Parents love is a magical thing!  No matter how old I am, no matter how far away I am – I am  always my parent’s little girl and I know I always will be.  They feel my pain, they feel when I am in trouble, they are proud of my achievements and the kind of person I am.  Sometime though, they might have hard time excepting who I am or what I inspire to be because sometimes it’s not what they saw me to become or it’s not the safest or most secure option.  But no matter what,  I know my,  parents love me – they will give everything they have for me, they will travel thousands of miles and spend all their money for my well-being.  No hesitations, no conditions attached, nothing – it is the ultimate sacrifice for their children.  Sometime it’s hard to love your parents, sometimes it’s hard to love your children, but at the end of the day this is all what we’ve got, everything else comes and goes.  I’ve read once that having children is the act of ultimate sacrifice.  The point again is that love is demonstrated through actions.  Once again we define who we are and who and what we care about, not by what we promise, but by what we do.  I know my parents love me!

I hope you will enjoy these photos from my latest session.  The beautiful Heike and Lily.  Lily is growing up so quickly – a true young lady.

I love photographing mothers and their little girls – there is true beautiful energy there, true connection.  This is another one of my favorite sessions

Most of the photos were photographed on a 50mm f1.4 – I love this lens - I find it’s a lot sharper  than my 24-70mmL.  But it’s everybody’s personal taste.  The location is Wynnum beach, Brisbane.  It was overcast and we had about 40 min to photograph before it started raining.  I love when it’s overcast – it’s like one huge softbox.  The light is diffused through clouds and is broader and hence more even.  For a beginner photographer I would suggest to practice on a overcast day.  Take you kid to the local beach, field, park.  Take your dog with you – let them run around and have fun – keep snapping.  The light is even so it will be easier for the camera to read the correct exposure.   If you have an opportunity to do a still portrait – make the child face the light.  It is more bearable on a cloudy day and still gives that 3D glow on skin.  Most of my images on that day were take with an F stop of 4 and 5 – because I wanted to get both of my subjects sharp.  ISO was a range of 320-500.  If I can stay around 400 I would do that to keep the picture clean but if the light conditions are too low I would pump it up!

Go out – practice with different light – love your photography, love your family!

Kindness is a willingness to give of oneself to another. It’s an act, a gesture of goodwill towards someone or something. 

A kind word or deed comes from a state of benevolence, compassion and generosity.  It is the most desirable of virtues that governs all the others including a capacity to empathy and love… 

Most of the time we may find it hard to define, but when we are in its presence, we feel it. 

Kindness I think is at the top of the list of virtuous character traits that we should nurture in ourselves and to seek in our friends, lovers, partners and people we like.  

When we carry out an act of kindness it is a message from one heart to another, an act of love, an unspoken “I care” statement.

Two weeks ago I did a full-day photo-coverage of a charity event organised by Goodtime for Goodwill organisation.  It was established in 2010 by a group of twelve 25-30 year old professionals from Brisbane to organise a number of invitation-only charity events throughout the year.

Each event is based around a unique and fun concept and supports a different charity or cause that its members are passionate about.  The last even was the Island Party – all day fun party on the Tangalooma Island.  More than $10,000 was raised towards Radio Lollipop – an organisation helping sick children in hospitals. An enormous thank you to all participants, organisers and sponsors! Photos from the even are here …

Why Giving is important:

We are given so much – we have things heaped upon us – it’s not just tangible stuff, but it’s love and care from our parents, partners, friends.  A lot of us in the western society are fortunate enough to have a warm and comfortable place to live in and healthy and decent life style. 

We were lucky to be born in a good country, in a good place, in good times and have people who love us around us.  We buy nice clothes, cool expensive toys, drink lattes, go away to nice places for a weekend to spoil ourselves.  We are lucky enough to travel the world and just get what we want whenever we want it. 

The point of focus is on ourselves, on our wants and desires.  I am not saying we shouldn’t praise ourselves in a material way – but everything comes in moderation.  Too much of “just me”, “spoil myself”, “I want this” can inflict a poisonous feeling of envy and jealousy.  We’ve been given a lot and it has to be balanced and it’s encumbered upon us to keep this planet going to give back.

Giving back to others is one of the easiest ways you can contribute to society. When you can learn the importance of giving, your life will be changed forever. You will soon begin to seek out more and more opportunities and ways to give. Here are just a few reasons why giving is so important:

1.   Make some feel safer, better, happier

There are millions of people in the world who are worse of than we are at any one time. For many of them it is not their fault or these problems are beyond their ability to prevent or change them. When you have some spare cash, time or goods, it is an opportunity to help out, to make it better for someone.

