Copyright of Capturing Essence 2007-2010

Saturday, June 25, 2011

New album sneaky peek!

We are SO proud to announe and show you a new album in our collection!!!! Isn't it gorgeous???

Image copyright of Jules Bianchi on behalf of AB
Thank you to our new suppliers who so kindly spent time with us yesterday at the PMA's in Sydney! It was so worth the trip to see what was on offer and can't WAIT for our next album to be made by them!



Monday, April 18, 2011

Canberra’s Black and White Project

Over the past few months, Capturing Essence have seen the influx of Canberra babie's between the ages of 3months and 18months of age. Each attending their shoots with props to compliment what their parents do for a living.

Some have been more than happy to participate and others reluctantly get into the swing of things. Overall it ends up being a hoot!

Stay tuned for some images and once we get the book together we will pop a blog up about that as well!

For more information about participating with us, please email Jules: Julie@capturingessence.com.au

For a sneak peek at the pictures please pop along to http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.189147324436323.44857.136329599718096

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Mums, Bubs, Bumps and Families!

We have re evaluated our packages with our families and created some fantastic new options for our clients. From individual sessions to complete packages that last a year!
Price list 2011

Page 2


Creative Asia part III

What a fantastic outcome to our entries in the Creative Asia photographic competition!!! 5 from 5 images received BRONZE awards!
The biggest thrill is that Julie's personal favourite of the peacock fascinator has been placed in the TOP 25 images in ASIA! Not bad! :D So so thrilled and judging begins on 19th January so watch this space!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Canon Creative Asia Photographic Awards 2010


My best friend's belly was a fantastic shoot to be able to shoot. I am forever grateful for being able to capture her special time whilst carrying bubba. I love this image as at the time we knew it was a girl on the way and the parents both knew they wanted to call their little bean 'Lily'
The judges feedback was great and I'm a little dissapointed that I didn't look closer at the image now and really give it a good tweak pre competition but that is what time does for you and there's no looking back. I am thrilled with a Bronze and telling her will be the greatest fun :)

Judges Feedback SCORE: 77
• Framing - Just as important as what you include in a photograph is what you leave out. Your subject may be great, but there could be other elements in the photograph that are distracting and unnecessary, or it could be that your subject is too closely cropped. Have a look and see if different framing could improve your work.

• Composition - Composition is a big subject and very personal. The judge believes this image could be improved with stronger composition, which can be as simple as where your subject is placed within the frame, to more complex interactions of various elements within the composition. Have a look at your image again and see how a different camera angle, framing or subject arrangement could make the image stronger.

• Technical Quality - When viewing your entry, they may have seen some issues in terms of unwanted spots or marks that have let your entry down. Presentation of your work and correct post-production is so important for a successful competition entry.

Invaluable feedback I believe!


Ahhh, Julia and Viktoria Novak Designs... My absolute FAVOURITE shoot to date and my FAVOURITE image in a very long time. I had an image in my head and I was able to replicate it with the assistance of a fabulous team including Kristie Maynard of Chic Visage and Prya Chandra hair stylist extraordinare!
Julia came to work and was incredible- She took three hours to make up and the shot was taken in a matter of minutes! Thank you honey it's always a pleasure working with you and I love the team we put together to capture you!

Judges Feedback: SCORE 79 (one off a silver!)
• Post Processing - Another highly subjective subject. It is not how much or little you process that matter, but how effective it is. Does it enrich the message and storytelling? Or does it detracts? Be ware of halos dodging & burning, artifacts from over sharpening. Try to maintain details in the highlights and shadows. Successful post processing just glues the eyes the image. Some liken post processing to cooking. When it is done right it is just heavenly.

• Good Image - The judges agree that this is a well executed image. Nice use of exposure, composition and focus. Strong Technique has been displayed.


Katrina and Warwick were a couple which I had the pleasure of dressing them up in their bridal garb and taking them back out on a photoshoot. They said their photographer on their wedding day hadn't quite captured enough couple images and we spent a fantastic day doing just that.
It's always so much fun dressing back up in the wedding garb especially when the pressure is off and there are no stresses or worries about the gown getting dirty or having to sit in it for the rest of the night. We spent the morning shooting around a farm and pottering about in the old shearing shed. It was during a break I saw the two smooching in the corner and we kept them there a little longer to capture the image.

Judges Feedback: SCORE 70

• Good Image - The judges agree that this is a well executed image. Nice use of exposure, composition and focus. Strong Technique has been displayed.


• Technical Quality - Technical quality in a competition is expected by the judges. When viewing your entry, they may have seen some issues in terms of colour, contrast, brightness or even unwanted spots or marks that have let your entry down. Presentation of your work and correct post-production is so important for a successful competition entry.

• Lighting - Often the difference between a good photo and a great one is the light. This is a big subject and covers many issues, but the judge is indicating that better use of light may improve this image. Is the subject over lit? Is the light too contrasty or too flat for your subject? Is the light helping or hindering the subject.

• Post Processing - Another highly subjective subject. It is not how much or little you process that matter, but how effective it is. Does it enrich the message and storytelling? Or does it detracts? Be ware of halos dodging & burning, artifacts from over sharpening. Try to maintain details in the highlights and shadows. Successful post processing just glues the eyes the image. Some liken post processing to cooking. When it is done right it is just heavenly.



