My heart palpitates thinking about it but I feel prepared and ready for the big event! :) I’ll be speaking twice (once on Sunday, 5 February from 11-12:30pm and again on Monday from 1:30-3pm). Wish me loads of luck and hope that I don’t fall off the stage or do anything mortifying… :)

If you’re in Brisbane, please do stop by! I hope to see you there friends!!

So, to help me with the smooth transition of getting back into the groove of blogging, today’s post is going to be a Q + A from all the questions posted on my Facebook page. And a beautiful quote to guide your day:

“Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson

Here’s to a fabulous start to 2012, friends!!! :)

Nikki L.: How do you edit your photos. Do you use actions (a certain brand). How do you get the style like yours on photoshop?

I use Lightroom for most of my edits, actually! I adore simple processing, so try to shoot with a manual white balance in-camera first, and shoot a few stops over. Then when it comes to editing, I upload to Lightroom 3 and play around with split-toning, curves, fill light and temp. Then sharpen in Photoshop and voila! :)

Sandy W.: Hi Christine! what has been the strongest form of marketing for you and your business, and have you ever had to pay for marketing?

Strongest form of marketing is YOU. I put everything into building myself into my brand, as organically and naturally as possible. I tweet and facebook about things that happen in my day to day, and really work hard to cultivate and build relationships with my clients, who I value and adore so much. They’re the ones that are out there, spreading good things about you, so they should be valued the most! :) Also networking with other people in the industry has been invaluable – the supportive network you create is just as important as the brand you’re trying to build. Positivity, strength, creativity – all are such important ingredients in development. :) And no, I’ve never paid to market anything. :)

Naomi W.: What are your top tips in getting people comfortable for a photo shoot? To the point where there are genuine moments there to be captured.

I think it’s important to be what you want to capture. If you want your clients to feel comfortable, make them feel comfortable by being comfortable yourself! :) I always make sure I’m relaxed, pumped up, excited. Clients can sense this from you, and mirror behaviour more than you realise. A big part of my sessions involve conversation, and less shooting. Strange as it may seem, conversing and getting to know them and allowing them to bring their guard down is an important element and not something to be overlooked. I probably spend more time chatting and laughing and telling stories/jokes than I do actually photographing! Don’t be shy to put down the camera and look them in the eye and REALLY get to know them. :)

Elizabeth M.: Great idea !! How do you set your photography prices and packages?

My photography pricing include no ‘packages’… My philosophy has always been to allow your clients to buy what they want, and what they need. Packages can be so defining, and there’s just so much room for “can you take this out and add this in?” moments, which I think are detrimental to the whole sales process. A happy client buys what they want/can afford, and a happy client makes for a happy Pobke. :)

Mel L.: What is your packaging like, like one you complete a session just say someone orders a disc and some prints and wall art etc. how do you do your packaging?

My packaging is all recycled. I re-use cardboard from my pro lab, use simple string to tie up everything together, and purchase 100 percent recycled paper products to put together my discs and cards. :) Reuse, reduce and recycle!

Mel B.: How, when, where and why did you become a photographer? What is your advice to someone wanting to learn the art of photography?

Big question and one that can take days to answer! :) But to be brief, I became a photographer when I purchased my first DSLR in January 2009. Started my business in April 2009 and went full time in September 2010. :) It started as a hobby and ended as an obsession… and my advice to someone wanting to learn the art of photography: practice, practice, practice, practice, be open to learning, ask questions, fill your brain, read books, go to exhibits, make friends with people who inspire you, practice some more, be patient, fill your brain some more. :) Learning and wanting to learn is so crucial, I think. Probably the most important aspect to growing as an artist. :)

Siannon S.: Do you find it hard to change over film during a wedding or a fast paced event? (cos no body wants to miss anything!)

I don’t shoot film at events or weddings!

Niki S.: What are the main lenses you use for portraits, wedding, etc

I use the following Nikon lenses – 24mm 1.4, 35mm 1.4, 45mm 2.8 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.4

Paul W.: Can you tell me a bit about how you meter at weddings (probably too big a subject!)? Spot or evaluative? Meter off the brides face? Or all of them and more?

I always use spot metering, off the face of my subject. :)

Simone N.: Do you shoot RAW? and what steps do you take to ensure that you get it right in the camera first time so minimal processing is required? Thanks Simone:)

Yes, I shoot RAW! :) Always! And the processing part of your question is answered above. :)

Nikki L.: What training have you had? Tafe uni etc. how long after you finished training did u start your business?

I’ve never had formal training, just self-training and practice! :)

Siannon S.: How many rolls of film did you take to Vietnam to last for a whole month?!

I took 30 rolls of 220 and 10 rolls of 35mm black and white film.

Heather M.: love love love this! esp, post-processing & marketing. but most importantly when will you bring the pobke magic to the southeast US?? ;)

Post-processing and marketing touched upon above. :) Southeast US? Someday soon I hope! :)

Brittany P.: How do you balance business and artistic vision? Have you ever had to turn a client away if you aren’t a good match?

