Farewell - Brisbane Family Photographer

This was a very sentimental session for me. We have had a lot of sessions over the past 5 years, this lot were one of the first families I ever photographed and wonderful friends as well. It is always a lot of fun, the boys bring their hugest smiles and the love is just like a big fluffy cloud around us every time.

But this is the last session for a while as they are moving to a new country just a week after our shoot. It was bittersweet to be enjoying yet another beautiful afternoon laughing and playing with boys that i have watched and documented over the past 4 years while knowing that this will be the last one for a long time.

Dad had only just flown home that morning, and after 3 months away his boys were so excited to have him back. They were very excited and very loved up, it was amazing.

The boys were funny, as happens a lot with siblings the younger brother was not keen on hugs - probably having had more than a few too-tight ones in the past from a big brother who doesnt know his own strength!

The bubbles were a massive hit! The boys were running around screaming with laughter, little Roderick trying to pick them up from where they landed on the grass.

Being boys of course they found sticks to play with, the bigger the better! It never ceases to amaze me how much the little things in life can bring the most joy when you use your imagination.

I will miss you guys so much, your beautiful boys and your beautiful selves. Time will fly by and I have no doubt we will all be back in a park laughing away the sunny Saturday afternoons again before we know it.

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www.familyphotographybynatarshamarch.com.au

Brisbane Family Photographer    |    Brisbane Newborn Photographer

Spring in the Gardens - Brisbane Family Photographer

When this family sent me photos of the girls dresses they were going to be wearing for their session I knew right away we were going to have a really pretty shoot on our hands! I love photographing families and as a mum of two girls I love capturing the bond of sisters. 

These girls were total models. Lara is 11 and so at ease in front of the camera, she was also great at giving her little sisters tickles and cuddles to help encourage more smiles. Eleanor was just adorable to photograph with her beautiful full cheeks and sparking blue eyes, and miss Matilda, the youngest member of the family was fun and fiery with her adorable blonde curls! 

Their mum and dad were so chilled out with the girls, they just let them be themselves and I was able to really capture each of the girls personalities during our session. 

It was a bit tricky at first - the Mt Coot-tha Botanic gardens are always popular on weekends - and especially on a weekend as beautiful as this one was. It was a complete coincidence that they even knew one of the wedding parties that was there! It was Eleanor's kindy teacher, which must have been a real treat for the girls to see someone they know so well on such a special day. 

By the time we made our way to the lake, the sun was dropping and we captured some beautiful sun-burst photos. The girls started squealing with delight at all the wildlife in the lake - fluffy little baby chicks swimming with their mums, kissing turtles (yes really!) and even the resident eel popped up to say hello. 

We had such a nice time we photographed til sunset, using up every last smile that the girls had brought with them! It was one of the most lovely afternoons out at the park and I could tell they all enjoyed the time together as much as I enjoyed capturing it for them. 

Oh, and I heard a rumour that they were going to stop by Baskin Robins on the way home, which sounded like a REALLY good way to end a weekend! 

 

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www.familyphotographybynatarshamarch.com.au

Brisbane Family Photographer    |    Brisbane Newborn Photographer 

Extended Family Session - Brisbane Family Photographer

I arrived at this location in Bunya for the first time on the day of the session. This is a beautiful local spot just ten minutes from where I live. I have heard a lot about how great a spot this is but I had never been out there, and OH MY GOSH!!! I have been missing out!! 

It has to be one of the most picturesque spots I have come across in a long time, and absolutely one of my new favourites to photograph in north Brisbane. 

Its the kind of location that inspires a photographer, I can't wait to go back and photograph different spots around this area.

The river flows by so peacefully, barely a current. Dogs are enjoying some fun with their owners, bushwalkers enjoying the late afternoon and even some paddle boarders around too. Funny story... Ill get to that shortly. 

So when this large family all arrived I was so excited to get started. This was an extended family session with Grandparents, adult children and two young children, and it was awesome. 

