Blue Tulip Imaging - The Blog » Life

Do you do Family Portraits ………..? {Northern Rivers Portrait Photographer}

Blue Tulip — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:04:13 +0000

Yes we do…….we just don’t have time to blog them all. They are one of my favourite types of shoots & get better every year as we learn more of want makes people tick & what presses their buttons. Yet this past year I seriously considered not offering family portraiture at all. I was slowly getting worn down by all the unrealistic assumptions & the ignorance of what goes into making someone a professional photographer in the domestic market in the year 2011. I had people think that our sitting fee of $150 should include all the images on disc. Seriously. Some even think it should not only include that but also the copyright to our work !

I have had people leave the studio in a huff because I would not sell them a disc of images for next to nothing, but I have also had people leave in tears, holding a new family heirloom created for then by us. But what clarified things in mind was a shoot we did in September. A family who I barely knew came to me to book a shoot. They had been going to book one for years………but now there was an unspeakable urgency…….a family member was gravely ill. The shoot was done, & amid the tears & the heightened emotions the true raw beauty of this family & their love for one another burned through with a blinding intensity.

I have never walked in their shoes, & honestly don’t know what it feels like to have your life turned upside down like that but it hurt me to see them in pain. But to know what the images meant to them & to see it on their faces…….it was like wake up call for me. I remembered the value of what we do. I remembered the power an image can have when it reveals more than just a two dimensional representation of a person & who they love.

I remembered that it was worth all the other stuff, the time wasters & the knockers. I am glad I still offer family portraiture.

Grandparenthood.

Blue Tulip — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 09:00:12 +0000

And another thing about having a child born into your life is the community that surrounds you & your new life. There is more than one birth as the grandparents are new people with a different take on their lives & are reborn in their own way. This has been one of the best & unexpected eventuations in my life. Hats off to the grandparents of the world ……….& to seeing them in a new light.

Milja & Mark {Melbourne Wedding Photographer}

Blue Tulip — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 08:25:57 +0000

Let me paint you a picture……..a gorgeous city in the full throes of Autumn, a magnificent convent saved from the oblivion of Urban Renewal to become a bustling arts precint, two beautiful people melting into each other under the baby oak tree in the warm afternoon light…………what a way to spend a day at work.

Over the course of Milja & Mark’s wedding day last week at Abbotsford Convent, Melbourne I lost count of the amount of times a guest came up to me to say how happy they were that we were photographing this wedding. Not because they were familiar with our work or even knew our names but because Milja & Mark had chosen us to photograph their wedding. To them that meant we must be something special to have that privilege handed to us. A privilege indeed it was…………

The day began in Swan St, Richmond & finished at the magnificent Comme, off Collins St in the CBD & both Jodie & I knew we had been a part of something special. From their home, filled with small symbols of their relationship & large swathes of Milja’s Finnish heritage all the way to the final frame there was such an overwhelming sense that everyone attending knew that this love story was written by the hand of fate.

In a day of many highlights Milja’s sister sang from The Flower Duet from Lakmé during the signing of the register. I have never stood next to an Opera singer while they perform, let alone heard a live performance of that nature but I swear every hair on the back of my neck was upright from the moment Seija began to sing. It was a feeling I will not forget for a very long time.

I could go on & on just as I could have put another 100 photos in this post but you will get a sense of what it was like to be there from what is below. To Milja & Mark & the Knight & Trueman families thank you for involving us in this day. Everything that happened reinforced why we do what we do & why we love it. Enjoy Tassie & each other & I will see you soon xoxo.

