Baby Theo - Brisbane Newborn Photographer

Theo arrived with his Mum, Dad and big brother Harry.  Harry is 4 years old and has some absolutely stunning eyelashes on him! He showed them off a lot for me at first, barely looking up from the ground, however it wasn't long before we were good friends and he was smiling and giggling away at the camera and the full effect of his gorgeous eyes was hitting me. 

Since he was so happy being in front of my camera we quickly wrapped little Theo and the boys had a very sweet cuddle, and just like that one of the trickiest photos from a newborn session was ticked off! 

Theo slept happily - half keeping an eye and an ear on things - through his family photos and soon enough we were photographing him on his own. As I laid him down on his back for a photo from above he turned his head to the side, so I turned it back to centre. He turned it side on again and when I moved him again he grizzled at me. His Mum laughed and said "Yes he does prefer to turn his head to that side" as he did just that again. I am quick though so I managed a lovely front on portrait before he moved again. 

Since Theo was here in the week before Christmas we included a Christmas themed photo for him.  I had designed this Christmas tree image just before they arrived and I absolutely love the natural, and smouldering darker colours in it. 

When it came to the beanbag sleeping photos he took some time to really drop off, and once he did he didnt stay sleepy for long.  I managed to photograph the first pose quickly before he became restless and I picked him up and resettled him into the next pose,  which he was much happier with - forward facing. By the time I added a cute little teddy bear bonnet he had all but conceded our ongoing tussle.  

I mean, come on. His name is Theodore. Aka Teddy.  This kid had no chance of getting out of my studio without a few teddy bear themed images in his gallery.  

We were on the home stretch when his Mum requested a photo of her three boys together.  The boys had thought their photos were all done so this was news to them, but of course they all obliged in the most amazing way possible. 

Harry laid down first for a "test photo" where he beamed my camera with the most wonderful big toothy smile that shone from his eyes all the way out. 

Next I lay Theo beside him and as I said "Smile!" the two boys both burst into an amazing full beam cracker at the same time! I just about melted on the spot it was so adorable. 

Next we added their Dad into the photo and it was another magic moment of the three boys all together, Harry and Dad smiling at their newest member. 

Simpson Family - Brisbane Family Photographer

We arrived at the beach on a breezy day with a full tide. The sun was just starting to drop and the afternoon was comfortably warm, even with the wind. 

Paikea and Kahu were in the back of their parents car getting changed into their good clothes for the shoot, Pai in a stunning bright pink dress and Kahu into a cool shirt and tie combo! 

While I waited I wandered the area to see how the location was going to photograph well today. Occasionally I picked up a leaf or two and as I got back to the cars I showed the kids my fancy leaves. 

I last photographed this awesome family when Paikea was born, 3 years ago. She was gorgeous then and still is today, just check out those beautiful eyelashes!! 

Kahu has loads of energy and he was very excited to be at the beach, looking at the trees and spotting some cool insects that were climbing up a tree beside them.  

Paikea brought her A game and was a little star for the camera and Kahu was hilarious, pulling faces with his dad, getting upside down tickles and generally being the class clown. 

We soon headed to the water edge for some watermelon and suddenly the mood changed! There was calm and quiet. There was the crisp crunch of watermelon bites and giggles as the kids enjoyed the melon party together. 

It looked so good that Mum and Dad joined in, and when Kahu couldnt keep his wet hands out of the sand, Mum was there to step in and hold his watermelon slice while he ate as much as he could.

The sun was just setting and the kids enjoyed a last run around while their parents took a quiet moment together to reflect on their love and I can tell you straight up, this is a couple very much in love and a family that positively glows with joy.

When Newlywed Love Lasts a Lifetime - Brisbane Family PHotographer

Once in a while, in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairytale. 

This is exactly the sentiment I felt photographing this family. 

It all started when Olga got in touch with a very cool idea for their family photoshoot. 

She and Andrew have been married for 10 years, and while there are many ways to celebrate this milestone anniversary, Olga wanted to do something a little more interesting than the usual dinner out. 

Because Olga and Andrew are just as in love as the day they were married. 

Mortgage, taxes, pets, insurance, daily chores, children. The daily grind of life can really wear you down. But after spending the afternoon with this gorgeous family I can tell you without a doubt, that their love is just as exciting and alive as the last time Andrew saw Olga in this stunning wedding dress. 

When she first put it on, 6 year old daughter Marina's eyes grew so wide seeing her mum in such a gown. Olga picked up Marina's hands and they danced and twirled around the lounge together in united delight. 

The concept was to photograph daily chores together but with the blissed out wedding love shining through every image. 

