We love getting feedback from our clients in regard to our photography shoots, we especially love hearing how fun it was for them and their family.

This family lived on a fabulous property in Cockatoo in Melbourne’s east. They had two very sweet children, a little boy and a little girl. The little boy took to me immediately, wanting to take me on a tour around their even more fabulous house (his bedroom was built into the attic, how cool hey?). Instead I took some time taking the little girl into her room and getting her to show me around her things and getting to know her, before too long she was relaxed and telling me all about her favorite toys. We spent some time photographing each child in their rooms before heading into their garden which was a photographers dream (I joked to mum I was bringing all my future clients there). When the session finally came to an end after lots of chatter and laughter the kids asked when I’d be back, i explained I had my own children I needed to get home to! ‘go pick them up and bring them here to play some more’ they said. So incredibly sweet.

here is an email I received from their mum….

I wanted to thankyou for the truly beautiful timeless pictures of my children.that will be treasured for a lifetime.  I can’t wait to get them so that they can take pride of place on my wall and I can look at them everyday.  Looking at all your gorgeous pictures, not only of my children but of all your photograph’s, I think the difference with your photography is that you seem to capture something extra.  The picture tells a story and I think manages to capture the child’s spirit.  When I look at your pictures of children, I find I can’t help but smile.

I have had the usual children’s portraits done in the past but they lack what you have managed to capture. They really don’t compare.  I think part of this is how you work with the child in such a fun and relaxed manner.  I am sure that my children think you were there as a play date for them and have even since asked when you are coming back.  I was also amazed at the amount of time you spent taking the pictures and getting to know the children and I really didn’t expect you to drive all the way to our house in Cockatoo.  I also want to thankyou for your patience with me as I took so long trying to decide what pictures to purchase as they were all beautiful and I never felt rushed or pressured.

We will definitely be calling you for our future portraits.

 

I mostly keep my work and personal life quite separate. But I have some news I think is rather worthy of sharing!

Most of my clients are aware that I’ve been a single mum to three children for a few years now. Juggling the house, mortgage, the studio, kids, work, life in general was at times both rewarding and daunting. I have the utmost respect for all parents, parenting isn’t the easiest of gigs. BUT I have a new understanding of just how difficult and emotional it is to raise a family, a house and a business on your own. When I became a parent for the first time I certainly never thought that my life would take the path it did. I had the usual vision of a house, a family and a loving partner to share that with. But that all changed, and I had to do the only thing you can do under those circumstances, get up, keep moving and just keep living.

Being in my late 30′s I was unsure if I’d ever meet and settle down and find real love. During my time on my own I had a few attempts at relationships, most met with a massive ‘fail’. I went through the ‘are all men losers’ stage, I took time to heal and I enjoyed my time with my family and friends. I sometimes wondered… How on earth would I even meet someone with my busy lifestyle? Will I remain on my own forever? Life went on.

Then during last year I decided to hop onto a dating site (RSVP). I’d used them before, though had chosen to use free ones in the past and had too many hits from the wrong types of men. RSVP is a paid site and has what seems, a good reputation. I was a little nervous and hesitant but figured ‘what have I got to lose’ and put my profile up. After only a day or two I was contacted by someone who caught my eye… and that is the beginning of how I met Campbell.

We chatted only the once through RSVP before exchanging numbers and texting over the next few days. During this time we found we had a lot in common and we decided we’d take the plunge and meet.

Campbell arranged our first date. We met down the beach before sunset. When I arrived he was sitting at a table overlooking the sea with his dog by his side. It was a lovely (yet windy) evening. I walked up and said hi and gave him a hug hello. We both relaxed more immediately and sat and chatted the night away getting to know each other better. He’d brought dinner and a few beers along. So we sat and ate and sipped and talked as we watched the sun set. We soon realised we had loads in common -  A love of photography, (Campbell is also a photographer and he’d brought some albums to share with me) -  A love of good food (he said he’d brought ‘hotdogs’ for dinner, the gourmet rolls certainly weren’t the hotdogs I usually know) – A love of good wine (and conversation to go with) – A love for animals (our blended menagerie is 3 dogs, 2 cats, a rabbit, 5 chooks, a turtle and some fish) – A love for family (between us we have 5 children, myself 3 full time and Campbell 2 kids 50% of the time) – and matching purses/wallets (I think you had to be there that day to understand how funny it was!)

At the first meeting I knew something was different. I felt a connection I don’t think I’ve ever felt before. We sat and talked for 5 and a half hours on our first date…. and we haven’t stopped talking since!

Soooooooooo

Rather than drag on and on about how we fell in love and how we love nothing more than spending time together and with our friends and family, about how wonderful Campbell is and about how well we fit together…. I wanted to share the news.

I’M GETTING MARRIED!

Campbell proposed on the 31st of January… on my birthday. I of course said yes! So now I have a family, a business, a house and also a wedding to plan… but I also have a huge bonus… someone to share all of that and life with.

So yes, this is not a standard blog post. But I wanted to share. I am always let into the lives of others through my work as a portrait photographer. So now I am sharing a piece of mine with you all.