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Posted on June 19, 2011

This session was planned long before it happened. We had a planning meeting, I got to see her fabulous paper craft and we started thinking of things to do for the session. I love research and searching through the internet and loved the preparation almost as much as the actual shoot. I remember sitting nights on end on pinterest, doing internet searches, I had some ideas and wanted to find some inspiration that will meet my ideas. I gave her such a long list of things to try to bring.

At long last the day arrived and she came with loads of stuff. Fun! We took some pictures with a natural feel (opened the glass doors) but since its very hot out there, those are not so much. Then we went on to hi key photos, then fun props. Background changes to black and vintage and even one of my favourite Denny’s backgrounds. We added some hats, and scarves. It was hard work as we tried to have different expressions, different ideas for the photos. Very happy with what we came away with.

Here are a few photos in a quick collage:

Brunilda Monnig Photography
www.brunilda.me
copyright 2011
Please note: download, copy, crop, alter or print of any images are NOT allowed

And here is the video sneak peek. It’s a sneak of about half the images.

 

Variety session – Abu Dhabi Portrait Photography from Brunilda Monnig Roode on Vimeo.

What a fun custom session this was. We planned as much variety from expressions, to posing to background and lighting. The video has only half of the images, there are just as much not even shown yet:)

Posted on June 14, 2011

For summer I am returning to South Africa  for a long vacation. Except for a few mid vacation trips I should be in Pretoria mostly. If you wanted some photos taken, have seen my work, you are welcome to book a day on my booking system: https://instant-scheduling.com/sch.php?kn=809908and contact me for details of packages.

If you’d like to see more of my recent work please just browse through this blog.

Sessions will all be offered outside, last from about 60-90 minutes and about 30-40 photos will be edited to choose from. If you were looking for a newborn session, please contact me as I would probably have to visit your chosen location/ house to look into the lighting situation before finalising your booking.

When I return to Abu Dhabi I will do all the editing and place your images in a private on-line gallery for you to choose from.

Session packages includes either 20/30 or all photos as digital images. These will be sent to you via download link once you have made your choice. I will gladly convert any image to either black and white, sepia, chocolate black and white, vintage, vintage fairy-tale or add texture to make it an art piece.

Packages do not include prints.

Packages range from R1000 up to R2000.

email brunilda@brunilda.me if you have any queries at all or message me here.

Posted on May 15, 2011

Every month I try to post a sample of what to wear. A wonderful lady all the way in USA compiles these and as soon as she sends my monthly installment I post them. I love this month’s choices because it will work with our weather. I recommend studio sessions starting from now as it really is very hot out there. (except if you particularly love wet hair from the heat). To see previous month’s suggestions search “what to wear” or head to facebook page where I placed them all in one album.

 

Posted on May 7, 2011

I can’t believe it’s almost mother’s day again. Somewhere in March there is a mother’s day but I honestly never know when that is. I grew up with the second Sunday in May being mother’s day. I remember each year if I wondered when its mother’s day it was easy, when it’s Grandma’s birthday (early May) then it’s going to be mother’s day and the month thereafter when it’s GrandPa’s birthday (early June) again on the second Sunday it’s father’s day.

Sadly Ouma and Oupa is no longer with us, but I still remember it that way. About 6 years ago I remember wishing my first little one will be on time so I can have my very first mother’s day with a brand new baby. It wasn’t a strange request, after all she was due 28 April already! But she stayed and stayed and that year the Sunday was the 8th too, I remember thinking oh well I will have to wait another year to celebrate mother’s day for myself. As Bianca arrived 10 – 12 days late:)

So this year I have nostalgia too as in 2005, the days were exactly the same. Sunday the 8th is once again Mother’s day. This time I am a mommy, twice over! I have a weird and wonderful feeling as Bianca was born on a Tuesday and this year it will be a Tuesday again.

 

I’d love to hear everyone’s mother’s day stories, comment here or mail, if you’d like to share.

 

I wanted to wish a special mother’s day to everyone. I tried to make a full collage for all the children I photographed this year, but there were just too many, in the end I selected all the ones that weren’t too far archived, still so many. Thank you so much for sharing a wonderful year with me, for being such fun and friendly children to your mommies.

