• Me, working with you before out session, discussing ideal wardrobe selections, hair and makeup options, and lots of little tips and tricks to get you looking and feeling your absolute best,
• Me, posing and positioning you to bring out your inner Diva.  I’m not snap happy, but take time to demonstrate how to move, sit and place yourself to look your absolute best.
• I’ll work WITH you to create beautiful images for up to two hours at a location of your choosing (usually, it’s easiest at your place – or you can organise a hotel room if you prefer).
• Then I work by myself to create your masterpieces.  I use all the same Glamour Retouching methods as the No Cheese, No Sleaze package, and you also get
• A beautiful printed folio of your two favourite images.

Of course, you’re also welcome to purchase any other prints or enlargements from my a la carte menu at a %10 discount!

And, to thank you, this Mini Glamour Portrat Package is available to you for only $385.

Call me on 0413 53 11 79, or email me at vashti@vashtiwood.com to schedule (or purchase one as a last minute Christmas gift) your Mini Glamour Portrait Session today!

Newsletters are weekly, and short sharp and to the point – that’s why I’ve called it “In a Snap” (pun TOTALLY intended).  Each week I’ll answer a subscriber question or show you how to do something better.  Either way, you’ll be able to implement the info immediately and see instant results!

Leave your details below, and you’ll get a personal email directly from my inbox every week.  I can hardly wait to see you in the next installment.

Well, you could spend hours in front of a mirror – posing, turning, adjusting, tweaking, trying to remember what you’ve done that works… But the problem with THAT solution is that you’re only ever going to see yourself from a single viewpoint.  Your eyes are always stuck in your head and you have no way of knowing how you look from any perspective other than what is fixed in your sockets *smiles*  One way around that is to spend a few thousand dollars, and a few months of your life, studying the way models do – learning how to ‘work the camera’ and take ‘direction’ from photographers, stylists and artistic directors…

Alternatively, you can work with a professional photographer that specialises in working with non-professional subjects (I mean, people that aren’t professional models).  Thankfully the professional photographer  – unlike yoruself – isn’t limited to seeing and capturing things from a single fixed location.  Not only do I know EXACTLY how to pose you – how to  work with you and explain exactly how to position yourself to show off your best or favourite features, and minimse your least favourite ones – but also exactly which angle is best for any given pose.

I could go into all of the nitty gritties (there’s a lot of physics and a bit of math involved), but that would be allowing my geeky side to show through pretty boring and take QUITE a while.  So I created a video instead, to show you – visually – the huge difference even one very small change can make.

Oh and one last thing (before you study the images) – what you see below are images are Straight Out Of the Camera (SOOC).  Excepting a black and white conversion (and resizing), I’ve not done anything else to these portraits.  I’ve written, very specifically, about the differences between SOOC images, proofs and print-ready images (click here to open the article in a new tab).

In THIS instance, I’ve elected to use the SOOC images to show you that it’s not about Photoshop Trickery – just good, old fashioned, skill and expertise that you just can’t fake.

If you have any questions you’d like to see answered, feel free to leave a comment below or on my facebook page.  I’ll see you in the next video!

Camera approximately 1' above the ground

Camera approximately 5' above the ground.

Who:  You or a friend.

What:  Multi-award winning complete glamour makeover – tan, hair styling AND makeup makeover.

When:  Drawn and published 23rd December.  Winner published on this website AND notified by email and telephone.

Where:  Adelaide CBD.

Why:  I thought that’d be kinda obvious.  *grins*

How:  Enter your details at the bottom of the page for your chance to win a $1,100 complete makeover and glamour photo session!

You know me.  You know my work.  (If you don’t, take a few minutes to browse the site).

What you might NOT know is that my family has had a pretty rough year and – because family is the most important thing in life – I’ve prioritised my family over work.  I’ve taken a hiatus from work this year to focus on supporting and nurturing myself and my family through our hard times.

Now the storm has passed, I’m wanting to honour the memories of my departed Grandparents and Mother, by dusting myself off and throwing myself wholeheartedly back into the life I was meant to live.

And to celebrate, I’ve put together a totally AWESOME, completely AMAZING, and truly SPECTACULAR gift for one lucky woman!

There are no tricks.  No gimmicks.  No cheese, no sleaze.  One lucky woman will receive a complete makeover, glamour photo shoot AND glamour retouch & print package.  I’ve managed to convince Karen Hedger (multi-award winning hair stylist and makeup artist) to assist, to ensure you’re COMPLETELY pampered!

Karen will begin by expertly styling your hair for our session.  Then, she’ll provide you with a complete makeover by creating a flawless foundation, and working from there to bring out your inner beauty – to bring the ‘You’ that’s on the inside into alignment with the ‘You’ that’s seen on the outside.  Using all the advanced techniques that win her awards, and land her gigs working on tv shows, Karen will wave her magic wand. ( Ok.  She doesn’t ACTUALLY have a wand – but she DOES have brushes…  almost the same thing!)

Then, the REAL magic begins.

