Sunrise Creations Blog

Today I had the good fortune to stumble across the website belonging to Lenka Hattaway.  Lenka is a portrait photographer from North Carolina in the USA.

If you are thinking of having some portraits done (and you can't afford to fly to the US to book Lenka) I encourage you to look at her work.  It's pure and fresh and really emphasises the face and not the surroundings yet they all blend into a work of art.  Her use of colour is lovely.

This is just a taste of her work.  If you are in the USA I would be booking her asap!

Now do you see what I mean?  Her work is clever, very fresh and vibrant and somehow shows off the individual perfectly.  It's a pleasure to view her portfolio.

As you know I am fascinated by photography.  I am always amazed at the nuances that a photo can capture which we miss with the naked eye.

There are some wondnerful photography blogs that I love to follow.  They are inspiring and usually very educational, too.  Today I thought I would share some of my favourites with you.  They cover all sorts of themes.  I hope you enjoy them.

1.  Andrew McDougall's Photography Blog
This is a very short blog, the owner having made only a few posts, but what posts they are!  Have a look at these stunning shots.  The colour in these photos is pure art.

2.  Shelton Muller, Photographer

All I need to say is colour and lighting.  As you look through the photos on his blog that is what stands out.  His use of light and shade isimpeccable.

3.  Zoo Studio Pet Photography

Taking photos of animals must be incredibly tricky unless the pet is very well trained.  Zoo Studio is one of a handful of photography businesses specialising in animal portraits.  They have a wonderful knack for allowing the personality of the animal to shine through.  Just have a look at this photo.  How difficult would it have been and yet how individual do the guinea pigs look?

These are all photographic works of art that inspire me to continually work on my skills as a photographer.  I hope you have found them as inspiring as I do.

When you are choosing a family photographer you want to need to find the one that is just right for the job and for you. You want your pictures to come out looking great so that you can cherish those memories forever, and this means getting the right portrait photographer.

As with any photographer, the first thing you want to look at is their portfolio. Make sure that they have experience taking the kinds of pictures that you want. Also check into their pricing and turn-around time. Finding out how long it will take to get your pictures back is especially important if you have a date you need them by.

There are a couple different options people generally have in mind when they are choosing a family photographer. One is going to the photographer's studio and having their pictures taken there. The other is having the photographer accompany them to a specific location to take the pictures.

If you want the photographer to go to a certain location, make sure they are willing to do this up front. Sometimes a portrait photographer will only work out of their studio, so you should find out as soon as possible.

When you are choosing a family photographer, try to spend a little time with them to find out whether you like them or not. Establish a rapport with them and make sure that you communicate well. If they are a really good photographer, or if you have good chemistry, they should be able to visualize what you want easily.

If your pictures are going to revolve around kids, see how well the portrait photographer handles children. Are they good at making them look at the camera and smile? Do they get frustrated with distracted or fussy children? Make sure that the photographer is going to be able to work with the children; this will prevent frustration on a lot of fronts.

Something else you will need to look into is the style the photographer uses. See if they can offer you a few different "tones" in the pictures. Formal pictures are great at showing people at their best, and candid shots are often the most endearing. When you are choosing a family photographer you want to make sure you get one who can give you any of these styles.

When you are discussing when you are going to receive your photos, make sure that you will be getting a CD of the pictures. This makes it easy for you to then have someone make a variety of special keepsakes for you. Using portraits to create Christmas cards, coffee table books, and other mementos is very popular and keeps those memories within close reach for years.

Choosing a family photographer should be a fun process, and at the end you should have someone who you are comfortable working with and who knows exactly what you are looking for. Once you have your pictures you will be glad you made the choice to get them professionally done and to get a CD so that you can share your pictures with everyone.

 

Our expert today is Seona from Seona Mercer Photography. Seona captures the natural beauty of babies and kid, just look at some of her photos! I love the use of props; especially the little beanies, they really add to the photos - making your babies precious eyes really stand out.

1. Tell me a little about yourself.
   I'm a mother of 3, two boys & a girl, wife to my childhood sweetheart of 16 years and I have lived in the Sutherland Shire all my life. We have chosen to stay & raise our kids here. I'm an animal lover - we have a bunch of second hand animals, a dog from the pound, a cat from a box on the side of the road & 2 carpet pythons (Those 2 are mine !) Photography has been a passion of mine since I was a kid, my first camera being a 110 film Pink Barbie number with a silver glitter hand strap & I still have it stashed away for safe keeping.
   
