Bush Chocolate, discovery of the Platyduck and a 5 hour lifestyle photography session.
At the end of winter I got to spend time with a Canberra family at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Photographing a lifestyle photography session.
If your haven’t been to Tidbinbilla. It’s an easy 40 minute drive from Canberra. Down the road for the Canberra space centre.
The idea of today’s session was to photograph the family together at the nature reserve, were they liked to visit as family.
The photos would then be printed in a book documenting the day, Accompanied by the digital files on USB.
The parents wanted a mix of traditional portraits, looking straight at the camera.
And documentary styled photos while the kids played and interacted with their surroundings.
Our meeting place was flints picnic area. A large flat area, located in the middle of the reserve.
It was evident the family is comfortable with nature.
Before I arrived, the family had constructed a cubby house out of fallen branches and blankets, and eating lunch out of a picnic basket.
I couldn’t help but feel we were intruding on the nearby kangaroos territory. The picnic area surrounded by large mobs of kangaroos and littered with bush chocolate ( kangaroo poo ).
The kangaroos not phased by the human attention. Happily resting and looking on as groups of people were taking photos of them.
We visited three locations with in the reserve, during the five hour lifestyle session.
Starting at Flint’s Picnic Area. The session began with the kids mucking around and getting to know me.
It didn’t take long before the kids started to offer me their treats and show off for the camera.
We worked our way around the picnic area, exploring nearby grassland and an old ruin.
At this point, we were 90 minutes in to the session and the girls wanted to visit the playground.
We said good by to the kangaroos, it was a short drive to the nature discovery playground.
Flying fox, cargo nets, lots of play equipment and a huge slide.
I can see why it’s one of their favorite places to visit.
Tip: Keeping the kids engaged
Let them choose at least one of the locations to photograph at.
Giving the kids a choice, makes them feel apart of the whole experience. Which is important with long lifestyle sessions.
They will be more engaged and the photos always turn out better.
At this point, we were three hours in, and it was time to move on to the last location.
We ended the day by visiting the Sanctuary.
Once you pass through the pred
ator proof fence. You become fully aware how special this part of the nature reserve really is.
Working your way along the path, to a large wetland surrounded by bushland.
You start to see all kinds of native animals. I can now see why this area was fenced off.
Pelicans circled above before coming in for a landing on the water. Just like an airplane does when the runway is full.
So much wildlife on the water. Ducks, platypuses and geese doing their own thing.
Its the first time I’ve seen a platypus that wasn’t in the Zoo.
In fact we discovered the first cross duck / platypus. That’s right you heard it here first. We discovered a new species!
Ok, that statement might not be true. But we couldn’t work out what it was. It had a bill and back end like a platypus and the middle part of a duck.
Look at the above video to see a Platyduck!
At this point I was a kid in a candy store.
The landscape was stunning. The warm afternoon winter light was perfect and the family were in their element.
We had the whole area to ourselves, it was perfect.
For close to an hour I didn’t speak. I Just watched and clicked away.
The sanctuary was defiantly the highlight. All I can say is WOW!
An email from the family and their reaction to the photos and book they received.
Hi Mike,
We just wanted to let you know our parcel arrived.
We are so pleased at the quality of the photos and the presentation in the book. We all sat together and opened the present like a treasure chest. It is a gorgeous keepsake and truly well done for capturing our family so beautifully, the end result is timeless. Yes, the blue cover looks great!
We had a great time working with you and will keep you in mind for the future. Our family hadn’t ever done a professional photo shoot before so it was a real treat and we are amazed at the photos. They are so great to have!
The photo of our family crossing the creek is our favourite and we will have this framed in our lounge room. The colours are brilliant.
Thanks again,
George, Sally and family
Today’s blog post is a perfect example, of how a lifestyle session. Can be used to document a ” Day in the life” of your family.
The biggest benefit other than spending time together as a family. Is the tangible products you receive with your package. A book, large wall print and the digital files on USB.
Read more about the lifestyle photography sessions I offer. If you have a question I can be contacted on 0410 691 114 or use the contact form.