2019 Pet Fundraiser Calendar!

This year we wanted to celebrate all the pets we have photographed at our Pop Up Pet Portrait Days and find a way to raise even more funds for South West Animal Rescue. We brainstormed ideas and finally decided to create a calendar!

What better way to say thank you to all the pets and owners who have supported us this year than creating a beautiful printed memento that all of us can hang in our homes and enjoy for a whole year.

We’ve worked incredibly hard to design and create this product, and we hope you love it as much as we do!

The calendar features over 70 pets, fun quotes, important dates and over $1000 value in special offers. Check it out and order your copy by simply clicking the button below:

2019 Pet Calendar

Blair Street Vet Pop Up Pet Portraits ~ Bunbury Pet Photographer

Blair Street Vet was the very first vet clinic to partner with us for our Pop Up Pet Portrait Days, and we have been so very grateful for their enthusiasm and support over the last four years.

This year we had the best event ever, and captured lots of beautiful moments of very loved pets. As always it was fantastic seeing familiar faces as well as meeting new ones. We always love to hear the stories of how you all came to own your pets and what they mean to you. That’s something we’ll never tire of!

Thanks again to everyone who came and made the day so awesome. We’re super excited to feature all these amazing pets in our first ever Pet Calendar. 2019 is going to be just a little brighter with all these lovely animals up on our walls :-)

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Check out the calendar and order your copy HERE

Eric's Puppy Portrait ~ Bunbury Pet Photographer

This is what happens when a photographer brings her puppy to work!

Pet Portrait Day ~ Eaton Vet

Another lovely day at one of our great local vet clinics. This time around it was a doggie day, which was probably a good thing given that we were set up out in reception!

We took a new backdrop which was a great hit and gave a new look to all the lovely moments we captured. 

Thanks to everyone who came along and helped support South West Animal Rescue.

If you'd like to join our next Pet Portrait Day just keep an eye out on our Pet Portrait page or Facebook and we'll let you know as soon as the next event is open for bookings!

https://www.thephotographyboutique.com.au/pets

Tipsy's final goodbye ~ Bunbury Pet Photography

Sometimes things happen and the importance of what we do really hits home...a heartbroken family is saying goodbye to this beautiful soul today. They knew they would be sending her off to rest so yesterday they came in to the studio to celebrate Tipsy's life and capture some final memories of her.

I was crying before they even walked through the door, but after we all had a few moments to compose ourselves we had fun playing with her and enjoying a session complete with a platter full of donuts (which didn't stand a chance!) and a flower crown.

Rest in peace beautiful girl, after meeting your humans I know you will be missed. Jo xxx

One dog and his humans - Darlene, Ben and Baron

When you're the kind of couple who just like to relax at home together, you can just ask us to come to you and we'll capture exactly that! 

Often we're out exploring little known corners of the beautiful southwest on our photoshoots, but there was something really nice and personal about just hanging out at Darlene, Ben and Baron's place one afternoon. 

That dog sure does love playing ball! :-D

Harry & Oscar ~ Bunbury Baby (+ Puppy Dog) Portrait

I have to admit I get super excited when my clients ask me if they can bring their pets along to their photoshoot. Those that know me know that I was a vet practice manager before my photography life, and that I love animals of all species, shapes and sizes. To me, our pets are part of the family, so it's only natural that they would feature in a family photoshoot. 

Last week I had the absolute pleasure of a visit from 5 week old Harry and his proud older "brother" Oscar for a newborn portrait. Five weeks is technically (to us photographers anyway) beyond newborn age. By this stage our beautiful babies have already started stretching out and are much more inquisitive about the world around them and less inclined to sleep. So we don't capture as many of those posed, curled up sleeping newborn shots, but in their place we get to capture lots of bright eyed gorgeousness - just check out the many faces of Harry - what a little personality!

Jo x

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If you're having a baby and you love the beautiful memories we created for baby Harry and his family, find out more about our newborn photography here:

http://www.thephotographyboutique.com.au/baby

All newborn portrait bookings receive a mini maternity shoot as our special gift from us, so that you can really cherish this special time in your life. We hope to see you and your new baby soon <3

Silver at the AIPP National Photography Awards!

