Posted on January 31, 2011
I am busy with edits for this session of precious 7 day old twin boys. I had to share the first so long. The rest of the sneak peek will follow in a few days
Posted on January 30, 2011
Last Thursday was another day filled with pictures for the Abu Dhabi Home school assosiation. This time there were 5 families that met me throughout the day in a local park. I remember how cold we all got two weeks ago for day 1, this time it was a whole other ball game. I even felt a burn on my face that evening.
There were just too many images to place on the blog since I edited some sneak peeks for every child that wanted to, and the families. Every family had more than 2 children though so I decided to place the full sneak peek on the facebook page, head to this album to see them ADHSA day 2 album. For the blog I am only placing about 2-3 images per family.
For the first family I decided it will be the girls that get the spotlight. The first image is a favorite as I said to the little girl to show how much she loves mommy and I touched her face, she then went on and did the same to mommy, I adore it!
The second is the beautiful older sister, who has the longest hair, gorgeous.
For the next family I decided since they were the eldest of all the children they can each get their own spotlight, just because I tend to have only smaller children on the blog:) So big brother first. Bokeh is the blurry background caused by opening up the F – stop while taking pictures. A reason why I always shoot completely manual as one can get so much more out of your pictures if you have more control. Check out the creamy bokeh in this one!
Second is sister, beautiful
And “baby” brother far from a baby. I think these brothers and sister are all grown up already.
Next comes the sweetest girls, here are all three of them.
The middle sister gets the spotlight, adorable
Another family of four, I had to share the family one as its just too perfect. A feat really since little brother almost did not keep still for a second:)
And the second youngest sister, with the sweetest look ever.
Lastly came a family of four that were so so much fun. For this family, even though I adored every single photo I had to decide on just two for the blog so I decided the youngest two gets the spotlight. Here is youngest brother. We got such amazing shots from funny, to karate (or is is taekwando?) stances. Here he is in front of the basket ball courts and I loved how modern this background looks. I lighted it so the background blows out to white (that lovely Bokeh again)
Last one for the blog is friendly baby sister with the cutest outfit ever.
Thank you so much for joining me in the park everyone, for letting me drag you into the woods, making you sit on grass or rocks or whereever. I enjoyed it and hope you did too.
Posted on January 25, 2011
What a friendly family I had the pleasure to meet on Saturday, we had so much fun. another client gifted them this session for Christmas, and I must say I see the family resemblance. when I saw baby boy first I was amazed at his fair skin (my own two girls are outside all day so I am not so used to very fair skin anymore). So very fair and as his parents said, its his heritage. I think its gorgeous.
I have a few to share for the sneak peek. First one of little boy, black and white conversion. The lighter conversion seems to fit the innocence of him.
The a family one. The other family one I already shared on facebook, go have a look.
One with Daddy. Isn’t it adorable how he reaches out to Daddy so often?
And one with Mommy, another black and white conversion.
He wasnt so keen to look at me, Dad and Mom seemed to be the main attraction. We captured some really cute expressions. Here are a few.
Hope you enjoyed your sneak peek
Posted on January 23, 2011
I am glad to introduce our Jewelry line. The brochure can be downloaded here: Jewelry brochure
For current clients, the jewelry line will be loaded into accessories in the on-line ordering only from March. However you are more than welcome to order by either emailing me your choices/ or adding it to notes on any photo ordered.
These will make perfect gifts, or something to spoil yourself with. I have a bracelet, as do my sister in law. My daughter has an Ashlynn necklace and almost everyone in my family has a keyring already. I love the horseshoe keyring, it really is splendid. My next purchase this week is going to be a cellphone charm, a business card holder and maybe a mirror compact as well.
When you order, or seriously thinking about it, I will produce a proof for you of how your products could look like. It should make deciding easier. Here is what I mocked up for myself for the mirror compact:
And here is the business card holder:
And now for the good news. From now until 28 February there is a 20% discount! So mail me now with your requests. Please include the highest resolution image file you have available. If you are a client just mention which photo you would like to use for which product. Professional photos cannot be used without specific print release from the photographer that you may use the images for specialty items. Orders can be placed now till 10 Feb and again 25 Feb to 27 Feb. In between I am unfortunately out of the country and will not be able to process any orders.
