The Seasons Change [keep smiling]

Posted on November 27, 2019 by maddie

It’s that time of year…all the graduations… so many happening in primary school, highschool and beyond. These girls have enjoyed many years together as friends at school and are graduating from Year 6. It’s a big change, you’re leaving behind childhood and starting on the road to becoming an adult. You could say it will no doubt be a little like a rollercoaster – full of a few lows and some awesome highs. One of their mums decided to treat them to a little “friendventure” to celebrate the end of an era – a trip to the showground and a photographer to capture it all! It was loads of fun (for them and me!). What a gorgeous memory to treasure for the years to come. Life is full of sweet, you just have to chase it x

Our Darling & Us [Family Portraits]

Posted on May 25, 2017 by maddie

Gosh I love meeting new families. There is something so delightful about the journey of life – welcoming little people and savouring how they add to your world as they grow! It’s a joy to meet people for the first time and so quickly be able to see into their world and capture something they can enjoy forever. For all the hard work it can be as a parent, nothing can match the joy of a giggle or sparkle in their eyes when you are together xx This cute little family are friends of one of my lovely long term clients and we had a wonderful morning together! Sweet bliss xx

Family [brisbane family photography]

Posted on June 7, 2016 by maddie

In August 2012 I photographed a gorgeous maternity session in a pretty field, where I met a beautiful couple who were expecting their first baby. The sun was shining, they were excited and within a month or so I was given the chance to photograph their new baby girl under the shade of the spring Jacaranda blooms. Since then, I’ve watched their little girl grow, with mini sessions every year or so (super sweet!) and now in 2016 an outdoor family maternity session in January, followed by a session at home with their new baby boy, just a few weeks ago – divine!

Spending time with them highlighted just how fast young families grow and change. My personal favourite mummy quote when my kids were little was ‘the days are long but the years are short’ [Gretchin Rubin]. As I pondered my gratitude attitude back then, I appreciated the words personally from within one of those young family stories. And now as my kids have grown (my baby is five already!) when you get to watch a young family from afar it is even more obvious how quickly they change! It’s truly a privilege to share in the story of family beginnings and an honour to see my clients cherish their little ones. I know these two little darlings will bring their parents loads of joy! Have a beautiful weekend! Maddie xx

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The Darlings #01

Posted on November 20, 2015 by maddie

As any creative knows, when your business is birthed from an original hobby, it’s important to keep your passion fresh. Thankfully, the majority of my work is in line with my love of family, fun and creativity so I don’t have to reignite it often. But every now and then I get an idea and if I can’t incorporate it into one of my client’s sessions, it sits with me until I bring it to pass. This project “The Darlings” is one of those ideas.. it’s all about the beauty of friendships, a big bunch of girls, fun things they love, pretty hair and dresses, and sunlight in the garden to backdrop it all. My limitations for the sessions were one location per session, only 30-60 minutes to shoot group shots and a portrait each with a limited number of props and inclusions. They say you’re crazy to work with kids and animals, but I think it’s one of the best combos out there! Each of the girls involved will receive a beautiful portrait of their own to keep forever. I’m thinking I’ll do more of these in the future, we had such a blast together. I met over 50 gorgeous girls in three different sessions and each one was as beautiful as the next! Over the next three days I’ll showcase each session. This is the first. Enjoy! x

River [brisbane newborn photography]

Posted on September 25, 2015 by maddie

I’ve heard it said…that the name River… implies that the recipient of that name will lead an adventurous life… will pave their own way…will carve new paths… and push against the common, foraging into new ground. What a glorious honour…and what a grand dream for a new babe.

I truly love meeting new parents with their little bundles – there is something wonderful about your firstborn, the massive learning curve that is enveloped by your heart that has grown in an instant.