Peta & Adam {Alstonville Wedding Photographer}

Blue Tulip — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 05:13:04 +0000

And so on to March & the wedding of Adam & Peta at The House with No Steps, Alstonville. March is often wet & this saturday was no exception. When I met them for the first time I came away with the overwhelming feeling I had met two best friends who loved each other deeply, laughed whenever they were together & always held each other tight. This was a warm, intimate affair in spite of the weather with only family attending. Everything was conducted with a minimum of fuss but always the right amount of taste & style. Thanks for having us in your family Peta & Adam & we so look forward to all the new developments you will surely have…….to the beautiful bridesmaids & the handsome groomsmen you pulled it off like pros ! The Leu & the Chardon Families have a bright future ahead of them with you all in it. See you soon for a full viewing at our studio. Love & blessings Jodie & Ben xoxo

Louise & Richard {Byron Bay Wedding Photographer}

Blue Tulip — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 22:40:43 +0000

And so it was that after a delay of almost a year to welcome the arrival of little Zach, Rich & Lou married at Figtree in Ewingsdale. Not a breath of wind could be felt as you gazed across the vista to Byron Bay & the Pacific Ocean & felt the moist air cling to your skin, like a wool. As ever nothing was left to chance by the staff at Figtree, everything was done with restrained elegance & all were welcomed like long lost friends. In keeping with our fantastically liberal laws on weddings whereby as long as you say a certain couple of things in your vows the rest of the day is open to your interpretation, we had a bridesman & a groomswoman, Lou & Rich’s nod to family & to lifelong friendships. Once the deed was done & the family photographed we headed off with Scott McKenzie in one of his spectacular Cadillacs (photographer always rides in the front !!!) & spent some quiet time in the countryside around Ewingsdale.

Thanks for having us at your day Lou & Rich. As our last summer wedding for this season it was beautiful & real pleasure to be a part of. Your album layout will be done next week & I will speak to you soon. XOXO

Byron Bay Wedding Photographer

Rebecca & Jeremy {Sydney Wedding Photographer}

Blue Tulip — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 04:52:19 +0000

This was yet another long awaited & much anticipated wedding…….an affirmation of life & love & a renewal of all things good. Thank you Rebecca, Jeremy, Xavier & Polly for welcoming us & making our stay what it was. The hustle of Sydney in summer holiday mood passed us by as we made our way from Circular Quay to the Botanical Gardens & on to McKell Park in Darling Point. Here Rebecca & Jeremy renewed their vows of a decade ago in the presence of all those dear to them.

This was the first wedding on a Tuesday I have photographed………it was also the only day for weeks that did not rain……..I have to say a big thanks to Sarah Johnston from Girl Friday Weddings for her hard work which made our jobs heaps easier & for dropping me back at the hotel in Darlinghurst later in the day.

Here is a few snippets of the day for you to enjoy. Best wished for long, healthy lives from Ben, Jodie & Elsie xoxo.

Sheree & Dan {Lismore Wedding Photographer}

Blue Tulip — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 04:51:19 +0000

So after many years together, two beautiful children Summer & Thomas, (possibly) a bit of nagging from the McClean sisters Dan married his beautiful lover & partner Sheree & a few days after Christmas. The Old Church in Wyrallah fitted the bill & ensured the intimate nature of the day & the rain disappeared for the day turning everything bright

Officially a sister in law for Steph, Kirstie & Nicki…….do you reckon they’re pleased ?

Dan shows the ring to his sisters…just to confirm the deed was done !!!

Beautiful cousins Carly, Lucy & Jack with Thomas & Summer.

Thank you for having me along……. I really do feel part of the McClean family. Congratulations to you both Dan & Sheree I hope this was a christmas that will live long in your memories & you are still talking about it back home in Sydney. My life is richer for having been able to share in your family’s joy & celebrations of life. See you all soon xoxo

How to avoid being in the family photos at a wedding…….

Blue Tulip — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 08:44:08 +0000

If they think I’m asleep I won’t have to be in the photo right? Yes Ethan….!

Josie & Josh, The Odyssey continues {New Zealand Wedding Photographer}

Blue Tulip — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 06:44:34 +0000

The story of Josie & Josh continued with a wedding on the shores of Tauranga Bay, Cape Foulwind over on the spectacular West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. I was privileged enough to be asked to tell their story. I have to say that after having been to a few weddings in Australia our cousins in NZ know how to do things in style, yet minimal fuss & maximum feeling. A biting, bright & sunny day, with a delicate slow wane, peonies in full bloom, a bbq on the volcanic sands of lobster, sea perch & venison, the Smith family & the Vogel family officially united after years of time shared & love.

Thank you for being such gracious hosts. The time was too short & too long at once. I am very lucky to have met you all.

Love Ben xo