BLOG HAS MOVED!!!!

This blog has officially moved to the following address:

http://www.firstglimpsephotography.com/blog/

Please do not come back here – all further posts will be on the new blog and the previous ones have been transferred over.

Such an adorable couple!

Alana & Daniel are getting married in September so we ventured into the city for their engagement session yesterday.  We started at the Botanical Gardens and then worked out way past the water and into the city.  It was bright with blue skys when we started but then got pretty dark.  About 5 mintutes after I got into my car at the end of the shoot it started BUCKETING down rain.  Talk about good timing. 

Anyway, enjoy your sneak peak guys.  I’m looking forward to your big day.

10 Things… I just don’t understand

I’m kind of running out of ideas for these posts at the moment so if you have any please make a comment and make your suggestion.  Anyway, I was at the park with some friends and our kids today and we were discussing the lack of fences around kids play areas and I thought maybe I could turn it into another 10 things post so here goes:

1) Why on earth the council thinks to put fences around dog parks but not around kids parks – they  both have the same inclination to run in front of moving cars!

2)  Why babies have to grow up so quickly.

3)  Why toddlers are so irrational.

4)  Why we consider it relaxing to sit in front of the TV for 30 minutes at 6:00 and listen to everything depressing, sad and terrible that happened in the world during the day.

5)  How genetics really works … I mean in practice not in theory.  It’s just facinating to trace resemblences, personality, everything.  It’s truly complex!

6)  How on earth I managed to start dating, get engaged and marry my husband within 9 months.  Were we crazy or what.  And yet we’re still very happily married.

7)  Why it seems to rain much more on Saturdays than any other day of the week.

8)  Why the companies that put you on hold for the most time seem to have the worst on-hold music.

OK, I’m really running out of ideas here.  I think this will have to be a 8 things post. Unless I can think of some more to add later. 

Feel free to help me out by adding your own to the comments section.

8 months old

Eight months goes so quickly. Especially when you’ve got such an easy going baby like Tegan.  I swear if we could bottle her and sell her we’d make a fortune.  These were taken on the side of our house.  This really does go to show that often spots that you never would imagine can make for great photographs.  The side of the house provides a nice chanel of light.  I was a little upset six months ago when Mark decided to weed the side of the house – he just didn’t understand how much they added to my photographs.  However, thankfully weeds grow back!

I found this rediculous hat in a second had shop called Kids Kaboodles and the baby legs from the ABA shop in brisbane. I think they photograph well. 

This was Mark’s favourite. 

I’m not sure if I might prefer it in black and white?

I tried a subtle vintage feel for this one. 

And another go at the vintage. 

In front of the camera – Me and my baby

This is one Mark took of me and Tegan recently.  I really treasure any photos I can get of me with my kids.  These days will pass quickly and I want to be able to remember how great it is to bring a smile to my kids faces.

Most Popular Photo

It’s always interesting processing the orders from weddings as you discover the type of photos people really like.  Occassionaly I’ll stumble across one that obviously hit the mark – because nearly everyone orders it!

11 copies of this photo were ordered from a recent wedding.  Aren’t this flowergirl and page-boy just adorable?

Looking for flowers?

Jane from Daisy Bay Flowers asked me for a few photos from Sharleen & Claus’ wedding to put on her site.  You can check them and some of her other floral arrangements out on the following link in the gallery section:

http://www.daisybay.com.au

Jane is a mobile florist which can be a great option for your wedding day.  Mobile florists will often deliver your flowers for you and tend to give you extra special care and attention.  The photos she did for Sharleen & Claus’ wedding were great!

Claus & Sharleen’s Slideshow

Claus and Sharleen are the sweetest couple and it was such a privilege to photograph their wedding a few weeks ago.  The focus of their day was on sharing their special day with the family as many of them had travelled a long way to see the wedding.  They had some very beautiful details and their two beautiful children made an adorable page-boy and flower-girl!  The before photos were taken at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.  The ceremony, cake and speeches were held at Manly Park, and the reception was held at the Boat House at Manly. 

Anyway, I won’t say any more … the slideshow will tell you a much better story of their day. 

