I Love Couture Sessions

I have been truly blessed recently; we have been very busy in and out of the studio (TG!). The only down side is that it doesn't give me much time to blog... now I have my coffee and have half an hour before the next client is in so I am taking this time to write a few words.

You may have heard me say this before... I love shooting kids and families, capturing a personality but my passion is the Couture Session. I really feel my job is done when you look at your images and go “wow... is that me”. I don't photo-shop clients until they are unrecognisable, but do direct the shoot to enhance the natural beauty. 

I am grateful that I am doing something i am so passionate about, it is not like work when you love it so much <3 font="">

You can check out other Couture Sessions by following this linkhttp://www.evabirdthistle.com/index2.php#!/COUTURE_SESSION

Terminus Illustration

I love to shoot my other half... especially when he dressed up as a clown: D

Sometimes he is animated, sometime vulnerable, but always honest. I did a series of Clown Noir images which I really loved. They were taken with the phone and processed to create a gritty somewhat soulful portrait.

After posting the images online, Simon got a call from Eamon Cowan an illustrator who loved the image and was inspired by the story behind the image called Terminus. The story is about a man who falls in love with a passenger on the train and they have one night together. She goes and he stays at the station forever in the hope that someday she returns.

Eamon created this stunning piece which we adore, wow!  

Natural Light Studio

I love my studio! What i mean to say is that for so long i have been using studio lights to capture images and they have there place, especially with kids who move fast and you have just a moment to capture their personality.

However the natural light is stunning for the Couture Session, not only is is beautiful on skin tone, but the catch lights in the eyes are so beautiful. Check out this beautiful portrait of Kathy from a recent Couture Session

When possible use natural light to capture beautiful images!

The Big Mythtake

I am so excited about this project! Along with other investments, if they raise the funds I get to travel to the UK to shoot and video The Company of Fools in preparation of their tour next year. Woohoo!

How can you support? Either by contributing for one of the perks (imagine a poem by Olly, hee hee) or by liking and sharing on your social media.

Thank you and keeping fingers crossed!

Women in Business

I love to see new ventures, people brave enough to start a business in a recession. In my experience it takes time to develop your business style and service, so in fact a recession is the best time to begin a new business… as the economy grows, the business can too.

I love working with women in business, they bring creativity, empathy, loyalty and collaboration (to mention just a few qualities) to the business world, a place that is made better for having women in it.

Last week I had 2 such ladies visit the studio on separate occasions. Louise and Angela, who are both starting new ventures, came in for their business headshots (I’ll post a link when the business is launched). They will be working with women in a holistic way and they wanted a business portrait that would reflect the welcoming and feminine nature of the business.

Angela also enquired about hair and makeup along with the headshot, a quick call to Malou and we were able to co-ordinate a time that suited for Angela to have the full range of services, makeup, hair and business portrait, in her words “saved so much time and hassle having it all done in one place”. 

Angela's Business Portrait with Hair and Makeup

If you need your business portrait updated or a new one created that reflects your business then please give me a buzz on 086 3817677 and we can have a chat about what best suits you.

My Favourite Type of Challenge

I love photographing women! Okay, okay.... i love photographing families and children too but my favourite type of portraiture is photographing women. My tag line for the Couture Sessions is "i want every woman i photograph to see how beautiful they truly are" and i mean it! 

Recently i met Angela, she told me "i don't take a good photo"... when i heard this i felt like it was a challenge to show her all she needs to do is to just relax and just be herself, listen to the direction and just enjoy the process. Every woman IS beautiful. We all need to take the time out to see it and sometimes we just need someone to show us.

This is Angela, she is BEAUTIFUL! She takes a great photo!

Business Portrait

A Business Portrait (or headshot) is similar to a portrait except the image is specifically to use for business rather than something you would frame and hand on the wall. 

How can they be used? 

You can use your business portrait for your website, or the company you work for. On business cards, social media, blogs, advertising, press releases, marketing material... and the list goes on and on...

What should you wear?

A business portrait is a refection of your business so you should dress according to your business style. Keep your style simple, avoid large patterns, high fashion and seasonal designs (e.g. short sleeves). Opt for solid colours and a style that is comfortable. 

Why not update your business portrait, give me a buzz on 086 3817677 or check out our  headshot gallery

We have moved

Into a beautiful space with loads of natural light, up on the 2nd Floor of 15 Thomas Street in Limerick. 

To celebrate the move for May & June, our Family Studio Session is only €29! This includes a 30min session at our studio and one 10x8 and four 5x4 images of your favourite image . 

Check out www.evabirdthistle.com or give me a buzz 086 3817677 to avail of this offer and check our new space :D

Couture Session

Woohoo, the Living Social deal is up and running, not only are we doing a family & kids photography deal but we are also offering the Couture Session which includes hair & makeup. check out the link for more information about the photography deal

To get a feel for the Couture Session check out the beautiful Asa who in her words "loved it, every minute of it was a pleasure" 

Mother's Day Gift

Looking for something unusual for a Mother's Day Gift? Then check out our recently launched Couture Session. A photography session for women... mothers, daughters, sisters and friends. 

The session takes about 2-3 hours and includes hair & makeup. You can have at least 2 wardrobe changes, so you can opt for a casual look and one that is a little more glamorous.

We can accommodate up to 3 people so you can book in a family member or friend to come along too.

Contact me on 086 3817677 for more information or to purchase a gift voucher for the Couture Session.

In the meantime you can check out our little video of a recent session.

Thanks,

Eva

New Photography Website

Woohoo, we launched our new photography website today. Over the moon as now clients can view the site on mobile devices and ipad's. I really like the look of this one, simple and all about the image!