Following this year's success at the WA State AIPP Professional Photography Awards (check out the details in my blog post about it HERE), I somehow managed to find the time to enter some images into into the national awards, which were judged in Melbourne last weekend. 

I'm very happy to say that I came away with silver awards for these two images that I hold very close to my heart. It's lovely to be among such esteemed company as the very best photographers Australia has to offer and achieve awards at this level. 

Thanks to my gorgeous clients who allow me to get a real insight into who they are so that I can create special images like these.

Jo x

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If you're interested in photography check out some of the mindblowing work featured at this year's awards here: 

http://www.aippappa.com/appa-2016/2016-aipp-appa-category-winners

And if you're really keen you can even watch the judging here:

http://www.aippappa.com/appa-2016/2016-livestream

Enjoy x

Courtney, Ashley, Rusty & Sophie ~ Bunbury Maternity & Newborn Portrait

When Courtney got in touch to enquire about booking a maternity and newborn portrait I got a little bit excited. I always love newborn baby cuddles, but when Courtney let me know about her fur baby Rusty and how she wanted to include him in the sessions I was over the moon. I'm a self confessed crazy dog lady and in our house our dogs are part of the family, so I love when clients feel the same way I do and they get to be part of the amazing things that happen in our lives.  

Not only did we have Rusty joining us on both shoots, but when it was time for the newborn session baby Sophie's nan, aunts and uncle also joined us. It was an epic session with so many people plus a pet (who behaved perfectly by the way ;-)), and a gorgeous baby girl who fought sleep at every moment, but never shying away from a challenge I kept shooting and captured some very special memories of a proud new family. 

Oh, and if you're wondering why Sophie is sleeping surrounded by a tool belt - well daddy's a chippie of course ;-)

Enjoy the gallery, and remember that if there's anything different you'd like to do for your next photoshoot just ask - we are always happy to create the kind of memories that have the most meaning to you! 

Jo x

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Find out more about our maternity and newborn portraits here:

http://www.thephotographyboutique.com.au/baby

WA Family Photographer of the Year Finalist!

Last month I entered the WA AIPP Professional Photography Awards for the first time ever, at the behest of a good friend. I have always been a proud member of the AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photography), because in an industry that doesn't require a licence to practice, I believe it's important to be part of a professional body like this that holds its members accountable and gives consumers the confidence in booking a photographer who they know will be experienced, technically excellent and professional in their business practices as long as they book a pro who is AIPP accredited (to find out more about what it means to be an AIPP Accredited Photographer click here: http://aipp.com.au/about/what-is-an-accredited-professional-photographer).

So the annual AIPP Awards are in essence the pinnacle of Australian Professional Photography. Every year photographers enter images for judging by their peers, creating a great space to develop and grow as creatives. I had never entered before because the awards require a lot of time, which with a busy studio to run and two under 5's in my house is not something I have going spare. But this year I decided to get involved, and I entered the Family Category.

Let me tell you it was such a great experience and I'm so glad I took part. I travelled up to Perth to watch the judging (which is open to the public so if you are interested in photography I would highly recommend going and seeing the hugely inspiring work being created by photographers in this state) and I am very happy to say that I was awarded three Silver Awards and was a Finalist (which puts me in the top three!) for WA Family Photographer of the Year!

You can check out all the winners and their amazing work here:

http://stateawards.aipp.com.au/WA/2016-WA-awards

I'm feeling very inspired after seeing such talented work, and I look forward to thinking outside the box to create some more unique and inspiring work myself in the year to come.

Here are my Award Winning Images for 2016 with the story of each one, which all have a special place in my heart so I'm very glad to see them do well. 

If you'd like to feature in your own award winning image, book your portrait with us and let's see what we can create together. Just give us a call on 08 9791 4226 or e mail studio@thephotographyboutique.com.au to book your session now!

Jo x

About this image: This image features the gorgeous Carli and Shae, who's wedding we photographed last year. When they came to meet with me about their Big Day they asked if we could forego the engagement session we usually include in our wedding pakcages, and do an underwater trash the dress shoot instead, as they have lived their whole lives in and on the water and it would have special meaning for them. So we planned and prepared and I spent an afternoon in scuba gear (with my lovely assistant Bianca) at the end of Busselton jetty and this is what we got, which I was super happy with. Evidently lots of other people liked it too as it went viral and was published around the world! I'm absolutely stoked my fellow professionals also recognise it as an award winning image, and I hope it will be the start of a new journey to always challenge myself and be up for doing something different!

