Tanja de Maesschalk Photographer

Kids in Trees

Tanja — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:51:19 +0000

If I told you these were taken in November you probably wouldn’t believe it. We lucked out on the weather for sure. I’ve had the pleasure of photographing this family a number of times now, and every time is a pleasure. You may remember mom and dad’s stolen moments.

So here’s one for the 4 lovelies.

xoxo

Would you like to connect with me? Send me a note!

View my Portrait portfolio.

Connect with me on Facebook or Twitter.

Every day is a day to love – happy Valentine’s Day

Tanja — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:56:59 +0000

Every day is Valentine’s day.

It’s not about flowers or chocolate or ‘stuff’…

It’s about caring, with all your heart.

It’s so simple, yet important.

Remember to do this every.single.day.

It’s important.

Much love,

Something BIG – the workshop

Tanja — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:44:58 +0000

WORKSHOP UPDATE!

Locatie : Privé domein Kasteel Oud Wassenaar.
Wanneer : 5-6 maart 2012
Scroll down for English text

Dag 1
Ontvangst kasteel Kennismaking, iedeen voorstellen
Uitleg workshop, dagplanning
Onze voorbereiding huwelijksfotografie

Getting ready in 2 groepen! We schieten de makeup bij de bruid en het klaarmaken van de bruidegom afzonderlijk.

2 scenario’s voor een First look :
Binnen: trapscene losse flits en hoe te gebruiken met assistente

First look – buiten
We bespreken alle mogelijke scenario’s en beperkingen die op zo’n dag kunnen ontstaan.

Geheel verzorgde lunch

Fotoshoot: Als 1 groep gaan we in de namiddag een fotoshoot doen met het bruidspaar. Buiten met bestaand licht, binnen met externe flitstechtnieken en waar mogelijk zoeken we het licht op!

De supersnelle shoot: Soms gebeurt het dat de portretsessie in gedrang komt wegens het uitlopen van het schema. Hoe maak je er toch het beste van?

Trouwceremonie met alle sleutelmomenten.

Openingsdans opstelling flitsen.
Badass flits buiten bij ondergande zon.

Diner in een hotel nabij. Tijd voor een nabespreking en vragen.

DAG 2
Een fotografie business runnen.
Prijsstelling!
Ken je target klantenprofiel. Wéét wat je wil verkopen. Weet wat je moet verdienen, en wat je wil verdienen!
Hoe wij onze marketing en social media aanpakken.

Geheel verzorgde lunch

Portfolio review van elke cursist, online met beamer
Hoe wij foto’s selecteren voor onze blog, social media en wedstrijden
Waarom we meedoen aan wedstrijden

17u einde

Twee weken later
BONUS online event met bespreking van jullie workshopfoto’s!

Investering : 750Euro

English version

WORKSHOP UPDATE – Workshop details have are now available!

The location is in the Wassenaar Castle – a private estate in the forest near the town of Wassenaar in The Netherlands.
When: March 5-6 2012

DAY 1
You are welcomed at the estate.
Introductions of all attendants.
A short introduction about the days ahead.
We explain how we prepare for a wedding.

Getting ready shots in two groups. We shoot the makeup at the bride’s and the groom getting ready.

First look in 2 scenarios in two groups
Inside: use of off-camera flash and show how we work with an assistant
Outside: We cover a first look outsite and discuss how we work around limitations that can occur during the actual wedding day.

Lunch!

Photosession: The group merges again for the couple’s photosession.
Outside using available light.
Inside: using flash and searching for available natural light.
The superquick shoot! When the schedule gets time is limited – make the best of any given situation

Wedding ceremony including key moments.

Opening dance with lighting setup.

Damon’s badass flash outside in the golden hour.

Dinner at a hotel nearby where we can chat about the day!

DAY 2
Running a photography business
Pricing!

Lunch

Portfolio review for each attendee.
How we select images for our blog, social media and competitions.
Why we enter competitions.

TWO WEEKS LATER!
A BONUS online event! We get together and evaluate your workshop photos in an online event.

Investment : 750Euro

Please contact info@studiodamon.nl for bookings.

From Russia with Love

Tanja — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:17:15 +0000

It was a dark November day when gorgeous Ekaterina and Sergei were to marry. There was a sense of mystery about that day. And it fit perfectly for this gorgeous fall wedding.

Ekaterina is beyond graceful. She moves in a way that would make royalty envious. Together with Sergei they make a stunning couple.

My good friend and top wedding photographer Damon came along for this wedding. Thank you for a great time!

Please enjoy some images from this Russian wedding in the heart of Belgium.

Vendors

Planner: Roula Stoelen from My Dream Day

Awesome Second shooter: Damon Photographer

Wedding dress : Rosa Clará

Reception Venue: Het Fonteinhof

Nominated for the Bruidsfoto Awards 2012

Tanja — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:58:47 +0000

I am so honoured to be nominated for the 2012 Bruidsfoto Awards. This is a prestigious award for wedding photographers throughout The Netherlands and Belgium. The image below was selected from 1700 submissions.

What makes me especially happy is that this is one of my all time favorite images. I love that was selected by the jury.

The image below has been nominated in the category “emotions”.

If you are so inclined, please vote for my image on the Bruidsfoto Award website. In order to cast your vote, select 3 images in each category. Each category has a winner, and the photo with the most votes is the overall winner.

