Deb Parker, owner of Imogen Kate Photography, found her true passion when she was handed a camera which enlightened her to fulfil her childhood dream.
“From being really young I’ve always had a love for taking photos,” Deb said.
“But it wasn’t until I got my first DSLR camera back in 2011 that I realised I knew I wanted to be a photographer.
“I hadn’t known what I wanted to do when I left school, so I did many jobs. Even leaving my job as a fresh produce manager for the Co-op at 21 and going to Jersey to look for work was an adventure. I then returned and worked for Metro Radio as a sponsorship and promotions executive.
“When my two girls were little, I needed to think of a job that I could do that fit in with looking after them as a single parent and bringing in an income.
“So, when I was working for a company called Promovere I took to taking photos of my Friends’ children with my camera.
“As this became popular, I wondered if I could make a living from it. Fast forward 11 years and I’m a self-taught wedding and family photographer with a thriving business.”
Deb reflects on her success so far and believes it is down to a couple of inspirations.
She adds: “My girls have been my inspiration, so when thinking up the name of the company it was appropriate that it would involve them.
“So, I used their middle names which is Kate and Imogen, so Imogen Kate Photography was born.
“Just another baby added to my family that I love.”
Determined to make the business work in any situation, when Covid struck she had to think of other ways to continue her job.
“Like with a lot of businesses, the lockdowns halted my work,” Deb said.
“All weddings went on hold and going out with other families to photograph out and about wasn’t allowed.
“So I created a doorstep snapshot of people in lockdown.
“It was an opportunity where families were getting to spend time together so I popped a post on Facebook asking if anyone would like a doorstep photo of themselves to give me a shout and I would take their photo and in return they would donate to a JustGiving page that I set up for the NHS.
“I didn’t think it would take off but turned out to be full time each week working out a route that I would cycle round on a daily basis taking their picture.
“I raised over £1,200 and attracted press and radio coverage.
“To this day I still get families getting in touch asking me to take their full family photos.
“It’s amazing seeing how quickly the little ones have grown up since that unexpected phase in our lives.
“Business since then has gone from strength to strength creating memories from brides and grooms on their wedding day to celebrations of birthdays, retirements and christenings.
“Then there is everything in between with new-born baby shoots to full family sessions taking natural photos for them in the comfort of their own homes or at their favourite location within the North-East and Northumberland area which always makes for a great backdrop.”