• I’ll pose and position you to bring out your inner Diva.  I’m not snap happy, but take time to demonstrate how to move, sit and place yourself to look your absolute best.
• I’ll work WITH you to create beautiful images.
• Then I work by myself to create masterpieces.  The package also includes
• three (3) printed enlargements at 11×14″ size AN
• ten (10) 5×7″ prints also.
• These completely retouched prints will be provided along with approximately 20 of the best images from your session in electronic format – optimised for you to upload, email and share online.

I’ve recently discovered the joys of using quick-dry, long-lasting nail polishes (Cutex has a brilliant range, as does Rimmel).

It’s AWESOME stuff.

It dries, literally in less than a minute (which is fabulous when you feel the need for a second coat), it’s generally super pigmented too.  But, as I’ve discovered, there are also drawbacks.

I guess there are pros and cons with everything.

Specifically, due to the extreme pigmentation, along with the chemicals required to dry the polish quickly, your fingernails will most likely end up stained from using it.

Seriously.

I used Cutex’ red nail polish for the first time last a few weeks ago and while the colour was amazing ON… well, let’s just say the results weren’t so spectacular after it was removed.

My fingertips were pink and my nail beds were worse.  I even resorted to hardcore acetone remover to try and clean them.  To no avail!

So, the take home message is this:  Steer clear of quick-dry long-lasting nail polish for at least a MONTH before your big day!

Preferably with a relaxed and unhurried chocolate kiss (really, it deserves its first placing on the dessert menu), and your choice of beverage.

Then, in quick snippets, when you can sneak a 15 minute break at work; after you’ve said goodnight or goodbye to your fiance and can be assured he’s not going to be eavesdropping.

In @-replies on twitter, “plussing” your way through google searches, and “friending”, “liking”, “tagging”, “withing” and “geotagging” on facebook.

One question, accomplishment, statement, challenge, achievement, fear, tear, truimph and frenzy at a time.

In long conversations over brunch, pouring over look books, tossing around ideas for portrait locations, and trying to sort out the dreaded seating arrangement plan.

And then, when the day comes, as your unofficial matron of honour (after all, I haven’t YET found a matron of honour that’s been a bridesmaid at more weddings that I’ve attended – I actually know a thing or two *laughs*). ..

Does my hair look alright? Is my eye makeup too dark? Did you bring a lint remover? Cheers! Can you make sure my dress is sufficiently fooffed. Can you make sure my dress doesn’t get dirty…

Can you believe I’m getting married!!!

And when you see a selection of ‘same-day edits’ of my favorite images from the day, you’ll understand you really are more beautiful than you know and more loved than you can imagine, and that your own unique love story has been captured, and is now being retold (and will be retold for future generations)… Well there are no words for that.

And finally, when your official ‘sneak peeks’ are uploaded and tagged, and you’re the centre of your friends’, families’ and colleagues’ comments of genuine excitement, joy – and, yes, sometimes even jealousy – we can share a private high five, then you can share my details with your world.

I was, perhaps, 14.  Maybe 15.  I can’t remember exactly.  What I can remember is that my Dad had to carry me.

I was in so much pain that I couldn’t walk, couldn’t talk, couldn’t cry…  I couldn’t explain to my parents what was going on, and although they did their best to appear unphased, I knew they were silently freaking out.

I know I would be if that happened to my daughter!

It took around a year to get a diagnosis.  And with it, the prognosis: “Clearly, you’re never going to be able to have children; you have two options.  1 – I can write you a license and prescription for the equivalent of pethadine or morphine so you can self-medicate and deal with the pain that way.  Or, 2 – we can simply remove all of your ‘bits’ and you can be on hormone replacement therapy for the remainder of your life.  I recommend the second option – at least that way, you won’t have the pain to deal with.”

The ‘second opinion’ we sought was practically the same as the first.  By 18, the pain was so bad that I would literally go blind – passing out was a welcome releif.  So, I decided surgery would be a viable option.  NOT to remove my bits, but to remove at least some of the stuff that was causing the problems.

Apparently, I’d need to have this surgery every 12 to 24 months OR have all of my ‘bits’ removed…

Thankfully, my family has a strong history of Christian faith.  And so did I.  Personally so.  I was only 18, but I’d made my *own* mind up – thank you very much – and the whole ‘God-factor’ featured very heavily in my life’s equation.

I was young (some would say naieve), full of faith, and beleived not only that miracles happened, but that I would be the recipient of such.

Miracles do happen.  Every day.  I know this to be true, with every fibre of my being.

Every morning, two gorgeous children bound into our bedroom and jump into the family bed for morning snuggles before the fury of the day hits with full force.  These two miracles – concieved naturally, carried smoothly and with great joy, and birthed peacefully at home with our chosen midwives – are proof positive that God hears and answers our prayers.

Oh, and I still have all my ‘bits’.  And, no, I don’t have that license and prescription for pain medication either, nor do I have any need for it.

Miracles have been weighing quite heavily on my mind of late.  Practically 6 months ago, to the day, we buried my beautiful Granddad.  He’d died of Pancreatic Cancer, which had metastisised throughout every abdominal organ.  He was diagnosed the week before Christmas, and died at the end of January – a mere 5 weeks later.

