Award winning Canberra photographer: maternity, newborn, baby, child & family portrait photography by Katie Kolenberg

It turned out to be quite serendipitous that we had to postpone this family’s morning session due to fog, because the light on this particular afternoon, in the 30 minutes right before the sun began to set, was truly magical.

These images are a perfect example of why I take so much pride in choosing locations, and why I make sure that those locations really feature in my images. Canberra is beautiful. Most people who live here love the amazing natural surroundings that are just a stone’s throw from pretty much anywhere. I am captivated by nature on a daily basis. I love driving in the early morning and late afternoon — often the drive home after a session is pure heaven to me. Beautiful skies make me happy. For me, nature is therapy. I exercise outdoors rather than at the gym, because it makes me feel refreshed and grateful. I find joy in the changing seasons. Before I found portrait photography, I only ever photographed nature. I wanted to capture the beauty that surrounds us every day, and I believe that beauty has the power to de-stress, uplift and heal.

So it makes perfect sense to me to photograph my subjects in such environments. Being out in nature, especially at the most beautiful times of day, really brings out something in people. It casts a special spell on children, and it helps adults relax and enjoy the moment. I don’t expect people to see light the way I do, but I know they feel it. And it creates a mood and ambience that goes perfectly with the capture of love and fun and childish play.

This family is special to me because they were the first family I photographed after officially launching Heartstory. They were also responsible for my photographs being published for the first time (in Little One Baby). And their oldest daughter Lillian was the subject of one of my first ever award winning images. Special with a capital S, right?

I hadn’t seen them since January 2010, and Lillian was just as enchanting now as she was then, just with a bit more cheek and energy! Her new baby sister Isla is the cutest thing with the most adorable eyes and tuft of hair. It was a joy and a pleasure to photograph them again.