Hi, I am Belinda Fettke.
I am a wife and mother of 3 grown children.
I was a registered nurse in a past life.
After 13 years as a stay at home Mum, I ventured back into the workforce as the PR Marketing photographer for Scotch Oakburn College for 8½ years. This involved covering every aspect of school life, in which I immersed myself and loved that I could capture kids being kids in a state of the art educational facility. I could celebrate their achievements, their friendships and their growth to mature young adults. It was a very precious time and I learned so much about photography and ventured into Social Media.
I began my own photography business BPhotography over 7 years now.
I consider myself a storyteller and am drawn to passionate, creative people … hence my bi-line “the Art of Storytelling”. I want to capture memories and share stories through the visual medium of photography. I especially love photographing people and consider myself lucky to do something I love as ‘work’.
I find inspiration in the simple things around me, in love, in family and in amazing literature. To convey an emotion and feel something real from an image or written words is incredible to me.
I look for light to see where it falls and the shadows it creates. I find textures intriguing.
I love to laugh and I sing whenever I feel like singing. I sing to my steering wheel regularly on long drives – it makes me happy!
I am humbled by the wonderful people I have met through my work, my photography, my association with the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) and allied resources. Humbled that I have permission to capture the deep essence of true emotions and precious moments in time. Often these moments can’t be repeated. I am honoured to capture people’s stories and thankful that I can share them.
While I specialize in wedding photography, family and children’s portraiture I also photograph pregnancies, newborns and pets. I am happy to go to special places for my client portraiture, somewhere that has true meaning for them.
I take time to perfect my craft, to know what I love and to be inspired and inspire others.
I am proud of the work I produce.
I am an Artisan.
Dog on a balcony in Venice
The Miracle of Life
Some things in life are beyond description, beyond anything you could put down in words … such is the experience I was honoured to photograph on Tuesday 26th November 2013.
At 8.49pm Isla Grace Blackberry was born into this world. With just 2 midwives in attendance, Brittany delivered the most perfect baby girl with her devoted husband James and her beautiful Mum by her side. 
I must admit to feeling a little overwhelmed when Brittany and James asked me if I would share the birth of their next child with them well over 18 months ago, to photographically record yet another amazing chapter in their lives. Such responsibility. To be allowed to witness one of the most beautiful moments in this life. I was so humbled to be trusted to capture the birth of their second child as it unfolded and the emotions that filled the room; anticipation, nervousness, concentration and finally delight, amazement, contentedness and pride. I loved every minute and honestly can’t stop smiling and feeling such happiness deep in me. Documentary photography is so different to what I normally do with my portrait work and I loved the challenge of just photographing what was unfolding before me. I had no control over the lighting and didn’t want to intrude on their experience. I felt their emotions deeply and know that I have captured images which they will treasure forever.
Congratulations to a very special family, James, Brittany and Milla on the safe arrival of your beautiful daughter and sister, Isla Grace. I can’t wait to share the next chapter of your lives … Love Belinda xxx
Extended family portraits are so much fun!
I was very excited when Rachel and Fausto asked me to photograph their family again, but this time with Fausto’s parents, siblings and their families included in the shoot. Extended family portraits are just so special.
I love photographing the large groups and letting the dynamics and relationships unfold. Capturing expressions and ‘real’ moments as well as the setup ones you need to do to make sure everyone is in the group photo. We used Rachel and Fausto’s garden as the backdrop which was perfect because people could escape the elements to warm themselves up inside before braving the cold winds and spitting rain we had on and off all afternoon. So excited to share this sneak peak xx
You Have Cancer … three words you never want to hear.
I met Karie and Matthew Hall last Sunday at their home in Scottsdale, Northern Tasmania. I had heard about Karie’s story from a friend of mine. She told me that Karie had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer on Friday the 1st of February 2013 and despite hearing such confronting and heartbreaking news, she went to work on Saturday, 2nd February to make bouquets and floral arrangements for a wedding, because she refused to let the bride down. Not a word was mentioned. Instead Karie’s creativity and professionalism shone through. And it continues to shine through and give her strength. I was humbled to meet her.
After leaving Launceston I encountered heavy rain as I passed over The Sidling, which was not going to be ideal. I was relieved to find the weather was improving in Scottsdale by the time I got there, with sunshine peeking through dark clouds. My photoshoot with Karie and her family was to be all about the magical garden she is creating. Heavy rain would have made this impossible. Instead we had perfect light, hints of sunshine and the occasional shower which just added to the mood for the afternoon, especially when a rainbow appeared!
