Do you have a family that loves to laugh, OR KIDS THAT give the best hugs?
If so, update your family photos and help us raise $5000 for families in need!
Join our "Hugs and Happiness" Photographic Book Project
In this project YOUR family will feature in a gorgeous published coffee table book highlighting the happiness and joy of family.
You will get some beautiful, natural and timeless updated portraits showing the love, connection and fun that is unique to you and your kids.
And as an added bonus, we will together help raise funds for the Big Group Hug, so they can help families in need.
Each participating family will feature in the book, receive a limited edition copy of the book AND 5% of Sales from all of our Digital / Printed Artwork Collections will be donated to the Big Group Hug.
So not only will you be able to update your family portraits and create beautiful printed items that will look stunning in your home. You will also be helping raise funds for family in need!!!
The “Hugs and Happiness” Portrait experience booking fee is $95 and includes:
- Your portrait session booking fee
- An over the phone pre-session design consultation
- Your customised in-studio photographic experience
- A social media sneak peek
- An in-studio viewing and artwork design appointment
- A limited edition copy of the book once published*
- $100 credit towards any of our image Collections
Total value $440. TODAY ONLY – $95!
Do something special for your family and help raise funds for family’s in need at the same time by securing your session spot today!!!!
*This project is to raise funds for Big Group Hug. Your free copy of the book is conditional to contributing to fundraising. Should you not love the images after seeing them, you are under no obligation to purchase but your booking fee will be donated to the charity in lieu of your free copy of the book. As a thank you for participating, you will still be included in the book and can purchase the book separately if you wish.
Apply for your spot now!!!
1. FILL IN YOUR DETAILS
2. SELECT YOUR TIME FOR YOUR PRE-SESSION PHONE CALL
Select a day and time for Karen to call you to plan your session. Please note that your photoshoot day and time will be selected during this call. This is not a calendar to do this.
If your family brings you JOY.....
we need you!!!!
The Details
LOCATION
Sessions are held in Vanilla Images studio in Kew East
SESSION LENGTH + AVAILABILITY
Sessions will take approximately 1 hour. The studio has sessions available on Tue and Friday afternoons and on Saturdays. The "Hugs and Happiness" book project will be wrapping up on 31st August 2024, so all sessions need to be photographed before that date.
Who is this book project best suited to ?
Families with kids over 3 years. These are relaxed, but directed sessions. Kids under this age point usually require a little bit more time and aren't too keen to be directed.
The studio specialises in working with kids under this age point though and know that occasionally a little one can handle direction younger than this. So are happy to chat if you think that your child is one of those kids!
If your child / children are younger than 3, you are very welcome in the studio, working with kids in their developmental years is what we do! This particular session type however might not be the best fit for you. Feel free to get in touch though and suitable options, can be suggested for you.
About the studio
Vanilla Images is a family photography studio in Melbourne, Australia owned and operated by photographer Karen Pike.
You will be photographed by Karen herself, who has over 20 years experience as a professional photographer.
The studio is known for its natural and timeless style, and Karen's approach is relaxed and fun, making even the most camera shy person at ease in front of the camera.
Located in Kew's Harp Village, the studio is a cosy intimate space. Pets are even welcome too!!
what do i need to prepare?
Just an outfit for your photos. But don't worry you will do a planning phone call, with your photographer Karen, before your session to help you decide what that will be.
This will be based on your favourite colours and tones, and where your images may end up being displayed.
cost
A $95 booking fee is required to participate in this project.
This fee is due at the time of booking and is non-refundable.
A session day and time will be selected for you prior to this payment to ensure your session fits into your schedules. This will happen during your phone appointment with your photographer Karen.
What is included?
- A pre-session phone appointment to get to know your family before your photoshoot and help plan your outfits.
- Your session fee, for a fun and relaxed session in Vanilla Images Kew East Studio (value $150)
- A social media sneak peek image from your session to share with family and friends.
- A viewing and design appointment to choose your favourites and design a beautiful Collection that will look amazing in your home!
- $100 credit to go towards your digital / printed Collection.
- Your very own page in the "Hugs and Happiness" book featuring an image/s from your session.
- Your very own copy of the book once published!*
What is not included?
Your booking fee does not include any images (other than a sneak peek image of our choice posted after your photoshoot).
At your viewing appointment you will see all of the imagery that has been created for you and have the option to purchase images if you choose.
As a studio, we have over 150 different Collections to select starting from $990, or can custom make something just for you.
Individual Images can be purchased from $250.
All options are a mix of print and digital, so finding something that you love is always easy AND 5% of all sales will be being donated to Big Group Hug!
To review all of the product choices on offer and their pricing go to the STUDIO’S PRICING GUIDE.
Do I have to purchase photos?
Your $95 booking fee will go towards the cost of your copy of the book. The remaining costs associated with the production of your book will be covered by the studio.
This project's sole purpose is to raise money for the Big Group Hug, so only participants who donate to the charity, by purchasing a collection of photos afterwards will receive a free copy of the book.
In the event that you do not wish to purchase images following your photoshoot (you are absolutely under no obligation to, if you don't love what you see!). Your booking fee will be donated to the Big Group Hug in lieu of your free copy of the book.
You will still be included in the book as a thank you for participating, and a copy of the book can be purchased separately should you wish.
IS there anything else i might need to know?
-Should you not wish for your images to be published in the book or to be used in the promotion of the book, you can still participate in raising funds for the Big Group Hug by purchasing a session. Just let us know in your phone appointment that you don't want to participate in the book!
-All bookings are subject to the studio's terms and conditions and health and safety policies. These can be reviewed during the booking process.
About the charity: Big Group HUG
Big Group Hug is a registered charity providing essential material aid for children aged newborn to 16 years old living in financial hardship, alleviating the families financial burden and freeing limited funds for food, bills and safe housing. The provision of safe equipment for babies as well as essential items for the health and wellbeing of all children, provides relief from the effects of poverty experienced by 1 in 6 children in Australia.
Big Group Hug’s dedicated volunteers source donated and pre-loved essential items for children from birth to 16 years and distribute these items to children and their families.
Every year their volunteers assist thousands of children, save thousands of second-hand goods from landfill and provide a space where community members can maintain their own health and wellbeing by volunteering their time and feeling a sense of belonging while giving back.
Why are they called Big Group Hug? Because they want every child who lives in poverty to feel the warmth of a collective hug.
Participating in this project allows you to help join that collective hug, with proceeds of sales going directly to the charity.
These funds help rejuvenate pre-loved items, buy essentials for families such as nappies, formula and toiletries, and help the charity grow their services so that they can meet the growing community need.
Visit BIG GROUP HUG to learn more or to get involved.
Meet your photographer
Hi I’m Karen. Photographer and owner of Vanilla Images. A photography studio in Melbourne, Australia that specialises in photographing families with babies and children in their formative years.
Coming originally from a background in a more candid photojournalistic style of photography. I created Vanilla Images to be a relaxed studio experience, to service those that wanted an alternative to the traditional look and feel of studio photography.
As a studio we create lasting childhood memories that can be displayed beautifully with pride in your home.
Also a mother myself, I believe that capturing heartfelt moments with our family is one of the most precious gifts we can give to our children and future selves.
The studio boasts a beautiful and extensive range of digital and printed Collections. So no matter whether you are after something small or something bigger for the wall. Your memories will last forever. To view products and pricing see our Studio Product Guide.