Why am I in this business?

I'm not in business because I can take a 'pretty picture' - almost anyone these days can do that. I'm in business because I believe photos are important, I believe we need to be surrounded by photos to be reminded of what is important. Not looking at the computer, the computer isn't an important part of our family so why should we only look at images on our computer? If the worst happens and your computer dies, what happens to all those images? Memories fade (all too quickly). I asked a question the other day on my Facebook Page wanting to see who prints their images? The vast majority said they were on their Computer on the 'One Day' pile. Instead of looking at images on our computer we should be looking at photos on our wall in our loungeroom, our bedrooms, on our book shelves, on our work desk, photos of US. 

I've lost count of the number of times I have heard "I'll book you when I loose 'x' kilos". Do you think our family cares that we have a tummy that rolls over our belt? Do you think our kids care that we have a double chin when we smile? Do you think our parents care that our arms are wider than WE would prefer? 

Or do you think our family will feel regret when they look back on their past and think? 'Why isn't Mum in any of these photos?" Do you think they will say "I wish there was ONE photo of all of us together" or even "I wish we took the time to have more family photos together as the kids were growing up". Stop waiting until you look perfect for YOU. You will never look more perfect to your partner, your friends, your kids or your parents than you do now. WE NEED TO EXIST IN PHOTOS FOR OUR CHILDREN!

As we tend to do when a new financial year clicks over, I've recently spent some time re-evaluating my business. My business NEEDS to make money, I need the income I derive from Splash Photography to pay my bills. It is not a hobby or part time/weekend business, I need my business to be successful and for now success is being able to pay my bills. Now to be successful in my business I need to be better than the person who can take that pretty picture I mentioned above. I often hear back from potential clients with the response "Well XYZ Photography are quoting $79" or "Sorry, I ended up booking another photographer as they were half the price of you". 

I'm OK with that.

There is a reason I'm not the cheapest photographer. I don't offer a disc of images that sit in your draw or on your computer. Once upon a time I did however through re-evaluation I realised that is not why I'm in business.

There is a reason it can take up to two weeks for you to view your images after a session. I take time to process and edit them because I care about giving you the best product possible. I recently received an email that said "I cannot thank you enough for the wonderful job you did on producing such quality and beautiful memories for my family!" It was so lovely hear my clients wonderful feedback.

I'm in this business to succeed and to give people a better service, quality products and produce lifetime relationships. "You are our family photographer now" was a comment made to me on the phone from a client recently . I have now seen her at 4 separate occasions where I have been photographing her family and friends in some way over the past three years. That's what I mean about lifetime relationships. 

I offer an experience, quality service, a product, a physical print that you can display on your wall, to look at every day and remind yourself WHY we work so hard, why we look forward to coming home, why we sometimes miss sports games and school morning teas and why we do what we do for our families. When we look at those photos and canvases on our walls we are reminded in a second why it's all worth it. THIS is why I'm so passionate about photography - you can look at an image and instantly remember where you were, what you were doing, who you were with. THIS is why I'm in business......
 

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Throwback Thursday {Taking time to find peace}

Back in 2009 the world was an exciting place for me. I had two little boys who were full on yet adorable at ages 3 and 5 and I had discovered photography. I was snapping just about everything! Now for me, my personal photography (when I'm taking photos for me not 'work') is a very relaxing thing. Taking that time out to stroll around, sometimes with no set idea on what I want to photograph, is like therapy. Time to clear the head, let the mind wander and get creative. The big hurdle I had back in 2009 when the image below was taken was that, as I mentioned, I had two little boys who took up all of my available time. One day my Husband said to me "I'll take the kids and have a boy's day, you spend the day with your camera and just have fun" (or something along those words!).

Any Mum knows how wonderful these rare moments are so I didn't check to see if he was joking or not and I was off! I spent the day wandering around the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Powerhouse Museum, New Farm Park and eventually found a wonderful place only a few blocks from where I live. The Chung Tian Buddhist Temple is such a welcoming place. I returned a few times now and always leave energised and at peace.

What this particular day (and now looking back at this image) reminded me is that we all need to take time out every now and then and simply stop, spend time with just ourselves and make time to find peace. I know I need to do it far more often.....

Sweet little Lamb {Brisbane Newborn Photographer}

Sweet little Hunter came into the studio just one week young. Although unsettled at first he eventually drifted off to sleep and was a delight to photograph. Many parents tell me when they come in that bubs is not happy without clothes on, but with the right set up and conditions in Studio they soon drift off to sleep which is when all the magic happens!

I'm not sure if it's just me but I'm noticing plenty of growing bellies around my local area lately! If you know of someone who is pregnant and would like Maternity or Newborn images please get them to contact me. Alternatively why not give them a Photography Gift Voucher as a Baby Shower or Arrival gift? These little angels grow far too quickly and it's always so sweet to look back on photos and remember how tiny and sweet they were.

For more information contact: info@splashphotography.com.au or call Anita on 0413 040 434

Throwback Thursday {Whitsunday Sailing}

Man it's hard to write a blog about sailing the Whitsundays when just looking at this photo makes me want to stop, stare and wish I was back there!

One of my all time favorite holidays is a week sailing the Whitsundays. Hubby and I have been twice now with close friends - hiring a bareboat via the lovely crew at Whitsunday Escape. Now by sailing I mean, on a sail boat with the outboard pottering us around at a very slow pace. The first time we were there and hoisted the sails - during high winds no less - ended (not surprisingly) with rope burns, smashed glass and lost phones. 

A slow pace is how you need to see the Whitsundays anyway. The second time we didn't even take the covers off the sails :)

This image was taken on Whitehaven Beach on the eastern side of Whitsunday Island and is the most photographed beach in Australia. 

