This month has been busy with parties, Mother’s day etc so I was a bit slower in sharing. this week and next more of my previous sessions’ slideshows will go up and where clients have to choose images their galleries will go up. Those that are getting all their images, I’ll get right on doing those DVD’s.

Remember this gorgeous teen model we photographed a few weeks back?

An here is the slideshow. Enjoy (It starts as 360p as a default if you want to see it as HD just hover over the video and select 720)

Important notice: Do not print or save (on computer or on your mobile phone) these images. They are meant exclusively to share on the blog. Family and friends, if you wish to have any of these images, please contact me directly. Copyright Brünilda Mönnig Photography. Thanks for understanding.

I wanted to post an editing example. With digital photography one do have far more ability to get the most out of photos, yet there still are lots of skills you’ve got to master. I use RAW when shooting. With RAW the most information is stored but since the camera itself do not add some in-camera editing like shaprening etc like it does with jpeg images, your image looks a bit flat until it had gone through editing. You might have heard about photoshop being the digital dark room of the photographer and that is how I use it as well. These days many photographers use Lightroom where the RAW processing and editing happens in the same program. I use ACR for the RAW adjustments then Photoshop for the rest.

First I had to study my composition, then I started practicing and practicing so my SOOC photos can be so much better than they were. I use mostly manual settings but also as the situation merits use AV and TV settings. Never ever any of the other dials though. I do want to have control of what the camera produces.

I also approach a session with thought in mind. I plan more or less the posing, but its go with the flow with posing really I usually take a stroll around wherever we are for the location and choose spots as we go along. I choose a spot and an idea for a pose, take the photo and move on. I do not take 5 or 6 images of the same pose and location. With a very long session I might still only shoot 100 in total (duds included) which I might weed down to 50 or 60 for a long shoot or 30 for a regular shoot. My view has always been 30 wow photos is much better than 60 so-so ones with here and there a wow one thrown in that you might not even realise is wow because you are shown so many mediocre ones.

SOOC mean Straight out of camera. I will take an image and then after I downloaded it all to computer I sort through them. Any out of focus ones, any that I only took to make the clients at ease (sometimes taking a pic of a bug cause the child wanted to see it on the LCD for eg.) I delete straight off the bat. Then I sort through some more. If there are 2 images that are basically the same I zoom in 100% and choose the one technically the best, discard the other. This process takes some time, but then I am left with the images I feel I want to show the clients in a final edit. This also means even though you might have seen me click the shutter 10 times is will never produce 10 photos. I delete them, so no, I cannot show you those, that is where you have to trust my professional skills and judgement that you will see the best of your shoot.

Then I open each and make the RAW adjustments. I add a little contrast, I make sure the colouring is good. If one take a photo in the shade it might appear very blue when you just download it, and any unnatural light can play havoc with colour. So I make those adjustments as best I can. Where there is whites or reds that became “blown” (too-bright) RAW gives me the possibility to recover these problems up to 2 stops.

Now I am ready for an edit. My editing is a little slower than others I guess as I open each and every image on its own and edit is specifically. Here I brightened up Bianca (we were underneath a dark lapa) and added a bit more saturation where I wanted more colour. Lastly I ever so slightly straightened the picture, added a vignette.

When I give high resolution images I give them finished edited without the straightening and without the vignette, those kinds of changes you do at the end when you crop as to the size you want to print at. When clients order digital files it is theirs to print in any size but they will also have to crop it by themselves. For the prints I do I make sure the crop is perfect and if the clients preferred a vignette I add it.

So all that said here is an example of one of the images I showed unedited in the previous post.

So what do you think? It makes a difference doesn’t it?

So this post is completely personal but I wanted to share it here to give some links to party vendors, and well, just to share our fun. For the first time I am going to post images that has only gotten a basic colour adjustment and no other editing was done, they never even got to photoshop.

The party was at our home as I loved that we have a large garden and felt we needed to use it. I got some crowns, magic wands and wings and then got a party decorator to set up the tables and make it all look pretty. There was a gorgeous cake and cupcakes too, also arranged through Monkey Magic.

I never took a picture of the bouncy castle but it was magnificent, looked like a princess castle, had a slide into a ballpit, the kids enjoyed it tremendously.

I meant to take photos of the whol party but I can now safely say it is impossible to take pictures of your own child’s party and it will also be impossible for anyone in your family. My family was helping with the hosting just as much as I was. Talking with the other moms, attending to boo-boos of the kids as it happens, helping guests big and small if they get thristy etc. So my recommendation for all moms would be, take that stress off yourself and hire someone to do the photos. Someone that can follow the children around and get the spontaneous play. I was lucky enough that one guest also happens to be a professional photographer so when she saw my camera just laying there she said she’d use it to get me some photos, I’ll always be greatful.

