janine coveney photography

Come on over to my new blog!

2011-10-09T22:03:00.002+10:00

I would love it if you would join me over on my new blog, here: http://www.janinecoveney.com/blog/

Jx

bobby & mamata - preview | gold coast portrait photography

2011-09-20T16:41:00.000+10:00

a perfect day. i drove to wellington point and walked around for about an hour and a half, taking it all in. the late afternoon sun was warm and golden and the sunset was ah-mazing! i wanted to capture beautiful moments of connection between a wonderful couple who have been married for 35 years.thank you both, for being so open to sharing those moments with me. i love these images and i can't wait to show you the rest.Jx

a moment in our day | gold coast kids photography

2011-09-10T16:07:00.002+10:00

today we rode the' road runner rocket coaster'. will didn't make a sound (i may have screamed a little bit). both kids were in awe of the hollywood stunt car drivers and will asked about a zillion times "is this real??!!!"

as you can see by these pictures, having his photo taken was the last thing on his mind.

Jx

a moment in our day | gold coast kids photography

2011-08-25T20:56:00.002+10:00

hanging out on the grass at big bro's school, this afternoon. could he possibly be any cuter?! i think not.

our every-day mornings | gold coast family photography

2011-08-19T23:52:00.004+10:00

first thing in the morning i usually wake to the tv being turned on to channel 22. there's nothing like an earful of 'The Octonauts' to get your motor running. we have all this lovely light in our lounge room after taking down the curtains to paint the walls. said curtains remain bunched up on the end of the couch.

Jx

currumbin valley harvest biodynamic farm | gold coast photography

2011-08-15T21:03:00.005+10:00

this place is a little known gem located in the currumbin valley. here you will find fresh produce (the potatoes we bought were unearthed the day before). the bananas were less than half the price of the ones at the supermarket (jesse ate three in a row for breakfast this morning). they've been farming in the valley for over 25 years and sell an array of fresh veggies, herbs and free range eggs along with some home made delights such as strawberry, pear and apple tea cake and scrumptious passionfruit and coconut cupcakes. the kids enjoyed picking strawberries and checking out the chooks down the back of the garden.

hope you enjoyed your sunday.
Jx

gemini court holiday apartments, burleigh heads | gold coast.

2011-08-10T13:52:00.003+10:00

we are in need of a holiday. seriously. after taking these shots of the gemini court holiday apartments, i'm thinking we won't have to go far. every room has amazing views and are super spacious and comfy. the kids will love the pool and spa and of course, the beach is just a short stroll down the street. burleigh is definitely up there as one of the best places on the coast. its just got something special.
i guarantee you will be well looked after by Kris & Anna.

you can check out their website here.

Jx

boudoir session - sydney 2011 | gold coast portrait photography

2011-08-07T19:35:00.003+10:00

sara is a good friend of mine, she is also a photographer. when she approached me to take some boudoir shots, i was a little apprehensive (it would be my first boudoir shoot). i wanted the photos to be flattering and gorgeous. most of all, i wanted sara and her husband to LOVE them.
the session was fun and relaxed and i'm thrilled with the resulting images. i must thank the lovely ninka, for her assistance. she was an awesome director and stylist on the day.

we got lots of beautiful pics. sara has very graciously allowed me to share some with you...

last day of school holidays.

2011-07-11T19:51:00.001+10:00

back to our (sometimes/usual) hectic early morning routine as of tomorrow. i have mixed emotions.
the light was so gorgeous today. we decided to venture out late this afternoon to explore somewhere new.

haylee & axel - session preview | gold coast pregnancy photography

2011-06-21T23:47:00.000+10:00

the light was perfect on this sunday afternoon. haylee and axel drove down from brisbane, the day before haylee was to give birth to their baby boy. as i edited these images, i thought about how he will look back on these one day, and what he might think about them.

haylee & axel, i'm looking forward to seeing a photo of your new addition.

Jx

baby I (preview) - gold coast newborn photography

2011-06-01T22:32:00.000+10:00

she has so much personality. you know when people say "oh, it's not a smile, it's wind" - i think differently.
congratulations and very well done to her mum and dad.

