Autumn Leaves and Sunny Smiles

Since we moved to the States, I haven't had my camera out as much as I would like - I definitely pack it for the road trips we take, which is fun, but I was never really a landscape photographer at heart. I'm not currently allowed to work over here, so I can only do shoots for fun, which is fine for me, but my in-house subjects aren't keen to participate ;)

A couple of times I have enjoyed doing family photo sessions for a couple of friends of mine, last year, and just this last weekend had the pleasure of doing a photo session for this little guy, 7 months old and an absolute delight. Here is a sneak peek for his mom (and a couple for oma!).

Beautiful Grandbabies - Portrait Session Sneak Peek

Last week I had this sweet little photo session with these cute baby cousins... both girls were just so adorable. Here is a little sneak peek!

Two little raspberries - Twin newborn photography

I love baby photos, especially slice-of-life style pics at home, or gorgeous portrait shots. But nothing beats the newbie newness of hospital photos for me, babies change so quickly and the time spent after their birth is a squishy evolution between growing babies, and babies growing you.

Meet Scarlett and Winter. Super sweeties.

Sweetie pie, a new little friend

This is Charli, a gorgeous little girl who was born last week to a lovely friend of mine :)

I love taking squishy newborn still-in-hospital new photos, snapshots for loved ones, there's nothing quite like these first few days!

 

 

 

 

 

Family photography and autism, part two: Exercising delight

In my last blog post, I wrote about my belief in the importance of family photography, more specifically for the family with autism 'in the mix', meaning with a family member on the autism spectrum (ASD, or ASC). These are my personal feelings, about something that just makes sense to me, not about any studies or academia or whatnot. This is something that is valuable to me. So, in the first part of this blog series I focused on the value for the visual learner, the autistic person. Read more about that here. But wait, there's more... (I've got a busy little brain when it comes to this topic!)

Spectrum kids often struggle – socially, emotionally, with sensory processing, and so on – with their everyday life. An average school day can be monumentally challenging for them, and overwhelming in all different ways. Their family and home is, even more than for most kids, their safe place. Sometimes, as other mums will know, being a safe place doesn't always mean we get their best behaviour! But we are their haven, and often their translators, in a world of overwhelm and uncertainty. So the bond, the need, is just woven that little bit more tightly, keeping us - as their anchor - nice and strongly secured.

Firstly, this is a precious relationship, a unique relationship, with the beautiful and treasured connection between parent and child, between family members, enhanced by the intensity of the autism experience. From going through the diagnostic process, to the way we look at the world through their eyes, and filter the world for them when we can, there is an added layer to our family life that can be brilliantly rewarding, and supremely difficult at times. This is a relationship that deserves documenting, capturing and remembering.

That this is valuable, worth capturing, enjoying and celebrating, is ever true of these intricate family ties, which are always 'limited edition' and everchanging in every family. And so, this is ever more true of any family with special challenges in their lives.

Secondly, with these additionally layered family ties, these bonds can be even harder to cherish in the everyday. Where parents may be carers, therapists and advocates as well as mother or father; where the behaviours they work through may involve aggression, non-communication, self-destruction and anxiety; where the worries and concern stretch years into the future as well as each hour of the day... these relationships can, at times, be exercises in endurance. Not that there aren't moments of gratitude, reward and delight - and those are wonderful times – but there are certainly seasons where it is hard to stop coping and celebrate. Honouring these relationships is an exercise in optimism and gladness, and a deliberate focus on what is uniquely brilliant about our particularly different kids. Sometimes we're just too tired.

Taking that time to organise, lead up to and participate in a family photography session is beautiful, and meaningful, and a gorgeous testament to the strength you draw on every day of your life. It's a celebration of the individuals that make up your stunningly unique family, and a celebration of the love you share. Because of it all, despite it all, sometimes not and then twice as much again. This is real, this is extraordinary, this is powerful. This is you.

Autism, motherhood and photography

Sienna sums us up in magnetic poetry (children's version)

Just over a year and a half ago, I realised what my passion was. Is. Could be. It came to me suddenly, and clearly, and since then has constantly been percolating in the back of my mind. It's not something wildly different, for me, but rather something that has been gaining clarity progressively over the last couple of years. And something that is deeply important to me, both as a mother and a photographer.

The thing is, I am a professional photographer. It's taken me a long time shooting to get to this place, and I've technically been here for a few years now. While I have dabbled in fashion, commercial, nature, and I've enjoyed weddings as well, I feel that I am primarily a family and children portrait photographer. I really love it. Even before becoming a mother, I was always most excited by photographing children – so unpredictable, challenging and joyful.

