Oct 2011

Europe

This year because we had a 18th, 21st and a 50th birthday during the busiest time of the year (June July Aug) we decided to take the opportunity to travel back to Europe and Britain where we used to live for a long overdue holiday in Sept/Oct....we all had our wish list of places to explore and we have taken the opportunity to visit these places....2 weeks of relaxing in Italy (my wish list!), 2 weeks in France and then England (where my eldest son was born 21 years ago) and Amsterdam where I used to live. All these places have had a huge impact on our lives and have influenced what we do and who we are today and being able to share those experiences with our children has been fantastic. At present I am updating the blog from London and am just getting into gear for a portfolio shoot at Londons Tower bridge tommorrow....not that I haven't been shooting for the whole trip (actually an average of 80 images per day).....but that is because I know Im making memories that my kids will be able to enjoy for their whole lifetime even if they don't appreciate them now !! and that will later define their memories of this trip....so Im going to sign off now and go and explore some more of this amazing world we live in....Ciao !!

The Last Few Months

Well am currently doing a quick update from our London hotel room on the bank of the Thames and need to compress a lot of really Momentus events that happened in the leadup to this European trip....had a lot of things to organise pre-trip hence the lack of posts.

Firstly the end of July was a hugely exciting time with the last AAPP Australian Professional Photography Awards prior to South Australia merging with the AIPP in Fremantle in Perth. I was extremely fortunate to win SA Portrait, SA Open and overall SA Portrait Photographer of the year 2011 and then take out Australian Portrait, Australian Open and overall AAPP Australian Professional Photographer of the year 2011 for the second year running. To top it all off Simone Hanckel, Meg Hanson and I all achieved our AAPP Master of Photography which took almost 3 years of constant work to get which was just fabulous and we go into the AIPP with renewed energy to keep working on lifting the profile of Professional Photography with an even larger team of dedicated Professionals. It was also an honour to have Yervant and Tony Hewitt judging and to be awarded 10 Golds not to mention the 2 day Seminar by Yervant and Anie that preceeded the Awards. Other than that a far too good time was had by all!!!

This was all followed by the annual SALA festival the opening being the day after returning from Perth....This year the studio presented "Wild Earth" with artist Sally Hayne and guest artists, including Adele du Barry in conjunction with "This Fine Day" the Art Cafe next door....We had a fabulous opening and was great to be able to present a lot of the images that were awarded GOLD's in Perth...the inspiation for my part of the exhibition was the disastrous events of 2011 and the effect they are having on our youth! 

September started with a sadder time when one of my good friends and client lost her Dad (who incidently was one of my Gold award models) ....we knew it was coming but it was very sad all the same. Love to Wendy and her family. 

The day before we also lost our Landlady Mary Carrallis.....Mary had been battling cancer for over 10 years and she was the guiding force to me opening the studio in Mitcham...her resolve to live each day to the fullest and her drive to keep being a business womam right to the end was inspirational to say the least....I think having a Photographic Studio and a beautiful Art Cafe and bring our little corner back to life helped her keep going as well....we will miss her and hopefully I will be able to keep my studio where it is but that will depend on whoever buys the building now!

Both of their funerals were on the same day and it was a Peaceful day spent in Churches....first a magnicent Greek Orthdox and then a Country Church with everyone from the rural communuty for miles around attending.

A flurry of Shoots filled up the next 2 weeks in preparation for being away for the second half of Sept and Oct and had some Fabulous shoots with totally gorgeous clients....I will post pics from these when I get home and also the annual week of shooting at Jesse Brown Kindy....particularly lovely is seeing the funds raised by the Kindy shoot being put to good use...Last year Jacki bought a minature leather lounge suite for the Kindy called the Crackerjack Corner and this years started up a Eco Vegetable Garden which was finished before I left for Europe

Sept 2011

Last Few Months

Well its been a HUGE few months and I will be trying to update the events over the next few days before heading off on a new adventure ....so watch this space!!

