Location photographer. Getting behind the scenes. Showing off the secret, and not so secret, treasures of the world.
Tipsy Hill Private Dining Experience
Bec Hardy Wines offers amazing food and wine experiences at Bec and Richard’s Tipsy Hill property in McLaren Vale, South Australia.
Their stunning home is within one of the most renowned private gardens in South Australia, with Instagrammable views over vineyards and rolling hills.
Guests sit with Bec and Richard, hearing stories about the Hardy family over the generations and what it is like to grow up in the wine industry.
If you are looking for something unique, check it out.
Helping you get better photos...
Since we can't get together and create amazing photos together, I am going to continue to help you with other options.
If you have been taking your own photos, but want a little help, I'm here for you!
Retouching - colour, straightening horizons, editing out elements making them look a little something extra than straight out of camera. Still keeping it real though. From $70 per hour
Resizing - resizing your photos to make them fit the different places they need to go. Bulk photo re-sizing from $35
Stock photos - check out www.heidiwho.com/buy for tourism style stock photos. More being uploaded weekly so if you are looking for something in particular, get in touch and I'll prioritise. From $5 an image
Mentoring and courses - $195 for 2 hours ‘one on one’ or other online options at www.heidiwho.com
Hoping these services can help you until we can get out and have fun on a shoot together!
What to ask your photographer before the shoot...
Are you hiring a photographer? Want to make the most of your shoot? There's a bit of prep involved to get the most out of it. Here are 10 tips.
On shoot with Adelaide Sightseeing - fun and relaxed.
Know why you need your photos. What size? Any layout requirements? Ie. Website header images, specific crops, print size, billboard size, only web size. Think about all the places you might like to use them. If it's for a specific purpose, you need to know the image dimensions required - this can alter the way a photographer shoots and crops their images. They may need to leave space around the image, so when it's cropped, it won't cut out vital aspects.
Develop a shot list and mood board. List all the images you would love. Then prioritise the images. Have a look at Pinterest for examples of style, colour, light, feel that you like.
Think about other uses for your images. It's much easier to get similar scenarios while shooting than to re-shoot. Different angles, different angles, or adding/subtracting elements can be quick and give you easy options for different uses. Remember how much content you should be sharing? Shooting like this is a good way of getting it, so you don't have to re-use the same image all the time.
Use talent that fit your client demographic. You need people in your images that can relate to your clients - so they can see themselves there, using your product etc. Don't settle for anyone you can get.
Prepare all the props in advance. If you buy props and don't use them, you can always take them back. If you already have what you need, collect them and make sure they are in good condition. Think about all options, even ask your photographer what you may need.
Clean and tidy everything. A photo can show everything. And it's quicker and more economical to get it right before photographing rather than relying on retouching. Fresh food, ironed sheets/bed covers, clutter etc. Look at what you are going to shoot with a critical and detailed eye.
Research your photographer. Do you like their images? Do they have the experience you need? Who do they work with? Find them on social media to get to know their personality, the way they work etc. Sometimes it's worth paying that little extra to get that extra.
Like your Photographer! You are going to be spending some time with them - why can't you make it fun? Yes, you need exceptional images, but if you don't enjoy the process, it's going to be hard. Plus, you need to trust them. They are creating something that you have paid for, which obviously, can't be seen. The more they know about your vision and desires, the closer they are going to get to it.
Ask your photographer about usage rights - what do you need to use your images for? Photographers charge different amounts for different purposes. Photographers retain ownership of the photos they create so essentially they can re-sell and use the images however they want. Do you need exclusive use? Are they only for online use? Can you send them to media for use? Can you give images to another company to use? Ask.
Share as much information with your photographer as you can. Let them get inside your head. Your idea of 'funky and casual' can be different from theirs.
On shoot with Adelaide Sightseeing. Quiet and observing (sometimes).
PHOTO TIP: Photographing hotel bathrooms
Photographing the bathroom… some tips beyond ‘make it look as pretty and spacious as possible’.
It's not the most exciting part of the hotel - but it's essential for people with access needs. They have to make sure they can use the bathroom safely and conveniently. By using photographs, you are answering their questions simply and quickly.
Here are some tips to get the photo.
use a wide-angle lens so you can capture the floor, shower and toilet in one frame
allow the potential customer to see the space and size of the area
if you don't have access to a wide-angle, try getting the image from different angles to show the different areas
keep your vertical lines (the walls) straight
photographing from the doorway is often the best place
When booking a shoot, ensure your Photographer knows these requirements. If not, they will photograph the bathroom in the most flattering way and perhaps not consider this.
Home... what do you love about it?
Home. What do you love about living here?
My new personal project exploring different places, cultures and people. Uniting us in one common thing.
I recently started a new personal project while in Bali. I love meeting people and this gives me an excuse to chat with them.
I also hope that it brings some connection to people from around the world. By getting to know others, realising how different (or in fact, how similar) we are generating better understanding, respect and friendship. Just imagine what that could do?!?!
I keep the question simple - but open. To allow my new friend to answer in a way they feel right. I record their answer by video then scribe (with a little editing) to caption the photo.
