Win a free photo shoot for you and a friend

With Christmas just around the corner, I am feeling very generous, and have decided to give away not ONE but TWO photo shoots. That's right. TWO. One for you. And one for your best friend, or your granny, or your sister. Whoever... but you both have to take part... it's so easy....

This is how it works:
1. Go along and 'Like' the Taryn van Rensburg Photography Facebook page, if you haven't done so already.
2. Come back and tell me here that you have liked my page (even if you ALREADY liked it), and WHO SENT YOU, under the comment section of this post on my blog (if you sent yourself, and you're a nice friend, you could nominate a friend as the person "who sent you").

Additional entries:
1. Tweet the link to this competition on your Twitter page.
2. Post the link to this competition on your Facebook page. 
3. Blog the link to this competition on your blog.
4. Like the link to this competition on my Facebook page.

For every additional entry, remember to come back and post a comment telling me what you did! That gives you up to 5 entries... making it even easier to win. Plus, if your friend nominates you, that'll give you... oh, I dunno... LOTS of entries!!

The prizes:
One person will win a free photo shoot, plus the CD of a minimum of 20 custom edited high res images.
PLUS
The "person who sent them" will ALSO win a free photo shoot, plus the CD of a minimum of 20 custom editted high res images.

Rules:
1. The prize is valid for 3 months (expires end February), and is for a maternity, newborn, child, couple or family shoot only (maximum of  two adults, and three children, thereafter a fee per person will be implemented).
2. The shoot is between 1-2 hours in duration, and winners will be required to travel to my studio (Ballito) at their own expense to take advantage of the prize.
3. The prize cannot be exchanged for cash.
4. Additional entries are just that: additional chances to win, but are not a pre requisite for entry.
5. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.
6. Please be nice. Any nasty comments or the like will be immediately removed, and your entry disqualified.
7. The competition runs until 30 November 2011. Competition winners will announced 02 December. Please check back on the blog to see if you're a winner. You will be required to email me in person within 48 hours of prize winners being announced, to claim your prize, or the prize will be forfeited.
8. Winners must 'like' the Taryn van Rensburg Photography on Facebook to qualify for the competition, including the 'person who sent you' (if they're simply nominated).
9. Should the prize winner have booked and paid for a photo shoot during this competition (the month of November), and provided the photo shoot was/ is due to take place before the end of February, their money will be refunded in full, so that they can take advantage of their prize in full.
10. The winner will be selected by random.org. The second prize winner will be the "person they sent"- this must show under comments, or the second prize is forfeited.

{Toddlers} - Child Photography Durban Ballito

I took this little girls first professional photos. It was a privilege then, and is a privilege again to take photographs of this very special family.

It was a baker of a day, and we were running around trying to catch open shade wherever we could. Little {A} was really quite obliging... and it paid off.

Hope you like your sneak peak, my special friends.

{Grungy Girls} - Child Newborn Maternity Photographer Durban Ballito

Seriously, there is nothing that makes me happier than some broken down walls, old machines, and pretty girls. What a combination!

These gals, and their folks and I had lots of fun. At one stage, I got so excited with all these great colours (rusted red, bright worn blue), that I, literally, fell on my... er... bottom! It was quite the laugh.

I do really enjoy photographing children. And ore than anything, we get to have so much fun. And this is how I believe photoshoots should be: fun! None of that yes and no nonsense! For the kids, it's their chance to shine (and take advantage of their parents while the photographer lets them get away with just about anything!). It's worth it in the end.

Special family. Great photographs. Happy photographer.

I hope you enjoy your sneak peak.

Be a better Photographer: Weekly photography tips

I'm no guru on the matter... but having been "doing" photography for well over 12 years, I have learnt some stuff along the way. I'm not going to get nitty gritty with heavy photography jargon.... partly because some of it goes straight over my head, and partly because as valuable as that stuff is, if you've just started out with photography, that stuff ain't gonna matter just yet (or possibly ever!).

My worst thing when I first started out was... well... not knowing where to start. From the outset, my husband was throwing out technical jargon at me, and I just didn't know what he was talking about... and at one stage, I thought "what's the point... maybe he'll be the photographer... not me". But, thankfully, I loved it too much to quit (and I'm simply NOT a quitter by nature).

I realised quite early that you can have all the "know how" in the world... but without a good eye, all that know how may be wasted. The other thing about photography, is that if you have an interest in photographing people... you're gonna have to enjoy them. I'm lucky: I love people, I've always had a relatively good eye... and I was stubborn enough to want to know more... and more... and more... and that is never going to change. I continue to try push my boundaries. It's one of the MO's behind my new Joy-365 blog.. but more on that in week one's tip.

So, I wanted to share some simple, yet effective tips on how you can get better. It may mean you'll just take better pictures of your dog. Or perhaps it'll mean that you realise that it's something you'd like to pursue as a career... and well, then you need to do some more serious soul searching (and, of course, some course searching).

I hope you'll join me along the way. If you're a professional already: well, maybe these tips aren't for you. This is for Aunty Mavis, who wants to be better, and just wants some simple, real, easy to understand language, on how to be a better photographer

{Mommy Goggles} - Child Photographer Durban Ballito

You know, being a photographer is a great career! I love taking pictures of tummys, babies, and kiddos. I do especially enjoy the kiddos- and parents reactions when they see their beautiful pictures. I often get asked how I get other peoples children to smile/ look so good/ not pull funny faces.... but here's the funny thing about what I do: it's practically impossible to get decent photos of my own children!!