June 2011

JUN 05

Sneak Peak-Ballet Collections

Had a wonderful Ballet Collections Shoot this week with these two beautiful little ballerinas...a got hugged and squeezed and had a ball capturing these two full of energy little bundles...managed to do a few costume changes and in the end I think I wore them out!!!...so it was off to "This Fine Day" for a coffee and hopefully a quiet night for Mum!

Sneak Peak

Ballet Collections

Midday Shadows

Saturday at the Saxons

Had a fabulous day at the Saxons on Sat shooting the family plus their new additions for the fourth ot fifth time....the first time they had a sitting I think they were a family of 4 and now they are 6 plus a couple of very boisterous puppies....with a bit of persistance we got the shot! 

Got it!

Having Fun

March 2011

MAR 15

Workshop Wednesday

OK ...have Finally decided to Bite the Bullet and invite all you keen snappers into the studio for a morning discussing how to get the Best out of your Digital SLR...this is for all the people who have been asking me if I will do a class over the last year and the first one will be a Back to Basics designed for people who have purchased a great camera but dont understand the best way to use it. I will cover Basic Knowledge (what you should know before picking up the camera), the different settings and what they do, composition, lighting and you should leave with the knowledge to have much more control over your end result and be able to take much better Images

NOTE: This class is not designed for would be pro photographers...anyone serious about becoming a photographer should contact the AAPP or the AIPP or alternatively their are fabulous Tafe courses available

First Class: Wed 9.30-12pm  23rd March 2011 

Investment $130pp

Requirements: Digital SLR

Second Class: Wed 9.30-12pm 31st March - Intermediate Lighting

This class will be a more in depth study of the different types of lighting you can use...it will cover Natural Light, Ambient Light and Flash and we will be shooting using the different techniques

Investment $130

Requirements: Digital SLR

Alternatively if you are interested in a one on one lesson designed for your specific needs please email on leanneking@internode.on.net 

For more info email me or Ph 0404208102

Had a Go at Bodypainting!

Well...ever since I first came across bodypainting and began photographing it a couple of years ago...I have been under a bit of pressure to give it a go but to do 2 creative things in sucession eg painting and then photographing is pushing the boundaries of doing either job well so having seen a couple of Tim Grattons workshops and with Wendy Fantasia offering an informative beginners course I gave in and spent the day painting the lovely Stacey...and it was loads of fun!....even better when Jason arrived with his camera and it was like a holiday for me!!...I took a couple of shots for myself and am sharing as I would highly recomend giving it a go!

Wendy Fantasia Workshop

Stacey

White Swan

3 Hours and 4 Looks

Had a bit of a challenge on Thursday with a 3 hour time slot with my favourite model and a loose plan as to how much we could get through in that time....luckily everything went smoothly and we managed to go from the "White Swan" to the "Black Swan" on to a Model with Painting to a Painted model with Painting!...got some fabulous shots and tried out my new lights which had arrived the day before and hopefully everyone got where they were supposed to be on time!!xx

Black Swan

With Painting

Painted

This Fine Day

On Monday had a fabulous fashion shoot for This Fine Day which is the gorgeous little retro gallery/cafe next door to my studio....make sure you "like" their page on facebook to see some of their stunning wares

Busy Xmas

Well Xmas came and went like a flash of light and we are already in the middle of the first term....looks like its going to be another rollercoaster of a year. I'd like to thank all the lovely families I had the pleasure of shooting over the last couple of months...met some great people and shared some wonderful family moments!

Nov 2010

Michelle Cain and a Baby Boy to keep the Girls Company!

Had a lovely afternoon exploring Brownhill Creek with the Szabados Family...the girls and bubs were adorable and the rain stayed away so here is a Sneak Peak with a few different effects with my new software compliments of Photographic Wholesalers!!

