Tag Archives: baby

NEWBORN JOY | CHLOE

Yesterday I had the joy of photographing sweet little Chloe, a seven week-old baby doll. At seven weeks of age Little Miss Chloe still weighs less than Alicia-Rae did when she was born.  Before you go thinking Alicia-Rae came in to the world ready to contend the heavy-weight title for newborns, she was actually spot on ‘average’, at 7lb 5oz.  Chloe was simply a beautiful little peanut, who was in a hurry to meet her mummy and daddy, weighing just over 4lb when she arrived.  She’s doing so well now, even treating her mummy and daddy to 5 hour stretches of sleep overnight.  They’ve gotta love that.

Chloe was fast asleep when she arrived, the hot weather here having a natural calming effect on her.  But, like most babies her age, she was busy sorting out her sleeping routine and thought it would be more fun to be awake for the session.  But that’s ok.  I love capturing the wide-eyed innocence of newborns, the eyes that don’t quite focus and so appear to be looking at you both intently and softly at the same time. And I love the interaction between mummy and baby, and daddy as well if he’s keen to join in.  I actually think I’m more in my element when baby chooses not to sleep, which is just as well given my run of late.

And yesterday I had the joy of seeing a beautiful baby doll who was adored beyond doubt by her parents.  Their faces lit up with each movement, each smile. They doted. They coo-ed. They loved. I watched, and I smiled at the wonder of new life and how it touches those around it.  I marvelled at these third-time parents and how it was just like the first time for them. The newness had in no way become old, and it was beautiful.

Thank you Lisa and Troy for the honour of photographing your precious little girl.  It was a pure delight.

All this laying down and being adored is so tiring…

And I just adore this one, how Chloe’s face is tilted up searching for her mummy, making that sweet connection.

Narrelle x

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COMFORT

When she’s tired, when she’s sad, when she simply needs time out, she knows I’ll always be there for her – whether she needs hugs, or her own space. I can give her either. But more often that not, it’s just space she needs, and time to herself. A few moments out to find comfort from her best friend – her thumb. It’s always there for her, and very close at hand (so to speak :) ).  And as much as I dread the thought of having an eight, nine, ten year old that still sucks her thumb, I’m reluctant to wean her off it.  I guess she’ll do it in her own time.  And in the meantime it’s my comfort too. It means she’s still just a little girl. A baby. My baby.  Maybe neither of us are ready to give it up just yet.

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Me, and facelifts.

If I have one pet peeve, one that’s bound to push me to the limits faster than the rest of my pet peeves put together, it’s people telling me I look tired.  I think it’s a given most days, with young children, that I’m going to look a little worn out around the edges.  But if I’m that tired, physically, that it’s etched itself into the lines of my face for everyone to see, I’d be pretty sure that I’m already aware of the fact.  I don’t need random strangers bringing it to my attention, as if I need to be made aware of just how little sleep I had the night before, or how cranky I’m feeling.  And if, by chance, I’m not actually feeling tired the surest way to change that is tell me I look tired. It’s like letting the air out of a balloon – buoyant to flat in two sharp seconds. Pfffffftttttttttttt. Thud.

I confess that my attitude on any given day is ruled by whether I’m having a good hair day or a bad hair day. Or just how black the bags are under my eyes.  If I feel good about how I look, then my day generally gets off to a good start.  I’ve always stated that if I were to have one plastic surgery procedure done it would be an eye-lift, and whatever it does that smooths out the permanent pouches.  If they were that bad. Which they’re not.  Point is if they ever got that bad that looking at them every morning would cloud my mood then I would do something about it.  I’m all for feeling good about myself.

That leads me to the real reason for this post. Well the other real reason, now that I have that confession off my chest.  I’ve been organising a facelift, of sorts.  Not for me, physically, but for my business.  It’s a bit like my baggy eye phobia.  I’ve been looking at my blogsite, and my logo, and marketing materials etc lately and they haven’t been exciting me.  In a way they make me feel tired. Not because I am tired but because the image of how I think I should look and how I actually do look don’t quite match. Still with me? I feel fresh, and vibrant, and joyful, but then I look at myself (my ’stuff’) and I don’t quite feel it.  It affects my mood and how I run my business.  So I’m doing something about it.  I’m removing those bags, and getting myself a facelift. 

I’m not quite ready to reveal myself just yet, there’s a couple of nips and tucks to be done. But not many.  And I don’t even have any bruising.  I’m tellin ya – I got myself a pretty good ’surgeon’ and she’s done an awesome job!  But one day soon you’ll pop around to see me and won’t quite recognise me.  I’ll be the same, but different.  Better. Fresher. And more like the real me.  I can’t wait for you to see.

And whilst I didn’t take this photograph for this purpose, it speaks to me of where I’m currently at. Good times ahead.

