Walker Family Shoot - 22nd September 2017

When I was visiting family in Tamworth recently I captured some photos for the gorgeous Walker family.  It certainly didn’t feel like ‘work’ to me. Jess and Brady have the three most beautiful children with so much zest for life and I couldn’t help but smile during our time together. Artie, Cali and Boston have the most infectious smiles that draw you in…..and don’t even get me started on their captivating eyes!  They loved to run, loved bubbles and loved lollipops (sorry about the sugar high Jess and Brady)!

I love to witness family interactions with each other and as always, felt honoured to be asked to capture some memories for another loving and well connected family. It was lovely to meet you all and hang out for the afternoon....thanks for the opportunity. 

“You are so talented. They are beautiful photos and captured ‘us’ perfectly. You have such a way with kids, we all felt very at ease with you and the shows in the photos. We are so excited, they are exactly the feel we were after. Thank you so much.”
— Jessica Walker

Trish & Terry’s Surprise 70th – 12th August 2017

Trish and Terry both turned 70 within a couple of weeks of each other and their lovely family decided to surprise them with a celebration in their honour. The fantastic part about this is that they had absolutely no idea that it was coming!

It was a Saturday afternoon, and they thought they were on the way to Lake Broadwater to meet a group of highschool students to teach them some traditional waltz dancing ahead of the upcoming Debutante ball. Their grandson was to be partnering a Debutante in the coming weeks so Trish and Terry were asked to come and pass on some of their dancing skills to their grandson’s fellow friends who would also be attending the upcoming ball.

SURPRISE!!!!

What Trish and Terry saw when they opened the doors to the hall was not the group of high school teenagers they were expecting…. it was 80 of their closest family and friends who had gathered to help them celebrate. There were family members who had travelled from all over Australia, including Trish’s Aunt who had travelled from interstate. It was clear to see how special this couple were to so many people.

With all the extended family together it was a great time to capture some memories to mark the occasion. Everyone looked so lovely, naturally happy and excited to be there. The surprise had worked a treat and I think it took a little while to sink in for the birthday couple.

Trish and Terry’s birthday celebration was a wonderful night ahead and included a lovely meal, gorgeous cake, a slideshow tribute of photos from the years which had been put together by their family, heartfelt speeches from their children and children in law and of course lots of dancing! They were able to pass on their dancing skills to their grandchildren and everyone there had a great time in their honour.

Trish and Terry are such an admirable couple and I hope my husband looks at me the same way Terry looks at Trish in the years to come... so much love! They are a perfect example of a great team and have such a connected, loving family as a result. There was so much happiness, pride and warmth coming from this celebration and it was an absolute honour to be asked to capture it.

“It is one thing to have a photography skill but you also have a skill of making your clients feel at ease... it’s called personality. Not sure one would work without the other xx”
— Toni Luck

Baby Zoe's Newborn Shoot – 25th August 2017

What an awesome little family Miss Zoe has been born into! I had so much fun capturing this newborn shoot.

Cassandra and Blake are such fun, relaxed parents and it’s clear to see their two daughters are their world. Like most toddlers, big sister Ally is full of confidence and zest for life and had me smiling the entire time and she chatted away and played with her baby sister, whether Zoe was awake or not… so much love!

And as for Zoe, well, you couldn’t have asked for a more perfect newborn she was just devine! She slept. She fed. She enjoyed cuddles. She was just so content. She has the most beautiful features and lips that will no doubt make others jealous of in her lifetime!

The one thing, as always, that I love most about family shoots like this one, is the connection and loving relationships that are highlighted. I leave afterwards with a happy heart to have witnessed such beautiful bonds and families keeping it real. I love the honesty of the lifestyle approach to photography and the ability to capture such beautiful memories for families in the comfort of their own homes at these special times in their lives.

Capturing a new little person and their existence into the world is an absolute privilege. How fortunate I am.

“Thank you so much for today. That was the most relaxed I have ever seen Blake for photos. I also think being at home was an awesome idea. Carla, the photos are beautiful. Thank you so much for giving us this memory to last a lifetime. xx”
— Cassandra Veldman

Eli's 1st Birthday Vintage Cake Smash – 23rd August 2017

What a better excuse for a few family photos than on your little man’s first birthday! And ‘Nonie’(the birthday boy’s Nanna) was able to come along for the celebration as well which was very special!

A Vintage themed cake smash shoot set up in the paddock surrounded by fresh air and the warm tones of the golden hour as the sun sets behind… I just knew we were going to have some fun with this! What a wonderful way to celebrate turning one year of age and this gorgeous family now have these memories recorded for a lifetime of their son’s special milestone birthday!

After a few family photos Eli and his big sister Lucy took no time to get stuck into the birthday cake… nothing was off limits and it was so lovely to see the birthday boy’s joy in ‘having his cake and eating it too!

I loved how much love oozed from this family. How naturally connected they are and just how much fun they enjoy whilst being in each others company. There was constant laughter and happiness throughout our time together. Jane and Heath are awesome parents and I just felt so honoured to be asked to capture these memories for them.

Funny story... we all know most men hate being on front of the camera lens, and I try to make my shoots as relaxed and natural as possible for this very reason. If people are relaxed, their photos will convey this. I had to laugh though, at one point throughout this shoot I captured Eli giving me the middle finger… just as well he was cute and could get away with it!!

“Carla, the photos are incredible. More amazing than I could have ever imagined. Thank you so much. What an incredible talent you have. It makes it clear how you got so good at photography so quickly - passion can do magical things.”
— Jane Hultgren

Jodi & Blake – 8th April 2017

This beautiful couple came together from opposite sides of the globe. When apart, their love only grew stronger and it was clear to all who knew them that they were destined to be together. Jodi and Blake were formally united as husband and wife in front of their family and friends in a heartfelt ceremony followed by a gorgeous country reception on their property.

It was a beautiful celebration full of laughter and a whole heap of love. The bridal party met for pre-ceremony drinks by the creek (although, the bride and groom were well directed by their attendants and did not lay eyes on each other until the ceremony to follow). After the ceremony there were drinks and dancing, a wedding cake made from Arnott's TimTams (the Bride's choice) and even a country bonfire. The bridal party was a big one. A loud one. A fun one. There was so much emotion. Big smiles. Tears. Hugs. But mostly, just a whole lot of love and happiness. 

Jodi and Blake's celebration was perfect. Casual. Relaxed. Honest. It reflected them beautifully. Hay bales were used for seating outside the marquee, tables adorned mix-matched vintage dinnerware, the bride wore her Mum's wedding dress and the father of the groom made an unforgettable speech! Everything about Jodi and Blake's day was truly special, and it was an absolute honour to be able to capture these memories for them as they start their married future together.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with our photos or impressed with your fire hot skills! You kept our huge party at ease and moving all the time. We are forever grateful for the phenomenal effort you put into our day. Thank you again with all our hearts.”
— Jodi & Blake