Heartstory: contemporary portrait photography by Katie Kolenberg, Canberra, Australia
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Archive for the ‘couple photography’ Category

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Love Autumn Mini Sessions for babies, children & couples | Canberra portrait photography

April 20, 2010

Heartstory {Love Autumn Mini Sessions}

So what’s so great about mini sessions? Well, it’s a quick and easy way of getting some new photos of your babies, children or yourselves without the time and expense of a full portrait session. Sessions are short, sweet and great value for money. 

The $300 mini session package includes a 30 minute on location photo session, two 5×7.5″ fine art gift prints and two 8×12″ fine art wall prints. You can choose your prints from a private online gallery of 10-15 images from your session.  The package also gives you a 10% discount off regular prices for other prints and I am also offering an amazing deal on digital collections: just $450 for all your high resolution digital images on CD (that is more than 50% off the regular price!!!).

Oh, and here’s another reason: a Mini Session would make a perfect gift for Mothers’ Day, which is coming right up!

The good news is I have just a couple of spots left for each date: Saturday 24th April and Saturday 8th May.  To make a booking, please email katie@heartstoryphotography.com.au or call me on 0402 091 949.

Please note:

  • a $100 non-refundable (but fully transferrable) desposit is required to secure your booking, and the remaining balance is due one week before the session.
  • this deal is designed specifically for capturing babies, children and couples, but if you would like a couple of family shots as well, I am more than happy to do that!
  • If you have more than two children in your family, you are best off booking a regular session, because 30 minutes wouldn’t allow enough time for larger families.
  • It’s unlikely I will offer mini sessions again in 2010, so please take advantage of this offer now, while it lasts.

Tags: canberra baby photography, canberra child photography, canberra family photographer, canberra portrait photography, family portraiture, mini portrait sessions, mothers' day gift ideas
Posted in baby photography, child photography, couple photography, special offers | No Comments »

Sydney sessions available | Canberra portrait photographer

March 22, 2010

I’m going to be in Sydney next week and I have a few spots available for sessions. I love shooting in Sydney so I’m going to give you a super special deal, and it goes like this:

Shoot in the City $600

  • 1 hour photo session
  • boxed fine art print collection (15-20 at 5×7.5″)

Now get this: you can add on a boxed digital collection, which includes 15-20 high and low resolution digital files for printing and sharing online, for an extra $350. This is a RIDICULOUSLY HUGE saving off my usual prices, but it’s uber convenient on account of me living in a different city.

Also, don’t forget Mothers’ Day is coming – the boxed fine art print collection would make an amazing gift, and you can keep the digital collection for yourself! Perfect!

These sessions are for weekdays only: Wednesday 31 March and/or Thursday 1 April depending on the level of interest. This is a perfect opportunity for couples in love and families with young children. Sessions will take place in and around the Rocks area near Circular Quay. Spots are limited, so please get in touch immediately to secure your session!

p. 0402 091 949
e. katie@heartstoryphotography.com.au

Please note the all important fineprint:

  • due to the nature of this special, full payment is required to secure your spot.
  • this special is for up to four people (eg, 2 adults & 2 children). Larger groups are welcome, and will be $50 per additional adult or child (it  may take a little longer than an hour and will yield more images) up to a maximum of 6 people in total.
  • please allow approximately 4 weeks from the session date to receive your images.

heartstory {canberra child & family photography}

heartstory {canberra baby photography}

heartstory {canberra child photography}

heartstory {canberra couple photography}

Tags: canberra baby photographer, canberra child photographer, canberra family photographer, canberra portrait photographer, mothers day gift idea, on location photo sessions, sydney photo sessions
Posted in baby photography, child photography, couple photography, family photography, news, special offers | 1 Comment »

Business Bootcamp & a bridal shoot at the NMA | Canberra portrait photographer

February 3, 2010

Wowee, what a week!

