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Portfolio Building this April 2019

“Iron rusts from disuse; water loses its purity from stagnation… even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind.”

∼Leonardo da Vinci

I am always on the go. Just can’t help it. I have this drive to keep moving forward, upwards and onwards, to perpetually grow. One such way that I love to challenge myself is by entering notable photography competitions, and there’s one closing soon enough that I’d love to enter. That means creating some new work and needing fresh faces to photograph in studio.

If you would love some portraits of yourself that really capture your unique personality, and you’re available in Middelburg (Mpumlanaga) on the 19 and 20 April, then this might be for you. I’m offering five people the opportunity for a complimentary studio session with three perfectly edited images for those two dates; all I ask is that we capture portraits that are truly you. Not you wanting to be flawlessly glam, just you playing to your unique personality traits or aspects of yourself you’d like to portray. Think of that one thing you want to be remembered for, and that’s what I’m aiming to capture.

To book one of the five spots on offer, send a recent photo of yourself to info@bronwynkatzkephotography.co.za or whatsapp to 0790865779 during office hours. Don’t forget to tell me what aspect of your personality or that something about yourself you would love to shine through in your portraits.

  • This is not a competition but a casting call for real people wanting unique images of themselves.
  • Available dates are for the 19 and 20 April 2019 only for in studio sessions; makeup is included if it fits the concept of your session
  • This casting call is open to men and women over the age of 16
  • Images captured will be used in my portfolio and as entry images for 2019 photography competitions
  • Standard portraiture terms and conditions apply

What’s a Photography Niche?

 

As much as you wouldn’t expect your GP to do open heart surgery, and you wouldn’t go to a gynae for an ear infection (or so I hope!), so a similar sentiment rings true for photographers- we may all offer a core service, but that service is not the same from photographer to photographer.

Naturally, just as GP doctors are there to cover a bit of everything, so there are photographers who will document your baby shower and happily book a modeling portfolio the next day. Now it’s not to say that a shoot-all photographer can’t offer you great service and quality images, however the drawback to being a shoot-all photographer is that they’re so busy capturing a wide variety of subject matter, that they don’t really have the time or specialist equipment to dedicate to capturing a few genres really well.

I started off as a shoot-all photographer, ready to capture everything I could as I was simply so excited to be venturing into photography professionally and I wanted to try everything I could before deciding it’s not for me. Children’s parties, babies, cringe-worthy prop laden sessions- I shot it all! As much as I may look back on some of those photos and think, ‘man, what the hell was I thinking?’ I also can look back on them and know that particular genre is just not for me.

While I may get asked on a near daily basis for newborn sessions, despite not having a single newborn photo online anywhere ever, it’s a genre that is simply not for me. The same goes for baby, toddler and young family sessions, children’s parties and other events- those are areas where I have zero passion and no strengths, and surely that’s not what you want in a photographer?

Instead, I focus on my passions and strengths so that I can give you an experience and photos that you truly deserve. My heart sings when I get the chance to photograph a woman who felt she was unworthy of having the attention being solely on her, who felt unattractive, and showing her that she is in fact drop-dead gorgeous. Seeing her confidence blossom through a session and her smile with every preview I show throughout- love it!

I love getting couples to connect with one another and just get all loved up in front of the camera, and then showing them those little moments that are so ordinary for them, but speak volumes to the love they have for each other. The same goes for maternity clients who are so excited to meet the new addition to their family, as I give a woman who probably hasn’t felt too great throughout her pregnancy, a chance to look and feel beautiful and special. Don’t even get me started on studio portraiture, fine art and weddings!

I know I say “I love…” so much, but it’s simply because that’s where my passions lie and it’s the work that sets my soul alight. While style and your budget are large factors, it’s that driving force and connection to a specific genre that should be a deciding factor when you’re looking to book a photographer, as it’ll be their passion to create the images you’ll love not just for today, but for years to come.

