A little revamp

I have recently spent some time updating my website (feel free to click here to visit my website).  I wanted to make it a bit more obvious and clearer about what I am able to offer.  I took the opportunity to revise my photo packages so if there is a particular photo shoot you are interested in, be sure to contact me and discuss your requirements. A little more on my photo packages further on in this post :-).

It was quite hard choosing images to put on my website as I didn't want to put too many images to look through as I know it can get quite daunting.  I created a collage with a selection for each type of photo shoot and added it to the relevant pages.  As I looked through the different images from the different shoots I have been doing, I am totally amazed at the wonderful opportunities I have received.  I have done so much.  Of course I don't share photos from all sessions.  Only where people give me written permission.  And I respect that.

Wow, I have been quite busy, but I loved it :-)

Sometime soon I will introduce some special offers and specific themed photo shoots - be sure to like my Facebook page where I will be sharing these offers and themes and who knows maybe there might be something that would be perfect for you (or somebody you know :-) ). So make sure you don't miss out :-).

What immediately comes to mind is maybe a furry friends shoot where I could look at people and their pets (I just love animals and if I could would have a farm :-) ).  Or maybe a generation shoot with grandparents and their grandchildren or maybe 3 generations in one setting or something like that.  I think something like that would be very special.

With my revamped site, I have also decided it was time to update my photo packages.  Up to now if you purchased my images you would receive 2 of the same digital image for every image in the package that you purchased.  You would receive the full sized image suitable for print and then a resized image suitable for Facebook or email, but with my logo on it.  And so the request was that if you used my image on Facebook to please use the one with the logo and I would prefer it not to be edited over and above my edit.  It has become increasingly clear that people actually wanted more flexibility.  They did not necessarily wanted to print images and they want to have the freedom to edit their images over and above my usual editing and some people really would prefer a print rather than digital.  So what I am doing now is to make a variety of packages available (to suit different budgets) and a choice of resized digital, full sized digital and print.  With the digital neither would contain my logo and you, the client will receive full printing and editing (over and above my editing) rights.

There will also be packages for weddings, birthdays and other celebrations, events and corporate images (including profile photos i.e. for LinkedIn).

Which type of shoot do I prefer?  I honestly could not say.  Each type of shoot is exciting in its own way and each one presents its own challenge, but what I can say is that I love helping people make memories.

Just look at her now

I first met Macey when she was about 4 months old.  Her mum was keen to get some family shots - especially at the beach.  Unfortunately for us, the weather didn't really want to play ball.  So we did most of her photos at their house with a few attempts at the beach.  Macey has the most gorgeous smile.  She is such a friendly baby. Although not all that keen to lie on her tummy.

Her mum, Nicole, contacted me again asking if we could please try another beach shoot.  And so we booked it in.  Nicole wanted to wait until Macey could sit by herself and finally the day arrived and... the weather was absolutely horrible.  And so week after week after week we tried, and it was just too windy for the beach.  Christmas came, we all got busy.  The day the wind died down, would be the day that either of us could not make it.  But finally we decided to go for it even if it might not be at the beach.  And the gorgeous Macey (10 months old now) was as smiley as ever :-).

Are you in it?

Recently I read an article somebody wrote about mums who are never part of the photos with their kids.  It is not that they are not part of their kids' lives, it is just that they are often the ones behind the camera recording it all.  But then when you start looking back, that's not what it will look like.  "Where was mum in this one when little Suzie turned 1?"  "And this one where little Johnny started school?" And I realised that I have been that kind of mum.

I'm usually the one behind the camera.  The one who would take the camera along and take loads of photos (even though my kids are getting to the age now where it is just not cool having their photos taken :-).

So that needs to change.  I need to at least some of the time set it all up with self timer and jump on the other side of the lens.  Or ask somebody if they could please do the honours and take our photo together.

There is one particular mum I really admire and she is constantly and often insisting to also have photos where she is part of it.  That needs to become my goal.

Not so long ago I did a photo shoot for Plunket and there were a few mums and dads who didn't really want to jump into the photo ("oh gosh, no, I don't look good enough...") so I know I'm not on my own here.

But, now is the time.  We have today.  We don't know if we have tomorrow.  Make that effort and jump in front of the camera so that when your kids look back in years to come they will have some photographic record that you were also part of it.