* Items most probably will not reach UAE before 14 February, so its probably not a good idea to count on it being the only Valentine’s gift. If you are however like us, valentine’s day is just another day to say you love your loved ones and gifts can be given any day of the year:)
Posted on January 18, 2011
When a dear friend asked me some time ago whether I can take pictures of the homescholers I couldn’t wait to meet them all. I have the utmost admiration for these moms and dads that do all those research and work so hard to teach their children all about everything. Even subjects I hated as a child.
Belief it or not I am a numbers girl and you could give me mathematics and accountancy and economics any day but please spare me the languages. I also had a sincere despise for things like history (even though I aced it when I took it) and biology. Science I once remembered the teacher told me my final year “Brunilda, I think you need a priest to come say the last rites on your grades”. Haha I had such a bad year mark and then a genius hit in the exams that the school board completely ignored my yearmark and gave me the exam mark as final mark, that I promise is the only way I could walk away with a B.
Anyway, enough about my boring school. These children were all in such great spirits I do belief they have a much more fun school environment. This blog post is super long as I am showing a picture of each child and family unit that wanted to be included in the sneak peek.
First two brothers and a sister. Since its my dear friends children I feel safe saying they are super silly and I love it!
The oldest brother
then came middle brother
and little sister, a young lady.
Next family has the most adorable little girls imaginable. So super sweet and dare I say big sister is a natural model, loving the camera, so beautiful.
Big sister
and sweet baby sister.
Another family of three. There are others of them together but this one is just so quirky and fun I had to share it.
Older brother is a bit serious, I love his calmness.
Sister is just gorgeous
And little brother were a little unsure about the whole thing after he fell asleep in the car on the way, but we did manage to catch a few smiles.
Two boys this time. I could see how much fun these two have together. Always eager to climb the trees or leaning in for a hug for the photo.
Big brother
and little brother.
Last family came all co-ordinated, I am crazy about their outfits, work so well against the greens and blue of the sky. It was already very chilly when it was their session, so when they huddled together I got this photo.
How pretty is she?
Thanks to a love day filled with smiles, laughter and good conversation. Looking forward to the 27th January for the next group of homescholers!
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Posted on January 17, 2011
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Having a baby is so special and capturing those days on a portrait something you’ll look back on for years to come. On Saturday a gorgeous Mom and her family visited. I was blown away by how beautiful she looked, even more so since this is her second. A mom soon to two princesses. Her family is of course gorgeous too. I loved the fun and spontaneity, thanks for coming!
Here is a few of your session. The first is so natural and I think it really brings out the pregnancy glow, your eyes sparkle and you look so healthy!
Big sister looked ready to give her sister lots of hugs and kisses.
Then another stunning one by the window.
I loved the fun and strong bond so visible between mom and daughter in this one.
When I was told some of the poses would involve yoga I was intrigued. Impressed was completely too tame a word for what I felt when I saw how limber and fit you are.
Last one is of the family and maybe even one of my most favorite. I love the Brazil soccer jersey’s.
Hope you enjoyed the sneak peek. Your rough edits gallery as requested will follow soon, there are so so so many good ones, I am glad it is not me that has to decide which ones to choose.
Posted on January 10, 2011
Today a very pretty little girl came to visit the studio. Last time I saw her and her parents she was still on her way, I think it was 4 days before her birth:)
I love that we caught so many little expressions. She is already amazingly fast and luckily a photo takes a split second so we caught a lovely family photo or two as well. One of the chairs for the day was an adorable little toddler bench that I imported from the UK. Little miss H thought this is so much fun and she sat and waved, and sung.
Without further ado, let me share a few images. The first is a collage. I think I’ll call it “The many faces of a one year old”
Here she is singing twinkle tinkle little star, a favorite in the studio. I must say I was quite impressed about how good she knows all the actions, making a perfect diamond.
Another on the fun little toddler bench
And last one for your sneak peek, one of the family photos.
I very almost forgot to share this one:
Posted on January 9, 2011
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I’ve raved and raved about the silver jewelry available and is in the process to add it to the on-line photocart, however it will take a little more time. In the mean time I wanted to show you an example! If you have a session before the jewelry accessory store has been loaded, just ask for a jewelry brochure. The is everything from keyrings, to necklaces, to cell phone charms.
