Capturing your professional identity

Taking the first step to promoting yourself in the business world starts with your image. Social media profiles are increasingly important in building your business identity. It's a powerful branding tool and you have to be strategic in building it. Did you know that LinkedIn research shows that a page with a profile picture is seven times as likely to be viewed as a page without one?

Few things to consider when selecting/capturing your corporate and social media profile image:

• First things first - make sure you have a profile image

• We all love our kids, cats and dogs but it maybe be best to have your profile image feature you alone. Being so strongly identified with your cat for example might not be appropriate unless you are a Bondi Vet Dr Chris Brown.

• The way you are dressed should reflect the norms of the profession you are in or hope to join. It's usually good to keep the glitz to the minimum but if you are in the fashion industry it might be more appropriate.

• Image should be current and looking like true YOU. What you don't want is to meet with a client or walk into an interview and have the person say, 'I wouldn't have recognized you, you look so different' 

  So if your profile image needs a revamp please contact me so we can lock in a session and capture your professional identity.

Bookings 0424 080 565 or me@sannagriffin.com.au

Family portrait session Melbourne

I have been meaning to share this with you. Sally was my competition winner and we finally managed to book the shoot in Feb. These guys were so much fun - so relaxed! 

Our Month in Photos - March

What an eventful month! We have started kinder and swimming, celebrated 3rd birthday and Easter, we have marched in a parade, we have had warm weather and cold weather (well coolish) and we have had our first big gravel rash (ouch).

 

Did you have a busy month?

Birth announcement cards and "watch me grow" package

I recently intrduced new package: Watch me grow! It captures the many changes in your child's first year.

The package includes 3 photoshoots over 12 month period, one 8x10" matted print from each shoot, 5 digital images from each shoot, online gallery and 24 birth announcement cards. I have created four birth announcement templates together for you. So when you book the package you get to choose one of these cards. I'm really happy with them .. Which one if your favourite?

Oh the package is $650 which is fantastic value. It could be the perfect baby shower gift you have been looking for. Every mother would love to receive this package. 

What does your photographs mean to you?

If my house would caught on fire what would be the first thing I would try to save? Well after making sure my family was safe I would try to save my photographs: albums, hard drive(!) and laptop. They are more valuable to me than my clothes, electrical goods or jewellery (not that I have anything fancy/expensive). You can always replace all the above but photohraphs you can't. You can't redo wedding ceremonies, babies first steps, birthdays etc. For me photographs like are little time capsules to the exact moment when the image was taken. I also always wonder what photographs mean to my clients and hence wanted to share the below with you.

I took photos of little Francesca about a year ago. I was happy to receive a lovely thank you note from her mother bit after her first birthday. This is what she wrote:

"Wow - time flies and anyone who has a second child will tell you .. that first year goes sooo much quicker than with the first child. The time to actually sit and watch your second child sleep, or cuddle them and smell that baby smell are, unfortunately, fewer and far between.

That's how I felt with my little girl Francesca, who turned one a month ago .. which is why it's so nice to have photos of her from her first month in life. Looking at the newborn photos that you took of our Francesca, reminds me of how beautiful she is/was, and takes me back to that time in our lives - it was summer, hot and I was quite exhausted but it was a magical time as well as we introduced our little miss to our little master. We were in awe of her and the miracle of life, as cliqche as that sounds.

The images you took remind me everyday of what we have and how lucky we are, especially when it does get a bit tough sometimes. Thank you!

Julia Esmonde x"

What can I say this is the best kind of thank you note that I could ever receive! It warms my heart and brings me so much joy that I was able to capture this special time of their lives. This is why I chose Photography. 

What does your photographs mean to you? Please share your thoughts I would love to hear from you.

Welcome to the world: Reya & Anaïs

If you remember my friend Vicky  - here are her little girls - Reya & Anaïs! I'm so pleased they are all doing well and getting bigger and stronger every day. I had never photographed newborn twins before so this was a challenge for me however the girls made my job easy as they were so sweet and settled.

I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Our month in photos - January 2013

I'm bit late with this one but I really want to keep going on this monthly photo project. I'm in the process of putting a book together from last years photos and will share it with you once it's ready.

January was our holiday month. My sister visited us from Finland so we did a little road trip to great ocean road. We saw 12 Apostoles, Lord Arch Gorge and buried our toes into the sand on Bells beach. January was also month of picnic's - we have had so many in different locations I have lost account.

The template has changed for 2013 - if you would like to join me and do your own monthly storyboards you can get the template from here.

beauty shoot

I have been wanting to do beauty/glamour type of shoots for ages and when my little sister visited us in January I asked her to model for me. I wanted to take some classic but feminine images of her that weren't too flirty or revealing.

These images have been taken in my bedroom with backlight and one reflector - so simple yet beautiful.

Welcome to the world - Hugo

I did this session late last year but some reason only now managed to share it with you. 

Here is little Hugo - his family were just over the moon of his safe arrival. His big sister is taking her role very seriously. She is so caring and got very excited when she got to hold her little brother - precious! 

