We’re focusing on raising smiles...and charity funds

8:19am Wednesday 20th August 2008

Peta Hudson never craved a career. The doting mum spent years caring for her sick daughter. When Chloe died five years ago aged 14, Peta needed another focus in her life and decided to return to work.

Hailing from a creative family of photographers and artists, Peta laughs when she tells how she felt she had missed her way. “I cannot paint to save my life. I thought I was the missing link!”

She had an interest in photography and decided to apply for a job she’d seen advertised for the portrait studio in an Asda store in Bradford.

Peta spent a year training under the professional guidance of her manager, Shirley Lambert. Shirley was a hobby photographer mainly capturing scenery before taking it up as a career.

Shirley was working in the Asda store providing management support when she was approached to manage the portrait studio.

She undertook the relevant training and relished taking portraits of people who came in. “I like capturing expressions on babies’ faces. It is giving people memories. I love the job, it’s fantastic,” says Shirley.

Peta also found great satisfaction in her work and the pair eventually decided to launch their own photographic studio.

Vogue opened in Sticker Lane in February and they are now dedicated to building and developing their business with guidance and support through the Bradford branch of Business Link, the Government-funded service promoting enterprise.

The pair admit it is daunting setting up your own business and advise those seeking to become self-employed to get plenty of advice first.

They say that while running their own business is hard, they are glad they made the decision and are looking forward to taking it forward.

They currently do portraits, compensation and identification photographs such as passports. Requests for weddings and corporate photography has expanded the services they offer.

“It wasn’t about earning more money, it is job satisfaction for us,” says Shirley.

Next month Peta and Shirley are hosting a special fundraising photography session.

Proceeds from photographs taken on August 30 – Chloe’s birthday – will be donated to the Martin House Children’s Hospice in gratitude for the help and support Chloe and her family received.

“We used to go there for respite as a family and they did everything for us,” says Peta.

“They don’t get any Government money, it’s all fundraising and a lot of families need them.”

Shirley welcomes the idea and says one generous customer has already donated £20 to the worthy cause.

Peta, also mum to Reanne and Leon, originally started fundraising to buy specialist toys and equipment to improve Chloe’s quality of life after she was born severely brain damaged.

She eventually set up Buy A Child A Smile – a charity dedicated to raising funds for children with unrecognised disabilities to enjoy dream holidays with their families.

• For more information about the fund raising photography session call (01274) 666577 or visit voguephotography.co.uk Bradford College run photography courses. To find out more call (01274) 433333.

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