KNOLL PHOTOGRAPHY - BLOG

My year in photos…

admin — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:44:09 +0000

2011 has been a roller coaster ride and rather than slowing down towards the end, it seems to be speeding up. While I have a brief respite in between wrapping up customer orders, school concerts and finalising holiday plans, I thought I would post a little video of some of my favourite photos of 2011. Some are commissioned, many are of my gorgeous family, all of them bring a smile to my face. I hope they do the same for you.

Knoll Photography – Love Photography, Love Life

Knoll Photography is owned by Natalie Knoll, a photographer who specialises in telling your story… about you, about your family, about your life, about your image. A contemporary lifestyle photographer, Natalie specialises in photographing families, pregnancy, babies and children. She also works with actors’ agencies, small businesses and corporates to produce high quality headshots for portfolios and PR.

Knoll Photography is based in Randwick in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney but operates throughout the city and surrounding areas.

Knoll Photography has a “Knoll Photography” page on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Knoll-Photography/167767046319

and follow on twitter for daily photography tips – @knollphoto

To contact Knoll Photography about your requirements – please go to the contact form on the website or alternatively email Natalie at natalie@knollphotography.com or call her on 0400 181685

Strength in numbers

admin — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 02:21:27 +0000

When a client books me in for a shoot, I generally like to sit down with them beforehand and get an idea of what exactly they would like to do with their photos. Not everyone knows and that’s fine - often these decisions happen organically when the client views their images. But sometimes, they have a very good idea of what they would like to do and that really helps me when I am shooting because I can shoot with this in mind. In the two sessions mentioned below, strength in numbers was a theme in my directives. Melinda, knew that she wanted a whole wall of framed images in different sizes but clustered to tell a story about her kids and family.

Ann had asked if I could do a series of shots within the session that would work well as a framed three-image story of her little girl.

There is often a real wow factor about a series of images that work well together either in the same frame or hung in close proximity. So when you are shooting, although it is great to just click away, sometimes it helps to think about what you would like to do with the images.

Knoll Photography – Love Photography, Love Life

Knoll Photography is based in Randwick in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney but operates throughout the city and surrounding areas.

Knoll Photography has a “Knoll Photography” page on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Knoll-Photography/167767046319

and follow on twitter for daily photography tips – @knollphoto

To contact Knoll Photography about your requirements – please go to the contact form on the website or alternatively email Natalie at natalie@knollphotography.com or call her on 0400 181685

Home is where the heart is…

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:18:33 +0000

What I really enjoy about what I do is the diversity of it. Yes, I primarily do family portraits, but every family is different, each child within that dynamic is different and the locations are very varied too. The directives that I get from my clients also range from “We want a little bit more formal and posed” to “We want crazy and nutso…just like our family.” On this particular shoot, part of our mission was to include the family home as much as possible - almost treat it like another family member. It is a beautiful house and warm home and will no doubt aways be a part of their memories…

Knoll Photography – Love Photography, Love Life

Knoll Photography is based in Randwick in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney but operates throughout the city and surrounding areas.

Knoll Photography has a “Knoll Photography” page on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Knoll-Photography/167767046319

and follow on twitter for daily photography tips – @knollphoto

To contact Knoll Photography about your requirements – please go to the contact form on the website or alternatively email Natalie at natalie@knollphotography.com or call her on 0400 181685

Santorini is another name for heaven on earth

admin — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:17:34 +0000

The last time that I was in Santorini was 17 years ago and I was a very poor backpacker. Coming in on the ferry all those years ago, I thought that I was seeing snow on the top of those volcanic cliffs (impossible as that seemed) - and as we drew closer, I was completely mesmerised by the magical, arid beauty of this little island and its stunning whitewashed villages capping its edges. Flying into Santorini last month for my ten year wedding anniversary, I was a little apprehensive that I would be immune to its charms - I was now a seasoned traveller who had seen a lot and been fortunate to stay in some amazing places. Would it still take my breathe away? But time and my own cynicism have not diminished the absolute splendour of this Aegean gem - I am as hooked as ever and have managed to persuade my husband (by twisting his very rubber arm) that we should return to celebrate our fifteen year anniversary here. Life in Santorini (at least mine for the week that I was there) revolves around the sunset. It seems that almost everyone takes at least a couple of minutes to acknowledge this stunning little miracle every evening, many applauding the colourful wonder of it before heading off to the local tavernas for surprisingly good local Santorini wine and sublimely great local fish. Just like Paris, everywhere you turn in Santorini, there is a photo to be taken - I hope you enjoy mine as well as some of my top tips for what will be one of the best places you will visit.

