Family [brisbane family photography]

Posted on 07/06/2016 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 20/11/2015 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 25/09/2015 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

Bushwalking love [brisbane family photography]

Posted on 27/07/2014 by maddie

When I was in highschool I always loved writing, particularly story telling. And although it’s not words and letters as much these days, I love that for me, when I photograph families, I am STILL telling stories.

Instead of a pen and paper (or keyboard), it’s a camera. And instead of characters and plots, it’s you and your world. But it’s still the chance to write a story of a tale that exists – and to bring my eye and my creativity, wrapped around the story of your life. And that, brings me a happy heart.

Recently I followed this sweet family on a bushwalking adventure under the Glasshouse Mountains. It’s their favourite space and it’s what they do together every week. Their sweet little girl may just enjoy the ride today, but when she is old enough to ask to go, she’ll be able to see the fun they were having – from the very beginning. Bliss! Enjoy x

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

our happy places [brisbane family photography]

Posted on 28/05/2013 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

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!