Sept 2010

"Spirit"

"Spirit" has had a bit of publicity since it was quickly edited and entered into the Awards last week...firstly Deb Edwards ...the beautiful model...commissioned Wendy Fantasia to paint her heritage on her body.. Wendy managed to combine elements from Debs Aboriginal, Irish and Hungarian cultural background while also portraying her daughter as a part of the artwork...the shoot was a lot of fun with Kirsty Wyatt doing makeup and Champagne and nibbles provided by Lorrainne along with copious amounts of coffee and cookies from "One Fine Day"...Mitcham Villages latest and most hip Gallery Cafe next door..I then had the Priviledge of Photographing Deb and also further enhance the story...the result is a Beautiful Coffee Table Book to Keep as a reminder of this Unique Experience and share with the generations to come..."Spirit" was awarded an AAPP National Silver Award and was a contributor to me winning the Australian Photographer of the Year Award...to hear more tune in to Amanda Blair on Wed afternoon...

"Spirit"

Jesse Brown Kindy

Just had a fabulous week photographing all the precious little people at Jesse Brown Kindy..and for all the people who have asked I will carry on doing all the jobs that I love doing and have not changed my prices (other than my commercial rate) The studio prices are structured to suit most budgets and that won't be changing...and we also have some amazing new specialty products such as Image Portfolio Boxes and Exquisite Albums for those who would like something that is a bit special! We have also added Coffee Table Books to our Range and these can be a great alternative to an Album for that Contemporary look to your Images! For Wall Portraits we have a new range of Art Papers as well as Metallic Papers and for those just wanting to purchase A Limited Edition Landscape or a Gratton & King they are also available from the Studio....Please feel free to drop in if my lights are on...otherwise call to make an appointment...it is always nice to have a chat before your shoot so that we can have a plan to suit your requirements!

From now until Xmas for any Photoshoots booked from Jesse Brown Parents $15 of the Sitting Fee will be donated to the Kindy to add to the Yearly Donation raised by the Kindy Photos!...and Im going to have to start a "Save the Cubbyhouse" Fund or I wont have anywhere to shoot in a couple of years!!! 

AAPP Australian Photographer of the Year 2010 Award - Leanne King

On Tuesday 7th Sept the AAPP held their National Awards Ceremony following a 2 day convention at Sfera's in Golden Grove. I was Priviledged to be awarded

AAPP South Australian Photographer of the Year 2010 and

AAPP Australian Photographer of the Year 2010.

I was also awarded

AAPP SA Portrait Photographer of the Year 2010

AAPP Australian Portrait Photographer of the Year 2010

AAPP Australian Commercial Photographer of the Year 2010

AAPP Open Category Photographer of the Year 2010

and got the highest scoring Print Award as well

As you can imagine it has been a lot to take in especially after such a fabulous 2 days of Inspirational speaking from Yohannes Van Kan and wife Jo from Christchurch (who had their magnificent Studio and home damaged in the earthquake while they were here)....and Steve Saporito who is the Marketing Guru of Photographers! I would like to thank the Wonderful Giving Inspirational Group of Professional Photographers who make up the AAPP for making it possible to win these but also for the encouragement and support that carries through all year and who make you feel like you are not working alone!

Hugest Congratulations to

Simone Hanckel

AAPP SA Outdoor Portrait Photographer of the Year

Jules Newcombe

AAPP SA Landscape Photographer of the Year

AAPP SA Open Photographer of the Year

AAPP Australian Landscape Photographer of the Year

Glen Dealtry

AAPP SA Wedding Photographer of the Year

AAPP Australian Wedding Photographer of the Year

Mark Dohring

AAPP SA Commercial Photographer of the Year

and to all those awarded Silvers and Gold who took part in the fabulous Images that were presented

Special thanks to Dale Smith for doing such a fantastic job in a short space of time and to all the Fabulous Sponsors x

AAPP Gold 2010 Nationals "David & Wishbone"

AAPP Gold 2010 Nationals "Verner Farm"

AAPP Silver 2010 Nationals "Nonsense" Bodyart by Wendy Fantasia

AAPP Silver 2010 Nationals "Frank"

AAPP Silver 2010 Nationals "Ali and Jamie"

AAPP Silver 2010 Nationals "Herbie" Bondi 9 Homeless

March 2010

LOVE capturing Babies....had a fun session with little Dylan

Mr Totally Gorgeous!

