Ambassador: Ali Alsatrawee

Photographer Studio: Alialsatrawee Photographe

# of years experience: 6

We are extremely proud to represent APNPI in the Kingdom of Bahrain, which is the international organization specialized in photographing newborn babies, while supporting standards of excellence in the field of photography and appreciating this unique art of its kind at the level of photography.

Spreading the culture of photographing newborn babies
Disseminate ways to prevent any harm to newborns.
Clear courses on how to deal safely with children
Participate in competitions with APNPI

I am Ali Al-Satrawi from the Kingdom of Bahrain, a newborn baby photographer since 2018.
What inspired me to photograph children was my wife, who led me to this type of photography, and from that time on, I loved this specialty and moved forward with it. I specialize in photographing newborn babies, birthdays, and family events. Because of my great passion for this type of photography, in my free time I go out

I am distinguished in my photographic style for children. I like to make the pictures different in each pose, some of which are by using suits and some by using draping, which makes the client choose many pictures that he likes.

One person whose work I admire is Anabrandt
She is one of the people I knew at the beginning of my journey.

I advise him to learn, practice, and accompany experts in this field, including the professionals at APNPI, in order to establish correct, sound, and safe ways to move forward in your career.
And do not spend a lot of equipment on sailing. Buy the necessities and upgrade your equipment over time. Invest in yourself first.

My camera is canon r
My favorite lens is 35mm
In my camera bag are basic equipment such as:
Extra battery for the camera
Batteries for the lighting transmitter
Additional storage card
A tissue for cleaning the lens
Battery charger
24-70 lens

My favorite place to shoot is in my studio
The reason is to provide an environment suitable for children – calm – there are no animals or birds – everything I need is in front of me – my equipment that makes me comfortable dealing with children during the session, such as the chair, the table, and the space that suits me.
Sometimes I go to photograph children in their homes, and each house is different from the other. There are those who are suitable for photography and there are those who are not suitable for photography.

I have enrolled in many courses
The basics of photography in the Kingdom of Bahrain
Basics of using studio lighting
Editing pictures, playing with them, and turning them into comic strips
Basics of video shooting and production in Adobe Premiere
Newborn photography workshop with photographer Faiqa in Bahrain
Online newborn photography workshop with anabrandt
Newborn photography course with Sandra Dorney
There are many courses that I cannot remember now

Treating customers with respect and converting them into permanent customers
The agreement clearly concluded with what the customer will receive, the price and the extras
Never lie
Replenish your equipment
Develop your skills
Create a good reputation about yourself

Challenges usually occur in children who have excessive movement and strength, which makes the position difficult for him or his large size

They expect good treatment and confidence in dealing with their child and an impressive result, as they saw me in the clips that I publish on my Instagram account.

Name: Tara Graham

Representing: Tara Graham Photography

# of Years Experience: 13

I love being an APNPI Ambassador and sharing about how belonging to a professional organization can help you in all areas of your business. The more we elevate ourselves as artists and business people, the more the industry elevates as a whole. I wish I’d had access to this organization when I was just starting out, as it can be so helpful to find a community of photographers all raising the bar together and supporting each other.

I am mom to one wildly creative and stong-headed little boy. I started photography long before he came along though, having gone to college for Creative Photography, and then working in various studios doing portrait, commercial/editorial, and wedding work. One day I decided to tell my husband we were moving so I could have a home studio, and that really allowed me to grow my newborn business, having a dedicated space for it. I also love to photograph families! I love the interactions and being able to get those photos that parents say really captures their child’s essence or personality.

Watch your expenses! Don’t spend every dime you make on props and fabric, and outfits. It’s so easy to fall into this idea that you need one of everything in every colour, but if you figure out what you actually love to photograph, and plan out your larger investments for versatility and longevity instead of jumping on every trend, you’ll keep more money in your pocket and turn a profit much faster. Also, get a mentor! Learning proper techniques and pricing for profit are two areas that many of us struggle with in the beginning, and you can really fast-track your success by getting advice from someone that’s been there before.

