Monthly Archives: April 2009

Did somebody say Macro?

That would be me. Macro. Macro. Macro. There, I said it again. Three times even. That’s because I love, love, love my new macro lens. Not that you can tell.

It rained today, and for once I was glad to see it. Now I know I should be welcoming the rain at every opportunity, as we need it so bad at the moment, but it’s not (generally) great for taking photographs in. And though I do confess to allowing our children to play in the rain most days (it’s only water, right) there’s only so much fun that can be had. That was until a brand spanking new bit of glass entered my life.
Somehow both the kids ended up napping at the same time today, which is a miracle because Jaedon just doesn’t nap anymore. So here’s me, taking advantage of the time and weather, running around our backyard with umbrella in one hand and camera in the other. Chasing raindrops.
It must be every macro photographer’s dream (or so it seems) to capture that *aaaaahhhh* perfect drop of water, where ever it may have landed. I have to confess though it’s nowhere as easy as I thought it would be. But for my first attempt at it I’m pretty happy. And of course I have a few to share. :)

I also found these little critters today, scurrying around inside a curled up leaf. I have no idea what they are, so please don’t tell me they’re something horrid, especially seeing as I’d have had no idea they were there otherwise.

And just a couple others that I’ve taken over the last couple of days, the first being some of Jaedon’s pencils (which I’m thinking would make a great canvas for his room…) and the other two of some roses I picked from our front yard.

I can easily see myself becoming addicted to this. It’s such a fun way to get creative. And it’s a great challenge attempting to capture something common from an uncommon point of view.
Stay tuned – I’m sure there’ll be more macro madness coming up. In fact – how about Macro Monday? Woohoo! Sounds like an idea to me. :)

Narrelle x
{ Melbourne Photographer }

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I miss those everyday moments

Call me crazy, but lately I’ve been missing the project I set myself last year, of taking a photograph a day of both of our children.  It was a lot of work, and I put a lot of pressure on myself to keep it up, but I miss capturing that daily glimpse into their lives.
I’ve been thinking of perhaps starting it up again. Not for a year this time (not from the outset anyway) and not religiously every day, but as close as I can to it.  It feels me with joy to see my kids faces fill the screen – to see their beautiful faces looking back at me as I load them up on to my pc. And to know that I’ll always have that small piece of them, and that brief memory, to treasure.  And it keeps that portion of my brain that lives and breathes photography active.
So you may just see some more pics of my tribe popping up – maybe just as a weekly highlight. We’ll see.  But for now, here are two from yesterday.  I even got a brief, albeit cheesy, smile from Jaedon.  That’s got to be worth remembering.

 

{ Kids Photography Melbourne }

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Was the Easter Bunny kind to you?

We had a lovely Easter weekend. Though I have to confess it had nothing to do with the Easter Bunny.  The checkout cashiers who had to deal with a frazzled mother and her two young children Saturday afternoon will testify to that.  :)
We love Easter.  If not for the chocolate, for the reminder of the hope we have and the promises we’ve been given as believers in Jesus. Let’s face it, regardless of what we are told or led to belive, that’s what Easter is about.
But we celebrate the reality, or significance, of Easter each day of the year so we don’t tend to make a big deal of the actual day itself.  This year our little family hopped in the car and went for a drive.  We drove for about 90 minutes to a beautiful country town that we’d last visited when our family was comprised of only Matt and I.  Seems like a lifetime ago.  I guess it was in a way.  It’s hard to fathom how our lives have changed since then, but when I stop and think about it a warm, contented smile spreads across my face. It was such a joy to revisit a memory of a time and place from a child’s perspective. It helped that there was a heritage railway running there, with trains leaving every half hour, giving little boys (and girls) plenty to be excited about. And there were cakes, and hot cross buns, and ducks, and lots of puddles to splash in, and space to run, a playground to explore, and just a lot of general fun to be had. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend the day, especially seeing as there was chocolate involved too.
As is my way, I took a large amount of photos to remember the day by. My husband, and children, are most likely longing for the day they can go somewhere and not feel they are being followed by the paparazzi. But I tell myself that they’ll be glad one day that I took so many photographs, when they are able to see how their lives unfolded before them in such extensive detail.  I hope it’s a gift they appreciate.  :)
As is also my style, I thought I’d share a few here.  Really I just want to show off my beautiful family, and I’ll take any opportunity I can.

Starting the day off in true style.  She devours chocolate just like me. I know exactly how she’s feeling in the last shot. I know that feeling well.

Here we are waiting for the special diesel train to pull into the station.  Daddy and Alicia-Rae are sharing a fun moment while Jaedon is off in his own little world.  He’s also like his mummy. I know that feeling well too.

AR trying to fill in time here, reading up on a bit of history about the Daylesford station.

A bit apprehensive – being a diesel it was a bit noiser than the trains she’s used to.

Jaedon watching the countryside go by. He’s good at that – and very content to just take it all in.

Back at the station watching the other trains come and go. He would sit like that for hours if we had hours to sit like that.

A brief pause during our walk around the Daylesford lake.  I love this photo. I think it will be making its way into a frame beside my side of the bed.

An abstract pattern of the reflections on the lake as we were walking by. 

Someone getting a bit tired… we know once the thumb goes into the mouth she’s thinking of heading off to the land of nod.

The best thing about weighing only just on 10kg is when you get tired there’s always a strapping young man around who’s willing to hoist you over his shoulder and do the hard work for you.  It’s certainly the life.

Thankyou for indulging my need to share.
I hope you all had a lovely weekend.

Narrelle x

{ Melbourne Family Photographer }

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Surf’s up, Dudes!

A couple of weeks ago one of our very good friends turned 40.  We figured he’d like to revisit his youth so our birthday present to him was a surfing lesson. Of course Matt had to keep him company – just to make sure his tired old knees didn’t give way, or something like that.   I think Matt’s just entering his youth, so I’m sure the present was just a perfect excuse to hang ten and have a gnarly time himself. Did I just say that?!
Two days ago the temperature was in the mid thirties. Yesterday it was in the mid teens, without the wind-chill factor.  I’m glad it was them, not me.  They seemed to have a great time though. And I guess you could say we had fun watching. At least our noses didn’t turn blue.

Here are the brave boys about to start their adventure

These two, which I just love, are of the guys getting some instructions before they head in and face the mighty surf


I love how Jaedon makes an appearance here, deperately wanting to be in on the action

And I forget how small he is until I see him in situations like this


And a few quick progression shots of Australia’s next surfing king


And I have to throw in a quick shot of Alicia-Rae, a) just because she’s gorgeous and I’m allowed to,  and b) because it gives a great perspective of the beach we were at.  It was so beautiful.  Add another 15 degrees or so and it would have been perfect.

{Melbourne Portrait Photographer}

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