So, we made an executive decision to have our family photographed by Rob Heyman from Brisbane (who is also one of my mentors and teachers of natural light photography).

We organised a day in December last year just a couple of weeks before Christmas, that everyone could be at home, including grandparents and partners  – at my parents’ homestead and 3rd generation farm at Biggenden.  Plus my sister Teneale was 5 months pregnant so this was our last opportunity before the ‘next generation’ started.  We had a great afternoon and looking back, I felt it was so nice to spend that quality time with all of my family and extended members.

Earlier this year, my 80 year old Grandad had a turn.  By what mum described to me sounded a lot like a stroke.  And all I could think of was ‘wow, I’m so glad we had those portraits taken’.  Thankfully he is fine and everything has returned to normal, but I also think how this could have so gone the other way as well.  It’s truly times like these that we should remind ourselves that no one is bullet proof and that you just never know when you may never get the chance to tell someone you love them or have those family portraits taken now to look back on in years to come.

A friend booked me recently to photograph her entire family because she just found out her mum has been diagnosed with cancer.  Although it is such a horribly sad time for them all, I felt truly blessed and humbled that I could offer them a moment suspended in time of their love for each other by way of a portrait.  I think of her every day and pray that her treatment is successful.

I tell my family and friends I love them as often as I can.  Every phone call home ends with ‘I love you mum.’

B

Here is my family below.  This post is dedicated to my Grandad.

Why I don’t provide CD only packages

I’m willing to bet your grandchildren will be upset with you. Here’s why. Imagine 50 years from now, as your grandchildren or great grandchildren are going through the boxes in the attic. They are enthralled with the treasures and keepsakes they find and how they tie into the story of your life.

Amongst all the old items, they find a number of round silver objects. Some have writing on them, some are blank, but they resemble some kind of a small platter about 4″ across, with a hole in the middle.

Puzzled, they take them to their parents. “What are these, Mom?” they ask. “Oh, I think those are all of grandma’s photographs. Yep, here’s one labelled ‘My Wedding’. Here’s some more labelled ‘Family Photos,’ and some more labelled ‘Vacations’.”

“How do we look at them?” they ask.

“Well, I’m not sure we can. First of all, no one has the device that reads these anymore. Besides that, I doubt after all these years that they’re any good anymore. Being stored in the attic, the heat and cold probably ruined them.”

The kids are very disappointed. Nowhere amongst all the treasures are any actual prints. All that history is lost. Their connection with the past and all the wonderful stories that might have gone along with all those photographs are gone as well.

Along with all the wonders of our digital age come some significant problems that most people have never thought of.

Did you know that over 90% of all images taken on today’s digital cameras are NEVER PRINTED? I’m guilty of that myself. I have gigabytes of personal photographs that have never been seen other than on a computer screen.

In the old days, film went to the lab and everything that was printable was printed. Even if it was a bad photograph, it still was a hard copy, a part of your family history and it had permanence. Even if they never went in an album, they at least went into a box, to be discovered as treasures years later.

The same problem exists in professional portrait studios today. Many people are simply asking for the images on CD. “I’ll print them later” or “I’ll design my own wedding album” are common phrases. Usually this is done with the thought that they’ll save some money by doing it themselves.

But you know what? Most never make it into any kind of an album. Life gets busy and 20 years later they’ll be looking for some way to read those disks.

I bring this up only to point out the importance of what we, as a professional studio do. Our job is not just to create the images, to create wonderful story telling photographs about the people in front of our camera; it’s to create a final product, whether it be a professionally retouched and printed single image, a family heirloom wall portrait, or an incredible storybook album using a collection of the images that were created.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a wedding, a newborn baby, a senior or a family. Having the final product created for you is important. To do less is to leave the job half done and to short change the customer.

Author: Fred Molesworth – Portrait Photographer & Teacher, Salem, Oregon

Food for thought……

B

Congratulations M&D !

Here are a few of my favourites …

B

And a Slideshow to add to this awesome wedding…..

While I was in Rocky, I helped Orin out as a second shooter on the Saturday for Caesar and Benita’s wedding. I want to show you heaps and heaps of images from their wedding day but until I get the go ahead, you’ll have to be happy with just one – my favourite shot of the day. Orin and I were playing around with available light and I captured this image using the light from the rest room window ! Never ceases to amaze me where I can find a light source !

Lastly, a big thanks to Orin for letting me tag along and a HUGE congrats to Caesar & Benita!

B

Yay!  I’ve been given the go ahead to add more images to this gallery ~ so ENJOY!  B

It was so special to see this gorgeous couple share their nuptials with their loved ones & even more delightful to watch them together.  They have such love & adoration for each other, it’s heavenly!

House of Laurels did an amazing job of the ceremony & reception (as usual) and Kim Bartlett and Rolling Scissors didn’t have to work hard to make these girls look gorgeous!

Congratulations you two!  Can’t wait to catch up with you. 

B

I had the pleasure of photographing Belz beautiful marriage to Luke at Rainbow Beach.  Along with the closet of friends and family, and of course their two gorgeous children ~ Oscar and Matilda, we had a fantastic day & to top it all off Monica’s Kitchen catered with canapes to die for!

Congratulations L&B, catch up with you soon,

B

XX

I wanted to do something for her that is special as well as gives me some more practise with newborns, so here are a few of my favourite images from day 6 of Rafferty’s new life.

Welcome to the world little man! And my biggest congrats and hugs goes to you Flick (& of course Steve)! XX

B

I am so happy with these images, I couldn’t NOT share them with you !

Enjoy!

B

We were graced with Father Joe’s ceremony at St Patrick’s Church and then partied on in the marquee at Miva (North-west of Gympie) to the musical sounds of Bad Habits.  They certainly know how to start a party!

I have to comment on the reception and the quality of humorous speeches!  I’ve never laughed so much at a wedding – the MC was brilliant !

Thanks D&K, I’m so jealous about your Tahiti honeymoon!  Here’s a tease for you until we catch up!

ENJOY!

B

Had to pop in for a quick drink at the Local !

The rain wasn’t going to stop the photography out on location, Nicole’s pre-planning of gumboots and matching brolly certainly came in handy!

Here’s one of my favourites from the day ~ nice and simple.  The sky was amazing!

B