I had distinct pleasure of photographing the 10-day old baby Jamie this week. Her mum Enjel and I have been friends since highschool – actually we didn’t like each other very much to start, but clearly things changed after a while and we’ve remained friends over the past 17 or so years.

I don’t often get to photograph newborns, and the fact that Jamie is the daughter of one of my closest friends made her even that much more special to me. I was pretty happy with the photos while at the same time being so scared that Enjel and her husband Ray wouldn’t like them! Thankfully they do, so all is well!

Congratulations Enjel and Ray, she is just the sweetest thing and I hope to capture many, many more photos of her as she grows up!

Posted by Netra on Jan 29th 2010 | baby - family - personal - photography
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For those of you who dont know, I am a member of an amazing organisation called the “Australian Community of Child Photographers” (or ACOCP).

The Australian Community of Child Photographers (formerly known as the Australian Charity of Child Photographers) is a volunteer organisation of child photographers from all over Australia who have come together to form an organisation dedicated to giving the gift of photographic memories to families that have experienced stillbirths, premature and ill infants and children in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units of their local hospitals, as well as children with serious and terminal illnesses. The ACOCP is dedicated to providing this gift to families in a caring, compassionate and heartfelt manner.

I was recently contacted by Sharon Mallin who is also an ACOCP photogapher in NSW. She had recently photographed baby girl ’A’ who had had a nasal tube. You can see the images on Sharon’s blog here. A’s parents had wanted the tube removed from just a couple of her photos. Digital retouching is never, EVER something suggested by our photographers, it is only ever at the request of the parents of the child. It is part of the free service we offer and are very grateful to the family for allowing us to share the images of their baby girl.

You can find out more about the ACOCP and their services by visiting their website www.acocp.org.au. If you, or anyone you know ever has need of you services, please contact the ACOCP rep in your state, contact details available on the website.

Posted by Netra on Jan 24th 2010 | baby - photography - pro bono
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On Saturday I had the distinct pleasure of photographing these two gorgeous girls. Apart from their cute names, they were equally adorable in person. Sophia and I hit it off right from the start and it didn’t take much to coax a smile once the pettiskirts were on!

It was the first time I’d had a chance to use the teeny-tiny pettis from Marcella Creations in a client session and I was stoked with the results. David and Kath had just bought a gorgeous new home and the front two rooms were a flooded with natural light and white walls – truly a photographers dream to shoot in! All the lovely neutral colours were the perfect backdrop of these shots and I love the peachy tones of the family photos.

The first shot is my absolute favourite from the session. I wish I had one with my girls like it! I’d have it as a giant canvas in the living room *sigh*

David and Kath, enjoy your sneak peek!

Posted by Netra on Nov 8th 2009 | adult - baby - child - family - photography
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Yesterday I had the pleasure of photographing the scrumptious, 11week old Matthew. Matthew wasn’t feeling the best, but still kept me entertained with lots of chatter and sweet gurgles and coos. I managed to capture a few cheeky smiles and those cheeks were just the sweetest thing. His parents had the most amazing terrace garden and the day was so lovely we stepped outside for some candid family shots as well. Here are a few of my favourites from the day.

Posted by Netra on Sep 20th 2009 | baby - family - photography
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After many and varied challenges, www.MarcellaCreations.com.au is finally LIVE!

Mention this blog to receive 10% off your pettiskirt order (first ten orders only). If you’re wanting to order a few, make sure to mention that as Marcella offers fab discounts for larger orders as well. She also ships interstate and to other countries, just ask for a quote!

Posted by Netra on Sep 8th 2009 | baby - child - commercial - design - graphic design - marketing - photography
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I am so proud to have a photo selected for the Australian Breastfeeding Association 2010 Calendar.

The photo was from my very very first official portfolio building session with Marlene and her daughter Holly. Holly is also the baby featured in my banner, sitting in the large bowl. That image has become one of my ‘hero’ images and carries through all of my marketing.

And here she is now on the calendar, featured in September, sharing a quiet intimate moment with her mum, who was clearly besotted with her gorgeous daughter.

Posted by Netra on Sep 6th 2009 | baby - commercial - marketing - photography - pro bono
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I got back from a long 3 days shooting for 2 clients and found a happy email in my inbox. The lovely Susan Greenbank from the Australian Breastfeeding Association sent me through this image snapped by Rachel Fuller picturing Brooke Higgs, from the ABA’s VIC Branch helpline team, and the demo “baby” Luke posing next to one of my banners (that just went to print on Monday)!

We are still using the image I captured of Joannah and Jaylene at 16-ish weeks in the advertising and I’m thrilled its been so well received and still going as strong as ever. Such a great start to the weekend!

Posted by Netra on Aug 21st 2009 | adult - baby - commercial - corporate - design - graphic design - marketing - photography
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…for someone very special.

You may remember Jaylene, the smiley happy baby that I had the distinct pleasure of photographing for the Australian Breastfeeding Association. Jaylene and her mum Jo, are the faces of the Breastfeeding Helpline advertising campaign which you may remember from a previous blog entry.

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Jaylene was 16 weeks when I photographed her back in January and she will be celebrating her first birthday very shortly! Jo asked me to design an invitation for Jaylene’s party and sent through a few photos of her toothy grin to use. Well I loved the cupcake from the previous invite I’d done and ‘borrowed’ the same basic idea and put it to good use for Jaylene.

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Posted by Netra on Aug 14th 2009 | baby - child - commercial - design - graphic design - photography
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I’ve known Jo & Chris since 2004 when I was expecting Kyra and they were expecting their first son, Zack. Zack was born a very sick little boy and when he was 9 months old, lost his long and difficult battle and passed away. It was so tragic, he’d fought so hard and smiled his cheeky golden smile through it all. We attended Zack’s funeral and witnessed their agony and grief which was heartwrenching. What struck me was how tiny the white coffin was and how sweet and innocent Zack’s stuffed elephant looked next to all the flowers.

Jo and Chris have since had the cherubic Caitlyn (look at those adorable angelic curls!) and more recently welcomed their second son, Micah into the world. I was very honoured when they asked me to capture a family portrait of them. Caitie was very determined NOT to have her photo taken, and so it made for a high-energy session that involved swatting at balloons and then snapping photos with one hand. We went through a fair few balloons, a few crocodile tears, lots of cajoling and bribery! Micah was adorable, slept a little for me and we managed to capture a couple of images with Zack’s elephant as well.

Posted by Netra on Jul 20th 2009 | baby - child - family - photography
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Rhea was such a cutie to photograph! I just wanted to squeeze and cuddle her all day long. She has the most gorgeous complexion, with glorious dark eyes and silky dark hair. When her mum put her into the red embroidered outfit, I broke out the black backdrop for some dramatic colours.

She had such an expressive face – here are a few of my faves from her session…

Posted by Netra on Jul 7th 2009 | baby - photography
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