Click on the title of the blog post to view the entire entry.
I am so thrilled and excited to have been asked by the I Heart Faces team to be a guest judge over on their blog this week.
For those not in the know, it’s a wonderful photography website that is all about the art of capturing faces – it has competitions, giveaways, tutorials and so much more so head on over and say hello!
To those who are soon-to-be mamas, hoping to become mamas one day, or mamas already… you must watch this. I only wish this had been made before I became a mama 
xx
About a year ago, loyal blog followers will remember that I had a gorgeous new logo designed for me that was so much more fitting and reflective of me than my original one. I loved my logo. I still do. But I realised that the logo, and indeed the direction my lovely business was headed, no longer suited its surroundings.
I began the arduous task of trying to re-brand.
I needed my online presence to reflect everything about the way I approach my photography and the beautiful people with whom I am blessed to share amazing moments. It needed to encapsulate feeling (as well as being practical) - comfort, serenity, love, tenderness and care – like the images I capture are a reflection of my heart, my branding needed to reflect those same qualities. I spent more hours in what I like to call ‘concept’ mode for far longer than I care to admit to – it had to be right, it had to be me.
When this all finally came together, I felt like a great weight had been lifted off my shoulders. All of the puzzle pieces finally fit. It was all there in front of me, and I was itching to share it with everyone – a celebration of all of the amazing people that have come into my life. It felt right, and I’m so happy to see it all come to life. Yes, change is beautiful.
Welcome to my heart, my sanctuary, my new home. Sit down, and stay a while.
Welcome to the new Kristen Cook | Photographer.
“The sky is crying mummy!” she said with wide-eyed astonishment. It has been raining quite a bit lately in Melbourne, and I can’t say my little Miss Mia is a fan of it (it prevents her visits to the park, naturally, which she adores with all of her heart) but to hear her new interpretation of rain made me smile.
“Why is it crying?” I asked her, wondering if she would allow me some insight into her gorgeous mind.
“I don’t know. It’s sad because the sun’s hiding?”
“Maybe…”
“Why does it have to rain, mummy?” she asked.
“It needs to rain sweetheart. All of the beautiful trees and plants need to have a drink, otherwise they get very thirsty”
“Oh…” she muttered, and, for a moment, seemed satisfied with the response. Then, she stopped and looked up at me. “Does the tree want my water?” she asked handing me her drink bottle.
“Not today Princess. Not today…”
For Mia
x
I will be taking a very well deserved break for a little while, and heading off overseas! My beautiful friend Kerianne Brown is going to be welcoming a brand new little man into the world any day now, and I could not feel more honoured and excited to be flying all of the way over to Canada to share in this amazing time in her life and to welcome this little person with such joy and love. I am so grateful to be able to spend some quality time with Kerianne and our gorgeous friend Raye Law who will also be flying over. It has been a long while in the making and I am so looking forward to this beautiful time ahead.
As such the studio will close Monday 14 June 2010 and reopen on Monday 12 July 2010. During this time, I will have very limited access to internet and email and no access to voicemail while I am away (I will not even be taking my phone with me). If the matter is urgent and cannot wait until my return, please send me an email and I will do my best to respond when I can. Otherwise, all voicemail messages and most emails will be returned after Monday 12 July.
Last weekend, the Australian Professional Photography Awards (or the APPAs) were held in Melbourne. This annual event draws talent from all over the country and showcases some amazing work from some very wonderful photographers across a whole broad spectrum of genres. This year, as an emerging photographer, I entered three prints and was fortunate to receive three awards (two silvers and one silver with disinction). Two of these three prints I also entered into the Victorian Professional Photographer of the Year Awards (VPPYs) along with two other prints, and also received two silvers and one silver with distinction at the State awards. I was blown away, to say the least, to be recognised for the work that I do for my clients, by my industry peers. Thank you to the beautiful babes who featured in this work for making those prints as special as they were.
For me though, the best part about this amazing weekend is the opportunity to meet and network with some of the most amazing photographers in Australia. Being able to catch up with those that are positioned all around the country, as well as meeting some fabulous new people make this time what it is. I am seriously humbled and amazed at the wonderful talent that our country has, and just to be part of that last week was a complete honour in itself. Thank you to all of my friends, new and old, for filling my heart with such warmth.
If you’re interested in learning more about the APPAs, you can visit the official website here.
Well, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
I really wanna know (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Tell me, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
‘Cause I really wanna know (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
I have had this song by The Who stuck in my head for days – mainly because I was catching up on some much neglected blog/website stat reviews, when I came across some wonderfully gorgeous people who had themselves blogged about me and my newborn and baby photography. I was blown away, truly. Particularly as I had never heard a peep from these people before, and yet here they were, taking the time to stop and write to the special people in their world, about my work. I felt flattered, actually – more than that, I felt honoured. Speechless, in fact. I would have never known that they had done so had I not stumbled across them. But, it also made me realise there must be many people out there who may visit my blog without ever saying a word (and considering my stats, that’s the majority of you!).
So today, I challenge all of your silent visitors out there!!!! Drop in and say hello! Even if it’s just one word, I’d love to hear from you in the comments field on my blog below. Go on… it will take two seconds, I promise! 
Whether you’ve never commented, commented once, comment occassionally or comment every time I blog (I appreciate it more than you know… x), I’m talking to YOU! Yes, YOU! Show me you’re listening
Coincidentally, I’m also updating a new FAQ post for my blog shortly, so if there is some burning question you’ve wanted to ask me about anything (doesn’t have to be biz related) either pop it in the comments below, or send me an email.
Facebook Page
Don’t forget I also have a Facebook page that I also keep updated, so if you’re not already a fan via Facebook, make sure you come past, join and say hello!
