Sunrise Creations Blog

We attended a wedding a year ago where instead of a bonbonniere the couple decided to donate the money to a cancer charity and placed a discrete message on the place card to signify this. To our surprise there was much discussion around this and quite a number of newly engaged couples were inspired to do the same. Cancer touches everyone.

I recently suggested this to a client and she started to cry, as they had recently lost 2 people very close to them. They were so touched to be able to make them a part of the wedding celebration.

You may like to word it as follows:

“In lieu of a traditional bonbonniere we have made a donation to an organisation this is close to our hearts, the (name of charity).”

Other comments brides have made around this include:

I feel guilty at times because of the amount of money I am spending on one day and I believe in giving back and this is a nice way. I went to a wedding a couple of weeks ago and half the guests left their bonbonniere on the table...what a waste of money.

Photo by Lifestories Photography

1. Tell me a little about yourself.
   Me! I'm a country girl, but have been in Sydney for 21 years now (wow time flies). I originally came to Sydney to study fashion design, so I have always had an interest in and an eye for design and fashion. Our life is chaotic, with a shift working husband, 5 year old identical twin boys and a crazy 1 year old german shorthair pointer puppy! As noisy and busy as our life is, I wouldn't change a thing.
   
   
2. What do you love about photographing families or babies?
   The interaction with families; each family is so unique, with their own story to tell. Especially with babies, the love and awe that shows in the parent's faces or the wonder an older sibling will show.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. What is the number one tip you would give a family preparing for their photoshoot?
   Clothes - this is certainly the most important thing for your sessions. If you are making a significant investment in your photos, you want to make sure that everything down to your clothes is well thought out. Not that you have to be totally co-ordinated, but if there is a highlight colour, like red, then it can be repeated throughout everyones clothes.
   
   I did a family session just a few weeks ago, they all wore navy and red; the two little girls looked stunning, along with their dad and their mum, who is expecting their third baby. The thought they put into the clothing, really showed through.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. What is your favourite Sunday morning breakfast?
   Hmmm. Favourite Sunday morning breakfast... well we go to Church by 9.30 so our breakie is often very quick and nothing too exciting, we like to sleep in, making the most of no daycare drop off. Maybe I need to change the Sunday breakie idea to Saturday, at least that way we would have a chance to develop a family tradition...  pancakes, poached eggs and bacon here we come!!
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Describe your perfect day
   As our life is so chaotic with the boys, business and a shift working husband, a perfect day for me is spending time together as a family; starting with breakfast at a cafe in Cronulla; an adventure at the beach, climbing rocks and looking for treasure (shells, sticks... anything the boys find interesting). At home, we find a new home for all the fabulous treasure... and then a blissful afternoon nap. Ahhhh, our house is delightfully quiet for 2 hours. After dinner, a few hours of alone time with my husband.
   
   

Thank you for joining us today. You can see more of Tanya's work and thoughts on her website and blog.

1. Download photos to your computer
   Put your hand up if you leave photos on your card for an extended period;
   
   
2. Create structured filing system
   Work out the types of things you as a family do, and what types of photos that you take and file them that way. Don't be afraid to have varying levels of sub folders. Dates should only be a sub folder at the lower levels (read more ...);
   
   
3. Rename each of your photos
   Rename your photos in a similar way to your filing structure. This way you can do searches very easily. There are many software programs that enable you to do steps 1, 2 and 3 at the same time.
   
   
4. Become friends with your delete key - the closest of friends!
   ... just when you think you have deleted enough, go through them again.
   
   
5. Only download photos if you have the time to do all of the above
   Have you ever gone back to delete photos a month later?

Let's face it, we all post photos to Facebook so that people look at them. So, how do you get them viewed?

We have done some brainstorming and come up with some tips, see below:

1. Less is more
   You may love every changing facial expression of your baby and every angle of that beautiful landscape, but this is personal to you. One or two of each is enough. Additionally, hundreds of photos of your holiday is also not necessary - keep it interesting for others.
   
   
2. Give and you shall receive
   Comments lots - comment often. Look at your friends photos and make comments on them. Everyone loves positive feedback. Be specific to the photo.
   
   
3. Consider the Privacy of others - especially when it comes to photos of kids
   Do not post photos of other kids unless you have the parents permission. Also, some people do not like photos of themselves on the internet, be aware of this.
   
   
4. Be appropriate
   If you have photos of your best friend in a not so positive light, don't include it. The internet is a public forum, you don't know who is looking. Consider the impression you want to leave with others.
   
   
5. Tag others
   Most people like to see photos of themselves, so include them in yours.

I’m kind of in love with my iPhone, and more in love with some of the fabulous applications that are around!! My latest find is a new app by Tiffany & Co that allows you to browse through their engagement ring collection on your iPhone or iPad at any given moment, whether you are snuggling in bed, or on the train to work.

So girls, start dreaming…. boys, start saving!

Shopping for an engagement ring is made easy with this new app. Your desired ring can be found by selecting according to the shape, setting, carat, metal or design. You can even see how well your favourite engagement ring goes with various Tiffany wedding bands. On top of that, the app has a ring sizer that works by placing a ring on the screen.

The Tiffany & Co app allows you save your favourite designs, share them on facebook or email them. You can even make an appointment with a Tiffany diamond expert.