family photography melbourne - the turgoose family

Way back when I was shooting maternity and newborn sessions in my bedroom retreat at home, I met Amanda. She came in for her maternity session and I swear I’ve never seen a more perfect bump! It was the perfect shape and her skin was so silky smooth. Is this getting creepy? ha! I was just all heart eyes <3

Fast forward 6 years and here she is again with no bump, but a beautiful family of four. We chatted about being in isolation (due to covid-19), home schooling and how our kids have been driving us up the wall, but watching Amanda with her family was priceless. You can just tell that everything she does, she does for them <3

melbourne family photography - inner west melbourne - blended families

I first met Natalie at my gym (best gym EVER!) and as we got to chatting we discovered we had a few things in common. We both live in the same estate - literally streets away, our kids go to the same school and we are both photographers. So with Nat being a photographer herself, the pressure was on! It can easily become tricky when you work with someone who is in the same industry and you have to deliver something that they 1. might pull apart and fully criticise or 2. adore and have full gratitude for. This is why I like to have some form of communication with clients before booking in - it puts us both at ease as you get to see first hand how awesome I am and neither of us has to stress ;)

The session couldn’t have been more perfect. Everyone was so chilled and engaged that it was laughter and smiles a-plenty <3

Nat is not ‘just’ a photographer, she’s a Supermamma - a teacher and blogger too! In her blog, she shares her stories that are full of heartfelt and raw emotions, having come out of a divorce as well as moving on, into a new ‘blended’ family that is better than ever. It’s so worth a read. This one in particular really hit me, knowing how I have been judgemental myself in the past and the affect that this can actually have on people on the receiving end. Seriously, go have a read!

It was so touching to see Natalie with her family, simply enjoying being in each others’ company. This is why I do what I do. I get to be witness to such stellar families as this one <3

melbourne family photography - school holidays - camping - grampians

We’ve been camping at Halls Gap in the Grampians for a few years. The first time we went, I fell so much in love with Fish Falls and all the waterfalls there. There’s something that nature does to me. I love the calm and the peace and the beauty, so much beauty, everywhere you look. So after the first time, I kept wanting to go back to enjoy it all, all over again. I just can’t get sick of it.

This time it was quite hot on the days we were there and all the kids wanted to do was go in the pool at the campsite but I was determined to get to at least one waterfall before having to head back home. I’m so glad I persuaded the kids to come because even though the flies were a bit of a buzz kill on the way there, once we finally reached that sweet sound of crashing water - heaven!! The view is spectacular and you could definitely get lost in it for ages. But really, it’s all about the feeling you get when you’re in nature. There’s nothing like it and I’m appreciating it more and more as I get older and want my kids to not only remember this feeling, but experience it throughout their whole lives and never lose it. So special <3

melbourne family photography - brighton - in home family photography

It took a while for this session to happen. So many things that kept us apart but thankfully, we persevered because I couldn’t be happier with how it all panned out in the end.

What a gorgeous family. I mean, the boys were so sweet, patient and just genuinely happy to be in each other’s company. It’s odd to me when I see siblings like that because I grew up fighting constantly with my siblings and my children are the same ha!

Melanie and Chris were so chilled and I could see where the kids get their gentle nature from. Grandma was also there to join in before having to head back to England that afternoon. She doted on her grandsons without being in their face and all over them. It was perfect.

Their Brighton home was full of charm. I was instantly attracted to the windows in the front and so the session mostly happened in their front yard before we headed to the backyard for some fun and games.

It made my heart all warm and fuzzy when I left, knowing that they shared this time together, especially with Grandma who they all obviously adore!

Melanie is the creative genius behind Pocket Moon Peg Dolls. I was lucky enough to see them up close and personal. The time and effort put into these little dolls is obvious in the impeccable detail - the dress detail on the bride, WOW!!! She’s currently taking some time off during covid-19 restrictions but please be sure to check her out. I have my eye on a few that I’ll be puchasing when this is all over too <3

Thanks Melanie and fam for being so patient while we got your session finally happening, I hope you feel the same way I do about it <3

melbourne family photography - inner west - in home photography

Jody is the most straight forward, honest person I know. She tells it like it is. No bs. I love that about her. She is also the hardest working mother. She puts her kids first. Always. I know we all do but man, she goes above and beyond. Our kids have been growing up together. We’ve known each other since our eldest boys were in kinder and now both our youngest children have completed kinder together and are gearing themselves up for prep. Then… we won’t know what to do with ourselves! Our kids will all be at the same school together so I know my friendship with Jody will continue on through the years and we’ll be stressing about which high schools to send the kids to soon enough!

