SUMMER IS SUPER mini sessions

Would you love a portrait of the kids as they start school?  Or have you always wanted a great photograph of you and your Nan?  Well, you're in luck!  To celebrate my love of summer I'm very excited to announce a special mini session portraiture package!!  This is a once only special so please register your interest by the 30th of December. The SUMMER IS SUPER MINI SESSION includes; ~ 15 minute portraiture  session to be held at picturesque gardens in Yarraville or the city (Melbourne) ~ Digital negatives  presented on disc at high and low resolutions for you to upload, share and print as you please ~ 5 - 10 individually processed photographs  including colour and black & white images ALL THIS FOR JUST $90!! To register your interest please contact Ilona at ilona@illyphotography.com or 0407 802 640 with the following details; * Name * Mobile number * Preferred date - Saturday 21st January or Saturday 11th February    {Saturday 21st January is almost full so be quick!} * Preferred time - morning or afternoon * Preferred location - Yarraville or city This is a once only special so please register your interest by the 30th of December.  And if you know of someone who would also be interested in this offer please do pass on these details.  Thank you! x

frankie feature!!!!!!!!

You may have seen on Facebook or Twitter that I've been waiting not-so-patiently to confirm the most awesomest bestest news ever.  And now I can finally shout at you that A SHOEBOX FULL OF DRESSES HAS BEEN FEATURED IN FRANKIE MAGAZINE!!!!!!!  I didn't believe my lucky stars until I held issue number 45 in my little hands and stared at the double page spread of my work.  Thank you thank you to the lovely frankie girls, if I meet you in person I'll give you a pick-you-up-and-squish-you-until-your-ribs-hurt hug.  And I bet my Postie is thankful that I've stopped stalking him at the letter box every day.  Sorry about that Mr. Postman. Ps. the a shoebox full of dresses series will be exhibited at Brunswick Street Gallery 3 - 16 February 2012.  The opening is 6 - 8pm Friday 3rd February and doubles as a book launch hooray!!

A Defining Moment

I'm one of those artists.  You know the ones.  They've known since they were little that they wanted to create for a living, for their life.  I think at first I wanted to be an illustrator and author, but I remember my public declaration of love for photography as clear as Gladwrap.  We were on holiday in our caravan, mum thinks I would've been about ten at the time, and I set up a shot of my Walkman and Icehouse cassette.  How avant garde.  After taking the photo with my powder blue 110 camera, I went and told mum that I wanted to do a photography course one day.  Fast forward to 1998 and I completed my fine arts degree.

I still love that Icehouse album.

Iva and his hair rockin out

I bring this up as I had another moment/epiphany/light globe smacked in the head.  Last week I had a newborn session and the first image I edited (see below) made my stomach lurch and, I admit, tear up.  And then the bub's mum told me it made her tear up.  So I teared up again.  At first I thought my reactions were just because I'm a mum which gives you the ability to cry at nappy ads, but I realised it was something more.  All this eye-dabbing was a big reminder that a photograph can hold great power and what an amazing thing that is.  

I've always known that I want to create forever but this defining moment really brought home how rewarding creating for others is, plus it's something that I need/want/am meant to be doing.  Being able to create for others as my day job just happens to be a bonus.


*Disclaimer: Consumption of biscuits is recommend with this post as it seems to be quite cheesy x

 

Why I became a photographer

I think my "drawings" speak for themselves...

Artist in Residence - Heritage Hill

Earlier this year my friend Sayraphim asked me to be the first artist in residence at Heritage Hill, a historic home and gardens in Dandenong.  I spent a very rainy day there photographing and filming (with my then 9 month old with me, thankfully he ended up having a sleep), and it was a new way of creating for me as I had a quick tour of the buildings then started working immediately.  It was a fantastic experience and I wil be exhibiting the photographs and a short film at Heritage Hill in October next year. You can read my interview with Sayraphim on the Heritage Hill blog. And if you wish to receive invitations to my exhibitions please join the mailing list here!

Dodging Raindrops {portrait photography melbourne}

Thanks Ilona.  They are brilliant.  We are very happy! These are a few of my favourite photographs of this gorgeous family with the infectious smiles! Illy Photography recently donated a portrait session for the fundraiser at my son's child care centre and I was thrilled to work with this lovely family.  We had cancelled the session the week before as it was bucketing rain and SO dark, unfortunately we were met with rain again the following weekend but this time there was beautiful light outside.  So off we went to the Williamstown waterfront and luckily there was a break in the rain, thank the weather gods! If you're interested in an Illy Photography portraiture session please view more examples of my work and request a price list.  You can always buzz me on 0407 802 640 for a chat as well.