Angela Higgins – Lifestyle Photographer » Lifestyle Photographer of kids, babies, families and weddings

I know the weekend is not over but I am pleased to report I have had a good one. A weekend that may have such an extraordinary impact on our lives. I don’t want to divulge too much right now but this decision that Grant and I need to make over the next couple of days is a big step in a direction we both want. We are both so happy and excited and also just a little nervous.

I hope to be able to share the good news within a couple of months. I don’t want to jinx it. And no, I am not pregnant so we can get that speculation out of the way

Something a little more minor, but nevertheless just as important, was breakfast this morning. I don’t often make pancakes but yesterday I finally bought some maple syrup and couldn’t wait to try some.

Growing up I usually went for lemon and sugar on my pancakes and as an adult, pretty much the same or blueberry pancakes. Grant goes for butter and strawberry jam, Phoebe for strawberries, blueberries, honey, jam, butter, sugar (pretty much each pancake is different) and Ben . . . well Ben goes for vegemite and strawberries – yes, at the same time. Don’t ask!

So I bought some maple syrup to try instead of honey and now that I have it in the house I am sure to be making pancakes more often. I loved it! Phoebe will be pleased

In honor of Friday, here is a mix I made this afternoon. No kids, no work. Its gonna be good. Look out for the tribute to the 80’s in the middle.

Happy Friday!

Very exciting! Well, I’m excited anyway and I can only hope that my clients will also feel just as excited when they use it.

Ok, enough of the cryptic codes. The Client Lounge and Proofing area has been renovated and revamped and is back online. If you are a past or current client, you will notice the differences straight away.

I have streamlined the pricing packages and simplified the format of the lounge to encourage the focus on the images which is what its all about at the end of the day. My goal is for my clients to have a pleasant visual experience throughout the entire process. From making their booking to viewing their gallery to receiving their prints – every part of the process should be enjoyable and visually pleasing.

A couple of new features are canvas and metallic prints as an additional option, all galleries are private but you can still invite family and friends to view your images – you are the one in control, a FAQ page to help you through the experience and the products and a number of new packages and collections are listed in your price group.

Something really exciting that I am pleased to offer to the public after a few enquiries, are Limited Edition Art Prints. These prints are the result of my own projects and would be great for a limited edition art piece in your home either as a canvas or even a series of small prints framed.

I am currently researching new vendors for customised cards and intend to offer a card option using these images also. You could have them for note cards or greeting cards – how nice!

So be sure to head on over and check out the prints on offer as limited editions. They will be updated on a regular basis and you might find just the piece of art you have been looking for.

You will also notice that there are some changes taking place here on the blog. I will try to make them as minor as possible but some new features will be available to again make the whole experience a seamless and enjoyable one.

Ange
xx

Some more images from the mini sessions on Sunday. Such fun! The day was almost textbook spring and just perfect for a shoot. We had some fun in the park and then moved on down towards the water for some splashing around.

Can you believe this little guy wouldn’t have a bar of me until I declared that the session was over and he gave me this look? I think this is why people say you should never work with dogs or children. You just never know what they are going to do and usually it is the opposite of what you want. I wouldn’t have it any other way – I am so lucky to be able to do what I do. How could I not when you look at this little man?

From a mini session to at Hillary’s Marina. A set of twins and their big sister made the perfect threesome.

Although not a typical portrait, I love that they are all facing different directions and yet sitting together. Considering their personalities are all so very different, it seemed fitting.

Oh, we’re one comment away from reaching 100 comments. First person to comment gets themselves a $20 iTunes voucher!!

**EDITED TO UPDATE** We have a winner. Congrat’s Megan! I’ll be in touch shortly to gift you your voucher.

I am very pleased to showcase a new product that is available to both past and present clients. The canvas print is something that has to be seen to be believed. I am amazed at the clarity and sharpness of the print when applied to canvas.

Here is a little on the process. Your image is applied to cotton canvas using archival pigment ink and given a protective lacquer layer that adds extra protection from the elements and handling and your canvas has an expected lifespan of over 75 years. Yep, that’s right – 75 years!