I start my sessions by showing off my print products and filling in paperwork, and as this was going on I noticed that they had brought along a late afternoon picnic to enjoy during the shoot - and I thought "These are my people!" 

We kicked off with the youngest, 2 and 4 year old siblings Lachlan and Charlotte. Lachlan was in the mood for a lot of cuddles this afternoon, which was fine because cuddly photos are always adorable. It got a bit tricky when we tried to switch out cuddles with Dad for cuddles with Grandad but we got there in the end. 

Next was couple shots, and these couples were all so different! Grandma and Grandad were up first, and I had been given a heads up that Robert was not a big fan of photos, and sure enough, he wasn't comfortable at first. But by the end of the day we had so many gorgeous, natural photos of this beautiful couple with their amazing family. 

Angela and Liam tried to get a moment without the kids for their couple photo, and that didnt go down to well! 

Everyone had a bit of a laugh when it was Michael and Brookes turn, joking that this was great practice for the wedding photos! I dont think there is a wedding on the cards yet, but its not a family get-together without a bit of ribbing each other is it? 

Then Fran and Natalie stole the show. I dont know if I have ever come across a couple so obviously in love. They were giggly, cuddly and the joy and love just shone from them like a beacon. It made me so warm and fuzzy to be around them.

I like to get some variety in the session by changing locations at least once so after we had some beautiful bushland photos we moved to the riverside for part two of the session. 

I had grouped everyone together again for the second big group photo and as I started shooting the kids were distracted by a young man with a paddle board behind me. He put his board in the water, and jumped on. Moments later he had capsized, fully clothed into the river! The whole family were in hysterics at the poor guy, who was waist deep in the river and laughter as well, but must have been a bit embarrassed by the whole thing as he quickly abandoned his plan of a paddle. 

The sun was getting low, the children wanting to play and the picnic was starting to become too irresistible so we finished with a lovely "slow walk" through yet another picturesque spot. The cakes were uncovered and shared, sand toys appeared and as I walked back to my car I could hear the ribbing, laughing and joking continuing behind me. 

Family is the best. 

 

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www.familyphotographybynatarshamarch.com.au

Brisbane Family Photographer   |   Brisbane Newborn Photographer

Fathers Day Family - Brisbane Family Photographer

Being a family photographer means I work weekends, and every so often a special day lands on a weekend. This particular weekend it was Fathers Day, and what better way to spend some family time together than getting out to a park and snuggling up for some family photos?

This was my first time at this location in Manly on the South side of Brisbane, and I loved it! We started off walking along a boardwalk with the sound of the birds chirping above us and dogs snuffling past out for their own Sunday walk. The light was filtering through the giant mangroves and the atmosphere was just so calm and peaceful. 

Little Audrey got hungry during the session so while her mum and dad stopped to give her a snack I spent some time photographing Lachlan on his own. Ok I have to tell you, I was beside myself with how cute this kid is - he might be short two front teeth, but that did not affect his giant smiles at all! Its the best thing photographing children who exude the kind of joy that these two do. 

Once Audrey's hunger monster had been fed she was all sweetness and smiles too. Just learning to stand and walk on her own, we captured some cute photos of her standing up by the railing as well as sitting on a coloured blanket, she didnt take her eyes off her mum once. She loved holding things in her hands, she didnt mind what it was - a lipstick lid or a little piece of paper, so long as there was something in her soft little hand she was happy. 

Dad told me that he and son Lachlan often ride their bikes along this walkway together which would be such a fun thing to do - especially if the tide is in! 

We hit low tide for our session which meant that as the sun started setting the midgies came out in force. To save everyone from getting attacked we got out of there quickly and back up to higher ground just as the sun was setting. 

The last light of the day was just so beautiful, we stopped for a couple more photos, which might just be some of my personal favourites of the day - including the one of Dad lifting Audrey into the air while Lachlan laughed from below. 