As I travel for work and fun, whether it's in my hometown or the other side of the world, I will meet people and ask 'what do you love about living here?'
A project of positivity. Exploration. Love. Humanity.
"the world isn’t perfect but it’s beautiful in its imperfection”
Waiting for perfection? Don’t. Nothing is perfect.
I was looking through my Evernote notes (a complete shamble) today and found this quote from Christina Force said to me during one of our discussions.
I love it. It is the way I photograph. And it is the way life is. I am not perfect. You are not perfect. Nothing is perfect. As soon as we learn to accept that, things become a bit easier.
Streets of Havana
Streets of Havana, Cuba exhibition by lifestyle and location photographer, Heidi Lewis of heidi who photos. Come join us for some Cuban fun on 1st November at Howling Owl!
In May 2018 I went to Cuba for two weeks. It's been on my bucket list for many years, so I was very excited to be going, finally. Even if it did mean over 36 hours in travel to get there.
I went with Adelaide dance school, La Bomba. We stayed in Havana most of the time - discovering the neighbourhoods, visiting a local family, taking dance classes, watching an intimate dance rehearsal and of course drinking mojitos and salsa'ing through the night at many concerts and night spots.
During the day we discovered the streets - by foot, taxi, the yellow coco taxis and bicitaxi. Tourist areas and the not so frequented areas.
Streets of Havana exhibition shows (predominantly Old) Havana through my eyes. The buildings are crumbling but beautiful. Life happens on the street. It's a mix of colour, rubbish, beauty, smells (mainly fumes and petrol) and old relics.
Launch will be on Thursday 1 November from 6pm at The Howling Owl. Cuban inspired cocktails will be available and a Cuban dance class (with La Bomba) will be held at 7.30pm.
INFORMATION:
Streets of Havana
10 Vaughan Pl, Adelaide SA 5000
Launch 1st Nov at 6pm
CONTACT HEIDI 0402 716 406 for all media enquiries
iPhone TIP: Better exposure
An easy tip to get better exposure with your iPhone.
You are framing up a photo, and it’s too dark or light.
What do you do? Take the photo anyway?
Well, there is something that can help you get a better photo. Whenever I show people this, they light up with joy.
Press the screen where you want to focus.
See the sun symbol. Hold and drag the sun up and down to lighten/darken photo.
Take the photo.
Shimmer Festival 2018: Instagram Dinner
#foodporn
Come join me for a night of fun, photos and food. Plus a bit of wine. :)
3 important photo tips...
3 easy tips to get better photos - no matter your photo device.
Lots of people say 'oh wow, that is a great camera, it must take really good pictures!' Well, you know what... Really expensive pots and pans don't make me an excellent Chef. Far from it. Sometimes the better the equipment, the more operator flaws are obvious.
Here are a few tips to consider, to make your photographs better, no matter the equipment.
1. Light
Considering the word photography means 'drawing with light' in Greek it's probably quite important in practice, yeah? Yes, it is. Light can make or break an image. One 'scene' photographed in one type of light can tell a very different story to the same 'scene' being photographed with a different kind of light. Dark and moody is reflected (or not so much practically speaking) through light, or lack of, just as bright and fun are achieved through photographing with lots of light and minimal shadows.
When looking at your 'scene' look at the light and what the light is doing.
Is there shadow across the face?
Is something too bright?
Is there too much shadow/darkness?
Evaluate and then take action.
If there is a horrible shadow behind the person you are photographing (and they are up against the wall) move them away. If there is dappled light on their face, move them to somewhere where it's not dappled. If there is too much shadow on the front of your object, turn it towards the light - whether its window, sun, flash, torch or lamp/light.
2. Story
I guess before you even get your camera/phone out you have to know your why. Why do you want to take this photo? What are you saying through this photo? Remember, one photo tells one thousand words.
What do you need to include in the photo to make the story? Will the person be enough or do you need to include where they are? A close up of a wine glass or a wine glass being held, with bottle and cheese platter, by a couple sitting watching a sunset. Or friends having a dinner party.
What is the most important part of the photo? Make sure there is a focus on that. If someone is doing a fantastic trick, but they only fill 1/10 of the frame, it's easy for them to get lost. And it's easy for the viewer not to know where to look.
3. Composition
There are a few rules to photography, but they can also be broken. So don't hold them as gospel. However, if you do remember them, and apply them, it can make a more appealing photo (most of the time).
The main one is the use of the rule of thirds. Cut your image into three horizontally then cut it into three vertically. Where the lines intersect is where you can place your point of focus. For example, put your waterfall on one of these points instead of the middle. A portrait of a person with a beautiful landscape behind (that you want to show) can be out on one of these points too. It works for anything. Except when it doesn't. Haha. Sometimes if you only have the one subject in the frame and nothing else to compete with it, it is better in the middle. Examples being a person looking directly into the camera, a product by itself, a group portrait...
So remember, it's not all about the equipment. In fact, I believe it has little to do with the equipment. Think about what you want the photo to achieve - your why. Then look at the light - does it suit what you are saying. Are there bad shadows or too much light? Then make sure what is inside your frame is right. Can you move in, should you get more in, are there distracting things in the frame?