 

Want to see the genres that I simply adore? Click on the following pages to see what subject matter I’m passionate about:

WOMEN ⋅ COUPLES ⋅ WEDDINGS ⋅ MATERNITY ⋅ CHILDREN ⋅ MODELING & FINE ART

Fundraising for Feral Care Friends

 

Who can say no to such a sweet face? Certainly not me! The cutie-pie in the above image is one of cats, Floki, and he was my first feral baby. He came to me when he was 5 weeks old, his eyes crusted shut and sickly; it took many weeks of intensive care, vet visits and showing him that there is comfort in a human’s touch. Floki may have been my first feral rescue, but he has certainly not being my last.

Knowing firsthand the hard work that goes into caring for feral cats, the work that Feral Care Friends Middelburg does is something close to my heart. To support the continuation of their work I will be hosting a special portrait session day in my garden studio on 1 May 2019 where all proceeds will be donated to Feral Care Friends.

The Catnip Package comes at the reduced rate of R500 and includes:

  • 15 minute mini session
  • 6 fully edited digital images
  • online gallery

You’re also welcome to choose headdresses, jewellery and fairy wings from my studio collection to wear for your session and add professional makeup for an additional R150. The Catnip Package can be used for women’s, maternity, couples and children’s sessions for portraits in a totally unique setting*.

To book one of the limited time slots available, please email me on info@bronwynkatzkephotography.co.za or call/whatsapp 0790865779 during office hours. With all proceeds from your session going directly to Feral Care Friends, you’re also welcome to donate cat food, baby blankets, and cat toys to this worthy cause.

 

* The Catnip Package is for a maximum of 2 people.

Wedding: Lara & Walter

The traditions may remain the same between weddings, but it’s the people that really make a wedding a day to be remembered; considering that, I am sure that Walter and Lara’s recent wedding will be a treasured memory for themselves and their guests. Hosted at the ever-gorgeous Cabbage & Rose Country Estate, it was a special day made all the more so by this awesome couple and guests from all over the world who came to share it with them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Model Open Day: 13 April 2019

 

Always in need of updating with their latest work, a model’s portfolio is a must if they wish to book their dream jobs. To help models this April I’m hosting a studio open day for portfolio updates where the session is free and they get to purchase only the images they want after their studio session.

How it Works

It’s super simple and with only four bookings available, you won’t want to miss out on this opportunity. If you’d like to reserve one of the four spots on offer, you’ll be required to pay a R150 makeup fee (usually R300) for on the day- and that’s it! Then once your 30 minute studio session is wrapped, you’ll be linked via email to your private online gallery within 8-72 hours so you can purchase your favorite images for editing and retouching.

To book your free session:

  1. Email info@bronwynkatzkephotography.co.za or whatsapp 0790865779 (during office hours)
  2. Choose your time slot for 13 April: 7h30, 9h00, 10h30, 13h00, and provide your email address and contact number
  3.  Pay your R150 makeup fee for on the day
  4. And that’s it, you’re booked! You’ll be sent all the necessary details via email to help you prepare for your session and ensure you have everything you need for on the day.

Within 48-72 hours of your 30 minute studio session ending, you’ll have access to your own private online gallery where you can view your best images and select however many you want to purchase. As portfolio images undergo high end retouching, they’re typically priced at R200 per image, however will be only R150 per image for the open day.

If you’d like more details or to book your time slot, be sure to get in touch via info@bronwynkatzkephotography.co.za or 0790865779 (during office hours)- I’d love to help you!

Terms & Conditions

  • The Model Open Day is open to male and female models aged 12 and above only.
  • The R150 makeup fee is non-refundable and acts as a booking fee to reserve your time slot.
  • The free studio session is for 30 minutes only and any wardrobe changes are to be conducted within those 30 minutes.
  • No images will be given without payment. Images are available for R150 per image and include high end retouching with both a colour and black and white copy in high resolution via digital delivery.
  • Standard photography terms and conditions apply and will be stated in full on your booking invoice.

 

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