home for the holidays

Two weeks ago, we left the sweltering Sydney summer for the icy cold winter that is Vancouver in December. I'm sure it'll come as no surprise if I tell you that the longhaul flight here with a toddler was rough, as was the ensuing jetlag. But now that we're more settled, we are just so happy to be here. We're soaking up all of the goodness that this city has to offer at this time of year. My husband keeps exclaiming, "I feel like I'm in a Christmas movie!" and I couldn't agree more. The 3rd night we were here, we ducked out for a quick drink at a local restaurant. There was a roaring fire, a Christmas tree in the corner, hockey playing on TV and a menu of festive cocktails (hello eggnog and rum!). You could not wipe the grin off my face.

Since then we've taken Clementine on the Christmas train at Stanley Park, gone to the Vinyl Cafe Christmas concert, and spent a few days at a ski resort. The best kind of winter fun.

Of course, the main reason we're here is to spend time with family and friends and that has been wonderful. Last time we were in Vancouver, Clementine was a newborn and it was difficult to do anything. We had this huge list of things we wanted to do here, and managed almost none of them. This trip has been completely different. We've been able to see family and friends, do festive/wintery things AND get to lots of yoga classes. It's been awesome.

p.s. home for the summer

LIFE: CAPTURED masterclass with Ronnie

Ever since I heard about their new venture, I've been so excited for Ronnie and Trish. These two women are seriously motivated and it's inspiring to see. After running several LIFE CAPTURED workshops they've just launched a beautiful website, LIFE: CAPTURED Inc. I love their mission and their tagline, 'The modern school of memory keeping.' On October 17th, I will be attending Ronnie's masterclass, Photo Organisation with Lightroom, and I cannot wait!

In her own words:

This masterclass is perfect for anybody who feels overwhelmed by all the photos and other media files that they have. Together, you will learn how to consolidate, re-name, organise, manage, and keyword every one of your photo files - from the past, present and the future. "No file left behind" will become your mantra. You will leave this masterclass feeling confident in your own ability to keep your photo library well-organised.

- Ronnie

I'm looking forward to learning from Ronnie; she is the most organised and efficient person I have ever met, and if even a little bit of that rubs off I will be grateful! As I take on professional photography work, I find that I'm documenting our lives less, and I'm not very happy about it. I'm hoping that establishing a really solid system will help me in my own memory keeping efforts. And I have to say that I'm also quite keen to catch up with Ronnie (it's been a while) and have a day on my own in the beautiful Northern Beaches…

If you're interested, they're offering a $75 discount for this first round of masterclass. You can sign up here or email ronnie@lifecapturedinc.com

I hope to meet some of you there!

portrait photography: stella

Last week I got to photograph my friend Stella, who wanted some photos for her business. We were going for a cosy, wintery vibe and I love how these turned out. It's been unseasonably warm here lately, but we met early in the morning when it was cold enough to wear scarves and cup our hands around hot mugs of coffee. Despite the fact that Stella warned me she hates having her photo taken, we had a great time and she was a brilliant model!

Stella is a yoga teacher and health coach, as well as a PR wizard. I'm always glad when I get the chance to go to her classes, especially her yin classes, which always leave me feeling so relaxed. You can find out more about her and the work she does here.

maternity photography: helen

On Easter Sunday I woke up early to take photographs of my friend's bump. Helen started coming to my prenatal yoga classes when she was pregnant with her first baby, a spunky little guy named Dylan. Now she's about to have a girl, and our group of mummy friends will have another baby to dote on.

I'm really falling in love with this kind of work. It compliments my job as a prenatal yoga teacher so well - my passion for bellies and babies manifesting in another way. It's a dream of mine to start doing this more and more…

An update - since writing this post, Helen has had her baby, little Hannah. I'lll be doing some newborn photos of her this week, so stay tuned for those...

family photography: 365 days of summer

Way back in July, I shared photos of Helen and 6 month old Summer, frolicking in the winter sun. To celebrate Summer turning 1, we decided to do another shoot, this time in their home. When I look at these next to the 6 month photos, I just can't believe how much she's grown! From a roly poly baby with a gummy smile to a walking, talking little girl. Amazing. I love these two so much.

celebrating

This year, I had the most wonderful BirthdayChristmas. As always, I missed my family, but knowing that would be the case, my husband really tried to make it special. I don't normally do anything to celebrate my birthday, but my good friend (who also organised my blessingway) insisted that I do something. And so, a last minute email was sent inviting people to a vegetarian picnic in the park, and what do you know? People came. There were old friends, new friends, babies, babies in bellies, a puppy and a gaggle of kids. It was chaos, of the best kind.

A couple of days later, on my actual birthday, I slept in and was treated to pancakes and tea in bed. It's always been a tradition in my family for the birthday person to open their gifts in bed, and that's just what I did. I was spoiled with everything I asked for and more. My husband somehow tracked down The Horse watch I asked for (it was the only one in Sydney!), and a pair of sunglasses while my mom sent me clothes from my favourite Vancouver shops. My husband and I also received an iPad as a Christmas gift from his mum and step-dad, and boy oh boy, we are loving it!

In the afternoon we had Christmas lunch at my in laws' home. This year, for the first time, there were two babies there: Clementine and her second cousin. It really is true that children make Christmas magical, even when the children in question have no idea what's going on. Clementine was just happy that there were piles and piles of wrapping paper to play with. The first Christmas... what a milestone!

family photography: Theresa + Mason

Earlier this week, Clementine and I drove up to Terrigal to spend some time with Theresa and Mason. While we were there, we met up with Jodi on the beach early one morning. She took photos of me and the little one for my first sling diaries post (can't wait to share!) and then I got behind the camera to shoot Theresa and her sleeping babe. He did eventually wake up and the babies enjoyed some beach time, which resulted in a few of my favourite photos ever.

In between photo taking the three of us chatted about life and blogging, travel and babies. It's so nice—and so important, I think—to have other mum friends. Both friends who are right at the same stage as you (and can commiserate as well as rejoice in gummy smiles and tiny toes) and friends who are further along in their parenting journey (who can inspire and reassure). Today I'm grateful for friends, old and new.

p.s. the winner of the Love To Dream™ INVENTA Sleep Bag™ is announced here

maternity photography: Katie

Last week I got together with my dear friend Katie to take photos of her belly and her boys. This baby boy is due early in the new year and I can't wait to meet him!

To be honest, the afternoon was a comedy of errors beginning with the 35 degree weather we were having. We had to shoot at the worst time of day (thanks Clementine) so the light was harsh, and juggling the needs of two small people and a baby while taking photos was pretty damn funny. At one point, just as I was shooting, Katie's bra strap spontaneously broke and I had to tie it back together. We joked that at this rate, it would hardly have been surprising if she went in to labour!

Despite the challenges (ahem), I have to say that I'm pretty happy with how these turned out. I just love taking photos of families.

a photo walk with ellen arthur photography

Way back in July, Ellen (of Ellen Arthur photography) and I went for a photo walk. We matched her lens with my camera body and took turns snapping photos of each other. She is so talented, and I loved getting the chance to pick her brain and chat photography. Like most things in life, the more I learn about something, the more questions I have. As I fall more in love with photography, I find myself asking all of these talented photographer friends of mine for tips and advice. It's a great way to learn.

p.s. all photos of me are by Ellen. All photos of Ellen are by me. She edited all photos.