Skye Blue Photography

It was Christmas Day 2008. Lily’s second xmas. The weather was HOT, the air con was on and the presents were everywhere. I remember this xmas day, the great lunch, Elly’s last xmas with us before she went OS and her nose buried into reading one of the Twilight books. This little moment lasted all of 30 seconds and I was lucky to have gotten it. It has always been a favourite, showing a little girl almost 2 years old imitating the juggling act I must put on on a daily basis. Cooking whilst also trying to keep the ironing going. Dad is in the background trying to put together her car! It was all happening.

I have been a member on JPEG for about a year. I had forgotten I had entered some of my images into their themes for publications. A few months ago they contacted me to explain the image as it was being considered. And today I found out it is published! How exciting. JPEG is an online magazine, you pay for it and download. Im so happy to be part of it! Here is the winning entry!

Last week I bought a new pair of boots. You know the shoes that you must have, one size is too big the other a bit tight. The sales assistant is wearing the particular shoes you want and she says” They stretch heaps dont worry if they are a bit tight”. OK, seemingly happy with myself that I got the boots that “everyone” is now wearing, I wear them to my shoot last weekend. By the time I got home I could barely walk as they are SO tight around my foot. But hey they look good. So I have resorted to searching online for ways to stretch my shoes, I even rang the shop where I purchased them from to say hey, next time I think Ill buy my own size, she recommended stuffing them with wet paper, so I did. Now I have wet tight shoes.

Choosing your photographer is much like choosing the shoes. If they dont fit, they just dont fit. And you dont want to be making them fit as that time is better spent taking great shots. When choosing a photographer for your family to be photographed or your wedding, finding the right photographer whose style and personality “fits” you and your needs is imperative. What is different about photographers like  me, is when you book Skye Photography, you get ME. What is different about custom photographers is we spend the time with the client until we get the shots. We are not running on studio times and appointments. When you book a photographer you need to choose a person that you actually like and can get on with, nothing worse than spending your wedding day with a complete stranger and expect to feel natural and at ease with them. Which is why I always meet with brides and grooms before their wedding day, for a coffee, and for an engagement shoot. By the time the wedding comes around we are able to laugh and be at ease. All of my clients have commented on how relaxed they feel in front of my camera, and they can just be themselves.

I have many inquiries that lead to the question of pricing. I have had people say as walking past my stall at an expo ” I can take my own pictures”. In an age where everyone has a digital camera, and the quality of our happy snaps are improving, the professional photographer can be somewhat forgotten. But as another photographer once said to me “Just because you own a pen doesn’t make you a novelist”. An excellent explanation of why the custom photographer costs more is covered in this blog post by Adrea Blair : Why Choose Custom Photography? Adrea outlines the answer perfectly.

Choosing the right photographer allows for natural, comfortable images. Now back to stretching out those “must have” boots.

These weren’t taken today however, they were delivered today…my first Holga film. I love them. I love the contrast and the vignetting on these. And waiting for the film to be developed is an experience I havent had for AGES, so used to being able to see instantly your work!!

A new little lens so a little play this afternoon. This is on the highest aperture at 2.8. The weather changed on me so quickly that I didnt have enough time to play around for long

I bought these glasses for a bit of fun this arvo in amongst presents for someones birthday. To my absolute suprise Lily put them on and went outside and said “Photo Mummy” She went straight to the door where Lyndal took our photos and asked “wheres Lyndal!”

Out for a bike ride….she is a bike rider!!!!!

Another photo of Lily…why not…after all she is just soooo damn cute!

What a wonderful day we had, full of food and fun fun fun. Even though lunch wasnt until 6pm, it was good to space the food out over many hours. Watching Pinks concert DVD after the entree was inspiring, to never eat again!!!!!!! I am STILL eating the mango misu, which would have to be one of the best desserts Ive ever made. In between the eating was playing, a tee ball set, which little lily seems quite a natural at, and a new bike which was just put up yesterday and looking forward to hitting the bike track with it.

Merry Christmas to Sarah, who has won the free shoot in the Christmas Competition. To all other entrants you receive a 20% discount on a session if you book in by the end of January.

Merry Christmas!!!!

This year I have entered the Canon Photo5 Competition. Here are my 5 entires for the 5 briefs.

1. Close Up, with the object 100′s and 1000′s

2. Splat, having to use opaque liquid and showing it in motion

3. Bokeh

4. Portrait, the object Specatcles

5. Practically Black