I’ve talked many times before about one of the perks of my job being that I get to watch children and their families grow. I first met this little lad when he was just 5 months old and have photographed him yearly, pretty much, since. He is now 5 and in school. I was saddened to hear the family were making the move to Adelaide recently, but alas mum told me they will be doing a yearly trip to melbourne and a visit to me to update their portraits each year for many years to come. How wonderful is that!

I wanted to share the last part of that with you all.

On the 4th of August my beautiful grandmother had a fall which caused a brain bleed. She had been living in a nursing home for some time now after slowly deteriorating with alzheimers. After her fall she never really woke again and my wonderful family of aunts, uncles, father, cousins all rotated a bedside vigil to make sure she was not alone for the week when she passed peacefully on the 10th August. We’re just back from a lovely weekend at rye to farewell her. Funerals are often morbid and sad occasions, but I can say my grans was unique and she was sent off in a way that she would have treasured and loved.

I want to share some images of my gran with you. Gran was a remarkable woman, a true matriach of her family (which consists of majority females!) She was happy and easy going, truly non judgemental. She loved each and everyone of us regardless of our faults or mistakes we made through life. She had amazing strangth and courage. As she grew older in her years , life never slowed down, she travelled the world alone in her 70′s, she studied numerous times achieving all sorts of qualifications throughout her later years. She had a passion for gardening and genealogy, she loved a glass or 2 of bubbly and a strong passion for family. Her passion for her family led her to research and compile our very extensive family tree and history and organising a huge family reunion in Beechworth back in around 1993. She was a remarkable woman who will dearly missed but always remembered by all who knew her.

my Gran.

It’s difficult to answer as it varies for the needs of each family. Some come every few months others once a year, others once every few years. It depends on needs and budget and how your family grows and changes.

Updating your family albums each year is a wonderful thing. Having a gorgeous series of images on your wall by the same photographer covering the years as your family grows can be just gorgeous and a real talking point for visitors and a wonderful keepsake for your children and family for years to come.

I love when customers come back again and again, not only is a huge compliment to myself and my business, but it is wonderful to watch their families grow and change.

Meet the ‘H’ family.

I first met Leah back in mid 2006 when she was pregnant with her first child.

I was then there to capture her first born, a son Max, in his first few weeks.

then in 2008 we captured some updated images of Max and the family.

In late 2008 mum was expecting again so I was called upon to capture them again.

Then in early 2009 i got to meet and photograph little Bailey. and with his big brother.

and recently we updated portraits of the boys.

Looking forward to our next session to see how much the boys have grown by then!

I photographed a friends children recently and my younger 2 children tagged along for the ride. I took the opportunity to grab an image of my daughter whilst there, the setting and light was just right. Its my new favourite of her…

This is a question I almost always ask people when they ring to ask about my photography services. I ask this now of YOU. When did you last have your portrait taken? When was the last time you had portraits done with your children, no matter the age? Or with your parents – no matter the age?

For many people the answer comes as ‘never’ or ‘too long ago’ for some they like to update regularly, once a year, once every few years. Even those people usually haven’t had a portrait with their parents since they were children themselves though.

It’s no secret, I am a sentimentalist. It’s a big reason why I feel portraits are so valuable, so worthwhile. I treasure the photographs I own, the ones I have inherited and the ones I am still yet to take of all of those close to me.

5 years ago, when my mother became ill with cancer my first instinct was to ‘photograph’ her. I wanted to capture and ‘keep’ as much of her with me as I could. When my children were born and when I was pregnant with them, I made sure I had photographs of my pregnant round belly, of their first moments in life, of all of their milestones. When I get together with friends I love capturing them, their families, our experiences and moments together.

my only small regret was not getting a ‘good’ photograph of our ‘grownup’ family family before mum passed away. I want a photo of ‘me and mum’ and I don’t have one.

I love when I get to photograph older families, couples, older siblings. It always makes me smile. Unfortunatly not enough people do it, myself included.