2.   Make a difference

Donating your time or finances to charity or a philanthropy organisation is the perfect opportunity to make a difference in the world. You are making a statement that your life was worthwhile because you made a contribution to society.  Make a difference to those who’s in need and make a change, even if it’s just a little something.

3.   Be happier and healthier

Medical and scientific research has proven that those who are giving something to others who are in need feel better, happier and healthier than those who don’t give back. 

• Givers are able to cope with their own problems more easily than those who don’t donate. 
• Givers feel happier, are less anxious and suffer less depression than those who don’t.
• Giving makes you feel good, it improves your self-esteem, self-confidence and self-worth.
• The advantages of these feelings will flow into all areas of your life.
• This feeling of satisfaction when you give, when you help is hard to replicate with any other activities. 

4.   Support a cause you believe in

Different charities touch the heart of different people. If you are passionate about something or certain causes are important to you – support that cause by giving you time or donation to charity.

5.  Meet new people

Participation in various charity events give you the opportunity to meet new people and friends. Whether you give up your time one day a week to serve meals, give a few hours a day to sit with the elderly or travel overseas to help build houses, you will certainly meet many like-minded people along the way. As well as being potential friends, who knows where these new relationships will take you and how these new people might be able to help you in the future?

6.  Giving opens up more possibilities for you

When you can find it in your heart and life to give something back to others, you will find more and more opportunities opening up for you. Giving anything of yourself allows more room for you to receive. The possibilities that come to you when you give are endless.

7.  Giving teaches you to be more thankful

In giving, the greatest lesson often learned is that you have more than you’ll ever need. In this respect, giving of yourself teaches you to be more thankful for what you do have, rather than focus on all the things you don’t have. It also teaches you to appreciate the goodwill that comes your way from others.

Anytime we help someone else, ultimately we help ourselves because we get back from the world, what we put in to it.

At the end of the day we are what we do – we are not what we think, or what we say, or how we feel – we ARE what we DO.  To become a better person, better partner, better care-taker we should show in our actions, our behaviour how much we care and how much we love, how compassionate we truly are.  People will remember us for what we’ve done not for what we’ve said.  Action is a true indicator of one’s character, intention and the level of care.

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are”

Some organisations if you are looking for an idea on how to support a good cause and make a difference:

Radio Lollipop believes in the healing power of play – providing smiles and laughter to children at a time when they need it most.  Help sick children in need – devote 1 hr of your time a week to cheers up and make a difference to kids in hospitals

The charity – New Hope Cambodia - helping Combodian families and children.  A sponsorship of US$50.00 a month would make the world of difference by providing 50kg of rice, sauces, salt.  Choose your family and help them – the amazing thing about this charity that you can actually organise to go over there and visit the people you are helping. 

If you go to “What you can do” there are a number of different options for one off payments as simple as buying a bike and school books so a kid can attend school to actually taking on regularly monthly payments for sponsoring a family.

The families live in a little thatch hut with a small platform. There is a thatch roof nearby. Thankfully some own the house so do not have to pay rent. The nearest water pump is about 75 metres away. The bushland is their toilet.  Their possessions are minimal; they have no mosquito nets and no sleeping mats; items such as soap are unheard of. They do not own a bicycle yet live a long way from the nearest school or market; it is a very long walk anywhere!

Get involved, get active and make a difference!

Do it the fun way, enjoy being involved! And don’t forget to be kind, compassionate and patient towards the people you love!

 

Please click “Like” if you liked the post – spread the kind word!

Thank you

Lena xox

It’s that time of the year AGAIN!!  Valentine’s is upon us and the question keeps popping up in our heads “WHAT SHALL I GIVE HIM/HER?”

