Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Mandi Lynn Photography to produce a book about the Blueberry Farm Earth Camp
Children Wanted to be featured in a limited edition coffee table book called The Blueberry Farm Kids Book. The book will be about all of the engaging activities that take place at the Earth Camp at the Blueberry Farm. The production of the book will help to educate a village of Nepalese Sherpa children. To find out more follow this link.
Chairs for Special Care
So I want to fix this. I am going to donate 5 vouchers a month to the Neonatal Trust with the requirement be that the money is used to purchase chairs for the Special Care Baby Unit first. The vouchers will be worth $500.00 and will be good for photographic services at my studio. You can purchase them for $75.00 each. To get one please register here
Friday, November 27, 2009
High Praise from Vivianna of Basquesse
"The photographer was Mandi Lynn, of Alight Photography. I had spotted her amazing work in a Boticelli like composed photo and asked her if she could sponsor my pre-show shoot. Luckily, she did. I believe she is one of the best photographers I have ever met."
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Mandi Lynn on National Radio
The lovely Jeremy Rose came out to my farm and studio to interview me about being an American expat and "political refugee." I certainly wouldn't have taken it that far but it was interesting to have the interview and to the first time talk publicly about why I chose to relocate my family in New Zealand post September 11th. If you are interested you can link to the interview here.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Mandi Lynn Racks up awards at the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography
>Press Release:
Mandi Lynn Photography based out of the Blueberry Farm in the Akatarawa Valley has just racked up 3 more medals at this year’s New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography Awards in Wellington this year. The competition was extremely stiff with record entries from all of the top professional photographers in New Zealand and incredibly harsh judging. There were images of other New Zealand Photographers that had received Gold’s in the Australian equivalent of the event but only received a Bronze at the New Zealand awards. But in her first complete year in business Mandi Lynn was able to rack up a Bronze Award in the People Category and a Bronze and a Silver in the Editorial Illustrative Category.
“I am shocked and chuffed” said Mandi about her success. “I feel like my artistic style has really come of its own this year, and I was pleased to see it recognized nationally that was very exciting for me.” Mandi’s winning image featuring a Morepork and Virginia Griffin was recognized as outstanding by the owner of Basquesse a haute couture fashion house in Wellington. Vivianna, the owner, was so impressed that on the spot she commissioned her to create an image to highlight Basquesse’s designs in the upcoming New Zealand Fashion Week in Auckland.
Many know Mandi as the co-owner of the Blueberry Farm as well as the Hutt Valley District Health Boards Lactation Consultant. It was her role as a Lactation consultant that put her in the right place and right time to capture one of the winning images of a Breastfeeding baby that received a bronze in the illustrative category. “I walked in to help the mother who had engorgement and I started laughing. Here was this stunning mother sitting up perfectly manicured in her bed wearing a Laura Ashley floral type top, a beautiful pink bra, and had two perfect cabbage leaves stuffed in to help with the engorgement. It was beautiful. She looked at me and said, ‘I feel like a salad’. I told the mother about the Charity Parent Centre calendar I have been asked to photograph for Egg Maternity and she agreed to be a model. What a hoot . I went down to the cafeteria after the shift was over and came up with a salad and we had a blast getting the shot. When the image came up for viewing at the awards the audience laughed. That was exactly what I was looking for and I was chuffed. Unfortunately the judging panel was all male save one and I don’t think they got the joke, but they liked the image at least enough to give it a Bronze.”
“My goal is to have people recognize that my studio is a relaxed place where individuals and families can come and have not just their photos taken but have an actual piece of stunning art created for them. I have been painting portraits for about 18 years but since moving from mixed media to multimedia I feel that my creativity has skyrocketed and the sky is the limit. It just feels wonderful to have that validated with awards now.”
Mandi’s work was recognized by the Ministry of Health and they have hired her to photograph for the New Zealand Breastfeeding Campaign as well. Earlier this year Mandi was a finalist in the Wellington Photographer of the Year competition which was held in Featherston. “ I was just blown away to have been selected amongst such accomplished photographers in my first year. I can’t wait to see what I produce for next years awards.”
Mandi is currently looking for a space to hold an exhibit of the award winning images that were submitted as well as some of her newer multimedia art work. She is available for commissions of one off pieces of art by contacting 04-526-6788, or 0211412646 or you can look at her portfolio on her website at www.mandilynn.co.nz
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Selected to Photograph the New Zealand Breastfeeding Campaign
Finalist in the Wellington Photographer of the Year
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Zarah Enchants
I met Jennifer at our shared place of work. As I am a lactation consultant my office doubles as the pumping room for the mums who are breastfeeding their babies and Jennifer was a frequent visitor. I had not properly met Zarah the little one she was doing so much work for until they came to visit me on the farm. Oh my goodness is all I can say. It was too easy, she was absolutely gorgeous and those eyes...wow!!!
Normally you only have about 20 minutes of good shooting in a studio with a baby but Zarah was happy as Larry playing in the grass and water and on the beach. No posing necessary just authentic enjoyment. Plus the blueberries may have helped a bit too. I think in the end the shoot lasted two hours an not one tear. It was good good fun!