Jxo

jack evans harbour, tweed - may 21, 2011.

2011-05-27T22:40:00.005+10:00

paddle boat ride with grandpa. bull ant bites and a fountain full of sudsy bubbles.

drowning in decadence.

2011-05-14T11:49:00.001+10:00

here's some vintage & retro love from Drowning in Decadence. i approached megan recently and she was very kind to lend me a few pieces for a fun shoot with tiarne.
i asked megan how Drowning in Decadence came to be:
"Drowning in Decadence was just an idea that was in the back of my head whilst living in London. Being exposed to all the vintage shops over there was very inspiring! Once I was home from my travels my hobby of collecting vintage and retro clothing turned into what is now Drowning in Decadence. It is a great feeling when a once loved vintage piece has found a new home and someone who appreciates its beauty as much as myself!"

you can find megan and her gorgeous wares down at the village markets. if you just can't wait for the next one, check out her page on facebook.

Enjoy
Jx

mother's day, 2011.

2011-05-11T13:23:00.000+10:00

the kids checking out grandma's lolly jar. they go straight to it as soon as we walk in the door (very rarely is it empty upon arrival).
we went with g'ma and g'pa to kirra beach, for pizza. will gave me a beautiful card that he made and a 'silver' bracelet that he bought from the mother's day stall that was held at his school. he made a couple of other things but the most awesome thing was that he told me about 50 times how much he loves me.

hope all the mum's felt the love just that little bit extra on mother's day.

Jx

iheartfaces photo challenge | wind

2011-04-18T07:17:00.001+10:00

this was taken on the rooftop of a tall apartment building, where this family lives. i love how that ocean breeze is whipping up Mum's hair! hold on to your hat! you can go here to check out more windswept entries.
Jx

"O" family preview - gold coast family photography

2011-04-08T16:18:00.001+10:00

talk about great genes. 10 months young, Jax, has them in buckets. so many cute pics of him but i'll keep this preview to a sneaky peek only ;)
go the Titans!!

Jx

monday april 4, 2011 - gold coast family photography

2011-04-04T23:14:00.001+10:00

right before these pics were taken, we were at the doctor's office. he had a 'foreign body' too deep in his heel for me to get to (o.k, i cheated a little because i knew the doc would be quicker and i wouldn't be inflicting the pain). the nurse wrapped him in a sheet with his arms at his side, then laid him on his tummy. he looked like a baby seal. of course he didn't understand what was happening. there was panic and tears. it was all over in a few seconds and he was back to himself. lollipops are magical.
he breaks my heart.

Jx

GoMA - 21st Century: Art in the first decade.

2011-04-02T16:54:00.002+10:00

the first thing i asked myself was "why have we not been here before today?". a must see exhibition for young and old-er. just a perfect day, catching up with a lovely 'photographer friend' (private joke).
more info on the exhibition here.

Jx

van session - gold coast family photography

2011-03-31T14:29:00.000+10:00

he loves to hang out in his dad's work van. these are the kind of images i know we will treasure, in twenty years or so.

Jx

hump day.

2011-03-30T17:13:00.003+10:00

today, the most exciting thing we did was go for a walk and later, we made a fruit smoothie.
i love the image of Jesse, calling out to our dog, Bindi. we go here, almost daily. within about a minute, the black swans arrive. they are getting to know us pretty well.

i hope you made it through your hump day.
Jx

friday, march 18 | gold coast family photography

2011-03-19T06:46:00.003+10:00

Happy Birthday, Drew ♥ & bon voyage, Grandma & Grandpa! we love you. see you soon xo

morning rituals | gold coast photography

2011-03-18T13:08:00.005+10:00

mornings can be tough. i keep reminding myself that i should make lunches and pack bags the evening before. i always end up doing it all in the morning. this is where this ritual comes in handy. firstly, having Will go into Jesse's room means i have a little more time to organise myself in the kitchen. secondly, sometimes they fight but usually get over it pretty quickly and then they cuddle (which makes for cute pics). they will play for a good 15 minutes if i'm really lucky. this particular morning ritual will be missed, especially when Jesse grows out of his cot! ;-)

