New (and Talented) Kid On The Block

A few weeks ago I got to do something I kinda always knew would happen, work with Josephine Rositano again. You see, Josephine used to be a student of mine and despite the teacher/student relationship we always worked really well together. She is super talented in every way imaginable and I never really felt that school ending for her would be the last time I would see her. Never in my wildest dreams though did I think I would be her photographer. I wasn't interested in photography at all the entire time I knew her at school. Well, actually that's not true. I would pour over photography, I was just convinced I didn't have what it takes to learn how to take photos myself.

Fast forward not too many years and here I am posting a sneak peek of my photo shoot with Josephine, a talented (who ever doubted it) musician who is about to release her first album. We had a great (although very wet and cold) time during the shoot and walked away with some fantastic stuff. I can't wait for you guys to see the cd and more importantly hear it, but for now this little preview will have to do.

If you want to check out more of Josephine Rositano head on over to her facebook, myspace or youtube channel.

First Commercial Shoot

From the very first 'yes we would love to have her come down' I've always been so proud whenever someone wanted Malia to be involved in a photoshoot for something and whilst I am well aware that people rely on this fact to get out of paying for your time I didn't mind because I got such a kick out of seeing her published. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that only a few months after the first time Malia was asked to be involved in a photoshoot that not only would she AND Zoe be invited to participate in one, but that I would be the one taking the photos.

Last week I took the girls down to a playland and had a great (and somewhat challenging) time photographing them in some clothes from the Minymo and Tiny Minymo Winter 09 range for Charlipop Kids. I first discovered Charlipop Kids during the Great Down Under Nappy Hunt and was immediately impressed with Kathryn's (the store owner) style and vision. When the email came round asking for photographers with models on hand (i.e. your willing or not so willing kids) I replied immediately and was so excited to get a positive response. A few weeks later with kiddies, clothes and camera in hand (along with invaluable assistance from Aunty Susanne) we headed to the playland to capture the fun I felt just looking at the delightful colours and designs in the clothes we were given the honour of photographing.

Here are just a few of the resulting photos:




To see the girls on the Charlipop Kids World website and the rest of the images from the photoshoot click here to see Malia and click here to see Zoe. Alternatively you can visit the Charlipop Kids Photoshoot Set I created on my flickr stream.

Malia is also on the front page of Charlipop Kids World this week as part of a promotion so please do support her and Charlipop Kids by visiting and checking it out. I'm so proud of my beautiful girls. I'm just about bursting with happiness. The other photo included with Malia's for this promotion was taken by the very talented Amanda Keeys of Amanda Keeys Photography. I feel more than a little honoured to be featured along side of her. Her work is beautiful and inspiring.

Over the next few months I will be officially opening my photography business and reorganising my blogs so there will be one dedicated to the business 'zozo and grace photography' and one where I can write letters to the girls. Please pray for me during this time. There is A LOT to do and I want to do it right! It's a little overwhelming really, but also very exciting.

Shadowplay

Since I joined the 'all i need is a moment' flickr group it is like life has been breathed into my soul and I find myself looking for things to photograph outside of the portfolio sessions I have booked. How could I have been so dense not to really embrace the fact that I can take photos WHENEVER I want?

Anyway, this afternoon I was cleaning the dining room and I noticed the way the sunlight was hitting one of our bed sheets hanging on the line, creating this beautiful pattern of light and dark. What really amused me is that I suddenly found myself silently thanking Jonathan for not shaking and straightening the sheets before he hung them out. Normally that would drive me crazy, but today I saw beauty in it.

Perhaps if we look for the beauty in everything the things that would have annoyed us in the past simply won't anymore. What a happy way to live. I encourage you to try it.

A Smashing Good Time

A little while ago I had a visit from Natalie and her mama for a cake smash session to celebrate Natalie's 1st birthday. From the first minute I saw Natalie she was just full of sweet smiles. Honestly, she had such a calm and sweet nature, which translated into a very delicate cake smash, including tea. She picked at it, cautiously tasted it and chattered away happily to the balloon next to her. By the end of it I had more cute images than I knew what to do with. Here are just a few.









Even sweet natured babies get a bit fed up every now and then.

This portfolio building stage has been so wonderful. I have learnt so much already and am learning more every day. Stay tuned for the zozo and grace website coming soon.

Happy Heart Socks

I love the possibility of photography, just having a camera in my hands to capture one thing in a variety of different ways. What I am already finding though is that because I want to do this for others and create a business from what I love I take less and less time to do it just for myself. Then last night I came across a flickr group that got me all excited and inspires me to pick up my camera 'in the moment'. The group is called 'all i need is a moment' and basically someone designates a day and a time each week, you set your alarm and when that 'moment' comes you take a photo of something you are involved in right then.

Today (Tuesday 5th May, 2009 at 9.43am) I was making a coffee and staring out the window at the washing on the line. Three pairs of Zoe's happy, heart socks were hanging together and I was admiring them (and wondering if they were dry yet) when my alarm went off and the resulting photo is above.

I am so excited to be involved in this project. They already have 60 members from all over the world. If you feel like being inspired to capture the moment why don't you check out the 'all i need is a moment' blog and flickr stream.

I am already counting down the days till next week.

New Jammies Make Me Smile

A few weeks ago I bought Zoe a few winter clothes and every single Bonds label had a photo of a little baby in this adorable little purple suit with red birds. After seeing it I completely fell in love and went from store to store for weeks, looking and asking for it, to no avail.

The other day I was out and was so excited to finally find it in good old Best & Less so I plonked down the money and came away with this spunky little number. I'm sure you'll agree it's all the more cute with Zoe inside it.

Trying to get photos of a zippy little babe in a very dimly lit loungeroom is not easy, but you get the idea.

Although by the end she had well and truly had enough and let me know by coming up and putting her head on my lap.

There is something very strange going on when your 1 year old has to tell you to put the toys away, it's time for bed.

You might also notice that all these photos are now watermarked. I finally decided on a name for my future photography business and created a logo. No prizes for guessing the inspiration behind my business name. I adore it. I have actually had a number of portfolio building sessions and will be blogging them soon so please do come by and visit again. I will try not to make it quite so long between posts next time.

Making The Most Of Light :: Slow Shutter Speeds

Camera's are amazing! Photography is amazing! Tonight I wandered out into the dark night to capture some beauty using slow shutter speeds. I was inspired after seeing some night shots on Punam Bean's blog (scroll down to the last two images in the post, but feel free to savour all the others as well while you're there). Punam is a huge inspiration for me and a must visit when I am doing my daily blog rounds. Some might call her an overnight success, but if you spend time reading all her blog entries from the beginning, you will see an incredible woman who has walked a long and occasionally frustrating path to bring her home where she belongs, immersed in the task of capturing beauty and light. Thanks for being so faithful to and generous with your gift Punam! You're all kinds of awesome.

Using anywhere between 1 and 30 second exposures I was able to drink enough light in through my lens that scenes, which appear almost black to the naked eye suddenly become bathed in light and colour. Here are some of the results from my little experiment. Be inspired, get out there, capture and create. Hope you enjoy!

P.S. I so want a glorious blog where I can post big pictures. The tiny posting size just doesn't do the images justice *sigh*. Anyone wanna buy me a ProPhoto Blog for Christmas?? My birthday?? Jonathan's Birthday?? A Tuesday??