Erin King Photographer

The Xmentors – Melbourne Wedding Photography Workshop

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Erin

This week I took part in the Xmentors two day wedding photography workshop which was run by XSight Photography with the two award winning photographers Nick Ghionis and Rocco Ancora. On day one we were all driven around Melbourne on a double decker bus and what a way to break the ice! It was on the edge of your seat (literally) kind of fun as this bus attempted to make it’s way through Melbourne streets almost taking down power cables, overhead tram lines and the many trees lining the streets on the way. It certainly made for good entertainment, filling the bus with laughter (or now that I think about it, that may have been panic) enabling this group of talented strangers to bond. It was a jam packed day where they set up the different parts of a real wedding day scenario around different areas of Melbourne. Day two went over what was shot on day one, with image processing and output with album creation. It was really great to meet other Australian based like minded photographers and learn some of Nick and Rocco’s tricks of the trade when it comes to photographing a wedding. We were taken through posing, lighting, planning and much more.

I always leave these workshops feeling motivated and inspired with so many new business ideas to implement into my work flow. I find attending workshops and seminars a great way to stay current, learn new things and get an insight into what other photographer’s are doing to be successful in their business and photographic methods. It’s also a great way to meet new people, make new friends and network, network, network.

Many thanks to Nick, Rocco, Sharifa and our beautiful bridal models Kasha and Vic for putting on a very fun and educational event. Here are some of the images I shot of the set ups throughout the day.

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Melbourne Pet Photography – Beth the Chocolate Labrador

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Erin

It was an absolute stunner Melbourne day, not a cloud in the sky, nor a breeze in the air. A day well worth being spent at the beach and what better beach than down at Port Melbourne. A perfect spot for dogs at this time of year as over winter they are allowed off lead and on the beach. Beth had the most fun on her photo shoot at her favourite place to spend a hot day.

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Melbourne Pet Photography – Bindii the Golden Labrador

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Erin

Lauren and Bindii share a unique bond. They have been together almost all their lives as Lauren is 21 and has had Bindii since a puppy. Bindii is now getting on a bit and in her old age can no longer walk due to losing the function of her back legs from arthritis. Lauren is now the only person who is dedicated to currently looking after their family dog. I really take my hat off to Lauren as I’m sure being a 21 year old mean’s there are a lot of other pressing issues to attend to and dedicating so much of her time to look after Bindii, must really take a toll on her social life and study. Lauren is taking time out to ensure Bindii has the correct medication and bedding, as well as taking her out for walks in her wagon. Just having to move Bindii and carry her around is effort enough, and Bindii is not a small dog, but Lauren just takes it in her stride. I just love the relationship that these two have and really admire Lauren for trying to keep Bindii healthy and making her comfortable and most importantly happy for the time she has left.

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Wedding Photography Inspiration

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Erin

This week I attended a pro photography seminar on wedding photography where there were 3 guest speakers – Hilary Wardhaugh, Dan O’Day and Samm Blake all of who shared their knowledge of working in the industry with the aim to inspire us all. Well inspire they definitely did, talk about wanting to get those creative juices flowing! With this blog post I wanted to touch on some of what was talked about to get us inspired (I will blog about the client stuff later) and I thought if I put this all down in writing it will help to encourage me to get started on some new creative outlets and start a plan of action.

Being a photographer is being an artist and we always need to find ways to “exercise the creative”. We do this by finding things that inspire and influence us and using these to explore, develop and deliver our originality. By always being “switched on” – aware of our surroundings and situations…SEEING…and how we can represent this through photography – we will be able to define our style, incorporate our personality and as a result stand out from the crowd. Really makes you think huh? Thanks to Samm I have some great little tasks to take away with me and do in my own time. For example (and this is one which would be great for anyone who likes to set goals) 101 images that represent the things in life you want to do or achieve…think inspiration board. Make a collage and print it out and have it framed on your wall. This will always act as a reminder and will encourage you to do the things you want to do and reward you for what you have done. Plus it’s something fun and challenging – see how long it will take you to get to 101 things.

One key message was, that in doing all these little things (and I say little as they don’t have to be big or complex projects) you will get to know your true self and in turn be true to yourself. You will be encouraged to follow your heart and this will then come through in your imagery. I must admit I feel so empowered just writing about this, so just imagine what it will feel like to get out and do it. At the end of the day it’s about ALWAYS shooting, experimenting and pushing yourself to create better imagery.

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Melbourne Pet Photography – Franklin & Friends

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Erin

Previously I went out to Mordiallic to photograph Franklin at his new home. I’ve been very interested in Frankie’s story which I’ve been following through Pet’s Haven (Frankie was formally known as Michael) and I wanted to be able to meet this lovely boy and share his story to help get the word out about puppy farms. After photographing Princess and Yvonne’s Poodles (who I blogged about a few weeks back) I wanted to photograph Frankie as these two were rescued from the same puppy farm and it’s possible that Frankie is Princess’s dad, yet to be confirmed.