Good times ahead

Narrelle x

{ Melbourne Portrait Photographer }

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Nicola & Amalia: Christened

The brief I was given requested a collection of photographs, recording the story of the day. Their day. Their daughters’ Christening.
I was to capture those unposed moments, the smiles, and the tears (there were just a few of those), preferably in black and white. They left that to my discretion though, trusting that I would judge what suited each image best.
It sounded like just the kind of day I’d enjoy. And I did.

I’d not met Vicki prior to the christening service, but I knew she’d be wearing purple and standing at the front of the church with her three daughters – the twins, which were being christened, and their slightly older sister.  In the back of my mind I half expected a slightly frazzled woman attempting to keep everyone and everything together.  I know what young children are like at events like this.  But she was graceful, and calm, and beautiful. And everything was completely under control.  I certainly take my hat off to her.
So I got to work, by standing at the back of the church and capturing some of those candid, unposed moments we were after. And because she was so graceful, calm, and beautiful, I had to start with Vicki.

Portrait Photographer Melbourne

It was certainly easy to hang back and get some lovely candid shots – I just had my new lens delivered that week, which was made for this purpose.  It stayed on my camera for 90% of the christening (just for you folk that love to ask what gear I’m using…).  It’s not the best lens if you’re trying to be inconspicuous though.  I may as well go the whole way and paint it bright orange and really get myself noticed.
Anyway, back to the important stuff. The photos.
I also love this one – a brief pause, together as family.

Christening Photographer

It was obvious that mum and dad have a lot of love and respect for one another, and I see that, and their ability to connect, in this image.
And this one below reminds me of the pride Savva had in his girls, all four of them.

Melbourne Christening Photographer - NJOYTHEMOMENT

I ended up capturing a lot of the photos in black and white, as it suited the mood just beautifully, but it was such a gorgeous church that I had to leave some of them in colour, including the next couple, of the two godparents (who also looked like they were enjoying themselves).

Christening Photography

Melbourne Christening Photography

The Proud Parents, after the service was over.  And I have to say here that I really hope these aren’t the same daughter – even after all the hours editing the shots I’m still having trouble telling them apart. *blush*

Melbourne Christening Photographer

The reception was also a blast. I had so much fun capturing the fun that everyone else was having. And sneaking bits of food in, after the kitchen was kind enough to make up a plate for me.  Gimme a plate full of dips and bread and I’m a happy girl.  :)
The girls were definately centre stage, and I loved sneaking around and getting moments like this ‘on film’:

Chirstening Photography Melbourne

And, of course, gotta love me some fun-lovin dancin shots to end up on.  These guys certainly knew how to party.

Chirstening Photographer Melbourne

What a beautiful day it was.  Thank you so much Vicki and Savva for having me document the day for you.  It really was a pleasure to spend time with you and your beautiful family.  And you were right, Vicki – they did cry nearly the whole way through the service, didn’t they.  ;)

And just for a bit of viewing pleasure, below is a short slideshow put together from the day.  It’ll take a minute or so to load.

Narrelle x
{ Christening Photography, Melbourne }

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Sneaky Peek | Baby Liam

He made me work nice and hard this one.  I personally think he knows a good thing when he’s got it, and was enjoying all the extra cuddles.  I can hardly blame him for protesting every time we tried to put him down and sneak the nice, warm blankie off him. I’d have been the same. But what’s great about these bubs that don’t do quite what we expect them to is they keep me on my toes.  And I get to capture them as they are, which I just love – it really is at the heart of my photography.  As much as I love the posed, sleepy, deep breath *sigh* inducing photographs of newborns, and as much as I will aim to capture some of these each session, it just doesn’t always work.  Baby rules the roost as far as these sessions go, and I simply follow their lead.  Happily.

What I love about this session was the connection between little Liam and his mummy and daddy.  I adored watching him search them out, and engage with them.  I love how laid back they all were, and how comfortable and natural they were as a new family of four. And I felt grateful to be able to record a brief moment in their lives, as they were.  As I look through the images from the day I know that’s what they reflect.  And that makes me happy.

Thank you so much, Natasha and Andrew for having me over.  It really was a pleasure to spend time with you all – you have a beautiful family. And you would seriously have to be amongst  the most relaxed and calm people I know (which comes in handy when I get thrown out by roadworks on the way and end up running half an hour late…. please tell me you weren’t stressing in secret…  :) )  Here’s a few of my favourites so far.  I just love the first shot – I wish I had one like this with my own children.

Melbourne Newborn Photographer

Newborn Photography Melbourne

And don’t you just love these little feet.  I just wanna munch on them!  :)

Melbourne Newborn Photography

Newborn Photography

Newborn Photography Melbourne

I hope he slept well after I left, guys.  It would be pretty typical.  ;)

Narrelle. x
{ Newborn Photography Melbourne }

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