For Him:

Women – you should be thinking sexy portraits of yourself for him – the guys love it!  Remember the old saying … “Men fall in love with their eyes and girls with their ears?!”  Well, give it to them – something to admire, adore and enjoy!  And of course think about the beautiful photos of you for yourself to keep and treasure!  Capture your beauty and your spirit, capture that amazing YOU today to remember tomorrow!  Make-over sessions are available from as low as $250 including hair&make up done and prints!! Go to our Special Page to view our Special Offers…

For Her

Men – your woman WANTS to be admired and adored by you!  We dress up for you, we put our make-up on for you, and we want to be looked at in that special way by YOU!  We love to feel special and gorgeous.  It is the pure essence of being a woman.  Beautiful photographs do make us feel special and gorgeous!  So guys, hurry up and get your beautiful other half a special treat – a voucher for an amazing makeover and a photo-session.  So it’s the present taken care of!  Be quick! Make-over sessions are available from as low as $250 including hair&make up done and prints!! Go to our Special Page to view our Special Offers…

For Us

Couples – show your romantic side.  Invest in some beautiful photographs together and renew you love! Our family and couples sessions start from as low as $55!! Go to our Special Page to view our Special Offers…

For YOU

Are you single and fabulous?  This is a perfect reason to celebrate your gorgeousness!!  You are independent and beautiful, so spoil yourself and have a girls day out – this will involve a make-over, a glamour shoot and beautiful photographs at the end that will be with your forever and ever!  Bring a friend and have a fun day together! Make-over sessions are available from as low as $250 including hair&make up done and prints!! Go to our Special Page to view our Special Offers…

PLUS

The first five fully paid $500 bookings will get a gorgeous MIMCO white pearl necklace so hurry up and take organising a Valentines’ Day present off your list!

BOOK NOW email Lena or CALL 0422 769 095 to secure your booking!

Valentines’ is the Day for celebrating LOVE and the relationships you have with the people you love.  Relationships with your special other half, your family, your children, your friends and yourself!

And beautiful photographs that capture this special time and a perfect present for the ones you love and for yourself!

Camera used: Cannon 5D, lenses Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

Canon 100mm Macro, F2.8, ISO 400, Shutter speed 1/250

Please click “Like” If you enjoyed reading this post -) Thank you my! xox Lena

Two beautiful girls – Victoria and her little girl Milenochka!  It was a mummy and daughter session.  I love these sessions – mother’s love for her child is incredible – it is so tender and so strong!  It’s instinctual, unconditional and forever!

The session was a later afternoon one on a cloudy day.  We didn’t have much time the light was disappearing very fast but this is what we managed to do.  We photographed in a beautiful Alfred Nicholas Garden in Melbourne.  Gorgeous place – it has some sort of a magic appeal and feel.  I love photographing in unusual locations far from public places and man-created buildings.

I used my EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM for wider angle shots, however I used the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L USM Lens for most of the shoot.  Sometime I am lacking this little extra f stop on the F/4.0L howerever when photographing moving children or more than one person I prefer to go at least up to f4.

Canon 70-200mm @70mm, f/4.0, ISO 500, shutter speed 1/100

70-200 at 200mm, f4 @ISO 800 speed 1/80

1/80 and iso 800

last one Canon 24-70L, f4.5 at 24 mm, ISO 320, shutter speed 1/60 at 24 mm

There is one quality which one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it.

~ Napoleon Hill ~

This post is for all those photographers out there who ever got bogged down in the day-to-day distractions of life. For everyone who lost track of the main purpose of why they got into photography and set up their own business in the first place.

There are two main aspects of being a successful photographer:

1. A creative aspect - this is our ability to express who we are, an ability to create art that will captivate and inspire others.

2. A business aspect – which is an art in itself and stretches far beyond than just taking beautiful photographs.

So – the 10 key attributes of a successful photographer and a successful businessperson are:

1) Have a Vision

“If you’re not sure where you’re going, you’ll probably end up somewhere else.”

~Yogi Berra~

Dane Sanders in his book “Fast Track Photographer Business Plan” states it quite simply:

“A vision means having a clear idea of the following:
– Who you are uniquely as a photographer
– How your business will embody and leverage that uniqueness
– The target market you plan to attract
– The size and scope of the impact you intend to make in the photo world

Dane talks in great details about how to define your vision and offers a step by step exercise to guide you through.

2) Take Leadership

Don’t be a follower – be a leader, be the captain of your ship and know where you are steering it.  Flexibility and potential financial independence are probably the main reasons why you want to have your own business.  But you need to make sure you’re the CEO and not the hourly labour worker of your business.  The points below will give you some ideas about your business leadership.

3) Set Goals

One should have clear and measurable goals – both financial and non-financials.  Clear means short and precise – measurable means tangible outcomes by defined time frames.  E.g. I have X number of clients by Y date.  I earn X$ by Y date.  Create your goals only as positive statements and in present tense – as if it is already a fact.  Make sure your review your goals on a daily basis in order to be focused on achieving them.

