to my new website
www.nurturedbyjen.com
You will now find my blog there :)
Friday, March 4, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
The Beautiful Two
My own two children are the lights of my life. So on a quiet Saturday morning, I decided to set up my 'studio' (aka take over the toy area with all my gear), get out my new rocking chair and backdrop, and take some photos with my two favourite subjects!
I think this has got to be one of my favourites of the two of them together
My beautiful girl, such a poser!
And my gorgeous little man who is growing up soooooo fast!!! (But oh, how tiny he looks in that big chair!!)
PS I just have to say, I LOVE having an external flash!!!!!
I think this has got to be one of my favourites of the two of them together
My beautiful girl, such a poser!
And my gorgeous little man who is growing up soooooo fast!!! (But oh, how tiny he looks in that big chair!!)
PS I just have to say, I LOVE having an external flash!!!!!
Mini Break
A week and a half ago we went for a 'mini break' in Mackay - I was going in to speak at a BaBs (Birth and Babies Support Group) meeting, so we decided to stay in a couple of nights and spend some time together.
While the boys of the family snoozed/lazed the afternoon away, the little miss and I went swimming and for a play at the beach. H LOVES the beach, and all other forms of water/swimming. It was so relaxing and fulfilling to see her having so much fun! It really was nice to be 'just the girls' for an afternoon.
While the boys of the family snoozed/lazed the afternoon away, the little miss and I went swimming and for a play at the beach. H LOVES the beach, and all other forms of water/swimming. It was so relaxing and fulfilling to see her having so much fun! It really was nice to be 'just the girls' for an afternoon.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
365 Project
In 2010 I set out to do the 365 Project.
Basically, this involves taking, editing and uploading a photo each day.
I didn't use the official site, just did it on facebook.
I think I kept up properly for maybe the first 3 months. Then, between moving house, giving birth and all that looking after a new house and family entails, I got worse and worse!
So my project didn't end up 'following the rules'. Sometimes I went a month (or more!) between uploads. Sometimes I uploaded more than one photo that was actually taken on the same day. Sometimes my photos were out of order - including photos that ended up being posted before the date they actually occurred.
But hey, in the end, I have 365 edited photos to remember 2010.
Here they are...
Basically, this involves taking, editing and uploading a photo each day.
I didn't use the official site, just did it on facebook.
I think I kept up properly for maybe the first 3 months. Then, between moving house, giving birth and all that looking after a new house and family entails, I got worse and worse!
So my project didn't end up 'following the rules'. Sometimes I went a month (or more!) between uploads. Sometimes I uploaded more than one photo that was actually taken on the same day. Sometimes my photos were out of order - including photos that ended up being posted before the date they actually occurred.
But hey, in the end, I have 365 edited photos to remember 2010.
Here they are...
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Top Tips for Photographing Children and Babies
On Thursday, I was lucky enough to be able to talk photography at a BaBs (Birth and Babies Support) meeting, and meet some wonderful women with some gorgeous kiddies. A midwife friend invited me along to chat, introduce myself and my business, and give some photography tips.
Here are the 10 tips I came up with, things that are simple, but can make an extraordinary difference, and it doesn't matter whether you have a $100 point and shoot or $5000 DSLR. Of course there are about a hundred thousands others I could add, but these were the first ten that sprung to my mind :)
1) It’s all about the eyes – set your focus for between a child’s eyes. Eyes that are out of focus can often spoil an otherwise great photograph. If a child is looking up at you (even slightly), it helps to capture the ‘catchlights’ in their eyes.
2)Restrict your use of flash – using flash can result in a ‘washed out look’, often with the subject being too light and the background being too dark. Use natural light wherever you can (eg. Light shining through a window). Just be careful – if you don’t have enough natural light and have the flash turned off, your images may be blurry.
3)Try different angles – photographing from a different perspective often results in more interesting, attractive photographs and can capture details otherwise not seen.
4)Smiles aren’t everything – many beautiful photographs are taken when a child isn’t smiling. Don’t automatically assume a child has to smile for a photograph to be ‘successful’. Children have many expressions, all of which are beautiful in their own ways and capture a different element of their personality.
5)Your child doesn’t have to look at the camera – while it is wonderful to have photos where your child’s eyes are gazing at the camera, photographs where a child is looking away/at someone else/into the distance or even down can be equally stunning.
6)Capture children in their own environment – letting children explore and enjoy the world around them often allows for amazing natural/candid photographs. You can really capture the essence and personality of your child if you are simply allowing them to ‘be’, rather than telling them what you want them to do. Including things like bubbles, toys and paint – or objects from the environment such as leaves, sticks, shells, playground equipment etc - can make for some interesting and unique photographs.
