“LIFE ISN’T A MATTER OF MILESTONES, BUT OF MOMENTS."

~ Rose Kennedy

WHEN WE LOOK BACK AT PICTURES OF OUR LIVES,

WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT HOLD OUR ATTENTION,

OR EVEN MORE EARNESTLY, HOLD OUR HEART?

I often wonder how much of the life I’ve already lived I only remember because of the photos that show me what it was like?

Maybe it’s because I’m a photographer, or maybe it’s because I am a staunch sentimentalist (and I honestly don’t know which one came first), but one of my favourite past times is looking over old photographs. But not to look back at the hilarious hair styles, questionable clothing choices or awkward poses.

I love seeing life as it was - what by room looked like when it was shared by me and my two brothers, the actual size and shape of the pillow palaces we built (that totally felt like mansions in our minds), dinner time with the special bowl and plate set that was fought over by all the siblings. Small moments, but they certainly hold big memories.

There are so many little moments that sum up your life in this current season, that tell the story of who you are and who you’re living life with. Moments that you realise you want to hold onto as memories forever, because they all to quickly they slip away, as the days pass into weeks, into months, into years…

I am a LIFE photographer.

Not a lifestyle photographer.

I’ve come to believe that the real beauty in life isn’t found in perfect poses, co-ordinated closets or tidy backdrops — it’s in the everydayness of your real lived-in life.

I know there is toothpaste sprayed over the bathroom mirror. I know you’ve asked your child to put their shoes on for the bazillionth time. I know there are snack wrappers stuffed down the side of the couch cushions. I know that it’s hard to remember if that basket of laundry on top of the washing machine has already been done or if it’s still dirty.

But I also know that means there are giggles in amongst the bath bubbles, little piggies that love running free across the backyard, supplies of snacks that calm the hangriest of mini (and older moody) monsters, and most likely a favourite t-shirt needing to be prised off the back of it’s proud wearer for a much needed wash.

Life doesn’t need to look perfect to be perfect - and sometimes all it takes is a perspective shift for us to realise that everything that is actually prized and precious is the real life we have going on in front of us, with the people who are the more precious to us.

There is magic to be found in the mundane, and richness and beauty woven into the regular rhythms and routines of your day to day.

Precious connections are made in the places and spaces where you do life with those you love.

WHAT HAS

MY LIVED-IN LIFE

TAUGHT ME?

I’m a middle-aged mum in her tween/teen parenting era - which means my grey hairs are coming in, and my three babies are growing up, WAY quicker than I am comfortable with! I know first hand the heart-aching heaviness of how time races on.

And it’s why I am so taken by taking pictures of real life, as it happens and before it moves on to the next stage too soon. We never get sick of looking over old photographs of life as we’ve lived it so far. Not just the posed portraits or grainy selfies, but the pics of life just as it was: how their cot and bunk bed were squeezed into our little unit bedroom, the weekly pillow-forts taking over the living room, the chaos of the craft corner, the colourful and eclectic clothing choices, and the copious amounts of cuddle pile-ons.

Small moments, but they certainly hold big, precious memories.

And it’s why I want nothing more than to capture these moments of your own lived-in life for you!

A BIT MORE ABOUT ME

~ I’m wife to the chillest, most selfless and patient man who is beyond a doubt my biggest supporter and encourager , the love of my life - and yet I’m still stupid enough to get annoyed at him for stacking the saucepans in the cupboard in the wrong order.
~ I’m mum to 3 of the best kids I know, currently in my tween/teen parenting era - think getting called ‘brah’ multiple times a day, being more likely to get a dab up than a hug on their way out the front door and them being tall enough (and kind enough) to notice and point out all my new grey hairs.
~ I have degrees in both fine arts and early childhood education - which has seen me swing between capturing breath-taking images of little loved ones, and curating seriously over-constructed and complicated playgroup and preschool crafts.
~ I have lived on the Northern Beaches for 20 years, which sounds like a long time but since it seems like every second person you meet has lived here their whole life, I still sometimes feel like I’m just a visitor.
~ I NEED vitamin D and vitamin SEA to survive - dogs, coffee and deep convos with friends help too.
~ I’m a sucker for (and hogger of) fresh baby snuggles. Be warned that I am very likely to end up with your little one in my arms at some point during our session together - with your permission of course.
~ I have a real desire for people to feel seen, known and valued, and I’m always ready to dive in to the real life stuff. Don’t get me wrong, I can chit chat with the best of them, but for me rich connection comes from deep listening and curious questioning. Expect the conversation during our time together to cover a whole range of topics from ‘what’s your go-to breakfast order?’ to ‘what have you found the most challenging thing about having a family?’
~ I need to create like I need fresh air and sunlight. When I’m not creating, things feel a little stale, dull and soulless. When I am regularly immersed in creativity - mine or others - its like a breathe of life-giving fresh air.