Sunrise Creations Blog

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...
   
   
   
   
   

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

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.