7)Keep the background simple – a simple background (or blurred background) allows the focus to remain on the subject/child, whereas a cluttered or ‘busy’ background can be distracting.
8)Try different compositions – instead of always having your subject in the middle of the photograph, try placing them to the side, or on a diagonal, etc. This will make your photographs more interesting. Follow the rule of thirds - imagine your photo is broken up into 9 squares - 2 vertical lines and 2 horizontal lines (you know, like in noughts and crosses) - and try placing your subject where you imagine the lines intersect (some cameras have these thirds visible on the screen).
9)Photograph outside early in the morning or late in the evening – the best times for outdoor photography are roughly between 7-10am and 4-6pm when sunlight is less harsh. Shooting in the middle of the day often results in harsh shadows (as well as those less-than-attractive squinty eyes).
10)Invest in some editing software – Editing your photographs can turn good photos into great photos. While programs like PhotoShop are often overwhelming and take quite a bit of time and practice to master, programs like Adobe Lightroom are very user friendly (though do not have as many features as PhotoShop).
{Nurtured} by Jen Photography
ABN: 80 527 365 766
nurturedbyjen@hotmail.com
Ph: 0423004946
Here are the 10 tips I came up with, things that are simple, but can make an extraordinary difference, and it doesn't matter whether you have a $100 point and shoot or $5000 DSLR. Of course there are about a hundred thousands others I could add, but these were the first ten that sprung to my mind :)
1) It’s all about the eyes – set your focus for between a child’s eyes. Eyes that are out of focus can often spoil an otherwise great photograph. If a child is looking up at you (even slightly), it helps to capture the ‘catchlights’ in their eyes.
2)Restrict your use of flash – using flash can result in a ‘washed out look’, often with the subject being too light and the background being too dark. Use natural light wherever you can (eg. Light shining through a window). Just be careful – if you don’t have enough natural light and have the flash turned off, your images may be blurry.
3)Try different angles – photographing from a different perspective often results in more interesting, attractive photographs and can capture details otherwise not seen.
4)Smiles aren’t everything – many beautiful photographs are taken when a child isn’t smiling. Don’t automatically assume a child has to smile for a photograph to be ‘successful’. Children have many expressions, all of which are beautiful in their own ways and capture a different element of their personality.
5)Your child doesn’t have to look at the camera – while it is wonderful to have photos where your child’s eyes are gazing at the camera, photographs where a child is looking away/at someone else/into the distance or even down can be equally stunning.
6)Capture children in their own environment – letting children explore and enjoy the world around them often allows for amazing natural/candid photographs. You can really capture the essence and personality of your child if you are simply allowing them to ‘be’, rather than telling them what you want them to do. Including things like bubbles, toys and paint – or objects from the environment such as leaves, sticks, shells, playground equipment etc - can make for some interesting and unique photographs.
7)Keep the background simple – a simple background (or blurred background) allows the focus to remain on the subject/child, whereas a cluttered or ‘busy’ background can be distracting.
8)Try different compositions – instead of always having your subject in the middle of the photograph, try placing them to the side, or on a diagonal, etc. This will make your photographs more interesting. Follow the rule of thirds - imagine your photo is broken up into 9 squares - 2 vertical lines and 2 horizontal lines (you know, like in noughts and crosses) - and try placing your subject where you imagine the lines intersect (some cameras have these thirds visible on the screen).
9)Photograph outside early in the morning or late in the evening – the best times for outdoor photography are roughly between 7-10am and 4-6pm when sunlight is less harsh. Shooting in the middle of the day often results in harsh shadows (as well as those less-than-attractive squinty eyes).
10)Invest in some editing software – Editing your photographs can turn good photos into great photos. While programs like PhotoShop are often overwhelming and take quite a bit of time and practice to master, programs like Adobe Lightroom are very user friendly (though do not have as many features as PhotoShop).
{Nurtured} by Jen Photography
ABN: 80 527 365 766
nurturedbyjen@hotmail.com
Ph: 0423004946
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Putting a price on my work.
Putting a price on my work is something I've struggled with.
I know that I have a long way to go before I truly *feel* like a professional, and I know I have a LOT left to learn about photography, and a LOT more practice needed to get where I want to be.
At the same time though, I value what I do and if other people also value it, then it is entirely reasonable to put a monetary value on that. I believe that for the experience I have, and the photographs I produce, my prices are fair, people get value for money and lovely memories.
