Autumn mini-session special

Can you feel that evening chill in the air?  Autumn is here and it is the perfect time to get out the diary and plan in a portrait session, with me!

With an Autumn mini-session, we will create some gorgeous images without you investing the time or expense of a full session.  Whether you have not yet experienced a professional shoot, or if you simply want some updated custom portrait images for your collection, a mini-session is fun, fast and fabulous!  The Autumn mini-sessions include the following:

• One hour outdoor shoot at location local to Manly
• Gallery of up to 20 individually edited and crafted images to select from
• Your choice of 10 images as 5 x 7.5 in loose prints
• Same 10 images as high-resolution (for print) and web-size digital files (for online use and sharing)
• One 12 x 8 in wall print of your choice
• Choose additional images from the shoot (5 x 7.5 in and digital files) at $50 each
• 10 % off the a la carte price list

Some conditions apply:

• Full payment is due at time of booking.  This may be transferred in case of bad weather or illness.  In the case of cancellation the full amount minus a $100 fee will be refunded
• Sessions to take place before 30th June 2013
• All clients are required to sign a model release, copyright and digital file agreement prior to the shoot
• The shoot is for up to 5 people.  Additional people will be charged at $20 each.
• Please refer to the Products and Pricing page under Information for our complete product and price list.

I look forward to hearing from you to arrange your session.

You can email me at louisefletcherphotography@mail.com.

All content is the copyright of Louise Fletcher Photography.

Celebrations of time passing

Now that I’m not a kid anymore the excitement of my approaching birthday is not as great as it was.  Other things get in the way – work, kids, family, etc.  and unless it is a birthday ending in a zero, it often passes with a card, a candle and a lot of hugs and kisses from little ones.  Not that that is a bad thing, and many of mine have passed wonderfully this way.  But this year I wanted MORE!  I wanted to really celebrate with family and friends and make a big deal of it.  At this age I feel more at peace with myself and my life than ever before and the people in my life are there for the long haul.

I invited 7 of my long time girlfriends to a night away – away from kids, husbands, responsibilities and commitments.  Six of us made it to the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley which was the perfect spot with a 3 bedroom villa, pool and spa.  What more could we want?  Dinner at Leaves and Fishes with very attentive service, great food and an even more fabulous discount.

Short but sweet, filled with chat, swims, coffee, wine, bubbly, laughter, and stimulating conversation.  Thank you girls.  Who’s next?

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No showers for 4 days and other camping stories

Our first ever family easter camping adventure.  I declare it a success.  Great weather, two great families to share the excitement, horses, wildlife, morning coffees, open fires and one hour from home.  Perfect.  Yes, there were the crowds, the lack of showers and toilets, cold nights, sausage stealing kookaburras and under catering on wine, but what’s camping without the downside?

Our fabulous campsite, right on the creek.The days were warm and the nights were cool which meant the creek was the source of many an adventure.All six kids were desperate to ride the horses and with 200 on the property, it was an easy wish to fulfill.  We were given Muriel and Dice, the oldest and second oldest horses.  They knew the routine well and tried it on by eating grass at every opportunity.  My arm still feels the strain!  We could not wipe the grins off the kids faces.My little cowgirls!The Valley is private land, so camp fires were allowed.  Many marshmallows were consumed after great searching and whittling of the perfect cooking sticks.We were invited to a neighbouring campsite for brekkie damper, but next time we will remember to bring our own.  Delicious!Daddy was a great camp worker.I think this was the guy that stole our sausage!One of the highlights was watching the evening muster.The last camp trip of the season.  A perfect way to celebrate easter, my birthday and to catch up with friends.  The kids had a ball and did not ask for technology once.  They were happy to play, explore, run, swim, build, observe, ride and talk, and talk, and talk…Oh, and our favourite tent at the campground!A few lessons learnt:  bring more wine, bring warmer bedding, don’t forget the coffee pot, invest more money in a mattress!  But definitely return to this magical place.

 

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My first love – interiors photography

Way before I shot weddings or family portraits, I used to love to shoot interiors.  I assisted interiors, product and hotel photographers for a while and then moved in other directions.  But that love has never left me.

A little while ago I had the fabulous opportunity to collaborate with Hello Yellow, specialising in hand crafted Homewares and Interior Design consultation.  Wendy asked me to shoot for her new website launch.  I was thrilled and we worked so well together – we had a great laugh.  With her eye for layout and my eye for what looked good in camera, we combined strengths and created some interiors and photographs we are proud of.  And, I LOVED it.