Jx

i heart faces photo challenge | sun flare

2011-03-15T06:25:00.006+10:00

i've been missing the iheartfaces weekly challenges. time to get back on the horse.
this picture was taken late on a Sunday afternoon. the light & my subject could not have been more beautiful.

thank you for looking. why not check out some of the other entries here.
Jx

Clean up Australia Day (6 March, 2011) - Gold Coast Photography

2011-03-14T22:50:00.004+10:00

Armed with gloves and bags, an estimated 562,511 volunteers at over 7,400 registered sites pitched in to support the 21st Clean Up Australia Day. Volunteers across Australia cleaned up the nation’s beaches, streets, parks, bushland and waterways, removing around 16,280 tonnes of rubbish.
If you missed it and would like information on donating or joining the next clean up, click here.

The kids did their bit to help out...

let's just say they were still full of beans at the finish...

thursday - fingal, NSW north coast.

2011-03-11T13:37:00.009+10:00

today i explored beautiful Fingal. i have lived on the coast for almost nine years and have often thought of going there but never made the short trip over the border. i walked up to the lighthouse, sat on the cliff and watched the ocean.
i then moseyed back down to the village and had lunch at Sheoak Shack Gallery Cafe. the drive home takes you through Chinderah and right past Chinderah Bay Antiques. i was like a kid in a candy store. so many treasures. old family photo albums from the early 1900's, which made me a little sad. looking at the pictures and wondering about the people in them. why did these albums end up in an antique shop? drawers stuffed with vintage postcards, some in almost mint condition. Ray (the owner), is a real sweetheart. he loves his shop and loves being there every day.
i left with a small purchase of an old book. it's called Puck of Pook's Hill by Rudyard Kipling and this edition was printed in 1939. that brings my vintage book collection to four.
i was almost late to collect Will from school. a perfectly lovely day.
Jx

Cook Island - named after Captain James Cook.

i ♥ the yellow paint against the grey asphalt.

why has she photographed a toilet block? i hear you ask. i really like them for texture and colour.

you may have seen these books below, if you watched The Chronicals of Narnia - The Voyage of the

Dawn Treader. they're all fake & took almost a year to create.

Hayley Johnson came to mind as i swooned over the tea cups...

"S" family - {gold coast family photography}

2011-03-09T23:16:00.003+10:00

Tiarne.

2011-03-03T20:50:00.009+10:00

Tiarne emailed me to ask if i would take her picture. we met down at Kirra on a particularly perfect, sunday arvo. i had no specific locations planned, so we chatted and wandered the streets until we found a couple of nice spots. i was surprised by her effortless ease in front of the camera. she is so lovely, inside and out.
Jx

'w' family - {gold coast family photography}

2011-02-26T07:23:00.006+10:00

botanical gardens - {gold coast photography}

2011-02-25T18:57:00.007+10:00

jesse & i spent our morning at the botanical gardens. i watched him explore the sensory garden and chase water dragons.
i'm drawn to helpless animals like a magnet. we helped to rescue a lost water hen chick. he was so tiny. broke my heart to think of him not making it back to his family. after being scooped out of the pond, he then had to survive being dropped on the path. i hope he's ok. we put him with a group of birds nearby and they seemed to take him in.

hope you had a beautiful day.
Jx

burleigh ♥ - {gold coast photography}

2011-02-18T23:08:00.003+10:00

our morning in beautiful burleigh. i wanted to dive into that cool surf. as we wandered down james st. i discovered monsoon homewares. full of pretty, pretty things. i'll be back :)

p.s. ♥ my little cherub's squishy face
Jx

thursday - {me day}

2011-02-17T14:23:00.007+10:00

kind of feels a little selfish as i type 'me day'. this is the one day of the week that i have time to do something just for me. i can sit in our house in complete silence. do i tackle some housework? should i go and do this errand? i should really do some work on the computer. pay bills, walk the dog, exercise...the list goes on.
today i met up with my friend, tanya, at max brenner's in broadbeach. don't blab it, but it's really quiet in there and you get served straight away. my passionfruit & strawberry shake was mouthwateringly yummy, followed by a 'chocolate lick' - a little bowl of max's melted milk chocolate, topped with white chocolate drops. drooling?
talk started off with how the kids are doing, then moved on to the usual secret women's business that us ~~mothers~~ women need to vent to each other. of course we eventually moved on to photography and stayed there a fair while.

