I went for a walk down the paddock today to check on how the little one was doing, and what should I find but….

Barely a few hours old, and this time its a little girl! Its not uncommon for us to have cows born within a few days of eachother, so it was anticipated, but still a lovely surprise.

She got up for her first very shaky steps, and sniffed out her new surroundings…

And then the others came over to see what all the fuss was about…

I have no doubt these two will be the best of friends…

The herd…

Now there’s another one to name, so keep those suggestions coming!!

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, some days are diamonds! I knew from the moment I met Alex & Ami that it would be a great day, but today just absolutely ROCKED!!

From the moment Ami donned her Maggie Sottero gown, she just glowed, literally. Ami is such a bright and bubbly young woman, that she just draws you in. Being around her is so infectious, you can’t help but smile. Combine this with Alex, who just so obviously adores his girl, and you have one knockout couple.

The ceremony was held at Latrobe Chapel, a refurbished church available for civil and religious ceremonies, much like the Broadway Chapel at Woolloongabba. Ami walked down the aisle to an instrumental version of “Butterfly Kisses”, which for me has sentimental value. Being the big girl that I am, I will admit to having to wipe away a tear from my eye down the back of the church.

Afterwards we headed down to Roma Street Parklands for part one of our formal shoot, stopping for a breather first to enjoy a few drinks, and the best nibblies spread I’ve seen put on by a bridal party in years! Alex and Ami are so natural together, always sneaking a kiss or a cuddle, so it wasn’t really like working!

Then we made our way to Cleveland Point, with some skillful driving down Old Cleveland Road while Poo hung out the window with a 200mm lens to snap some shots of the couple canoodling in the back seat! Hey, everything is fair game!!

Once we fought off two other bridal parties at the point for some more photos, we finally arrived back at the Old Courthouse Restaurant where we left the bridal party to relax with a few drinks. They’d earnt it!

Its a super sized serving of photo’s from today’s wedding. That’s what happens when you make it so darn easy for me to do my job!!

Today I had the fantastic experience of having lunch with some of the most seriously talented photographers that Brisbane has to offer. Honestly, their work blows me away, and I felt very humble in their presence.

We dined at A Night In India in Toowong. Now, I’m a self confessed curry-a-holic, and the food was just out of this world. If you like Indian food, you must put this restaurant on your list of places to eat. We all brought a sample of our work to share around, and it was awesome seeing so many beautiful albums. We talked, we laughed, we took videos I hope my Mum never gets to see - It was so refreshing to be able to spend time with other photographers who are genuinely interested in sharing their knowledge and experience, and inspiring others.

Big thanks to Deb Amsler for comandeering my camera and taking some great shots!

Ben…

Deb H…

Wilko…

Our generous host Rupinder (thankyou!!)…

Deb’s self portrait…

Steven…

Ian Wilkinson is going to be my wedding photographer. Now all I need is a groom!!

Then there was some serious fooling around…

Until we finally got our act together for the group shot…

Back row (left to right): Ian Wilkinson, Steven Thomas, Rupinder, Juanita Broderick, & Marcus Bell

Front row (left to right): Peter Williams, Deb Amsler, Deb Halls, Me, & Ben Clark.

Thankyou all for a great afternoon!!

We had a new addition to our family yesterday, sometime between breakfast and lunch time. On the farm, “going to see the baby” has an entirely different meaning…

Both Mum and baby boy are doing well. This was such a surprise for us, as we had no idea she was even pregnant! Now we just have to choose a name. More on that later…

It’s no secret that I am the biggest fan of Toula from Beautiful Images & Mint Haircutters. Her bridal hair and make-up is just superb. Toula also has her own salon at Holland Park and yesterday I stopped in to see the girls for a quick haircut. What began as a simple enough haircut became a full blown make-over! I had the best time being treated like a princess which is what these girls do best! So this morning, I had Poo take some pictures of my fabulous new “do” that I might use on my real website…

So to celebrate the recent addition to our family, and my new look, I’m running a little competition. The first 5 people who leave a comment as to what we should name our new calf will receive a $10 gift voucher to use at Toula’s salon for their next haircut. As I’ve said before, its worth it just for the reclining massage chairs!!!

Back in 1988, I visted Expo with my family. There in the Japanese pavillion we met a guy called Tom. Tom was over representing his local government for the duration of Expo, and had put up a sign looking to have a genuine Aussie homestay. We got talking, and the rest is history!

Fast forward to the mid-nineties, and Tom and his family came to live in Australia on a work assignment for a couple of years. It was then that we were introduced to the rest of his family - his wife Hiroko, and his children Nozomi and Shuya. Since then both Tom and Nozomi have returned to visit Australia a couple of times, and it is always lovely to catch up with them.

It is so hard to believe that the little 10 year old girl I knew is now a 22 year old woman. It makes you realise how much time flies, and how I’m not getting any younger! Nozomi is out here with a friend from Uni, and wanted to have a genuine Aussie photo shoot, by a genuine Aussie photographer! I know her Dad reads the blog reguarly, and leaves some comments from time to time, so hopefully he’ll be pleasantly suprised to see his daughter!

Today Mum, Poo and I took a trip up to Ningi to visit my godfather (Uncle Rob), and a mutual friend of ours who is over from Japan. It was great to see Nozomi again, considering I hadn’t seen her since she was a teenager, and before that she was only 10 years old!

