Dream a little portrait

My first business card!
I wanted it simple; as in my view it is just a method for people to contact me. It has my Facebook page URL (https://www.facebook.com/dreamalittleportrait) on the back with my phone number and email address. Currently, Facebook is my online gallery.

I've been very busy doing family portraits and a bit of commercial/ graphic design work.
It is amazing how life turns out. Back in high school I wanted to be a graphic designer. To get into the course I needed a portfolio, but I didn't have one, so I chose my second preference which was Information Management (Information Technology as a study path was in its infancy back then).
They offered photography at my school, but I was scared. I wasn't confident speaking English and I thought it would be an extra study burden I didn't need. My goal was to pass, and excel if I could and go to University. And so I did.
I set out, almost 3 years ago now, to master the craft of photography, and it is getting done. I am going out there, fear and all, and making good stuff.

+Sue Bryce is now presenting 'Portrait Startup' and I continue to learn so much. It is helping me find the value of what I do; what I create for families, businesses, people.

Nine months in the making - part 11

Over a year ago, I embarked in a photography project in which I wanted to document a baby's first year through photography. So I wrote a post in our local community on google plus.
Shahy and Haythem responded and the rest is history. :)

Their beautiful baby girl Haya turned one today and I was fortunate to be on holidays, so we spent a relaxing afternoon at a beautiful park.
It was the last shoot for the project and the year, so I would like to thank Shahy and Haythem for being part of the project. May you continue to enjoy this beautiful journey that is parenthood :)

Amazing what can be achieved when you dare greatly. - ("Daring greatly" by Brené Brown)

Nine months in the making - part 9

Over seven months have past and Haya will soon be a little toddler. Her eyes are captivating and her parents are still the only world she knows. She makes noises and grabs things; I'm sure her parents melt every time she smiles at them :).

Nine months in the making - part 4

A month goes by really quickly. Little Haya is transitioning from a newborn, to an infant; growing and becoming more aware of her environment.
She looks at her parents and cradles herself in them, nowhere else is safer :).

Nine months in the making - Part 2

Maria Jose and Carlos

The miracle of life; it is fragile yet vibrant and robust.
Stefania decided to come early, at 7 months. I had planned to do a 'christmas theme' pregnancy shoot with the family, as part of my 'Nine months in the making' project but it was not to be :). Planning is only good if you prepare for the unplanned!

The lighting inside the hospital challenged my ISO, but I think the grain adds a nice texture to the photograph and the story. The name 'Stefania' originates from the old Greek, meaning 'crowned' or 'winning'; a beautiful and fitting name indeed :). She is growing strong everyday, and hopefully will be home with her family soon. Congratulations and thanks to the proud parents!

Nine months in the making - Part 1

During their workshop From Bumps to Babies, Sue Bryce and Kelly Brown proposed the idea of photographing a pregnant woman, and then documenting their family story and the growth of their baby, by photographing their newborn for one year. The work can then be used to produce beautiful art eg: a photo book of the baby's first year of life.

I decided to take on this challenge and started searching for pregnant women willing to participate!
My search has led me to two soon-to-be mums whom I will photograph as part of this project :). I met them both and discussed the project and I'm looking forward to producing some memorable images for them.

Talking to them about their journey through pregnancy, brings back the memories and feelings I had when I was pregnant. For me, it was like getting on a roller coaster, physically and emotionally. My baby girl is almost ready to start school now, and I can't believe how fast time has flown by! There were trying times when she was little that I thought would never end, and now I have nothing but beautiful memories and miss her being little. My husband and I are glad we decided to take this ride :).

Below are the first images of my project.

Shahy and Haythem

Shahy and her husband have moved to Australia from Egypt.
I was lucky to have found them and that they accepted to be part of this journey.

I hope we can become good friends also :)

Use Instagram to discover your highest values

It is Photoweek at CreativeLive and as usual it has been an amazing outpouring of inspirational information.
My favourite so far being Sue Bryce's session on empowering and energising your business. Her discussion on discovering your highest values is an eye opener. It's something that I 'sort of' knew and 'kind of' felt throughout the span of my life when making choices and taking decisions.

Playing around with an Instagram widget, it dawned on me that I could use this tool to discover these values; what I like to talk about and do. It can also help you see a detailed insight in what you do: the colours you like, the settings and compositions.
Try it! Your collage of images might tell you more about yourself than what you know! :)

My first Sue Bryce inspired photoshoot

I set up the room as follows: using the backlight coming from the glass double doors, the wall on the left of the image and the cube/ couch for a staggered pose.
I softened the light with a sheer curtain, using pegs to hold it together as we are yet to furnish this room.
The ladder in the background came in handy, and I think I will need to carry one if I ever go on-site :P

I was quite nervous when we first started, my mind seemed to shut down my creative side, even though I had already planned the session. It is the feeling you have when you are going to a job interview!
But once the girls arrived and we got started, it became easier and I was able to create quite nice images, that my clients and I were very happy with.
I was also happy with the fact that I was able to create these photographs in just this space!

I shot with my only camera body which is Canon 550D, and Canon 50mm 1.8. I don't have any big reflectors, so I bounced the light off the ceiling using a Metz 44 AF-1.

Creativelive

CreativeLive is the most amazing resource I've found on the net!
I can't even remember how I can across it, I think I was just searching the web for photography information, and boom!

The most recent course: 28 Days with Sue Bryce has been the most amazing and powerful one that pushes me to create and practice everyday.
It's not easy working full time and trying to get a photography business off the ground, but the common theme from all these workshops is the same: work hard and it will pay off.

Meanwhile, at our home, we finally put up our letterbox! Mail is now being delivered to our state, so Maya and Daddy have been busy around the house :). It's great to see them both working together, she loves helping.