Portraits

The Beautiful Now - Introducing Sarah

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This is my friend Sarah, she travels the world helping people.  She is brave and wise. A woman of faith, and unfathomable depths.  Her eyes see right into your soul, and she is a wonderful listener.  She loves with all of her heart, and she is dearly loved. Our time together down at the beach reminded me of this song by Brooke Fraser...

We're adrift on a sailboat/My love is the sea/Yours is the horizon/Constant and steady

You set my limbs locked hard afloat/Lifted my lonesome sails/The tide is out, the moon is high/We're sailing

Darling, your love is healing/It makes the bitter sweet/Warms the winter to spring again/Secures the colds defeat

We're cutting anchor/Casting out into the glorious deep/The tide is out, the moon is high/We're sailing

The Beautiful Now - Introducing Mike

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Far too many people, including my amazing friends, remain unphotographed because no 'big' life moments have presented themselves.  My mission is to capture at least one of these frame worthy people each season.  Introducing Mr Dark and Stormy, and the unwilling candidate for Winter, my friend Mike.  He is pensive and playful, kind and sensitive, loyal, clever and extremely caring.  He REALLY does enjoy long walks on the beach and strumming his guitar, and is INCREDIBLY shy about being photographed. But I'm glad I won that battle, so you can get to know him a little through these 24 images. Enjoy!

The Beautiful Now - Introducing Stephanie

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My friend Stephanie is fiercely beautiful... strong and gentle, bold and shy.  I love her contrasts, I love her light and shade, I love her very much.  These are a few of my favourite pics from an afternoon we spent playing near some ruins.  Please don't wait for those 'big' life events to get some beautiful photographs taken of yourself.  Just book a portrait session today, because your face, and your personality are worth recording right now, just as you are! 

STILL LlFE...

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I love how photos are still.  They take away the sound, the distractions that surround and let you contemplate the beauty in a person.  To notice how they have changed, how precious they are.  This is my eldest, my Eden Rose.  How beautiful she is.

Five tips for Fantastic Family Photos...Fast.

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The context: It was a busy Saturday morning, and my second daughter Calli Lou was about to go on her first big girl date with Daddy! The house was in chaos, I had a whinging baby attached to my hip and my 4 year old was singing Frozen so loudly I'm sure they could hear it in the Arctic.  But I REALLY wanted to capture this precious moment.  So I took 5 minutes out.

 Here are five tips if you want to get fantastic family photos (in a rush):

1) SET THE SCENE BUT KEEP IT SIMPLE

Adding one or two items for texture and interest can really bring your photos to life, but use what is at hand.  We used some old crates and flowers from our garden.

Adding one or two items for texture and interest can really bring your photos to life, but use what is at hand.  We used some old crates and flowers from our garden.

2) GET THE LIGHT RIGHT

For the most part, you want to find a place around the house where the light that is hitting the subjects face is the same intensity as the light that is hitting their background.  Having said that, have a play with placing your subject in fron…

For the most part, you want to find a place around the house where the light that is hitting the subjects face is the same intensity as the light that is hitting their background.  Having said that, have a play with placing your subject in front of the sun and shooting towards it.

3) LET THEM PLAY

Don't waste your time trying to get them to look at the camera and smile.  Rather give them something to do, and talk to them as they are enjoying it.  I guarantee the expressions will be much more real and beautiful, and the photos will h…

Don't waste your time trying to get them to look at the camera and smile.  Rather give them something to do, and talk to them as they are enjoying it.  I guarantee the expressions will be much more real and beautiful, and the photos will have great flow (if you want to frame several similar ones together).

4) GET MOVING 

Try all sorts of angles.  Two of my favourites are getting the camera right down low on the ground, and then directly above the subject (like an aerial view).   It totally changes the feel of the photos.

Try all sorts of angles.  Two of my favourites are getting the camera right down low on the ground, and then directly above the subject (like an aerial view).   It totally changes the feel of the photos.

5) GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL 

Don't be afraid to get really close to the subject, and to focus in on a single feature (like freckles on a nose, or eyelashes).  Set your f-stop at 4 or below and experiment.  The results make you feel like you are right in the moment.

Don't be afraid to get really close to the subject, and to focus in on a single feature (like freckles on a nose, or eyelashes).  Set your f-stop at 4 or below and experiment.  The results make you feel like you are right in the moment.

And I know it's corny, but have fun as you do it.  The photos ALWAYS turn out better if you enjoy yourself. xxx Anna

Source: www.annapretorius.com