“Your goals are the road maps that guide you and show you what is possible for your life.”
~Les Brown~

“A man without a goal is like a ship without a rudder.”
~Thomas Carlyle~

“The goal you set must be challenging. At the same time, it should be realistic and attainable, not impossible to reach. It should be challenging enough to make you stretch, but not so far that you break.”
~Rick Hansen~

4) Action is the Key

Take actions – every day, every minute… Action is the key.  One can go to endless seminars and workshops generate unique ideas, but all is nothing without actions. Get up, get dressed and get going. Or like Chase Jarvis says : “Get sh!t done” read more here…

“Dreams are fulfilled only through action, not through endless planning to take action.”
~David J. Schwartz~

“To will is to select a goal, determine a course of action that will bring one to that goal, and then hold to that action until the goal is reached. The key is action.
~ Michael Hanson ~

5) Know Your Financials

Have a strong understanding of your financial ins and outs – you should know how much it costs you, how much you value your services and products, and how much you are making.  And what’s most important is that you must separate your personal and your business finances.

6) Outsourcing

Spend your time on earning dollars not saving pennies.  You might think that it contradicts with number 5, but the point is to spend your valuable time on marketing and expanding your business; on winning clients and creating valuable relationships; practising your craft; and spending time with your family.  Outsource anything that could be done better and cheaper by someone else.

7) Have a System

You should have a system in place that will run like a machine and carry you and your business to higher grounds.  Systemise everything. Don’t waste your time on doing the same task twice – set up templates.   Don’t’ try to save a penny where you can earn a dollar.  Outsource and free yourself up for what you are meant to be doing and for what suits you the best – creating and leading!!

8) Define Your Products & Services

Be clear, be simple and believe in what you are worth! Here I support the idea of simplicity.  Have a limited number of products to choose from.  Don’t place the responsibility of choices on your client.  Make the decision to buy easy.  Some successful photographers support the idea of ONE product only.  Have a look at what someone as amazing as the Sydney glamour photographer Sue Bryce says about her approach to how many products we should offer.  Sue Bryce – Simplify – ONE PRODUCT

9) Practice Your Craft

Practice not on your clients but on practice shoots.  Hire models, hire props, allocate some time and practice, practice, practice.  Become better every day and not at your clients expense.  They are paying you to be an expert not to use them to become one.

10) Do Your Best at All Times

Even if you are sick or tired – make sure you do your best at all times.  Then there will be no regrets no blame, no judgement.  And remember – bad news spreads ten times faster than good!

Cool Books:

Dane Sanders “Fast Track Photographer”

Dane Sanders “Fast Track Photographer Business Plan”

Cool Sites:

Sue Bryce educational Blog: www.inbedwithsue.com

Chase Javas Educational Blog: www.http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/

Fast Track Photographer Business Plan Blog http://blog.fasttrackphotographer.com/ a lot of educational information and interviews

I hope you enjoyed the read.  Please click “Like” to support!

Thank you!

Lena

christmas special deal!

Christmas is in the air!!! Hurry, hurry – book a session in December – January and save $150 on a sitting fee plus receive a FREE 8×10″ PRINT from your session for orders more than $500 plus receive a FREE 11×14″ CANVAS with every album purchase!

Special deal conditions:

• Sitting fee $99 (regular $250), save $150
• Receive a FREE 8×10″ Gift PRINT (regular $99) with every order over $500
• Receive a FREE 11×14″ CANVAS (regular $250) with every album purchase
• Special is only for sessions booked in December – January only!

I run this special every year and it has been incredibly popular! So hurry while I still have a few spots available!

Invest in a beautiful family photography at least once a year!!

Photograph your children with their pets – these are priceless moments and you can’t resist the cuteness of it!!! If you have a dog or a puppy or a kitten – take action shots, take cuddly shots. Pets are great props ) because your children will be pre-occupied, they will be having fun and enjoy themselves and all you have to do is get your camera out, make sure your little ones are in a good light and off you go shooting. Make sure your shutter speed is above 1/60 or even 1/100 as you are probably doing a lot of action shots. Don’t forget about sweet close-ups!

My settings:

Camera: Canon 5D Mark II

Lens: 24-70L f2.8 @70mm

Settings: ISO400, F2.8, shutter speed 1/125