Beyond Snapshots

I get asked a LOT by friends, family and clients about taking photos and recommending places to learn. I am primarily self taught having taken classes in photography at highschool, uni and tafe over the years but most I have learnt myself by reading, practising a lot and trial and error. There are some great books out there to read and learn the basics but you can learn a lot by reading online, for FREE! Check out this site which is set up by two female photogs to teach people how to take great photos themselves....

.... and here is my entry for their competition to win a GORGEOUS red (my fav!) bag from Epiphanie... photo from my January photo a day series of my youngest in a bit of a red mood having an outdoor bath.

2010 - already!

Well 2009 most certainly flew by. I had a good year, it was very busy for photos especially heading towards Christmas as the Perth weather warmed up and people got moving out and about. Personally, I tackled the greater portion of a Graduate Diploma in Education this year which was incredibly interesting for me as a parent and nice to be back studying again despite the overnighters to get assignments in on time. 2010 will be spent finishing the one year long practical component unit and the ATP in term 3 - NOT looking forward to that one bit and may put it off another year. I'm in no hurry it was mainly for my own personal interest that I decided to do it. My three kids all grew about three inchs and for the most part it was the first year of having all my children at school but although I had more time I just crammed it full of more work and study. It was fun, challenging and tiring in equal portions. I also missed my kids.
2009 saw several beautiful friends of mine go through some extremely challenging times. Some I was able to be there for and others I wasn't although my heart was always with them. It was hard emotionally watching on from afar yet there is nothing you can do to really change anything. I hope 2010 sees good health and happiness for all my friends and family.

For the summer holidays I am going to attempt a personal project taking one photo every day. In reality I take photos several days a week and usually hundreds at a time, but this usually isn't of my own family. I have a little point and shoot Olympus that I take the happy snaps of my family life with nothing flash just capturing the memories and then once or twice a month I drag the gear out and take some photos of the kids. For January I plan on taking at least one half decent shot every day - simple just one photo of my life that makes me smile. I will post them here in batches. Pretty sure it won't be every day that I post but I will at least take that photo every day.

Newness...

I love seeing repeat clients - this little guy will be five months old already and I get to go play with him tomorrow!

Happy Easter

I have had a very long week cramming in as much processing as possible to make sure everyone has their galleries up by easter. I hate being behind with work so here I am at 3am and nearly up to date - hurray!
For your viewing pleasure here is the stunning Bella - an amazingly gorgeous little soul that I photographed along with her siblings a little while ago. I am heading down south for a few days R&R and my phone doesn't have range where we are staying so please shoot me an email if you have any questions or need help with gallery access.. davinahurst@yahoo.com
Here 's Ashton having his own bit of R&R complete with mummy getting in his space! Wishing everyone a wonderful easter break, please travel safely.

Leukaemia Foundation

The great thing about never updating the blog is that I have so many beautiful images that I get to revisit with when I do. I have just prepared about 30 images for posting from the past months that never made it to the blog, the plan is that now I have them ready I can do some regular posting ;)

So a few weeks ago I posted about my participation in the Leukaemia Foundations Worlds Greatest Shave. I am very thrilled to have been able to raise just under $3.4K to provide practical care and support to patients and families living with leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders. I have yet to update my official 'portrait' but you can view photos of me with my new 'do' on the Leukaemia Foundations website taken by photographer Lauren Parlet who was roped into the job on the night - thanks Lauren!
Leukaemia Foundation

These photos are from quite a while ago but the one below just makes me laugh, I feel like I am being told off by a little Cabbage Patch Kid!

Baldies [child photographer perth]

So what do I and this little guy have in common...
well its soon to be our hairstyles!

On March 14th I am being brave and participating in the Worlds Greatest Shave in support of the Leukaemia Foundation. The funds raised will help the Leukaemia Foundation to provide practical care and support to patients and families living with leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders. To celebrate and help raise much needed funds I am donating ALL session fees for bookings in March direct to the foundation. This cute little baldy above was the first client of the month and the first to donate $100 direct to the foundation on my behalf - what a great feeling that is!

So if you have a session booked for March or would like to make a booking in March please visit
http://my.imisfriendraising.com.au/personalPage.aspx?SID=53309 and donate today. As a special offer for all clients that take up this offer I will give you a free 8x10 print. How good is that?

*Blink* [Davina Hurst - Perth newborn photographer]

Well you blink and it is February and all that is here is the echo of my own voice.

So yes, I'm still here. Yes, I'm still working. Yes, life is crazy busy.
Yes, I have about a gazillion sessions to post.

For now I promised my friends I would share the gorgeously beautiful babies that I spent my weekend with. You could not have asked for more perfect models, they ate when they were told, slept when they were told and let me do my thing. What bliss.
I mean really could it be any sweeter than this! I photographed this little chick when she was a newborn and her older brother when he was a newborn too. What a privilege. They are all the most awesomely sweet - and well behaved children. Good work mum & dad :)

Pre-Kindy

Ohh this is late all the parents will be hunting me down!! This ones mum reminded me!!

For the last couple of years I have had the pleasure of photographing the local pre-kindy kids, they are mainly three year olds and almost always an absolute delight. As a special offer to the first parent to hit on my comment button below you will receive a complimentary photo shoot and 8x10 print to be used in the first half of 2009. For everyone else I am offering half price sitting fees, thats $50 and an entire shoot devoted to you and your loved ones if you book a photo shoot before the end of the kindy term! If you loved what I captured in 5 mins with your child, imagine having two hours worth.

(p.s. booking before the end of term is just that 'booking' sorry but I am full, full, full for pre-christmas shoots)