a lovely wonderland [brisbane family photography]

Posted on 01/03/2014 by maddie

Choosing to specialise in newborns and young families has been the most wonderful decision! I am meeting so many gorgeous families and sometimes I have to pinch myself to believe that work can be this much fun. As a photojournalistic photographer, I love to capture honest family life – sweet old good times together, doing what you love. Most of the time this means a relaxing morning at home, a trip to the local park or an exciting adventure together, but every now and then it’s a family session with a bit of fancy thrown in too!

A vintage, whimsical styling suited this family perfectly as they spent the morning playing together and enjoying a picnic. After first meeting them in 2010, this is our fourth session and as the family grows, they just keep getting sweeter!! Enjoy x Maddie

Sugar and spice [brisbane newborn photography]

Posted on 12/04/2013 by maddie

When I had my own first baby four years ago my husband and I had wanted the gender to be a surprise. So when our baby was born, we were thrilled to realise we had a delightful little girl in our arms (what we secretly had wanted!). But like many mums, I had a small thought that I would endeavour not to overdo the ‘traditional pink’ look in the clothing department. Within a few weeks though, we were inundated with pink gifts, pink clothes, pink hats and pink shoes. And the funny thing was, I soon realised, that my little girl looked absolutely ADORABLE in pink! I tried red and blue and yellow and nothing made her look as rosy and sweet as pink did. But I loved it. So she went on to spend the next few years fashioning various shades of wonderful pink and I enjoyed every second of it!

So far this year, my newborn sessions this year have been a good mix of both boys and girls. But I thought I’d share a real girly one from earlier this year that I’ve been meaning to post. This is adorable little Poppy with her mum and dad. I met them a few months ago and Poppy certainly suited the sweetness of pink. Her mum has done an amazing job creating her nursery too and the whole session was truly wonderful. We all had a relaxing time spending the morning at their family home, a little while inside the nursery and then some time out in the garden. So cute!

merry christmas & a little giveaway

Posted on 20/12/2012 by maddie

Just a quick but meaningful note to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and all the best for the beginning of the New Year! 2012 has been an amazing (and full!) year for me and as I begin my focus primarily on portraits, I am very excited to start a year of even more wonderful people stories. A special and beautiful thank you to all of my portrait, wedding and commercial clients from this year, it has been TRULY delightful to meet each and every one of you. I feel honored that you let me into the most precious moments of your lives and allowed me to capture your story xx so thank you xx

Also, in the spirit of giving, I would like to offer a giveaway! I cherish the fact that my photography surrounds me with some of the most beautiful times in life and I know that for many others this isn’t the case. Be in their work industry or just the hard seasons of life. So for this reason I would love to give away one session as a sweet etta photography gift, to pass on the love. The session can be any type – pregnancy, newborn, baby, child, family, couple, fashion portfolio or individual. It will include a 30-60 minute session in North Brisbane during January, an online private gallery of 20 images, two linen print display sets and a disc of your ten favourite digital images (valued over $500). To enter the draw, please leave a sweet comment of any sort below and make sure you include your first name and email (only your first name and comment will show below). I will draw a winner by RANDOM selection from comments at 12pm on Christmas Eve (noon) and then email the lucky person/people to let them know. All the best to you and I hope this will bring a little piece of joy to someone’s world who truly needs it xx

As I close off for 2012, I send much love to all and also ask that you too do something kind for a stranger this Christmas – just for the sake of old fashioned goodness! Pay for a strangers fuel. Cook your neighbour a meal. Tell someone in customer service what a great job they are doing. Let a car into your lane even if it means you’ll miss the lights. It keeps your heart rather happy and you never know whose world you may change. So for now farewell, I will be returning to work on January 7th and will respond to all emails in date order on my return. See you in 2013! x Maddie

Louise & Ryan (Bangalow Wedding)

Posted on 09/12/2012 by maddie

I met Ryan and Louise earlier this year and clicked with them from the moment we met (as I do with all my lovely couples!). Hearing them talk about their wedding plans and how they wanted their guests to experience the day was exciting to my love of all things fun, vintage, quirky and creative. At the time they were both living in Perth, so the next time I saw them was mid year for their engagement session (see it here as featured on Polka Dot Bride!). After the session, I knew the time we spent together was just a taste of the fun I would have capturing their wedding day love story.