Three weeks ago, we buried his wife – my amazing Grandma.  She died of a broken heart.  That’s them in the photo above.  The entire extended family got together at Christmas last year, to make it really special.  That’s where I captured these images.

The evening of Grandma’s funeral, we had to travel back to Adelaide.  We had an appointment scheduled for my mum to visit a surgeon first thing the next morning.

The day after we buried my Grandma, six months after Granddad died of Pancreatic Cancer, the surgeon told us that Mum has the same condition as her father – surgery was scheduled for the following Wednesday.

On the Wednesday, about half an hour into the scheduled surgery, Mum’s Doctor came down to give us the prognosis:  “Inoperable.  Incurable.  Metastatic Stage 4 Agressive Pancreatic Cancer.  You mother has, at the absolute most, approximately 6 months to live.”

Miracles do happen.  Every day.  I know this to be true, with every fibre of my being.  So now we’re praying for another miracle.

If you’ve ever seen a miracle, or personally know someone who has, I invite you to pray and beleive with us for another one – for Mum.

We all know about the devastating floods in Queensland that are literally sweeping towns and families away.  My prayers are going out to EVERYONE involved in this horrible situation.

I want to help – so I’d like to announce that 100% session fees for all portrait sessions (booked before midnight, Sunday 16th January 2011) will be donated to the Flood Relief Appeal.

Spread the word.  Let everyone know.

Sessions include maternity, newborn, family, engagement and fearless bridal (aka Trash The Dress) sessions.

And if you’re a photographer reading this, I encourage you to join me in my quest to donate Photographs for Flood Victims.

Contact me immediately:

Call:   0422 96 56 36

Skype:  vashti.wood

email:  vashti@vashtiwood.com

or use the contact form at the top of this web page.

As I said in a previous entry, there were so many beautiful details.  It really didn’t matter where I pointed my camera!

Individually hand made hair pieces.

Close-up of the beautiful lace from Jane's mantilla veil.

I don't really think this needs a caption. It's just really precious.

I just couldn't walk past this planter, at Wayne's front door, without stopping to capture the soon-to-be-sweetness.

I seriously love the subtlety of detail on Wayne's tie. He's may be completely colourblind, but that sure doesn't effect his perception and style.

Here's a close-up of the wedding rings. Obviously, the tiny one is Jane's; it had previously beloned to Jane's great-grandmother and has been passed from daughter-to-daughter ever since. And if you look closely, Wayne's still wearing his mengagement ring (that I had the most amazing fun capturing during their engagement portrait session).

"Wow - what an incredible day..." You sure said it, Wayne!

Don't you just love the delicate pink edges on the roses. But, even more, I love the combination of peppercorns and lavender.

And here's another view of the corsage - this time with rings peeking.

The delicate embroidery; the lace edging on the bodie; the low-key yet stunning beadwork... What's NOT to love about this dress?

Jane's jewellry.

Jane's bridal bouquet.

Jane's jewellry; rearranged.

I just loved the contrast of textures and colours - and find it interesting that most people would probably never notice these things.

Here's a detailed shot of Jane's mantilla veil (lovingly handcrafted by a master veil designer from Melbourne) floating atop the overlay from Jane's dress' train.

While Jane was having a moment with her new husband at their chosen garden location, I noticed this tiny lady-beetle on her veil. Such good luck for a wedding day!

]]> http://www.vashtiwood.com/sneak-peek-mildura-destination-wedding-part-3-the-details/feed/ 0 http://www.vashtiwood.com/sneak-peek-mildura-destination-wedding-part-2/ http://www.vashtiwood.com/sneak-peek-mildura-destination-wedding-part-2/#comments Fri, 07 Jan 2011 07:52:28 +0000 Vashti Wood http://www.vashtiwood.com/?p=250 Clearly, this is the second installment in a multi-part series.  If you’ve not already checked out part 1 – you can do so here.

During Jane and Wayne’s reception, Jane’s mother made a speech.  And in it, she paid tribute to Jane’s hyper-organisational-skills.

Trust me.  EVERYTHING about this wedding was planned to the most minute detail.  Jane literally took care of everything.  She even made her own wedding cake.  Jane’s obviously as detail oriented and finicky about things as I am (although, admittedly, on a more comprehensive scale).

So, it was such a great honour to be one of the few vendors Jane chose, and trusted, to do their own thing.

One of the benefits of working with such a detail oriented bride, was that there were just SO MANY details to capture.  I was consciously aware of constantly becoming aware of yet another detail that had to be immortalised.  (Even the bright crimson stucco wall in her church’s cafe!)

Anyway – without further ado, here are some of the images captured during both Jane and Wayne’s preparation before their wedding.

Apparently, in the Sparks household, the ONLY way to start the day is with some kind of caffienated beverage. Although, if Jane's facebook status update from this morning is anything to go by, perhaps the Sparks household is evolving?

Feeding the hordes requires dozens upon dozens of eggs.

Breakfast of champions - Sparks style.

Something that I, as a photographer, don't see all that often, is as much time and effort taken capturing the Groom's dressing preparations as there is paid to the Bride. I, on the other hand, LOVE 'groomal preparations' (as opposed to bridal peparations).