 

I  hope all the gorgeous mommies I met this past year get spoiled lots. Not necessarily with things but with the most important kisses and hugs!

 

And to each and every other mommy out there I wish tomorrow will be a wonderful day  indeed.

Brunilda Monnig Photography
www.brunilda.me
copyright 2011
Download, copy, crop, alter or print of any images not allowed

 

 

Posted on April 2, 2011

The winner of the Abu Dhabi Women board‘s annual Christmas party prize of a session with me came to visit today. We have discussed this session for a long time and were all so excited. I think she is so adorable and gorgeous. A little spitfire with a mind of her own but that’s a good thing, I got some exercise:) Here is just one image as super short sneak peek. The rest of the edits will follow next week in a video slideshow.

Brunilda Monnig Photography
www.brunilda.me
copyright 2011
Download, copy, crop, alter or print of any images not allowed

Posted on February 27, 2011

Hi there everyone, I am back from my trip to the WPPI convention. I have learnt so many technical things, have gotten so many ideas and just generally have been inspired to beyond comprehension. You’ll see some changes in the next 2 months, workflow, proofing, ordering and just about everything is going to be overhauled, streamlined and made just much more effective and more fun to you and to me.

I promised a price change on 1 March. This is going to pushed to about 1 April since the way sessions and prints are priced is going to change completely. Keep an eye out as I will keep you updated when it all starts to fall in place. For example the big thing to change is that the session price will no longer exist. Everything you pay will now be a credit towards prints. Print prices will change considerably and larger prints will now all come mounted as a standard to guard against the humid climate.

Studio session are going to be so much more fun since I stocked up on some backgrounds and props and those should arrive in about a month from now.

Your minimum order amount is now going to be based on your own tailormade session. No more standard sessions, you will choose how many clothing changes you require, how many photos you want or where you want the sessions. Every persons session will be planned in detail.

During March I will limit sessions so I can take time building out all my ideas.

Vegas was so different from anything I have ever experienced. I am not a gambler or drinker so can tell you nothing about the casino’s apart from the one at MGM that I sometimes had to pass through. A bit smokey, busy at any time of day. I loved the vibe in Vegas, friendly always full of energy.

It was not all work, there were a little play. I went on a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon and I went to see 3 Cirque du Soleil shows. I was amazed, fireworks inside a theater, a huge pool inside a theater and general humour and so much fun! I can strongly recommend the shows.

Something happened to the wordpress version that cause me to be unable to upload photos to the blog, so please head to the facebook page for photos. The link to the Facebook page is at the top of my website and at the top of the blog as well.

Posted on February 15, 2011

I am heading to the WPPI, a convention where I hope to learn a whole lot, network with other photogs and attend a trade show to expand the product range, and to stock up on studio supplies and props. I will be away from today, 15th up the the 25th February.

Posted on February 14, 2011

Happy valentine’s day everyone!

Posted on February 11, 2011

Wow, two sets of twins within 10 days of each other, how lucky am I?  This set of twins we’ll get to know so well in the coming year, I can’t wait! Their parents purchased a 4 session package so we’ll meet them at 4 months, at 8 months and when they reach 1 year. I wonder if the lighter and darker hair will stay? What colour will their eyes be? Ooh how exciting.

I shared two of my favorite colourful ones before in the mini sneak peek and wanted to share more individual photos in this sneak peek. For the full sneak peek, please head to the facebook album here.

First I’ll share a sweet one of the two all in white.

A close up of sweet E. I just adore the lovely hat with her beautiful teeny tiny face.

And here is little Z. Mom, please let me know if I have the names mixed up:)

A full body of Z

And one of E

Last for the blog sneak peek is the family picture. Wow, Mom’s gorgeous eyes, just make this picture so much more intriguing.

Hope you enjoyed your sneak peek.

Copyright 2011

Brunilda Monnig Photography

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 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:

1. 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.
2. 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
3. Withing this first month I will be processing all the birthday give away winner’s stuff. Some items have already been ordered.
4. 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
5. 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.
6. There is going to be new products available for example the jewelry, handbags and other items I have been raving about.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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!

Posted on December 25, 2010

We celebrated Christmas eve this evening and Santa visited while the children weren’t looking. I love that they completely are in a make believe world, they loved putting out cookies and loved seeing it was gone. I wish all of you had a wonderful Christmas too. If you aren’t celebrating Christmas I hope you have wonderful family time!

