Come and hear our own Barb Pennington talk about her new book, recently published “Not So Ordinary Men.”
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When my publisher suggested my next book should be about men, I was initially lukewarm about the idea. But, as I mentally walked through the men I know in the present and past, I jumped on the challenge. I set a goal to feature 50 men over the age of 50. I wanted diversity of ethnic backgrounds, professions, and challenges…all of which I found.
CPS was a great resource for some multi- talented artists and photographers. As I mentally recalled male friends and associates, the list of potential subjects grew. Networking for referrals, and Facebook also offered opportunities.
For my presentation, I will share photos of my studio and setup, and explain my process.
The book is a story of stories…all to be shared. Please join me in this story telling adventure, honoring your friends, neighbors, strangers and their not ordinary lives. And, Remember…You’re Never too Old and It’s Never too Late.After raising a family, I joined the professional world as a Director of Sales and Marketing in the Hotel industry for sixteen years. With experience on my resume, I accepted a newly created position at Euclid Hospital as a Patient Advocate. My responsibilities grew with the position as did my title, and advanced to Director of Patient and Volunteers Services. Eight years later my husband started a Funeral Supply business and I was asked to join him accepting administrative duties.
When I retired from Euclid Hospital, the volunteers collected money and bought me a Nikon Camera. Not knowing how to use it, I Joined the Cleveland Photographic Society in 2004, began taking classes and networking with new photo friends. I practiced almost every day. And, then moving on to the technical side and learning Photoshop. Eventually, I began volunteering my photography to local non- profit agencies to gain experience, leading to photographing families and children for compensation.
My involvement with CPS led to being the Hospitality Chairperson, developing the Mentoring Program, and serving on the Board twice. I competed in Competitions for years, which helped me to hone my skills and help newer members.
My love of photographing portraits energized me to recently publish my first soft cover book titled, Extraordinary Women from an Ordinary Place, a three year project with photographs and biographies honoring 52 women ages 60-94. In December 2023 I published my second book title “Not So ordinary Men”… A visual project featuring portraits and short biographies of 54 men over the age of 50.
Through CPS, I have made lifelong friends, and developed a craft which allows me to gift, surprise, memorialize, and an opportunity to always Pay It Forward.