I have been doing some serious coaxing on them lately: practice smiles, no funny faces, catching them off-guard... anything to get a decent picture.

And on this particular occasion I succeeded in getting some great pictures of my eldest. Not many, mind you, but in my defence, I only took a few anyway. And look at my handsome boy! I can't believe how grown up he is becoming. He is a smart, sensitive and caring boy. He's 7 going on 18 though, and there are days I wish I could just press pause, or maybe even rewind to the sweet little boy with dimples who would do anything to please his mother... he is rapidly growing up, and I know in no time at all will really have no time for me whatsoever *sniff*

So proud of him (as I am of all my children)!

{Harris Family - Take 2} - child newborn maternity photographer Ballito Durban

I just couldn't resist posting a few more, now that mum has her gallery up, and has seen her pics.

Beautiful family, hey?!

{Harris Family} - Child Newborn Maternity Photographer Ballito Durban

This was a long awaiting shoot... the weather has not been kind to us, plus we've had a few run ins with pink eye, flu and the like. So it was with much anticipation that we finally got around to actually doig the shoot!

And the weather was super kind to us this time... maybe a bit TOO kind... boy was it a warm work out.

This sweet little brother and sister were just adorable. I had so much fun with them. Children are funny things- because they're often hesistant when they first meet me- unsure of this strange lady, and all her equipment. But by the end, we're having so much fun, I have to remind myself to stop!!

Mum and Dad, I hope you all had as much fun as me... and I sure hope you like your sneak peek! I had a real hard time choosing which pics to post... there are too many more nice ones where these came from (and I wanted to save some of the best for your eyes to see first!).

Enjoy!

Such a serious face here... but I got amazing smiles too! Don't let this pic fool you... she was FULL of smiles!


This poor "Ellie" was being jumped on and thrown on the floor by little {S} (instigated by me, of course)... so much so, that it had to end in a cuddle! And little {T} was having fun in the tree with Dad... perfect photo op!


We had so much fun lying on the floor, then jumping, then on the floor again!


Can't wait for you to see the rest!

{Gorgeous G} - Child Newborn Maternity Photographer, Ballito, Durban

I so enjoyed this sesson with young {G}. What a sweet girl. She was full of spunk, and was keen for all the changes, and just spent the whole session chatting away to me. I loved it!

Hope you love the pics as much as I do, L:

{Boys Boys Boys} - Ballito Durban Child Photographer

What a great family! These sweet little twin boys were just too gorgeous... and such chilled out little fellas too.I really enjoyed this family... even though Dad's work means they're apart alot, you could just see the bond. It was very special.

N - thank you for being so patient! I hope it was worth the wait :)

Meet little {J} - Newborn Photographer Durban Ballito

Meet sweet little {J} - 7 days new

I just love the way mums are so enthusiastic with newborn shoots. I really get to meet the most special people, and of course their even more special little people.

This little boy was super chilled. He had the most beautiful skin, and was a really "pretty" baby (Dad, don't worry, that's a COMPLIMENT for a baby... I have no doubt he'll be a strapping man when he grows up :)). I love the super mooshie skin newborns have... gorgeous.

So here he is, at 7 days new, with his wonderful parents... so much love in this family! I love it!

{Dainty P} - Newborn Child and Maternity Photography Ballito Durban

Little {P} 2 weeks old... she did not love my man handling... she's clearly a little lady :) She also wasn't keen on being unswaddled... can't say I blame her... pretty chilly.... And all the heaters in the world weren't enough for her.

But we got some gorgeous shots... she really was as good as gold.

Special people. Special little girl. Not too much else to say.

My Baby Boy {J} - Newborn, Maternity & Newborn Photographer, Ballito, Durban, KZN

I am so in love with this boy... and, well, I hate to say it, but he was by far the most angelic little model... slept the whole session- and let me completely man handle him... I was worried he'd smell my milk, and be very awake... but he was instead a little superstar. This little boy rocks my world... he's number 4 (yes... FOUR!)... and we're in love

Here is my beautiful baby boy at just 10 days new...



How's this for a handsome man... ! Stop wagging your tongue... he's all mine :)

{Angel A} - Newborn, infant and child photographer, Ballito, Durban, South Africa

What a little angel little {A} was. At only 3 days new, she's my youngest "model" so far... and she was just an absolute little star! Hardly a peep... sweet and gorgeous... and don't you love her little lips? Pink, and full of pout, and all girl!

She was super sleepy, and let us position her in all sorts of positions... and she has the longest most delicate little feet I have ever seen.

And mom being so able and willing, 3 days after a c-section! Very brave :)

And without further adieu:

{Balloons for Baby} - Maternity, Newborn & Child Photographer, Durban, Ballito

I so loved this shoot with T&N.... I can't wait to meet your little precious, and as a product of you two... she's going to be gorgeous!!

Some of my favourites from the day. Isn't T gorgeous!?

Loving the textures here:



Pretty in pink:



I love love love the balloons... I think I may have to use them more and more!

{To stand or not to stand... still} - Child photographer, Ballito, Durban, KZN, South Africa

Goodness! To get my boys to stand still for longer than 1 second, is a near impossibility. Adding to that, the fact that they HATE having their pictures taking... adding to that their need to give me the silly, unnatural smiles, makes for taking decent shots of them basically impossible.

So two on one afternoon isn't bad going...