Bellydancing at our Studio Portraits workshop

As part of our recent Studio Portraits workshop, we had the pleasure of photographing the gorgeous Tais, who is a performer and teacher of Bellydance.

Winners of the Simply Colors Competition!

We have just drawn the lucky winners of our Simply Colors Clothing competition.

Helen Kilding of Takapuna has won a personalised short sleeved bodysuit, and Veronica McLaughlin of Titirangi has won a personalised long sleeved t-shirt.

Congratulations!

If you didn't win, there is still time to order for Christmas, and receive our exclusive 20% discount, by clicking this link.

Photography Tip: Lens Length and Portraits

Your choice of lens length (wide angle, normal or telephoto) has a big effect on the way a person's face looks when you photograph them.

Take a look at these two images of my son Zachary. The only significant difference between them is lens length, coupled with the distance between the subject and the camera.

The first photo was taken with a 70mm lens (on a camera with a full frame sensor). This is quite a standard lens length choice for a portrait.

For the second photo, I came much closer to Zac and photographed him with the lens at 38mm. This is unusually short for a portrait, and the result is quirky. When you stand this close to a person, their nose and chin loom towards you, their eyes look big, and their ears and shoulders look small. Overall, their face looks slimmer.

It's not actually a distortion caused by the lens - you can see this effect with your very own eyes if you look carefully. Perspective is emphasised when you stand close to your subject.

I believe that every person has their own 'ideal viewing distance'. A person with a slim or long face will benefit from being photographed with a long lens from a distance (try 120mm or even longer). The flattening effect will suit them well.

A person with a round face will look more attractive when photographed from closer range, with a shorter lens (try 50mm).

A short lens length is also great when you want your portrait to have a slightly ridiculous feel to it. That's how comedians get those fun, quirky portraits of themselves!

Competition and Special Offer from Simply Colors

Simply Colors is a baby and kids clothes brand that originated in Europe in 2005. The New Zealand online shop opened in 2006, and is run by North Shore local Cathey Broughton. Simply Colors offers a range of stunning super-soft clothes in vibrant colours, which can be personalised with text and images.

Simply Colors has generously given us the following gorgeous prizes:

Prize #1 A voucher for a personalised short sleeved bodysuit - any size or colour

Prize #2 A voucher for a personalised long sleeved t-shirt - any size or colour
To enter, email lisa@imageme.co.nz with 'Simply Colors Competition' in the subject line, and the following information in the body of the email: your name, address, phone, email, and an answer to this question: on the Simply Colors home page, what is written on the pink messenger bag? Visit http://www.simplycolors.co.nz/ to answer this question.

Your entry must reach my inbox by 5pm on Tuesday 14 December.

Plus, I have negotiated with Simply Colors an exclusive 20% discount for all clients and friends of ImageMe. To take advantage of this special discount, visit:

www.simplycolors.co.nz/imageme

and enter 'photography' as the code.

There is still time to order for Christmas, the cut-off date for Christmas orders is Sunday 19 December.

Enjoy! :-)

Master of Photography attained

In September I attained my Master of Photography with the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography.

It really is fantastic to have the quality of my work recognised in this way by my peers.

And the winner is....

We had a lovely time meeting people at the Takapuna Christmas Carnival yesterday. We got lots of entries for our competition, and the lucky winner is...

Karen Edmonds of Totara Vale, North Shore.

Congratulations Karen!

Karen has won a portrait session and an A2 canvas print, total value $1150.

WIN at the Takapuna Christmas Carnival!

ImageMe Photography will be at the Takapuna Beach Christmas Carnival this Saturday from 9.30am till 1.30pm.

At the Carnival there will be nonstop entertainment on the Community stage, a street market, buskers, childrens rides and activities and of course Santa.

Our stand will be near the stage on Hurstmere Road, and we are running a competition to win an ImageMe portrait session and an A2-sized canvas print, total value $1150!

The Carnival should be lots of fun, hope to see you there!

