And this shoot was a hoot. For me, and for this gorgeous pair of almost-parents. How adorable is mum-to-be?

Their bub was born a few days ago (on my birthday, how cool is that?!), and will be having her first photo session this week. I can’t wait to meet her!

And then I captured some beautiful moments between mum-to-be and dad-to-be after the festivities, right at the end of the day, when the light was at it’s yummiest.

These guys are going to make the most awesome parents. You can just tell.

Here is just a taste of a gorgeous afternoon…

Guys, I wish you all the best of everything for the weeks and months ahead. “Gertie” is going to be one very lucky little girl. I can’t wait to meet her, and capture many, many more incredible moments for you. I’ll be in touch soon. xo

I met so many amazing people, beautiful new babies, and awesome kids.

My work was published and exhibited for the first time/s.

I entered several Australian and International competitions and won awards, including ACT AIPP Epson Emerging Photographer of the Year 2010 and ACMP Projections Commercial Category Winner.

I was the judge of a competition, and loved it. (I’d like to do that again please, Universe!)

I travelled interstate several times for shoots, workshops and industry events, and had an absolute ball.

I met dozens of gorgeous and talented Australian photographers, many of whom have become fantastic friends, and I can’t imagine them not being in my life.

And I made thousands and thousands of pictures. Here are some of my absolute favourite Heartstory images from 2010.

Don’t forget about my Sweet Summer Special for January 17 – February 19: there are still spaces left. I am also still accepting emails from families interested in trying out Heartstory’s special photo fusion offer. I will be selecting the families for that project in early January.

Then I met Jennifer and Lucas, and spent a glorious hour in a beautiful location photographing them at this never-to-be-repeated time in their lives.

I am privileged to photograph so many women in those final few weeks before their baby is born (mostly their first baby) and I just adore it. That we can grow tiny people and carry them around inside us for nine months is a mindblowing concept. And the moment that tiny person enters the world, our lives change in the most profound way. Jennifer and Lucas are standing at the edge of the new. They’re full of hope and excitement, and probably some fear too. Nothing has ever been as unknown as what lays before them. And it could happen at any moment.

Anticipation is one of the most wonderful and intoxicating emotions we can experience. And this is one of those fleeting times that should never be forgotten.

J & L, thank you so much for asking me to photograph you. You are beautiful souls. I wish you all the best for the next couple of weeks and I can’t wait to meet the tiny person you made together.

I said in that entry that the image of big sister Grace when she was a newborn that I use on a lot of my marketing material is probably my favourite newborn image to date. Well, I think it now has some competition in this image right here. (I kind of knew it could happen when Melissa pulled out yet another stunning vintage bedspread…)

The Gowers sure make them purrrdy.  But don’t be fooled by that peaceful slumbering… Emerson spent most of our session wide awake learning all about her new life; her beautiful home, loving parents and proud big sister. She doesn’t want to miss a thing! She’s feisty and cheeky and oh so adorable, with some of the cutest chub I’ve ever seen. Oh, and she likes pulling faces.

Thanks M & M, for another beautiful morning with your family. I’ll be in touch with your gallery soon. xo

She was asleep for the first fifteen minutes of our session yesterday morning, and I don’t think Sarah and Michael noticed, but I was moved to tears only a few minutes after I started shooting. Witnessing the intense love that new parents have for their first child is an incredible thing.

Then she woke up. And she was amazing.

Not only do I love her name (Freya is my favourite girl’s name ever, and I once had a cat called Freya who I adored) but she gave me an extraordinary gift: I experienced something I’ve never experienced before, and it was unforgettable. You know how they say that babies don’t smile ‘properly’ until they’re about 6 weeks old? So. Not. True. Not only did she smile over and over again, but she made her presence felt in a way that I’ve never seen a newborn baby do. I was totally in awe of her.

I’m pretty sure her parents already know how special their daughter is, and I now have the privilege of sharing the proof with the world (albeit the small world which reads my blog).

Meet Freya, at three weeks old. Something tells me she’s going to leave a mark.

Thank you Sarah and Michael, for inviting me to capture this amazing time in your lives. Our session was like no other, and I can’t wait to share the rest of your gallery with you. xo

It was ridiculously freezing. My hands were so cold I had trouble changing lenses, but Mich assured me that her baby girl was keeping her warm.

I can’t tell you how happy it made me to see that she had brought a red dress and red shoes to wear for our session! If I wasn’t halfway to becoming a human iceblock, I definitely would have squealed and jumped up and down on the spot. Red is absolutely and positively my favourite colour in the world, my signature colour even. And Mich seriously rocked that red dress, dontcha think?

Something tells me her hubby is going to love these pictures.

So late last week I received an email from Melissa telling me that they were only a couple of weeks off the birth of their second child and could I please squeeze them in for a maternity/newborn session! Could I ever! It’s such a great feeling to have clients come back to me, and a real warm and fuzzy thrill to see a child whose face you know so well from when they were only one week old.

Melissa & Michael, it was so lovely to see you both yesterday and you were an absolute pleasure to photograph again. Grace, you stole my heart two years ago and you still have it! I am really looking forward to meeting your little brother or sister in a few weeks. xxx

One: it’s your last baby. Did you ever have professional photos taken for any of your previous pregnancies? If the answer is no, then do it now! You should have already had it on your bucket list! A session could be the perfect time-out for you – indulge in a new outfit and let me show you how amazing you look. Or if you fancy a belly shoot with your brood in tow, I have a head full of fun ideas for that too!

Two: it’s your first baby. Therefore, this is the perfect opportunity to celebrate you, your pregnancy, and your relationship with your partner. Because where you are right now, the two of you, will never be repeated in your lives again, and you should savour it and have your story captured before life changes forever.

Sarah and Michael chose this spot for their maternity session because it’s exactly where they became husband and wife, four and a half years ago. The journey they’ve been on between then and now is theirs, but you can see it in the images I captured of them together. Their joy is evident. Their connection is heartwarming. They’re going to make wonderful parents, and I can’t wait to meet their little one in a few weeks.

Belinda told me she didn’t think about getting photos done during her pregnancy until she saw the most recent maternity session on  my blog. And then she changed her mind. I love that! These sessions are so, so special, even more so when it’s your first baby. Or your last. Or any in between!!!

The beautiful curves, the glow of anticipation, the warm loving vibe that emanates from every pregnant woman… they were all there when I met Belinda for our session yesterday. Throw in some gorgeous, late afternoon, autumn light and my creative vision, and you’ve got a beautiful collection of portraits from an amazing never-to-be repeated time in your lives.

Belinda and Glen are such a sweet couple, and so down-to-earth; I just know they are going to make wonderful parents, and I’m so looking forward to meeting their little bundle in a few weeks!

Enjoy your sneak peek guys. I’ll be in touch very soon. xo