Goodbye 2012 & Hello 2013

Reflecting on 2012 which has truly been an eventful year. Building my own website and byuing a new camera has changed my business significantly. I aimed to do one shoot per month this year and  end up doing 16 shoots which is fantastic. Would like to use this opportunity to thank everybody who have booked me and/or helped to spread the word - I truly appreciate your support and couldn't done it without YOU! Big thanks also for my family who have supported me throughout the whole process.

As for 2013 I'm aiming to double the amount of shoots I did 2012 and focus much more on marketing and sales. I will also introduce few photography packages for 2013 (watch this space!!!) and aim to write more photography related blog posts and a bi-annual newsletter.

What have been your highlights for 2012? Have you reached your goals?  What's in store for 2013 for you?

Here is our December in photos    

And the winner is ..

Hope you are all having a great weekend! 

Firstly would like to thank you all who subscribed. My first newsletter is due out in the new year (if you haven't subscribed yet please feel free to do so, just hop onto my website contact page).  

Now what you all have been waiting for ..I have done draw via random.org and the winner is .. drum roll please .. 

Sally Reilly

Congratulations Sally! You shall hear from me soon. 

Sanna xx

Extended family shoot - Melbourne

When Claire and Donald wanted me to take photos of their extended family I was very excited! Donaldn parents had arrived from Scotland and it was a fantastic chance to get a photo with both grand parents and Claire's brothers family. The weather held out and we got all the photos taken before it started raining ..

How to prepare for your family portrait session - 5 tips

Family portraits are something a lot of people are avoiding because it just seems so difficult to get everyone in the same place let alone produce some relaxed and fun images to cherish on your wall for the next 20 years. We all have childhood memories of our mums telling us how to smile when the photographer arrived but the only thing you were able to think about was the itchy wollen jumper she told you to wear. And mums remember how their children pulled funny faces and ruined the whole portrat.

Family portraits can be tricky but a little bit of preparation makes a big difference and you can make the whole experience so much more enjoyable for the entire family.

1. Plan

 Plan ahead - there are several things to consider before the shoot:

Where do you want to take the photos? Indoors or outdoors? With little children make sure place is safe and easy to access. Around your home or on location? If you are an adveturer at heart, a little hike to your favourite place is not a bad thing. What ever you decide make sure it's something that suits your lifestyle. 

What time of the day is good for everyone? Little children are usually at their best in the morning so sunset shoot might not be a good idea.

Props or no props? Consider if you want to use any props such as funny hats, sunglasses, balloons, etc.  

 2. Relax

Bring your happiest mood with you and relax - your kids will take your lead so if you are happy and positive about the shoot they will most likely do the same. 

3. Don't tell your kids to smile

I know it's very intuitive but try to resist it. My son pulls the most ridiculous faces when I tell him to smile - it's funny but not very natural. Most photographers work really well with children and get the best out of the little ones without asking them to smile. 

                Left image: asked to "smile"                                                     Right image: natural expression and contact

4. Be yourself

Let's face it - most people hate to have their photo taken. Try to be yourself - no-one is expecting you to pose like a supermodel. Just be your wonderful normal self- that's all. However if you want to get your make-up and hair done please feel free to do that - I'm sure it will boost your confidence and make you feel beautiful. 

5. Coordinate

Coordinate your outfits - maybe mum can choose her outfit first and then build others around her. Not matching but complimenting. You can add a bit of colour with scarves or accessories.  

I like to show family chemistry in my images i.e. how each family member react to each other - to me it's beautiful, it's life. It's not about how you look but what connection you have with the other people in that image. You can see love and connection in an image straight away, you can't fake that.

So what are you waiting for - book your next family portrait session - it's so worth it!

Our month in photos - October 2012

Our month has been full of activity - I think we've had record amount of playdates in October. Still cool weather but few really nice and warm days. Waiting for summer.

Photo session giveaway

53 Days until Christmas! Can you believe it! 

I love christmas and thought to celebrate it by giving away  

a photo session (valued at $189*).

One hour of giggles and hugs with your family, private online gallery to view your proofs and one 8x10" matted print. How good is that .. 

Now how do you get this photo session I hear you ask! 

You just need to go to my website contact page - on the right hand side there is an area to sign up for my newsletter!** 

Once you have confirmed your subscription you are in for the draw to win a portrait session. 

Winner will be drawn Fri 30th Nov at 3pm***  

and winner will be announced here on my blog.

Sign up! This is a fantastic chance to get a memorable 

christmas present for your family/loved one/mother/daughter/son/granny/grandpa. 

Signing up also means that you will be the first one to hear about my future promotions and offers. 

*Not redeemable for cash
**Your contact details wont be forwarded to 3rd parties.
**Winner will be drawn using http://www.random.org/ so ensure fair go for everybody.

Pregnancy shoot - Melbourne

Here is my friend Vicky - she is expecting twins - or should I say was. We were lucky to get the images in the first place as she went into laibour four days later. It was a bit of an early call as her babies were born on week 30. These tiny girls (Reya & Anais - LOVE the names!!!) are getting stronger each day but need some special care before they can come home.

Vicky you are doing amazing job! I can't wait to meet your little girls. xx