The other thing is, I am a mother. I was a photographer first, but I've been a mum for over 11 years now. And for more than 6 of those years, I've been a particular type of mum, I guess you could say. An autism mother. I've written about my family before, and they are uniquely amazing and fascinating to me. Sometimes challenging, particularly when transitions or social demands push them past their comfort zone.

Sometimes I feel I need to clarify, I don't have my head in the sand either. Things aren't always easy, but they could be a lot harder too. Today it took an hour before my 9 year old would let me leave him at school. This morning my 11 year old wanted to curl up in the fetal position in the boot of our car because her drawing wasn't perfect, I had to hold her back so that I could take her into her regular appointment with her psychologist. My 5 year old screamed - and I mean really screamed - whenever the sunshine came through his side of the car during our drive home. This is all pretty typical stuff for our everyday life on the spectrum. But that's ok. We have moments. We move on. And I think they're overall pretty brilliant people.

And from here comes my clarity...

My heart feels most rewarded by the surge of love and meaning that I get from offering family photography to other families with autism, additional needs and special challenges. It feels gloriously important and beautiful to me, to be that person for a family, to be there to see them, to see their connection, their bond and their love. To be comfortable and relaxed enough that I react easily and lightly to any difficulties that arise during a photo session, to any uncertainty that comes in to play. I can give you that, the calm, the fun, the seeing of who you are. And, more importantly, the capturing of that.

This is something I can give, that I love to provide, which has value far beyond the cost of a session fee, or anything else. I can give a family a treasure, which is not only an acceptance, but rather a celebration of how wonderful they are. Real, flawed perhaps – as we all are – but true and together and beautiful in that. It's important, it's who your family is. It's your story. It's your wonderland.

This what I am going to do.

Summer snaps and cute cousins

 

A little collection from the Summer school holidays, back in January. The kids have been having great play days this school holidays, too, and I wanted to make sure I put these up as they are so fun!

This last photo makes me feel especially happy :)

Curious Autumn competition winners - Family photography, Dandenong Ranges

Earlier in the year, Curiouser ran a competition called Curious Autumn. Our Facebook winner was Nikki, and we had a sweet family session at her home in Lilydale. Here are a few of my faves :)

This little girl had the most gorgeous variety of expressions, and she was so happy! I really love this first one. Something about her face, and the grassy background, makes me smile every time.

 

 

 

This last one is my favourite family shot, I love the curve of bub's face as she looks away and the love in mum and dad's faces as they look at their daughter :) Lovely sweetness.

Curious Autumn - Portrait Session Giveaway

Ah, yes, the old "it's been awhile, blogland"... I have been taking a break over the Summer school holidays, and this first month of school, getting my kids settled, running around to their various therapies and such. But now Autumn is almost here, and I am totally ready for it!

To celebrate, I am giving away TWO portrait sessions - one on Instagram and one on Facebook. They can be used for kids, families or couples. Each prize includes one Photography Session, an online slideshow of your images, FIVE digital files and FIVE 6"x8" pictures. Please scroll down for terms and conditions.

Click here for my current portrait info and price brochure.


To enter, simply follow the instructions on the image for either Instagram or Facebook, or both! I'll post them here, but you'll need to go to the relevant social media platform to complete the entry.

For Instagram users, regram (save and re-post) my Instagram post about the giveaway, along with the hashtag #curiousautumn and tell me what your favourite animal is (I would also love to hear why, but that is optional!).

On Facebook, 'share' the image from Curiouser Photography's Facebook page on your own page (when you share the post, don't forget to mark it 'public' so I can find it), add the hashtag #curiousautumn and tell me what your favourite animal is (I would also love to hear why, but that is optional!).

Terms and Conditions

1. The portrait sessions must take place in March 2014

2. The portrait sessions must take place in the Melbourne area, I am based in the Outer Eastern suburbs in the Dandenong Ranges, so rural areas East of Melbourne are also ok. Honestly I quite enjoy a bit of a country drive, so it's fairly flexible. Contact me if you're not sure :)

Adelaide peeps may also enter on the condition that their portrait session take place on Saturday the 22nd March 2014, or the morning of the 23rd March

3. You may enter once per social media platform, up to two entries total

4. Winners will be selected and announced on Friday the 7th March 2014. Winners will be announced via the Curiouser newsletter, so sign up here (or up to the left of this post, where it says ''Curiouser Newsletter") to be the first to know. I will also link to the newsletter from Facebook and Instagram.

5. Prize is not transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash