It's taken me since the beginning of this year to work out whether or not to share these images from the 2017 Shoot and Share Contest with you. These first two images are particularly special and poignant, and I don't share them because of the 'awards'. I share them because I want to share the hope in these images. This is beautiful little Emily, who I photographed in NICU at about 26 weeks old. This absolutely tiny little girl really touched me, and I am just so pleased to let you know that she is now 20 months old, and is doing so well! NICU is an amazing place. It's a place filled with so many mixed emotions and roller-coaster rides for so many parents - in reality, it's a place sometimes crippled by sadness and fear, and other times filled with hope and strength. But no matter what, it's always a place filled with love and care. I know not all these beautiful, tiny little babies are as fortunate as Emily, but I wanted to share the power of the hope, love, strength, and the fighting spirit of this wee girl!

Out of over a thousand photos in the "Passion Portraits: Giving Back" Category, Emily’s photos placed 12th and 15th. This category is reserved for photos taken to give back to our communities. It's about using our gifts within photography to share with and bless others. These two photos are really special to me, and I'm glad they touched the hearts of photographers around the world who voted. 

One of my faaaavourite things is getting to capture my beautiful clients again and again. I met Aimee, Richard and Bandon (the dog!) for a shoot in 2013... and then last year they surprised me by letting me know they had had a beautiful wee girl called Anna Belle! I photographed Anna Belle at home as a newborn, and then again at 9 months old. Far out, what a little sweetie she is! In fact, the whole family are just SO incredibly lovely... it's always such a pleasure to hear from them!

They wanted natural, homely feeling photos of Anna Belle... capturing life as it was, in that crazy,  beautiful, sleepless, heart-filled-to-the-brim time :) 

I find myself constantly feeling the need to apologise for blogging shoots so late these days... but I've decided I'm totally gonna let that go and just be proud of myself for actually doing one! Sometimes it's just not easy juggling this working Mumma thing when my only work time is while Eli sleeps... and there is always pressing client work that needs to get out the door too. But blogging is something I will always love doing, so when I get the chance, I'll keep slowly working away to put some of my favourites together for you :)

This is turned into a huge blog... but this was one of my favourite maternity shoots ever, so you're getting to see heaps! #sorrynotsorry
Gemma was one of my first graduation clients ever many years ago, so I was so stoked to hear from her again when she contacted me again about maternity and newborn photos! Gemma and Jeff are just the most lovely people ever... and now they have beautiful little Bethany lighting up their lives too! She's actually not very little anymore though... in fact she will be one at the end of this month! All the more reason to show off her maternity and newborn photos now ;)

Enjoy this stunning winters evening maternity shoot, and lifestyle newborn shoot at their home with 9 day old Bethany xx

Aside from covering my childhood bedroom walls in snapshots of my friends and family (and posters of Hanson and the Backstreet Boys... cringe...), my love for photography started out pretty typically as it does for most keen beans... with countless landscapes and macro shots of just about every flower under the sun. But when I began to learn how to photograph people in ways that were actually purposeful, photography took on a whooole new meaning!

Visiting your friends to meet their brand new baby is such a surreal and amazing feeling! Liam, Eli and I first went to meet beeeautiful little baby Frank when he was about 3 weeks old, and I was lucky enough to be able to take photos of this gorgeous trio.

I'm pretty excited about this for lots of reasons... a new little bundle of joy has arrived into our big extended-family-of-friends (Eli has an automatic new friend too = win!), and Becca and Joe are nailing this parenting thing! Even in those first few crazy weeks, their house was so calm and relaxed. Frankie is seriously one of the most beautiful little newborns I've met, and they have done suuuuch a fantastic job of setting up the most gorgeous little nursery for him... it was super fun to photograph in. You might even recognise Becca and Joe from their wedding photos... it's so exciting and such a privilege to capture the journey as they transition to life as 3.

I've been looking forward to sharing this blog for a long time now. Like, long before this beautiful baby was born, long before these maternity photos were taken, and actually... long before Heather was even pregnant with little 'Baby Boo'! I didn't know it would be this specific story, or this little boy... and I didn't know the journey Heather and Doug would be on to get to this point. But photographing our amazing friends on their road to parenthood has been a true privilege... a mini Richardson has always been highly anticipated and desired! It hasn't been an easy road to get there, but it's been a journey full of growth, faith, strength and peace.

I am soooo happy to share that this adorable little man... Isaac Sebastian Richardson... joined the big wide world at 9:55pm on Christmas Day!! The most precious all of gifts and an answer to prayer, this little blessing came in the most beautiful, calm fashion weighing 6 pounds, 6 ounces. 
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And he is DIVINE. Really divine. And guess what?! He's also my Godson!! I am soooo honoured to have another little man as an important part of my life, and Liam and I are excited to be journeying through parenthood with Heather and Doug. We just adore this family so much.

A mother's love is a beautiful thing.

You saw Jennifer's gorgeous maternity shoot. Many of you commented on how jealous you were of her absolute incredible beauty - but I have also had the privilege of seeing her amazing inner beauty and the love she just pours out to her family. I LOVE photographing their family, and was so excited to go back to their home to see Jennifer and the boys again - and meet the brand new little boy in their life! Brandon is soooo sweet - an absolute little darling. I met him when he was only a few weeks old, and he totally melted my heart!

Unfortunately Jen's husband, Jon, is absolutely flat out with study at the moment and wasn't able to join us for this precious first shoot of wee Brandon, but I know he will love looking back on these photos of his hot wife and his teeny tiny little baby who he loves so dearly.

A little package of total cuteness.

Little things are always cute. Like mini ears, mini fingers and mini toes!

Sam and Will added some beautiful chaos to the shoot - love it!! They adore their little brother and were so excited about having photos with him! Love Brandon's wee face in this!

Jen is doing an AMAZING job, being super Mum to three young boys!! And she still manages to be beautiful, calm, thoughtful, smiley and just all round amazing!

Recognise this!? :)

Oh Jen and Jon - you and your whole family just fill me with happiness! I looooove photographing you, and hope we can manage to fit in another shoot before you move away! All the very, very best for everything still to come in this year, and for raising your three awesome little boys. Lots of love xoxo