I love December’s lots of Christmas parties, a birthday and back home usually a long vacation to boot. Since I come from South Africa I have never been or seen snow and so a warmer Christmas is completely natural to me. My poor husband’s Christmas present from me (a kindle) did not arrive in time, because of snow in Europe:(

Here is my family’s Christmas card for this year. I printed it on watercolor paper and parchment envelope. The texture and feel of the card were so wonderful its almost as if I just wanted to keep touching it. The colours I chose really works with the watercolor paper too. Rin Nelson from Australia took the images and let me edit them ( I owe her big time for that, will repay the favour when she moves to Dubai next year!). Here is the front:

And the back:

Posted on December 16, 2010

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Yeah! I am 40 today! 40 years ago today, 16 December 1970 my wonderful mother gave me life. And with such a wonderful Mother and the best Dad ever (who is still happily together I might add) life has been so good. They raised me to know what is right and wrong and what to stress about and what to just let flow away. So today I celebrate my birthday but I should actually dedicate this day to them.

I hope everyone enjoyed the give aways, I certainly did. I am taking some days off but I know who won (the random pics is our record) and somewhere between now and end of January you will be getting your winnings. If you won a print, start selecting, when you are ready send it to me or upload it right here on facebook using the contact me form.

If you still have ordering to do with me why not just add your winnings to the order, its an easy way to tell me which images you’d like to use etc.

So for this last give away, surprise me with any funny comment, something telling me what you’d like to look like, how you see your session going as today is session give aways!

Prize for the day:

Today you get to choose between two different kind of sessions:)

Choice A - A regular portrait session (not newborn – but if your baby is a newborn of course you can keep the session for 3 or 6 months of age). This session will be either in studio or at an outside location of your choice . The session will be between 60-90 minutes (remember with smaller children we try to finish before or at the 1 hour mark as the poor darlings get tired and bored with pictures). I’ll fully edit at least 25-35 images, according to my personal style (go have a look at my portfolio on the website or blog site) for you to choose from. I am even going to throw in a Dhs 300 print credit to start off your print order. (please note this session will be booked as per availability in my calander and definitely not before the end of the year, haha unless you already had a session booked and you win this, then that session could be free)

Choice B – A 90 minutes training session with me where we discuss whatever you need to learn most. The more you tell me before the session via email the better I will be prepared to teach you as much as possible in your 90 minutes. ( We could focus on one of three main areas: using your camera technically, composition and little tips to get the most out of your kids, or how to work with your images when editing them) To make sure it helped you, we will have 4 mini follow up projects on-line via email for the month after the session, once a week where you can send me the pictures you took and I’ll go through them and tell you where you could change up some things or you can ask little things as you find them difficult. (please note this session will be booked as per calendar availability)

Booby prizes: 

5 people can get a free 8×10 print. This does not have to be a print from a session with me, I can print you a proper print of one of your own images and I will throw in some editing if the image requires it. Very important though that I will not print any images from another professional photographer unless that photographer gave you a print release. I will not be editing any other photographer’s images.

Special until midnight the 16th December:

All gift certificates is 20% off. No limit on the amount of the certificate. If you buy Dhs 800 you get a Dhs 960 voucher, Dhs 2000 gets you Dhs 2400. Perfect timing to use as a christmas present for someone you know would love to have photos taken in the coming year. Gift certificates are not refundable, and they may not be shared, so gift them to someone (or yourself)  that will use all of the certificate or rather buy two smaller ones if you have two people to spoil.When paying with a voucher, the voucher has to be handed to me during the session, so please dont loose them.

Either deposit the amount (if you already have my details, other wise mail me for details), clearly mark it and let me know, I will mail your coupon. If you want to meet up with me send an sms/ email so we can arrange for a meeting, I might have availability on Monday morning to hand over certificates.

Remember you will have to communicate with me by tomorrow evening regarding the certificates and sms and email are all fine, since its my birthday I might not be able to answer all calls though. 40 candles is a lot to blow out and I might just be out of breath:)

You have to be a member of the face book page to comment, click on the “like” button on the wall to be able to do so.

Posted on December 15, 2010

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