When you click on the slideshow it will take a little while to load.  It may also ask you to download a program.  I can vouch for the program – it has never caused problems with my computer or any of my clients.

http://www.firstglimpsephotography.com/ejlertsenwedding

Lauren & Ryan’s Engagment Slideshow

I love doing engagement sessions.  It is such a great opportunity to spend time with my wedding couples without all the distractions of a wedding day.  I thought I’d post Lauren & Ryan’s whole engagement session for people to have a look at.  I posted a few of their photos a few weeks ago.  These were taken at Newstead Park in Brisbane. 

To see their complete slideshow then click on the following link:

 http://www.firstglimpsephotography.com/laurenryan

10 of Kylie’s top wedding tips

Continuing my 10 things posts I thought I’d do something a little less about me and something that could be helpful to the brides out there planning their wedidngs.  Here are my top 10  top wedding planning tips.  I hope they are of some help to you as you plan for your Wedding. 

#1.         Time your day carefully. 

This is one of the most important days of your life and you have invested a lot into it.  To make the most of it make sure you will have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the details.  Try to put your ceremony earlier in the afternoon or consider doing your photos before the ceremony so you don’t have to rush away too quickly after it.   

#2.         Minimise travel on the day. 

Excess travel on the wedding day eats away time that you could be enjoying yourselves.  Try to get prepared close to the wedding venue and plan to have your ceremony, reception and photos within a reasonably close distance. 

#3.  Get ready at a nice location. 

This location will be in quite a few of your photos earlier in the day.  If you don’t already have one consider borrowing a nice quilt and nice furniture for the bedroom that you will be getting prepared in as this can enhance your bridal portraits.  If you are hiring a hotel room make sure that you plan well for your departure as this can be very stressful just before the wedding.  If you can afford it book the room for 2 nights so you do not need to clear the room completely prior to your leaving.  If not, allocate a few people who are not in your bridal party to help move your luggage and belongings out of the room while your before photos are being taken. 

#4.  Choose your Bridal party carefully and voice your expectations before the day. 

I have seen many bridesmaids almost ruin people’s wedding day because they are too focused on themselves or their family to care for the bride.  Surround yourself with positive, fun and relaxed people on your wedding day.  Make sure if your bridal party have children that there are other people taking full responsibility for them on the day.  If they are trying to care for their children they will find it difficult to focus on their job for the day. 

#5.  Choose some unique accessories that fit with your day’s theme.

I willl try to record the little details such as your perfume bottle, jewellery, shoes and other accessories so take some time to make sure they all fit with the image you want of your day.  Surprisingly enough, people often ask to see you shoes on your wedding day so if you invest in really nice ones they will get noticed.  Chinese umbrellas and fans can make a great accessory for photos as do wraps for the girls in winter. 

#6. Get your make-up done professionally

This is definitely a worthwhile investment as quality make-up will make a big difference to your bridal portraits and will help to make you look that extra bit special on your big day.   

#7. Carefully consider your hair style

From a photographers point of view I highly recommend that your hair is worn up on your wedding day as down styles often do not hold very well in the wind during outdoor photos.  I’ve had many photos that would have been perfect if it wasn’t for the hair blowing across the brides eyes.  If you plan to have a down style maybe talk to the hair-dresser about ways you can pin it for the photos so that it is does not come across your face. 

#8.  Consider coloured flowers

Recently most of my brides have had predominantly white flowers in their bouquets.  These are beautiful but I generally find that coloured bouquets seem to photograph better. 

#9.  Try to resolve any conflicts before your big day

There are often points of contention with family and friends leading up to our wedding.  You don’t want to be feeling tension on your big day so if at all possible try to resolve any conflicts you have before the day.  An apology can go a long way even if they seem partly to blame.

#10  Have realistic expectations of your Wedding day.

Sometimes people build up such big expectations of their day that can never really be fulfilled.  Try to remind yourself that even if a few things go wrong, that it’s still going to be a wonderful day. If you have really specific expectations of people then make sure they are aware of them before the day so that they have a chance to meet them.