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

A surprise baby // Canberra family photographer

Katie — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 03:24:46 +0000

Nothing ever goes to plan. I say it a lot. I say it for reassurance, I say it as a joke, I say it as a reminder when I’m having trouble making decisions! Sometimes it’s a frustration, sometimes it’s a blessing, sometimes it’s both. One of the lessons I’ve learnt in my life is that often the most unexpected and unimagined events; the things we dread, the things that back us into a corner and shake us to our core, turn out to be the most amazing and worthwhile experiences. So I truly believe that safe is not the way life should be. Safe is ‘the same’; and there’s no growth in same. If we open ourselves to challenges, to risk, to possibility, we learn things about ourselves and others that we wouldn’t have otherwise discovered, and sometimes that leads us to the stuff dreams are made of.

Thank you Regina and Rob for sharing your family story with me; I left your home with a very happy heart.

A session in Melbourne // family & baby photography

Katie — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 23:23:32 +0000

If you follow me on facebook, you would have known I’ve just been in Melbourne for a few days (and yes, I did do a spot of shopping while I was there – I do believe Melbourne is the average female Canberran’s shopping haven!), and was lucky enough to meet up with this gorgeous new family during the only window of fine weather throughout my trip. This was one of those photo sessions where everything came together perfectly, as it happened. There was filtered sunlight, blossoms, cutiebabysmiles, an awesomely colourful cafe with great coffee, and two beautifully adoring new parents. I had a big grin on my face editing this session; enjoy!

I shoot interstate several times a year, so if you’re in Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide or Sydney and would like a Heartstory family, baby, couple or child photography session, please get in touch via email katie@heartstoryphotography.com.au or phone 0402 091 949.

Flying time // Canberra baby photographer

Katie — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 23:00:11 +0000

Like many professional photographers, I have a bad habit of letting my personal photographs (mostly portraits of friends and family) build up on my hard-drives, unprocessed, until there is so much it’s completely overwhelming. So every now and then, I randomly pull out a directory and go through it – it seems more manageable that way. On Sunday, I stumbled upon these images from May, taken at my dear friend Bec’s house, only a few short weeks after the birth of her second son, Cameron. I had completely forgotten that I’d even taken them!

So first up, we have Toby and Ash. You probably can’t tell, but Toby is a whole year older than Ash, and these guys have been buddies ever since Toby got over his inability to share his toys, when he was about two and a half. Two blue-eyed, rosy cheeked, red-lipped, messy-haired, cheeky little boys – could you get more adorable than these two?

Why yes, yes you can. This is Ash’s little brother Cameron, who looks a lot like Ash did as a newborn. I can hear you going ‘awwwwww’ right now. This little guy is so scrumptious, I’m sure he’d make even the most ‘finished’ of mums want another! Little Cam is five months old now, where does time go?! I just adore these simple little moments between Cam and his besotted mummy.

Now just as a little aside, and out of love, pride and admiration for my dear friend Bec, I need to point you all in the direction of Bec’s incredible Hope Garden project.

After holding two exhibitions of beautiful, inspirational images and words, Bec has just released the Hope Garden book, a pretty perfect gift for yourself or anyone you know who might be in need of some hope, inspiration, comfort, perspective, or reassurance. For me, Hope Garden is a reminder of the beauty that lies within each and every one of us. You can get yourself a copy via the Hope Garden facebook page.

“When you take the time to stop and look at something from a different perspective, you see it differently, and it gives you hope. Change the way you see, change the way you feel.”

Pretty in purple // Canberra baby photographer

Katie — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:09:33 +0000

This little sweetheart was a delight to photograph. Big blue eyes, huge smiles and adorable hair. She stayed still for me for approximately 3 seconds every 5 minutes or so, and the rest of the time was busy playing with her toys, grinning, crawling at lightening speed, making extremely cute noises, and getting up to mischief. I suspect she will be keeping mum and dad on their toes for a while yet!

I know I’ve said it before, but this is SUCH a great age to get professional portraits done; once they’ve mastered sitting, but before they’ve figured out walking. It doesn’t matter if they’re crawling, even when they’re speedy little things like Tahlia – it only takes a second to capture a toothy grin, an wide-eyed innocent gaze or a special little mannerism. Babies this age are full of personality, and photos like these of your little one will always make you smile, for the rest of your lives.

Winter special [Canberra family photographer]

Katie — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 03:42:18 +0000

Winter = snuggling on the couch with a big cosy blanket, duffle coats, ugg boots, hot chocolate, soup, crusty bread rolls with melted butter, hats, scarves, boots, gloves, roast dinners, fireplaces, that amazing feeling you get when you slip into a hot bed (I heart my electric blanket), mulled wine, dinner parties, pears, pumpkin, stewed apples, vivid blue skies, sleep-ins, porridge, vicks vaporub, foggy mornings, glistening frost, spider webs covered in dew, knitted socks, layers, bare branches, slow cookers, fluffy bathrobes, rugs, port and rosy cheeks.