Karie’s artistic flair for creating stunning garden rooms and whimsical spaces around their home is encouraged and supported by her husband, Matthew. Their garden has provided a focus and sense of purpose, not just to Karie but to the whole family. As I walked around, enchanted by everything I came across, I understood just how special this project has become to them. Not only has it allowed Karie a distraction over the past 9 months, but it has provided a focus for both she and her young family to get through her illness and the confronting treatment she has had to endure. Their garden has become a place where they can escape harsh reality and enter a wonderful world of imagination. A world full of fairies and secret places. A garden full of love, togetherness and hope. I was blown away …
As I pulled into their driveway I was met by 3 excited young children; Billie, Joe and Charli who were keen to show me the beautiful gardens of ‘Adawood’, the place they call home.
Karie had ‘set designed’ an afternoon tea party for her family in a garden room overlooking the lush green pastures surrounding them. The centre table was laden with goodies. Delicious cheeses and home-made biscuits were presented artistically with fabrics and complimentary pieces of antique china. There were glass bottles hanging from tree branches, gently swaying in the breeze and a long strip of homemade bunting making a simple statement across the space completing the vintage look. There was talk and laughter and lots of bubbles being blown, plus quiet tender moments that I didn’t have the heart to interrupt. I set my camera up just outside the space and let the scene unfold before me.
The whimsical gardens of Adawood have become a family project and what really struck me was the pride they all share in the garden and the respect they give to the little spots that each one has made their own. The children excitedly showed me around and led me to their favourite places including the chook shed where Charli pointed out a chicken that was laying an egg under an old chaise lounge. It was a perfect nesting ‘box’ with straw filling the spot the seat should have been. Joe wanted to show me his cubby and tree houses and how expert he was at bouncing a basketball. Billie obviously takes great pride tending the vegetable garden with her Mum and also wanted me to see the fairy garden. Every corner I turned there was another treasure to uncover – mirrors, glass jars, old bikes, minature fairy’s and delicate silver bowls with tiny cacti hanging from plants and trellis’s. There were tables covered with tea sets and peony roses in lace wrapped jars. Trinkets hidden under foliage that could only be found if you took time to explore the exquisite canvas that was unfolding before me. 
I was intrigued by the caravan perched up on the hill, surrounded by fruit trees with red woollen pompoms hanging from their branches, dancing in the wind. It beckoned me closer. Inside was a treasure trove of tea party delights, antique bric-a-brac and children’s games. You know … the real sort where you sit and play with imaginary or real friends. No technology in site, just imagination by the bucket load on offer. 
I spoke to Karie afterwards, about our shoot and asked her how she wanted to share the images and her story. I wasn’t sure at first, so I gave her the option of purely focusing on the garden and capturing the children enjoying ‘Adawood’, but she told me she would like the story to focus on her fight against breast cancer. Karie wanted to tell her story to help raise awareness of the risk of breast cancer in young women and to share her garden which has been her focus over the past 9 months to help her get through her illness and the confronting treatment she has had to endure. She wants people to know that in creating their garden it has given her family precious time together. It has helped them form an even closer bond and opened up a world of imagination they can all share. 
Peter Pan would never want to leave …
A very special family to me
I have been photographing Milla since she was just days old and now she is about to become a ‘big sister’! 
It is such a wonderful thing, to be asked to keep photographing families as they grow and to have the opportunity to watch a tiny babe become a gorgeous young girl who calls out my name asking me to watch her run and play with her. Who kisses me and smiles and is happy to hold my hand. It is such a privilege to be so involved with clients who become special friends over time, and Brittany, James and Milla are just that to me. I can’t wait share in their excitement of the birth of their new baby in a few weeks and get a little cuddle 🙂
Lingerie Fashion Shoot for Gooseberry Intimates at the Lake House, Tasmania
Well, I must admit I was a little excited when Brogan Kate Howie-Wootton contacted me about photographing the latest range from Gooseberry Intimates recently. She is the Australian Distributor for the French Inspired Lingerie that is even more beautiful in real life than any still images can portray. 