Below is a list of images that didn’t get a nomination. They all have a special place in my heart, so I thought I’d share.

And finally. To my clients, my gorgeous, amazing brides and grooms.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!!!

Enjoy the images,

Baby it’s cold outside

Tanja — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:03:08 +0000

Some of you may remember Wendy and Kris from the gorgeous destination wedding in Italy back in May. They contacted me for a wintery shoot with their two little girls. It’s always a joy to photograph this family.

And so it was on a cold and early December morning that we met for an outdoors shoot. This winter hadn’t given us any snow so far, so we chose a white palette to add a wintery feel to the shoot. Early morning may very well be my favorite time of the day. I absolutely loved the warm and gorgeous light we got that morning. Within just 50 minutes we wrapped up an amazing series of beautiful images.

Much love,

Would you like to connect with me? Send me a note!

View my Portrait portfolio.

Connect with me on Facebook or Twitter.

This year and coming into my own.

Tanja — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:05:14 +0000

This is a personal, long post. And no, I will have no regrets.

It has been a year of ups and downs.

Sound cliché? Think again.

The year before it had been so clear to me. I actually spelled it out. “I shall have NO REGRETS”.

Somehow 2011 remained undefined for a long, long time. What was it going to be about? Could it possibly be better than the epic ’10? No way! Or … way?

2011 was to become my most amazing, epic and insightful year – EVER!

I connected with some of my heroes within the business. Some facades crumbled before my very eyes. I moved on… I grew as a photographer and – hopefully – as a person. I made new friends. Friends who stood by me and supported me every single day. Thank you for being there when I needed you! Thank you for giving me sanity when I doubted myself. You are awesome! And you are going places! I will be here to cheer you on, every step of the way!

Our kids grew up so fast this year. They surprise and amaze me every single day. I see so much of myself in them. I am privileged to be their mother. It’s exhausting, frustrating, amazing and glorious and I wouldn’t miss it for the world!!! One day I hope to have raised 3 harmonic, happy grownups. Meantime we’re enjoying the path that leads us there. I love the three of you with all my heart!

Birthday came – and so did the puppy I had wished for. I thrive with a canine around. I heart my happy Willow. I’ve never had or met a happier dog – ever!

I travelled and took new friends on a roadtrip. Little did I know they were sisters from a different mother. I love you. You are always with me and I owe you so much! I may live far away, but know that I am there if you ever need me.

Summer came. Whilst everyone was complaining about the weather, I kept hearing the blast in Oslo over and over again in my head. Hug your kids and pray for a sane future.

And finally … to my soulmate.
We were friends. We became lovers. We exchanged vows. We became parents.
I will grow old with you. You are there to pick me up when I feel insecure. You are sanity when I am crazy. You … are my ROCK.
I love you.

So with this said.
I look ahead, with no regrets. With only hope and plans for the future.
Where it will all take me, I do not know.
But I will give it my all.
I love my life. I just need to remind myself from time to time.

I still wonder what 2011 was all about… Maybe it was more about the journey than the actual goal.

Enjoy these last days of the year. And make YOUR 2012 amazing!

Much love,

Tanja

PS: below are some shots from my favorite time this year… on a mountaintop in Norway – pre 7/22. Enjoy the goofy selfies of the rock and me. xo

Merry Christmas and the Gift of Time

Tanja — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 07:12:03 +0000

Today is the day.

Our three little ones have been so patiently waiting. The tree is surrounded by white and red wrapped presents.

They will soon know if they will get what they wished for. They’ve been so good, they have nothing to worry about.

It’s such a joy to watch the kids’ innocent anticipation. There’s a sparkle in their eyes!

I’ve been pondering about what the ideal gift would be for myself. And after much consideration I came up with the best gift ever: time.

How is this a gift?

I live a fast-paced life as a mother of three with an own business. I passionately love what I do. However, someone decided their would only be 24 hours in a day. And that isn’t working out for me – at all.

Needless to explain that a day only streches so far. So how to get more time? The answer is simple : delegate! So I have made a list of the things I do not love passionately. And those things will be delegated from now on.

In return I will have more… time.

May all your Christmas wishes come true!

Love.

Oh Christmas Tree

Tanja — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:49:38 +0000

It’s December 23. Lille Juleaften for the norwegians. The day on which the tree is decorated and the lights are lit. Here in our family, we get a Christmas tree soon after Sinterklaas. Being braught up in a family with a norwegian mother, I must admit I’m much more into Christmas than Sinterklaas. So in December, we bring a little magic into our house.

Every year people ask me what colours I will be “doing” my Christmas tree in. The answer is simple: red. I love a traditional tree with white lights and red ornaments.

I’m sharing a few details of our Christmas home.

xoxo

Ka’s Christmas Shoot

Tanja — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:06:05 +0000

My friend Kristina has a nack for finding the funniest, most amazing outfits and props on Etsy. Every year, we do a Christmas shoot… which cracks us up every single time! We think we’re pretty hilarious… we get the same jokes, laugh out loud when we’re not really supposed to and oh well… you had to be there.

In a way, this has become our little tradition. A fun start to the festive season!

Ka, it’s with much love that I post this! Merry Christmas to you, your man and Bailey (the immensely patient golden retriever).

XOXO

Would you like to connect with me? Send me a note!

View my Portrait portfolio.

Connect with me on Facebook or Twitter.