Last Sunday I called into photograph a small section of a workshop being given by Rae Morris-Australia’s top make up artist which was being held at Endessa’s Beauty Spot.

Endessa is my go-to girl when it comes to make up. She does amazing work every week with my brides. I just love it when I know Endessa and I are working together. Endessa has been doing make up professionally for 15 years and has trained with Rae Morris and Napoleon. She’s worked at Melbourne Fashion Week two years running with Rae and continues to assist Rae with various workshops. We are so lucky to have her!

Here’s a few photos from my visit:

Endessa:

Rae working some of her magic:

Thinking Rae probably knows and has been photographed by the best fashion photographers in the business, I was a little nervous taking this photo of Endessa and Rae, so I did what all good photographers do…I unfurled the reflector! Go me, I’m so professional! I’m sure she was impressed when I folded it up.

She is adorable. There are no other words. An 8 week old puppy can be nothing but. Even though it was raining we took her outside for a little play and her first photo shoot. Storm (Mum and Dads big golden retriever) cam along too. All of a sudden he’s decided that he too can play catch the ball!

Here’s some fun pics from our little play:

Amongst all that love there is a puppy in there somewhere!

From time to time I share photos on her Flickr group for no other reason than I love taking photos and I hope that someone gets some enjoyment out of them. The Pioneer Woman runs themed photo groups and her current group is LOVE.  I was so excited last night when I saw a photo of mine showcased on her blog in her LOVE photos group 4! Like jump around the room excited and I just couldn’t help it but share it with my blog readers. You can view the post here.

If you like cooking, photography and having a bit of a giggle her blog is well worth visiting. I hope you enjoy!

Thank you to my Nan and Pa for just being themselves.

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And then I took this photo today:

But somehow 16 months has passed. That tiny baby has grown into an impish toddler. He has found his legs (and they are fast legs) and his little personality is developing. He loves cars and birds, puzzles and playing. And food, my gosh does he love food. He’s so cute right now with his floppy curls and big blue eyes. This is a good thing because he is as cheeky as they come! I took this in our 5 minute photo session, that was all the time he could spare me. You see, he was busy getting his stuff done!

Please enjoy.

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I arrived home quite late last night after spending two days in Brisbane attending the Queensland Branch of the Australian Institute of Photography’s’ Hair of the Dog Conference.

It was really lovely to spend time with and listen to people who are very passionate and skilled at photography. To see photographers oozing with energy and enthusiasm as well as having the courage to leave the proverbial ‘safe path’ and walk a path that remains true to them. Photographers who express their personality and stay true to their personal convictions. It’s very inspiring.

This conference was very timely. I have been reworking my business plan for this year and there are some changes that need to be made. There have been experiences and changes in my personal life that cannot be ignored. There are personal photographic goals that have taken a back seat for way to long. These are the things that keep the fire in my belly and remind me why I love what I do. My family are important, I need more time with my girls. My health is beyond any monetary value.

Stepping out of my office and taking two days to focus on myself gave me a big reality check. The world did not collapse when I was not in my office. Seriously. The world is still here!

I love my job, it is an important job. The value of the product I produce increases with every passing year.  But my job is not as important a doctor, a brain surgeon; my job doesn’t cure cancer (unfortunately). I want to pace myself so that I don’t burn out. Ever. I want to still be writing this blog and posting photos in another 10 years.

I want to look after my clients like royalty. I want to inspire, empower and educate. I’m so glad that I made the decision last year to limit the number of wedding bookings I accepted because now when I turn up at each and every wedding I am so buzzed to be there!

I am so wildly excited (you know the, Oh mum you’re so embarrassing kind of excited) for what this year will bring. Some of my ideas are probably illogical, grandiose and possibly some form of madness, but to me it’s these ideas that bring about a clarity of mind. I know more about where I am going and what I need to get there.

To be honest, I’m just stoked to be on the journey!

I also really wanted to spend some time practicing some of my night photography skills and what better way than at a Lantern Parade. In order to challenge myself further (and also for the mere fact I didn’t want to carry my entire photography kit) . I picked my camera body (Canon 5D for those who are interested), my flash (my flash Canon 580ex-really should learn how to use that thing better) and then I did something really wild. I shut my eyes, put my hand in my bag a pulled out a random lens. Seriously. I am that wild! I ended up taking the 50mm 1.2. Yay! I love that lens!

To start with, we have the Cast of Characters….and I mean characters!

My little girl, pose much?

My big girl, she’s growing up so fast and she is just such so lovely (I can say that, I’m her mum):

My niece, Mik, she loves hanging out with my girls:

It is impossible to get a ‘normal’ photo of them at this stage in their life, I thought I would try again later:

It didn’t get any better..what’s with the beanie OVER the hood Mik?

The parade:

The dinosaurs from Erth made an appearance. I’ve seen these guys a few times and that are so talented!

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Most of the leaves had lost their gorgeous colour, but we managed to find a few nice golden ones. It was an impromptu shoot so the girls are styled in whatever they found clean this morning!

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One thing I’ve learned is that ALL brides are beautiful on their wedding day. There’s nothing more flattering than the look of true love! No matter how low-maintenance you may be, though,you should still consider hiring a professional makeup artist to help you look your absolute best on the big day. Experienced makeup people know just how to emphasize your very best features so you’re ready for your close up at picture time!

I’m always rapt when my brides tell me they’ve chosen Edessa to do their makeup. I’ve photographed brides wearing make up by Endessa for 3 years now and I know she always does a fantastic job and the makeup photographs flawlessly. Apart from gracing North Coast brides with her fantastic make up, Endessa has worked at Fashion Shows as part of makeup artist Rae Morris‘ team.

Yesterday, I visited Endessas’ Beauty Spot for a quick photo shoot of some work she was doing. It’s fun for me to get out and do something out of the ordinary!

Following are some of the photos from the shoot.

One of the artist!

Until next time,

Vicki

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Today I had a mini session for Harry. That means as many photos as I can take in 20 minutes whilst posing the baby, holding the reflector and touching the shutter. I was ‘babysitting’ you see!! His mum went out to lunch with his dad. They should probably do that more often.

If anyone would like some ‘babysitting’ please contact me.  I love all babies, especially those under 6 weeks. Since there will be no more ‘baby having’ on my side I’m happy to love yours, even if it’s just for 20 minutes!

I have also been prop shopping, please admire the gorgeous soft rug Harry is sleeping on and lovely beanie hand knitted by my mum. There’s also a pink beanie on the way for a little baby who is coming to see me when she is born!!

Until next time,

Vicki

I first introduced you to my nephew Harry when he was just 12 hours old….now he is getting a big boy and is a whole 9 days old. Yep! He is set to be one of the most photographed babies in Yamba as I have sessions booked for him at 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 1 year! I probably should tell his mum as Harry and I have worked all this out ourselves!

Harry was a perfect newborn to photograph (much like my girls were-NOT!) and he slept quietly as I gently posed him.

He let me wrap him up,

Roll him around,

Put him onto his tummy…but only for a little time. He didn’t really like being on his tummy.

I really like high key black and white images of newborns, I think it looks classic and timeless:

But, just in case you would like to see him in colour;

Until next time,

Vicki