We stayed at the Katikies Hotel in Oia. Pricey but so worth it. Alexander, the manager, and his amazing team could not do enough to make our stay the fantastic experience that it was….and if you do stay there, do the wine tasting experience. This is where we were introduced to the joys of Santorini wines.
Don’t go for a tour on the Caldera - the volcano. We did a catamaran trip around the island which takes you pretty close to the Caldera and were told by a number of people that this was far more pleasant than stomping around a hot stony outcrop with nothing to really see but a bit of puffy smoke.
If you are going to go for a donkey ride, go up to the top rather than down to the bottom. Far more sturdy and far less nerve-wracking.
Don’t go expecting beautiful sandy mediterranean beaches. This is a volcanic island after all. But the water is still beautiful and we found gorgeous little swimming spots just by asking some of the locals.
Note to girls - this is not a place to take your high heels. You may get away with wearing wedges, but otherwise, between the cobblestones and the steps (and there are a lot of those) , you will definitely land up with an ankle injury and a bruised ego.
For a truly authentic Greek culinary experience, head to Santorini Mou just outside of Oia. What to expect? Mama cooking in the kitchen and papa playing his bazouki and singing the Greek (song) classics with a couple of his cronies. So good that even Jennifer Aniston has been there…and of course there is the ubiquitous (and genuine) photo of her on the wall (and their business card) to prove it. I have added a little movie snippet at the end…
We went in the middle of September and it seemed like the perfect time to be there. It is not completely overrun by tourists and cruise ships then and not overwhelmingly hot.

And finally…the Piece de Resistance

mvi_1732

Knoll Photography – Love Photography, Love Life

Knoll Photography is based in Randwick in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney but operates throughout the city and surrounding areas.

Knoll Photography has a “Knoll Photography” page on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Knoll-Photography/167767046319

and follow on twitter for daily photography tips – @knollphoto

To contact Knoll Photography about your requirements – please go to the contact form on the website or alternatively email Natalie at natalie@knollphotography.com or call her on 0400 181685

Out of Focus

admin — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 03:49:04 +0000

Often when I am editing a shoot, I come across a shot that is out of focus and yet it may be one of my favourite images from the session, and I will keep it and show it to my client. They are usually surprised at how much they like it too. For most of us the idea of perfection or beauty is of symmetry and purity, but I think that beauty and art sometimes lie in imperfections. I am honestly not trying to make excuses for what is usually not intentional on my part - these blurred images and out of focus subjects. I just think that not following the rules all the time or even making mistakes sometimes produces a better result. Let me know what you think of the images below.

Knoll Photography – Love Photography, Love Life

Knoll Photography is based in Randwick in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney but operates throughout the city and surrounding areas.

Knoll Photography has a “Knoll Photography” page on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Knoll-Photography/167767046319

and follow on twitter for daily photography tips – @knollphoto

To contact Knoll Photography about your requirements – please go to the contact form on the website or alternatively email Natalie at natalie@knollphotography.com or call her on 0400 181685

Sibling Rivalry

admin — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 11:37:23 +0000

It has been a bit of time since my last blog but I do have an excuse - Moving house. My very soggy boxes are now unpacked (the two days of moving were the wettest that Sydney has seen in over 60 years) and now that I have thrown out yet more junk and paraphernalia that we as a family have collected over the past few years (why do we have so much “stuff”) I think that most things now have a place and our lovely new house is starting to feel like our home. But there has not been much time since then to put my feet up and start enjoying this new wonderful space. I had a shoot on the weekend that really kept me on my toes…spinning. Jamie and Oliver are the two older brothers of Marnie who is four and dainty and very angelic looking. But as I watched the two rugby playing siblings tackle and wrestle her like she was a rugby ball in a scrum, I was quite bemused to see this little sister give back almost as good as she got. I had a lot of flashbacks to me and my older brother and dreaded headlocks and chinese bracelets - I survived it all and learnt to be tough and resilient (and run away fast) but most of all I knew that I had an older brother who not only played rough with me, but watched over me too. Marnie may not know that now, but she will one day.

My shots attached don’t really tell the full story of how tricky it was at times to get them to “play nice” but we got some great shots…after a bit of bribery (Jamie and Oliver, your Mars bars are on the way…)

Knoll Photography – Love Photography, Love Life

Knoll Photography is based in Randwick in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney but operates throughout the city and surrounding areas.