Their wedding (10/11/12) was to be held in the region behind Byron Bay, within the quaint town of Bangalow. After a simple ceremony under the trees, the reception was planned to be an outdoor celebration with games on the lawn and an evening under the stars and pretty lights. However when nature decided it was meant to be a rainy day, Louise and Ryan went with the flow, and quickly took their ideas and recreated it all inside a quaint hall. This would have been no mean feat considering the detail of their day, but they had amazing family and friends who helped move their outdoor wedding celebration to an indoor one – and it still had the perfect atmosphere!

With one of my talented second shooters Josh Weier by my side, we captured their perfect day and the story that was their wedding. We truly had a blast with them and enjoyed every minute! From the delightful details in atmosphere, to the activities for guests, through to the absolutely delicious catering by Fig Tree Restaurant (and Louise’s mum’s special dessert bar!) everything had been thought of. I especially loved watching the relationships between guests – beautiful speeches, thoughtful words and loads of fun dancing! As quite the travelling duo, at present Louise and Ryan are crossing the Nullarbor and heading to Brisbane. I can’t wait to see them in January before they then begin an eight month trip to Africa, America and Europe – loads of fun adventures ahead! I hope you enjoy this peek at their day x Maddie

Note: I am no longer shooting large weddings from Jan 2013 but am available for intimate ceremonies, registry weddings and vow renewals. I also specialise in family portraits, individual sessions and couples session, so if you like what you see, please drop me a line and I would love to chat x

two’s company [brisbane newborn photography]

Posted on 03/05/2012 by maddie

I have been wanting to share these images for a few weeks now. I’m pleased to introduce you to Ava & Jake – new little twins and an adorable pair at that! I had so much fun capturing them. There was hardly a boo from either the whole time and the session was filled with grins and cuddles between them. You can really sense that they have become little buddies already!! How exciting for their parents to have a boy and a girl, the best of both worlds – and sure to be fun in the years to come. Congratulations again to this beautiful family. Please enjoy below a few of my favourite images – such a happy pair and a beautiful family! I bet it’s a busy house over there at the moment, but I’m also sure when it’s all going great there is double the joy! Maddie x

bekk and josh [topiaries at beaumont]

Posted on 20/01/2012 by maddie

My first wedding shoot for 2012 was on a warm summery January afternoon just a few weeks ago. With a late ceremony at 4pm, we were hoping for lots of sunshine and the weather certainly delivered. Everything ran perfectly for Bekk and Josh, a cute and happy couple in love. With the ceremony and reception held at Topiaries at Beaumont (in the Samford Valley), the bride and her girls prepared in the homestead’s beautiful rooms, cooling off by the fan (Marilyn Monroe style), before heading to the outdoor garden ceremony. After capturing their heartfelt vows and congratulatory hugs by family and friends, it was obvious to all that Bekk and Josh were definitely surrounded by many people who love them dearly.

We followed the ceremony with a relaxing walk to nearby properties for location photography in the afternoon breeze. The bridal party were a bunch of good mates and we certainly had some fun with their photos, amidst the old school style that this couple exude. Then we headed inside the gorgeous homestead for drinks and nibblies, and more fun relaxing in the grand lodge. It was almost as if we were transported to a Victorian homestead and there was a truly magical atmosphere in their first few hours as husband and wife. I think joy was the key emotion of the day and I wish them all the best for a marriage overflowing with it each day.

portrait of a lady [competition winner]

Posted on 19/12/2011 by maddie

A few months ago I ran a competition [with some other wonderful suppliers] for one lucky girl to win a styling, makeover and photoshoot package. We ran the competition not for any particular reason, but just because we are all women in business, who love what we do and who love supporting ventures that change and brighten the lives of others. We had many entries (all of whom were study graduates worthy of winning!) and our final random-draw winner was a sweet girl called Aimee.

Here is a glimpse into her fun shoot below – thank you Aimee for being so lovely! It was great to get to know you a little and discover your love of literature and writing. We all had fun with you and wish you all the best for your future! May your family enjoy these images for generations to come xx

If you like the look of this photoshoot for yourself or someone you know you can enquire about them here or keep an eye out at the end of each year for a competition just like this that you could win xx Many thanks to the following wonderful contributors for 2011: Fashion Styling and Consultation Rebecca Williams [stylist] // Hair Emma Hemsley Hairdressing // Props and Scene Juliette Hooper // Makeup Racheal Walas // Clothing – Aimee’s own and one-off pieces from Lisa at Atomic Martini Vintage // and a special thanks to Aimee’s doggy Sascha – very cute! xx