Penny Bird
Photograhper
Founder of #SheInspires
Penny Bird | Penny bird and camera
One of my favourite people and a dear friend, Penny Bird is not only an incredibly talented photogrpaher and founder of #SheInspires but is also an incredible champion of women and the stories that lie behind each. journey.
I was first introduced to Penny by a mutual friend several years ago, when I was struggling to find a photographer who could capture my vision for how I wanted my brand and website to look and feel. About to give up, I was scepticle that anyone would be able to capture it … and then I met Penny! Needles to say the rest is history and several year and many seasonal photoshoots later, her talented eye never fails to deliver.
Today we talk about her amazing platform and annual event #SheInspires, which Penny set up after being inspired herself when her mother was honoured by her students and ceelbrated for the difference she made in their lives. Something she was oblivious to herself, which, Penny realised, is so often the case.
What is #SHEINSPIRES all about?
It’s an annual initiative aimed at getting women to tell their stories of courage, kindness and generosity and inspire the women around them.
During International Women’s Month, the people of Harpenden nominate inspirational women in their midst and then vote for them. The People’s Choice is announced at the end of the month. pennybird and camera gifts a series of portraits to the winner to showcase their acts.
Why did you start the initiative?
I started this initiative three years ago when I realised my mother genuinely didn’t have any idea of how many lives she had positively influenced during her lifetime as a dance teacher. It made me realise that everyone inspires people around them, but most don’t realise the impact of what they do. I want to change that.
What do you love most about #SHEINSPIRES
I absolute adore meeting these incredible women, hearing, and learning from their stories. It’s so uplifting to discover them and realise we stand amongst such amazing humans.
“I love my life. Drawing inspiration from the extraordinary people around me is how I live the sparkly life of my dreams.”
Who won #SHEINSPIRES 2021?
Amber Seabrook, mum of two, Care Home Manager and behind the “Expression not Aggression” dementia campaign which aims to change negative language used when describing a person who lives with dementia (listen to Radio Verulam to hear about this).
Read her story – and the other six amazing nominees at https://www.pennybird.co.uk/sheinspires
Feel like a bit of inspiration? Join the inspiration conversation https://www.facebook.com/tellyourstory.pennybird/
Our recipe for inspiration:
In March 2020, instead of an awards event featuring cocktails and canapés at a swishy venue, nominees for #SHEINSPIRES hosted a Zoom conversation to share their expert views on the ingredients for inspiration.
This is what they shared:
- Do voluntary work/help others
- Self care – fit in that ‘me time’
- Exercise with friends for accountability
- Plan and make healthy meals from scratch
- Take a holistic approach to wellness
- Find and follow your passion
- Connect with people and nature
- Put colour in your life
- Introduce more music into your life
- Count on the kindness of strangers
It has been a pleasure, as always, chatting with you Penny. If people would like to learn more about #SheInspires and how to nominate someone, where should they go?
Simply pop over to my website and you will find everything there under the #SheInspires section.
www.PennyBird.co.uk
They can also find a lot of information on on our Facebook page;