We all like to hibernate in winter. It’s understandable. But I say embrace it! It lasts for 4 (and sometimes 5) long months in Canberra, and that’s a big part of our lives in this beautiful city! But the sun is nearly always out, it’s easy to rug up and get outside, so I’m launching a winter special in honour of our brisk Canberra winter. Winter is a beautiful time of year for photography – gentle light, blue skies and everyone looks fantastic in scarves and beanies!

Your winter special session fee is only $100 (normally $165)!

This includes:

1 hour photo session
A private online proof gallery with 25-30 images to choose from
A complimentary 8×12″ print

Call Katie on 0402 091 949 or email katie@heartstoryphotography.com.au to book.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Available for kids only shoots, couples & families of up to 5 ($25 per extra person)
Sessions will take place in a selection of outdoors locations
A minimum spend of $550 on prints & other products applies
Afternoon sessions preferred (to avoid frost and fog), starting around 2.30pm
Sessions are available Tuesday – Saturday, July 1 – August 31. Which includes the entire school holiday season!

One autumn morning [ Canberra baby photography ]

Katie — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 01:00:08 +0000

I’m pretty sure it was our coldest morning so far this year: only 7 degrees celsius when I left the house. So you can imagine my delight when I saw that this little darling was styling it up in the perfect Canberra autumn outfit! And there was more in the bag! How I love a cuddly 10 month old in knits, especially when there’s a hood involved! Cutie!!!

This adorable little miss is very, very loved. I suspect she may have her daddy tightly wrapped around her little finger, and I’m also pretty confident that he won’t be the only man who will experience that in her lifetime. I was pretty much there myself; how could I not be with a smile like that, those sparkly blue eyes (which are 100% real – no photoshopping required!) and such an independent personality?! If she could have spoken, I reckon she would have directed the entire photo session!

Thank you E & D, for choosing me to capture your darling girl at this beautiful age. Loved every minute. I will be in touch soon. xo

What matters most [ Canberra family photographer ]

Katie — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 21:43:22 +0000

No words today, just pictures of an amazing woman and her beautiful, adoring family.

Addison | Canberra baby photographer

Katie — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 10:36:16 +0000

I met a gorgeous girl on Saturday morning. She won me over instantly with her quirky little personality; chilled out with a touch of attitude. Oh, and the wardrobe! I just love it when my clients turn up with a huge bag of baby clothes and say ’I just brought everything. Can you help us decide?’

Sure, if you don’t mind me squealing with excitement over every single thing you pull out and… wait, you have HEADBANDS?!

Meet Addison, one of the sweetest blonde-haired, blue-eyed little cutie pies I ever did meet. It was the most divinely warm morning, and she thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with her two favourite people and getting in touch with nature. And I thoroughly enjoyed photographing this lovely new family; my last Christmas Package session for 2010.

(P.S Christmas Packages are finished, but I do still have a few regular session spots left before we shut shop for the holidays in mid December, so get in touch quickly if you want one!).

A new story | Canberra newborn photographer

Katie — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:49:17 +0000

I try to approach every newborn session as if it’s something completely new that I’ve never done before. Obviously, as a parent myself I understand what life is like in those first few months, and I am easily reminded of moments that made up my first few months as a mother. I know which moments I wish I could remember better than I do. I know which moments I would want captured. I know my heart and my story.

But each family is different, just like each home is different, and each baby is different. And it is my responsibility to you, as an artist and a storyteller, to enter your home openhearted and with no preconceived ideas. That state enables me to create a collection of images which tell a story that is genuinely you. And I believe very much in the power of that story, right now and also many, many years in the future.

Meet Susan, Matthew and nearly-five-week-old baby Mitchell. These simple, every day moments are forming the foundation of a new life for them, and it’s my privilege to tell their story.

Every child begins the world again.

Please sir, can I have some more? | Canberra baby photographer

Katie — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 20:58:23 +0000

More babies like Oliver, I mean.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: this is the best age to have professional photos taken of your baby. The best. I mean look. Lookit his cutie smile! Lookit his chubby little hands and arms and feet! Lookit the joy! Can you feel it?

I’m one of those annoying people on public transport and in shopping centres who has to make eyes and tries to ‘have a moment’ (or several) with every baby who crosses my path. I started doing it when I was a teenager, and I still do it (though not quite as much) today. I just love babies!!! And I’m pretty pleased to say that 99% of the time, babies love me too. They must pick up on my love vibes.