Winter snuggles on the beach | Cronulla Family Photographer

Family + Lifestyle

My favourite sessions are ones like these…where families are just themselves. Where they can forget everything else for a few hours and have fun together. Run on the beach, tell stories, tickle those little feet and tummies. Let the photos remind you of the fun you had that day. Let the photos take you back to the laughter and giggles, the beach treasures and the excitement on your kids faces as they watch the ocean waves crash.

I had so much fun with this family. Winter at the beach means you have the place to yourself, so you can just be yourself. Snuggle up in some winter woolies - you don’t have to wait until summer to feel the sand between your toes.

A Wild Adventure | Sutherland Shire Family Photographer

Family + Lifestyle

You’ve seen plenty of family photos with cute toddlers and sweet little babies right? Does the thought of convincing your bigger kids to sit still in a park while someone takes their picture terrify you? It’s probably harder than getting them all to put their shoes on and get out of the door in time for school.

Make your family photos a family adventure. I took this family up to the cliffs in one of Sydney’s lesser known National Parks. They walked, explored, kept an eye out for passing whales and even got to see a spectacular sunset over the ocean. Switch off, enjoy the good times together, and let me take the photos.

Golden hour at the beach | Eastern Suburbs Family Photographer

Family + Lifestyle

One of my new favourite locations with such a fun and loved-up family. This session was scheduled and rescheduled during a month full of Sydney rain. The afternoon we finally made it to the beach, the sun was out in all it’s glory.

This family totally embraced the few hours together on the beach. The best way to look at your photography session is as a chance to have time away from the hustle of day-to-day life. Spend the time playing with your kids and having fun with your family, and you will get moments as gorgeous as this family. Moments where the love and happiness shines through.

Welcome home | Sydney Newborn Photography

Newborn + Lifestyle

Bringing your first baby home is a pretty momentous occasion. Your house full of baby cards, half-full cups of tea. The hours blending into one another while you adjust to having a new tiny person to love and look after. My favourite part of an in-home newborn session getting a glimpse into those moments. I feel so lucky to be invited into someone’s home, being able to witness and record that. The good stuff.

I first met this gorgeous mumma a lifetime ago, back when I worked in the travel industry. It was so exciting to see her again, to meet her partner and their beautiful new daughter. And to meet grandma who came all the way over from the UK. The love for this little girl is huge.

An ode to dads for Father's Day

I'll be honest, it's not usually the dads who contact me for a photo session. It's normally a mum who gets in touch, a mum who organises the date, co-ordinates the family and runs everyone around to get there on the day. The dad often has a limited idea of what is happening - but to my relief - is usually happy to go along for the afternoon. To those dad's I say 'Try to forget I'm here, enjoy the time playing with your kids and have fun.' Occasionally it's a dad who books the session and then I get a bit excited. They are the ones who 'get it', the dads who see the value in having photographs of themselves WITH their kids. They appreciate the fleeting nature of time and I know they'll look back on the photos and smile, seeing how they look as a dad through their kids eyes. I think that's important, but the people I take these photos for are their kids. I want the kids to look back on these photographs and see how much their dad loved them. I want the kids to remember how much fun it was hanging out with their dad and how he made them feel.

Remember when you were a kid how you'd fall asleep in the car on the way home from big day? If you are anything like me you would wake up as the car turned onto your street (what is it about those familiar turns that trigger your body to wake up?!). I remember that feeling, how I'd be disappointed that I had woken up, and how I'd try desperately to be as still as humanly possible, faking sleep just so dad would carry me inside. It was like a victory, the best way to get into bed. I'm pretty sure I always had a smile on my face when it worked. Maybe I was peeking out of one half-closed eye to see if my brother did as good a job of faking it as I had. But mostly I was just enjoying that moment while it happened, that feeling of being secure and loved and happy. That's how I want these kids to feel when they grow up and see photos of themselves with their own dad.

In celebration of Father's Day, here's an ode to the dads I've worked with over the last year. Thanks to the dads (and mum's of course!) for being so much fun, and for being yourself. Happy Father's Day, I hope you get a good sleep in and the best home-made card ever.

 

Afternoon Adventures | Sydney Family Photography

I love this location for an afternoon of adventures with your family. Who knew you could be in the middle of Sydney but still feel like you are out in a field in the countryside? There are gorgeous trees to climb if your big kids are the adventurous type, grass to run in and sand to play with for those little ones. Turn off your phone for an hour or two, explore with your kids and let me document it. You won't regret it :)