It was a pleasure to get to know this loving, creative family as they welcomed their new little man last month. Enjoy x

Let’s explore! [family photography]

Posted on April 2, 2015 by maddie

It’s been a little drizzly in South East Qld this week (poor long weekend campers!) but hopefully the next few days will bring more weather like the skies at this gorgeous session from a few weeks ago. There is something quite magical about being by the sea. My own little family has a favourite past-time of heading to the nearest river, seaside or ocean to relax and explore. No goal in mind but to walk, talk, breath the fresh air and see what gems of nature we find. From toddlers to teens (and the parents too) it’s nice to get away from the hustle and bustle, leave the technology in the car and get your toes a little dirty. The outdoors have a wonderful way of soothing the tiredest and grumpiest of hearts. Hope you have an amazing weekend! Maddie xx

Beach fun! [family photography]

Posted on September 4, 2014 by maddie

Family portraits are fascinating. If you never have them done, you’ll probably never know what you are missing. You might see other peoples photos and think they are nice but that it’s probably not for you. And that’s okay, cause you’ll never know. You see, they are something that become valuable only AFTER they’ve been taken. And that’s a privilege I don’t take for granted (and that makes my work so fun!). It’s like I’m treasure hunting on behalf of you. To capture what you don’t see when you’re just hanging out together. I’ve had many families tell me how much they adore their images and how they love to see them around their home in the midst of a busy life. And when I think about it, I guess that’s my main goal at all family sessions – to create images that sooth your soul, that take you back to that happy place that is your family at it’s best. I love it! Today’s feature is a sweet crew who were visiting the Gold Coast from Tasmania this month on their annual holiday (mum is also the talented creator of Mooi Handmade). We began our session with a little walk and scooter ride followed by sandcastles and fun at the beach. Coastal bliss at it’s best. Enjoy!

Family traditions [brisbane family photography]

Posted on May 27, 2014 by maddie

Here is a collection from a recent family adventure in the park – cool weather perfection! I love this time of year x

Recently, some family session planning with clients had me thinking about the importance of traditions – how they don’t have to be fancy – and how you generally need to book them in CONSCIOUSLY to make them happen! They are the magical glue that hold you together and creates a sense of belonging… no matter how small or large your family is. So I thought I’d share some easy and relatively free ways to have fun with your children over and over (some of which I do with my sweet crew!). Let me know your traditions if you have one? Or if not – invent one (or steal one from below) and go have fun with your little people.. make magic! xxx Maddie

Catch the train into the museum or art gallery every turn of spring > read books in the sunshine every saturday morning > have a sandcastle competition on New Years Day > hide 50 fun notes/encouragements around the house to find over the summer months > climb onto the roof and star gaze the night before each other’s birthday > have Friday night pizza night and say one great thing that happened this week for every piece you eat > keep lego only for the holidays and create mass villages and constructions > have the parents tell a ‘when I was a kid…’ adventure story over breakfast each Sunday morning > play board games on thursday nights and make home made popcorn with crazy flavours > say good morning the first time you see each other and kiss each others forehead > take a simple camping trip every year in spring to a favourite location > have toasted sandwiches and a movie every sunday afternoon > have mexican monday every week > sing in the car on the way to nanna’s > talk about your day in accents while you wash the dishes…the list goes on, be creative! 🙂

a lovely wonderland [brisbane family photography]

Posted on March 1, 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

our happy places [brisbane family photography]

Posted on May 28, 2013 by maddie

The thing that I love most about lifestyle family portraits, is that there are no rules. You can make your session as simple or creative as you like. You get to wear the things you love (whether thats jeans & T’s or something quirky or extravagant). You can have your session in a place you adore (perhaps that’s your wonderful home or maybe somewhere that you’ve been hoping to visit together for months). You get to do the things you love to do together (from pancakes at your kitchen bench for breaky, to visiting the organic markets, to an adventure at a sideshow alley). YOU get to choose. And you get to have a great time as a little family where the focus is only on having a fun together. It doesn’t matter if it’s just a mum and daughter, or parents with a wild big brood of kids, whatever your story is, that’s what I want to discover. It’s about you, being you.

This sweet family desired to have their saturday morning family tradition captured. When they are all up and dressed, they head off for a walk together to their local reserve. They explore and have fun. They watch the ducks swim and find cool sticks and rocks to play games with. They laugh and giggle together. Then they finish their stroll with babycinos and coffees at their favourite local cafe. It’s sweet, pure fun at it’s simplist. It’s a story that is theirs, memories that will remind these parents of the time when their little ones were young. And as the years pass, they can share these beautiful moments with their children – showing them the very beginnings of their family traditions. It’s family. It’s good fun. I love it x Maddie