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

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

people stories [brisbane party photography]

Posted on 06/07/2012 by maddie

You may have heard through the grapevine, that I won’t be taking any new wedding bookings. Yes it’s true. It was a big decision for me (and sad too – I adore weddings!) but I felt that to go to the next level of growth it was time I needed to choose to either shoot only-weddings or let them go. As much as I want to be able to do it all (and have a young family!) it was time to refocus. So after some deliberation, I have decided to opt out of shooting weddings stories. Sad, but a good choice for my work life balance for 2013. And thankfully, many of the lovely brisbane couples getting married, will also have babies, parties and creative business ventures, so I may be able to meet them anyway!

I still have more weddings to shoot this year which I am very excited about – so you’ll definitely see some of those on the blog soon! But that aside, those who know me well, know that I adore celebrations. So to satisfy my love of a good party, I now have a special package for personal party photography – to capture the story of an event – the atmosphere, the details, the fun (from $400). With all the amazing party ideas on the web these days, more and more people are creating wonderful, unique events and the details and fun times there also deserve to be remembered! So if you’re throwing a party sometime soon – I’d love an invitation to capture the fun! Here is a few shots from a recent first birthday party – good times and one very creative mummy! Have a great weekend! Maddie

etta photography

Tag Archives: portrait photography