It’s autumn…finally! Hands down, it’s my favourite time of the year and I want to shake things up a bit. I’m always on the look out for new locations, so I can keep things unique and interesting, and realise that a lot of you would have special little places that you love, that might be the perfect backdrop for your family portraits. It might be the a park, somewhere you love to go walking, or a place that you’ve been meaning to visit. It doesn’t have to be somewhere grand though, you’d be surprised how the small, out of the way places can lend themselves to amazing works of art. One of my favourite locations is along the side of the road in the Hills! Please keep in mind, some of the beautiful places around Adelaide, such as Carrick Hill, charge fees for photography in their grounds, and others are private property that need specific permission. Avoiding such places, no matter how fantastic, is preferable. Unless you have special access of course! Locations that are within the Adelaide Metro, or immediate Adelaide Hills are preferred. Not only for the travel time and expense, but also for the fact that small children don’t handle a long car ride, then an active photo shoot all that well.

So, here’s the competition. Inspire me with somewhere really cool and tell me why it means something to you, and you could win

One Location Sitting and a 16×20 inch Signature Print, valued at an amazing $925.

The best three responses will win, and also feature in my winter studio window display.

Entries are to be in before midnight on Friday, March 26th, and I’ll contact the winner via email. You can add your entry here in the comments, email me at simone@simonehanckel.com.au (put ‘Location Competition’ in the header), or join the Facebook page, and comment there. Don’t forget to add an email address.

The fine print! Bookings will need to be held before April 30th, and are limited to one individual family group (no extended families). Prize is not transferrable to cash, or product substitution. Normal booking conditions apply. Locations must be within Adelaide metro area and immediate Adelaide Hills.

This offer is limited to clients, past and present who mention they saw the blog, so spread the love There will be a special bonus for anyone interested that comments on this post too. Don’t be shy I love to see comments! email simone@simonehanckel.com.au or phone on 8340 2838

Simone xo (will also consider offers of anti-wrinkle cream…)

technorati – f46giph9am

This winter I wanted to share the love, and so I’m offering something a bit special. Book a sitting to be held before August 31st, and you will receive a mini coffee table style book of your session. These books can’t be bought, they are only available to fellow winter devotees. Bookings for this offer are limited to  new bookings only, and the first twenty calls that mention they saw it on the blog, so be quick to get the best dates ) You will have to be up for anything though, winter is unpredictable, and it may involve umbrellas, gumboots and squealing…. usually from me ;o)

For more information give me a call on 83402838, or drop into the studio at 20 Elizabeth St, Croydon. Actually, call first, I’m in and out a lot!

“People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy” Anton Chekhov

This is Jagger (and his big brother Indi!), who had given his folks a rough night the night before his photographic debut and then decided to sleep through everything!! Which is more than ok with me, because there is nothing more beautiful than a sleeping baby (especially considering my own babies never slept!)

and this is the darling Lane, who also slept right through his photo shoot. He was amazing though, he’d let us do anything! This is a rare shot of him with his eyes open…

but most of the time was like this…

couldn’t you just kiss them? Cluck cluck cluck )

xo Simone

So, this is Katie, who had little Gloria just over a week later. We photographed this in her parent’s home, a beautiful grand old place in North Adelaide which was totally inspiring.

xo Simone