The rain clouds were hanging low over Shorncliffe when I got to meet this beautiful little family. I honestly didn’t know if the rain would hold off for us but we were on a tight timeline with mumma at 38 weeks.
In the end the rain held off for us and we were able to capture some very special images for this gorgeous family before they welcomed their baby girl into the world.
I’m usually the person behind the camera, not in front. Even with my family I always position myself with camera in hand so that I can avoid the picture itself. Why? Mainly because I have seen waaaayy too many photos of myself with half closed eyes, mouth hanging open mid-yelling-at-a-child or with three chins then anyone needs to see of themselves. Yes I am self conscious and there is a lot about myself that I pick apart when I see a photo of myself – but….
Recently I read an article about mums (and dads) making a effort to be in the pictures with their families. In the article – I’m sorry I forget the author and title – it basically highlighted a story from a young woman whose mother had passed away and she realised she had very few photos of her mother. Some from her youth but as she got older there were fewer and fewer images. I made a pact with myself that day that I would get in more photos with my family. More awkward family selfies, more asking random strangers to take our photo, more letting my husband and friends take photos with me in them rather than me taking them. And it doesn’t matter if my skin looks bad, or my hair is a mess because one day none of that is going to matter. When we look back at photos of ourselves as children and teenagers, we don’t see those flaws that were so glaringly obvious in the moment – no, time adds a hazy glow that makes everyone look amazing… except of those 90’s fashion choices – boots with scrunchie socks and patterned leggings – what were we thinking!
This year I turn 35 and although I still need to drop a few kilos and there are no ways to hide my smile lines and grey hair (except for photoshop 🙂 I got out in front of the camera the other day to do some self portraits for a photo-a-week project #dogwood52. It was awkward and embarrassing – especially when a couple walked past and I’m just sitting out in the middle of field by myself with tripod and a camera and my picnic basket smiling like an idiot. But I dare you to try it! I encourage all mums and dads to make this year the year you get out from behind the camera and get in front of it. Whether it’s with your family or some nice pictures of yourself in your favourite place – just get out and do it and enjoy the moment – laugh at yourself while you try and figure out how to fit everyone into that selfie or grin like an idiot at a camera with (hopefully) no-one else around because you are beautiful right now in this moment. And it will never be this time again and you will never look at young as you do right now 🙂
Welcome to 2014! I just wanted to take this time to thank all of my followers and clients who have supported me in this new photography venture as I move out of the realm of enthusiast to professional. Although I am not taking new clients at the moment this year is going to be exciting. I am undertaking a mentorship with a prominent Brisbane photographer and I am looking forward to learning and growing my photographic skills in the new year.
I hope you enjoy this video of my clients from 2013.
There comes a point in every persons life when they realise how precious every single second is. That moment when you become aware that you need to soak in every minute of every day whether its doing something amazing or doing something mundane. For many that point in life comes late in life, when old age or illness has set in and made you aware of how quickly time has passed and how much you have missed just through not living every moment to the full. For me – I was lucky. I reached that point in my life just a few years ago and it changed the way I view and experience everything.
Now every breath I take I appreciate, whether that be while I am hanging out the washing – a chore I abhor, or playing on the beach with my precious children, I love that moment. I find something good in it and I love the life right out of it. The warm sun, the crisp wind, green grass, the bright contrasting colours of the graffiti, the decaying mortar on an old building. The wrinkles on that womans face, his shoes, the way my daughters hair curls up into ringlets, the way my son’s eyes shine when he talks endlessly about Yu-gi-ho or Pokemon, the way my husband smells when he leaves for work, the fresh smell of the washing I hate hanging out, the way the sunlight catches on that cobweb above the line.
Don’t get me wrong I have bad days too, when I loose my patience with my kids because they are driving me insane or when I forget something and have to go into the house 3 times or when I just need to lock myself in the bathroom to finish that Candy Crush level in peace, but even in these moments I remind myself to be present and appreciate it .
This Sunday we washed the car and I loved every minute of it. As we finished off I ran to get the camera because it was just such a gorgeous carefree moment. My husband gave me a quizzical look – honestly you would think he would be used to this by now; “really he said – washing the car?” And I smiled at him because sometimes its hard to explain in words how beautiful these simple joyful moments are.
I read a beautifully written article recently about this period of being in-between, zwischen. That time in late pregnancy where you are in-between your old life and the new life waiting on the other side of birth.
This beautiful family are in their time of zwischen, awaiting the birth of their fifth baby.
And I am also in my time of waiting. Waiting with my camera charged, clothes ready to jump into at a moments notice, waiting for my first opportunity to photograph a birth. I feel so blessed my this family for allowing me to be with them as they prepare to welcome their new baby into this world at home I popped around last week to meet them and capture a couple of lifestyle maternity shots where they are preparing to welcome this brand new life.
