Copyright of Capturing Essence 2007-2010

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Welcome to 2010 at Capturing Essence Photography

Evening!
Whilst many of you will be nursing hangovers tomorrow, Capturing Essence will have been busily preparing some info blogs to assist you with all aspects of your wedding. We have found that we have long been a source of questions from brides and grooms as to the where's the why's and the how's of weddings.
We have bridal experience- from the dresses, alterations and accessories through to event planning, working with makeup artists and my favourite- ettique or who's wedding is this anyway! We love being asked questions by our couples and by being able to suggest alternitives they may not have thought of creates a fantastic friendship between us and our clients.

The wedding planning books are a great start for any couple, but lack one thing... word of mouth refferals. I personally found these were the most important variable for me personally when planning my day. Somebody's personal recommendation to me always surpasses an advert. When all else fails then the yellow pages, or google for people always helps. There's just something unique in a friend telling you their experience with a company whether good or bad does help in making some tough decisions.

Although this blog will be more Canberra specific I do hope that others find it interesting and helpful.
To kick the year off tomorrow, we'll start with the info closest to my heart-
 'How to choose your photographer'

Better get writing!
Happy New Year and all the best for 2010!

Lots of love,
Capturing Essence Photography

Friday, December 25, 2009

Thank you 2009

Dear All,

I would firstly like to thank all of my clients and friends for such a wonderful year 2009.

It has been a pleasure working for you all-as busy as it has been- it has been well worth the long hours of planning, shooting and editing such exciting wedding and portfolio shoots. I have a few outstanding days which will be stuck in my memory for a long time to come.

Even though there are still jobs now to do, pictures to edit and work to be done, each and every couple I have worked with are so dear to me its a pleasure to work on their images. There have been some fantastic friendships develop out of my jobs.

To be allowed for example to shoot a pregnant belly, then newborn images and THEN the same couples wedding this year was indescribeable. The bond we had made in the first two shoots carried right through to the wedding and we had an absolute blast!
We were taken out into the middle of an icy spring Canberra lake on a showery day and wizzed about in speed boats for their location pictures. all the while hoping the bride wouldnt go in the drink, the camera didnt go in the drink and Chris's split pants would last us until we finished the location pics and headed home.

Capturing Essence expanded slightly this year as well with another set of hands shooting weddings and events with me. I had Chris, my husband come out with me on a couple of models portfolio shoots to assist with equiptment and reflectors etc. One of the shoots he asked if he would be able to shoot in the background and with the models permisssion off he went. He's the tech nerd of the outfit so understands the theory behind an SLR just had never been able to put it into practice.
I combined his images in with my own for the makeup artist and model to select their pictures from and two of his were chosen.

Later on in 2009 we put together 'Captured' as a thank you to my models who have assisted in building Capturing Essence's portfolio and name. Chris's two images made the book and he's been so pleased with himself ever since. Needless to say my extra pair of hands soon became another shooter.

We are expecting a little addition to Capturing Essence in April 2010. We are certainly still working and shooting as always it never stops in our household :) Things will not be as hectic as this year was, but we are certainly still taking on shoots and weddings from August 2010. As winter is generally slower and quieter in Canberra it all fits in so nicely. Chris will be around until October 2010 with the prospect of being posted after this date, however is free to book anytime as well.

The Capturing Essence website, http://www.capturingessence.com.au will be redone over the coming months with some fantastic new additions so keep your eyes out! I have the added bonus of one of my brides being a marketing genius who has set me some exciting prospects for 2010 and beyond. Watch this space as they say!

Once I'm back in full swing I hope to continue to grow, develop and learn with each and every shoot I work on. The mentoring I received from Steven Murray (creative image photography) and Kelly Tunney (Kelly Tunney photography) this year was second to none. They welcomed me on board with open arms and I must say it was so refreshing to have two people who loved to share their passion with other photographers. They enjoy watching people grow and develop their skills.
You couldn't ask for two better mentors X Thanks guys!

In the meantime, I hope you all enjoy your holidays, rest up and stay safe. I hope the new year brings you all much luck, joy and happiness.

Keep your eyes and ears out! We will be back in 2010 bigger and better than 2009!

Lots of love,
Jules and Chris
Capturing Essence Photography