Ants in their pants...

That's what these two little guys had during our family shoot together this past weekend. Mom & Dad came up with the fantastic idea to stick them up in a tree. So we did. They couldn't go anywhere and for a few minutes they were actually quite amused at the novelty of being up high. I was beginning to wonder if I was going to get any shots of their faces- let alone their smiling faces.

So there's your photography tip for the day folks... if your kids won't sit/stand still for a decent photo you may have to trap them up in a tree! :)

You're Gonna Miss This...

I was listening to a great song today on my ipod. This is the chorus:

You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days
hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now...
But you're gonna miss this.

I've been thinking a lot about the stages of my life lately. Periods in time (months or years) where I was living in certain places, or working certain jobs, or in certain relationships.

My life is made up of a long string of these stages. And each stage got me one step closer to where I am right now. I am very happy to be here, although, sometimes I would love to go back a stage or two or three. Just for a few days- for another taste of that time. Sometimes I miss the past stages in my life.

I miss the highschool stage: All that cafeteria banter- surrounded by the friends I rarely get to see now. I miss a time when the only things I seemed to worry about were passing the weekly math test and how to afford the outfits I saw in Teen magazine.

I miss the university stage: That sudden freedom. The crazy residence I lived in where nobody ever slept and everybody seemed to know everybody else's business. I miss my room-mate and that cute boy down the hall who looked a lot like Patrick Swayze circa Dirty Dancing. I dropped out after first year because I decided that my program was not for me. But oh the freedom! I miss the freedom.

I miss the next massively confusing stage of my life: My early twenties mid-life-crisis. When I cried to my Mom on the phone every other night because I didn't know what to do with my life. When I couldn't recognize what I was good at. I couldn't figure out what to do next. I was stuck. It was horrible... but it was necessary. I know that now. I miss not knowing where my life would take me next. The un-known was exciting.

I miss my 4 years in London: Living with one of my best girlfriends. I miss spending hours in our living-room together talking about life. I miss dating. I miss all those first kisses and walks through the park and great get-to-know-you coffees. I miss the moments that made my heart flutter. I even miss the moments that made my heart break. I miss patio bars on Richmond Street.

I miss my first year in Australia: Meeting Chris again after nearly 5 years of emailing back and forth. I miss realizing that he was going to be my future husband. Travelling around a country I wanted to see since I was 9 years-old. Petting kangaroos and going on long road trips. I miss my engagement night. I miss all those happy tears.

I miss my recent journey in Melbourne to get through photography school. I miss all the frustrating moments where I doubted myself. And all the wonderful moments where I succeeded. I miss all my crazy class-mates who each have their own style and strength. I miss long sessions in the studio and the dark-room.

At the moment- I am working to identify all of the wonderful things about this current stage in my life. Sydney- starting a photography career- enjoying time with Chris and the dogs. I want to enjoy these things for all that they're worth. Because in another 3 months or so we will be heading into the next stage. We'll have a baby. We'll be parents. There will be amazing new aspects in life to embrace. But there will no doubt, be things I will miss. xo

Kid Psychology 101...

I've photographed a LOT of kids over the past two weeks. And if there's one thing I've learned throughout these shoots it's that I don't understand them at ALL! They are more clever and cunning than you might believe. And most of them have gone out of their way to outwit, outlast, outplay me at taking a decent photograph of them! They squirm, they make faces and they are quick! One even threw a whole pile of leaves at me and my camera!

I am proud to say, however, that not a single kid left a photo session with me succesfully un-photographed. I managed to capture the cuteness- even if it nearly killed me!

Check out these little munchkins in action!

Despite the difficulties of working with children as subjects- I actually really enjoy it. The results are worth the work that is put in. And nothing brings me more pleasure than to deliver beautiful images of people's children to them once they are edited and ready for print. I may not be a mother yet- but I can imagine in the future that a beautiful portrait of my little boy will be priceless to me. As I get into this photography thing more and more- I appreciate the skills I have developed to be able to pass along priceless gifts to others.

This is why I got into portraiture photography over all the other areas of photography that I studied in school. I love to capture memories of people in images. To bring people joy. To help them remember the good times in their lives and the beautiful relationships they have with their children and their partners and their family & friends.

Also- I kind of enjoy a little cardio built into my photo shoots- chasing the munchkins! It keeps me on my feet!

Meet the Team...

Well, here they are. The people I've been spending a LOT of time with lately. My fellow photographers, learners and all around nice guys and girls. (From left to right- James, Sami, Israel, Magdalena). These photos were taken on our last training session together at The Rocks. That's right- we've finished all of our training. Now it's on to some serious shooting. It's been a fun and very informative 8 weeks! I've been so lucky to be given the opportunity to learn portraiture photography from someone who is doing it successfully for a living. Israel has been a dream to work with. Positive, enthousiastic, and patient. And the other trainees who've been along for the ride with me have been so supportive too. I'm looking forward to seeing each of our experiences turn into future careers as photographers. Until then- we'll all be shooting as part of the "Israel Smith Photographers" team! If you're interested, check us out at www.israelsmith.com

Bright & Early...

Bright and early today (8am) I met the Anderson's down at Coogee Beach for a family photo session. We were worried about the weather- but it turned out to be a beautiful morning after two days of rain in Sydney.

Dan & Fiona's son Patrick was feeling a little bit under the weather but we managed to get some smiles out of him throughout the shoot. What a little sweet-heart! I love those big blue eyes- just like his Mum's. Dan & Fi are great friends of ours and it was a pleasure to get to photograph them! Thanks so much guys! xo

Another day, another shoot...

I returned to Coogee Beach today with Magdalena to practice shooting portraiture at this location. Israel ran our last practical session at Coogee.
I'm finding it very helpful to return to a location more than once to get used to it and how the light works there.
Here's my favorite portrait of Mag today- how gorgeous is she?!
We had a nice relaxing hour or so together- just trying things out and comparing notes. It's so nice to be working with young photographers who are still figuring it all out, just like me!

All about the belly...

Allow me to introduce you to my new friend- my belly. The thing I have always been most curious about in regards to pregnancy is what it must feel like to suddenly have your stomach grow uncontrollably. In the last couple of weeks I have suddenly noticed my belly becoming larger. It gets in the way when I bend down to put on my shoes. It aches now and then and I can literally feel it stretching and growing.
Most curiously- my once "innie" belly-button is slowly but surely becoming an "outie". I've acquired that vertical, dark line called the linea-nigra (I read my books!) And in the evenings when I lay on the couch to watch t.v. my belly starts it's evening ritual of little pokes, kicks, and manouvers. The little man is practicing his rugby. And I can literally see the movements underneath my skin sometimes.
This belly is a strange and wonderful thing.
Chris took this photo tonight as a joke. But I actually find it amazing. My belly at 21 weeks. xo