Swan Valley portraits for a couple planning their wedding
We met with James and Sumi for some swan valley portraits as they were in the process of preparing for their upcoming Swan Valley Wedding. This lovely couple joined us for an afternoon at Bells Rapids in the Swan Valley.
The spring weather is finally here, get your camera out
With the spring weather finally hitting, we found that we were not the only ones there this particular day. The beautiful native bushland was swamped with people, hiking through the bush and some even paddling down the river and through the rapids.
With the spring weather finally hitting, we found that we were not the only ones there this particular day. The beautiful native bushland was swamped with people, hiking through the bush and some even paddling down the river and through the rapids.
Bells rapids is a wonderful spot for portraits in the Swan Valley
Taking photographs at Bells rapids is one of my favourite things to do. Whether it be a Pre-wedding portrait like this or perhaps some personal landscapes, I love it just the same.
Being natural with couple at a pre-wedding photo shoot
When I am blessed with a lovely couple to join me there and enjoy the views together , I tend to become really motivated to make creative images. I love how couples can be really natural with each other and they always seem really happy when we are surrounded by natural settings.
James and Sumi enjoying a spring day in the swan valley
Much more than just a Pinnacles photography workshop, this extended day tour is packed with locations to shoot at all day.
Our first stop for the day is Wedge Island, famous for it’s Cray fishing, tin shacks and pristine beaches. We then head up the coast to Jurien Bay for lunch and some time to shoot in and around Jurien. Next stop is an afternoon shoot at the Pinnacles with plenty of time to explore and shoot. Then to top it all off we will travel south to a large section of sand dunes for a stunning dunes at sunset session.
A follow-up critique session will be held on a separate night for the group to share their images and learn from each other.
Workshop details:
limited to 20 places only
Saturday 16 May 8.00am – 7.30pm (day tour)
Thursday 19 May 7.00pm – 9.30pm (critique session)
Note:Tour cost includes return travel to and from Ellenbrook, morning and afternoon tea, photography tuition and Pinnacles National Park admission fees. Lunch will be at participants expense.
Each Wild Light Photography Tour is prepared and accompanied by multi award winning travel and documentary photographer Brook Desmond and multi award winning landscape photographer Paul Dowe. Their knowledge and experience will be shared and they will both be at your disposal on each tour or workshop and is followed up with a critique session.
Come join us on a Penguin island adventure. Its the perfect Photography course for beginners and advanced photographic enthusiasts looking at extending their photography skills and playing with their new digital cameras
Explore the unique island setting of Penguin Island. This tour is for the early riser, and includes an exclusive session on the island from 6.30 – 9.00am for shooting the sunrise and exploring the unique habitat on the island.
Included is a penguin feeding session and unlimited trips to and from the island for the day. Brook and Paul will be on hand to assist and instruct one on one throughout the morning.
A follow-up critique session will be held on a separate night for the group to share their images and learn from each other.
Workshop details:
Saturday 11 April 6.15am – 10.30am (photo walk)
Thursday 16 April 7.00pm – 9.30pm (critique session)
Each Wild Light Photography Tour is prepared and accompanied by multi award winning travel and documentary photographer Brook Desmond and multi award winning landscape photographer Paul Dowe. Their knowledge and experience will be shared and they will both be at your disposal on each tour or workshop and is followed up with a critique session.
There are a couple of key factors to consider when having your next family portrait. There are all the usual, what should I wear? what style should we go for? are we dressing formally or are we going for a casual look?
As a premier leading portrait studio in Western Australia, we will guide you through those important decisions. All our clients who book a portrait session with us receive their complimentary and comprehensive guide on what to wear to your portrait session, how much makeup to apply, whether to wear glasses or not, and what props work. We have guidelines and suggestions for colour co-ordinating clothing, how to get the tones right, whether or not to wear all the same images, and how to dress so you can achieve the look you are after, all the while remaining comfortable and looking natural.
The other key factors to consider are timing and location. Our studios specializes in natural family on location portraits, images that appear candid and unposed and show you naturally having fun. Our motto is Life, Love, Laughter and it takes a little preparation to get it right.
Our studios specialty is on location portraits. The reason for this is simple. You and the family will feel more comfortable, especially young children who may normally feel cooped up in a studio. The session becomes an experience, a happy and joyful family moment, an event that you will always remember together.
The most important thing to remember is even with on location portraits the focus is still about the people and not the landscape. In saying this, yes the landscape is important, the background is essential, but it is merely a way of complimenting the people that are in it. A nice background will not over power the people in the portrait, but will add taste and flavour.
The essential key in on location portraits is most definitely lighting the scene right. In a studio, the strobes or flash become the key to lighting the subject and the background. On location portraits are controlled by the ambient light from the sun. The sun is a powerful beast and has the ability to dominate the portrait if not used correctly. You would have seen these images before or even taken them on your own camera. Things like harsh shows under the eyes, nose and chin or to one side of the face. Similarly splotchy light making unattractive patched on the face will do the same thing. With the right lighting not only will you get the most flattering portrait, but you will also have a splendid background to compliment and add flavour to the portrait and enhance your already glowing self. Get the light wrong and you merely add age to you.
Light is a Photographers trick and mastering outdoor light that you cannot dial down or amp up is a specialized art. It takes years of training and hands on experience to master this and be ready for whatever comes your way. But what on location portraits sessions allow, is for individuality and uniqueness. Shooting the same on location portraits at different times or on different days will give different looks. You will have your own unique portrait that is totally personal to you.
Much better than having the same pose, same backdrop, same lighting and same clothes as the last client that came through. And with a wealth of amazing locations here in Perth Western Australia and throughout the nation and world you will have a much more rewarding and natural experience. In the next part of this post I will go into the types of locations and show you some samples of how to get you personal portrait experience.
Below are a quick sample of some different types of locations and as we share more on how to select the right location for your on location portraits, we will add more sample to help you select the right type of location for your next family portrait.
An example of a on location portraits in the bush
An example of on location portraits in the Urban architectural location
A Twilight session
An example of on location portraits in a Rural location . This was the clients actual farm
An example of on location portraits in the Park location
An example of on location portraits in a Beach location
Explore the unique island setting of Penguin Island. This tour is for the early riser, and includes an exclusive session on the island from 6.30 – 9.00am for shooting the sunrise and exploring the unique habitat on the island.
