Monthly Archives: February 2009

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My gratitude…

27 February, 2009 – 1:56 pm

I was just looking over some old images as I was doing some good ol’ tidying up (digitally speaking!), and all of a sudden got very nostalgic.

I know I talk a lot about how much I love my job, but sometimes I really don’t think people truly understand just what it means to me. Seriously… I have gorgeous, amazing clients who welcome me into their homes and trust me enough to spend a brief moment in their lives capturing just a glimpse in time of their family.

It’s amazing. It always amazes me.

I still sit here a lot of the time shaking my head not quite understanding how this all came about and how I could be so fortunate to do something that I truly love, and that I’m truly passionate about every single day. Every single person who has come into my life has enriched it in some way – I have learned so many things from everyone that I have had the good fortune in meeting.

And the kids… oh my gosh, the KIDS! I adore them – they teach me more about me than I could ever know myself. They make me realise the good in life, the simple things. It’s the glory of being able to swing from your daddy’s arms and giggle like there’s no tomorrow, or play a cheeky game of hide and seek behind the bedroom door, or roll around in the dirt because you ‘just can’, or sit there absorbing the magic of a storybook that takes you and your imagination for a wonderful ride. From the itty bitty tiny little wrinkles of a days old newborn’s toes, or their flaky skin, or blistered lips, or hairy ears – the beauty, and I do mean the beauty of that little soul still tears me up every time. What a miracle, what an honour – and I get to do it every single day.

I told you…. GRATEFUL.

Oh, and before I forget now is a great time to post this gorgeous clip that I saw on Cas’ blog – another reminder of why I love what I do (and remember – Keep Me, Protect Me, Share Me… don’t keep them locked away in packaging, or a drawer or on the computer!! Share your memories with the world)

By Kristen | Posted in General, Personal | Comments (3)

My, how they grow | Melbourne Baby Photographer

24 February, 2009 – 4:01 pm

It’s been almost a year since I last saw Maddison (I had the pleasure of taking her newborn portraits when she was around a week old) and it was wonderful to see her for her first birthday photography session.

I adore being able to see my clients grow up and be able to document it as they do – it’s such a pleasure for me to see how they’ve changed and what wonderful new things they are up to!

Maddy’s mum contacted me asking if we could incorporated a bit of a cake smash session (I did the same for Mia’s first birthday) and she did enjoy herself – even if only for a few moments before she wanted to crawl all over mum with her cake-filled paws!

{Happy birthday Maddison – hope you had fun with all of your cake. Katy I will be in touch as soon as your proofs are ready}

By Kristen | Posted in Baby Photography, Children's Photography, Clients, Melbourne, Sneak Peeks | Comments (12)

It’s a beautiful day for a wedding | Melbourne wedding photographer

22 February, 2009 – 6:07 pm

My husband can attest to the fact that every Saturday when it’s a beautiful blue sunny day in Melbourne, and the temperature gorgeous and mild, you can hear me saying “Aw, it’s a beautiful day for a wedding today!”

And lucky for me, it was a beautiful day for a wedding – especially since I was photographing it! You may remember Matt and Ivy from their engagement session a little while ago. Well, today was the big day and it all went wonderfully.

Ivy chose to get ready at the Sofitel Hotel before the ceremony (and even stayed over the night before, clever girl!) so she was wonderfully relaxed when I arrived. Just to share some of my favourite bits and pieces that were used in preparation for the big day…

There were one or two (or three…hehe) cheeky champagnes shared between friends (no, not me… baby on board, remember!) I was too busy snapping away anyway!

After a few photos with her bridal party, we headed over to the registry office to make it all official. This photo of Matt makes me tear up every time I look at it… awwwww! And we can’t have a wedding post without the first kiss from the bride and groom can we?

And off for some more photos after the ceremony as husband and wife – ain’t love grand…

That last photo is one of my favourites from the day – I do love a good pash! So that’s my wrap up from the day – stay tuned for more weddings to come!

{Congratulations Ivy and Matt on a gorgeous wedding day – enjoy your beautiful life together and remember to laugh often and hard}

By Kristen | Posted in Clients, Melbourne, Melbourne wedding photography, Sneak Peeks | Comments (18)

Bathtime fun | Melbourne baby photographer

21 February, 2009 – 11:34 am

This little girl’s wardrobe was seriously to die for… I was in heaven walking into her bedroom and looking through all of her lovely things (which I realise isn’t represented by this blog post seeing as she’s in the bath for most of these, so you’ll just have to take my word for it!)

Isabelle was already on the move for her session today which meant her primary objective was to crawl around the house as quickly as she could… and why woudn’t she! She needs to test out those newly found skills of hers! Gorgeous little personality and the most stunning blue eyes with DAAAAAARK lashes… my eye obsession continues!!

{Those real smiles came out in that bath Jackie! She was having so much fun, I was almost tempted not to take her out at the end of it! Loved her session and will be in touch soon!}

Thank you also to everyone for your beautiful blog comments and emails congratulating our little family on the new addition that we’re expecting. It brightens my day that little bit more!!

Thank you!!

By Kristen | Posted in Baby Photography, Children's Photography, Clients, Melbourne, Sneak Peeks | Comments (10)

I’m expecting…

16 February, 2009 – 10:38 am

Yep… I’m having a baby!!