Sunday, December 19, 2010

Portriats with Sammy

After a first shoot atempt with a sick baby boy, we re shot Sammy, his mum and dad on Sunday. He was MUCH better and full of cheeky beans.

The first shoot was shared with my favourite make up artist, Kristie from Chic Visage and baby Taylor came too. The second time round it was just Sam, his parents and me on an early Sunday morning in the Canberra spring weather... It was freezing!
I love this picture of him kissing his mum X It was during the five minutes he was behaving and having a good time. Then in came the terrible twos! hahah Still, he's a great little bean and I know his mum and dad are so proud of him.

Thank you to Marta and Pete again! I had such a wonderful time meeting you all and to Sam, my little buddy X Be good for your parents! :)

Creative Asia Competition Bronze Winner!


Capturing Essence recently entered five images into the Canon Creative Asia competition and although judging is still under way we have been advised that we have received a bronze award for our engagment portrait!
This is our first competition to ever go in and to get a merit is fantastic! The feedback has been really helpful as well and we look forward to the rest of the judging!

Judges Feedback

• Technical Quality - Technical quality in a competition is expected by the judges. When viewing your entry, they may have seen some issues in terms of colour, contrast, brightness or even unwanted spots or marks that have let your entry down. Presentation of your work and correct post-production is so important for a successful competition entry.

• Post Processing - Another highly subjective subject. It is not how much or little you process that matter, but how effective it is. Does it enrich the message and storytelling? Or does it detracts? Be ware of halos dodging & burning, artifacts from over sharpening. Try to maintain details in the highlights and shadows. Successful post processing just glues the eyes the image. Some liken post processing to cooking. When it is done right it is just heavenly.

• Good Image - The judges agree that this is a well executed image. Nice use of exposure, composition and focus. Strong Technique has been displayed.

• Lighting - Often the difference between a good photo and a great one is the light. This is a big subject and covers many issues, but the judge is indicating that better use of light may improve this image. Is the subject over lit? Is the light too contrasty or too flat for your subject? Is the light helping or hindering the subject.

Merit Awards

Gold, Silver and Bronze merit awards will be will be awarded based on the averaged 5 voting scores as follows

Gold Award scored 90-100

Silver award scored 80-89

Bronze award scored 70-79

The gold, silver and bronze awards are recognized by the judges as high quality images and worthy of recognition in the competition.




Thursday, December 16, 2010

Rogue Auditions COMING SOON!


A very close friend of mine has decided to branh out from her awesome dance troup "Rogue Dolls" and offer her clients another level aside from dancers. Melissa Rusconi and I caught up last week to discuss a little further what she was up to...
'I am finally launching ROGUE MODELS! Not everyone will be accepted as is the case with the other agencies in ACT! I am casting for absolute glamors!' Aghhhhhh some fresh air just blew through Canberra! No more searching for those hard to find girls on agencies databases! Hurrah I thought!


As we chatted I got a little bit more information on how and where you can get more information for the casting.

 If you think you or someone you know has what it takes, with an amazing look and outstanding attitude, contact me before the end of December, castings will take place in January, with an official media launch early next year. We are looking at talent from all states!
So if you're interested please head over to the website http://roguedolls.com.au/, have a look and get in touch today!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

The Jessops

The Jessops... Another family portrait session FULL of laughter and and fun. These guys are the type of family I love to shoot. They are young, fun and full of ideas for how they would like to be captured. From racing about the garden, to wrestling and wrangling with their dog, I couldn't have wanted a better time.
Liana and I went to college together 100 years ago it seems now and we've only really become more in touch over the past few years- Thanks to the stalking available on Facebook. I always wondered what she was doing now with that spectacular singing voice of hers! I was not dissapointed when I saw she was living it up in New York, chasing her dreams.
If children reflect their parents then I was always looking forward to meeting Janine. She was a true sweetheart and full of warmth. Nothing short of amazing.
'Lucky' the family dog

Mik's idea for a moving family photograph.

I just wanted to post this thank you letter online from Liana's mum. She sent it to me online and it makes my job so worthwhile when I receive something as lovely as this:

Dear Julie,
I just LOVE all the photos you have taken of my birthday and our family.
They have given me such pleasure. It took a little while for us all to loosen up, but you were so patient, and so unphased.
It took a little while to write to you, too because I wasn't sure how or where!
 Anyway all the very best to you. You will go a long way with your great sense of timing, peaceful nature...and excellent eye for great images. I love the name too, and think you have capatured our essence in many ways.

Warm regards

Janine.


Thanks again guys! I can't wait to see you all again when you are together in town! Thank you again for those YUMMY pancakes :) XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The bump that became a Lily Joy Jensen

The gorgeous mum to be above has had her baby girl. Lily Joy Jensen has arrived in style a week ago and mum and bub are said to be doing very well.
Everyone who knows the Jensen's will agree we are all completely thrilled and besotted by the arrival and keep a very keen eye out on facebook for the latest and greatest picture.
I think sometimes we even forget a little that a new mum with a new bub doesnt always get time to post images so we are very thankful for the ones that have shown up :)

Above: Mum and bub - Thank you to Sue for posting the pics :)
Above: Little lily relaxing in the bath

From everyone here in Canberra, we hope you all settle in quickly together and get lots of rest! I know she's sleeping well already so hope it continues for you honey! XXXX
Cannot tell you how excited we are to see you all in December and take a few more pictures of little miss gorgeous in the flesh X