Why Hire a Professional Photographer?

So this is a subject that I've been putting off writing about but I feel it's time as I get a lot of enquiries asking about price, etc. and asking why professional photographers charge so much. 

With the advent of digital photography everyone seems to be a photographer these days.  Professional photographers have a lot of training and experience.  It takes years of hard work and education to hone their photography skills.  A professional photographer understands composition, white balance,  exposure, light and shadow, Photoshop, Lightroom, etc. and is always educating themselves to take the most beautiful photos for their clients that they will treasure for a lifetime.  A smart digital camera does not an accomplished artist make.  You wouldn't go and purchase a great pair of scissors to cut your child's hair and expect the same result a hairdresser could do?

You hire a professional photographer for their ability to make you and your family look awesome, using their artistic and technical talent.  You hire them for their expertise in being able to bring to life your vision for your photos of your family.  The time they spend working and getting to know you to really bring out your individual personalities and to capture memories in time.

Not only should you be in the photos with your family but you'll find that most children are more likely to be cooperative with a professional photographer than you directing them.   Photographers have learnt through experience how to get children to give those natural smiles.

The actual photo shoot is only a small portion of what the photographer actually does.  After the shoot the photos have to be culled and edited individually to give them their own unique look that fits with the Photographer's style.  This is where the main work happens.   They are then loaded to an online photography gallery for you to choose your images.

When you pay for a professional photographer you are investing money into pieces of artwork, high quality images that will be displayed on your walls and not left on your computer hard drive or in boxes packed away.  They have the knowledge of quality printing for your photos and have their own specialist printers that they use.  A high quality photo deserves to be printed on beautiful art paper that will withstand the years.

What am I paying a professional for?

When you pay a professional photographer to shoot for you, you are generally paying for the following things:

- The photographer will work closely with you in choosing your outfits, ideal location and time of day to get the most beautiful lighting, etc.  All of these minor details can make a huge difference in your final photographs.

- Time and talent

- Knowledge of cameras, lenses and purchasing of equipment in order to achieve high quality images for you.  Professional photographers have a great depth of knowledge about what types of equipment and what camera settings you need to produce a certain image.  That beautiful bokeh (blurry background) and halo lighting cannot be reproduced in 'Auto' mode.

- Post production creating and editing each individual photo.  This is a lengthy process where your photos are worked on individually to give them a polished, artistic and professional look.

- Printing and social media rights for usage of your photos.

- Insurance

I hope this helps you understand what you pay for by hiring a professional photographer.  Life happens so quickly and photographs are timeless memories of who you and your family were that will be passed down through generations.  

For all the Mum's out there!

With less than a week to Mother's Day I thought I'd share some favourite images of Motherhood over the last year.  Mum's deserve to be spoilt on their special day!  Celebrate Motherhood, the love they have for their children, the behind the scenes work they do to make our lives run smoothly.  Being a Mum myself and knowing how our time is so stretched thin, why not spoil your Mum with a photo shoot Gift Voucher, a present that will be cherished for a lifetime.   My aim is to capture the love and connection all Mum's have for their children and family.  Book now and you'll receive a free 7 x 5" art print.

How to Prepare for your Autumn Family Session!

7 Tips for Preparing for Your Autumn Session

Autumn is one of the most popular months of the year for portrait sessions. After all, nature is doing its thing with all those vibrant colors, plus you get a chance to really play up your wardrobe with accessories in the crisp weather.

1. Make use of accessories and clothing that play up the "autumn" feeling. For example, opt for leather boots, cable knit scarves and comfy cardigans look amazing on the whole family and can really bring a picture to life. Tip: neutrals do really well in the fall against all that foliage.

2. Timing is everything. Start paying attention to that shift in weather as summer melts into fall. Once the leaves start changing book a session. I know that I like to plan fall sessions, so chances are I've got a session ready for you.

3. Location is everything. If it's Autumn, you better believe we're playing outside in the gorgeous weather. I have a lot of locations to choose from that have particularly pretty backdrops. I'm also open to your suggestions.

4. Plan for a mid-afternoon to early-evening session, when the light is just gorgeous. The days are shorter in the fall, so we need to plan accordingly to get that golden hour light.

5. Play in the environment. Chances are there are leaves on the ground or a few buds lingering around. I may have you throw leaves up into the air or something similar. Remember, this shoot is all about capturing your family bond and having fun, so let loose and get into the season!

6. Pack the necessities. It can get chilly in Autumn, so you may want to bring some necessities on hand.  Snacks and drinks for the kids and jackets on standby for when the sun goes in.

7. Wear comfortable shoes and accessories. Since we're going to be outside, we'll probably do lots of walking. If those boots look amazing but kill your feet, scratch them. If the scarf looks adorable on Tim but it's scratches his face and makes him unhappy, it's better left at all.

