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

Being six // Canberra children’s photographer

Katie — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:00:32 +0000

Meet Nick… He’s at kindy and he just turned six. He loves lego. He’s an awesome scooterer. He’s a total natural at doing ‘the cool pose’. He’s extremely ticklish. And he has the best eyelashes ever.

Enjoy yet another set of beautiful autumn images…

A gorgeous trio // Canberra children’s photographer

Katie — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 23:00:34 +0000

This is the first time this family of five have had professional photos taken! These kids definitely gave me a run for my money, but honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way! Photographing kids isn’t always easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding and sometimes I like it when a shoot doesn’t go to plan because it gives mum and dad an even bigger thrill when they see their images. I know this feeling well, because it happened to my little family not so long ago… we finally got our own family photos done with one of my favourite photographers from Queensland who had made time in her busy schedule for us. To my dismay, not only was it wet and cloudy on the day, but Toby threw a huge whammy right in the middle of the shoot, wouldn’t do anything anyone suggested, became fixated on one particular thing, wouldn’t let us ‘move on’, and refused to put on the awesome retro batman mask that he himself had carefully selected for dress-ups during our shoot! I had complete confidence in our photographer, but I was incredibly disappointed at that moment and doubted that we would have any decent images from that part of the shoot. Not. The. Case.

So from the professional photographer’s point of view (and most definitely my own), kids will always be kids, and that’s ok. Sometimes there frowns, tanties and dogged determination to do the exact opposite of what you want. And sometimes there are beaming smiles, cuddles, wicked dance moves and utter obedience. Mostly I get to see all of that within the first 30 minutes of every shoot I do. And I wouldn’t be a child photographer if I didn’t love kids, whatever mood they’re in.

I found some pictures // Canberra children’s photographer

Katie — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 23:30:14 +0000

During the 50 days I was working on Days of Summer | Dear Toby, I shot a lot of frames, particularly over the Christmas/New Year holiday period. Some days, it was quite a task choosing just one for my project. Last week I was flicking back through some folders of images, looking for something (I can’t remember what) and I stumbled across a very full folder of images from December 31st and January 1st, taken at my dear friends’ home in Wollongong. You will have seen these little girls many times before, and know how close Toby is to them, but this New Year’s we had a couple more join us: there were five little kids (Toby being the oldest at four-and-a-half), plus one baby (who actually didn’t make it into any of these images). I was in kiddie heaven! I hope you enjoy this little peek into our holidays.

Sisters and sunshine // Canberra family and child photographer

Katie — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 22:00:16 +0000

Aaah sunshine… there hasn’t been a lot of it lately. But for this lucky family, it was out, it was warm and it was beeeeooootiful! We had so much fun traipsing around a beautiful reserve right in the middle of the ‘burbs. This family have never had photographs done before, and I think their gorgeous girls are at the perfect ages to have their personalities captured and kept forever!

I hope you enjoy this little preview, and note the colours that are beginning to appear in the trees… I have a feeling we are in for an early autumn! (Love Autumn sessions will be announced soon!!!)

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.