Well luckily, as I steadfastly refused to believe the sounds around me, I erred on the side of optimism, because it meant I had the wonderful fortune to meet a beautiful family, both inside and out.  The weather cleared overnight to a sunny morning down on the Glebe foreshore where I was able to meet these two sweet children and their parents.  It turned out that the children will be attending the same school that my children go to and Angie and I will no doubt be waving to each other across the crowded footpath come 3.15pm for many afternoons into the future.

01 046 064 074 027 026 002 098

On my first weekend back into the throes of shooting I happened upon this sweetheart.  Cormac.  And at least I *think* he was a sweetheart, because he was like quicksilver, running, walking, dodging and laughing.  He was, simply, adorable.  But I tell you, those wobbly poxed legs of mine were a little unused to the lightning speed of Cormac.  I imagine if you’re looking for a fitness bootcamp, just find Cormac’s parents and ask if you can babysit for an hour or so.  And next thing you know, you’ll have rock hard abs and a heart full of happiness.  He was awesome.

1 2 3 4 5

I love my job.  Seriously, it is just fun.  I get to meet gorgeous families and little people and manage to hang out in sunshine and chat.  Of course the nights hunched over the computer are a different story of course, but when I end up looking over images like these, even the keyboard hunchback in me can smile.

You see, the other day I met up with Sadie.  Sadie is little.  Sadie is new. But Sadie already knows something – she knows Sadie.  This little baby was so full of personality, awareness and reminded me so much of my own daughter at the same age that I wanted to tuck her under my arm and run out the door.

Instead I settled for photographing her.  And while we were out walking around I discussed my much lapsed commitment to blogging and made a pact.  I announced “Hear ye, hear ye!  This session shall be blogged, and blogged this week!”.  So here we are.

And just a note to Sadie – I want you to know that you’ve got some pretty cool parents.

1 2 3 4 5

Because I travel out to my newborn clients, you don’t have to worry about bundling up your new babe, working out the car seat, driving while the baby screams (oh gosh, how my daughter SCREAMED in the car!) or scheduling a shoot around sleep/feed times. It’s all very low key, we have a good chat beforehand about what you want, what you feel up to and what your house is like.  Then I come along, coo and gaze at your little one, then save those memories of the early days for you to remember forever.  Until you actually have a child, it’s hard to believe just how intangible and almost mythical those first days are.  I find a lot of my newborn shoots are for second children, from parents who deeply regret not finding a photographer with their firstborn (iPhone shots just really don’t cut the mustard when it comes to longterm, meaningful memories).  If you’re pregnant with your first child, I hope you call me before the regret monster comes to live at your house!

IMG_8237_bw IMG_8379_bw IMG_8446_bw IMG_8525_bw IMG_8563_bw IMG_8827_bw IMG_8873_bw

You don’t?  Oh right. That would be because THAT DOESN’T HAPPEN!  And then you meet women who rock up for a maternity photo shoot with their three year old and partner, looking as if they’re about to float around a wooded glen picking posies and whispering to faeries.  And what did I do?  I picked up that camera and snapped away because…well…wow! Wouldn’t you?!

Oh sorry, you’re not pregnant yet? *ahem*  Only read that first paragraph.  Really, that’s how it is.  Truly.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

And then you walk into the space where there is a new baby.  That new, warm, dreamy, milky space.  That fuzzy day/night/eternal twilight space.  That milk-drunk, doe-eyed, gurgle-sweet space.

And you forget it all.

Really, there is nothing else like it.

And for this beautiful babe, his mum knew that.  As the fourth baby born into this family, she knew that to capture this time, this space, she required someone to walk in and step gently to see how the two of them found their rhythm.  She didn’t want set up portraits with props, so I popped on my much loved and battered hat of onlooker and snapped what happened around me.

Taking newborn images can be as organised or as organic as you prefer.  Newborn photos are best taken in the first ten days of life and be you a new mother for your first baby, or a seasoned mother with many, each baby has their own style, and each set of circumstances arises anew for each session.  I am there to help everyone relax, and then promptly forget I’m even there.

 1 2 3 4

So instead, let’s just leave the blog as is and you just pretend that I am right up to date with every shoot I’m doing and have done.  From John Hughes to Agnes Kain it’s not such a leap.  Because this lovely band produces amazing sound from just the two talented bodies contained within.  When they announced a tour to China, I received a slightly panicked email asking for photos.  And NOW!  Please!  So I waved my magic John Hughes-like wand, and voila!  Funky images!  And before you go anywhere, make sure you click here and listen to them.

So after putting my two recent band shoots side by side, I’ll return to families next post…maybe even a little teeny tiny newborn just to start from the start.

1 2 3 4 5

One from a long, long time ago (gee, it almost sounds like the start of a fairy tale) was a shoot I did with a friend actually.  Usually I keep work and friends separate, mainly because it’s tricky to take the sort of photos your friends want or need when it’s someone you are used to chatting to behind the camera.  Most photos end up with a lot of half-open, mid-speaking mouths because we can’t stop the blah blah blah.  But my friend Paul – well I’ve known him since primary school (yes, that long ago!  And in Perth too).  And he is an amazing blues musician, so when he appealed for me to take some photos of him for his upcoming cd, I thought why not.  Especially if it meant I was able to receive a complimentary copy!

And after having to listen to him tell me how he didn’t feel comfortable in front of the camera, I shushed him, turned the camera on and shot away.  Check him out!  He’s a natural!

And if you’d like to check out his music, then please click on here and be transported into the world of award winning blues.  He’s awesome at what he does (and this is coming from an indie pop tragic).

IMG_7138_galleryxp IMG_7238_galleryxp IMG_7336_galleryxp

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

9 16 28 29 37

So there I am, prepared for anything, and up the road towards me walk two open, smiling, beautiful faces.  Genuine, sweet and an absolute joy to photograph.  Oh MY!  I think it’s safe to say that after I lifted my jaw off the ground, I had such a fun time with this family – and boy do I love it when the dad is enthusiastic!  Honestly, I hope you love your session Tracey because your family deserves the very best.  And I’m coming over to your house in the dead of night and swapping children when I need to take a photo of mine, if you don’t mind.

001 014 017 048 076 117 124 022