Can you visualise what photographs you would like on your walls?

Some people are not great at visualising how something will look.  Whilst we know what we want, sometimes it's nice to see it before we invest our hard earned dollars in it.  Whatever that "it" is. 

In my world it's photography and prints or canvases on the wall.  I know I like to surround myself with photographs and memories of my family and when I happen to pass by I quite often find myself smiling (at them).

I wanted to help my clients see beyond just the framed print on the wall and see the potential of a canvas and what the emotional impact and physical impact it would have on their lounge, family room, hallway or bedroom. 

So as part of your proof session you will now be able to do just that.  See different sized photographs and how they will look on a wall in relation to other elements your room might have.

This new (to me) tool will open up a whole realm of possibility you may not have thought of before.

A lounge area with fireplace.......

A hallway with chair......

A couch with Triptych (3 photos in a row, all the same size).....

Different sized photographs grouped together to tell a story.....

During your proof session I will assist you in designing what works for you and your decor so that you too will find yourself smiling as you pass by.

Imagine the possibilities!  I can't wait to show you!

I'm back but wanted to share this quickly!

I am back from Hyden but I just wanted to share this quickly with you all.  Particularly those that participated in my workshop on the weekend and those that have in the past.

If you have an on-board flash then you can get one of these from Photojojo........

here's the blurb......

You know that folder on your desktop full of nearly awesome photos you need to touch up? The ones with red eyes, shiny foreheads, and bright overblown faces? It’s time to stop adding to it.


Slip the Pop-up Flash Bounce onto the hot shoe of your DSLR and you’ll be snapping pro-quality and shadow-free photos without hearing a chorus of “augh! My eyes!” after a blinding flash.

This smart and simple hood contains a mirror that directs the flash on your camera up, bouncing it off the ceiling to create even, natural light just like the pros do with their external flashes.

It's better than a diffuser because it bounces the light from your flash instead of just softening it.


With the Pop-up Flash Bounce you’ll finally have clear, evenly lit shots without shadows, reflections, or evil in the eyes of your friends.

Now you'll just have to figure out what to do with all the time you used to spend editing!

But click here to find out some more and be sure to take a look at the before and after shots too.

This would be great if you didn't want to fork out for a external flash but wanted to eliminate the "flash" look from your photos.....bouncing light!




Special Preview

As I have hinted in the last couple of weeks, I am have been madly trying to get a new and very exciting package together for my clients.  I have had to overcome a couple of obstacles along the way along with lots of thought into who I wanted to aim this style of photography at.  I can't say too much about the end product at the moment as I need to get another sample done next week and then I can launch the product to you all with great excitement on my behalf.  But in the meantime I can show you this.....

The concept will become clear once I can explain, I promise!  Sorry to be so cryptic but it will be something I am so looking forward to offering my "younger" clients (hint, hint).

Quality Control

As an experiment I got some photos printed at a "cheaper" digital print place (who will remain anonymous) and my "go to" professional photography lab today....all I can say is WOW what an amazing difference....this is one of the reasons (among many) I do not provide my images on disc....I feel that it really does open up the possibility of clients being disappointed with the end result and let's face it they have paid good money and deserve the best print they can get!

Product quality is something I am very passionate about and spend alot of time getting right.  You might pay a little more but I can give you peace of mind that you are getting a top grade product.

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My iPhone is coming in handy lately!
Sunset while I was waiting for Gemma at dancing. 
Half an hour of listening to myself breathe!

I'm signing off for a few days as I am heading out to Hyden (Wave Rock) for the weekend to participate but also teach at the Scrappin' Outback Wave Rock Scrapbooking Retreat. I'm so looking forward not only to the 4 hour drive each way listening to my music and singing along if I feel like it, but also catching up with all the wonderful ladies I see twice a year!

Packing has commenced (well a list of what I have to pack anyway!) so that is a start.  Hopefully I won't forget my clothes this time - would you believe I forgot to put my suitcase in my car a few years back!  I had all my scrapping gear and no clothes. I had to do a u-turn and head home to get them, luckily I was only about 20mins down the road.

So I will catch you all next week - have a great weekend and stay safe!

Preview : Cheri Part 2

I shared a single preview of Cheri a couple of weeks back, but I wanted to share the real reason for the photo session.....2 beautiful horses and 2 adored dogs.  The love she has for her animals is evident with her every look and she talks to them like they are her children.  Now I have not had alot to do with horses and I was just a little anxious to be in the same fenced arena as a bucking horse but after a few stern words from Cheri they settled down pretty quickly.

Thank you Cheri for sharing your passion with me for the afternoon, a challenge nonetheless on my behalf that I managed to achieve.

Enjoy! 



I Heart Faces Top 10 Winner!

Well here I was this morning enjoying my Sunday morning cup of tea and checking my email when I discover my entry into the I Heart Faces Sun Flare challenge has been judged by Jessica Claire (Los Angeles Wedding Photographer) as 10th place!  10th place feels like 1st place to me this morning.  I was definitely doing a little happy dance (inside).  It just feels so nice to be recognised by a renowned photographer that my photograph is good!  Simple.  It's good and it's a good feeling.

So I now get to put this little logo on my blog......

can you see it over there on the right hand side at the top?  If you click on the logo above or on the right it will take you to the blog post at I Heart Faces announcing the winners - please visit them because they are all fantastic photographers with some amazing talent and who doesn't like looking at great photographs.

Thank you to the Hamersley's too for what is still, one of my favourite photo sessions....ever!

