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

Days of Summer // Forty-two, forty-three, forty-four, forty-five & forty-six

Katie — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:32:39 +0000

Coming soon: little brother // Canberra maternity photographer

Katie — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:13:25 +0000

I first met Bec and Mikel about three years ago… before Heartstory even existed. I photographed them sometime in the last few weeks before they became parents, and again when Jacob was only a few days old. They put so much trust in me, having me capture such a special time in their lives, and they probably don’t know it (not until they read this, anyway), but the experience I had with them helped me take a huge step in my journey from passionate photographer to establishing and running a successful business. Both their maternity and newborn sessions will remain forever etched in my memory.

I was thrilled when I heard from Bec that they were expecting their second child, and had to pinch myself when I realised it had really been so long since Jacob was born.

So meet Bec and Mikel with their adorable son Jacob, just weeks away from welcoming Number Two to the world. Their authentic, warm-hearted and generous spirits just make you want to follow them home and hang out some more.

Days of Summer // Twenty-eight

Katie — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:41:38 +0000

Days of Summer // Twenty-six

Katie — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:27:32 +0000

Days of Summer // Nineteen

Katie — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:29:53 +0000

Lucky last // Canberra portrait photographer

Katie — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 21:42:47 +0000

You all know that I have a bit of a love affair with sunflare and backlighting… so funnily enough, my very last session of 2011 was held on a humid and very cloudy afternoon! I had my fingers crossed the whole time that the sun would burst through the thick cloud cover, even if just for a few brief moments, but alas. And you know what, looking through the images I captured of this sweet family, I’m kind of glad it didn’t. The pastel colours of our shoot leant themselves so perfectly to the soft, gentle light we were given to work with. It was just that kind of session; sweet, gentle and loving.

I met Jennifer and Lucas over a year ago now, as they were approaching the due date of their gorgeous girl. I also had the pleasure of photographing Ava as a newborn: you can see those shoots here and here. They’re getting married in February 2012, so my lucky last session of 2011 was their engagement shoot, complete with this adorable little ball of sass and giggles (who is going to make the cutest flower girl ever, don’t you think?!).

And that’s it for 2011!

I’ll be back to start 30 Days of Summer later in the week, but a quick reminder that the office will be closed from Thursday December 22 until Thursday January 19th, inclusive.

P.S If you haven’t already seen it, here is my 2011 Christmas message.

Will and Abby // Canberra children’s photography

Katie — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:00:13 +0000

I had so much fun with Will and Abby and their mum and dad, down by the lake early on a Saturday morning. Will explored a pirate fort, demonstrated his best dinosaur roars, pretended to kiss his little sister about 28 times but never actually made lip to cheek contact, had the best time ever getting thrown in the air by his dad, chased ducks, and finally got to feed the ducks (and, and, and… there were BABY SWANS!!!). Abby showed me her jazz hands, grinned and smiled and giggled lots and lots, had a ride on Daddy’s shoulders, played with some leaves, and generally sat around looking sweet and adorable. These two cutie-pies are going to be the best of friends as they grow up together. Erin, it was an absolute pleasure to photograph your family.

A crazy fun shoot // Family photography, Canberra

Katie — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 21:30:49 +0000

There are few things that make me happier as a small business owner and a portrait photographer than when my clients come back to me for a second or third shoot. With the choice out there these days, it is extremely gratifying to know that I am providing an experience worth repeating.

So I met this family in autumn of 2010, and now there are four of them! And not only was it wonderful to meet the newest addition to the family, but I was totally thrilled to see the super cool car they brought along with them! We had the most hilarious time exploring my favourite location in the late afternoon sun. It’s pretty much nothing but grins, tickles and non-stop energy from these guys: I just love them!

One of the things I pride myself in, and want potential families looking for a family photographer to know about Heartstory, is that I approach my sessions from the point of view of someone who wants to get to know you. I strive to capture the essence of who you are, and how your family interacts. If your kids aren’t the type to sit still, or snuggle up shyly to your shoulder and bat their eyelashes at me, I won’t try and make them! If they want to run around and pull silly faces, I will chase them and catch them in the act! This is why I wear jeans and sneakers to shoots and don’t mind lying on the dirty ground or having leaves thrown at me: I want kids to be kids, babies to be babies (even when they get fed up or won’t look at me because I did the chicken noise too many times in a row) and I want mums and dads to feel relaxed and ok with who their kids are in front of me. There’s no such thing as bad behaviour at my sessions because I make sure everyone is happy and doing what they want to do – right Chris and Katrina? These images are so them, and I am just so happy to have had the opportunity to make a new set of pictures for them that tell the next chapter of their story.

Sisters // Canberra family & child portrait photography

Katie — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 21:51:24 +0000

I was in photographer’s heaven with these two gorgeous little girls, blossoms, long grass and late afternoon sun. Here are some faves from our Christmas Package session…

If you want a Heartstory portrait photography session before Christmas, please get in touch asap! Although I have several weekdays still open, there are only two Saturday session spots left between now and December 16, which is our last working day of 2011. This is one of the best times of year to have a professional photo session in Canberra; it’s not too hot, the days are long (which means we can start as late as 5pm), and everything is still gorgeously green. I have so many favourite locations at the moment! Heartstory portrait sessions are relaxed and fun; a celebration of you and your family, and result in natural, emotive and artistic images like these! If you want to find out more about how my sessions work and what to expect, please visit my website or get in touch via phone or email katie@heartstoryphotography.com.au or call me on 0402 091 949.

Cheeky grins & muddy puddles // Canberra family & child photographer

Katie — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:27:05 +0000

This family was my lucky first Christmas Package Session for 2011 (click for more information – I have just a few spots left!).

They would have been second, but unfortunately the weather interfered quite rudely on Friday! We met at a favourite location of mine – right in the heart of suburbia, but you’d never know it. Patrick, like most three year old boys, had a great time running about and exploring, and we finished off the session with some serious muddy puddle splashing, which was just hilariously fun!

If you’d like a set of photos like this of your family… I have a few Christmas Package session spots still open, but get in touch with me quickly! katie@heartstoryphotography.com.au or 0402 091 949. Full details of what’s included and how it all works can be found here, and holiday card designs are on the Heartstory Facebook page.