I use the Canon R6 mirrorless camera. Having the exposure simulation for natural light sessions is so helpful, along with all the focusing options like facial recognition and eye tracking! My favourite lenses for outdoor sessions are the Canon 35mm 1.4 for getting in close, and the Canon 85mm 1.4 for getting that creamy bokeh shooting wide open. In studio I use the 35mm, and also a 50mm 2.5 macro lens.

I love photographing outdoors! In the last few years I started even doing newborn sessions outside in the warmer months (we don’t have too many of them here in Canada!). I love incorporating the textures and colours of nature in my work (and try to bring those elements in the studio during the colder months), and everyone just feels more relaxed outside surrounded by nature!

I started my business while working for other photography studios, which was helpful. But I also coasted in my business for a long time. Personal development courses and working with coaches has helped me to see where I was standing in my own way, and helped me to dream bigger and see the possibilities that were available to me. For example, just a couple of years ago I never would have imagined I’d be speaking at a large conference like Shutterfest! I also feel like the intentional curation of my portfolio has been a huge factor in having clients hire me for my style instead of just asking about price.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was when I decided to start my own family. We struggled with infertility and early losses, including a very expensive and time-consuming round of IVF, and later on, an ectopic pregnancy as well. It was tough to photograph other families’ little bundles of joy, while experiencing heartbreak behind the scenes. I used the opportunity to raise my prices because it became crucial that any time spent working was worthwhile, and I also used my clients’ stories to give me hope. Now that I’m on the other side of it (with my son born somewhere in the middle of all the struggles), I talk openly about what I’ve been through, in person as well as on my website. I’ve had many clients say they reached out to me because they resonated with my story and they felt comfortable sharing their journey with me too.

Name: Tianna Jarrett-Williams

Representing: Tianna J-Williams Photography

# of Years Experience: 6

Being an APNPI ambassador is a real honour, especially as a photographer based in the UK! I think it is great for visibility for APNPI but also as encouragement for UK photographers to consider membership and entering for their career progression, a lovely community and growth. For me, I am grateful for the platform to share and give back.

I hope that others will pursue qualifications and entering competitions not as a negative but a way to challenge themselves to be more creative and push themselves.

For my clients, I aspire to them seeing my own commitment to my craft and that I want to do better for my clients.

I do love sleep!!

My hobbies include travelling and learning new things – mainly photography! It is an obsession for me! I love music and dance, so not partial to a mini dance party with my children.

My first daughter was my reason for starting off in photography. Capturing her early days and as she grew. My main genres are maternity but I do also photograph families and the occasional wedding.

My biggest inspirations are Lindsay Adler and Lola Melani. Lindsay I came across on YouTube and Creative Live. I love her teaching style, keeping things simple and uncomplicated yet so creative!

Lola Melani – probably via instagram and Pinterest when I was searching for ideas and inspiration. Lola’s style is modern and contemporary, yet beautiful and so stylish.

One piece of advice would be to try hard not to spend on all the beautiful props just yet, invest in business training and advice and let those come later.

I have always been a Nikon user and I started off with the D3200, moved onto the D750 and I now use the Nikon Z6II and my all time favourite now is Nikon Z 85mm 1.2. I do have the 50mm 1.2, 35mm 1.8 and a 70-200 2.8.

My studio is my favourite place, where I have complete control over all the details and light!

I have done so much training over the years, mostly with a focus on lighting. I have done posing classes for newborn photography and maternity too. I have undertaken a two day masterclass with Lindsay Adler in Norway which was incredible. I have also taken classes and mentoring in business and in person sales.

I didn’t plan to be in business initially, it was a hobby that became a business! Developing a profitable income wasn’t easy to begin with and a lot of it was to do with mindset and self belief which I think is the hard part. Of course, looking at your business and working out your costs and what you need to make is essential, then comes putting all that into practice. Each change is scary, then slowly it works!