To me this photo sums up what I love about the Whitsundays. Blue skies, beaches, crystal clear waters and snorkling. I was never one for snorkling - hated it actually - until I discovered what was under the water at all the amazing little coves you can find up through the islands. Even while shivering from late Winter water temperatures it's hard to get me out of the water.

I have a goal to return next year as I'm overdue for a visit. Actually I'm over due for a Holiday where I just sit, stop, relax, read, chat with friends and laugh....and that's exactly what happens on a boat in the Whitsundays :)

Throwback Thursday {Smiley Miley}

Those that have been to my house will recognise the last photo in this series. Taken back in 2008 on my first DSLR while out for dinner one night. I was actually holding Miles at the time as he had fallen asleep. When I pointed the camera at him and started snapping away the flash gave away what I was doing and this little grin appeared. 

Miles has been known as Smiley Miley since he was a baby. He was always happy and always sporting a big (often cheeky) grin. When he started school I was chuffed to hear his class mates also calling him by the same name with out ever hearing it come from us.

I may be bias but I still think he has one of the cutest grins and it warms my heart every time I see it. The canvas print also makes me realise that if this image had not been printed and hung on my wall, I probably would have completely forgotten about it.....but that's a topic for another post :)

Sweet little Indiana {Brisbane Newborn Photographer}

Little Indiana is one of the sweetest babies you'll ever meet. Enough said :)

If you know anyone who is pregnant and interested in having a maternity/newborn session please ask them to contact me asap. Dates can be tentatively booked in and confirmed in the lead up to bubs arrival. 

It's important to book early as babies are best photographed within the first two weeks to ensure they are nice and sleepy (and super cute!) during the session.

Email info@splashphotography.com.au for more details.

Throwback Thursday {Should We Always Aim for Perfection?}

As a photographer you always seem to aiming to take that 'perfect' photo. The one you look at and love to pieces without afterwards picking it to pieces. "It's not in focus enough", "I should have taken it from another angle", "I should have picked x setting instead of y...." If you have even a vague interest in taking photos you will understand what I mean.

But sometimes we need to stop searching for perfection and just appreciate what is in front of us for what it is and be grateful we are here to see it and in turn have a memory of it to take into the future.

The photo below was taken back in 2008 when I purchased my first Digital SLR. I was sitting out in the back yard one Winters morning having a play trying to figure out what I was doing while the boys did their 'boy' thing. When you look at it from an over analytical technical point of view it's out of focus with a boring background...... When really its PERFECT. Perfect because it shows my two little monkeys as they were then, having fun, carefree and just simply being them. This photo always makes me smile and I loved coming across it while looking for a Throwback Thursday image.

5 years on and this image below was taken just yesterday while scouting for a new location for an upcoming session. I'm immediately drawn to the fact that Miles is still, 5 years on, looking up to Lachlan xxx 

Oh and as usual I'm picky when I look at this - Lachlan's collar is sticking up which right now is driving me crazy that I didn't fix it at the time. Even as I type that I know that in another 5 years I won't care about the collar and I'll say that everything about this image is PERFECT :) Sometimes the non perfect things in an image are what makes it perfect......

Photography Workshops

After so much wonderful feedback on the impact I've had on people while teaching Photography over the past four years, I have decided run a few workshops myself throughout the year.

These workshops will be focused on things that I love photographing personally. One of the common forms of feedback I've received is that both my passion for photography (and teaching) is obvious and that I'm genuine with wanting to help people, oh and I'm super patient also! :)

I still plan for my business to be more about TAKING images rather than teaching. I believe when you are out there week to week working with clients, couples, families, babies, kids, corporate clients etc you have a bigger appreciation (and constant reminder) on how things don't always go to plan, how to adapt, how to think on your feet and more importantly how to set your camera up to get the best shot possible!

If you are a 'Liker' of my Facebook Page then you would have seen the first of my workshops launched recently. I only plan on rolling these out either when an event comes up that love and have photographed before or on a particular theme that again, I love and have photographed numerous times before.

The Santos GLNG Lights at Southbank is an amazing show that never ceases to surprise me and keep me on my feet over the past two years. If you are interested in joining me for this years installment....click on the links below:







The other workshop I'm launching today is one that I have been working on for quite some time. Smoke Photography is soooo much fun (and yet can be frustrating at the same time!) You can keep it as simple or as creative as you like. Click on the links below for more information and to book.

For the full list of upcoming workshops make sure you check out the list here and bookmark :)

Throwback Thursday {Old Mckenzie's Jetty - Fraser Island}

In an attempt to keep this blog ticking over more frequently than it usually is I'm going to start posting a 'Throwback Thursday' post. Dedicated to the past, it will be looking back at images I've taken, places I've been, people I've met or even just revisiting an old image and giving it a new edit.

It's always great to look back and see where we have come from and what we have learned from past experiences.

To kick off Throwback Thursday here is a image from a family holiday on Fraser Island in 2011. 

Landscapes were my first love when I dove into the world of photography and I'm always telling myself I need to get out and do more. I find the whole experience of landscape photography so relaxing and calming. 

One afternoon while staying at the amazing Kingfisher Bay Resort we strolled down the beach towards Old Mckenzie's Jetty with the boys. If they had known how far the jetty was from the Resort (5km return trip) I'm sure they would have fought joining us! It was worth the walk however as they had a ball chasing crabs, finding shells, snakes and spotting dingo tracks :)

I've visited Fraser Island quite a few times now and can't imagine every tiring of it. It's a beautiful island with so much variety and the choice to either stop and relax or get out and explore what it has to offer (or both!). Looking forward to the next adventure on Fraser Island one day :)