…letting your little sister hitch a ride when you’d rather be pedalling fast and fancy free.

And just because I could look at his sweet little face all day.

My SuperBoy

Whilst Jaedon is eager to get in and quick to get out, Alicia-Rae is reluctant to get in, and always a drag to remove – usually wrinkled and shivering, but ready for nice warm hugs.
Today she was in there for a good 20 minutes after Jaedon made his exit, making like a fish, a mermaid, an octopus, a princess… anything and everything that took her fancy. So, of course, I had to capture her and her various personalities.  I swear this one was born for the stage. She must get that from her daddy.  It certainly isn’t from me.

I chose this one as the picture of the day simply because it’s her butter wouldn’t melt in my mouth, and I can get away with anything I choose so long as I flash my baby blues whilst twirling my hair around my finger pose.  We know it well. And it usually works.

And just because she’s beautiful, and funny, and quirky, and cute, and sweet, and totally innocent, and because I just luuuuuuurve bath hair, here’s a few more.

Narrelle x

{ Melbourne Children’s Photographer }

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.

Narrelle x

{ Melbourne Portrait Photographer }

And when the puddles appear on her path, she doesn’t let them get in her way.
They don’t keep her from her destination.
She doesn’t side-step or curse them.
She turns them into opportunities.
She runs head first into them. And laughs.

She lives life, and she enjoys life.
And I want to be just like her when I grow up.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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*

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’:

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

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 }

Part one: I’d like to go for a drive, mummy.  (and let me add here that both Matt and I obviously still have a hint of English-isms influencing our accents.  If you could hear how he says Mummy, there’d be no way you could refuse what he was asking for. Even chocolate toast for breakfast.)
Reasonable request. Ok, sweetie. We can go for a drive.  Where would you like to go?

Part two: I’d like to go the beach please, mummy.  The beach?  I’m not sure where that one came from, but he said mummy again, in his beautifully sweet voice, so who was I to say no.  And the boy who doesn’t like to get dirty, or wet – and I’m seriously talking DOES. NOT. LIKE. to get dirty or wet – went and got his swimmers out, along with Alicia-Rae’s, and made sure I didn’t forget to pack them. We were going to the beach after all.  You know, the place with plenty of sand, and dirt, and water….

I thought maybe he’d forget, or realise the error of his ways as he slept, and dreamt of endless stretches of dirt and wet sand. But I woke to him standing at my side of the bed, whispering in my ear, Mummy… We’re going to the beach today, Mummy.  Joy.

For all his fussiness and compulsive neatness, we had an absolutely wonderful time.  It was as if he’d neatly tucked that side of himself away, deciding to simply be a boy, and do what boys {normally} do best.   I think we all forgot ourselves for a few hours, and just delighted in being. Together.
And even as I sit here, recalling the day, I can’t quite shake the magical joy it was. Nor do I want to. It’s tough being a parent sometimes (yes, I admitted it), and I wonder from time to time what it would feel like to be able to do what I want, when I want.  I have a vague recollection of what that was like.  But at that point in time I was exactly where I wanted to be, doing precisely what I wanted to. And needed to.  It’s nice to just be.  So, boy did I soak it up.
And what makes me extra joyful is I have that magical afternoon captured. Frozen forever.  Even since last night I’ve looked at the photographs at least a half dozen times. Feeling, remembering, smiling. Sighing. Breathing in, exhaling, and being thankful.  Thankful for my life right now. And thankful for my boy’s sudden and necessary desire to go to the beach.

And I absolutely adore the photos. I think it’s the first time I’ve felt absolutely compelled to do something with them.  I guess its a bit like the cobbler’s house here – we don’t actually have a lot of photography adorning our walls (aside from the fact that we can’t, as we’re renting while we build).  But I already have some of these earmarked for nice big canvases, and most likely an album.  It’s nice to feel like I’m on the client end of my photography. 

If you’d like to view the slideshow of our beautiful afternoon, I’d love for you to share in it.  Just click here.
But, of course, I’m still going to share some of my favourite shots with you now.  You didn’t think I wouldn’t, did you?

Narrelle x
{ Children’s Photographer Melbourne }

1. He trusts me. Implicitly.
2. His cheeky grin makes him look just like his daddy. Adorable.
3. He doesn’t just look, he sees. Right inside of me. He is incredibly perceptive.
4. He is faithful. Just like a puppy.
5. He is confident and independent.
6. He is goofy. And ever so loveable.
7. He is sincere. And open.
8. Innocent and pure.
9. Crazy. Happy. Joyful. Playful. Just plain fun to be around.

But mostly he just is. He is everything I would want in a child. In a son. Well, almost. If he ate his vegetables then he’d be perfect.