So we set about, with cooking dinner for the delightful, but clearly un-interested kids. 

And then it was time to hang out the washing in the back yard. 

Their cat Harvey turned up to be fed and petted. 

The children played noisily in the yard, 3 year old Sasha even obliging the concept by giving everything up and laying flat on the ground until a better idea came along. 

They picked cherry tomatoes from the vegetable garden, all under the shade of the blooming Jacaranda tree. 

It was all just family life, and contrasted so well with the obvious glow that shone from Olga and Andrew - and their gorgeous children. 

To finish the session off we popped down to the local beach in the hopes of some family photos on the Shorncliffe Pier, but unfortunately upon arriving we found it was closed to the public for a swanky private business function. We were not allowed on even for a few minutes to take a couple of photos. 

So we went down to the beach, a live jazz band playing songs such as Franki Valli's "Too Good to be True" and Frank Sinatra's "Fly Me to the Moon" mixing with the sea breeze and once more Olga was dancing barefoot across the beach, twirling in undiluted joy, just as she would have ten years ago. 

They lucked out even more as the full moon rose just on sunset, and with the children happily playing in the trees and the jazz band continuing in the background, they kissed and enjoyed the balmy night air watching a stunning moon-rise over Moreton Bay. 

Happy Anniversary Olga and Andrew, it was a pleasure to celebrate this very special family event with you and I wish you both every happiness for many more anniversaries to come. 

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www.familyphotographybynatarshamarch.com.au

Family Photographer Brisbane    |     Newborn Photographer Brisbane 

Grandparents at the Gardens

It was always going to be a fun session with four year old Zac and his best-friend-cousin Finn and their grandparents all along for this family session in the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens! 

With the late spring morning heating up, some rain clouds hovering above and a lovely breeze in the air it was a perfect morning to be out amongst the flowers and butterflies at the gardens. 

Finn had two little red cars in his soft hands and there was no chance he was letting them go for photos! 

We headed along the pathways stopping at a few spots for photos, the boys both taking a great liking to the yellow flowers that had fallen on the path and pointing out the purple jacaranda flowers when we found them as well. 

When we got to the bridge they were so excited to spot the giant water dragon statue and were pointing and staring wide-eyed at it.  

Next we went to the jetty on the lake, a slow walk as the boys stopped to look closely at every ibis, duck, water dragon and even turtles on our wander. This is what I love most about sessions at the gardens, its such a great environment for children to see and engage with the wildlife there. 

Thankfully we got to the jetty and had most of our photos done quickly as it got very crowded with five families all squishing on at one time! 

With such limited space there we headed to our final spot of the day, under a shady tree. We had great intentions of photographing the boys some more, but the morning had gone long enough for them and with hunger and tiredness creeping up we called it a day and they headed off for ice creams and naps - the best way to spend a Sunday if you ask me! 

www.familyphotographybynatarshamarch.com.au

Yasmin and Lulu Twin Girls - Brisbane Newborn Photographer

When Suzi contacted me to arrange a newborn session I was so excited! 

I have photographed her older two girls for years and they are always such a delight, as is Suzi. We talk so much at her shoots it feels like I am hanging out with a friend and happen to have my camera with me. 

So I was thrilled to hear she was expecting again. Then I read further into the email and saw she was having twins!  I literally squealed out loud with excitement for her and their family. 

When photo day finally came, I had prepared the shoot before they arrived. Usually I will design the shoot when the family is here, but after working with Suzi many times before I knew she would love everything I loved. And she did. 

Lulu and Jasmine were just on two weeks old at the shoot, they were such tiny little poppets born at 2.4kg and 2.6kg!

I had decided to keep them wrapped for as long as possible to help keep the session flowing as best we could since there was only Suzi and myself there. Her husband dropped them off then headed home to help the grandparents look after the older girls. 

So the first set we did was in the floral wreath, soft peachy tones with baby pinks. Lulu has very pink skin tone and Yasmin is darker skinned and slightly bigger of the two, and they just looked so beautiful snuggled in amongst the flowers. 

We then did some single photos of each girl on the beanbag before pairing them together again and adding a wrap to look like a bow tying them together. 

The next shot I wanted to create was a flower garden image. I photographed each girl separately in the pink flower prop and then stitched the photos together in photoshop to create the garden image with them both together. 

I used the same technique on the next setup, a yellow and white one that I knew would look so striking with the girls wrapped almost inside what starts to look like the "infinity" figure 8 sign, always bonded but still unique from each other. 

Next we started unwrapping them a little and snuggling them into each other, newborn babies cuddling each other has to be my number one heart melter!  