Here is a few detail shots (I only did detail shots myself before the guests arrived and then after that it was hosting duties and no more photos for me:

Also unedited but she looks so beautiful in any case, so happy with her cake. Her first real big party, and first one in South Africa. (First cool one too, up to now we have always had temperature high in the 40C’s for her birthday). I kept telling her she gets a frog cake so to see the castle was spectacular to her.

The memories flood me all of a sudden. Every year on the night of the 9th I start remembering. Waters breaking – heading into hospital, waiting an awful long time, and she really did make us wait (she was 2 weeks over due). All the while being pregnant I was worried Dubai traffic is going to be a struggle when the time comes as our hospital was right there close to the inner city. Yet it was not a problem at all driving at midnight.

I remember by the morning we still were nowhere and I strolled the halls, discovered that my then best friend’s name is there! I headed to her room and she said yeah she is there for a c-section. We chatted in anxious apprehension as both of us were there to have our very first babies. She headed out before me, and so Bianca’s friend is a few hours older than her:). She was born at 5 minutes to 5 on 10-05-05. I can remember everything   like it was yesterday (blame my photographic memory). She weighed 3.33kg, 52cm tall and head was 35cm, she looked like a little crocodile, skin so very dry since she was so long overdue. But she was the most beautiful crocodile I have ever laid my eyes on.

The amazement I felt when I saw her for the first time, sjoe, breathtaking. I swear she had her own strong and very opinionated temperament from the first second! I remember walking around scarcely an hour later going in to check on her, having the nurses be amazed, haha. Then her not wanting to sleep a single wink that first night (or almost the next four weeks), and of course I demanded she be with me, no way I could take my eyes off her. She tired us out in the beginning but oh my goodness the love one feel for your own child is simply unbelievable.

I really honestly dont like hospitals so I booked us out the minute they’d let me. My friend thought I’d just disappeared. But our live started as a new family.

My little girl will always have a special place in her heart for her grandma too. Grandma was booked on a flight to Dubai, you see, for the 10th of May. Bianca was due end of April and we thought Grandma will come help out at home. But she waited for her Grandma so her Grandma was the very first person of our friends and family that saw her besides us. How cool is that?

Now its 7 years later. S E V E N! How did that happen, where did my little girl gone? She grew so fast she is very very tall so sometimes I forget she is still a little girl. Just seeing her absolute excitement this past week, starting with a special photo shoot for her last Saturday, makes me realise again she is still my little girl that believes in kisses and fairy hugs and sparkly crowns and mommy is still the queen in her world. I wish that would stay like that forever, we’ll try our best!

So before I bawl my eyes out (everyone that knows me, knows I am turning into a very big ol’ softy with my old age). Let me share something much more upbeat, her tomboy – tutu- princess – rocker photo shoot at a local graffiti location in Pretoria. Thanks also to Belinda O’Connor for sharing the day with us.

Shaking her head like a rocker.

These on the crates are her personal favourites.

Something quirky.

My fairy princess. This coming saturday she will be in fairy heaven as we have her party. I am going to try to get some awesome shots and will share.

At the end of the shoot I let tomboy, quirky energetic Bianca take over and have some fun.

Look at her fun! (sorry for the black mark on the video something must have splashed onto the lens and I am not good with video editing:

Important notice: Do not print or save (on computer or on your mobile phone) these images. They are meant exclusively to share on the blog. Family and friends, if you wish to have any of these images, please contact me directly. Copyright Brünilda Mönnig Photography. Thanks for understanding.

There is a special JUST for the 10th of May – please head to the Facebook page for details! (Facebook link just below)

Have I ever said how much I enjoy these outside sessions? I adore studio work (especially for babies) but I think for family sessions, outside is my favourite. It’s also something I never really enjoyed as much in Abu Dhabi as lighting conditions there were too severe, and most of the time the temperatures too. Here its a whole other ball game. It’s supposedly winter yet we go out in summer clothing and are certainly not cold.

What fun the family I met yesterday was. I enjoyed every minute. Mom made the booking very long ago, just after I started working in SA again, referred to me by a dear client back in Abu Dhabi. When they got here yesterday we realised we’ve seen each other many times, our daughter does ballet and netball together! How small is this world! I love it. Pretoria itself is not as big as everyone think.