Olivia

This is little Olivia, from my studio session this morning. Do eyes come any more beautiful than hers? Somehow I doubt it.

ImageMe - Auckland portrait photography

Daffodil Day Book

The Cancer Society has recently released their new book celebrating Daffodil Day.

I'm thrilled to have photos I took during Daffodil Day 2009 feature on a double-page spread. I photographed the wonderful Bhana Brothers of Ponsonby who work hard every year fundraising for Daffodil Day.

Photo of Senmily on Fred Hollows publications

Here at ImageMe we are proud to be involved with the work of the Fred Hollows Foundation NZ, a charity that restores sight to blind people in the Pacific.

Here is an image I took of Senmily, a lady who received eye surgery in Papua New Guinea, allowing her to see again. This photo features on a new bookmark and newsletter from the Foundation.

'Photographing Models Outdoors' workshop

I recently headed up to North Head with a group of six workshop participants, three models, a make-up artist and an assistant for our 'Photographing Models Outdoors' workshop.

We were blessed with sunshine, although it was a bit chilly. Our valiant models were staunch in the face of a nippy wind, as they modeled their 'I', 'C' and 'S' shapes!

ImageMe - Auckland Portrait Photography

Idyllic Autumn Afternoon

I enjoyed an idyllic autumn afternoon at the beach with the Cordner Family on Sunday.

I had a blast chasing after energetic kids Sam, Tessa and Oscar. I love it when I get to be a big kid again!

ImageMe - Auckland portrait photography

Cake Lingerie shoot in Herald

Our Cake Lingerie shoot made it into yesterday's Herald on Sunday.

Don't the 'real Mums' look fab? Yay for real Mums!

ImageMe - Auckland portrait photography

Sizzling Salsa for the Studio Workshop

We had a fab Studio Workshop yesterday. For the last part of the workshop we photographed fantastic salsa dancers Irina and Conrad, who very patiently did their poses over and over for me and the six students. Irina runs a dance studio in the city, Dance Pro Studios.

Then we had fun using long exposures to capture movement blur.

Thanks to Irina and Conrad and to the students for another wonderful workshop.

ImageMe - Auckland portrait photography

Twins on the way...

I photographed gorgeous Mum Kirsten recently with her impressively large bump, her husband Brendan and little boy Sam.

I received exciting news yesterday - twin brothers Ben and Josh have arrived! Congrats Kirsten, Brendan and Sam! I can't wait to meet and photograph your two new family members.

ImageMe - Auckland portrait photography

Papua New Guinea - Jean's Story

Here is a link to a slideshow about Jean. I photographed Jean when I visited a clinic run by The Fred Hollows Foundation in March, in Papua New Guinea.

Jean was completely blind from cataracts in both eyes. Thanks to the amazing work of The Fred Hollows Foundation, her life, and the lives in everyone in her village, have been improved. Read her story to find out how.

ImageMe is proud to be an Official Partner of the Foundation and we help in any way we can. We donate our time and photographic skills to the charity, as well as $25 for every family portrait session we do.

Shenhav Family

I recently photographed the lovely Shenhav family in their gorgeous home. Yasmin and Ofer have three adorable boys, Nir, Roee and Orr.

The Shenhavs founded Pitango, the company whose delicious organic curries and soups I happen to love!

ImageMe - Auckland portrait photography

Judging for the North Shore Salon of Photography 2010

I'm pleased to announce that I'm going to be one of the judges of the North Shore Salon of Photography 2010. This is one of NZ's most prestigious competitions for photographers (primarily amateurs, but also professionals) so check it out!

Bacarella Family

I had a fab time photographing the Bacarella Family at Takapuna Beach this morning.

Energetic kiddies Talor and Layla had a blast getting wet and sandy, and then getting Mum Shelley and Dad Jon messy too!

ImageMe - Auckland portrait photography

Nature

Sarah wanted a creative portrait session with a 'nature' theme so we headed to the bush and the beach yesterday.

ImageMe - Auckland portrait photography