Newborn Nate:

Everytime I photograph a newborn I am reminded of why I love doing this.

Don't get me wrong, it's hard work..They have no idea what you require of them. They have this terrible drinking habit, that both helps and hinders the process.... They get tired REALLY quickly and the parents keep the house as hot as HADES..Which makes the photographer -hefting props and bundles of blankets around, sweat like mad bugger!

BUT...I love cuddling them and gently placing them just so..and when they are photographed with Mum and Dad - well it's hard to get a BAD photo..And then when I get home..I am really supposed to print out the proofs for the client to let them choose what to edit..But I can't help myself I end up picking out a bucket load of my fave's, spending time playing with them and then putting them up here...

So without further ado:

J and K... you really do have the most eclectic bunch of cool photo props in your place - I may have to hire out your home and surrounds for other clients!!

And I did learn a few valuable lessons..If you want your babe client  asleep..Get him fed in whatever cloth prop you plan on photographing him in! Sweetheart boy..The only sweet dozing shots we managed was cuddled up on Mum! He woke up everytime we manouvered him into position - and who would blame him..Some of the tight places we were trying squeeze this not so little angel - my gosh - we must have looked quite a sight to the two toddlers and other babe looking on..The three adults squishing and lifting this little body into picnic baskets and what not!

Thanks guys..It was a great session...

..Nate is gorgeous..

C xx

Just because..

I love this shot...Sweet little Nate..More of his newborn session to come...

Happy Friday everyone!

XX

Thankful Thursday 28/7

Photo: Hallie V

Today I am thankful that I get to know what it is like having a son..Actually I am thanful everyday..But I have this photo now that I LOVE.. and it's Thursday..

 I was out walking today and a well built, clean cut young man, in his teens jogged by me. I had this crazy urge to hug him and tell him to be good to his dear mother...I am sure had I acted on my urge he would have called me a freak and used some unfortunate teenage language on me..But there you have it..I now have a future to look forward too filled also with all things male..Sometimes it kinda gives me the heebie jeebies..See I know what the girls will go through.. But him? We will have to learn together...

Still thankful though......

LOL

P.S. For anyone considering a photoshoot with me but are thinking it's too cold.This photo was taken in Vic Park on sunny Winter's day just two weeks gone.. Book me now...Don't wait! LOL!

xx

Scrap The Girls Inspiration Challenge:
Felt like I needed to scrap his pregnancy photos. So whilst in there is a bloke..Officially it's me..So still scrapping the girls..Phew.. Now if you regularly read my blog you will know that I could hardly be inspired by the colour..Not nearly enough choices for me. So I splashed on colour and used the big title as inspiration and the upside down I... The lyrics are in my journalling.."Let's get this party started"..Reasons are obvious of course and if you had have been within stabbing distance and had been thin at the time this photo was taken you would have been prying a blade from between your shoulder blades...hehehehehe..I can laugh now....

Homemade large tissue paper flowers...on here..

Bird Is the Word Challenge:

Using the word hope.. I have written on the lovely little postcard to my bubba..And the basis for this layout came from that..



Kraft It up Inspiration challenge:

Obviously have been inspired by the colour scheme.. A few flowers in there too.

A lovely candid snap of my Mum with Milla.. They were having a little joke about something neither of them can remember now...

Bye!

Sorry it's been so long between posts...

XX

slipping through my fingers..

Schoolbag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning
waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile
I watch her go with a surge of that well known sadness and and I have to sit down for a while
the feeling that I'm losing her forever
and without really entering her world
I'm glad whenever I can share her laughter
that funny little girl

Slipping through my fingers all the time
I try to capture every minute
the feeling in it slipping through my fingers all the time
do I really see what's in her mind
each time I think I'm close to knowing
she keeps on growing
slipping through my fingers all the time

Sleep in our eyes, her and me at the breakfast table
barely awake I let precious time go by
then when she's gone, there's that odd melancholic feeling
and a sense of guilt I can't deny
what happened to the wonderful adventures
the places I had planned for us to go
well, some of that we did, but most we didn't
and why, I just don't know

Slipping through my fingers all the time
I try to capture every minute
the feeling in it slipping through my fingers all the time
do I really see what's in her mind
each time I think I'm close to knowing
she keeps on growing slipping through my fingers all the time
sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture
and save it from the funny tricks of time(slipping through my fingers)

Slipping through my fingers all the time

Schoolbag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning
waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile

ABBA

Last day of the holidays..and this song expresses my feelings about my first three completely..

