WEBSITE: WWW.NATALIEANNPHOTOGRAPHY.COM.AU CONNECT: FACEBOOK CONTACT: INFO@NATALIEANNPHOTOGRAPHY.COM.AU

December 13, 2012

Lace & Light

Natalia's photo shoot is for her portfolio as a singer. As always, I like to try new things each time I do a shoot. To continually learn and progress as a photographer and to add individuality to my clients shoots.


The above shot is a beautiful portrait image photographed on a black backdrop with a single beauty dish for soft light. My client Natalia selected this image for her portfolio but asked if it could be a little more edgy. So to spice this image up in photoshop I selected a small section of lace from her top. I then stretched it out across the image and blended it. I love the effect it created. It was so simple to do but adds so much drama from the patterns in the lace, light and shadow.

Below you have a great before and after shot. Gorgeous Nat before getting her hair and make-up done and an image which I did shooting through the studio window.




To create the stunning portraits below, I used a long lens at a very shallow depth of field, and used the sun to rim light her hair with a reflector to gently bounce some light back into her face.



November 24, 2012

White Sands



Originally I had planned to photograph Catie on the beach at sunset, but we arrived early at location and had a while to wait until the sun went down. Instead I got creative and decided to use whatever little spots I could find to photograph her and mix it up.

I used dead tree branches, scrub land, and the sand dunes. It was a great creative challenge and a bit different from usually shooting right on the shore line. No lights this time, just a reflector bouncing a bit of light back onto her. 










November 1, 2012

Dance Portfolio's



I love this area of photography, I love meeting my new clients and watching their transformation. I love how each person brings their own style and something special to their shoot.




Michelle is a dancer (an amazing dancer) I have done a few classes with her as my teacher in the past so I knew this woman would know how to move her body.

Funny enough though, as soon as the camera was directed at her she said it was difficult. I asked how could that be when you teach movement and perform in front of so many people!

Of course it is a reaction that I'm use to receiving from clients, unless your a model, being in front of the camera can be intimidating. People become shy, the body language shuts down and they become embarrassed. Fear not, that's where I come in. By the time I'm finished with you, you'll be a pro, and your images will reflect so much confidence that you'll hardly recognise yourself.





October 18, 2012

A Picture Speaks A Thousand Words...


In this case, my very first little video is speaking for me and showing you all what I LOVE to do.
This is for my potential clients who may be just that little bit afraid of the unknown of a photo shoot. Well here it is. I hope you all like it. We had so much fun making it!

Click here to view the video: VIDEO

Thank you to my gorgeous Hair and Make-Up Artist Daniella Piscopo! You always blow me away with your talent!
My Videographer Dave and Editor Joe, who both can be contacted at joe@spinque.com. I can't recommend these guys enough.

And lastly the star of the video, Kirsty.
Kirsty booked a photo shoot with me as a client and since the shoot we have both become dear friends.

She was the perfect candidate to use in this video. Her warmth and kindness just came right through. She is one of the most giving people I have ever met and she has the most amazing, lovable personality!

I can't thank you enough for being involved and being so brave to allow us to film the whole process from the before shots all the way through to the final images.

So to anyone out there whose been thinking about a shoot, don't think any longer! Contact me and book your photo shoot now with Natalie Ann Photography. xx









October 13, 2012

Preparing for the unexpected in shoots




A client contacted me for a great idea with a photo shoot. This group were going to their uni ball and thought it would be fun to get pre-photos done since they will all ready be dressed up.

I was to have an hour to photograph them before their limo picked them up. Packing the car I had the usual kit, lenses, flash, spare camera, extra batteries charged, reflector, extra cards etc. but I also had  my Elinchrom Quad Ranger lighting. Even if I never think I'm not going to use them I always take them, and this is why...

I got to the location early to scout the spots I was going to photograph them and then also test the lighting and set up. It was so beautiful, perfect shooting conditions. However, my poor clients hit some terrible traffic conditions, and within the extra half hour it took for them to arrive the lighting changed dramatically, the sun was setting behind the trees and heavy clouds came overhead.

Test shots of my fiance who was assisting:


With the late start and the afternoon light gone I had to think quickly and a change my tactics. In these situations I'm glad I spent the extra $$$ for portable lighting and my lenses, where I am able to open the aperture up wide and let in as much light as possible. So it was out with the Elinchrom lights, and a change of position.

October 4, 2012

The last 3 months....

So it has definitely been a while since I have been to my blog. The last 3 months have flown by. I landed an incredible job working for a top Western Australia Photographer Frances Andrijich which I do 3 days a week. On the other remaining days I'm doing my own shoots and running my business.



I have revamped my website and found an amazing new studio on the beach.  I recently updated all my packages for clients and purchased a new beauty dish which I'm loving playing with and the soft light that comes from that.  I have been photographing corporate, 21st's, portraits and I managed to squeeze in a self portrait for fun.