Another set of accessory items added in 2011 is bags, pouches, tins, dog tags, you name it! The accessory store should be up and running hopefully by first of March. I am working on the brochure to have it ready so anyone that want to order something for valentine will be able to. I can make these items with images taken by me or images taken by yourself. I can only use professional images if the photographer gave you print release and specifically to make with as you wish. (sometimes images are sold with the limit of only printing as photos up to a certain size, being a professional photographer I honour these limits and releases fully)
When you decided what you want I’ll prepare a proof image so you can get a glimpse of how it might look. Here is one I did for my daughter (her christmas present). This is a very playful, very casual necklace. The chain is basic dog tag chain and as such I wouldn’t really recommend this particular chain for elegance, it is perfect for a child though as it comes as 18 inches and you can then very easily make it shorter according to the child’s size. And when they grow you just go get a dog tag chain easily obtainable from any hardware store.
Here is the proof I prepared to see how it might look like (before print I can always show you a proof of how it might look like)
And here is the real deal in working:
Posted on January 1, 2011
Oh my goodness I had written a whole post and then it all went away! I had wanted to just let the blog put up a post automatically but then decided against that idea so it will be more personal, now its already past 2pm and it’s still not up:) I’ve come to know that life just fly away, in the most fun way most of the time:)
I love UAE, love Abu Dhabi. It’s been almost 7 years since I moved to this wonderful country. I got married on 5 January 2004, and promptly moved to Dubai right after the honeymoon. I moved so soon after we were married even that my passport is actually still in my maiden name (no time to change it to my married name):) Every year January bring to me several things to remember, to celebrate, to be thankful for.
I celebrate life with the bestest husband ever, most gorgeous and funniest girls ever, life in a fabulous country with lovely people. I just adore living here, life to me seems so fun, so gracious here. Just having the opportunity to spend so much time with my children is so precious and most of us here have that gift, that we might not have been able to back home. I come from South Africa and of course I am completely in love with my own country and will definitely return one day, but for now and hopefully for the next few (8 or so) years this will remain my home. We moved to Abu Dhabi in 2007 and I love the little bit more queit life here. I still visit Dubai often since I lived there so long and miss my friends and the hang out. I must confess I get lost these days, so much has changed the last few years.
I sincerely hope everyone will have the most spectacular year ever in 2011. 2010 had been a blast and if that’s any indication 2011 is going to be dinamite! 2011 for us is going to bring so many things that I am quite excited to start with the new year. Things coming up, changes you can expect is for example:
- We are only a few people from the 1000 members on the facebook fan page and once we hit that target there will be a give away. So join the facebook page and suggest to friends to like it.
- I have been building on the facebook page to make it an interactive place to share ideas with me, to say hello etc. This will continue in the new year and I am also working on some webdesign ideas to make the page even more interactive to also introduce some webpage functionality into it
- Withing this first month I will be processing all the birthday give away winner’s stuff. Some items have already been ordered.
- Within the next few months there will be a 2010 client competition again. So if you were a client in 2010 check back on the facebook page often
- There will be discount items and vouchers leading up to valentine’s day. Keep a look out when it go’s live mid January as you would have to order well in advance to not have it arrive late.
- There is going to be new products available for example the jewelry, handbags and other items I have been raving about.
- I will be attending the WPPi photographers convention and trade-show in Las Vegas, USA in February and hopefully bring back loads of samples for new products.
- As the print-labs change up their prices our price list will also change, but I have decided to only do that in March so everyone, be sure to make use of current pricing all the way through February.
- You have asked and I have listened and therefore I will be introducing an on-line training course in various areas of photography from my personal point of view. I am currently working on course outline and those will also hopefully go life 1 March 2011. I will also be giving one on one sessions.
- Another fun thing I am introducing is a digital planning help. You would take a picture of your wall/ room where you would like the image be hung and I will render it for you digitally so you can see how it will look in different sizes and styles of mounting/ art.
Join in discussions on the facebook page, come comment here on the blog. Say hello or ask questions, I love to meet other people and would love to help out where I can. I sometimes get requests for photo-sessions that don’t particularly fall within my scope or where I’d like to focus on, but don’t feel shy asking I usually refer to people I know of that might fit best with you. If you have a particular product you would like also just ask. If I don’t have it I can either refer you to someone that does or I can source it somewhere.
I’d like to say a huge thank you to all my lovely clients in the last year, and welcome and hello to all my new clients coming in 2011. Here is a collage of some of the clients I got to meet this year. I took only one image per session and not even all the sessions. Only sessions where I have been given permission to share images. There were so many!
Thank you!