On Sunday I joined 11 other photographers to learn from the awesomely inspiring Liana Hall (nee Lehman) in an intense 2.5 day Business Bootcamp. My butt was seriously kicked, and as a result, I have a very busy few months ahead, but I am sooooo excited and grateful for all I have learned and can now put into play for heartstory. I do have a love affair with my calculator and a few excel spreadsheets on a fairly regular basis, but the art of business is not a natural talent, and this truly could not have come at a better time.

Bootcamp was super hard work, so we finished it off with some super hard fun in the form of a high fashion bridal shoot (which Liana specialises in) down at the NMA with the most gorgeous couple ever, Natalie and Victor.  Their wedding was photographed by the amazing and talented Kelly Tunney just three months ago (thank you Kelly for organising for them to come!).  They were so much fun to photograph, and I was on such a high afterwards.

The gorgeous hair and makeup was done by Heather Turk.

Natalie

Victor

Natalie & Victor

Natalie & Victor

Natalie

Victor

Natalie & Victor

Natalie & Victor

Natalie & Victor

Their shoes!

Thank you so, so, so much to the darling Christine Pobke for organising for Liana to come out to Australia this year. I met Christine at Jesh de Rox’s Life {as an artform} workshop in December and she is fast becoming one of my closest friends. (Head over to her blog to see her take on the bridal shoot!) And if you go to Liana’s blog, you’ll see photos of all the bootcamp survivors, including yours truly! Thanks again Liana, and thank you Kelly for having us at your studio.

Tags: business bootcamp, canberra child photographer, canberra photographer, canberra portrait photographer, liana (lehman) hall
Posted in couple photography, my life, wedding photography | 5 Comments »

The big day {part two} | Canberra photographer

December 28, 2009

After the wedding, we headed five minutes up the road to what is quite possibly the ugliest rooftop carpark in existence. To a photographer though, ugly = interesting + unusual + a good challenge. I loved the retro signs, and the bride and groom were up for all our crazy ideas, so it was heaps of fun.

I have to say, photographing a wedding is quite possibly the most exhausting gig I’ve done, but gee it was fun! I really hope you enjoyed these photos as much as I enjoyed taking them. Thank you so much L & Y for being such great sports – look how beautiful you both are! I hope you treasure these forever, because I know I will. xxx

Tags: canberra portrait photographer, canberra wedding photographer, rooftop carpark photos, wedding
Posted in couple photography, wedding photography | 6 Comments »

The big day {part one} | Canberra photographer

December 26, 2009

On Sunday 20 December, 2009, in our parents’ luscious back garden in Sydney, my brother and his fiancee tied the knot. They chose this date as it was six years to the day from when they first began their relationship. It was a beautiful day shared with family and closest friends, and was an absolute joy to photograph.

I was so happy to have Casandra from caspix photography to shoot alongside me, and I’ll add the link to her blog here once she has posted some of her shots from the day. Naturally photographing in a professional capacity gave me a different impression of the day than I would have had as a guest. I asked Cas if she would photograph the ceremony alone, so I could enjoy it as the proud big sister, without a camera in front of my face – hence the lack of any ceremony photos in this post. [It was just as well really, because I cried the whole way through!]

It was a cloudy day, but the rain stayed away, and the garden was so green – a perfect complement to the bride’s stunning dress! The food was delicious – courtesy of my brother (the family chef extraordinaire), our mother and the bride’s mother as well. The wine was plentiful - and I did make sure to stop for a few minutes to enjoy a glass of Seppelt sparkling shiraz – mmm mmm!

How amazing are these rings? There’s no denying that the bride and groom have impeccable taste. The rings

The bouquet

The groom

Apparently my brother helped choose the wedding dress and the jewellery – what a catch! The bride

We arranged to photograph their ‘first look’, just before the guests started to arrive. Such a beautiful moment to behold – I could barely see through my tears!The first look

In the veggie garden

The shoes

Around the garden, before the ceremony.
Before the ceremony

Right: Toby was keen to sneak in a kiss with the bride asap. He adores her! After the ceremony

During speeches

Left: our father giving a touching speech. Right: the groom and his best mate having a quiet moment in the kitchen. 