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www.familyphotographybynatarshamarch.com.au

Family Photographer Brisbane    |    Newborn Photographer Brisbane

Oscar - Brisbane Baby Photographer

The first thing I saw when Oscar came in with his parents was his beautiful, beautiful hair! Oh the colour, the amount, just so lush. He was full of smiles and I just had a good feeling we were going to have a great day together. 

Oscar was 9 weeks new at his session, which I don't mind because I photograph babies of any age. I dont have any rules of weeks to photograph and weeks to avoid because I have had sessions with 6 day old babies who are unsettled and don't sleep, and sessions with babies up to 4 months that are content and do sleep. Sometimes we can forget that babies are just tiny humans who have good days and bad days. 

The family had requested a basket photo so I turned to my trusty nest from David Lam Designs and tried something new by sprinkling some gum leaves across the backdrop to add an extra texture to the setup. At this point Dad says "Oh thats cool, I love the bush!" and I knew we were on the same page. The images of this setup had my heart singing - I just love trying new ideas like this! 

Photographing older babies we usually capture awake photos and not the sleepy curly photos we do of babies under 3 weeks. I couldn't believe it when Oscar started to nod off and we were able to capture some simply gorgeous photos of him peacefully sleeping on the bean bag to finish the session. 

Oscar is so in love with his mum and dad, let me tell you. He kept his eyes on them the whole time and his favourite thing was when his dad took his feet and did the air-cycle, the smiles that garnered were amazing! It always fills my heart to be around a new family that exudes love like this family does. 

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www.brisbanenewbornphotography.com.au

Brisbane Newborn Photographer    |    Brisbane Family Photographer 

Photographers Child - Brisbane Family Photographer

If you follow my Facebook page you may have seen my post yesterday about my camera breaking mid-shoot when it just literally could not take the cute baby photos any longer. 

The final clicks :( 

My first step was to get out my back-up camera.  However there is a reason that my backup camera is  not my primary camera (like any reserve team, its not as good) and so we made the call to postpone the rest of the shoot for two days while I got my primary camera fixed or upgraded. 

Well... I upgraded. 

For the past two years my wonderful Canon 6D has been there with me welcoming new babies and celebrating family times. It captured my own childrens' birthday parties, family holidays, Christmas mornings and of course hundreds of beautiful families, grinning kids and soft, sweet newborns. 

Really, it was only a matter of time before it could take no more, and so while it is sent for repairs and destined as my new backup camera, the Canon 5D Mkiii moved into my pink camera bag. 

I have longed for this camera for some time now, it is the most highly regarded Canon camera on the market, with my old 6D a very close second place. 

So whats a photographer to do when she gets a new camera? 

Step 1: Charge the battery

Step 2: Pick kids up from school 

Step 3: Bribe children to put on pretty dresses and brush their school hair

Step 4: Pray the neighbour with the overgrown lawn hasn't done his 6 monthly mow today

Yasss! Not mowed for months!

 

Step 5: Beg, bribe, pretend cry, do whatever it takes to get some half-decent photographer's-child* photos that can be used for test shots on the new camera and shared in this blog post. Assure child that there are no snakes/prickles/spiders/bugs/ants in the long grass. Assure child that if they do not co-operate there will be no pizza for dinner.

Step 6: "Look at me! Look at each other! Stop looking weird! Just be normal! Why are you making that weird face? Open your eyes! Argh! Get inside. Why can't any thing be easy today?" 

Step 7: Load photos into computer and sit stunned at somehow having captured not just one, but many photos of your children with normal faces and smiles.

!! Bonus !!

2016 Christmas presents for grandparents - Check! 

*Photographers Child

[fuh-tog-ruh-fers chahyld]

Tiny human spawn of photographers. Commonly forced unwillingly to be the subject of a photo testing out a new camera, lens, prop, backdrop or creative idea. Child is most often surly and uncooperative in such circumstance and goes out of their way to do everything the opposite of what the photographer asks of them so as to elongate the pain of the situation. 

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www.familyphotographybynatarshamarch.com.au 

Brisbane Family Photographer    |    Brisbane Newborn Photographer