I am absolutely over the moon and thrilled to announce that I am three months pregnant and will be expecting our second baby due in August. I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am about it all, and I can’t wait to experience another pregnancy as well. I feel amazingly blessed to be in this position and that this baby has chosen me to be it’s mummy!

As such, I will be taking maternity leave throughout August and beyond, and potentially some of July as well. I may be limiting sessions in the later months to only maternity, newborn and non-mobile baby sessions (because let’s face it, running around with two people is a lot harder than as one person!) but I will be playing this by ear and keep you updated as time progresses.

Have a gorgeous day everyone,

xx

By Kristen | Posted in Personal | Comments (44)

Newborn baby Mia | Newborn photographer, Melbourne

15 February, 2009 – 9:59 pm

Nope, not my baby Mia – but this one was just as gorgeous at only a week old. I love sitting there with clients chatting about how “a week ago” their baby wasn’t even born yet… it always puts things into perspective about how tiny and new these precious miracles really are!!

Things I loved about this Mia? Her hair for one, she had a giant mop of it! Her gorgeous pouty lips were another – newborn usually always have great lips, but hers were munchable! I also loved her beautiful long fingers and piggy toes – she was a perfect little treasure for me to play with!

Some sneaky peeks…

{Chris and Vanessa, it was wonderful to meet you and photograph your darling little Mia. I hope she continues to grow big and strong and keeps those gorgeous sleeping patterns up!}

By Kristen | Posted in Baby Photography, Clients, Melbourne, Newborn Photography, Sneak Peeks | Comments (9)

Happy Valentine’s Day!

14 February, 2009 – 10:49 pm

Happy Valentine’s Day for all of you who are in love, who love love or who are waiting for love.

(Flowers for me from my love… xx)

By Kristen | Posted in Personal | Comments (0)

Three and a bump | Melbourne pregnancy photographer

14 February, 2009 – 1:54 pm

This gorgeous little family is just weeks away (or less perhaps!) of welcoming a new addition to their world. I always love my maternity sessions (and not just because they’re a prelude to my newborn sessions!) because it’s also a time for families to connect and remember the absolute miracle that they are experiencing at that moment in their lives.

Oliver is just over two years of age, but is going on 30. He honestly did not stop chatting the whole time we were together blurting out fully formed sentences about what he was doing, or where he wanted to go – he had my in hysterics most of the time. I know he is going to make such a wonderful big brother!

{Jane, would you believe I got sunburn?!? How stupid am I? First time ever on a shoot! Had a lovely relaxing afternoon with you all, and can’t wait to see you again in a few weeks!}

By Kristen | Posted in Children's Photography, Clients, Family Photography, Melbourne, Pregnancy & Maternity Photography, Sneak Peeks | Comments (3)

Summer + Harvey | Child Photographer, Melbourne

11 February, 2009 – 12:32 pm

One of the things I enjoy most about my work is seeing the transformation that takes place in children during the course of their session. These adorable kids were a prime example of this. Extremely shy and timid at the beginning of the session, barely wanted to look at me let alone interact with me, but by the end of our time together, I was getting hugs and kisses and cheeky waves as they said goodbye.

It is that beautiful transformation and watching kids come out of their shells so they can enjoy themselves and be…. themselves(!) that makes this so enjoyable for me.

You can’t fake the real smiles – they come from within. The big-belly-laugh-tickle-me-all-over-run-with-my-heart-and-look-full-of-love type of smiles. Those are the ones I adore…

{Those adorable kids were a joy Tamsin – I adored every minute with them!}

By Kristen | Posted in Baby Photography, Children's Photography, Clients, Family Photography, Melbourne, Sneak Peeks | Comments (3)

The hottest day on record | Melbourne child photographer

10 February, 2009 – 11:40 pm

Saturday morning started off pretty well – met my gorgeous clients for an early morning session at the beach. We knew it was a hot one so we planned to get it over and done with pretty early on to avoid having to be out on the scorching weather that was forecast for that day.

{Jaci, Harry was a trooper and obviously loves spending time at the beach. I hope you guys had a lovely morning and stayed as cool as you could for the rest of the day!}

However, the day turned into a day that I, nor any Australian, will soon forget. Raging bushfires stormed through Victoria taking with them lives, properties and hope. It probably took a good day or two for the grim reality of what hit our state to sink in and even now as I sit here typing this I still can’t quite believe what has happened. The current death toll stands at 180 with over 750 properties gone, entire towns have been lost – all from one day.

I’ve been sitting here thinking of what I can do to help, and when my gorgeous friend Kris Leigh from Newcastle said that she was going to be donating her session fees to the Red Cross to directly help the victims of the bushfires, I knew instantly what a beautiful idea it was.

For anyone here on in booking a session for April, please visit the Australian Red Cross website, donate your $99 session fee via the secure online donations form, send me an electronic copy of your receipt and we will confirm your session booking. However, please be sure to email me first so I know to reserve a date and also to let me know to expect your receipt!

All of my thoughts and prayers are with all of the victims affected, directly or indirectly, from the fires and I can only hope that as time passes, the process of rebuilding your lives becomes a little easier.

By Kristen | Posted in Baby Photography, Children's Photography, Clients, Family Photography, Melbourne, Sneak Peeks | Comments (10)