Uncle Rob’s boys Konrad & Glenn came along as well. I grew up with these two, playing in the yard as youngsters with them and my sisters. Glenn and his wife Trish have the most beautiful 5 month old baby boy called Xander, and he really made me glad I’d brought my camera with me!

How could anyone possibly resist these baby blues…

The reflective Xander…

Like father, like son…

With Grandpa…

Then I made everyone go out into the backyard for some informal portraits. They were nice to humour me and oblige!! Thanks guys!

Konrad & Jeanene…

Glenn & Trish…

Trish and Glenn also have a daughter called Jade, who could easily be a model in her own right! I can see myself in a few years time shooting a portfolio for her! Here she is playing big sis…

And the whole family…

More from Nozomi’s shoot tomorrow!

About a month ago, this little gem made its way across my desk. There was some debate within the community as to whether this was real, or had been set up. It was evenutally revealed that is was indeed fake, but the thing is, its really not that far-fetched. I’ve seen a lot of brides “on-edge” over the years, so it wasn’t that hard for me to imagine one just snapping like this.

So enjoy it for what it is, entertainment, but all future brides remember whatever happens on the day, it can’t be this bad!!

Its been a couple of months in planning, and a few days of packing, but today it finally culminated in making the big move. Those who know me have been following my moving plans for some time now, and it’s so nice to actually be happening! It’s good to be home!

Poo stayed over at my place so we could get up early and do some last minute packing before the movers arrived. We ended up getting up at 5.15am, because neither of us could sleep. Poo wasn’t use to suburban traffic noise, and I think I was too excited to get a good nights rest.

Patrick & Carlos from MiniMovers arrived at 7am, and their first order of the day was to get my entertainment unit down the stairs and into the truck. The last time I moved this thing the guy swore it weighed 200kg, so it was certainly no mean feat!! These guys were unbelievable, and I thoroughly recommend having professionals come in to help you move. Poo and I helped, but there are just some things that are too hard, and quite honestly that you just can’t be bothered moving yourself, and Patrick & Carlos made it look like a walk in the park.

For what we had to move, it didn’t take long, and by 9am we were on the road, and were home and unpacked by 11am. Now the hardest task is finding a place to put everything, which will come in time, but for now I have a place to sleep, and a place to work, and that’s all I need for the moment.

The “beast” going into the truck in the city…

And coming out in the country…

Carlos, Patrick and I showing off our “guns”…

So what does this move mean for my clients? Not a great deal, if anything, will change. I have always operated a “mobile” service, travelling to see clients for consultations, meetings, and to deliver albums etc, which will not change. Album design is mostly taking place on-line now, which is receiving great feedback, allowing clients to review their album plans and submit changes at their own leisure. All of my current contact details will also remain the same!

I’m looking forward to a good nights sleep, but I’m not looking forward to the way my body is going to feel tomorrow!!!

What a cute couple!! I left today’s wedding feeling warm and fuzzy, because Robert & Naomi are such a cute young couple, so well suited, and such genuine people. Not to mention Naomi’s smile that just lights up the camera!

It was fun and games at Naomi’s house when we arrived. There was signing of underpants (don’t ask!) and makeup chicks who kept us entertained with some crazy stories. Naomi was not one little bit nervous. They say a bride is radiant on her wedding day, well it was definately true in this case!

Over at the Virginia Golf Club, Rob was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his groomsmen who were a tad late. But the ceremony went off without a hitch, and then it was time to hit the golf course! There was a little…ok a lot of tomfoolery with the boys wizzing around in the golf buggys, and a (albeit very small) collision (just don’t tell the management!!). There was a competition being played at the same time, which led to an odd moment as we quickly had Rob & Naomi in a sand bunker and a ball must of come our way, because it came to rest literally under the train of Naomi’s dress!

Then it was time to head back to the clubhouse to leave the guys to enjoy their reception. The whole bridal party were such characters and really made for a great afternoon!

And some of the behind the scenes action….

Poo getting Naomi’s washing in…(hey all you have to do is ask!!)…

This cat was hanging out at Naomi’s house, totally oblivious to what was going on…

And one with yours truly…

The drama, the tension, the excitement! Today was like a really good one-day cricket match - it had everything!

We met up with Lindsey at the Carlton Crest, and she was the perfect calm, and collected bride. (Although I was told she’d been quite emotional throughout the day!!). Both Jason & Lindsey had no attendants today, so at the hotel it was just Lindsey “hanging out” with her family, and her closest friends. It really made for a good stress-free atmosphere as I always love working with a carefree bride!

Fast forward to Jason over at Roma St Parklands, waiting for his bride, and the scene couldn’t have been more different. To say Jason was nervous would be an understatement! Grooms don’t usually give too much away, so I have a soft spot for nervous grooms, because to me it really conveys the emotion of what he is feeling at that time. As much as you feel for them, it really is very sweet. I promised Jason that as soon as Lindsey was standing next to him the nerves would be gone, and he later said that was exactly what happened!

The ceremony was eventful to say the least, with two guests fainting due to the heat. They were seen to and taken care of immediately, and as they say, the show must go on. As long as my bride was still standing, we had a job to do! We went on a quick trip through the parklands for the formal shoot before heading over to the Ale House at the XXXX brewery for the reception. Where else will you get the opportunity for me to stand in the middle of busy Milton Road and get shots of the couple in front of a brewery??

All in all it was a most enjoyable day, and we had a great time being a part of it!

And a special shout out goes to my January 6 couple Steve & Melita. Thanks for the referal!!