   
    
   
2. What do you love about photographing families or babies?
   
   
   

   Babies bring out the softness in their dads, I've seen big tough blokes coo & make gaga noises while holding their newborn, I love that ! I love to photograph toddlers, they are high energy & fun, they giggle and give the most enjoyable expressions - they make me giggle too.

   I love seeing the happy tears come from parents & grandparents when they see their images, Photos are eye candy, they fill your body with a sense of pride & emotion, they give you that warm fuzzy feeling inside, they put you in the moment, and without photos, what memories do you have? And most of all I love the odd cuddle I steal while mum's packing baby's bag up to leave after the photo shoot!
   
   

   
   
   
3. What is the number one tip you would give a family preparing for their photoshoot?
   
   A well rested & fed baby or child, as well as clothing that won’t clash, avoid large slogans & patterns, layered outfits & denim jeans work well. Babies are best photographed in their birthday suit !
   
   
   
   

4. What is your favourite Sunday morning breakfast?
   
   Bacon & eggs on English muffins, with Orange juice, we don't eat this often, as we are usually up & out of the house, with a bit of toast in hand- but when we do I really enjoy the long lazy breakfast, reading the paper - oh and the junk mail - l.o.v.e junk mail !
   
   
   
    
   
   
   
5. Describe your perfect day
   
   A day spent with my husband & kids, I love picnics, so we like to pack up the 4WD & head over the sand hills to our favourite beach for the day, I love summer & all the fun it brings, like chasing sun flare with my camera...
   
   
   
   
   

Me, I love nature, camping, being away where you can see the trees, smell the fresh country air, so when I came across this country wedding, I couldn’t help but get excited. Chelsea Gray and Roberto Ugarte from Blushing Bride Studios, have captured the essence of this fun filled, romantic and relaxed day perfectly. Their wedding was held at the beautiful Grand Isle Lake House.

I love the idea of using props to a wedding for photos –hats, oversized glasses, feather bowers, moustaches, hair pieces, really add personality and character to the photos of the guests. Especially when they are as outgoing and fun loving as this party was. Wouldn’t this work fabulously at a 40^th birthday party?!

One of my favourite wedding trends is when the couple fills the day with details that truly represents them as a couple and their personality. This is exactly what todays charismatic couple have done for their wedding vow renewals that screams trend and glamour. Having been married on 15th August 2009 in the States, they decided to also celebrate with family and friends in Australia.

The bride looked elegant and chic in her wedding dress - I love the black sash and peacock feather in her hair! Just stunning.

One of my favourite Sydney photographers, Tanya from Tindale Images, has captured the day beautifully.


The bride had a love for vintage cameras - my kind of girl!


Their service was at the charming Nurse Chapel at Little Bay.


Their reception was held at the Winery, a funky and quirky little restaurant in Surry Hills. Aren't the colours just gorgeous!

Tanya from Tindale Images has generously shared some of her trade secrets on how to take timeless photos of your baby's hands and feet. Babies hands and feet are stunning photographs to have - the size difference makes them more precious.

In this article Tanya talks through the 4 poses below.


So have a cuppa, put on some nice music and have some fun taking these timeless photographs of your baby!

Read Tanya's tips on taking photos of your baby's hands and feet, and let us know how you go.

Photo credit: Tindale Images

"The Notebook" is one of my favourite movies, and when I came across this engagement shoot inspired by the movie, I was completely in awe! Blushing Bride Studio have done an amazing job to capture the love, passion and essence of this utterly romantic movie. I think you will also agree that Cindy looks a lot like Rachel McAdams.

Jean-Nicola and Cindy say "The chemistry of the young lovers in the movie was intense! And the era is very alluring to us- the fashion and way of life."


Completely inspiring don't you think?

Image credits: Blushing Bride Studios

Tanya is the talent behind Tindale Images. Since first starting to take photos of families for fun, Tanya was soon swept up in a whirlwind, one that has led her into shooting all over Sydney, and in high demand. Her natural and carefree style, shows families interacting with one another. Tanya's main inspiration comes from her 5 year old twin boys.

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.