Wien - 10 months young!

What a pleasure it was to photograph Mr Wien. He is so much fun. He just wanted to play and investigate and get involved in everything. I had such a great time with him and his mom. 

I normally convert some of my favourite photographs of the day to a lovely soft, warm black and white but you will notice that in this post there are only colour photographs. That is just who Wien is. A full of life, full colour little guy! Enjoy!

I then changed things up a little and introduced some noisy toys. He took one look at the bright yellow drumstick and latched onto it and it was quite a while before we could convince him to relinquish control of it. He was quite adamant that he was going to put the whole thing into his mouth.

 This one below is my absolute favourite of the day.

We finally managed to remove the yellow drumstick and as you can see he was not at all impressed with me. 

I moved on into the garden and my new favourite prop, my rusted, vintage, yellow wheelbarrow. He looks so cute sitting in it.

 My garden was far more interesting than Mom so the typical Mom and baby portrait is rather unconventional but just as precious as a typical one because that is who Wien is. A portrait isn't about looking perfect but about what it makes you feel when you see it. I love this portrait because this captures just who Wien is. FUN!

And then my rather water streaked window caught his fancy and although I don't normally include snapshot type photos this face was just too cute to pass up!

Mom enjoyed her session so much she booked Wien's 1st Birthday Cake Smash session even before she saw her photos! What a fantastic compliment. Thank you! I can't wait. It's going to be awesome!

CLICK HERE to find out more about a Cake Smash session.

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Milan and Mommy's Wedding Dress

I was extremely honoured to be asked by a previous client to photograph her baby again. It's really special when clients return for more photographs. Remember serene Milan at just 7 weeks?

This time was very special. Milan's mom has decided to sell her gorgeous wedding dress and wanted some photographs of Milan, now a cute 7 months old, with her dress. 

It took a bit of trial and error to figure out how to pose her in a stiff bodice that just refused to cooperate with us but we eventually got it right and some beautiful photographs followed.

We then headed outside into the garden for some fun in a vintage wheelbarrow.

And I always love to include portraits of parents and their adorable kiddies in every photo session. The candid, unposed interactions always get the greatest expressions.

In this case Milan was hooked on a string of pearls we just could not get away from her. They just felt so good in her mouth.

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What Exactly is a Viewing Session?

I have added a new page to my blog that you can refer to at any time by clicking the link in the menu bar above. Many of my clients don't really know what this thing is that I call a Viewing Session. Here is detailed information on your complete photography experience.

So what exactly is a Viewing Session?

Before I can answer that question I need to answer Why do I schedule a Viewing Session?
The trend in Namibia and South Africa, when you have professional photographs taken, is to pick up a disc a few weeks, and in some cases even several months after your session with all your high resolution photographs on it. You then eagerly rush home and browse through your images and in most cases never really get around to doing anything with them. You might print some at home on your little printer and be disappointed when the colour comes out all funky.

What do You Get? So what I have decided to do is offer you a full professional photography experience and not just images on a disc. I have put together a variety of packages depending on the focus of the session. Each package includes a disc with the high resolution photographs as well as smaller ones for posting on Facebook. BUT on top of that you get a whole lot of value added items to complete the experience:

• A personal blog post on this blog. CLICK HERE for an example.
• A custom SmartPhone/iPhone/iPad app with 7 of the best photos. This you can share with family and friends and you get to have your photos right with on your phone! (Click on the image below to see an example. Then click on each thumbnail to view the slideshow.)

• Your disc is beautifully packaged in a personalised CD case.
• A selection of prints (10x15cm and in some cases 13x18cm) all in a lovely envelope.
• All of this is packaged in a custom carry bag.

Of course if you have a son you will not be getting pink!

Now I can answer What exactly is a Viewing Session?

I will contact you within about 2 weeks of your session to let you know that your photos are ready. We will make a date for you to come around to my home studio. 

Once you've arrived you'll get settled with a cup of tea or coffee or even a cappuccino if you would like one. I then press play and you get to watch your gorgeous images in a slideshow set to music. 

We then talk a little about the prints and products you would like for your home. I also design some Wall Displays to help you picture your photographs on your wall at home.

For most clients the choice is overwhelming but I know each of your photographs so well that  I make suggestions and I give you ideas that makes choosing just that much easier. Once you have decided you place your order and about 3 weeks later you have all your finished products ready to hang on your walls at home.

Hopefully after this whole experience you will be delighted with the final result of your photography session and it will being you joy each time you walk past your art and see your family smiling back at you.

CONTACT Rosalind | VIEW Portfolio | LIKE Facebook | ENJOY Website

Jessica Turns One!!!

My own little one turned one almost a month ago but I just have not gotten around to processing the far too many photographs I took. We also had an awesome family holiday in between when my family came to visit. I manage to process a few photos and then I have to stop to make bunting for a another little one I'm going to photograph or to crochet some new project that I can't wait to start or to fit clients in and make sure they have a wonderful experience. So finally here are some of my favourites...

 Jelly bean rainbow cake. I actually thought this cake would be a breeze. 7 layers each a different colour just iced together. So off I went and bought some nice new non-stick baking pans and I whipped up vast quantities of gluten and sugar free cake. (never mind the pure sugar jelly beans) My lovely new non-stick pans turned out to be sticky in the extreme despite greasing them so getting the 7 layers out was a major operation and then they had to be stuck back together with copious amounts of icing! To make matters worse I decided to bake the cake while out on our farm and assemble it once back home but due to the very fragile state of the cake it needed to be assembled immediately. Once done it was balanced on my mom's lap for transportation on a gravel road back to town!

 Lovely Lilibeth, that I had the pleasure of photographing for her first birthday, was so excited by our Jack Russell that she just had to stand up and take her first steps to follow after her. A very special moment I managed to capture on camera.

Now the birthday girl who for most of her short life has only slept for 30 minute stretches during the day decided on the afternoon of her party to sleep for an hour and a half and ended up missing most of her party!

 Let the smash and grab begin.

 

 Jelly beans are goooooood....

 Smash and grab.

 The family with both Grannies.

 Time for presents!

Penny had to escape the cake smash and grab action and decided my pot plant was a good spot!

I would like to thank those of my friends who could attend and make the day special. 
Jenni - my closest friend who I love with all my heart. Thank you for coming. After the year you have been through it meant the world to me.
Nicole - my sista from another mother. I know I can call you at any time and you will be there for me.
Esther - you always give great advice that really works. I appreciate you.
Kay-leigh - thank you for teaching me to crochet. I love it. I have far too many projects on the go at the moment. Taking the time to teach me is something that I will always treasure.
Coline - new friend who is just awesome! It's really great having you just a Whatsapp away! I'm inspired by your dedication to your family and the passion with which you mother Lilibeth.

I also did the birthday girl's own personal first birthday photo session. So check back soon because I am almost done with those cutie pie photos.

CONTACT Rosalind | VIEW Portfolio | LIKE Facebook | ENJOY Website