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
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
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
I often get asked what the best age for baby portraits is, and while there is no ‘set’ age (it’s all cute to me!) I do find that the two most common ages to photograph babies are newborns and about six months of age. With newborns, it’s all about the freshness of your new little bundle – so tiny and new, so wanting for cuddles and a precious life story yet to be written. The other popular age is about six/eight months or when your baby can confidently sit up on their own. It’s when they are full of giggles and playfulness and their personality has really started to shine through. At this age they want to play and explore all the time and every new object or noise is amazing to their little minds. It’s such a joy to capture their ‘wonder’. With my own babies, this was one of my favourite stages – you’ve begun to understand your little ‘puzzle’ and life has settled to a point where you can really enjoy playing with your little person. It’s a fleeting time, and before you know it they have changed again, but this stage is truly one of life’s little blessings. I love it xx