New website: Natalie Ann Photography


New Studio:

New Self Portrait:

I met Sue Bryce, Australian Portrait Photographer of the year 2 times running and have taken her advice on the power of video.
I have a very exciting 'Behind The Scenes' video to come in the very near future from my gorgeous clients' shoot below.


I challenged myself to do the 'Michelle Bridges 12 week Body Challenge' where I'm exercising regulary and even though I have just injured my back and can't move about as much at the moment, I still have so much to look forward to and be grateful for, including trips away to Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns and Coral Bay!!

I have one spot left this year to fill for a shoot and after that I am booked out until next year and that really is something to be proud of, excited and grateful for. It has been a lot of hard work the last 2 years and I feel that it's all starting to pay off.

A few months ago I posted this little picture of a fortune I received from a fortune cookie, need I say more!

October 3, 2012

Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg



I stumbled across this article on Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg. I just loved it because when I first started photography the images of this couple were one of my inspirations. I love the contrast between the gorgeous Jane Birkin and the 'unique' features of Serge, but somehow the photographs captured them in such a way they looked like they belong together.



The famous hermes birkin bag was named after the english actress Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg was an infamous eccentric French singer, songwriter, actor, poet, composer & director.
This is Glamorous Blog, have done up an article on their love story with some great pics to accompany it.

http://www.thisisglamorous.com/2012/09/great-love-story-19-jane-birkin-serge.html



You just dont get raw photos like this any more. I just love them.


 
 
 



July 1, 2012

An Amazing Shoot for an Amazing Woman



 Janelle Vaccaro, an incredible dancer, choreographer and artist with an impressive career in her industry. Incorporating some contemporary portraits with some movement shots for her website, this was an exciting shoot to do.



 If  you are going to do a photo shoot, do it right. I will take the time with you to prepare you, get your hair and make-up professionally done by my incredible hair & make-up artists, research ideas for what you should wear & and guide you every step of the way.

A photo shoot is a great investment. Ultimately the images are a representation of who you are, a portfolio, which one day you will be able to show your children and grandchildren. It's a wonderful thought really, that you will have a moment captured in time to keep with you forever.

The below testimonial from Janelle, pretty much sums up what I am trying to say.
Thanks Janelle for your lovely words :)

Testimonial:
"Wow wow wow wow WOW!! omg now I don't know what to use because they're all so amazing. ha! Such a good eye/imagination u have!  

Thank u soooo much.You're a legend and amazingly talented!! and thank u so much again for taking the time to explain how you do things and helping me to take the time to do it properly for myself rather than a rush job. AND the biggest thank you for the glamour shots which I NEVER would have chosen for myself but I am loving as is the rest of the world.

 Thanks honey love ur work. j x"











June 7, 2012

Couples Photography


Posing couples; two people to direct, two people to make comfortable and two people's expressions to work on. You get my point, but also two people to have fun with, laugh with and create amazing interactions to capture.

For clients, I hope this blog post gives you an idea of what to expect, especially for the guys, they always seem to be more nervous than their partner, and for the photographers, perhaps some tips.

First of all is outfits. I always discuss this with my clients before their shoot. I want them to look semi-formal, jeans are fine (just make sure it's dressed with a nice top or shirt), no matching outfits please! However in saying that I do like similar colour tones. Next is hair and make-up. I always encourage my clients to have hair and make-up professionally done. I will sometimes add some powder foundation to a guy to avoid shine on the skin and also lip balm, I don't like to touch up dry lips in post work.

Following on, is where to shoot. I have found that most couples are more comfortable in a location environment, rather than the studio. Perhaps it is the confined area and and all the equipment and light pointing in their direction.

Before a shoot, I already have in mind about 4 areas of the chosen location to photograph them in. You don't always need a completely different scene, you can change it up by the poses, depth of field, lighting, expression and interactions.

This shoot was done in a small garden. I used my 50mm lense and occasionally my reflector.

At first clients are a little nervous, so I ease them into it with some simple poses and nice smiles.

Next, to get them to relax further, I ask them to be silly and rough each other up a little. It helps release some of the nervous energy and they can have a giggle. This always creates a nice little series.

To change it up, we move to the floor. I am constantly talking to them and telling them where to look. ie. "Brooke look to me, Chris look towards that direction, now look at each other"


By now they have really relaxed, so I can start asking them to portray a little more emotion and romance into it. Think what an editorial magazine would do with models and use those shots and adapt it with your clients. Ask them to act and feel like a model, they will bring their own special something and personality to it. They get nervous to act like models at first, but once they get into it you can really get some great looks from them. I will also act it out myself to show them what I mean. When they see you do it. They don't feel so silly to do it themselves.



While all the posing and directing is going on, I am also constantly looking for pretty light, changing my depth of field, and shooting angles to create different looks and backgrounds. The end result is beautifully styled photographs for my client. I hope this provides some little tips and helps my clients to know what to expect on their shoot :)