A Photographer's Blog

Monday
Aug232010

Father's Day Present Ideas? {Kids Portrait Photographer}

Hmm. Father's Day is coming up, and I still haven't had any amazing gift ideas for my Dad, or for Mr K from the munchkin. We've done the hand painting, the pretty plant in a pot and the surprise adventure. I'm looking for new ideas for what to make, or do this year so if you have any rocking ideas you want to share of your past successes, feel free to share in the comments.

Meanwhile, I'd like to share some of the pics we created last week in the Blue Mountains. A friend of mine asked me to shoot her kids before Father's Day as a surprise for her man, so we managed to find an afternoon when Dad was out to have a secret photo session.

My friend grew up in France and wanted something a little bit creative, and on our windy and rainy afternoon we created some great stuff that their Daddy is going to loooooove! It's always a good sign your client loves your work when they can't pick 'just one'.

He is going to score a number of framed prints and also a small print on the front of their handmade card. I have been working hard over the last few months researching and creating a whole new range of products for my wedding and family portrait clients. I'll be sharing pictures of them and launching the new range very soon, but for now they are going to stay under wraps..

I had such a great time chasing these two little munchkins around, creating little vignettes in their Aussie backyard that captured a little bit of Frenchness. Oui Oui?

Wednesday
Aug182010

A Weekend Stroll in Newtown {Sydney Portrait Photographer}

I woke up early on Saturday morning to see dull grey skies out my window. Grey skies aren't necessarily bad for portraits, so I made my way over to Kate and Dave's house regardless, and while we were sitting around having a cup of tea, the skies cleared and golden rays of sunshine came beaming through the window.

So we decided to get out for an early morning stroll, looking for fun textures and places to stop for the lovers to have a cuddle and canoodle.

I just love being invited on a pregnancy shoot, being with an expectant mum in the final weeks before bub arrives, seeing her warm anticipation.. it reminds me of my own pregnancy and it is such an honour for me to be able to share this precious time.

Seeing the love between Kate and Dave was just wonderful to be around, they seemed totally oblivious that I was even there as they lay enjoying the morning sun, and feeling bub kicking and moving, playing a part in the shoot too.

With such relaxed and easygoing subjects I was in my element, climbing walls and trees to get the best angle, suggesting over here, over there, and totally lost track of time.

Fluffy little Jasper awoke just in time for a quick portait with Mum and Dad before switching off to snooze again, and I think after her awesome effort of a 3 hour adventure that Mum deserved to join him too..

Thankyou Dave and Kate for sharing part your last weekend  before due day with me, I can't wait to share the rest of the images with you, I hope you have enjoyed the sneak peek!

Annx

Thursday
May202010

Rains pause for Inner West Photo Adventure {Pregnancy Photographer}

Last Wednesday night I drove down the mountain to prepare for my early morning pregnancy shoot the next day. I didn't realise when Clare said it had been raining and she was nervous about the weather that the rain was actually torrential! The windscreen wipers were on full blast and their affect seemingly non-existent. However, we retained our humour and prepared ourselves for a fun photo shoot with drenched hair, colourful brollies and gumboots in the mix. When I awoke in the morning, I glanced out the window to see light grey skies with patches of blue sneaking through!

 

We laughed at the wonderful turnaround in weather and after a few shots with Charlie the pup at home, we went off on our inner west photography adventure. Clare has a fabulous energy and flair and we went out hoping to capture her wonderful belly as well as a bit of 'something else'...

I asked Clare to choose a location for our photo shoot that held a lot of meaning for her. She chose Callan park in Rozelle (in Sydney) as she used to walk around the water's edge and through the grounds when she first got together with her lovely man, Rob. So we went to capture the nature of the offbeat inner west with it's rambling old buildings ensconced in rambling gardens.

Just to add a touch more sentimentality, Clare brought along a handcrafted teddy-in-waiting that her mother had given to her at her Baby Shower.

I am always honoured to photograph a pregnant woman, especially at this special last phase when there is so much quiet excitement, an imminent end to this chapter of growth and such a large adventure in the future about to begin. In the planning there always a slight sense of urgency from the wonderful mother-to-be as after 36 weeks there is a chance that baby might choose to come sooner than our booking!

It was lovely to see how much Clare had enjoyed her pregnancy and to see her joy and anticipation of becoming a mother. I just love this photo (above) and seeing her inner strength as an individual and a woman. I think this little person about to arrive is going to be very lucky indeed.

 

All in all it was a lovely morning adventure with some absolutely beautiful results. Now we have created our artwork baby has permission to arrive ;)

Tuesday
May182010

Sensis Launches Free Book on Sustainable Growth {Sydney Event Photography}

2 weeks ago today I was shooting at the official launch of Sensis' new book: Small Business, Big Opportunity: Sustainable Growth. The book launch was held at Doltone House's newest venue, Darling Island Wharf, Sydney. It was an appropriate location to launch such a book as the building is only the second building in Australia to have obtained certification as a six-star green-star building. With concrete made from recycled materials, a black water recycling system that will treat sewage on-site with potable water from black water recycling used for toilet flushing, Doltone House is a leader in sustainable construction. The six-star green-star rating represent best practices in sustainability. For more details on the green-credentials of Doltone House check out The Fifth Estate.

Back to the book. Sustainable Growth outlines ways that small to medium enterprises (SMEs) can create opportunities for their business, by introducing sustainable business practices into their workplace. As the owner of a small business (as well as photographing the event) I received my free copy of the book and have been finding it relatively easy to read. It has been written in a way that is very clear to understand. It also has a thorough glossary of business and sciency eco terms in the back, as well as how to move into sustainability with integrity, and not greenwashing your clients unintentionally. There are lots of links and resources for businesses to take advantage of and I am excited about implementing some of them and sharing the results as I go!

I think Sensis has done well, Jill Riseley, the Head of Sustainability for Sensis spoke about the many things Sensis are implementing in their business practice to not only save money and resources but also make a positive change for the future of the planet. I was impressed.

Jaye Radisich, CEO of Council of Small Business Australia (COSBOA), spoke of how SMEs can benefit from the book for various different reasons and congratulated Sensis on employing NSW Australian of the year 2010, Jon Dee to author the book.

Jon Dee was a pleasure to photograph, a down-to-earth and charismatic person who has been the co-founder of various groups, action days and organisations that I have admired or been involved in as volunteer without knowing who was the instigator. As well as founding National Tree Day with Olivia Newton-John he founded Planet Ark and as well as his recent organisation, Do Something which is running a number of campaigns to inspire regular people to take action, to do something in regards to environmental and social change in the world.

I know many people feel that the climate change issue is too big for them to make a difference, or that world hunger will never end, or that they will leave it to their kids to do because they are too old to make a difference, but having seen all of the initiatives that Jon Dee and his friends and colleagues have started and how many thousands of people around Australia have contributed to their community in a small way, the conglomeration of these fabulous volunteer actions has meant that over 15 million native trees have been planted around the country and whole towns are committing to ban the sale of bottled water, these are massive achievements. Needless to say, I am in awe of Jon Dee, reinvigorated to continue my involvement in community and eco-actions, and was stoked that he signed my book.