So I am rekindling an old flame and pursuing my love for interiors photography.  My new business cards are ordered and my new website will also feature this growing area of my work.  I have already been asked to quote on a project for another designer and will be doing more work with Hello Yellow.  Yay for me.

So, if you are a designer, whether up-and-coming or established, a publisher, a writer or a magazine, please contact me for a chat and let’s see if we can work together too.

All content is the copyright of Louise Fletcher Photography.

My twin boys

I am surprised by how much I love them, by what a joy they are to have around.  I am a dog person, or at least I thought I was.  But we’re not getting a dog (yet) and so working from home, the cat company is great.

I actually only see Licorice Snake (left) during the day.  He hovers, jumps on my lap, sits on the windowsill next to me and generally chats to me with a “mew” throughout the day.  Sooty (right) is gone – very independent, out monitoring the perimeter.  Such different boys, but both so loving and tolerant and happy to be in our family I think, rather than in the alley where they were found.  They are 10 months old now, and have been with us for 7 of them – still my/our little baby boys.

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Talking heads

I am a real believer in presenting you in your business.  People want to know who they are dealing with and in a small business especially, you are your business.  So why not show them.  People get a sense of who you are through your website, blog, writing, work, but a photograph speaks volumes.  And if a potential client doesn’t like the look of you, great, at least they disappear straight away.

So a good head shot is really important for your business, your blog and your PR.  I love my head shot, I love the expression, the colours and I think it really reflects me.  I am planning on updating to a more summery shot soon though.Head shots are by their nature pretty simple.  They are generally head and shoulders or half body and just show a face and clothing, but so little can say so much.  Recently I have taken some head shots for clients – a personal life coach, and yoga instructor, an interior designer and the staff of a new start-up advertising agency – all so different.

Think of your location and surroundings, your clothing choice, your hair, your makeup, colours, your expression.  Each element will convey something about you and your business.  The images below were shot for an Interior Designer launching her business.These images were for a Professional Life Coach.And the same client, but for her yoga business.So think carefully about the you you want to present to the world.

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52 Portraits Project – 25/52

They are coming fast now… Welcome to week twenty-five of my 52 Portraits Project.  If you have missed the earlier weeks start at week 1 here, which includes more information about the project.

25/52. Rockstar.  Yes you are! You strum that ukulele like it’s your very own electric guitar. Best Christmas gift ever Grandma. The hair suits it well. We’ll have to get a few playing tips, but in the mean time keep rocking it baby!

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52 Portraits Project – 24/52

Still in the middle of school holidays and all that means for my tasks!  Welcome to week twenty-four of my 52 Portraits Project.  If you have missed the earlier weeks start at week 1 here, which includes more information about the project.

24/52. Competition.  At the moment it seems like everything is a competition for you two. Who is better, who gets more, who do we love more, who will win. I love your competitive spirit, your go hard or go home attitude. I do hope that one day you will realise that working together rather than against each other will be more satisfying. Not just as sisters, but also in life.

All content is the copyright of Louise Fletcher Photography.

52 Portraits Project – 23/52

I am playing catch-up.  The festive season and the school holidays have played havoc with my posting schedule!  But, finally, welcome to week twenty-three of my 52 Portraits Project.  If you have missed the earlier weeks start at week 1 here, which includes more information about the project.

23/52. Camping. Our first ever family camping trip. It was a massive success. Miraculously we fit everything in the car, including the new tent, stove and camp table & stools. There were 9 adults, 10 kids and a fair few ducks. You and the kids held a vigil for the dying duckling but alas the kookaburra got it in the end. Perhaps its kids were hungry, you said. You floated upstream on your boogie board and ran around like a crazy thing, and then 10 of you practiced your yoga moves on fence posts – very impressive. You said the best thing about camping was that you felt free. I see many more camp trips in our future.

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A Backyard Family Christmas Session

My last shoot of 2012, just a few days after Christmas.

I am so privileged to be able to record special moments for families.  To capture their life, their loves and their relationships.  And when I am asked to include the grandparents who are visiting from overseas the shoot becomes all the more meaningful.  This couple have been together for 35 years and are obviously still in love.  I know their grandkids will cherish these images in years to come, as will the whole family, present and future.  The best kind of Christmas gift.

These images were captured in the family’s beautiful backyard with a bench seat, tropical plants, a pool and afternoon shade.  It was a gorgeous, private location and the family were so at ease in the setting, despite the occassional blast of wind!  [Click on the image for a bigger, clear look].

All content is the copyright of Louise Fletcher Photography.