The food

Family & friends

Part two is coming soon - we finished off the day with a rather unusual location shoot.

Tags: canberra portrait photographer, canberra wedding photographer, garden wedding
Posted in couple photography, my life, wedding photography | 7 Comments »

The day before the big day | Canberra portrait photographer

December 23, 2009

On Sunday December 20, I had the honour and pleasure of photographing my very first wedding, and what better wedding to start with than my brother’s!

The day before the big day, we warmed up with a mini couple session in the inner city laneways of Sydney. They are both such photogenic creatures, how could I resist an extra opportunity to capture them at this exciting time in their lives?!

I love photographing couples. The special smiles and secret language of loving relationships is such a beautiful thing to capture.  It makes my heart feel warm and fuzzy, and puts a huge smile on my face. A couple session is such a lovely way to celebrate what make your relationship unique and wonderful.

Meet my ‘little’ brother, and his fiancee wife.

Next up, part one of the wedding day…. but you’ll have to wait until after Christmas for that one!

Tags: canberra couple photographer, canberra portrait photographer, canberra wedding photographer, couple sessions, e-sessions, sweetheart sessions
Posted in couple photography, my life | 3 Comments »

My extraordinary year | Canberra photographer

December 22, 2009

Renaissance

2009 has been without a doubt, the most intense, challenging, cathartic, busy, revelatory, extraordinary year of my life, and I’d like to share why with you.

In February, I returned to university to complete the final year of my graphic design degree – a degree which I started in 2001, and should only take four years to complete, but took me nine. I had to enrol fulltime for this final year, and I completed it while working part-time in my public service job, being a mum and continuing to build my photography business. Some weeks I put in an excess of 60 hours on study alone, and other weeks were a juggling act of photo sessions, editing, deadlines and a constantly sick toddler.

I’m not really sure how I made it through, and I certainly didn’t expect to perform as well as I did. It was hard and fast, and it still feels a little unreal.  I handed in my final portfolio in early November and received top marks.  Myself and fellow students hosted our own exhibition showcasing all our favourite work on November 20, and graduation was last Thursday at Parliament House. I’m a bit embarrassed to list it here, but I will – I took out the Australian Graphic Design Association ACT Prize for the best industry ready graduate, the Kodak Australasia Prize for Graphic Design Excellence, and a Chancellor’s Award for the top GPA in the degree. My work was selected to be included in an exhibition which is currently running at the Gallery of Australian Design in Canberra, and I’ve been featured in the Canberra Times twice in the past month. I’ve never experienced such a feeling of accomplishment or been heaped with so many accolades. It is an amazing feeling to say the least!

I was asked by a lovely journalist who interviewed me on my graduation day what my secret was. I’m not sure if my babble made sense – I was extremely emotional, as you can probably imagine – but basically what I tried to tell him is that I followed my heart this year and I put 100% of myself into every single thing that came my way. I actually started the year off full of fear and apprehension, but I made a concerted effort to open my heart and mind to the experience, and within a few short months I found my groove. I saw every single self directed design project as an opportunity to extend my photography skills, and to create something I would truly love. I saw the challenge of juggling so many things at once as a chance to really prove to myself that attitude is far more important than circumstance.

I am so proud of myself. It’s not the accolades, the praise or the piece of paper with my degree on it that matters. It’s the fact that I overcame the kind of situation that many people wouldn’t have even attempted in the first place, and proved to myself that I can do anything if I really want to. It’s the fact that I found myself artistically because I allowed myself to explore what really makes me tick as a creative being, rather than letting the outside world tell me what I should be doing.  It’s the fact that I listened to my heart and the movement that flowed as a result allowed me to perform to the best I am capable of performing as a human being.