i had been wanting to check out retrospect gallery, just across the street. we wandered in and were casually browsing (as you do) and checking the price tags as we went and discussing how one day we would love to invest in a huge work of art for our equally huge homes :)
lorraine very kindly invited us to stay for an 'art talk'. she is such a sweetheart. we met some lovely ladies who are self confessed "art addicts". there was even some discussion on the canon v. nikon debate, over coffee. i highly recommend you check it out.
for me, the art is even better when you find out a bit about the actual artist. i am now a fan of ross tamlin, shane martin, & lisa lee. amazing.

sooooo much better than housework. on the way home i picked up my frankie ♥.
hope you are having a beautiful day. Jx

today.

2011-01-28T21:00:00.005+10:00

today i was editing some client pics and checking mail, when i came across a link posted by the wonderful Deb Schwedhelm. the link was titled Darcy Padilla - The Julie Project. the images and the story are shocking and confronting. i felt sick for the babies born into that life, and so sorry for Julie herself.
such amazing work by Darcy Padilla. stunning documentary photography.
feeling a little drained by the late afternoon, i felt like taking some pictures of Jesse in the light of his lovely room.
how lucky we are. Jx

believe.

2011-01-21T23:23:00.003+10:00

i've been hearing and reading about so much that has been lost. people living with grief i could never comprehend. amazing stories of amazing strength.

burleigh beach (family session) - gold coast family & lifestyle photography.

2011-01-16T23:13:00.008+10:00

preview of the "R" family session, last friday.
this was without doubt, the most action packed shoot i have ever done. these two brothers are happiest when they are moving at top speed. i loved every minute. it was so lovely to meet you all! Jx

those eyes ♥

those toes! ♥

i have hair envy! ♥

i ♥ burleigh

gorgeous♥

love this ♥

a bit nerve wracking!

birds on a wire.

2011-01-12T15:05:00.006+10:00

i read somewhere recently that the best camera is the one you have with you. since i don't own an i-phone and my point & shoot just doesn't do it for me anymore - i've taken to carting my 5D MKII around (even on shopping trips). it fits snugly into my Lola camera bag, along with my purse, lip balm, keys, sunnies and snacks for the kids. by the time my shopping was done, my shoulder was aching like crazy! (no fault on the part of my lovely Lola!). as i lugged my shopping loot and camera bag to the car, i look up to see these little birds. i love the lines running through the image & the spacing of the birds. it's almost as if they have placed themselves at equal distances apart so they each have their personal space - then there is the one little bird on the outer.

last year my 'project 52' got a bit stagnant, i wasn't really that into it all the way through. i think it showed in some of the images. this year, i'm going to post images at random. no theme, no rules, no time limits set upon myself.

sending huge hugs and best wishes to everyone in flood affected Queensland.
Jxo

Dear frankie...

2011-01-06T21:44:00.003+10:00

To my delight, my frankie magazine daily journal arrived just before Christmas. I knew there was a huge demand for it so I didn't expect it until the new year. It's almost too pretty to write in.
I've always loved journals, diaries & all stationery in general. As a child, I got super excited when it came time to get school books for the new year. I like to note down milestones & funny things the kids say. I used to write down my dreams, not my dreams of the future - my sleep dreams. I dream the weirdest things. I have a dream book that I consult, some of the translations were scary so I stopped checking for the meaning. Who decides what dreams mean anyway?
I'm one of those people who makes a mental note in my head of a particular date, password or an idea for an image - only to forget it within minutes or hours. I'm thinking this year that my frankie journal is my inspiration to keep making notes of my dreams. The dreams in my waking hours and those in my sleep.
Thank you frankie, for all that you do ♥

Love Jx

All images of the 2011 daily journal in this blog post are reproduced with the kind permission of frankie magazine.