About this image: This has to have been one of my very favourite shoots of all time. All those who know me know I'm a crazy dog lady, and Jasper and Gallifrey are just the most fantastic dogs! We had lots of fun in the studio creating some amazing art, and this shot was actually an out take that I just fell in love with. I mean who ever gets a photo of one dog poking her tongue out at another? ;-)

About this image: Recently a client and friend called and asked if I could take some family photos for them. Her father-in-law was not well and they were expecting Ray to only have a few months left with them. So I fit them in to a busy day of shooting and took lots of photos with the family all together. As I was leaving I noticed how many photos of his family he had in his home, so I asked him to sit in his chair amongst his loved ones and captured this shot. I'm so proud that this has achieved a Silver Award at the State Professional Photography Awards. This Award is to honour Ray who sadly passed away just a week after the shoot, and I'm very happy to have been able to capture these memories for his family before it was too late.

Sharn, Josh & Thomas

A little while back we had the good fortune to meet Sharn and Josh after their lovely friends bought them a gift card to come and enjoy a couples shoot with us. 

During their pre session planning we found out that Sharn & Josh have a beautiful puppy dog Thomas, so booking Jo for their photography was a perfect match because of course our very own crazy dog lady thought it was a great idea to include him in the shoot!

What a gorgeous afternoon it was, and what a very photogenic this trio turned out to be. Now with an engagement we are just waiting for news of the wedding date!

Pet Portrait Day

Those of you who know us well will know that we are a very pet friendly bunch here at the studio. We always welcome pets to join family portrait sessions and can't help but smile when someone's special puppy dog features in one of our weddings. For Jo, our resident crazy dog lady, photographing pets is an opportunity to combine her two favourite things in the world - pets and photography. As a vet practice manager in her pre-photography days, she is passionate about animals, knows how to handle them, and just wants to see the pets of the world all loved and cared for in good homes. There are lots out there though who still need to find their forever homes, and hardworking organisations like South West Animal Rescue work tirelessly to try to make that happen.

Last month, we were super excited to team up with Blair Street Vet and South West Animal Rescue (SWAR) to hold a very special Pet Portrait Day. Lots of local pet lovers joined us to celebrate their pets with a mini portrait session, with all the session fees donated to SWAR to care for the animals they look after. We were blown away by the generosity of everyone who came along, and we managed to raise over $500 as well as swag fulls of blankets and food for pets in need. That definitely put a big smile on our dials :-D

Over the two day event we photographed dogs of every size, a few gorgeous cats, a rabbit, and even a ferret! With 15 minute slots for each pet we crossed our fingers and hoped everything would run smoothly, and of course with Jo behind the camera and Bianca helping out all the furry friends behaved themselves beautifully and everyone had bags of fun!

Thank you so much to all the pets and owners who made the event so much fun, to Tanya at South West Animal Rescue for helping out and to the team at Blair Street vet for letting us turn their practice into a studio for two days!

The event was such a huge success (it was sold out before we could even tell anyone about it!) that we have decided to do it again, so for all you pet lovers who missed out stay tuned as we will be announcing a new Pet Portrait Day in the New Year.

Iif you just can't wait until the next one get in touch and book your furry friend in for a Pet Portrait Session Now!

And of course if you'd like to help some pets in need or you're looking for a companion to join your family, check out South West Animal Rescue to find out how :-)

Courtney, Anthony, Benjamin and BUMP!

I love it when we get to know a secret...something super special that's just between a few selected awesome people, and us, just for a short time....I got to spend an afternoon with Courtney and Anthony, recording their pregnancy announcement!! YAY! I knew before their family did! (not the grandparents...but the rest of them...)

One Facebook Post later, along with our amazing images, and the world was told...

We also got to have fun with Super Pup  Benjamin...their first baby - around the grounds of Thomas Little Hall in Dardanup, and Courtney's family farm a little further south.