What better way to document your pregnancy than in the environment where you feel most comfortable. At home. So as I settle down tonight with my camera bag packed beside me and my phone close at hand I thought I would share some pictures of this families zwischen time.
What a beautiful day today was! Clear blue skies, warm sun and two kids with plenty of energy. I am always on the look out for new locations to take my clients to and capture some stunning images. The other day I spotted another little walking track I hadn’t seen before and I finally had some time to check it out today.
We packed ourselves a little snack, a hat and the camera and set off to find some gorgeous light and nice locations to capture some memories. Unfortunately my kids are maybe a little sick of having their photo taken
My daughter trying to take a serious photo
There were lots of laughs to be had and we found a new place to go exploring – plenty more paths to tackle next time as well! Hoping to find the little lagoon that is hidden down there somewhere.
Would you like to have some photos taken in this lovely bush setting? Contact Sacred Moments Photography to find out more – I can’t wait to hear from you
My daughter is in year 1 and this term they are learning all about animals and their habitats. We often go for ‘bush walks’ I suppose you could call them – we prefer the term, ‘Adventures’. One of our favourite places to adventure in is the wetlands near our house. And after a busy morning of ballet practice and soccer games Miss 6 asked me if we could go Kangaroo spotting today so she could gather some research and get some photos for her teachers.
We have found a number of mobs of kangaroos and wallabies in Tichi Tamba before but these aren’t tamed marsupials that will welcome you into their habitat. These are wild kangaroos and very timid. In particular the big males are not fond of people coming close especially when their are young ones around.
So we set off just before dusk to hopefully spot some kangaroos and I took along the camera as it is one of my favourite places to get some beautiful family shots in the wide open spaces in the lovely soft afternoon light. My eldest brought a book, of course and Miss 6 was taking notes and making diagrams. I only managed to capture one dodgy shot of a little wallaby family (I think) – no tripod and failing light and very shy animals. I’m sure we will be heading back soon – perhaps next time 🙂
At last the sun made an appearance after what seems like weeks and weeks of dreary skies and endless drizzle. We grabbed a soccer ball and headed for the park down at Sandgate.
I have been a bit quiet lately and for a very good reason. Each year my children’s school has a fete and it is a very big deal in our house. As a working mum I often don’t get to do the ‘school mum’ stuff. I miss a lot of assemblies, excursions and classroom visits because my day job is being a teacher – which means when my kids are at school, so am I. But the fete is the one time when I get to feel as though I am giving something back to the school community and embrace my other love – baking! So for the last 2 weeks every spare moment has been spent baking and freezing in preparation for the big day.
The day dawned overcast and rainy but as always seems to be the case at St Kieran’s fete in Brighton; as the people started rolling in the clouds started to roll out. I got to watch my kids perform their dances and hubby and I did our hour on a stall each and the kids bounced from rides, to games to animals, even Nanna conquered the ‘Space Invaders’ ride with my gorgeous boy
Yesterday I was talking about how precious Maternity or pregnancy photos are and today I wanted to talk about the next best thing – newborn squishy-ness.
In those last few weeks of pregnancy when all you want to do is meet the new person inside of you, many people will tell you not to wish it away. Caring for that baby while its tucked up nice and tidy (and quiet) inside you is so much easier. But while you are counting down the days it’s a good time to consider getting some pictures of that beautiful baby.
There are generally two types of newborn photography at the moment; the first is ‘posed newborn photography’ – this is the one with all those gorgeous props, baskets, backdrops. The ones that conjure up images of Anne Geddes Calendars. They are usually conducted in studio and take between 3-4 hours. Baby is usually kept asleep for these images and it is best done within the first 2 weeks of life. Another style is ‘lifestyle newborn photography’. This one involves the photographer coming to your house and photographing your beautiful new baby in the space you have lovingly prepared for them. We still do some traditional poses but your hands form the support for baby and we can capture the gorgeous relationship between you and baby. These sessions usually take between 2-3 hours and baby may be asleep, awake or both. I will follow bubs lead and see what happens. This type of photography can take place at anytime. – And don’t worry about needing to have a spotlessly clean house: I have children – I understand. All I require is an uncluttered space with good light – the bedroom, nursery and lounge room can often provide this. We can move any artifacts of normal life with a child (ie. piles of washing/folding/ dishes) to one side – you will never see them in the images 🙂
The new type of newborm photography that I am starting to offer is called Babydaze photography. This is a short session conducted in the hospital or home in the days just after baby is born – preferable the first three. In this session I capture all those squishy newborn memories – the hospital tags (for a hospital birth), gorgeous little wrinkles, crib/room number, first meetings with grandparents and sibling – all those precious things that only happen in the first few days.
If you are interested in any of these – or would like to know more about maternity and newborn packages please contact me for more details 🙂
{North Brisbane Lifestyle Photographer} 