My beautiful, caring, shy, funny, big/little girls..

I LOVE YOU

xx

 

Some scrapping..at last...

Stuck!:

The challenge was to use this sketch:

I'm afraid the sideways title wasn't really working for me. But I did journal over that side.. I have loved this photo for ages..So I was really happy to scrap it at last. The journalling talks about how worried I was that I might have made my other kids lives harder by adding a fifth.. But my worries were for naught..The girls have blossomed and grown with their little brother.. I really wanted to use The October Afternoon 5 and Dime stickers..So there are quite a few on there! I LOVE the gumball machine..So CUTE!

Get Picky:

Inspiration challenge:

I would like to say that I endeavoured to capture the colour scheme on my first attempt at this challenge. But I really struggle to keep it to a two or three colour palette.. So I opted for using the poster as design principle. I have the title travelling across (ish) the photo and I have incorporated the big 2 as well. Does it work? I dunno know! It was how I was inspired anyway... I should have scrapped a photo of myself. I have been told on numerous occasions that I look like SJP!!

Once Upon A Sketch:

I quite liked this sketch. It is similar to a layout I have done previously. This layout came together quite easily. I have included the name and a fact about each of the girls as requested too..

I love circle photos within a circle. Once upon a time that would have been criminal and tantamount to Creative Memories style - shock horror! Used up the last of  my giant Sassafras flowers.. And yes - it's a photo of my bigger girls! Yay! More to come..I have photographed them just this last week... School holiday bonus..

Scrap The Boys:

The challenge was to use tape and the word play.. Tick and tick! I have rubbed paint with my finger over the masking tape.. Love the photo - love the layout! Bit of OA Rocket Age range in here...

More layouts to come....Bye!

Happy Anniversary....

To you Gran and Grumbles. Today my Mum and Dad celebrated 40 years of marriage. They made it to their ruby wedding anniversary. That to me.... is no mean feat... And definitely worth a bit of cake and a glass of bubbly... Congratulations.... Something we can all only hope to aspire to as well...

XX

Nate...

Our friends Jeremy and Kelly added another bloke to their brood this week...Look out world..Ollie has a new baby brother. Sweet little..well..not so little...Nathaniel George...Mischief and mayhem will abound with these two cuties I am sure...Ollie and Nate take on the world....

Well done guys... He is a whopper..and a real darling...

XX

Oh we do like to be...

In the midst of illness, we took a meander down to the coast in what became an invalid attempt to buy my husband a new bike.. But we did get to play on the beach for a bit... And we took these...and so I continue my promise to be in front of the lens more often..

A few people lately have asked what camera I use...

I have a Canon 400D. A model they no longer make..  But I think my photos are also a direct result of good lenses too. I no longer use my standard kit lenses. I swap between a Sigma 24-70mm ( on my camera 90% of the time) and a Canon 50mm fixed. Beautiful for portraits and closeup in particular.

My husband who, bless him doesn't fess up to be an artful photographer took the images above. I had it on the settings I wanted though before he got his mits on it! So I can add that I also NEVER have my camera on auto. BUT..I am also experienced now at having it on manual..So please don't think you have to take yours off auto.. My best advice to begin with..Study your manual.. Mine is all dogeared and kept in my camera bag. I sometimes still get it out and peruse it...Always learning..

And on a sidenote...I have one of these...on my wish list.. 

All this info has in fact brought to mind an idea I have been tossing around for a while now. I think I am going to run some practical, hand-on amatuer photography classes. I will put it together more formally soon. But at this stage it will be limited to six or so people and run across 2 consecutive weekends. Focussing on light, compostion and using your DSLR camera on manual settings. I will even provide some models, (possibly my own kids..LOL) ...Stay tuned...

Oh...and I could even extend to a basic photoshop course after..We'll see....

Some scrapping layouts to come soon..I promise...

Myrtle & Grace.....

Some of mine and Rachel's fave shots from our very COLD Myrtle & Grace photoshoot a few weeks back. I love that her clothes are so versatile. The dresses easily work for winter or Summer.. And I am loving the BOY range. So much so that I bought the leggings with the star on the bum for RJ... All photos taken on location at Millrose Cottage in Ballan.