Newborn Baby Photos
Baden James Forester Morton was shot with natural window light at 12 days old. We prefer to utilise natural window light with a reflector for shooting babies, as it protects a newborn baby’s eyes from startling flash heads. This helps to keep baby relaxed and calm for longer periods.
Baby photography is all about timing – like most other photographic subjects. I used two lenses for the shoot. Firstly my new lens – an 85mm f1.2L and a 100mm 2.8 macro lens for close ups of hands and feet. I believe newborn baby photographs also benefit from the simplicity of black and white treatments. Baby skin is often very blotchy when newborn and removing colour smooths the skin for a cleaner portrait.
I am happy to travel anywhere in Melbourne for newborn baby sessions during the day – just call me on 03 9416 5404 to discuss options
Pre wedding photography – Don & Racheal
Don and Racheal, met me in the city for a Sunday afternoon pre wedding shoot. Their wedding is happening later in the year in Malaysia and they wanted to take an album and photos along to reflect their life in Melbourne.
Racheal organised a makeup artist and hired a bridal gown specifically for the occasion. We started off in the Fitzroy Gardens, making use of the many opportunities that presnted themselves as we strolled around these beautiful gardens. From there, we headed off to the St Kilda Pier and the restaurant at the end of the pier. This location holds special memories for them both. After taking some shots over the water and on the beachfront, we headed down to Acland Street to their favourite cafe for a cuppa and some candid mood shots. A lovely day was had by all.
Studio Location Pregnancy shoot
Here are some pregnant shots of Michelle, with about three weeks until birth. Children, Ash and Em have joined in for a little tummy hugging. The studio was set up in the living room, where I brought along a big softbox, a hair light and some backgrounds with stands. I’m happy to travel anywhere in Melbourne metro for pregnancy shoots. I also tend to find that black and white, or sepia, selenium toning works best for prints. To get the best out of a pregnant belly, it is best to remove the distraction of colour, as it takes your eye to the beautiful form of pregnancy and the glorious shape of a mother to be. I’m so looking forward to the newborn shoots in a few weeks time.
Studio pregnancy photography on location to anywhere in Melbourne is $500 for an hour shoot. All images will be burnt in full resolution to an unlocked printable DVD and include 30 6×9 inch prints and an enlargement up to 12×18 inches. We will come to your home, or choice of location and set up a pro lighting rig for your shoot.
Pregnant Photo Sessions – Studio Pregnancy Photos
Specialist pregnancy photography shot discreetly in the studio or at your home (we will bring the studio to you). We insist that a partner or a close friend be present for any photographic session involving nudity or semi nudity. As far as mother to be shots – we love them… Having a baby is a family affair, so we encourage children and fathers to get involved as well. Imagery of tasteful maternity nudity / semi-nudity and the beautiful form of a pregnant mother can make a delicious addition to your bedroom or living area.
Kellybrook Winery Wedding, Wonga Park
Jess and Daniel were married under the big ancient tree in the gardens of Kellybrook winery in Wonga Park.
I started off at Jess’s house in Bundoora for some ‘makeup and getting ready’ shots and met them for the ceremony in Wonga Park. I have popped their album choices in for you to view. The sweeping slopes of the vineyard at the winery along with the superbly kept gardens, make Kellybrook a favourite location for great wedding photos.
I stuck around until they made their grand entrance into the reception with some room, detail and band shots. They were a joy to deal with.
Registry Office, Fitzroy Gardens, Docklands & Port Melb
Kim and Jamie were married in a mid week wedding at the Registry Office next to the City Museum in Spring Street in the City. After a casual yet emotional ceremony, we sauntered down through the Treasury Gardens, along with family and friends to set up for some formal family portraits, outside the Conservatorium in the Fitzroy Gardens. The Conservatorium was unfortunately closed as a new display was being set up. However, we took all the family portraits and from there, the three of us wandered around the gardens through the boundless photo opportunities that present themselves.
There is a spectacular row of ancient elm trees there with a rustic gravel pathway between that I can never pass by, given the opportunity. Late winter flowers were also blooming, with the feel of spring just around the corner. After about forty minutes, we decided to move on. Luckily, I had parked my car close by, so we hopped in and drove down to Docklands for some more shots. It was getting late in the day and with the sun getting low in the sky, Docklands allows great vistas of the city skyline, with the sun in a flattering position for a combination of portraiture and landscape photography – often called illustrative photography.
I love Docklands in the afternoon, with the water, boats, architecture and cityscape. During the week it is relatively quiet, so we had the place pretty much to ourselves. I have to give a plug to the guy that runs the Gelati shop on the causeway called Limonettis. I was parched and stopped in for a drink. Upon seeing the newlyweds, he promptly made a delicious triple decker gelati for Kim and Jamie, so I had a moral obligation to shoot them outside his shop. The chill in the air was multiplying, so we headed back to the open fire at their reception venue – Waterfront in Port Melbourne, next to the Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal.
Waterfront has a great contemporary feel and we got some lovely candid shots under dusk and candlelight before the guests arrived for an intimate wedding dinner – and my eventual departure. Kim and Jamie were the ultimate wedding couple… relaxed, confident and happy. We had a lovely day together. I have uploaded some of my favourite shots during the three hours we spent together.
The Ultimate Portrait and Wedding Photography Lens?
I am now the proud owner of an Canon 85mm f1.2L II lens. I am finding this to be the ultimate portrait and wedding photography lens. The lens suits many shooting situations and is a perfect focal length for full frame portrait shooting and low light photography. Sharpness is phenomenal all the way to f1.2, although with such a narrow focal plane, one needs to be extra careful with focus. I have however found focus to be spot on the mark – which is just as well as this is critical for such a super wide aperture.
I have made up a selection of image types where this lens comes to life. The huge depth of field allows separation of subject and background in relatively confined spaces. The out of focus blur before and after the focal plane or ‘bokeh’ is soft and smooth beyond any other lens in sharpening the subject relative to the background. This lens cries out to be used in low light, as the f1.2 aperture allows many stops of extra light compared to most other professional lenses. This has the benefit of lower iso settings for less grain and / or faster shutter speeds for moving subjects. Most of all, this lens shines for reflecting the mood of the environment – many steps closer to shooting in available, natural light.