Bubbles and Smiles - Brisbane Family Photographer

Sometimes it is the smallest things in life that can give us the most joy. 

This was such a special family session for me to capture for 2 year old Maddison. We had to reschedule once already due to some torrential weather a few weeks back but this time around we couldn't have asked for a better day! 

The best time of the day for light is late afternoon. 

Any parent will tell you that the worst time time of the day for a toddler is late afternoon.  

But despite a long day Maddison was so good. I think maybe because she loved all the cuddles she was getting from Mum and Dad. Although it was kind of funny because if she was cuddling mum, she would be asking for Dad. If she was cuddling Dad, she was reaching out for Mum. Go figure. 

Things were at a bit of a standoff when we were trying to get her to wear the gorgeous little head piece her mum had had made especially for the shoot. It was stunning, beautiful  real baby's breath created by a florist just for this occasion, there was even a matching little posy! 

She was not having it. We tried distracting her while sneaking it onto her head. Nope. 

We tried bribing with treats and promises. Nope. 

We tried bubbles. Yes!

Once the bubbles came out, just like that the headpiece was forgotten and the smiles were at full beam again. 

I have never seen a little girl light up so quickly at the sight of bubbles, it was simply joy personified. 

After the bubbles had finished she spent a lot of time making sure her shoes were on exactly right (and gave me a chance to photograph her amazing eyelashes!) before the last photo was taken and we were all headed home for a nice dinner and bed. 

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www.familyphotographybynatarshamarch.com.au

Brisbane Family Photographer    |    Brisbane Newborn Photographer  

Accredited Professional Photographer - Brisbane Family Photographer

Natarsha March

Accredited Professional Photographer 

It has been a massive week for me with a huge personal achievement: I was accepted into the Australian Institute of Professional Photographers - the AIPP. This has been something I have longed for and worked towards since moving from a hobby to a business back in 2012. 

Being a member of the AIPP provides a point of difference in this highly competitive and unregulated industry. It is a means of telling families that I have been assessed to a professional standard and abide by a published Code of Professional Practice, Membership Terms and Conditions and Accredited Business Requirements.

The AIPP is the only recognised professional imaging membership body in Australia and it is a great honour to be a member.  

In order to be accepted, amongst other submission criteria was of course, a portfolio of 20 images for critique.  I chose images that showed the range of work I do, from newborn to family to cake smash, studio setting and outdoor, posed and candid. You can see my portfolio submitted images below. 

It is not a pre-requisite to have a qualification in photography. Being a member of the AIPP is the qualification. It shows that the industry recognises the member as producing a high standard of photographic work and practicing legal and ethical business operations. 

WHAT IT MEANS FOR ME 

It is a badge that indicates quality work and professionalism in an unregulated industry

I can enter AIPP competitions and earn official credits as a professional photographer

I will continue to take courses and ongoing training in photography, business management, image processing and more

WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU

Your photographer is experienced in posing, capturing and processing portraits

You're working with someone who is evaluated by a team of their peers to ensure a top quality standard of work.

Your photographer keeps safety at the forefront of the session. From newborn posing to family sessions at the beach, your safety is top priority.

Your images are kept on file for minimum of 4 years.

You are working with someone who runs their business ethically - there have never been, and will never be, high pressure sales tactics.

Your happiness with your photos is guaranteed or your money back.

You are working with someone who values their work and is constantly striving to improve and grow as an artist.

Your photographer is insured. This is a vital safety net not always adhered to by unregulated photographers.  

WHAT IS CHANGING

Ummm.... well to be honest, not much! 

You will see the AIPP logo alongside my logo now, but thats about it.

The thing is, none of the required business practices for AIPP members are new for Family Photography by Natarsha March. I have always run my business with you and your family in mind. I have been insured since 2013, I would never use emotional blackmail to boost sales, I always want to learn and grow and give your family the best experience possible, because I know people book me to document the important milestones in their lives and those memories need to shine in your memory as well as on your walls.

SOME WARM FUZZIES

I just want to take a moment to thank my tech support, moral support, prop builder, critic, child minder and rockstar of a husband, Travis, thank you so much for following this dream with me. I truly wouldn't have been able to accomplish this without your support and I love you with everything I have.  

My daughters Sophie who shares my studio space and packs away her favourite toys every time I have a shoot, and Charlotte who has been my test bunny for just about every single new prop, backdrop, lens or new location and always with a big smile, please don't ever stop being so awesome. 