With Lulu starting to wake up we called it a day, Dad came back to collect everyone and even brought big sister Tia with him and she has grown so much since I last saw her! Kids have a terrible habit of growing up.  

Now, I do love this session so much, so here is an over-share of images but I just couldnt leave any out! 

www.brisbanenewbornphotography.com.au

Baby Axel - Brisbane Newborn Photographer

As they bundled out of the car, 14 month old Harper toddled over to me for a high five. The last time I saw her was at her newborn photos just last year and gosh she has changed! 

Loads of personality,  she's very cheeky and her parents are just so doting on her.  

It can be a tricky age to get a new baby brother, but Harper is just so kind and gentle with him, in fact her parents told me that the family dog had been more put out by the new arrival than Harper. Probably because boarder collie Teddy knows he's just dropped another peg in the priority queue. 

On occasion, I have included dogs into a newborn session. Its not something I do often as I am very cautious about safety at newborn sessions and even the best behaved dogs can be unpredictable. But as we had captured Harper with Teddy at her newborn session, it was only fitting to include Teddy again at Axel's newborn session too. 

Harper was so sweet with her little brother, and then a little rough with him as toddles can be, but always with love, and born at 9 pounds he is a strong little guy who will likely be bigger than his sister in no time flat! 

In fact when they arrived his parents said "Heres our second toddler! He's so big he just skipped the whole newborn thing" and they were right, even the newborn size nappies they had didn't look like they were going fit him for much longer. 

With family and sibling photos all done, Dad and Harper took off for lunch and we finished the session just of Axel on his own. 

Mum requested a dark navy setup but after just a short time in the basket Axel soon let us know he wasnt comfortable. My guess was that he didnt want to be on his back, and sure enough once we moved to an upright basket and then the tummy photos on the beanbag he was in a deep sleep. 

Such a deep sleep in fact that I could pose him any way I liked without any hesitation from him - every newborn photographer's dream baby! Plus, those back rolls and chubby cheeks that had me melting on the inside. 

I decided to go for broke on the cute-scale and put a little Teddy bonnet on him and tucked a matching teddy bear into his arm and then I had a little quiet squeal because I could not handle how cute this was!!! 

We were soon done with the session and it was time for Axel to head home, I snuck in a few cuddles where I could and I can tell you without a doubt, he was definitely 9 lbs. I fancy myself a professional newborn cuddler and after only a few minutes my arms were starting to tire from this little guy! Big props to his mum for carrying him the past nine months and now - she's going to have a very fine set of Mumma-Guns on her in a few months time! 

www.brisbanenewbornphotography.com.au

Price Family - Brisbane Family Photographer

There were showers all around Brisbane this day and it was touch and go if we would go ahead with this shoot or postpone again. 

And somehow we stuck out and the showers dried up and the diffused light was beautiful and my gosh what gorgeous family photos we got!  

Christine had booked this session for herself and husband Don, their boys Brad and Mitch and the boys girlfriends Courtney and Jazmine.  Not a toddler in sight - a rare occasion for this family photographer, and one that meant we had a lot of fun without having to work hard to get young kids to co-operate. 

It was awesome. Or #sick, if I try to blend in.  

Actually, you know what? I will try to write the rest of this blog without using my usual go-to words, and try to use millennial terms instead. #sorrynotsorry #stopitmumyoureembarrassingme

I warned them up front that we would be doing the same thing over and again and they were like, #totesfine with it. 

We were at the Bunya Crossing Reserve, usually a really busy place in the weekend afternoons but with the weather #lame-as it was really quiet.

I tested out some new spots for the shots, big family ones up first and then everyone took turns for the couple shots. It was #epic how they paid each other out during the couple photos. 

The guys were even enjoying themselves as much as the girls, until it came to the dreaded "sibling" photo. They suddenly went so #awks.  A bit of heckling from the rest of the family and the boys were soon cracking up again. 

We finished the shoot by the river. And you wouldn't believe it but some young kids had turned up with their dog and were running through the photos carrying on about photo bombing. It was so rude, but with a stern mum voice I told them to keep out of the way and while they weren't impressed with me, they did. I wasn't impressed with them either so #whatevs. 

We got some #ridic shots there, perfect light and a still, clear evening and we had a bit of fun mucking around ourselves since it was the end of the shoot! 

And that was a wrap! 

If you have made it this far through, (or more truthfully... endured) my cringey attempt at trying to be a little #kewl and #lit in this post, thank you! 

It certainly made me realise that I am totally a 36 year old mum who is totally out of touch with teens but it was definitely a lot of fun to hang out with them for a few hours! 

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www.familyphotographybynatarshamarch.com.au