Talmont-sur-Gironde

Don't you just love the name. Can't get more French than that. I can hear you say "Talmont-sur-what?!".

Anyway, just spent a day there on Monday (yes it's the name of a town) and while everyone was whingeing that it was cold and rainy, I rejoiced in the gloomy light and deserted streets.

Because of the rain I only took my compact Canon Powershot S90 but loved the results (I find that landscapes usually suit compact cameras nicely as they don't usually require the shallow depth of field that works so well with portraits).

I hope you enjoy them! :)

Sydney Pregnancy: Tina & Simon (and Alexander!)

Alexander Benjamin was born 4 days ago Monday 3 May, on his exact due date. Little did he know he had already been photographed when in mummy's tummy a couple of months back.

Tina and Simon are friends and we did not really plan a photo shoot (had we planned things Simon would probably have chosen a plain t-shirt!). They were on the beach to look after our daughter while we were doing another "official" shoot. However, after we finished, the light was so beautiful and I already the right equipment with me, so we decided to take a few shots. Simon is an enthusiast photographer himself (specialised in underwater photography, you can see his beautiful (and courageous!) images on http://www.simonsaysscuba.com ), so he also stepped in to photograph his very pregnant and radiant wife.

 

 

Sophia

It's 10.12pm on a Monday evening, my husband is watching "Boston Legal" on TV and I feel like posting something on my blog. Perhaps to forget that I accidentally left our cat in the laundry all day.

I was just thinking of my colleague Maria who asked me why I never posted anything about our daughter Sophia. Apart from the fact that I've only started this blog fairly recently, I didn't think people would care much about my personal life (that is, if people even read my blog). I mean, I should really leave my teeth brushing adventures for facebook.

But, here you go Maria, this one is for you, some pics taken on Sunday after our lunch at the Fish Markets. Poor thing, she must think a mum is a person with a lens stuck on their right eye. Oh well.

Just for Fun: Maria and Jamie

I was warned from the start: Do not mention the word "Engagement" Photo Shoot in front of Jamie. You see, he might freak out. Got it. The word Engagement or any other commitment implying term would not be pronounced in his presence. What is it with men?... However, Maria had a point, since, hmm, they are not engaged.

Which proves a point: Who needs a reason to have photos taken? Just for Fun sessions are, well, just that: Fun. Anything, anywhere, anytime goes. No pressure, nothing to prove. When I suggested to do an "urban" themed shoot instead of the usual beach shots, Maria was immediately up for it and I can't thank her enough. We discovered that the streets of Surry Hills in Sydney are filled with studio worthy backdrops: Graffiti walls, red bricks, rusty terraces. And this is just as well, because I'm the impatient type. Who's got time to set up a studio? Heavy light strobes, umbrellas, diffusers. Some people love it (and forget to actually take the photos at the end ;). As for me, it's just not my thing. The world is beautiful and the sun is there for a reason.

To sum things up, this was one of the most fun (funnest?) shoot I ever did and I'm just hoping it will awake the models within many people out there.

So here it is, let me introduce you to Maria and Jamie, a happy young Irish couple who have been together for 8 years. They were totally at ease with each other, up for anything, and, icing on the cake, Jamie brought his guitar which made for a fantastic prop. Maria was fabulously feminine in her girly strapless dress and high heels. And, Maria, after watching the two of you for a few hours, I can tell you Jamie would have been totally fine with the word Engagement...