To my mothers group, the ones who started it all back in 2011 when you asked me to photograph your babies, and to all the families I have photographed, your support of my business and growth as a photographer to capture your family memories, that is exactly why I love doing what I do. 

This is an achievement for all of us, I can't thank you all enough. I am living my dream, creating beautiful meaningful images of families while raising my own.

Huge hugs all round! 

From Tarsh xo

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Here are the photos I submitted with my application: 

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www.familyphotographybynatarshamarch.com.au

Brisbane Family Photographer   |   Brisbane Newborn Photographer

Family at the park - Brisbane Family Photographer

Some children love having their photo taken. 

Some kids are a bit shy in front of the camera. 

Some want nothing to do with me or my camera and would rather play by themselves. 

Some are happy to play and sneak a look to the camera every so often. 

This family had one of each of these children, so it was lucky I am full of multiple personalities and can switch between tactics to capture each one in their own element. The best part of this is that it means their photos are all truly representative of who they are, nothing like a school photo where they have all been squished into one mould. (you know what I mean,  "Sit here. Look here. Smile. NEXT!") 

These kids were so awesome. We had chosen a location that had a little playground right beside a gorgeous creek setting and so while we were photographing one sibling, the others could play and enjoy themselves. They also loved "fishing" in the creek with sticks and seeing who could throw a stone the furtherest into the water. 

We had a lot of focus on the littlest member of the family and he was (thankfully) the one who was content to play and sneak a look my way every so often. 

Mum and Dad even had a quick photo together, which was just the sweetest moment to capture. They were giggling and talking about their wedding day and the love was just radiating off them, a truly beautiful couple. 

You can't finish a session without a sibling photo, but trying to switch between all my tactics simultaneously nearly sent me straight to the loony bin (passers by probably thought I was on a day-pass out if we are honest) so we ended up with candid, wriggly kid photos which are just as cool, sometimes cooler than the perfectly posed ones. 

So much to love about this session, see for yourself: 

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www.familyphotographybynatarshamarch.com.au

Brisbane Family Photographer   |   Brisbane Newborn Photographer

3 Weeks New - Brisbane Newborn Photographer

Jack's session was one of the rare occasions when I photograph just a newborn baby and no other family members. It makes for a very peaceful session, which was nice for his mum who had just dropped his 2 year old sister to daycare for the day! 

Jack was 3 weeks new at his session. When looking for a newborn photographer you will hear of the "two week window" a lot. This can sound like a golden rule, in fact some photographers won't book a session for babies age between 2 weeks and 3 months. 

Personally I don't have any such rule. I know how hard it can be to get out of the house with a new baby. I know things can get hectic and you forget to call and book in, so you miss that window due to there being no sessions available. 

Or maybe you didnt think you wanted photos of your newborn but now they are here and just so cute... 

Whatever the reason I love to photograph babies of any age. Yes some weeks babies are likely to be a bit more unsettled, some weeks are likely to be more settled, but thats just part of being human. It doesnt mean there is a right and a wrong day or week for photos.

So if you are considering photos, get in touch! I would love to hear from you! It is never too late to capture beautiful family memories such as this. 

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www.brisbanenewbornphotography.com.au 

Brisbane Newborn Photographer    |    Brisbane Family Photographer

All the Girly Things! - Brisbane Newborn Photographer

Some girls suit pink so well, you just have to go full-girly! Little Ellie is one of those little princesses. So I searched through all of my props seeking out the girliest things I could find....

Pink! Flowers! Lace! Pearls!

And oh the sweetness that we captured!  

But it had absolutely nothing to do with the things wrapped around her, all the sweetness came from within little 2 week new Ellie. 

Some parents aren't sure about being in photos at their newborn session, but I always suggest taking some and you can decide later if you want to include them in your package or not. 

Welcoming your new baby is such a special time in your life that you really should document it with photos of you together, if not for yourself, then for your children to look back on when they are all grown up. 

Whether she was snuggled soundly in her dads arms, curled up in my gorgeous vine nest (shout-out to David Lam Designs on Facebook here) or relaxing peacefully on the beanbag, it was simply stunning photo after stunning photo of Ellie. 

I think by the end of the shoot she was even trying to out-cute herself as she finished the session with an adorable little smile for us. 

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www.brisbanenewbornphotography.com.au 

Brisbane Newborn Photographer    |    Brisbane Family Photographer