Branding Photography Client Review

I always knew I needed to level up my business, get a website out in the world and showcase my services virtually. But, I also knew that meant I had to virtually show my face as the person behind my brand and with my terrible photography skills a selfie just wasn’t going to cut it this time.

I went in search of branding photographer recommendations locally and Anneke was a stand out in the crowd of local photographer names thrown my way. So I was wholly disappointed when I’d finally settled on her as the perfect person to capture me and she was travelling in Europe!!! GAH!!

So, I went through a few others and tried to find someone who embodied a similar vibe - and I struggled to find them, in fact, they just didn't exist.

But as luck would have it being a mum of two young people and procrastinating over every layout detail on my website it took wayyyyyy longer than I expected to be ready for photos. When I was close to pushing live Anneke was back in town, the stars aligned and I jumped at the opportunity to book in with her.

Me and Cameras.

I probably have an all too familiar story to tell. I have never been confident in front of the camera, I struggle to look in the mirror most days. I don’t appear in many photographs with my children, I am always the one behind the lens and I feel more comfortable that way. So the closer it came to shoot day, the more my anxiety grew, the more I fretted over what to wear, and the more I wanted to back out…. I wondered if I could be the exception to the website-building rule and not show my face on my site. I'm a writer, after all, I trade in words, not images!

All my fears were unfounded. 

From the moment I pulled up in the car park at the bottom of a small rise next to Lake Wanaka Anneke greeted me with a warm embrace as if I’d known her for years and I knew right then I could let go of all my awkwardness and nerves (well most of them)! 

She Came Prepared

I had a vision for the kind of branding photos I wanted for my website but I arrived underprepared showing up with my lipgloss in my pocket and a few outfit changes! Anneke had it all under control and brought along plenty of accessories and props to help me achieve the exact thing I was after, like a true pro.

So with a boho outdoor work desk whipped up from a few bits laying around her garage, a sprinkle of hand-picked flowers and a well placed stool for gazing upon the mountains she provided endless different set ups to really elevate the finished result

With gentle guidance and natural conversation, Anneke had a magical way of making me just be me, although this didn’t stop me asking every 5 minutes if I was looking awkward! She was constantly reassuring and telling me how great it was all looking and directed me gently to get the most out of the shoot. 

Shoot complete I raced home to snuggle my kids to sleep without another worry about my photos, I did it despite the nerves!

You’ve Got Mail

Until…… Anneke whipped over the finished gallery as quick as a flash. My cursor hovering over the link I felt the same anxiety flutter in my stomach and the same nervousness I do every time I have to step in front of a camera. I was sure that I’d look just like the wonky, eyes half closed, contorted-mouthed woman my husband always manages to catch when he occasionally takes a photo of me - I mean maybe that is what I look like after all. 

I shouldn’t have worried.

With my daughters at my shoulders, I forged ahead in the bid to model self-love to them. I clicked with the resolve of naming all the good things I could see about myself no matter what the images came back like…. And OMG! 

I am not sure if one of them spoke first or me, but they were stunning, they were beyond beautiful, they were exactly what I envisaged when I imagined the photos on my site - and all of them portrayed me in the most beautiful way - not a squint in sight!

My review about Anneke and the session says it all really….

Anneke is sent from the photography gods!! As someone who is painfully anxious about being in front of the camera, having my photo taken with her was like having a drink with an old friend (err yup next time we are bringing wine!). Her final images exceeded my expectations 100-fold. It almost didn't work out that I could use her for my brand photography, but holy hell I am so glad the stars aligned, she is exceptional at what she does. My website and branding look a million dollars and it's all down to her photos. She intuitively understood what I was after and blew me out of the water with the pictures she delivered. I honestly cannot recommend her enough, she is authentic, honest and really bloody talented!!! If you are hesitating over which photographer to use - look no further, you will not be disappointed!!

I stick by every word of this still and adore my images and my website because of Anneke and her talent. If, like me, you are nervous, awkward and mildly panicking every time you think of the word photos - Anneke will take you under her wing and turn you into a beautiful swan in no time!

— Laura, Alchemy Wordlab