Thursday, 17 March 2016

Behind the Scenes

I love photographing families and new babies, its an honour for me to be able to create beautiful images for families to remember an incredibly special time in their lives. 

There is a lot that goes into running this business and it's not all about the photos. So today I wanted to share some of what goes on behind the scenes here at Family Photography by Natarsha March. 



I thought I would start by pulling back the curtain and sharing what goes into a newborn photography session. 


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Lighting - levels and angles

Brisbane Newborn Photographer twins

One of the first things to look for and most important parts of any photography, you need to have the right amount of light and coming from the right angle. For example, if the light source is coming from below a face, the shadows start to look like when you tell a spooky story with a torch under your chin - not flattering for a portrait!

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Posing - natural and comfortable




You will see complicated poses in high fashion magazines, and thats where they are supposed to be. Personally I like people to look comfortable and natural, and this includes newborns.  For most of us, just looking healthy and happy and comfortable in your family portrait is the main objective. 

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Props - simple and balanced 




Photographers like to have lots so that we can offer a great variety of imagery to our clients. I have very few props for a newborn photographer - around 6 baskets and 5 boxes of blankets/fluff.  I don't do elaborate set-ups as I like to ensure your baby is the main subject in the photo.  


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Camera - angles, focus, exposure


The next step is to capture the images perfectly. This means shooting from a good angle, perfectly exposed so nothing is too bright or too dark and to have the eyes sharp in focus. 

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Processing - RAW and artistic 




Right after the session I import your photos to my computer and back them up. 

In digital processing the RAW processing is done first, kind of like developing the film from an analog camera. 

A RAW file is like like a negative. The camera captures very large files with every speck of detail. This large file is then brought into processing software where we can develop the image to be a perfect foundation for artistic editing.

I set the white balance (the colour tone of the photo) and ensure that there are no parts too bright and no parts too dark. I also reduce any noise/grain in the file so that its a beautiful clear, sharp, well exposed and vibrant photo.  

This clean photo is then saved and opened in photoshop where I do the artistic editing such as removing spots, balancing skin tones and any artistic colour grades. 



Thats the end of the photographic process! 

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But we are not done. Not by a long way! 



Next the photos are loaded to your online gallery. Once you choose your favourites. I create your facebook timeline cover and birth announcement card. 

Selected photos are then loaded into the album design software and I custom design every album. I send a digital preview of your album before submitting to print. 

The mobile app is created and I write a blog post about your session. 

When the album arrives back from the printers I check it over then package it up and post it out. 

When you order print products, each file is specifically prepared for the print size and medium you choose. Once approved by you I send to print and again I check each piece over before delivering to you. 

I often create video slideshows from your session that I share on my Facebook page and Youtube channel.



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But wait - there's more!




Some of the most important and largest aspects of being a family and newborn photographer have absolutely nothing to do with photography: 


Marketing 

Getting my business name out so that people who want my services can find me


Business plan
Ensuring that my business is growing in the right direction

Accounting

Keeping all my books in order, invoices, expenses, taxes 



Style and brand 

Ensuring that my brand and photography style pair well and look great 

Design
Creating new original and personal templates for my birth announcements/facebook/marketing materials

Education 
Constantly evolving all aspects of my photography and business management



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Overall experience 



I work hard every day to ensure that when you come for your newborn session, you are enjoying a fluid, stress free and relaxed experience resulting in the most beautiful family photos to commemorate welcoming your newest family member.

I want you to enjoy your entire experience, from how you find me right through to receiving your album and prints.

Everything I do is with you in mind, to make it simple, comfortable, relaxed, easy. And of course, I want you to love your photos!




Book Now 
Brisbane Newborn Photographer    |    Brisbane Family Photographer 


Saturday, 12 March 2016

Walkabout Creek

Walkabout Creek is one of my favourite little spots on the northside of Brisbane.  With these lovey paths leading down to the new reservoir edge for swimming or picnics, its a really great day out for the little ones. 

It also just happens to be a beautiful backdrop for a photography session also!  











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Family Photographer Brisbane   |    Newborn Photographer Brisbane 

Sunday, 6 March 2016

Family Fun at Sandgate Beach


I love to capture families as naturally as possible, and I think its pretty obvious these guys are larrikins! They had the best time mucking around in the sand and stayed for fish and chips on the beach after our session finished. Got to love a family outing like that!



















Book Now 

Family Photographer Brisbane   |   Newborn Photographer Brisbane 

Wednesday, 13 January 2016

Behind the scenes - A special family photo

I would like to start this post by making it very clear that I am in no way a photoshop master. I do have a solid grasp of how to use it to manipulate photos when necessary to create special photos like the one showcased here. 



The family pictured don't get much time all together as both of the adult sons work FIFO jobs. (Thats Fly In - Fly Out, for example they might spend two weeks away on the job, then 4 days home.) 

So over the Christmas period, they missed each other by one day. One son left for work the day before the other son arrived home. However we were able to create this family photo for them using the magic of photoshop. 




The photo of the family on the left was taken on Monday, and the photo of the family on the right was taken the following Saturday in the same location at the same time of day (although the shadows would suggest otherwise argh!). 

Obviously being outside we had to work with different weather conditions on the two days, Saturday was MUCH windier than Monday.  The tide was at a different level and the weed on the beach had increased a lot during the week. 

But with some careful thought before starting the first shoot and with a lot of help from photoshop I was able to create this gorgeous family memory of Christmas 2015 for this family.


www.nmarchphotography.com.au
Brisbane Family Photographer   |    Brisbane Newborn Photographer  






Saturday, 26 December 2015

12 Babes of Christmas Video

If you missed any of the 12 Babes of Christmas, you can see them all here. If you would like to check out all the freebies they shared, keep scrolling and you will find them all listed in each post below. 






Brisbane Newborn Photographer   |   Brisbane Family Photographer

Thursday, 24 December 2015

12 Babes of Christmas - Day 12

Katelyn brings the gift of joy! Use this app to catch Santa in your lounge room tonight! The kids will flip out when they see it in the morning. The Kringl app is compatible with both iphone and android.   


http://kringlapp.com







Brisbane Newborn Photographer   |   Brisbane Family Photographer

Wednesday, 23 December 2015

12 Babes of Christmas - Day 11

Alaric brings the gift of treats! This recipe is my go-to christmas favourite! Rum balls. Not boozey, soggy, fruity ones (although I like those too!) This recipe is a crowd pleaser, and you can even leave the rum out if its for a kids party. 

1 tin sweetened condensed milk
1 cup desiccated coconut
1 packet of Nice biscuits crushed or blitzed
2 tablespoons rum
2 tablespoons of cocoa powder

Mix all together, roll into balls then roll in extra coconut and place in mini patty pans to serve. Better  quality rum will make a smoother tasting rum ball. 





Brisbane Newborn Photographer   |   Brisbane Family Photographer