If anyone would like to see some of my design work, you can find my folio website here: www.whatkatiedoes.com.au

In the flurry that preceded graduation and the silly season, I took a few days out to do Jesh de Rox’s life {as an artform} workshop with 19 other photographers from around Australia. It couldn’t have come at a better time. I was so ready for everything that came from those three and a half days. Right now I feel as though everything is aligning in the most perfect way for me to move on to the next phase in my life, and I can’t tell you how excited and thrilled I am to find out what that might be.

When I first decided to go to Jesh’s workshop, I did an excited google search seeking real stories from photographers who had done it. I found very little, and I understand why now – it’s so hard to put into words (especially words on a screen) the amazingly powerful transformative process that took place. I couldn’t possibly tell you all the amazing experiments and assignments we did because out of context they would seem completely insane, but I will say this…

In three and a half days I lost a lot of what holds me back in life, I rediscovered parts of myself that had been long buried, I found answers to questions that have been burning within me for a big part of my life, I gained a new understanding for who I am as a person and an artist, I fell utterly in love with life and all the amazing possibilities it holds, and I formed beautiful, powerful friendships to last a lifetime. I feel as though I can now move forward confidently towards my dreams with my eyes and my heart truly open. And I can’t freaking WAIT!!!

<3

<3

x 8

So I would like to say thank you to some people who have played a big part in this amazing year. To my clients, both those who I already knew and those who I’ve recently met for the first time – thank you so very much for letting me into your lives and trusting my vision so implicitly, it has been an absolute honour to capture those special moments in your lives. To my dearest friends, specifically Jen, Bec and Erin, who have helped me so much this year with incredible amounts of support, faith and love – I am forever indebted and grateful. To one very special teacher, MJ, who pushed me to be the best designer I could be, and made me smile along the way – your dedication meant the world to me. To my parents, who gave me my determination and creative spark – thank you for being my biggest role models. To Jesh, the most selfless, gifted individual I have ever had the pleasure to meet – you have changed my life in the most wonderful of ways, thank you for the space you created for me and everyone else. To everyone I met in Canberra during the workshop - thank you for your friendships, your trust and for letting me be me. To my gorgeous boy, who kept a smile on my face, even in the most stressful moments – you have given me so much that I can’t put into words yet. And last, but definitely not least, to my husband, who has had a stressful year himself with work and study, and was still there for me every step of the way – you listened to my rants, you gave me feedback on everything I did even when you weren’t in the mood, you helped me make decisions, I couldn’t have done this without you by my side.

Roll on 2010! I am ready for you!

x Katie

P.S Stay tuned for some exciting announcements over the next month or two, and many more blog posts, because I have a lot to catch up on!

Posted in couple photography, graphic design, my life, news | 8 Comments »

The perfect session | Canberra newborn photographer

November 28, 2009

I had the most amazing session this morning. It was amazing, because during the session I couldn’t stop gushing, and I had more than a couple of moments where I wanted to leap in the air with excitement and squeal (except I didn’t, because the vibe was so chilled, it wouldn’t have been right!). Then, when I got home, I was so excited about what I’d captured that I couldn’t resist getting stuck straight into processing, and have gotten most of the way through the images already! And I have so many faves, it was hard to choose what to put into this sneak peek.

A few things about Little Miss S:

  • Little Miss S is eighteen days old: she shares her birthdate with another very special little girl, who I’ll be meeting in a couple of weeks.
  • Little Miss S also shares her beautiful name with another very special little girl, who has featured on my blog rather a lot in the last seventeen months.
  • Little Miss S is the sweetest, cutest, most chilled out little thing: I barely heard a peep from her all morning!
  • Little Miss S has some pretty awesome (and very photogenic) parents, who I just loved meeting and hanging out with today.
  • Little Miss S is going to love playing in her amazing back yard when she gets a bit older.

