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

You know, this time last year it didn’t even cross my mind that I might photograph weddings. They seemed so intangible and such hard work and I truly admired those who do it on a weekly basis. They are alot of hard work but so rewarding. I am loving the creative challenge involved and especially the connection of such an emotive day. I think I am on the right path – it just feels right. But enough of that, time to show you what I have been up to.

Grant and Isabella are simply stunning together. They were married on Saturday and I was so pleased to be a part of their day. All of the details came together in such unison to create the quintessential summer wedding. I am so in love with all the colours and hues! Perhaps this is where the saying “a picture can speak a thousand words” should come into play and I can let their collection speak for itself. I truly hope these images have done them justice.

Flowers: Willetton Wedding Flowers
Ceremony/Reception: Cottesloe Civic Centre
Event Coordinator: Comestibles

Back in September 08, I shot a wonderful session with 3 sisters. Just recently their parents ordered a book from the session amongst some other things and I was so happy when they did. These books are magnificent and I love creating them. Every time I show one to a client or a friend it is always the same remarks of “How beautiful!”, “So sophisticated!” or simply “I want one!”

My approach when designing a book is minimalist. I like lots of clean white space that allows the images to speak for themselves and for the book to tell a story rather than simply house images.

These books are something I have been offering for a while and I honestly never get tired of receiving them from the courier before wrapping them up and sending them onto my Client. I have another type of coffee table book that is very high end and in the works at the moment. This is something more for my wedding clients but would be perfect for any of my clients honestly. I can’t wait to show you.

So I thought I would share some layouts from this particular book and show you how it looks once printed and bound. This particular book was 40 sides (or 20 pages) and 8×8″ in size. This first image is the front and back cover wrapped all around the book.

And now for the book itself. Every book comes with a customised silver stamping on its protective cover. The pages are thick and luxurious with black and whites so deep and colours that really pop. It is sure to become a family heirloom.

There were so many gorgeous shots from Toby and Nyaree’s wedding collection that I thought I would share some of them with you. This is about 1/4 of their collection and just some of my favourites.

Enjoy

Unless you have been living under a rock, you will know of the total devastation experienced in Victoria over the past week. These bushfires and the carnage left behind has the infamous title of being the most tragic and significant disaster in our short history. Over 180 lives have been lost in the fires and over 750 families have lost their homes. It goes without saying that this sort of event makes you think about what you have and how lucky you are.

In the business I am in where I take moments to document those important relationships, events and the “in-between” for people to look back on their memories with clarity and a smile on their face, this is even more relevant.

Although I have donated to the Red Cross earlier in the week, I still feel like I could do more – that I should do more. Really, in a situation like this I don’t believe there will ever be enough assistance given but Australia has shown its true colours by banding together and already raising over $31m in donations towards this disaster through the Red Cross.

Today I came across a number of other photographers who are donating their time and services in order to gather further donations for those that have been affected by the fires. I am proud to be in a position where I can also do this and have decided to follow suit.

So if you are interested in booking a portrait session with me, do it in April. I have decided to donate all session fees for April to the Red Cross to help those affected by the bushfires. Simply visit the Australian Red Cross website, donate your $50 session fee via the secure online donations form, send me an electronic copy of your receipt and we will organise a time and date for your session! It’s that simple! I normally only offer a few portrait sessions per month but in order to really have an impact I have opened up my calender and am offering twice the number of sessions during April.  There are currently 6 slots available for April so please be quick and be sure to email me first to reserve your date and to let me know to expect your receipt.

I love finding new things. In particular, I love finding new things that look fabulous and make life easier, simpler and more beautiful. Sometimes the fact that they are also friendly to me, my family and the environment is an added bonus and perhaps justifies me going a little crazy trying them out and seeing if they are as good as they say. I thought I might share some of those things with you in case you are also looking for something fabulous that is also going to make your life easier and more beautiful.

Method Cleaning Products

I love this stuff. I wholeheartedly agree that in order to have a clean house you don’t have to kill the environment or your family’s health. I hate the smell of bleaches and disinfectants and can’t imagine what that sort of stuff is doing to my family so I ended up using the simple vinegar, baking soda and warm soapy water solution for most of my cleaning for a while. It took a long while before I finally saw Method on the shelves here in Perth (or perhaps Australia) but more and more products are appearing slowly. I love the packaging, the humorous and basic statements, the great scents they have and of course, the fact that they are all environmentally friendly and non-toxic. I have slowly been replenishing our cleaning supplies with Method and I can’t pick my favourite. I do love the flushable wipes (who honestly gets excited about flushable wipes!), the lavender surface cleaner, the ylang ylang daily shower spray and . . . well I had better leave it there. Oh, and apart from being pretty and smelling really nice, they do a great job cleaning too

Eco Store

Yep, more “friend of the earth” stuff. I came across Eco Store when I was looking for a more economical, environmentally friendly laundry powder option. Most laundry powders that had the “eco” label didn’t rock my boat but when I found Eco-Store Front Loader Powder, I was floored. They are plant based cleaning products that are effective and gentle on your skin. Cleans better than the other regular stuff, more economical with more washes per box and as an added bonus – its from NZ. You also don’t have powder spill everywhere when you open the box like other brands which is great. I’ve now added the dishwashing liquid and the handwash to our home and I can’t see them leaving any time soon. Check them out – you’ll be surprised. Oh, and for just a little bit more glamour in your laundry, find a big, cute glass container to put your powder in instead of having the box on display. I know, I’m a little anal like that

Nivea Sun Light Feel Everyday Sun Lotion SPF 30+

Although not a environmentally friendly product, I really do believe that sun protection is vital. I’m pretty fair and burn relatively easy but have always tried to stay out of the sun where possible to avoid any damage (fortunately this means no visible wrinkles for me just yet, yay!). Unfortunately, sometimes there is no option but to be in the full sun (especially in my job) and I have struggled to find just the right sunscreen. Either they are greasy, too thick, don’t work or melt on me and run into my eyes. This particular lotion however is none of those things. I wore Nivea Sun Light Feel Everyday Sun Lotion for the first time when shooting Toby and Nyaree’s wedding and even with a 40+ degree day, lots of sweating and standing in the full sun I didn’t get burnt. In my books, that makes this the best sunscreen I have come across in a while. It is just the perfect size too to fit into my Shootsac or my regular camera bag. I’m not sure what it is like on the face because I use another product for that, but it is perfect for an everyday sun protection. At less than $12 its an absolute bargain too.

Just a quick note to advise that there have been some issues recently with emailing getting through to me from both the website and in general. If you sent an email or completed the contact form via the website in the past 3 days and have not received a response, please send it through again and I will respond asap.

I know things have been quiet around here but I have a few posts in the works and some great new products I am dying to show you all. Stay tuned

We had a couple of birthdays around here during January. Both Lulu and Lily turned 4 years old and on Lily’s birthday which was also Australia Day, we headed out the back and got a few portraits. Isn’t she the cutest?

And just for laughs I thought I would share this out-take. I have no idea what happened for this face to appear but I love it She can make the funniest faces.