The other Tafuna's

While on vacay I did some pictures for my husbands family.
This is his brother and co.
Baby Mele is so stinkin cute it almost hurts.  She was all smiles and grins all day long.  It was so fun being with them, and great to be able to take some pictures for them.

 

 

    

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Lesson learned: You can take pictures ANYWHERE.  We were pushed for time and couldn't really go anywhere.  These were taken at a highschool, next to a bunch of rubbish bins, a tennis court and some buildings.  They were VERY skeptical about how the pictures would turn out being taken in this area.  But it's all about how you use the space you've got, what angles you take the pictures from, and how you position everyone.

Richard and Celine

My little brother is getting married.
That's such a weird thing to be saying.
But he is, and so engagement pictures were required.
 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Lesson learned: I think this has been the lesson I've tried to learn a few times before but obviously still haven't; I need to review the pictures on my camera as I'm taking them.  So many times I sit down at my computer to edit and think "Oh I wish I'd told her to put her hand here, or asked him to move his head a litttle". One day I'll learn....maybe.....

The Wong Family

Such an awesome family.  So down to earth and honest and open.  And the kids are just little free spirits. I love them.  Their oldest is my son's kindy buddy, and aparently, his betrothed.  :)

 

 

 

My son and his little bud. :)

Lesson learned - It's important when choosing a location to shoot, to go there beforehand at the time of day you'll be shooting.  I went, but earlier in the morning and so at 4pm the sun was in a different place, it wasn't as abandoned as I thought it would be, etc.  It kinda threw my shoot a little.

Wells twins

This amazing mother just gave birth to her second, I repeat SECOND set of twin boys.  So she now has 4 boys under the age of 2.  Next time you're feeling like your kids are overwhelming, think of her and I'm sure you'll fine your lot isn't so bad.

It was insane being with babies so small.  The two of them put together was smaller then Malachi was as a newborn.  So crazy.  But it was so great to see how even as little 10 day old infants, their little personalities had started to shine through.

Bless you Marie, and your little troop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson learned - newborns are soooooooooooo hard to work with.  Double that.  Newborn twins are a real mission. (I was sweating by the end of it.)  But again I need to just relax, go with the flow, and work harder to capture the essence of who these tiny little people are, instead of just focusing on the set of poses I had pre-planned.

Matt, Renee, and the bump

I wish I looked this good at 39wks pregnant with my FOURTH child.

Heck.

I wish I looked this good NOT pregnant.

So excited to see if it's going to be a girl and even out the numbers in their family, or another boy and completely tip the scales.  One more week and we'll find out!!

I said to them, "Look at each other and think about how you're about to have your fourth child."

And this is the face he made.

I love this, it's exactly how a pregnant mother feels, like you've got these little people clawing away at you,all needing something, and you just gotta put on a happy face.

We were lucky to have a sudden break in the clouds for these ones.

Lesson Learned - Not everyone enjoys having their picture taken, and it shows.  When you have someone who is a little uncomfortable in front of the camera, forget all your carefully planned poses and let them stand/sit how they want.  They'll feel more natural and thus look more natural, making for better pictures.