Special thank you to Bron Matthews for her unending patience, holding reflectors, positioning lights and just being amazing as always and to The Palace Homewares, Launceston for loaning us the crystal perfume atomiser and the silver embossed hand mirror that added an extra ‘touch of class’.
Pop on over to the Gooseberry Intimates website to see the full range of their stunning lingerie which is available on-line at https://gooseberryintimates.com/
… or even better, make it a great excuse for a holiday in Bali and visit their store sometime soon!
Evening photoshoot with Jacquie, Jorgan and their family at Hollybank, Tasmania
So often I am asked to photograph young family’s, which is always fun. For them it is a beautiful memory of a stage in their life that passes all too quickly. But, I have to admit that I am very excited by the increasing trend and more inquiries about photographing ‘grown up family’s’. The requests are mostly due to the fact that young adult family members are about to move away interstate or overseas, but it is not always the case. I love the dynamics of family groups and challenge myself to tell the story of the relationships within the group and really show individual personalities in my images.
Photographing Jacquie, Jorgan and their young adult children and son-in-law was an absolute pleasure and the setting was perfect to create beautiful backdrops and framing for the portraits that I took. So lovely to include their dogs who are also very much a part of the family 🙂
Thank you Jacquie. I just loved it!!
Congratulations to Tess and Cameron on the arrival of their beautiful daughter, Bridget.
After photographing Tess and Cameron on their farm at Scottsdale for their pregnancy shoot a couple of months ago, it was with much excitement that I returned to meet the new addition to their family – young Bridget.
Congratulations Tess and Cameron, Bridget is just so cute and we had such a lovely time taking these photographs. There is something very special about new family’s. Love, chaos and learning what it means to have responsibilities for another human being beyond anything you have known before. I walked into the house to see pink things everywhere and flowers and congratulatory messages. Beautiful homecoming. Cameron was so gentle with his newborn daughter and Tess a natural born Mum. Look forward to catching up again soon.
Fashion shoot with the gorgeous Brogan for the new Gooseberry Intimates range … a sneak preview
I was so excited to be asked to photograph the new season’s designer range of Gooseberry Intimates by Brogan Kate Howie-Wootton, their Australian distributor, recently. 
Soft laces are the basis of their lingerie range that is designed for elegance and comfort. The ultra feminine, sensual lingerie will seduce you with its delicate lines and it’s perfectly worked details. You will have to wait for the Gooseberry Intimates catalogue launch to see the lingerie, but in the meantime I thought I would post a portrait I took of Brogan. I wanted to show her hair and makeup which was beautifully done by Kirby Manion of The Loft Salon, Launceston and one of the props that was lent to us by Angela, of The Palace Homewares in Launceston. 
Special thank you to Bron Matthews for her unending patience, holding reflectors, positioning lights and just being amazing as always.
AATFA – The Australian APEX Teen Fashion Awards 2013 preview
I was excited to be asked to photograph the AATFA’s in Melbourne last weekend after photographing the Tasmanian State Finals earlier in the year. 
It really is a 2 person gig, so I asked my dear friend Alan Moyle (Photobat) if he could join me. 
We have decided to upload the images from The AATFA’s to Alan’s website for viewing. He has an ordering system that is automated so it will save some time. I will add the link onto here tomorrow when they are uploaded. In the meantime, please enjoy a sneak peak into a few behind the scenes shots and Megan and Hannah getting ready. 
We were so proud of Hannah’s success in getting to the Nationals and she looked stunning!
The event was held at the White House Institute to a full audience. The winner and runner up of each of the four sections at State level are represented in Formal Wear, Casual, Wearable Art and Society & Environment. The designs by young people from year 10 to year 12 were simply outstanding and Megan Rose and I came away inspired yet again! Congratulations to all the designers and thank you to the wonderful volunteers who make it happen year after year. I would like to make special mention and thank Sarah Clark for co-ordinating this year’s event.
Having both Henry Roth as a judge and Esma Voloder as guest co-compare certainly added to the evening 🙂
7 Months old and so very cute!
I photographed Venetia and Christian late last year when Venetia was heavily pregnant with Frederick and again when young Frederick was just 7 days old. So tiny only a few moments ago and now he is sitting up.
I loved this photoshoot of Frederick at 7 Months. I wanted to capture time together as a family which allowed me to do some photojournalism as well as the more setup photography images. 
It was a gorgeous photoshoot. Thank you Venetia, Christian and Frederick for making my ‘job’ so easy xxx