Your canvas print is then stretched onto wood frame and all four sides are coloured black to maintain the integrity of the image. To top it off, your canvas arrives to you ready to hang – all you need to do is make sure there is a hook waiting for it on your wall.

Be sure to ask about it and contact me for pricing. Canvas prints are available in custom sizes from size 16×20″ and up. Doesn’t Lily look gorgeous!

Oh, I wanted to mention that the Client Lounge is currently under renovations. I believe all orders are submitted that were to be received, but if you are a current client and looking to place an order while the lounge is offline, please contact me to make alternative arrangements.

I have finally decided to start getting some artwork on our walls and I thought what better artwork than some of my favourite photographs that hold some real meaning for me and my family.

I have a favourite image of a magnolia taken in 2007 and have been playing around with some editing on it tonight. I’m thinking it looks great in black and white and have it cropped square and and a thin frame. Big enlargement – perhaps 30 inches. I have the print narrowed it down to these 3. I’m leaning towards #2 . . . or perhaps #3. I’m stuck.

#1

#2

#3

But then I see it in colour and am thinking it looks great too. What do you think?

I hope todays auspicious date of 08.08.08 was good to everyone and perhaps some people had some extra good luck.

I know at least one person got some great news today. I received some wonderful entries for my inaugural competition but I pretty much knew from the moment I read this one that it was going to be hard to beat. It embodies all the reasons I do what I do and the entire reason for this competition.

Below is an exerpt from the winning entry.

Dear Angela

(My husband) and I married less than three years ago. With our union a new, little family was created. I became a wife and a step mum, he became a husband and his two daughters suddenly had a step mum, in addition to their own mother, to whom they are totally devoted. It was a shock to the system to say the least, for all of us.

Slowly we have grown to feel more and more like a family, with much love hopefully overriding the little bumps and growing pains along the way. We are a family though and it was only last weekend that I mentioned to my husband that it would be wonderful to have a family portrait. As difficult and tricky as the ‘modern family’ dynamic can be, I strongly believe that we should hold firm to the wonderful and nurturing things that families did in the past. I want our family to do all the ‘old fashioned’ things that will always be remembered and hopefully passed on to the next generation; things like camping holidays, Sunday drives, playing in the park, collecting shells on the beach, making Birthday cards and doing homework together, barbeques in Summer, stories at bedtime and a family portrait on the sideboard!

I am so proud of how far we have come as a family. It brings tears to my eyes when I think about my husband his girls and ‘our’ family.  I would love a family portrait to become a part of our history.

Megan

Having a partner who has two children and understanding the sometimes difficult nature of the unconventional family, I empathise with Megan completely. I also love that she wants to capture and treasure those memories that are developing in her new family and I agree that a family portrait would be perfect for her family.

I know that even in the most nuclear of family’s, “memory making moments” can be overlooked for computers and TV’s and work. I love that Megan sees the importance of such simple things such as night-time stories and spending time together to create their own history as a family.

So congratulations Megan! I can’t wait to meet with you and your family to take your first family portrait.

I couldn’t resist and have also given some runner-up prizes to some other brilliant entries. I was so overwhelmed at the stories told.

Have a great weekend everyone

Ange
xx

A couple of months ago I did a shoot with the Smith’s. I was so pleased to see an order come through for one of my fine art books and I wanted to share some of the spreads with you.

When I create a book, it is done from scratch. I don’t use templates but rather create each page from a blank canvas basically. These are some of the layouts from the book (the website watermark is not on the actual pages, its just for copyright protection on here

And now, the book itself. Being 5×5″ it was a little difficult to photograph and the images really don’t do it justice. The colours are so rich and deep. I loved it so much I got myself a copy.

They are so worth the investment. Imagine having this on your coffee table when friends come over.

A perfect wet nose above an under-bite. A delicate looking pink tongue with a mind of its own. Copper coloured eyes that speak volumes. These are the parts that make her, her.