayne Photography immediately caught my eye. I have recently become interested in photography, although only as a hobby, but Pamela has real talent. I particularly love her shots of the nearby countryside and I think it helps to promote the area to toursits too!
I was lucky enough to get the chance to have a chat with PamelaJayne and learn more about this talented photographer.
1.Firstly,what made you decide to move to France and how long have you
lived here?
That is such a good question I am not actually sure we ever decided to move to France - it sort of happened! We brought my parents over in a hire car with all their essentials and found them a long term Gite rental and drove home discussing the merits of living in France! 9 years later we are here and I would say very settled!
2.Which part of France do you live in, and what's it like to live
there?
We Live in the Deux-Sevrès in the Poitou Charentes and it was a good choice in the end! We seem to be well placed with just about everywhere we need to go an hour and half a way! It's very rural here but we
have Poitiers and Niort just 45 minutes away for our "city fix
I was lucky enough to get the chance to have a chat with PamelaJayne and learn more about this talented photographer.
1.Firstly,what made you decide to move to France and how long have you
lived here?
That is such a good question I am not actually sure we ever decided to move to France - it sort of happened! We brought my parents over in a hire car with all their essentials and found them a long term Gite rental and drove home discussing the merits of living in France! 9 years later we are here and I would say very settled!
2.Which part of France do you live in, and what's it like to live
there?
We Live in the Deux-Sevrès in the Poitou Charentes and it was a good choice in the end! We seem to be well placed with just about everywhere we need to go an hour and half a way! It's very rural here but we
have Poitiers and Niort just 45 minutes away for our "city fix
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3.When did you first discover your interest in photography?
My Dad is a very keen photographer - he also developed his own in his own dark room so - I remember having a camera from when I was about 8 years old a little 110mm and loved it. I then moved up to a 35mm camera as I got older as I also went away with a choir I was in to Eastern Europe and my parents thought it would be good to have a "nice" camera to use to make the memories! So really it's always been something I have loved to do and picked many hints and tips from my dad - too much sky, too much grass, etc... all goes in although I probably didn't like hearing it at at the time! Over time I spent my youth capturing photos of my friends, and then my girls and so it carried on....
4.Have you had any formal training?
I did photography back at school - we were lucky enough to have a dark room and did enjoy the time spent learning the basics but no - everything I do is completely self taught.
5.Among your works, do you have a favourite piece? Why?
That's hard as I am always quite critical of what I take, but as you have asked it's "So French" my French bike.....it just sums up our move to France taken in 2005 on my new digital camera a Canon Ixus which is a compact and is just "that" photo.
My Dad is a very keen photographer - he also developed his own in his own dark room so - I remember having a camera from when I was about 8 years old a little 110mm and loved it. I then moved up to a 35mm camera as I got older as I also went away with a choir I was in to Eastern Europe and my parents thought it would be good to have a "nice" camera to use to make the memories! So really it's always been something I have loved to do and picked many hints and tips from my dad - too much sky, too much grass, etc... all goes in although I probably didn't like hearing it at at the time! Over time I spent my youth capturing photos of my friends, and then my girls and so it carried on....
4.Have you had any formal training?
I did photography back at school - we were lucky enough to have a dark room and did enjoy the time spent learning the basics but no - everything I do is completely self taught.
5.Among your works, do you have a favourite piece? Why?
That's hard as I am always quite critical of what I take, but as you have asked it's "So French" my French bike.....it just sums up our move to France taken in 2005 on my new digital camera a Canon Ixus which is a compact and is just "that" photo.
6.Do you have a favourite photographer?
Without a shadow of doubt Amstel Adams...
7.What advice would you give to a budding photographer?
Shoot from the heart! See it - take it....there is always those that say about equipment but for me it's the what you see from your heart - probably sounds a bit icky but for me it's true, I am passionate about
my photography and even a simple food product shoot becomes something to put my heart into. So enjoy what you do and take pleasure in it.
8. Did you find it challening to set up a business in France?
It hasn't been to bad setting up a business per se it's the time after building the business and trying to keep positive when sometimes it can anything but -it is a challenge when it's freezing cold (and you have flu) and you are working at the Christmas markets or when it's boiling hot and you are in that heat all day selling "me" all day, although I really enjoy the markets and Foires etc...it's a chance to meet people and touch base with my regulars. I love spending time with those that choose me for their portrait sessions it's another bond that lasts especially with the children and watching them grow up! So yes it's hard but oh so worth it in the long run....especially when you have the support of Family and Friends!
Without a shadow of doubt Amstel Adams...
7.What advice would you give to a budding photographer?
Shoot from the heart! See it - take it....there is always those that say about equipment but for me it's the what you see from your heart - probably sounds a bit icky but for me it's true, I am passionate about
my photography and even a simple food product shoot becomes something to put my heart into. So enjoy what you do and take pleasure in it.
8. Did you find it challening to set up a business in France?
It hasn't been to bad setting up a business per se it's the time after building the business and trying to keep positive when sometimes it can anything but -it is a challenge when it's freezing cold (and you have flu) and you are working at the Christmas markets or when it's boiling hot and you are in that heat all day selling "me" all day, although I really enjoy the markets and Foires etc...it's a chance to meet people and touch base with my regulars. I love spending time with those that choose me for their portrait sessions it's another bond that lasts especially with the children and watching them grow up! So yes it's hard but oh so worth it in the long run....especially when you have the support of Family and Friends!
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9.Your best tip or advice to other people considering moving to France?
I am not sure I have one really as everyone is so different - yes learn the language of course and research your area but don't leave it too late to do so - life is short, grab at it and take the chance you have nothing really to lose!
10. Finally, what do you like to do in your spare time?
haha I like this one - well I do have 2 lovely girls and a wonderful husband so spending time with them is paramount! Normally a day out somewhere when we can all get together, camera in hand making our own
Memories! Then there is cycling our wonderful countryside, swimming and walking, gardening and if I am really lucky reading although that's normally last thing at night!
Go to http://www.pamelajaynephotography.com/ to check out more of Pamela's great photographs
I am not sure I have one really as everyone is so different - yes learn the language of course and research your area but don't leave it too late to do so - life is short, grab at it and take the chance you have nothing really to lose!
10. Finally, what do you like to do in your spare time?
haha I like this one - well I do have 2 lovely girls and a wonderful husband so spending time with them is paramount! Normally a day out somewhere when we can all get together, camera in hand making our own
Memories! Then there is cycling our wonderful countryside, swimming and walking, gardening and if I am really lucky reading although that's normally last thing at night!
Go to http://www.pamelajaynephotography.com/ to check out more of Pamela's great photographs
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