About Karen Ashcroft

A photographer for 14 years, I photographed weddings for another company for many years and then discovered my passion lies with babies and children.
I decided to focus my work soley on pregnancy, newborn, baby, child and family portraiture. Dragonfly Portraits is now soaring into its 7th year. I have won awards for my portraits in NSW, Australia and Internationally. Have been published in national magazines and I am also a fully Accredited member of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP).

Photography has been my passion for over 25 years, having picked up my first camera at 7 years of age - a small Hanimex that took 110 film cartridges and needed to have single use flash cubes added on the side.

My style is natural, refined and simple: I am inspired by just about anything that is natural, pure and earthy. I love the challenge and variance of different locations I visit and I love to play with light and connect with my subjects through my camera lens.

I am available to work in your own home as babies, young children and ‘Mums to be’ are most comfortable and relaxed in their own environment, allowing their true personality to shine through into the images captured through the lens. And I also know how much effort is required to take a newborn out of the house!

Alternatively, I like to work in outdoor locations, where I can tap into the abundant natural light that provides the beautiful, organic soft glow that has become a hallmark of my photographic style. Outdoor sessions make for spectacular images that can add beauty to your home, and I am always happy to help with advice on an ideal setting for an outdoor portraiture session.

At home, I am just an everyday person. I love spending time with my family, taking my kids to the beach, having trampoline picnics... I like to cook but enjoy going out for great food, wine and good company even more. My own two beautiful ‘little miracles’ are my muse and provide inspiration for my work and remind me constantly about how quickly children change and how quickly we forget their early years.

In my mind, emotions are what make a great photograph. The powerful images that live, breathe and resonate are the images that can touch your soul.

If you can create a powerful image that touches the soul because you can bring in that extra element where you feel it and believe it, then that’s something special. This is the only rule I set for myself as art is subjective, but I believe it has to come from a place that is real.

I always feel so happy that every week wonderful people are trusting me to capture their pregnancy, their newborns first few days, their children and family in an artform. It’s so special to be invited to do this, to be welcomed into my clients lives, often at such a miraculous, sensitive time. I can’t ever take that for granted and I thank each and every client for the opportunity to be their family photographer.

Photography is not just about capturing an image or a moment, it’s about capturing your heart, the love you feel for your family, your hopes and your dreams... your life.

AWARDS

2012
Silver Award - AIPP Australian Photographer of the Year Awards - Family Portrait
Finalist - Camden Wollondilly Local Business Awards
Three bronze Awards - International Aperture Awards

2011
Silver Award - AIPP Australian Photographer of the Year Awards - Family Portrait
Silver Award - AIPP Australian Photographer of the Year Awards - Family Portrait
Silver Award - AIPP NSW Photographer of the Year Awards - Family Portrait
Bronze Awards - International Loupe Awards
Bronze Awards - International Loupe Awards

2010
Silver Award - International Aperture Awards
Also awarded 10th overall out of 91 countries in the Portrait category