In the picturesque foothills of Jamberoo, just south of Wollongong, a town that has always had my heart, I captured this gorgeous family and would love to share with you a little bit of their story.
This mumma had been wanting a family session with me for a long time, she had saved for the occasion and she wanted me to capture their story now on their beautiful property. So after a couple of reschedules due to sick kids and broken bones we locked in a date and were blessed with good health, all bones intact and amazing weather. I arrived to a perfect little cottage, surrounded by lush green farmland where I was greeted by four children who were not having the greatest day. They just didn’t want to have their photos taken, meltdowns and a very stressed and upset mum who’s visions of her family photos were slipping away. After some chilling together and some compromising we headed outside to have an adventure and play. I reassured mumma that it was ok, just to play, have fun and I just stood back to let their little ones relax into it. Slowly I was able to give gentle direction on some things to do together, we played, tickled, they suggested games, cuddled and laughed. We then headed to their fire pit to have some marshmallows and a play (and mum and dad a wine!). By the time I was saying goodbye, they didn’t want me to go. They made me promise I would come back one day with my girls so they could all play together and I could take photos. I left with my heart full and counting my blessings I am welcomed so warmly into families homes and lives. Mumma was still feeling heart broken at how the session went, wondering how on earth I was able to get the images she had wanted for so long. I edited and delivered one of my favourite galleries to date, and this is what she had to say about the whole experience.
“My kids, well 3 out of 4 were grumpy and cranky and one was having what we call her total emotional drama meltdown! Jade was amazing! She was so relaxed and not fazed at all by our kids moods. She made us feel that it was all ok and not to stress. Some of our kids didn’t particularly warm up to the event until right at the end so I was extremely nervous about looking at the photos when jade sent through the gallery.
I almost cried when I seen the photos, they were A-MAZING, STUNNING just absolutely beautiful and you couldn’t tell in a single one that the kids were cranky or grumpy. It was as if Jade had magically made them smile and be happy in every photo! Truly amazing Jade and we are forever thankful that we have these moments in our family life to look at in years to come as treasured memories”
This is why I do what I do. I love capturing families in a relaxed, fun, connective way that tells a little bit of their story. We all have bad days, even children and that is ok. We just need to remember to give them space, interact with them, be calm and gentle, play, laugh, just generally follow their lead and 9 out of 10 times it all works out ok.
Thank you F Family for having me, for saving your hard earned pennies to invest in photography with me and to create everlasting memories for your family. I cannot wait to do it with you all over again (meltdowns and all).
If you would like to find out more about my family sessions I would love to chat to you. Even if you are worried your kiddos won’t co-operate!
