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.

Roi Maternity

Last time we saw these two they were engaged.

First comes love, then comes marriage, next comes the baby in the baby carriage!!

Baby was born this way, can't wait to meet him.

Congrats guys. oxo

Lesson Learned - I feel like I'm not actually learning the lessons I'm meant to. I NEED TO REVIEW MY PICTURES AS I GO!!! So many great shots have to be deleted because the focus was slightly off or lighting wasn't right, and a quick check of the pictures as I'm taking them would solve that. I'm also learning that it's really helpful to 'research' before a shoot - look through a bunch of pictures from lots of different photographers. None of them have the same style as me, but I always get ideas of what I do and don't like.

Beck and Hori's Wedding

The weather held out, actually, it got too nice and we melted in the sun.

The food was amazing.

It was such a nice mixing of families.

And they're so happy.

Lesson Learned - Don't put your spare batteries in your mum's handbag while you stuff your face at the reception because they will often make their way back to Auckland with her too, while you're out shooting and your battery dies half-way through......

Jeans Bridals

A first for me, and for her I guess. It was sooooo different just having one person, who I didn't have to bribe or play peek-a-boo to look at the camera.  It was fun.

And she looked beautiful. Of course.

Lesson Learned - I really need to take the time, during the shoot to just stop and look at the pictures.  I seem to get so caught up in taking the pictures that often I get home and review the pictures and think "I wish I'd taken it from this angle, or had them stand here, or done this", simple stuff that if I'd paid more attention to the composition at the time, I wouldn't have those regrets.

Zandra

Her last name is Dol, and isn't she just?!!
Maternity pictures have to be my fav, fav, fav, favourites.  There is just something about a pregnant woman that is beautiful.  And even though it looks like she's just stuck a ball up her top, soon she'll bring her 3rd daughter into the world - heaven help her!

Lesson Learned - I need to keep my finger on the button at all times; often I'll move the camera away from my face to talk and chat and laugh (building raport with the clients, very important right?), and I miss the laughter and giggles on camera.  It's obviously a skill I don't yet possess, but one I'm eager to develop.

Beck and Hori

My cousins getting married.
1 1/2 years ago, while living in marriage central, this wouldn't have been such a big deal.  But weddings are hard to come by here.  And it was so nice to see a couple so in love.
Congrats guys!!!













My Fav of the day.



Lesson Learned - I really am learning the importance of being open and relaxed. When I'm so worried about posing and positioning, I should just be letting my clients be themselves. That's when the real emotion comes through the pictures, because it's real. There's that quote by I think John Lenon "Life is what happens while you're busy making plans." I'm learning to capture emotion instead of trying to create it.