Our clients’ photo stories
Here are some of the true stories of our shoots, and some comments straight from our clients!
Studio snapshots
Lila’s breathless voice on the phone told me she was lost. Rushing from work, she’d hopped off the bus a stop early and now found herself walking through a suburban park in the growing darkness. The studio booking was only for two hours and the first hour was almost up, so I suggested we make it another day. ‘No, no, I’ll get there,’ said Lila, so I wandered out to find her, trying to direct her over the phone while standing on the street corner.
By the time we were settled in the studio we had 40 minutes to work. Lila had changed into basic blacks as directed, and now I handed her a long piece of stretchy blue fabric, which revealed a slight sheen as it moved. ‘Hold it over your head,’ I said, ‘and stretch it slowly in different directions.’
I snapped away and it wasn’t long before Lila had the idea and was making up her own shapes using her body and the fabric. She looked like a dancer as she played, tilting her head this way, stretching her arms wide. The contrast of the shimmering fabric and the black clothing created clean outlines against the white backdrop.
In 40 minutes we had some great shots and I was keen to get Lila to model again, impressed with her ability to relax on her very first photo shoot! Since then Lila has featured in some stunning art and fashion shoots at various locations.
Partying like a VIP
I pulled out the camera with its heavy flash to a chorus of oohs and aahs by the girls at Katie’s party. As I set up the first shot, a simple group gathering, everyone smiling and drinks in hand, other people in the bar started to look in our direction. They didn’t mind moving aside as I circled the group, getting party shots in groups of two or three. ‘Move aside people! I feel like a VIP!’ said one of Katie’s mates as she posed, hand on her hip.
The bar had a gorgeous lounge area that was perfect for more stylish photographs. I directed some of the guests to the lounge, where they posed amid chandeliers, antique furniture and satin wallpaper, looking like fashion models in their cocktail dresses and heels.
‘This was such a fun party, Katie!’ I heard one girl say as she was leaving, later that night. It certainly stood out and I had a lot of fun photographing it.
Bubbles, sequins and satin heels on the beach
I popped the champagne as I saw the girls arriving. I’d promised them a bit of bubbly before their shoot on the beach, to calm jittery nerves. They’d been instructed to bring a couple of favourite dresses and their shiniest bling for my art shoot, which centred on the idea of daydreams. It was going to be full of sparkle and fun.
‘What do we have to do?’ asked Alison and Fiona, as they dumped the ten dresses they’d each brought and reached for a glass of champagne. ‘Just splash about in pretty dresses while I take pictures!’ I replied.
We started with some shots on the sand, close-ups of their glittery make-up and jewellery. I then asked them to move a little way into the water, and I followed with the tripod, its legs stuck in wet sand, to get some beautiful blurred shots of the girls twirling and jumping. I’d brought a couple of back up dresses and even some satin heels from my trusty costume box, so the girls wouldn’t ruin their own pieces, but they were soon enjoying themselves so much that they didn’t much care if their clothes got wet!
People walking by on the beach casually stopped to do up a shoelace, but really they wanted to sneak a peek at the photo shoot. This always makes my models laugh! Two little girls moved in for a closer look at the costume pieces, no doubt wishing they could play too. It sure was a little girl’s daydream!
Is she going to a ball?
As Natalie sheltered from the wind in the shadows of the Indiana Teahouse on Cottesloe Beach, I set up my equipment and sought the perfect spot. Once I had it, I coaxed Natalie out into the sun, directing her to stand against a sand-coloured wall. The sun picked up the brilliant colours in her dress, an old ball gown she’d picked out for the portrait shoot. Simple gold jewellery and softly tangled hair completed the look.
As I clicked, struggling to keep the equipment upright in the wind, a family walked past and stopped briefly for a look. ‘It’s a wedding!’ said one child. ‘No, she’s going to a ball,’ said her sibling.
We made our way down to the sand, where the sea curves into a pocket at the end of the beach. After a few fun shots running up and down the steps to the jetty and posing on the rocks, we tried some quieter shots underneath the row of gazebos. But I soon had competition: I turned around to find a tourist happily snapping away at my model!
After braving the elements – and the public – fish and chips were definitely in order and we sat at one of Cottesloe’s cafes to look at the photos as we merrily munched away.
What clients have said after their New Work shoot…
“I hate having my photograph taken and hardly ever take a good photo. New Work changed all that, and made the experience pleasurable and fun. And on top of this I ended up with some great photos for my business promotional material. I can recommend New Work for your photographic needs.” – Wayne
“Julissa is a complete professional and able to relate and put her clients/subjects at ease to get the best possible photos. I highly recommend her services.” – Fleur
“I was so impressed by how professional it was. Everything was coordinated perfectly and the photographer really cared about other people’s input into what the shoot would look like.” – Cara
“I signed up for a photo shoot and even though the nerves were incredible, the photographer made me feel so relaxed, and really helped to guide me through the entire process.” – Janine