When we booked in their family session, she kinda warned me that they are not your average family and to beware of the crazy moments that I will witness while they are in the comfort of their own home. Well…. I’m not sure if they were on their best behaviour or if that was their ‘normal’ but it was amazing and I would photograph that family over, and over, and over, and over again. Had an absolute blast <3

melbourne family photography - frankston - in home photography

I often have a fair bit of communication with clients before their session. It’s such a weird feeling being welcomed and walking into their home, their personal space, when I feel like I already know them so well, yet I really don’t know them at all. I’m a real ‘what you see is what you get’ kind of person and I often worry that the people I shoot won’t be. But I tell ya, they always are. As comfortable as I am chatting with them over the phone or email or text, it’s even easier with them in person because they’re so awesome! And all the stress dissolves as soon as I walk through their door.

This session was no exception. I could have chatted with Nev and Adrian for days! Little Florian was so chilled, he almost wasn’t there! Such a sweet and gentle disposition. After we tired him out, it was off to bed for him and we snuck in some couple shots and chatted for a while before it was time for me to let them go so they could get some rest and relaxation before Flo woke up again.

Oh! I must mention their amazing Samoyed! Koda couldn’t miss out on modelling for us, and what a perfect model, too <3

Koda and Florian are the best of friends already. I LOVE IT!!

melbourne family photography - montmorency - in home photography session

When I walked in to Jo and Aure’s home in the North-East of Melbourne, I was immediately greeted by their sweet little girls wearing not only matching outfits, but also massive smiles while they danced around the living room. They were quite shy but also loved showing off their dance moves! It’s fair to say I was definitely jealous of their luscious locks! I mean, look at those ginger curls!

These girls were incredibly photogenic and I had an amazing time with them, as well as their beautiful parents who were so welcoming and accommodating.

It was a perfectly relaxed Friday afternoon. The whole fam had a little play in the courtyard and enjoyed a boogie on the dance floor.

family photographer melbourne - mount eliza - amy and luna

I always love driving down the Mornington Peninsula, it’s just so stunning and has it all. I love that I always get that feeling like I’m in the country but I can see the ocean beside me.

I was incredibly excited to be welcomed into Amy’s stunning Mount Eliza home to photograph her with her cute as baby girl, Luna.

I instantly felt relaxed and we chatted so much before even getting started with the shooting. I swear, Luna is like a little cabbage patch doll and I wanted to take her home to play with with my daughter!

Amy is a photographer herself, one whom I greatly respect and admire. It’s always a little (a lot) daunting to do a family photography session for another photographer. Amy has used lots of areas in her home for some gorgeous self portraits of motherhood but I know she appreciates having the effort of setting up the moment, the area and the camera taken away so she could simply enjoy some special time with her baby girl before she turned the big ONE!

melbourne newborn photographer - evie

I first met Kate and Paul at this awesome cafe when they enquired about wedding photography a couple of years ago. They both have this chilled out vibe about them and we instantly clicked at that very first meeting. I ended up photographing their engagement session and wedding and both were some of my fave sessions to date. Until now! They’ve surprised me with the news of this sweet little addition to their growing family. Meet Evie. I’m in love with her name and her face and her smell and everything! No, I’m not getting clucky! I just love me some newborn squish <3

I adore this newborn photography session for many reasons, some as I’ve mentioned above but also being one of my first family photography sessions back after deciding to let go of weddings. After this Melbourne newborn session, I 100% in my heart of hearts, know I’ve made the right choice because, well, yeah it gave me all the feels. I’m so excited to be doing some more newborn, motherhood and family photography sessions all over Melbourne in the near future. But for now, enjoy Kate, Paul and little Evie <3