Just In... Another divine Couture Book

With bated breath I unwrapped layer after layer of recycled tissue. I designed and ordered Jake and Anna Laura's wedding book before Christmas and it finally arrived yesterday. As these books are all custom made, printed on beautifully smooth recycled stock and bound using french silk thread, they do take a while to put together. But it is definitely worth the wait... their 10x13 Easthampton book is gorgeous. With 31 book styles to choose from, Couture Book has really given me a wonderful line of products to offer my clients. I have several more in the works... I can't wait to see how they turn out...

The Heinicke Family

I last shot the Heinicke family when Jyna's parents were visiting Bermuda back in June 2006. Jyna wanted do do another shoot with the family all together again. We had planned to go to Fort Hamilton, but with ominous skies decided that there would not be enough light in the moat. Although our last shoot was at the Botanical Gardens, with so many wonderful spots to choose from, there was no worry they would be too similar. We ended up in this spot - it's an orchard of sorts, I just love the varying colours of foliage - the silver blue olive and the golden green mango. Thank you all for another great shoot...

Afternoon at the Aquarium

My sister photographed a wedding at the Aquarium a few weeks ago and she showed me a shot she'd taken of the couple in front of the Northrock tank - but it somehow looked as though the fish were in front of them swimming towards them. It is one of the coolest wedding pictures ever! A few days later, the Aquarium contacted me to ask if they could carry my fine art note cards in their gift shop. I happily agreed and inspired by said wedding pic, asked if I could take some photographs of the fish with a view to perhaps doing a line of cards specially for the Aquarium. They thought that would be a lovely idea. So... I spent Thursday afternoon in awe of all the magical sparkle of scales and the graceful way fish speed through the water or remain completely still and just sway gently with the motion of the bubbles. The Aquarium was established in 1926 originally as a tourist attraction, but has since broadened to include environmental research, education and conservation.
Here are a few of my favourites...

Taylor Rankin - Violinist Extraordinaire

Over the years I have watched Taylor's playing evolve. I first met him while shooting weddings - as the bride was smiling at her groom waiting to go down the aisle, Taylor would play the most beautiful violin solos. Next I saw him plug in with the DJs at parties and clubs - this was just incredible - to have the swooning sound of the strings accompany - and enhance techno, house, hip-hop and reggae. And now he is working on an album of his own with drummer Dwight Hart. As he plays, taps and sings, he records certain parts that he continually adds to and loops. It is absolutely amazing to watch as he uses his fingers and toes to create these amazing multi-layered pieces of music. In Bermuda, he has opened for Jasmine Sullivan and Mary J Blige, played along with Collie Buddz and in November, opened for Heather Nova in London and Copenhagen. He is one of the most talented people I know and his music is truly inspirational. He is currently in New York meeting with people in "the business" and doing a little recording. I am really excited to hear more of his groovy creations... Check out Taylor's website here...

For you...

February 14 is fast approaching...

So this year, how about a gift that is not just from you,
but for you too...
take the time to pamper yourself
and get some amazing photos
to show just how fabulous you are...
Be it your birthday suit or a Chanel suit -
or anything in between - it's totally up to you...

I am offering a special on glam sessions done between now and February 7th.
Session includes 45-60 minutes shooting time at my home studio
30-40 retouched images on CD, One 8x10 and Two 5x7 prints - Session fee $395

Or if you'd prefer to give a gift certificate for a session of cuddles - let me know...

Afternoon Tea

Oslo hovered cautiously a few feet from the silver trays of goodies - trying to decide what to take from the selection of crustless triangular sandwiches and array of cakes and cookies. Outside on the balcony, Henry, the ginger cat with a freckled nose, waited patiently for any donations. Just over the edge, camouflaged in the bay grape tree, were about 75 sparrows. Indigo tossed a mere crumb and the flock descended in a race for the tiny morsel. These are the memories of my childhood too. It is wonderful that this tradition continues and having tea with my sister Sacha, her husband Ben and my neice and nephew is a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
Oslo and Indigo are beautiful balls of energy, so we deemed it wise to run on the beach first so that being still and quiet during tea time would not be total torture. Despite the drizzle and frigid temperatures, I offered to do a few family photos in their winter woolies. Here are a few of my favourites...

The Bennison Family

Kate gave her family a portrait session for Christmas. Four generations gathered in Bermuda for a holiday at the Coral Beach Club.
When I arrived Oliver had hurt his toe and was in a flood of tears and Charlotte fled and hid behind Dorothy's carriage to pout. I was not wearing any make-up that day, but I did not think it was that scary. And with the dark sky, the shoot was not off to a great start. Sometimes though, a truly genuine pout is just wondereful - and I love this first photo - the juxtaposition of the smiley grown-ups and Oliver and Charlotte clearly expressing they were in no mood for this.
Once on the beach they were a little happier, but still not thrilled about the whole keeping still for photos idea. Thank you all for a great shoot - despite the obstacles I think there are some lovely ones...

Me, Myself and my Reflection... oh and a little contest...

Alice was onto something... she spends her days musing over what might be beyond the looking glass, and to her astonishment, she is actually able to pass through and be part of an alternate world. A weird and wonderful place where flowers talk to her and she is part of a chess game. A world where poetry is used as communication and one happens upon an incredible array of characters.
We spend much of our lives looking through windows, in the mirror and at distorted reflections in an infinite number of shiny objects. Though I don't really ponder what might be beyond, I have always been fascinated by the myriad of layered images that reflective surfaces create. While travelling, I found it an interesting way to include myself in my images. Rather than placing the burden on passers-by, I decided that my reflection would make for more interesting portraits. Over the past ten years I have shot hundreds of these - some far more successful and amusing than others, but these multi-layered images have always intrigued me.
I first started shooting self portraits in university 20 years ago. I had been using my friends as models, but after a time they lost their patience so I had no choice. At the end of this post are a few I dug up. They were film obviously - and many of them 3200 so they are pretty grainy...

And a few oldies...

And now the contest...
I'd love to see some of your self portraits. Send a jpeg to me at amanda@amandatemple.com. I'll do a post with a few of my favourites a month from today. The winner will receive a mini session. A portrait of just you here in my garden - in your favourite outfit, holding your favourite object...

The Bowie Family

We met at Stonehole Bay for a mini session. With the family all together in Bermuda for Christmas they thought it would be a perfect opportunity for a family portrait. The wind has been incredible for weeks, but the path leading to the beach is pretty protected so we managed to get a few not looking too windswept. They were wonderfully happy and cuddly, so a total joy to shoot. Thank you so much for a great session... I hope you had a wonderful holiday all together.

Christmas Eve at the Beach

Jane had her family visiting and wanted to capture some of them all together on the beach. The weather has been pretty horrible for about three weeks, but there are breaks here and there and luckily there was a bit of good weather for their shoot. Though it did start to rain at the end which sent us all to hide under the rocks. Here are a few of my favourites... I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas holiday here...

May's Bump

May had her baby last week - an adorable little girl called Mika. But just two days before, we managed to do her pregnancy session. The weather has been absolutely fowl for weeks and we had rescheduled, but this time we were extremely lucky that it was a sunny morning and just warm enough for May to unbundle for some photos of her belly. Thank you for a beautiful shoot...