I loved also how full of life the two kids were, honestly I think I shed two kilograms just watching Mr Z run around. I think he burned enough calories for me too. At one stage I had them run around their parents just for fun and that only left them tired for maybe a minute:) Ms N loved the outdoors and were sad to have to leave, but we promised a playdate with Bianca in the not too distant future.

Here are a few of your images as sneak peek. I’ll give you a ring when the rest are edited and we can meet and go through and look at them. Enjoy these so long.

Who said there can’t be romance in the middle of a family shoot?

I asked for a photo and out comes her proper 7 year old pose, perfect.

I just loved the little conversations these two had. You can see the love between them.

The whole family having a fun photo.

Isn’t this an adorable picture of them!

Important notice: Do not print or save (on computer or on your mobile phone) these images. They are meant exclusively to share on the blog. If you wish to have any of these images, please contact me directly. Copyright Brunilda Monnig Photography. Thanks for understanding.

Today I got to meet the lady behind “Fairy Heads Knits” and her family. She is as nice a person as she sounds on the phone and I just love her family. Those two boys are so cute! The little one just loved his Daddy so much and would not be without him. Was funny actually, everytime Dad bent down to put him down he would just lift his little legs. Despite that, we got some super great family photos.

So here are a few sneak peek photos. How sweet is the first one?

Family cuddles.

Love, love, love this one.

On the way back home we stopped by the long grasses. Love the rich colours already from the sun starting to move lower. The idea of tickling mom got some great laughs.

Some fun. Little R really loved being swung again and again in the air. Then saying goodbye to the fishies.

Important notice: Do not print or save (on computer or on your mobile phone) these images. They are meant exclusively to share on the blog. If you wish to have any of these images, please contact me directly. Copyright Brunilda Monnig Photography. Thanks for understanding.

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of working with Stella Sassen. I love working as second shooter, I’ve learnt so much in the few weddings I’ve done so far and I do love the vibe, happiness and love that surrounds everyone at a wedding. To see two young people start this new phase of their lives is a priveledge. Heather and Clinton, thanks for sharing your day with us.

Here is a few images from the day, as seen by me.

Fun and games before the wedding.

She’s arrived.

Even when things happen around you, it’s important to take a nap…

Tea ceremony.

Calming down, taking a breath before the creatives.

Outside, table assignments.

Speaches. I just loved the humour in Dad’s speach.

On the dancefloor.

Important notice: Do not print or save (on computer or on your mobile phone) these images. They are meant exclusively to share on the blog. If you wish to have any of these images, please contact Stella directly, she holds copyright of all the wedding photos. Thanks for understanding.

It was so lovely meeting with this lovely  mommy. She told me her due date is 23 May, so that means one month to go to know whether her guess for boy or Daddy’s guess for girl works out. We had such a nice session, almost more outing and walk outside than session as we took it leisurely and had fun.

Here are your sneak peek, enjoy. Mommy said she is going to have a really hard time choosing. I numbered them, why not help this mom along and tell us your favourites. She will have more to choose from in the end:)

1. I love this image. She is so friendly and so in love with this pregnancy. This image seems to say “I am happy!”

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6. This is the one where baby were doing the weirdest gimnastics in there!

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8. I’m tired, taking a breather. This lady photographer is giving me a work out!

9. Talking away and chatting with junior.

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11. I love the sentiment story about the teddy bear. Daddy was working far away when this new mom found out they were expecting. She just had to go buy something for the new baby and this was the very first thing she bought, making it real, there is a baby coming!

12. They have been married 6 years and baby is coming! Six flowers to symbolise each year.

Important notice: Do not print or save (on computer or on your mobile phone) these images. They are meant exclusively to share on the internet. If you wish to save or print please contact me for a high resolution image. Low resolution images has a watermark, never crop or remove the watermark please. Thanks for understanding.

This week I sent out a model-call on Facebook. Thank you for everyone that entered. I chose two models, one had a turn today and the other will get her turn maybe next month or June. I loved being able to test out some equipment I haven’t used before and also test some back-lighting at a certain time. I am not completely used to South African lighting and when its dark etc. So this year I will probably have model session more often than I would have to test. I could probably use my own children but they run when I take out the camera:)

Thanks J for being our model today, you were amazing. Here is several images as a sneak peek! Enjoy. These will also be posted on Facebook and you are welcome to share them on your own profile.

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This session was a massive one, we got together twice since we will be doing albums and there were three babies. It was a bit more difficult than I thought to get them all happy at the same time, but that doesnt mean I didnt love every minute. I adored them. We will hopefully see them as they grow older.