Frankie has endured a lot in his short 2 years of life and has shown courage in surviving. He was rescued by Pet’s Haven from a Victorian puppy farm, in such a terrible state that a vet suggested euthanising him. He was sick, severely matted, flea ridden and his penis was so severely ulcerated that he faced numerous operations to try and correct the deformity that mass breeding had created, “no one will want this dog” the vet kept insisting. Frankie faced three operations to try and correct the damage to his penis, all which were unsuccessful and extremely costly. In the end Frankie had to have his penis completely amputated.

Sharna and Chelsea were also following Frankie’s story through Pets Haven’s facebook page, and they knew the minute they saw Frankie that this was their baby to bring home. After some much needed recuperating with his foster mum, they were chosen to be Frankie’s new parents. In my opinion Frankie has found the best home – one that is filled with an abundance of love and light from two loving mums and even a big furbrother, Beauie, also adopted through Pet’s Haven. Frankie really couldn’t be happier with his new family, he is truly loved by everyone and is very lucky to be given this second chance at life.

Many people fell in love with Frankie so Sharna and Chelsea created a facebook page ‘Franklin & Friends’ to keep all of his “friends” up to date on his new life. His page also acts as a continual source of inspiration to support Oscar’s Law and abolish puppy farming. Both Frankie and Princess were lucky enough to survive and be re-homed, but so many die a horrendous death in these puppy farms due to being mistreated and abused. Puppy farms seem to be a plenty here in Victoria and I think we all need to do our part to try and get these abolished and stop this cruelty to animals.

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Melbourne Portrait Photography – Author Portraits

Posted on June 14, 2011 by Erin

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of photographing the lovely Favel Parrett. Favel is an Australian Author who has just released her debut novel, ‘Past The Shallows’, and needed some new updated portraits for her latest press releases and publicist promotions. As well as being a fellow redhead, Favel is also an avid animal lover/animal rights supporter having done a lot of volunteer work at Pets Haven as well as a very talented writer and in her spare time a surfer – my kinda woman. Check out her book if you want a good read!

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Melbourne Portrait Photography – Couple Session

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Erin

This photography session is similar to that of an engagement session, but more so a portrait photo session to show this couples commitment to each other. This happy couple, Kelly and Iri, are actually family (Kelly’s my step sister) and we wanted to do this photo shoot as a gift for Kelly’s mum, Annette, who has recently been diagnosed with Cancer. This is a very hard post for me to write as I’m struck with emotion about my step mum who is having to live through this hideous disease. Kelly followed Iri to Melbourne 4 years ago and will shortly be moving back home to NZ to spend the remaining time that her mum has left, with her. Unfortunately for these two this now means a long distance relationship and lots of hard times ahead, which will definitely take a toll on their relationship, but I’m positive it will only make them stronger as a couple. It’s absolutely devastating news for all of us to have to take on board, but at the same time we are all there to give our love and support and help Annette through this. I didn’t want to make this post too somber as if this has taught us anything, it’s to make the most of life as it really is too short. I wanted to share these images with you as they show Kelly and Iri’s love and happiness together and this is something they wanted to share with their mum. My thoughts are always with Annette and I send my love out to her ♥ xxx.

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Melbourne Pet Photography – Four Poodles & One Princess

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Erin

I got to photograph Yvonne’s large family of dogs which consists of four Poodles and Princess, a rescue dog from a Victorian puppy farm. Yvonne was asked to foster Princess 2 days after she arrived at Pets Haven as the foster carer she had gone to was struggling with the new born puppy that Princess had the day she was rescued. Princess’s estimated age is currently 17 months and when she went into Yvonnes care she was approximately 9 months having already had 3 puppies, 2 which were stillborn, probably from being forcibly mated on her first season.

When she was picked up she was in a terrible condition and had to be noosed and muzzled to be handled. The first day Yvonne got her she had to be shaved to her skin as she was such a terrible mess, she was dirty, smelt terrible, her coat was completely matted (as the before picture shows) and was very scared and aggressive. All she wanted to do was protect her new born puppy, which made it rather difficult to help her, but with Yvonne spending time just being in the same room as Princess she gradually started to gain Princess’s trust. Princess’s puppy, Star, was adopted when he was 12 weeks old and was rehomed. Princess is now very much a part of Yvonne’s family, and while it is going to take some time for her to get over the hurdles and trust people again she has already come so far from being able to live a normal family life and interract with other dogs and people.

Here’s what Yvonne has to say about Princess: “Princess is a special dog, I love all my dogs dearly, but I can honestly say that I have never felt the way I do over any other dog I’ve had in my life. I couldn’t ever give her up – she has too much trust in me for me to ever be able to betray her. I feel so incredibly honoured that she has allowed me in to her world, and to help her recover and become all she can be. She amazes me every day with her courage and willpower to overcome the obstacles in her little life. She is my little heartbeat.”

Yvonne’s four Poodles are Zoe, Holly, Charlie Brown and Cadbury. Yvonne got Zoe when she was only 7 weeks from a backyard breeder and was very sick, given only 2 weeks to live by the vets. Charlie-Brown and Holly are from breeders obtained with the interest of breeding, however they were both de-sexed after too much risk of passing on congenital disorders in poodles, Cadbury is their pup.

The before pic of what Princess looked like when rescued from the Puppy Farm. I really don’t understand how these puppy farmers think that this is a ‘looked after’ dog. Just look at her now, pretty major difference and she now looks so happy!