Kenneth, Sharon, Aaron & Adrian

This was the first ever photo shoot for this family and they felt it was long overdue. Sharon turned forty a few months earlier and decided they might as well do it now before she and Kenneth turned into legitimately "old" people, though my feeling is that will not be happening any time in the near future! It took a lot of convincing the three boys in her life to come out and pose for photos for they felt it was such a "girl" thing to do, but I think once on the shoot, they realised it was more about capturing some real moments and having fun as a family. Apparently Kenneth felt awkward during the shoot, and Sharon was praying this did not translate in the photos, but I felt none of that and just think he looks gorgeous! The boys were a little shy at first too, but by the end, they all were pros at being themselves and hopefully it was a fun enough experience to do again!

These two have a great relationship with each other. They spend all of their free time together playing make believe games or video games. Aaron is a fierce defender of his little brother in the school yard and very protective and nurturing. Adrian looks up to Aaron, who can do no wrong in his eyes and the brothers have a lovely way together.

Aaron's life ambition is to be a professional footballer and play for Real Madrid and he and his little brother are often found kicking the ball around outside together.

Adrian is most happy on days when there is no school, when he can sleep in and when he does get up, spend the day playing video games and eating chocolate!

The family chose Cooper's Island for the shoot location as it is their favourite beach location and they have spent many a happy time out there in the remote paradise.

Thank you all for such a gorgeous shoot - the weather was delicious, the setting exquisite and all of you just such fun and open to all my ideas - I think it paid off and Sharon, I can't believe that if you want to do another shoot, that your boys will give you such a hard time next session given how great they all look in these photos. All the best to you xxx

Lana and Baby John

This beautiful mama bear is my ever so amazing assistant, Lana, and her perfect baby boy, John. Lana has been a life saver over the years and I am the first to admit that my business would be nothing without her. She picks up all the pieces where my scatty artist type lacks and completes the picture. Lana was told by doctors that she would never become pregnant on her own and that it was unlikely she would ever be able to conceive, even with medical intervention, but they were willing to try if she and her husband wanted to try. But the couple accepted that having children together was not part of their future and they found so much happiness in life together that it never concerned them. So when Lana discovered she was pregnant last year, nobody could have been more surprised. She was in total shock, and then when she saw the little heartbeat on her ultra sound, she began to cry and understood what a miracle she had within her. Sweet Baby John has changed her in so many ways and I have loved being able to see her so happy. I was honoured to photograph them together in his first weeks and Lana wanted the shoot to capture that intimate time that she shared with her new baby at home. When her husband went to work, it was just the two of them with nothing else around and it was those moments she cherished most and wanted to freeze forever.

The beautiful bobbin lace was given to Lana's grandmother by her great grandmother and her grandmother sewed the decorative Russian lace to a sweet and simple piece of linen. It was sentimental to Lana and perfect for the shoot - I love it when clients include things that are so personal.

Dearest Lana - thank you so much for sharing such a special time with me. Your sweet baby boy is just darling and I am so happy for you and this new journey you are on. I know all my clients understand why we are so behind - what better excuse than a bouncing baby boy??!!! Love you oodles xxx

No Better Excuse

So assuming there are actually people out there who look at this blog (one can dream), and assuming you have been utterly unimpressed by my lack of posting, I thought I would need a pretty good reason for the radio silence. Well, given it was the holidays, the kids were off school and Ben was off work, I decided to shut down my computer all together too. But that is not the main reason. The real reason for my disappearance is that Santa answered the children's prayers and brought two little special souls on Christmas morning and we have all been so smitten that there was not time for anything else but love love love.

Oslo's letter was hilarious - very elaborate with all sorts of flaps on it with "more info" and "fun facts". Sadly, Santa did not wake him or show himself to either of the children, but their answers of black and white kittens were answered.

 I let Indigo sound her letter out herself so think Santa got the gist, albeit probably not without difficulty.

The children woke up ridiculously early after a crazy late night - it was a wonder they did not have melt downs all day but I suppose with the excitement of Christmas, who has time to behave badly from over tiredness? Indigo was still in her party dress for she was asleep when we arrived home so looked quite the glam girl on Christmas morn. They saw their stockings were filled so b-lined straight for them when Oslo nearly tripped over a box on the hearth. As he was lifting the scroll note from the ribbon, we all heard something inside the box move... the kids squealed as a wee paw emerged through a small hole in the side of the gift. They both shrieked in synch "A kitten!"

As they opened the box, a darling black and white kitten emerged. Indigo instantly recognised her as the one she had bonded with at the SPCA a month earlier. She couldn't believe Santa knew which one she had loved so.  And to their surprise, another kitten slithered out of the box nervously - this one all black - and slinked off to hide before they had a chance to say hello.

Oslo read the beautifully scripted letter from Santa - his cursive writing was unexpectedly neat - and he spoke of how much love the children have in their hearts to give to these furry babies. He said the little black and white kitted was called Po (children instantly picked up on the Kung Fu Panda reference) and was outgoing and adventurous and playful, while the all black fluffy one was called Bindi and she was timid and had had a hard start to life but he knew the children would teach her in time to trust.

As soon as she was out of the box, Bindi would hide - she went to this window later when she was a little more comfortable but she was still happier to watch rather than participate. When we did capture her to cuddle her, she was so incredibly soft that we could barely even feel her fur - she is divine. And the second we'd touch her, a little purring motor started loudly and she adored the affection.

Po was instantly into everything and very confident, strutting about the place like she was in charge. She'd run up to the children and nuzzle them, but only for a second before she dashed off to check out some new smell.

Cairo was definitely dying to chase the kittens but remained under the daybed at our command.

Po discovered the doll house first. She looked so funny inside - she was a giant compared to the wee doors and windows, and speak nothing of the furniture that was thrown about in her wake.

But it was Bindi who moved in permanently. At first she was on the ground floor and knocked over the Christmas tree but then she decided the second floor master bedroom was more her style. She broke two of the posters off the four poster bed and made it her own - it was just so heart warming to see her sweet figure in the house and we have now renamed it the kitten house instead. My only fear is that they are three months already so what happens when they grow even bigger - wil they just keep trashing the house or will they accept that they need to leave home at last?

I absolutely adore how different their two personalities are. One so full of fun and adventure and cuddly as can be, while the other is very nervous but so utterly loving and snuggly and soft when she trusts. I think they will both teach the children so much and although I am usually against kittens when there are so many adult cats who need homes, we think Santa made the right choice given the age of the the children and how much joy they will bring to their lives.

I have loved that it has gotten a little colder recently so they are always snuggling up to each other when they sleep which just breaks my heart.

How cute is this simultaneous yawn - I love them!

So hope these two little love bugs are excuse enough for not posting at all over the holiday period. Promise to get back into it and so much to post both on a personal and professional front so watch this space. In the meantime, hope all of you are enjoying your memories of the season as much as we are. I may have to control myself to not post about these two a little too often but if I do, please accept my apology in advance. I did google at what number of cats one becomes a crazy cat lady and most sites did say four was the beginning. So four cats, a dog, two kids and one hubby will be our limit at least for a while and I will let you know if give in any further to my tendencies toward officially becoming a crazy cat lady. xxx