So if you are looking for kids portraits, family portraits or even to book early for your communion photography then check out www.evabirdthistle.com

Welcome 2013

WOW! That year flew by, i wonder was it because we were busy, or do they just go faster the older you get? Hahahaha!

What i love most about photography is meeting new people every day, and hopefully capturing a moment in time for them to look back on! If i can capture a small bit of their personality then I'm happy. Click on the link below to view some of my inspirational clients. Thank you all!

Here is to 2013 being a healthy and happy year for all! Check out the website for more family & kids portraits

What's On in Limerick

There are a number of venues in Limerick that have a host of events on to choose from. One of my favourite is the Belltable Arts Centre, going since 1981. 

My Dad's mum brought me there in '81 to see Swan Lake. I really didn't want to go and protested all the way there, however i was captivated by the beautiful dancing (being a ballet student and all) and the feeling of ceremony and how important we were made feel. 

I didn't go to the Belltable again for many more years, this time it was to see Kevin McAleer. It was hilarious and again i was struck by that feeling of "going out" for a special event.

I've begun to bring my little one (of 14) to shows now, this time she get's to see the inner workings of stage productions, even meeting a few of the actors. I know she doesn't get the same feeling as I did but she is captivated by the shows that requires her to use her imagination. 

Don't wait until the young audience is older, get them in the door to enjoy the variety of shows that are on, get them using there imagination rather than being spoon fed dialogue. 

If you want to know what's on at the Belltable, just follow the link.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention... i never admitted to my Gran, Mum or anyone else that I actually enjoyed Swan Lake... stubborn or what!

House to Home Interiors

Woohoo! One of our favourite client’s websites went live today. We have been working very closely with Trisha from House to Home Interiors to create a site that reflects her new business. To say this woman is talented is an understatement! She is utterly creative, unique and provides her clients with a fantastic service. I know this as I met a number of her clients who kindly let us into their home to shoot the redesigned rooms. Check out her website www.housetohomeinteriors.ie, my favourite section is the before and after, it give a great sense of what Trisha does.

Check out some of the images that I took for her over the last few weeks, the first one being my favourite :)

A Busy few weeks...

I was recently asked to do a wee bit of marketing contract work for the Belltable Arts Centre, we have already sent out our first branded newsletter and I have done some photography for their first youth musical project, Crusade, the Irish premier opening 29th August.

I also did the photography for Limerick Youth Theatre's show The Miser, the amazing costumes and set were designed and made by Simon or Orchard Theatre Co

I had some lovely portrait clients and their families, come visit me in the studio space. And happy clients collect their images too :)

Finally, i am preparing Aine's images to update her site with her amazing knitwear. Aine is one of the most talented Irish Knitwear Designers I know, I love her latest collection! 

Another busy week ahead with loads to do, thank goodness :)

Irish Knitwear Designer

Anne Behan Irish Knitwear designer was with us today to talk about updating the website with her new collection. Keep your eyes peeled, its coming soon!

Free Online Class by Crafting Ireland

Really looking forward to this one, why not join us on the day :D. Crafting Ireland is hosting a free online class on the 21st July at 3pm BST. In the class we will create some mini scrapbook layouts. These layouts are perfect for card makers who want to get into scrapbooking or for scrapbookers who find they are running out of space for bigger layouts! We will also make a desktop flip display stand for the pages so you can show them off where ever you like! 

Supply list for the online class

• Mini layout pages:
• 4 sheets of cardboard/chipboard at 13cmx13cm
• 10 sheets 6×6 paper cut down to 13x13cm – keep the off cuts!
• This will make 4 double sided pages so you will have 8 pages in total, you can of course make more if you wish!
• *Polaroid style photo mats: photos are 7.4 x 7.4 cm and the white card to matt them on is 9.6cm x 8.1cm.
• You will need 8 photos and 8 photo mats
• Adhesives, border punches, trim, score board, duct tape and tools as usual
• Binding rings or ribbon (Binding rings do work the best)
• Crop a dile/eyelet setter and eyelets (optional)
• Hole punch

For the stand:

• 1 x Sheet of chipboard 30cm long and 15cm high
• 2 x pieces of chipboard 15cm high and 6cm wide
• Duct tape
• Paper or paint to cover it
• Optional – embellishments. I use tissue tape. 

Put it in your diary, July 21st :D

Mini Book Sneak Peek

A sneak peek into next Sunday's class, a mini book to home you precious memories, or like me to document an upcoming birthday :P There are still a few places left for just €25, includes full kit and lunch. Give me a shout on scraplim@gmail.com or 086 3817677 :)

Busy few weeks...

The Groupon deal i did is just over and already the sessions are being booked. I have met some amazing people and looking to meeting so many more :D This is the best thing about this job is meeting people for the first time and no two days are the same! These are a few of my favs from this weeks sessions, they range for Business & Actors Head shots to kids Portraits:D

Thanks for looking :D

Photography & Crafting

Today, my Groupon Limerick deal went live! Its only up for 3 days, so get it while you can. Its a portrait session, including a 10x8 and 4 5x5 images for €24. Click here to check out the deal

Talking about photos, I delivered some photos today to this guys lovely mummy, he has the most gorgeous eyes, talk about a heart breaker!!!

Yesterday we had our scrapbook class called "What's the Story". Using the yummy "Storyteller" crate papers to document a story behind a photo of a loved one or an event. Here is the class layout we were working from (and yes i got permission form her nibs to post this)

There was enough in the kit to at least another layout and cards and tags with oodles left over :D

Next class is July 8th and we'll be doing a mini book for all those gorgeous photos you have, tel 086 3817677 for more information. 


Thanks for reading,


Eva