Interview with Pam Newman

Hello Pam, thank you very much for agreeing to take part in this interview its much appreciated.

Hi Bex

Thank you for your e-mail - great to hear from you - and I will try to complete as far as I can as follows -

1) When did you first start taking photographs for Devon Life magazine?

I started taking photographs for Devon Life's "Social Diary" around 10 years ago.

2) How did this opportunity come about?

 Michael was writing articles on a monthly basis for Devon Life on ANTIQUES - and quite often we would be invited to attend charity events, various social events - and I asked the Diary Editor if she would like me to take photographs whilst these events were in progress. She was happy for me to do so as it gave a slightly different slant on some of those featured in the Diary - eg: Antiques Evenings as opposed to corporate events (banking, solicitors etc.)

3) How many magazines have your photographs featured?

 I have taken photographs for the Social Diaries of 'Devon Life', 'Somerset Life' and 'Cornwall Life'.

4) The magazine contains a variety of images, what tends to be your point of focus?

 My point of focus is entirely centring on the object of the charity event (which charity, funds raised etc) - and taking group photographs of guests attending. The VIP groups are of importance obviously - eg: the organisers of the event, main guest VIPs attending and I try to gather those guests together (usually with drinks in their hands as this has a more social aspect!). My point of focus is purely photographing those people who are actively involved in special events - mostly of a charitable nature - and drawing attention to the purpose of those events.

5) Does the magazine contact you specifically to take images for them or do you take the photographs with the magazine in mind and then send them?

 Yes - occasionally I am asked by Devon Life to cover specific events. Most of the time I inform the Social Diary Editor of those events we will be attending and ask her if she would like me to send photographs through to be included. All those photographs I send through are usually included into the Diary.

6) Has taking photographs for Devon Life magazine given you any opportunities to travel?

 Devon Life covers many aspects of people/places/events within the Devon county. Yes - I do get around! Many of the events I cover, or have been asked to cover, involve lots of people I already know within the county of Devon (and Cornwall).

7) When your photograph appears in the magazine how are your copyrights affected?

 Regarding copyright - when I submit photographs to 'Devon Life' it is always on the understanding that these photographs are NOT used for any other press purposes and only to be used for 'Devon Life' or other magazines with the Archant Group company. Occasionally, some charities ask if they might use my photographs in their "in house" magazines - and this is acceptable to 'Devon Life' and causes no conflict.

8) Do you enter your images anywhere else such as competitions?

No - I only take photographs for the Archant Group (Devon Life etc) Do I get paid for my work - NO - purely voluntary on my part, but I do enjoy taking the photographs and Devon Life are always pleased with my efforts. It is hugely difficult for Devon Life to cover all local events within their region and they are delighted when they have local contacts who can assist with covering social events on their behalf.

9) What photographers would you say have inspired your work?

 Many years ago I set up a Photographic Library in Covent Garden, London, which was part of my late husband's Photographic Agency. I had around 10,000 transparencies on file covering all aspects. My work involved contacting local advertising agencies in London - sending through examples of photographs of file and selling to magazines, advertising agencies, holiday brochures etc. Occasionally, an advertising agency would ask me if I could provide photographs on a particular subject for reference purposes - and I had around 6-8 photographers who provided photographs for my Library - and they would shoot photographs specifically for this purpose - eg: I had a photographer based in Majorca who provided wonderful photographs of couples on beaches / children/families on beaches / beach scenes / sunset scenes / couples with drinks beside swimming pools etc mainly for holiday brochures. Penny Tweedie (who recently died) did a tremendous amount of photographic work on "Treasures of Britain" - and she provided me with a huge number of spare photographs for the Library - she was quite amazing. I had photographs provided by fashion photographers / food photographers / travel photographers on file.

10) Who is your favourite photographer?

 Favourite photographer - There are a number - but if you look currently in Devon Life - JAN BARWICK who provides photographs on gardens/flowers etc. is quite amazing.

There should be several events covered by me in the next edition (MAY) of Devon Life - including a feature on the WI local Branch - "KNIT-A-THON" event - which was quite fun!

Photography is an art - and I am only an amateur. We have a local professional and extremely well qualified photographer living locally - SUSAN BROWN - look her up on the internet. She recently won a national photographic award - and her work is astonishing! You will find the work tremendously interesting - and fun!

Let me have your phone number - and if an occasion presents itself within Plymouth - I will ring you and see if you could come along and "assist"!!