I feel like with every month and year that passes, I develop a certain style and draw from a certain client. Most times we are a good match but there are the odd few that don’t necessarily ‘click’ with you straight away… but in my opinion, that’s what makes you a professional: the ability to cater to whoever is drawn to your work, for whatever reason. I’ve never turned away a client because I didn’t think we were a “good match,” largely because I don’t think I would ever be able to tell in a single email whether we’d be a “good match” or not. :) At the end of the day, I’m running a business, and I have the luxury of having an artistic vision, so I would always prioritise the business side first. But that’s just my opinion! :)

Mary W.: With Weddings, what steps do you take when it is raining? Do you shoot Film at your weddings or just digital. What are your fav len’s for weddings? When shooting film what film do you use. Thanks Mary

When it’s raining, I go prepared with two things: an umbrella and location options for shooting. That’s all I can really control! :) The other three questions are answered above. :)

Mavis W.: What are the necessary steps that I must take if I would like to start photography full time? For example, do i need to purchase ‘public liability’ insurance, insurance for my equipment straight away? should i register my business name straight away?

HUGE question there! :) Whether you’re full time or part time, if you want to be considered a “professional photographer,” it’s my belief that you have all the necessary steps to equip you to run a proper business. Yes, register a business name. Have a website. Get insurance. Have backup systems in place. Know your tax structures. Get an accountant. Have backup gear for your gear. There are SO many things that you have to think about before jumping on board and I can’t really touch on every single one of them here, but none of them are that daunting (as daunting as they may sound!). :) You can do it! :)

Karen P.: What type of lighting setup do you use most often?

I don’t have any other source of external lighting except my SB900 flash that I use at receptions. :)

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR QUESTIONS, FRIENDS! :) HAPPY WEDNESDAY!! :)

Theirs was my last wedding for 2011 – and I am so supremely grateful to them and all of my gorgeous couples this year. Thank you for making 2011 such a joyous 12 months of growth, happiness, delight, success, and and and!!! :) I’m so excited that I get to end the year with Farah and Paul and their absolutely perfect day. A trillion billion thanks. :)

Pobke Photography is closed until the New Year… so happiest of holidays to you and yours, and enjoy the festive time off! xoxo

Deb’s attention to detail made for a most scrumptious treat for my camera (and the treats themselves were rather delicious, I must add), so enjoy all the ways in which she endeavored to make their wedding gorgeous! :)

It was everything I expected and more (well, the heat was “more” for one thing). :) The love in that Sydney home was probably felt in neighbouring cities hundreds of kilometres away. There was dancing and cha-cha’s; children singing; rings being passed around for blessings; poems cited; stories told; and food. There was amazing food. (I ate and ate and ate some more.) :)

Thank you, Karina and William and your beautiful lovely families. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this amazingly intimate, preciously gorgeous ceremony. It was both an honour and privilege to be there, and I can’t wait to meet your darling new raspberry, who is bound to be so very loved by everyone in your family. Congratulations x infinity. :) xoxo

Today we completed the two day beautiful experience that was Pobke Magic in Brisbane, Queensland. Eight wonderful ladies, two awesome guest speakers, two sets of amazing models. I’m not sure where to start with how I feel right this second… elated? Humbled? Speechless? Moved? Perhaps all of the above. These past two days have consisted of me talking about seven hours straight. (And feeding myself quite regularly.) Getting to know fellow photographers who were hungry for knowledge. An experience that I’ll never forget.

Every Pobke Magic workshop experience has been different and special in its own unique way, and this week has been no exception. It was beautiful and such a privilege to get to know these women who trusted me, asked me questions, and opened themselves up. (And were patient with my long winded monologues…) :) And I’m so thankful to my friends Todd and Alyda McGaw for taking time out on the first day of my workshop to guest speak about the importance of branding: your advice and insight was incredibly valuable to all of us and I am forever indebted to you for it! Also the hugest of thanks to Campos for hosting us ladies… you fed us, quenched our thirsts, provided SUCH amazing service, and let us use your beautiful facilities. THANK YOU!

We had so many beautiful models to photograph, so I’ve broken them up into two parts, firstly starting with the lovely Seth and Tenielle of Feather and Stone. Thanks for being hip, awesome, kind, and lovely. I’m so lucky to call you friends! :)

And Dan? Well geez. Dan is a blokey version of Carrie. Equally caring and thoughtful and genetically armed with that considerate gene… So when the two of them come together, it’s totally clear why. Thoughtful meets thoughtful. Kind meets kind. :)

Carrie and Dan: thank you a billion times over for making my day so much fun. And for allowing me to be a part of such a beautiful celebration… I’m so excited for both of you and can’t wait to see what the future holds for you guys. So much love to you both! :)

[Special thanks to my gorgeous pal and mentor, Kelly Tunney, for being a fantastic 2nd shooter on the day... You make me happy, friend!!!]