Blog | Contemporary Family Photography

erin – sneak peak

• leanne •

Just a very little sneak peak of the gorgeous Erin and her partner, Jake,

before heading out to her school formal last night.

She looked amazing!

And I can’t wait to share with you more photos in the next few weeks of her

and some of her equally stunning girlfriends.

sweet dreams baby anastasia

• leanne •

I photographed baby Anastasia a few months ago when she was just 8 days old.

Today I returned to take a handful of photos of her bedroom – I just couldn’t resist.

This really is one of the prettiest room I’ve seen and while I did photograph it the first time,

today I took a few more images with all the finishing touches done.

This has to be every little girl’s dream bedroom.

Photos of baby Anastasia’s newborn session will be on the blog

next month – she’s simply divine!

brisbane photography workshop

• leanne •

It was another crazy, wet day in Brisbane when I held this year’s Photography Workshop.

But it didn’t stop anyone from learning how to use their cameras

on Manual settings.

In fact, it was a great challenge to work

with the weather – at times overcast and then full on rain.

I thought I’d include some words from some of the attendees who came along.

It was great! I thoroughly enjoyed the day, great location, great facilities and great family to photograph.

The hand out photo cards are a great reference and are easy to follow. Re-reading the notes, there is nothing that I needed to add, for them to be a thorough prompt for their respective topics. I feel I got to know my camera so much better, having never set aside the luxury of a whole day to talk about nothing else, what a treat in itself! I can see how lots of practice is now needed to be proficient at playing with the settings, but I do feel that I got a fair grasp on what needs to be done, and not leaving the day saying to myself ‘what did she say?’!!

I would recommend the day to anyone, it being a relaxed, informative, hands on learning experience. The class flowed really well and the understanding came from the topics being explained in a simple yet practical manner, with plenty of opportunity to share and compare, so to speak.

Louise K.

I absolutely loved it! The entire process – you did it so well I felt like I could give it a go when I left – not too mind boggled at all. I’m recommending it to everyone I know!!

Emma O.

I learnt so much in just a very short time. I really feel after all these years I have the potential to take far better shots than I have ever taken before!! And after many years of owning a DSLR I feel that I can finally work it! I have done one other course but what you taught us on Sunday made so much sense to me and I was able to put it into practice so much more and remember it far more easily than the other course.

Nicky K.

Huge thanks to Nick and Juliette and their three adorable children, Thoma, Fenella and George,

for coming along so we could photograph and practice all that had been taught that day.

They are such a relaxed and laid back family

and a pleasure to photograph.

Enjoy a few photos from the day.

To be added to the wait list for the next Photography Workshop,
feel free to email your details to –

leanne@leannestamatellos.com.au

william’s storybook album

• leanne •

I adore storybook albums!

They are thick and sturdy and tell the story of your special day so beautifully.

I love that they’re not something that needs to be put away in a safe place to protect it from little hands.

In fact it’s quite the opposite, and children and families love to look through and remember those special moments.

This album was made for William, who celebrated his 7th birthday with the most fabulous party styled by his incredibly talented mother and stylist, Sharnel Dollar from Sharnel Dollar Designs.

The ultra cool cover was designed by Sarah from Style Me Gorgeous

who never ceases to amaze me with her endless talent.

Enjoy a handful of images of this adorable album.

nicki + karl

• leanne •

I found out recently how much fun it is to just shoot for yourself.
I wanted to try out some ideas and needed some willing subjects.

So, I contacted Nicki, who I had photographed a couple of years ago and asked

if Karl and her were keen to dress up and have some fun while I took some photos.

I asked my dear friend Rachel to come along and play too,

so any behind the scenes shots of me are thanks to her

and most likely because I kept getting in the way of her shots – oops!

Karl and Nicki …. you guys were beyond fabulous.

Thanks for being such a great couple to photograph.

george + rachel – engagement party

• leanne •

Who doesn’t love hearing all the details about a marriage proposal?

I had goosebumps when Rachel posted with photos on facebook of her beautiful news.

Just before Christmas, George surprised Rachel with a holiday to New York.

While in Times Square one evening,

he asked her to glance up at one of the massive the billboards.

With the most romantic words and photos glowing on the billboard for her to read and for everyone to see,

he asked her to marry him and be his soul mate.

Tears of joy and without hesitation, she said yes!

It was an absolute pleasure to photograph Rachel and George before their incredibly, fabulous Engagement Party. It was a great celebration surrounded by their family and friends who partied late into the evening.

Enjoy some of my favourite photos from their special day!

Catering – Chez Nous Corporate
Cake – Priestleys Gourmet Delights
Marquees – Moreton Hire
DJ – Nicky Zee
Makeup – Mandi Blushma
Hair – CBD Hair Artistry

william’s little scientist party

• leanne •

It’s always an absolute pleasure to be asked to photograph work

for the incredibly talented Sharnel Dollar of Sharnel Dollar Designs.

I love it even more when it’s a party for one of her adorable children.

In this case, it was for William who turned 7 and celebrated with the coolest Little Scientist Party ever!

When you photograph a party like this, you get to see some pretty awesome things.

There are just so many details that Sharnel thought of and pulled together beautifully with a team of the best in the industry, showcasing all of her wonderful ideas – listed at the end of the post.

The artwork was beyond fabulous.

The cake, biscuits and sweets were divine.

The entertainment had me on the edge of my seat.

I loved the partyware and the placemats.

And most of all I loved the squeals and gasps heard from the children who enjoyed the celebration.

Both Sharnel and I were so excited when the party was featured on Amy Atlas Events blog – a New York event planner showcasing the best events in the world.

Take your time to enjoy the photos and to be inspired as much as I was taking them.