Hello friends
I just wanted to quickly update you with my maternity “leave” situation (or not, as the case may be!)
You would have noticed from my blog that only weeks after having my Charlie boy, I was back working again taking on newborn photography sessions or weddings. I thought that this would give me a chance to spend some time with our beautiful little family at home for a while, and still be able to provide some gorgeous memories for those tiny little newborns or wedding couples (sessions that are impossible to postpone due to their very nature).
However, somehow since beginning my leave, I have been so inundated with bookings that I am now back to working at my current full capacity, just with these two session types. Craaaaaazy! I am now fully booked until the end of January, and a lot of February and March, apart from a couple of dates here and there waiting for newborns.
What does this mean? Well, for now it means at the very least until February next year I am still not taking any portrait bookings other than newborns. I am taking extremely limited baby sessions (up to around 10 months of age) in studio in February so you need to get in quick as I will only have a few available per month (those on the waitlist who have previously enquired get priority). Therefore, this also means that I am unable to accept bookings for older babies and kids for the time being.
I know that there have been some eager clients out there waiting for me to get back into things, and I’m so sorry the timing hasn’t worked out that way, but I know all of you lovely people will understand how important family time is and how even if I wanted to book other session types, there just aren’t enough days for me to do so! I do wish that I could say yes to everyone that gives me a call but it looks as though my business is carving its own new path in 2010, and I’m very excited to see where this journey takes me!
*** UPDATED: I have now contacted everyone who has written to me – thank you again so much everyone for opening your hearts to me. If you have not received a response from me, please check your spam folders, or please contact me to let me know if you’re still waiting on a response. ***
***UPDATED 10/12: Thank you SO much to everyone who has emailed me – I am completely overwhelmed and thankful for all of your messages. I’m just trying to get through everyone’s emails and as soon as I have a chance to I will be in contact with everyone – thank you xx ***
***UPDATED 1/12: Umm… woaaah!!!! I must admit, I was wondering if I was going to put this out there and not have anyone reply, but your responses have been overwhelming to the point of having to create a whole new email folder just dedicated to your replies! I had no idea people were that interested in what I do (really, I’m serious!) and to have replies not only locally, but from interstate and… overseas (!), boy – you know how to make a girl blush. I must say, reading all of your beautiful emails just makes this such a wonderful experience – I’ve laughed, I’ve cried… you are all beautiful souls – thank you. I will be in touch next week with you all. xx **
Meaning: Dis (discuss, not diss!) the biz (the biz…) with Kris (me!)
Ok, so that’s my lame-o attempt and trying to come up with something ultra cool for the title of this post, but it will have to do…
When I wrote my last Photographer’s FAQ I did so because of the many emails I would receive from people asking me questions in all shapes and forms about my work. Flattering and humbling, completely and I appreciate that there are people that care enough out there to contact me to ask questions. Most of the time however, I don’t have the opportunity to go into any great detail as much as I would like to due to time constraints and the inability to answer a lot of things over one email – a lot of things just can’t be summed up easily.
I decided a little while back to see if I could meet up with one person out there who is interested enough to spend some time with me, and just hang out for a day doing what I do. I know there are some amazing people out there that have contacted me in the past asking about doing something like this, and so, here’s your chance!
What’s up for grabs? One full day with me from dawn until dusk (well, not literally, I’m a terrible early morning person) where you get to do whatever you want to do. Want to know what a typical day consists of? Ok! Want to join me on a real client shoot? Sure! Want to play around with some concepts you want to try out? Would love to! Want to sit down and edit some images? No problem! Want to talk biz? Of course! Want to watch The Notebook with me while eating Cookies and Cream ice-cream straight out of the tub? Even better!
What’s the catch? Nothing – apart from me only being able to spend one day with only one person! I would love to make some proper time for someone to hang out properly and get to know you – and as much as I would like to do so for everyone that asks, for the moment, there’s only just time for me to do this with one person for now.
What do you need to do? Email me by the end of Sunday, 6 December 2009 (with the subject “Dis the biz with Kris” because, let’s face it, it’s way cool peeps…). I need you to tell me about you – who you are, where you are from, what you do, what you are interested in, what you want to do, telling me everything! You can be creative, spontaneous, daring, boring - just give me the low down on you and what you want from this. This is available for anyone from anywhere - you don’t have to be in Melbourne if you’re interested in this (although I’m very flattered if anyone outside of Melbourne considers this a good enough reason to drive/fly here… ) and so you can be from anywhere, I don’t mind in the slightest! I love anyone willing to make an effort I’ll then contact someone after the 6th from the list of people that email me to come and spend a day very soon, so we can hang out and have some fun!
My big disclaimer: I am not an expert in anything, nor do I claim to be. I can only share what I know and what I do, and talk to you about my experiences. I’m not a teacher – all I can promise is that if you ask me something, I will either answer you or tell you I don’t know!
Yep, it’s a brand new look! The Kristen Cook brand is growing up! (well, not completely… I’m still a child at heart!)
In honour of new beginnings with this little baby, I’ve now gone through a rebranding process for the business as well with my beautiful new kc logo to start things off. Things are a bit busy behind the scenes for obvious reasons, so I thought now might be a nice time to introduce you to the change so it can sink in while I have a break
My signature green and pink will still be playing a big part, and I’m having a bit of fun with the new concept, so be prepared to see it splashed around a lot. For all of you who played the guessing game over the last few weeks as to what the change was that was coming (and honestly, I was in stitches over some of your responses and emails!!), hope you’re not too disappointed! A change is as good as a holiday, right?? (and don’t I need one right about now…)
I am also excited to announce that I also have a dedicated weddings website up and running now as well (there you go Bronnie… finally!). To learn more about my approach to photographing weddings, you can visit the dedicated Kristen Cook | Weddings website here.