2 of the AAPP Silvers -March 2010 - Gratton & King

more AAPP Silvers from March-Bodypainting by Tim gratton

We managed to squeeze in a "Collaborations" shoot with beautiful Aleksandra during the Fringe- Bodypainting by Tim Gratton

Busy busy March with Tim Gratton hosting the World Speed Bodypainting Champs at Shotz and Crackerjack covering the Photography...Wendy Fantasia was the winner with her "Pacific Punk" Joel...to view all join the Crackerjack Photographic Studios fan page

Jan 2010 Blog copy

Crackerjack Photographic Studios has a New Home

Well its been a bit overdue but its time to spread my wings and get out of the House...so have spent the last couple of months getting my little gallery space fixed up and will be opening the doors next week. Its not quite how I want it yet but is already a comfortable and useable space and I'm looking forward to the Studios's new era....if you are passing and my car is there please drop in for a coffee...I am directly opposite the Mitcham Village Arts Institute and just around the crn from the ED (which had absolutely nothing to do with me picking that spot!!!) Really!

New Studio/Gallery

Two Cuties and a future Champion?

Beautiful new bubs

With the Tour Down Under in full swing it was great to catch up with the O'Grady clan to update the Portraits to include the latest addition to the family! Anne Marie looked amazing and it was fun to have both sets of Grandparents for the shoot as well.... busy processing everything before they head back to Europe for the Racing season...best of luck to Stu for the Tour de France!

The O'Grady's and the Newest Addition

Chelsea's 17th

Wow what a knockout Chelsea is captured the day after her 17th Birthday...in fact she is so stunning its hard to do her justice with the camera! So much of her Mum and Dad here!xx

Chelsea

Summer in the Hills

The Langes and Family

Had 2 big extended Family shoots after Xmas...one which I'm waiting for the OK to publish and this one with 4 groups from one family in the beautiful Adelaide Hills. With an amazing Garden to shoot in and some happy-go-lucky cousins a ball was had by all. Caroline became my first "viewing" customer in my new Gallery/Studio!

So gorgeous

Natasha's Family

What a totally gorgeous family the Chants are...had a fabulous Beach shoot one week before they all headed off to live in Melbourne...made all the easier by the beautiful Princess Ratbag Skirts and Tash's lovely kids!

Princess Ratbag Beach Shoot

Ballet Concert 09

Unfortunately not the official photographer for the Ballet but I did manage to get a few shots at the Dress rehersal...with a new camera and struggling to get the Manual setting working properly I didn't get shots as good as last year...but its always a pleasure and you never know one day I might get the gig!!

Dancing Beauties

Ballet Concert

Xmas Eve or the Eve of Xmas

Couldn't have a visit from the Grattons for Xmas without making the most of the opportunity....and so this beautiful creation came about. With a return to his early work this detailed Art-piece painted on the beautiful Rebecca was a knockout. Luckily didn't cause any accidents as we shot her at Windy Point and outside the Kalyra nursing home (luckily no heart attacks either!) and finished up with her in our pool. Video on Facebook coming soon!

Friends and Family

Pre Chrissy

Pre-Chrissy

Just managed to squeeze in this fabulous shoot with Georgie and Family before Christmas which was made easy bt the lovely relaxed way the family were in front of the camera and some very handy Bubbles!

Stella and Eliza

Fantasia Winners

As what quite often happens in this Industry...one thing can lead to another...and with the Famtasia's winning the Crackerjack Shoot at the SABPC it soon became evident that there was a budding model in the family with the European look that the model agencies are hunting for at the moment...next shoot was a model portfolio and what a great job he did!

Fantasia Family

Samuels Portfolio