Callum

A week ago now Angela & I met our second son, Callum.

We decided on a home birth as we felt that hospital was not where we wanted to experience our child's birth. When labour started we organised music, candles, blessing flags & the birth pool. Once we where all ready Tyler got picked up by his grandparents & our beautiful midwife Melissa arrived & by 12.01am on the 23-01-10 Angela delivered Callum. The birth went as we had hoped & we could not be happier. We are so grateful to be blessed with another son.

It was so nice to be able to watch Angela labour in our own home with the help our midwife.

The images that follow are of the birth of Callum.

Life

Where ever you are, have comfort in knowing it is where you are meant to be.

Mother's Blessing

Early next year Angela & I are expecting our second child which we are having at home, so recently Angela had her mother's blessing. Not to many people had heard of a mother's blessing so I thought I would share this information.

A mothers blessing ceremony creates a sacred and safe environment where a mother-to-be can explore the challenges and joys that lie before her as she approaches birthing and mothering. Surrounded by the most important women in her life, she gains a sense of power, confidence, and support that will help her rise to motherhood.

The Blessing Way ceremony acknowledges the commitment and energy involved in being a mother and gives her a time where all the energy is available for her to receive. This ceremony can be given to a woman each time she has a child, as with each child comes a new level of commitment and surrender.

With more common baby showers the expectant baby is celebrated with gifts. A mother's blessing is all about the mother-to-be. Angela had her closest friends & family make soy candles one for her to light during labour & one for them to light when they hear news of the start of labour. The women painted prayer flags which are inspired by Tibetan prayer flags & each woman brought a bead that represents their hopes, thoughts & wishes for her to wear on a bracelet during labour.

Pia & Daniel

I recently spent an afternoon with Pia & Daniel for an image session.

Two very special people that I am grateful I had the chance of meeting.

Thank you for being so open & honest, I have no doubt that the future is filled with many amazing times for you both.

It was a joy to document the two of you.

Help-Portrait

On the 12th December 2009 photographers worldwide are giving back.

Help-Portrait is a movement of photographers who are using their time, equipment & expertise to give back to those less fortunate. How ?

1. Find someone in need

2. Take their portrait

3. Print their portrait

4. & deliver them.

For something different I am searching for a couple that are getting married around December 2009 - January 2010. A couple that can not otherwise afford photography for their wedding day & would allow me to document their day.

Now this is where you can help if you know of a couple that at this moment are in need of some help please email me with some information about them & why this could benefit them.

This couple you may know very well or you may just see them every now & again but if you know a bit about their situation please contact me.

Or if you are reading this & think that this applies to you please contact me.

Now I know this may seem like an amazing thing to give away & it is, but somebody out there really deserves this so when you are thinking of anyone that this may help, please be genuine I am looking for a couple less fortunate not a couple that does not want to pay for photography.

This project will include for the couple an Engagement Session & Wedding Session. I believe in this project & really appreciate any one that can help find this couple.

Spring Engagement Special

For any couples that have recently become engaged I am having a Spring Engagement Special running until the 15th December 09, which will include 1.5 hr image session, post-processing of images, Preview DVD of images & 2 - 5x7 Printed images of your choice for only $50.00

For more details go to

www.danielpricephotography.com/Portraiture/Engagement_Special.html

Image sessions are to be held from 21st November 2009 to 31st January 2010, Book now as sessions are limited.

The above image was taken at Kings Park in Perth WA.

Branding

This past week has been filled with business workshop's on branding, marketing & advertising & I have to tell you this stuff goes right over my head as soon as someone starts talking about it.

Within the first 30 mins of the first workshop I leant over to the lady next to me that I had only just met & with a sigh said "Oh I need a panadol".

Now what I have learnt this week is that branding, marketing & advertising has so much to do with business, now you will be saying well Daniel obviously.

But when I made the decision to pursue photography as a business my first thoughts where how I can give my clients images that reflect how amazing they are as a person & where they are at this moment in their lives. It never crossed my mind to ensure I was marketing for clients, to me advertising can feel very pushy & that the only reason someone is selling you something is to make a profit & not to influence your life with a positive experience.

Now trying to market my business I am finding quite hard, with the statistics I have heard over the week is that business's have a 3 second window to be able to interest a potential client so the correct branding has to convey the right message to the right client. Wow 3 second's to be able to tell potential clients everything about me, everything I have done to get to this point in my business, all the late nights studying, all the questions asked & what the client will receive from me as a photographer.

Not a small task, though I think there is my answer. As a photographer I aim to give all my energy to my clients, to give them time & to let them know who I am so in return they can feel comfortable to be open with me in front of the camera.

The above image was experienced in Dunsborough, Western Australia. On an early morning shoot.