Here is one image and then thereafter is the slideshow.

On Saturday, 31 March 2012, I did some second shooting for Alana Meyer. To reach her please head to her website, or facebook page and to see her blog post of Nikki and Wesley please head here.

I always knew I’d love to photograph at a wedding. I never knew how much I’d love the photo journalistic side of photographing the reception and ceremony I enjoyed every little bit of it. Nikki and Wesley, thank you so much for making me feel so welcome for letting me share this amazing day with you. I loved being able to experience the adrenaline, the overwhelming feeling of love, the  spontaneity and laughter of the couple while also not having the stress of being first/ main photographer. Alana you have a stunning personality and the way you interact with your clients are inspiring.

For those now thinking I do weddings, unfortunately I have no plans to be main photographer for the next several years. I will however easily refer you to the photographers I work with! I have a link in the first paragraph of this post but if you need additional contact information just let me know.

The wedding nitty gritty:

Main photographer: Alana Meyer Photography

Ceremony: Rosebank Union Church

Reception (may I say amazing food!): Corner Cafe in Craighall Park 

DJ: LK Media

Dress: Bride & Co

Here are some photos I took. To get hold of any of these, please contact Alana. These range from getting ready, to the ceremony, just married allt he way to the very emotional speaches and then a thank you.

Images on this site is not for printing, saving or copying. Please do not save it or reproduce it in any way without permission from the photographers, thank you.

Last week we visited the triplets and their family at their home. We focused mostly on the individual photos, this time was family. They were born early and were a little older by the time we did the sessions, which does make it far more difficult. I thought splitting the session and doing the group shots on another day would be much better for them. They were calmer, and I loved them so so much. At times I had more than one baby in my arms, soothing, how fun!

It was pretty cold when we started this morning, it taught me my home is going to be freezing in winter, but it also showed me my heater in the studio works perfectly! The babies were toasty warm the whole time:)

I took so many pictures between the first and second session so the slideshow and full picture share will be a week or so from now, especially since school holidays start and we’ll be doing some things with my girls.

Here follows a bunch of images from today’s session of not only the triplets, but also their family, and we certainly can’t forget some special ones of big sister!

Today I was lucky enough to be part of a group of photographers that toured a reputable print lab and we got a behind the scenes view at how exactly the albums are made. If I weren’t impressed before I am now completely and utterly impressed.

Clients in Abu Dhabi know how much I loved the coffee-table books I loved to design and sell. I cannot wait to start designing some albums. First on the list will be several for me as portfolio examples. I might make a few for the different categories of photos I take, all newborn, all maternity, a book full of babies or toddlers or children, what could be more beautiful.

There are a wide variety of choices for every aspect of the album. Decide on sizes from 10cm by 10cm all the way to 40cm by 50cm. Cover choices include leather, stitched leather, custom print, wood front, metal front, duo tone leather, acrylic cover to name but a few. Even the pages inside have several different types and one can decide whether pages are mounted or not. Since it is so customisable, I won’t be listing all the exact prices but merely estimates. We will hold an album build meeting to go through choices. I have the sample album that shows almost all the different choices. Once we know exactly what you’d like, I’ll prepare a precise quote.

Here follows several images I took of my lovely sample album today with descriptions of every picture:

Other photographer using the same albums are welcome to share the blog-post if they can stand my not-so perfect products photos.

Have fun creating or selecting the perfect album for you!

Mini sessions are usually in studio, but twice a year I’ll dedicate a day outside to it. Has it been ages since you took family photos? Have you been meaning to get some images to place on the kiddies birthday invitations? Even just had an occasion to celebrate, a lost tooth, a new walker in the family? This is now your time to have a short outside session to get a few images. I even chose a date that should fit most people since its a public holiday. All the details are in the image below. If you need more information please contact me on brunilda@brunilda.me

I had the absolute pleasure to visit with three gorgeous little children this morning. Two boys and a girl. We took some photos, mostly of them each separate. Next week they will visit the studio and we will do the family shots and hopefully we might be able to settle them easier in the studio so we can play at getting those lovely triplets shots I so are looking forward to. Here is one at least of the three of them together:) This was like the very first shot so they haven’t really warmed up to the shoot at the time, still cute though.

All three together

The calm brother, wrapped in blue.

Sister in her little cocoon, waving at us.

And another little brother. I love his expression here.

Please remember the photos on this site is not for saving or printing, please respect our copyright.

Brünilda Mönnig Photography