Sure, there might be a billion other photographers that have more experience, better gear, more extensive portfolios etc - but they probably charge 'a billion dollars' more as well.
I am nervous about having people pay for my work, no doubt about it. But I give up my time taking and editing photographs, buying equipment and props, books, courses, travel etc, so even though I'm nervous, I know my work is worth something. That 'something' will most likely increase as my experience and knowledge does, but for now, I'm happy. I hope all my clients are too.
(PS no one has said anything about me charging etc, just some things I've been pondering over).
I know that I have a long way to go before I truly *feel* like a professional, and I know I have a LOT left to learn about photography, and a LOT more practice needed to get where I want to be.
At the same time though, I value what I do and if other people also value it, then it is entirely reasonable to put a monetary value on that. I believe that for the experience I have, and the photographs I produce, my prices are fair, people get value for money and lovely memories.
Sure, there might be a billion other photographers that have more experience, better gear, more extensive portfolios etc - but they probably charge 'a billion dollars' more as well.
I am nervous about having people pay for my work, no doubt about it. But I give up my time taking and editing photographs, buying equipment and props, books, courses, travel etc, so even though I'm nervous, I know my work is worth something. That 'something' will most likely increase as my experience and knowledge does, but for now, I'm happy. I hope all my clients are too.
(PS no one has said anything about me charging etc, just some things I've been pondering over).
Current offers and Specials...and lessons I'm learning along the way.
So, the first lesson is that I really need to be able to keep track of current specials and offers instead of just posting them as facebook statuses! LOL. So from now on, they will be posted here (with 'expiry dates') and in the 'Discussions' tab on my facebook page. When they are expired they will be deleted.
Here are my introductory package prices, valid to 30th March 2011
Maternity Package
*1hr sitting (free) at a location of your choice (or studio)
*CD with all unedited photos + 10 edits $100, 20 edits $150, 30 edits $180
Birth Package
*Phone consultation prior to birth
*From labor to 2 hours post birth
*CD with all unedited photos + 10 edits $150, 20 edits $180, 30 edits $200
Newborn Package
*1hr sitting (free) at a location of your choice (or studio)
*CD with all unedited photos + 10 edits $100, 20 edits $150, 30 edits $180
Family Package
*1hr sitting (free) at a location of your choice (or studio)
*CD with all unedited photos + 10 edits $100, 20 edits $150, 30 edits $180
Combined Packages
*Choose any 2 packages and get a $25 discount
*Choose any 3 packages and get a $50 discount
*Choose any 4 packages and get a $75 discount
Don't forget I also offer doula services (antenatal, birth and postpartum). If you would like to combine photography and doula services, please enquire about special pricing. To see a range of my birth support services, visit my [Nurtured] by Jen - Birth Support and Childbirth Education Page on facebook
I also have another special offer at the moment:
Book any session before 15th February 2011 (can be for a date up to 30th June 2011) and receive a montage of your photos for free (RRP $30).
Please disregard any other specials and offers that have been on my facebook page, and sorry if that causes any inconvenience. I have learnt my lesson about keeping track of what I'm offering :)
Here are my introductory package prices, valid to 30th March 2011
Maternity Package
*1hr sitting (free) at a location of your choice (or studio)
*CD with all unedited photos + 10 edits $100, 20 edits $150, 30 edits $180
Birth Package
*Phone consultation prior to birth
*From labor to 2 hours post birth
*CD with all unedited photos + 10 edits $150, 20 edits $180, 30 edits $200
Newborn Package
*1hr sitting (free) at a location of your choice (or studio)
*CD with all unedited photos + 10 edits $100, 20 edits $150, 30 edits $180
Family Package
*1hr sitting (free) at a location of your choice (or studio)
*CD with all unedited photos + 10 edits $100, 20 edits $150, 30 edits $180
Combined Packages
*Choose any 2 packages and get a $25 discount
*Choose any 3 packages and get a $50 discount
*Choose any 4 packages and get a $75 discount
Don't forget I also offer doula services (antenatal, birth and postpartum). If you would like to combine photography and doula services, please enquire about special pricing. To see a range of my birth support services, visit my [Nurtured] by Jen - Birth Support and Childbirth Education Page on facebook
I also have another special offer at the moment:
Book any session before 15th February 2011 (can be for a date up to 30th June 2011) and receive a montage of your photos for free (RRP $30).
Please disregard any other specials and offers that have been on my facebook page, and sorry if that causes any inconvenience. I have learnt my lesson about keeping track of what I'm offering :)
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