So ask yourself, your parents, their parents…. when did you last have your portraits captured?

The gorgeous women who inspired me to post this:

2 sisters and their mum. I just adore this first image and am sure they will also for many years to come and their children will enjoy it for generations to come too…

My GREEN link: AGOO

Agoo sell 100% bamboo eco friendly ‘Leg Huggers’ go peek they are seriously INCREDIBLY cute! They are also releasing a range of UV protective clothing soon. Worth having a peek at.

It still suprises me to be a mum to an 8yr old. An 8 yr old with the most adorable dimples and a loving nurturing personality to boot
I am a bit biased but I think she is so very beautiful!!

I am still accepting bookings for my Queensland trip in October of this year. I have 5 sessions booked already and have space to take an additional 5 more sessions. If you or your friends are interested please email me at susan@susandarcy.com.au to secure your spot.

I am also going to be away at Rye, down the peninsula for the second week of the school holidays, from the the 10th – 15th April and have an opening for just 1 more session. Email if interested.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog on the right hand side for all the latest updates!

I’ve been inspired by photographer Angela Shea to participate in The Celebration of Life project.

When I read what she was doing I thought ‘what a wonderful idea’ and felt I had to get involved.

So what is the project all about? In Angela’s word:

I have often come across people in my community who are going through something in their lives whether it be sickness, recovery, a birth that has overcome great odds an adoption, and my automatic response to those stories is that I want to reach out to them and offer them a photography session ( free of charge of course). Something that would document this time in their lives, whether it be to leave behind memories for those they love or to commemorate a happy and joyful time.

To me the images that we take mean so much more than just a time and a place- they are a celebration of our lives.

So I challenge you to nominate your friends or those you have heard of who are deserving of such a celebration. Take an active roll in those lives around you- Email applications to: susan@susandarcy.com.au

Application Conditions:

• All nominees must reside within the Melbourne Metro area (if unsure please email me to enquire)
• All applicants must include their full name, address, contact numbers and email.
• Applicants need to supply the nominees full name, address, contact numbers and email.
• Applicants need to provide a detailed description of why they feel the nominee deserves a session

The Details:

Susan D’Arcy Photography will choose one nominee each month* and will arrange a session with them. The session is complimentary and the nominee will receive an album with up to 20 images in 5×7 inch size and an 8×10/12 inch print of their choice and any additional print orders from the session will be at a discounted rate of 25% off normal prices.

*this project will be offered each month until further notice
Terms and conditions:

• When emailing your application, please confirm you have read the terms and conditions.
• All nominees must reside in Melbourne, Australia unless otherwise negotiated with Susan D’Arcy Photography
• All decisions made by Susan D’Arcy Photography in selecting nominees are final and are not subject to review.
• All applications must meet the application conditions to be considered.
• All applications will be reviewed between the 1st and 7th of each month and the chosen applicant and nominee, for that month, will be posted to my blog.
• Each selected nominee for a session will receive a certificate for redemption of their session.
• All images taken at each session remain the copyright of Susan D’Arcy Photography.

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This post is apt today for me. I’d like to share someone with you

Meet Damian, or as he was known to all who loved him ‘DIMMA’

Happy ‘heavenly’ 33rd Birthday mate!

3/1/1974 – 24/7/05 R.I.P

I’m so happy to have had you in my life for along as I did. I know you are watching over us still and one day we will meet again.
To all of those who I know are missing him today too, you too are in my thoughts.

The good news though about daylight savings is we can start evening sessions! Evening sessions can be loads of fun, the light is lovely as you near sunset and this is especially gorgeous for beach shoots. The family can always finish the session off with some fish and chips on the beach, great fun!

Daylight savings also means I can fit some more people in before Christmas! If interested in an evening session drop me an email.

A few on my niece, recently turned 13. She’s growing up way too fast!

Some fun with the wide angle lens

and this one just for me I adore my sons expression here, so happy!