I am a photographer! (exclamation mark)

Wow. What a way to come in such a short time. If you look at my first post (back in May) it was titled "I am a photographer? (Question mark)"
I feel quite confident these days using the new and updated version of the title. I started working for Israel in August- last month- for pay. I got through all the training and I've done five freelance shoots for his company. And wouldn't you know it- I made the guy some big sales! Hooray! At this point there really isn't any reason I can't call myself a "photographer".
It feels good.
The families I have worked with through Israel Smith Photographers have been very friendly, fun and positive. As I've grown bigger and bigger this past month they have offered to carry my camera gear (I always decline), to drive me home so I don't have to take the bus, and to help me down hills, up onto rocks, etc. Doing shoots has become more difficult so by mid-August I had to tell Israel that I needed a break until after the baby comes. I am missing the work and the opportunities to learn more through experience. But I'll pick it back up again soon enough.
So there you have it- I am a working photographer. Exclamation mark!

34 Weeks...

34 Weeks, and this is how I feel:
* Like I could actually deliver a baby any day now. We've been to the pre-natal class and learned all about labour. I know the signs to watch for. I know the pain to expect. My bag is (kinda-sorta) packed for the hospital. I'm getting keen to DO this baby thing! Bring on the contractions!
* But at the same time I feel like I should relish in every last movie watched, every last meal eaten with two hands, every night that I sleep many hours in a row. I feel like as much as I am excited to see my baby's face and look into his eyes... I shouldn't rush it. Now is the time to relax, to be patient and to let nature take it's course.
* Some moments I feel like "Oh my god- what have we done?!" Are we crazy?! HOW are we going to handle this?! Is there ANY way we can turn back time about 9 months and re-think some things?! :)
* Literally I feel my stomach churning multiple times on a daily basis. The baby has gotten bigger and there are no more little pokes here and there. When he moves my entire stomach moves and shudders and shakes. Sometimes it's quite uncomfortable... most mostly it makes me happy that he is in there practicing his moves and growing stronger.
* I feel like I'm almost a Mom. And that is the most astonishing feeling of all.

Beach Baby...

What can I say? She's adorable!

This little chicken and her parents met me down at Coogee Beach for a family photo session this afternoon.

All it took was a pink stuffed cow to get Miss P to smile for the camera. She is the happiest baby I have photographed in quite some time!

(click on images for a larger view)

Two little girls and another on the way...

How fun was it getting to help this family document the current stage of their family?! Two little girls and another on the way! (That's a lot of painted finger-nails and frilly skirts!) Mum & Dad informed me that they hadn't had a nice photograph taken of the two of them together in years... so we had to remedy that! And how cute is the bump?! Due to arrive in September- just one week before our little bump! xo

When you love someone...

I heard some song lyrics today that struck a chord with me:

When you love someone
you'll do anything
you'll do all the crazy things
that you can't explain

you'll shoot the moon
put out the sun...
when you love someone.

We are going through some crazy-stressful times these days. Chris and I. Others. People around us who we care about. Things have been falling apart and we've all been working in different ways to put them back together. It is taking time and patience... and lots of love.

I'm finding that sometimes circumstances that seem so big and so difficult can turn out just fine in the end... as long as people are loving each other and acting out of love.

The concept of "putting out the sun" is huge. But I've seen some pretty amazing people pulling off some pretty amazing feats lately in times of pain & grief. They are doing it for the people they love- and it's inspiring.

To all those who have been affected by the helicopter crash in Afghanistan- those who lost their lives, those who were injured, those who got out safely, those who helped them come home, those who lost them, and those who continue to help them heal. xo

Family Photography...

They laugh together- they cry together- they hang out together. They are families! They are fun to photograph for all of their quirks, their dramas and their love. I really enjoy capturing the essence of each family I photograph. I've met some very friendly and interesting people during the photo sessions that I've done. It's fantastic to see the pride that they all take in their families and the lives that they have created together!

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! :)