After spending the first hour of our session outside in the most perfect rambling, sun-dappled, garden ever, we headed indoors, where Little Miss S’ mum and I chatted about our shared Dutch heritage and Little Miss S’ dad worked his magic on settling Little Miss S to sleep.

New

Eighteen days

This morning epitomised my idea of the perfect session in so many ways. Throughout most of it, I played the role of a silent observer: my job was to capture S & Ds devotion to their new daughter, and their joy and wonder getting to know her. And this is exactly why every new parent should consider a customised photo session: the first few weeks of parenthood are a blur, they go by so quickly, and are often full of intense emotions and overwhelming exhaustion. But in amongst it all, there is a beautiful quietness, an indescribable feeling of ‘rightness’, an amazing new bond, a new understanding of love and perfection – it begs to be captured, because it’s so easily forgotten.  S & D specifically asked for casual photos, and I was more than happy to oblige. I found myself captivated by their enjoyment of Little Miss S. I didn’t once ask them to look to the camera. I barely directed. I moved in and around them and captured love. And I loved every second of it. I was reminded once and for all why I love being a photographer and how much I want this to be my life.

Thank you so much S & D, for welcoming me into your home and your hearts today. You gave me a special gift, and I will always remember this session. I’ll be in touch with your gallery very, very soon!

Tags: canberra baby photographer, canberra family photographer, canberra newborn photographer, canberra portrait photographer
Posted in couple photography, newborn photography | 10 Comments »

A beautiful weekend {part two}

November 22, 2009

It took me a while to get around to part two, didn’t it? I promise you, it is not due to slackness! I have been rushed off my feet all week helping my fellow students/graduates prepare for our design exhibition, which was held on Friday night.

So here we go, part two of my beautiful weekend in Wollongong. This mini session took place just up the road from my dear friends’ house. Gosh I’d love to live that close to the beach – not because I love swimming, mind you, but because I love taking photos! 

I had quite a hard time trying to get Little Miss Seventeen Months to actually look up at me/the camera for this session. As you will see, she was much more interested in playing with and eating sand. And what toddler isn’t?!  The beach is like a giant sandpit, with a giant bath attached – it’s the best place ever!

Little Miss Seventeen Months became a big sister just two days after my visit, so I will be back to see these guys soon for another session and lots of newborn cuddles.

Enjoy!

Beachlove

Gorgeousness

Tags: beautiful family photos, canberra baby photographer, canberra family photographer, canberra maternity photographer, canberra portrait photographer, photos at the beach
Posted in child photography, couple photography, family photography, maternity photography, my life | 9 Comments »

A beautiful weekend {part one}

November 12, 2009

Last Friday evening, just 24 hours after completing my graphic design degree (yes, I have finally finished university, woohoo!), I hopped on a bus to Wollongong to visit my dearest friends J & J, and their darling Little Miss Seventeen Months. J was 39 weeks pregnant, and signs were pointing towards the big event happening any day. (I was secretly hoping it would happen while I was there, but it ended up happening in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, and now they have a second beautiful daughter–I can’t wait to meet her!)

We had a lovely, relaxing weekend just hanging out, and the weather was absolutely gorgeous. I took full advantage of it with my camera out at every available opportunity. And I got two sleep-ins in a row!!! I know that probably seems like a crazy thing to be excited about, but it was WONDERFUL!

We had two mini sessions, one at their house, and one later on at the beach down the road. Here is part one of my beautiful weekend…

Little Miss Cutie Pants

Weee!

<3

#2 & 39 weeks

Her secret

 39

I’m sure you’ll agree that J is one of the most beautiful pregnant women you ever saw!  It’s hard to believe that she’s carrying a 3.16kg baby in there, isn’t it?!

Tags: beautiful belly photos, canberra baby photographer, canberra family photographer, canberra maternity photographer, canberra portrait photographer, pregnancy photo session
Posted in child photography, couple photography, family photography, maternity photography, my life | 11 Comments »

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BLOG THEME BY TOFURIOUS adapted by Katie Kolenberg