•you have a newborn

•you have an infant or baby

•you have a toddler

•you have a preschooler

•you have a tween or teen

•you have a that child hates it when you point the camera at them

•you would love to take better photos of your children

I am holding a photography workshop at Bels Brass Razoo in Maclean on 18 August 2011 from 12pm to 2pm. We’ll be covering topics that I am asked most about when taking photos of children. I have also allowed 30 minutes for one on one questions. If there’s something you particularly like covered I have set up a discussion tab on my Facebook page for you to post your questions (you will need to ‘like’ the page before your can post). This is going to be a fun and relaxed workshop. I want you to walk away from this workshop with ideas on how to refine your technique as a mum or dad photographer and capture winning photos of your kids. I also want to enjoy getting to know each of you and hear your stories about the photos you have captured that you love. After all, photography is all about the love of images. I really hope to meet you there!

Fun Photo Tip!

Windows are your friends! Even if you don’t have huge windows in your house, the light coming in from outside is almost always better than your on camera flash. Window light works perfectly for sweet baby portraits like this one. Just watch your exposure though, you don’t want to “blow out” the whites and loose all your detail.

What are you waiting for? Go and find a window and start shooting!

I arrived home quite late last night after spending two days in Brisbane attending the Queensland Branch of the Australian Institute of Photography’s’ Hair of the Dog Conference.

It was really lovely to spend time with and listen to people who are very passionate and skilled at photography. To see photographers oozing with energy and enthusiasm as well as having the courage to leave the proverbial ‘safe path’ and walk a path that remains true to them. Photographers who express their personality and stay true to their personal convictions. It’s very inspiring.

This conference was very timely. I have been reworking my business plan for this year and there are some changes that need to be made. There have been experiences and changes in my personal life that cannot be ignored. There are personal photographic goals that have taken a back seat for way to long. These are the things that keep the fire in my belly and remind me why I love what I do. My family are important, I need more time with my girls. My health is beyond any monetary value.

Stepping out of my office and taking two days to focus on myself gave me a big reality check. The world did not collapse when I was not in my office. Seriously. The world is still here!

I love my job, it is an important job. The value of the product I produce increases with every passing year.  But my job is not as important a doctor, a brain surgeon; my job doesn’t cure cancer (unfortunately). I want to pace myself so that I don’t burn out. Ever. I want to still be writing this blog and posting photos in another 10 years.

I want to look after my clients like royalty. I want to inspire, empower and educate. I’m so glad that I made the decision last year to limit the number of wedding bookings I accepted because now when I turn up at each and every wedding I am so buzzed to be there!

I am so wildly excited (you know the, Oh mum you’re so embarrassing kind of excited) for what this year will bring. Some of my ideas are probably illogical, grandiose and possibly some form of madness, but to me it’s these ideas that bring about a clarity of mind. I know more about where I am going and what I need to get there.

To be honest, I’m just stoked to be on the journey!

But I didn’t, and that was ok,  because a few weeks later I received and email to say that I had a seat in a second workshop. Yippeee! I text my fiance to let him know, thought about it for 2 minutes and then made my booking. I was in!  Then I jumped around the lounge like a mad thing.

For those who are unfamiliar with Jasmine Star, she is one of the top ten wedding photographers in the world. She has grown her business with love and passion all the while ‘keeping it real’. I have been following her blog since about August 2006.  Ahem, yes, my name is Vicki and I am a Jasmine Star Fanatic.

When I met Jasmine, I felt like I already knew her, she shares so much of her life on her blog.

I barely slept a wink the night before the workshop. I was so excited and a little star struck. I was so scared I would giggle like a school girl and forget my name. I’m not going to share the ins and outs of The Workshop, but please know, if she ever comes to our shores again, sign up!

I was really looking forward to our shoot in the afternoon. I wanted to see how Jasmine handled the midday Australian sun and how she worked with the bride and groom. All I can say, is watching Jasmine is like watching ballet, everything  just flowed. JD is Jasmines husband and second shooter and he was on hand to give out advice freely. On Jasmines blog she often mentions his support and I know that I am lucky to have a partner who is just as supportive.

After The Workshop we all laughed, shared and asked more questions. I didn’t want to the night to end, I didn’t want to not have The Workshop to look forward to and I didn’t want to leave my new friends. What I do have to look forward to though is a clearer path for my hopes and dreams,  happiness for the future and  some fantastic new photographer friends to celebrate our successes and help with our failures. Life is good.

I didn’t take a lot of photos at The Workshop as I really wanted to watch and learn and with about 20 gifted photographers surrounding me, there is much I can learn! Often you can’t use photos taken at workshops for your own portfolio, however with Jasmines workshop we had some gorgeous models with amazing dresses, flowers and accessories and we could photograph to our hearts content!

Some of my photos :

I love that I can now say that I have met Jasmine Star and JD and I hope some of their ‘fabulousness’ has rubbed off on me!

Until next time,

Vicki

contact me * visit my website * see the photos bigger (for facebook readers!)

The Honour Roll:

Our amazing models: Alana and Karim, Kara Tranter

Beautiful Flowers: Daisy Chain Florist

Stunning Dresses: Catherine Colubriale

Hair and Make Up: Lyndal Quin-Tuccarone

And  the whole workshop was pulled together without a fault by the hard working Cathy Crawley. Thanks Cathy for all your behind the scenes work. Much appreciated!