Penny Dixie Photography

About me…

I am a specialist photographer based in north London's vibrant Stoke Newington. N16 is well placed for transport links to other parts of London and the UK.

I have lived in Stoke Newington, Hackney for 30 years. I have two fantastic children. My daughter now has two children of her own, which makes me a Granny (!) and my son is now in the middle of his 'gap year'.

Since leaving college many, many moons ago, I have worked in education. I have been a primary school teacher, special needs coordinator, primary school headteacher and latterly an education officer running services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. I have an MBA in educational leadership, a diploma in teaching children with specific learning difficulties and a few other certificates besides!

I left the world of education in July 2010 after serious illness (meningoencephalitis) . I now follow my passion for photography and I am 'healing through the eye of a lens'. I have put more information in the 'news' section of my website... even though it's old news now!

What sorts of photography do I do?

My passion for photography has developed over the last 30 years and I will turn my camera hand and eye to anything! I find the process of seeing and creating a gorgeous image to be addictive and something that I want to continue to get better and better at. I always want to capture the next expression, the next view, the next moment...

I have specialist skills, and have taken a deliberate decision not to confine myself to a single area of photography but to continue to enjoy doing what I like. I am passionate about capturing special moments, emotions, behaviours, places, times, people, animals, nature and well... just about anything!

In the last year I have collaborated with some wonderful people and my work with them is available on their websites. Please visit these websites to see a few examples www.walkland.co.uk, www.nikobchocolates.com, www.yukariwilsonbridal.com

What’s in my camera bag?

It all started when my daughter was born and I bought a Canon film SLR. I moved to pocket sized compact cameras and became more and more passionate about photography through developing my skills as an underwater photographer. My underwater images were taken with an Olympus SP 350 with the PT 030 housing, Epoque strobe and an Inon underwater fish-eye lens.

I decided that I needed to learn more about ‘top side’ photography improve my technical skills. I moved into the world of digital imaging with a Canon 350d ,then a Canon EOS 40 and 50d. I now use a Canon EOS 7d and a Canon 5d Mark II. I have a number of Canon lenses....EF 24-70mm f2.8 L USM, EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM and EF 70 - 200mm f/2.8L IS USM. I also often use a Giotto tripod with a Kirk ball head and Wimberley side-kick.

If I had to pick 3 favourite shots, what would they be?

Three? That's difficult! I've got thousands upon thousands to choose from but I think I would have to choose this image of my daughter Katie and grandson Alex.

He had been crying

but was beginning to feel better with the help of a magic cuddle from his mummy.

This image of Harry is another favourite. He was about 4 days old! He looks so beautiful! I love the way he looks as if he is wearing his father's hands. The hands look so warm and protective and Harry is just looking out at the world with his wide open eyes, taking everything in.

and although it's unusual, this image really appeals to me. It has some special memories.

We had just finished putting up our tents in Xakanaxa Camp in the Okavango Delta, Botswana when this elderly, lone male elephant wandered through. He was metres away from us and intent on looking for his next meal. I had time to grab my camera from it's bag and capture 'just the tail'!

All images on this website belong to me, Penny Dixie. I haven't plastered 'copyright' banners across my images because I think this looks ugly and spoils them for viewers so I trust you will respect this and contact me if you want to use one. They are all specially sized for the web so that they upload on your computer quickly so they are not much good for anything else.

Feedback

I would be delighted to hear from you if you want to get in touch, or give me feedback on this website or my images. Constructive feedback is always useful so please feel free to email.