Spring in!

What a fantastic start to Spring - sunshine, fresh air and wonderful locations everywhere.
After a great shoot this morning along the beach I just had to add a word or two here to remind everyone THIS is one of the best times of the year for what we do.
The "tiny's" (6/7 months - 12months) can sit up or hold themselves up with wonder and concentration amongst the new flowers appearing, toddlers just revel in everything new just about everywhere (gorgeous along the edges of full creeks and long grasses), the active two's and ever inquisitive threes and fours are in their element in the parks exploring and on the open beaches with less people around than in summer, and the older ones find plenty to smile about after designing sessions specially with them to show off what THEY love to do.
Whether its a beautiful textured LightSketch® art piece, a fine-art black and white portrait or classic image collection - make a time to call in and talk about ideas to suit your family.
I'd love to capture that extra little sparkle that I'm sure you see in your children's eyes and smiles now the colder winter months are passing.
See you soon!

Simply click

"How do you get such great shots?" Its a very generic question i know but often asked and hard to answer. I'll translate that question into "how can you make what it felt like  on the day come through in the photograph". Not just a big general grin or silly laughs but a whole story telling image representing something more, just from a "click".

I've also been "told" by wise and wonderful (often young) guests how great photoshop (gasp/cough...) makes it. Other than feeling the need to flatten the offender (behind a kind smile) for giving full credit to the mighty Adobe, I thought I'd put a few words together here about it.

As photographers we are so privileged to be invited into families lives and share some of their experiences. We're there to tell stories, capture moments and record what we see. But its more than that - its to capture the feeling wrapped up in those moments most of all.

How do you capture, and present, a feeling? Probably the hardest thing to teach.
It's empathy with others and being involved in the moment, not being just a casual observer. Its also craft and technical knowledge, composing the scene to tell the right story,  "seeing" light and where to be before ever raising the camera. Knowing way in advance of pressing the shutter how you'd like the final print to be seen. Being patient, enjoying people, being aware of the environment you're in at the time, then back to lighting - its always about where the light is (or isn't!).

Somehow capturing small glances, wild mayhem or quiet moments is then more than just a "snap". It does just "feel" right, but behind those split second clicks are years of constant learning, an almost unconscious knowledge of how the tools we use behave to capture that light, and continual enjoyment of inventing something new. Because after the click that moment is gone forever and something new is there again.

So know the craft of professional photography inside out, keep finding new ways to bend pixels, enjoy the next best thing or keep the old faithful ways, learn archival printing & collect all those "useful" gadgets, then argue the merits of each others lenses, cameras, backup everythings and plugins.

Then when you're actually there and feel the moment, "simply" click.

Spring is near - lets make use of it

Small moments say it all...

© David Haddy 2011

Siblings - brothers and sisters growing up, sharing, playing and exploring together create priceless images. A story to tell of moments now, that will continue to bring smiles and fond memories in years to come.

Spring is just a week away and there are so many wonderful days to be out there lets make a date to have some fun and create some memorable stories.

See you soon!