Knoll Photography has a “Knoll Photography” page on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Knoll-Photography/167767046319

and follow on twitter for daily photography tips – @knollphoto

To contact Knoll Photography about your requirements – please go to the contact form on the website or alternatively email Natalie at natalie@knollphotography.com or call her on 0400 181685

Don’t look now

admin — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:22:06 +0000

In my very humble opinion the best photos are those where the subject is not looking at the camera. The image seems so much more emotional and sincere when it is just a moment caught in time almost as if by accident than when it is posed. I always try and spend time just following my clients around while they get on and do what they enjoy most…and that is never usually posing in front of a camera. It’s one of the reasons why I also encourage parents not to tell their kids to “smile” when I am working…and it never fails to amaze me when the photo that they love the best is often the most natural, candid “unposed” one. So the next time you bring the camera out to photograph your kids, just snap away while they are playing or doing arts and crafts…just let them be themselves and they will give you the best photos.

Knoll Photography – Love Photography, Love Life

Knoll Photography is based in Randwick in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney but operates throughout the city and surrounding areas.

Knoll Photography has a “Knoll Photography” page on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Knoll-Photography/167767046319

and follow on twitter for daily photography tips – @knollphoto

To contact Knoll Photography about your requirements – please go to the contact form on the website or alternatively email Natalie at natalie@knollphotography.com or call her on 0400 181685

Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dogs Tails

admin — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:42:19 +0000

I have two little girls so I am very familiar with pink, Dora, ballet, sparkles and Barbie…so photographing three boys yesterday was a bit of a departure from the girly zone. Having said that, I was always a bit of a tomboy and I quite enjoyed the toilet humour and “gross” references from the gorgeous Ben, Lachlan and Tom. It was all very entertaining and the difference in energy levels from what I am used to was quite refreshing…although Claire (their lovely mum) thinks I am slightly deranged for saying that. Anyway, here are a few shots from our shoot in Rushcutters Bay yesterday. Thanks to the weather for holding out and to the Doyle family for a fun morning. Enjoy the photos.

Knoll Photography – Love Photography, Love Life

Knoll Photography is based in Randwick in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney but operates throughout the city and surrounding areas.

Knoll Photography has a “Knoll Photography” page on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Knoll-Photography/167767046319

and follow on twitter for daily photography tips – @knollphoto

To contact Knoll Photography about your requirements – please go to the contact form on the website or alternatively email Natalie at natalie@knollphotography.com or call her on 0400 181685

The evolution of style

admin — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 07:47:16 +0000

We all have a style although that does not mean that we are stylish. Some people seem to be born with that classic style gene in their DNA, others have a quirkiness that is just an extension of their personality (like my four year old daughter who loves experimenting with fashion and often looks like Orphan Annie in her thrown together ensembles.) But for most of us, style develops organically and that goes for our taste in most genres whether it be fashion, interiors, movies or food. Our style takes an intrepid journey that twists and turns…often back on itself as it makes mistakes (remember the 80’s) but soldiers on, growing more and more confident and mature with its choices. Matchy-matchy may eventually evolve into mix- and- match and safe colours nudged aside for bolder shades. I do a little jig when my daughters try and like a new (and more exotic) food than plain pasta and love the fact that they love both Lady Gaga and Michael Buble. One area that I have really seen my style develop in is my photography. Just like I have started to take more leaps of faith in my fashion sense in the past ten years, so I have stepped out of my comfort zone with my shooting style. The way I frame or crop or angle a shot is far more adventurous than it used to be and ditto for the way that I process. Faces don’t have to be centred, sometimes the best portraits are not smiling ones and a great headshot does not have to look like it was produced on a production line. Thinking outside the box is where great style and design have come from and what often turns the ordinary into the extraordinary. So think about that the next time you get out your camera. Here are a few of my favourite “outside the box” images.

Knoll Photography – Love Photography, Love Life

Knoll Photography is based in Randwick in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney but operates throughout the city and surrounding areas.

Knoll Photography has a “Knoll Photography” page on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Knoll-Photography/167767046319

and follow on twitter for daily photography tips – @knollphoto

To contact Knoll Photography about your requirements – please go to the contact form on the website or alternatively email Natalie at natalie@knollphotography.com or call her on 0400 181685

Feet on the ground and eye to the viewfinder…

admin — Tue, 31 May 2011 02:38:47 +0000

I had my first commissioned shoot in Sydney this last weekend. It felt good to have my feet on the ground and my eye to the viewfinder again. But I had almost forgotten how much of a gymnast you have to be when photographing babies and toddlers. Lily (four years old) and her baby sister, Sammy (nine months old) had me doing all sorts of manoeuvres in the two hours that I spent with them. The scene - four year old bouncing on mom and dad’s bed, baby sister determined to crawl off bed, photographer trying to catch her and get photo, mom and dad diving to stop baby making headfirst roly-poly off bed (she of course thought it was hilarious and a great game.) After our shoot, I felt like I had had a full workout…but it felt great and the photos are gorgeous. Here are a few “teasers” .