Family Bonfire!!

What better way to spend a chilly Autumn evening during the school holidays than toasting marshmallows in the fire pit in the backyard.  Children love to do this (and get's them off the video games without too much hassle)!! 

Beautiful Location, Gorgeous Model!

Well she thought she wasn't photogenic and tried to tell me I'd never get a decent photo of her....but I think we proved her wrong!!!!

Natural Lifestyle Newborn Photography - What is it?

There's blurred lines when it comes to explaining what Lifestyle photography is.  Some would say it is Documentary where the photographer becomes a fly on the wall and photographs your normal day.  To me Lifestyle is natural and real, with occasional prompts to help the clients know what to do.  

For me, it is so beautiful and personal to photograph your newborn in their brand new home, to capture your baby photographed in their own nursery, to remember forever what that very first bedroom looked like. Those first wraps, hand knitted blankets and booties, their first teddy, all the things that you'll want to remember in years to come.  To have them cuddled by you on your bed, a place where they'll never be quite this small again.  Lifestyle to me is documenting you, your new family forever changed!   It's emotions and love that you could never have imagined before. 

Here's one adorable little guy and his parents!

Those sweet little baby details!

I absolutely adored this lifestyle newborn session!  The sweetest little baby details...these are what you want to remember!!

It's a Children's Wonderland!

Welcome to Bella's, such a magical place to be when you're a child...
you can even walk with the ducks!  What an amazing make believe wonderland when you're visiting your grandparent's house!

My Boy!

“May your love for me be like the scent of the evening sea drifting in through a quiet window so I do not have to run or chase or fall....to feel you all I have to do is breathe.”

― Sanober Khan

Memories are made of the family down the beach on a Summer's evening.  My son is growing up so quickly and soon those trips down the beach will be a memory but for now I'm making the most of it!

New Little Bundle of Joy!

A little bundle of joy has arrived, it's a girl!  Such a pleasure to photograph this little angel and her parents, she's beautiful!

Brother & Sister Play Time!

It always begins and ends with family!  These two love each other to pieces and big sister is so protective of her little brother, the sweetest thing!

Merry Christmas!

Family Fun at the Park!

One of the perks of my job is meeting wonderful people and this family is one of those!  This was my second time capturing this beautiful bunch.  We had lot's of fun at the park with snuggles, laughs and giggles.  Here's a few of my favourites from the day.  Hope you enjoy your preview.... 

Her Dolly!

I will always remember my doll's names when I was a child.  The hours that I'd play with my pram and dolls was something I'll always look back on and treasure.  Dolls seemed so real and gave us a glimpse of who we wanted to be in our adult lives. 

Summer Photo Opportunities!

Summer is almost here, well officially and I thought I'd suggest some different activities for your family photo sessions.  When you think of having a family shoot you picture slightly more posed shots and everyone looking their best.  To really capture the essence of who your family is, it's great to organise a few activities not only to keep the children entertained but give a more relaxed feel to your photos and really bring out those natural smiles.  Some ideas are:

Photograph your family playing in the Sprinkler

Yep, you guessed it, bathers, water, plastic toys, wet hair, chasing each other with the hose, all out fun!  The children will be having so much fun (and so will you) that they won't even notice the camera. 

Head to the beach

We can take photos of your kids building sandcastles, jumping waves, giggling, burying themselves in the sand, etc.  The list is endless!

Picnic at your local park

Load up the kids with a picnic lunch, throw in your picnic blanket and have a play date at your nearby park.  There's so many great parks around that also have lakes with ducks and play equipment to keep the kids entertained for hours.

Don't worry about if the kids getting wet, as long as they don't get a chill, let them have a ball jumping in puddles and even playing in some mud.  I love these photo opportunities.  These are the memories that they and you will cherish from their childhood. 

Favourite Things!

One way I get to know children and to help them feel relaxed with me is to ask them what their favourite things are.  It's a great idea to have photos of their favourite things at a specific age to look back on as of course they change as they grow.  Little 'L' couldn't wait to show me her favourite bracelets and the special necklace that her Mum gave her. 

Family Get Together!

"When you look at your life, the greatest happiness is family happiness."  Dr Joyce Brothers

Oh I love it when previous clients welcome me back to photograph their growing family.  This is the most beautiful family....hope you enjoy the preview!

My Koala Bear!

Toby fell in love with this Koala Bear hat that he found on a recent trip to Adelaide.  That inner child still shines through when you least expect it!   

A Toddler's Delight at the Park!

It's scary when your old enough to be a great Aunt....yep my older brother's son had his first child who's now a little toddler.....the cutest little button, makes me so clucky I can't stand it!!!!

Toddler Fun!

One trampoline, one ball.......so much fun!