Feel the Sun on Your Face & the Sand between Your Toes {Offbeat Wedding Photography}

A number of weeks ago before the frenetic Christmas rush we made our leisurely way up to Coochimudlo Island off the coast of Brisbane, Queensland.

After days of rain, there was a convergence of family and friends from all over the country, and the globe, to bask in the love and the sunshine as Rach and Steve got married at sunset near 'Coochie's' well known Red Rock Point. I loved their down-to-earth approach to their wedding, they were of course organised, and with wonderful ideas of how it might pan out but as Rach said on the morning before her wedding - 'as long as I am married to the right man at the end of the day I'll be happy'. And she was true to her word.

I loved the bare feet, the humor, the joy, the acceptance, and partnership that they shared so freely with everyone present at the ceremony.

It was wonderful to see their creativity and unique relationship expressed in so many ways at their ceremony and their reception. Rach and Steve were so relaxed in who they are as individuals and trusting in their future together that it was inspiring. I love weddings!!

Congratulations Mr & Mrs Powell, and Thankyou for giving our little family the honour of each having such a special role to remember on such a special day in your lives.

Ann xx

A Sun Filled Morning in Blackheath... {Blue Mountains Family Portaits}

I love being welcomed into the homes of a family wishing to share a precious time in their lives with me. I enjoy every shoot, and as much as I give all of myself on every photo session, there is always so much that I personally get back by being around people in love, families growing, and babies discovering the world..

This was a particularly special photo session for me as I had photographed the graceful Henriette when she was 36 weeks pregnant, bathed in the golden light of an autumn afternoon. To see the grace and glory of the female body as it grows little people, and then to see the wonder in the eyes of this new person in the world, and the love between parent in child is truly precious to share.

I found Henriette and Jack's attitude so inspiring, especially when I asked how things were going and H's response was: 'Pretty well, apart from the exhaustion. We're pretty busy, we just opened a new dental practice, have been mountain climbing and sailing recently and are planning a hike in New Zealand next year'... all with the twins in tow.

Thanks for the 'picnic' among the trees Henriette and Jack, I'll have your online gallery link to you very soon!

Ax

Father's Day Present Ideas? {Kids Portrait Photographer}

Hmm. Father's Day is coming up, and I still haven't had any amazing gift ideas for my Dad, or for Mr K from the munchkin. We've done the hand painting, the pretty plant in a pot and the surprise adventure. I'm looking for new ideas for what to make, or do this year so if you have any rocking ideas you want to share of your past successes, feel free to share in the comments.

Meanwhile, I'd like to share some of the pics we created last week in the Blue Mountains. A friend of mine asked me to shoot her kids before Father's Day as a surprise for her man, so we managed to find an afternoon when Dad was out to have a secret photo session.

My friend grew up in France and wanted something a little bit creative, and on our windy and rainy afternoon we created some great stuff that their Daddy is going to loooooove! It's always a good sign your client loves your work when they can't pick 'just one'.

He is going to score a number of framed prints and also a small print on the front of their handmade card. I have been working hard over the last few months researching and creating a whole new range of products for my wedding and family portrait clients. I'll be sharing pictures of them and launching the new range very soon, but for now they are going to stay under wraps..

I had such a great time chasing these two little munchkins around, creating little vignettes in their Aussie backyard that captured a little bit of Frenchness. Oui Oui?

Rains pause for Inner West Photo Adventure {Pregnancy Photographer}

Last Wednesday night I drove down the mountain to prepare for my early morning pregnancy shoot the next day. I didn't realise when Clare said it had been raining and she was nervous about the weather that the rain was actually torrential! The windscreen wipers were on full blast and their affect seemingly non-existent. However, we retained our humour and prepared ourselves for a fun photo shoot with drenched hair, colourful brollies and gumboots in the mix. When I awoke in the morning, I glanced out the window to see light grey skies with patches of blue sneaking through!

We laughed at the wonderful turnaround in weather and after a few shots with Charlie the pup at home, we went off on our inner west photography adventure. Clare has a fabulous energy and flair and we went out hoping to capture her wonderful belly as well as a bit of 'something else'...

I asked Clare to choose a location for our photo shoot that held a lot of meaning for her. She chose Callan park in Rozelle (in Sydney) as she used to walk around the water's edge and through the grounds when she first got together with her lovely man, Rob. So we went to capture the nature of the offbeat inner west with it's rambling old buildings ensconced in rambling gardens.

Just to add a touch more sentimentality, Clare brought along a handcrafted teddy-in-waiting that her mother had given to her at her Baby Shower.

I am always honoured to photograph a pregnant woman, especially at this special last phase when there is so much quiet excitement, an imminent end to this chapter of growth and such a large adventure in the future about to begin. In the planning there always a slight sense of urgency from the wonderful mother-to-be as after 36 weeks there is a chance that baby might choose to come sooner than our booking!

It was lovely to see how much Clare had enjoyed her pregnancy and to see her joy and anticipation of becoming a mother. I just love this photo (above) and seeing her inner strength as an individual and a woman. I think this little person about to arrive is going to be very lucky indeed.

All in all it was a lovely morning adventure with some absolutely beautiful results. Now we have created our artwork baby has permission to arrive ;)