Photography Workshop : Hyden 25-27 March

I will be teaching a Workshop at the Upcoming Wave Rock Scrapbooking Retreat 25th-27th March....here are the details!

“Tips and tricks to improve your photography”


Sharon of Sharon Manning Photography will take you through some of the fundamentals of photography including Light (without light we don’t have photography!), Composition and general tips and tricks to improve your photographic skills. You will learn about Rule of Thirds, Reflecting Light, Perspective and Angles. This will be a hands on class, so make sure you have your camera batteries charged and ready to create some magic!

 We will be doing a trip to Wave Rock to take photos of each other and groups using the tips we will learn – this is going to be great!

If you would like to attend the retreat there are still spots available and you can contact Karen from Scrappin' Outback for details.
 
Karen Smith
Shop 2/28 McPherson Street, Hyden, WA
PO Box 105, Hyden, WA, 6359
PH: (08) 98805300
FAX: (08) 98805762

scrappinoutback@bigpond.com

To those of you already attending - see you there!

Perth Family Photographer : F-G Preview

This is what you get when you have 3 gorgeous boys and a beautiful mother to photograph at their home in a natural bush setting.

Last Tuesday I photographed the F-G family (minus Dad he was working hard) and during the session I managed to fall flat on my behind whilst trying to navigate a grassy slope.....Jack (Big brother) tried not to laugh but it was pretty funny really especially when I had a camera in each hand and instinctively threw my arms up as I fell.  Luckily there were no injuries and I finished the session in one piece. 

The boys were great and very co-operative for me.....so the session went smoothly and I think you will be seeing alot more of Jack over the coming weeks as these images will perform a dual function....more to come on that one!

Mum and her boys.

Thanks Jack you were awesome.

Middle brother giving me the sultry model look!

But really this more like L!

The three boys together - it is obvious they are really quite close although I'm sure there are the usual boy stuff goin' on.

Littlest brother's choice to lay on top of this wall - good choice H!

This would have to be my favourite of Jack.

 

Mum!  I was playing around with some editing ideas in Photoshop and I really like the softness of this one.

Gorgeous C in classic Black and White (love my B&W's).

Thank you to the F-G family for a fabulous photo session....even if I did make a fool of myself!

I Heart Faces : Photo Challenge : Sun Flare

This weeks Challenge at I Heart Faces is Sun Flare - this would have to be one of my favourite photos ever, not just for the sun flare but because I captured the relationship between father and son!

Be sure to check out some of the other amazing entries over at

March Newsletter

My March Newsletter was sent out today via email.
If you would like to receive your own copy straight to your email box then click on the "Subscribe to Newsletter" on the right hand side of this page.

Or you can download your own copy by clicking on the image above!
Happy reading!
Sharon xo

I Heart Faces : Photo Challenge Week : Best Face Photo taken in Feb

My entry in this weeks I heart faces challenge is a personal one - me - a self portrait!
I don't like having my photo taken (like most people) but every now and then a good one pops up that I actually don't mind (like most people!)....this is one of those.

Be sure to visit iheartfaces to see all the wonderful entries and leave some lovin'.

Photgraphing Flowers

Gemma bought me home some gorgeous lillies yesterday and today I thought I would photograph them using my trusty white polystyrene as a background.

So here's my process:

Window is situated behind me.

Polystyrene is on an angle to the window to eliminate as much shadow as possible appearing directly behind the flowers.

I was using my 24-105mm lens. (I could have used my 50mm lens here too but I wanted a more wide angle shot that I could crop down).

Then I played in Photoshop and cropped some of the photos to suit.  This next photo I have not altered at all except to increase the exposure level to get a nice crisp white background....perfect!

On another image I played with some textures and colour overlays.  Then I added some subtle brushes to another layer and ended up with this.



Nice isn't it? - very subtle and romantic like.

Then I combined a couple of different ones and came up with this....

Give it a go.....try using a white sheet if you don't have any polystyrene or a pale coloured wall.  Make sure you are between your light source and your subject to get the best results....but most of all just have fun!

Mixed bag in point form

1. New Photography package is coming along nicely thank you - I really cannot wait to share this one with you....by the end of next week I promise!

2. Ellenbrook was hit by a big Thunderstorm on Monday, roads were blocked by fallen trees and there was lots of damage everywhere!  We live in Bullsbrook (about 20 mins north of here) but received hardly any storm at all!

3. Paid a visit to here with Lis - came out totally stuffed!

4. This baby was released on Wednesday, not actually available for a while here in Aus....I want one I would like one....that's it - that's all I'm going to say!

5. I have been crafting...look at the mess I have made....

We are heading into a long weekend here in Perth and we have a few things planned to enjoy our mini break.  I am thankful the humid weather has abated for a while - I don't do humid, like alot of people I have come across these past few weeks given their grumpy moods.  Hot and dry is ok so hopefully it will continue along with the happier dispositions!

Stay safe and see you next week!

She Art Workshop

I am participating in Christy Tomlinson's She Art Workshop (just for me!) which started yesterday but I had other plans yesterday and so today I got to play.  Here is my first effort - Girl 1 - She belongs to my eldest daughter Renae and hopefully she will take pride of place in her new home. The words say "She knew where she was from".

We have learned the basics so far and I have 2 more girls I can create before Week 2 starts.  I think I need some more practise on the hair - there are a couple more styles I need to try out I think.

Anyway not bad for a first effort and I had so much fun - mess everywhere!