illustrator: amy borrell

project 52 - 52/52

2011-01-05T14:19:00.002+10:00

Going out with a bang. Fireworks at Kurrawa. 31st December, 2010. Bulb exposure of a few seconds, camera handheld.

project 52 - 51/52

2011-01-05T14:04:00.000+10:00

Both our kids just LOVE being out in the rain. This was taken on Boxing day at Lake Hugh Muntz. All of a sudden he started laughing. Pure joy burst out of him for about a minute. I captured some lovely shots of him playing up to the camera.

project 52 - 50/52

2011-01-05T11:47:00.001+10:00

So, I haven't posted my last few pics from my photo a week project for 2010. I'm almost there. This one was taken right after Will performed in his kindy Christmas concert last December. A cranky Jesse was removed from the concert hall for some fresh air. Along came Sarah and before long, there was giggling, running and a game of hide-&-seek.

W family {mini-mini session} - Gold Coast family photography

2011-01-03T20:25:00.001+10:00

Happy new year!! I hope you all had a well deserved break and enjoyed whatever it was you were doing over the festive period. I'm feeling a mix of refreshed and utterly worn out...if you can understand that! I love the feeling of new beginnings & infinite possibility & am looking forward to what 2011 may hold. My photography is continuing to evolve and the past year has taught me so much. All of my experiences, whether good or seemingly negative at the time, have been just what I needed to grow.
Enough of my rambling!
Meet the "W" family. They've just completed a whirlwind visit from Western Australia.
I couldn't let them leave without a few pics. We ventured out mid-morning after bacon and egg sangers and a cup of tea. A hot, humid day with tired kids (who went to bed not long before midnight the night before) does not make for enthusiastic subjects. We kept it short and sweet.
Jx

So very tired...and no wonder.

project 52 - 49/52

2010-12-16T14:09:00.002+10:00

This was a rare i'm-going-to-pose-for-a-photo-cause-i'm-wearing-super-cute-sunnies day.
Jx.

project 52 - 48/52

2010-12-16T14:03:00.002+10:00

Taken at Vintage Espresso, Mermaid Beach. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE vintage & retro ♥
Jx.

project 52 - 47/52

2010-12-16T13:56:00.000+10:00

A thunderstorm is on it's way, as I post this. Stormy weather is predicted for the next few months. I pray for some sunny days to be thrown in as well, please.
Jx.

project 52 - 46/52

2010-12-16T13:45:00.002+10:00

I am determined to finish my project of a photo per week for 52 weeks. I feel so behind in just about everything right now. Have that feeling of my head being just above water. How do so many bloggers out there in the bloggersphere have time to be so creative, and fabulous AND then blog about it. I am in awe.
This is our beautiful girl, Bindi (sporting a summer shave). We adopted her from a shelter in 2003. Before the kids came along, she was numero uno.
I could list a few annoying things she does, like really stinky dog farts & barking her head off at the postman...and the time she had diarrhea in Will's bedroom (but you don't want to know about that).
I can tell you that she's always happy to see us when we get home, she's fantastic with the kids. She's very perceptive and sometimes I think she's reading my mind. She follows me around the house and sits at my feet while I'm on the PC. I don't even want to think about the day she won't be here anymore.

Jx

Tuesday...it's raining again.

2010-12-07T21:21:00.000+10:00

Although this rain has been a great source of entertainment for us this past week, we certainly haven't forgotten all the people doing it tough in regional areas of Queensland & New South Wales. They are battling rising floods, fighting to protect their homes and in some cases, had to evacuate to higher ground. There have been a couple of stories of heroism. One in particular, a man waded into a flooded road to rescue a 77 yo woman from her car. You can check out her story here...it will warm the cockles of your heart ♥ Jx

project 52 - 45/52

2010-12-03T21:54:00.002+10:00

He has changed so much in the past couple of weeks. He rode a fully grown horse, completely on his own (impressed the heck out of me). He's joined Nippers (Junior surf club member). He's excited and ready for prep next year. He's amazing ♥

project 52 - 44/52

2010-12-03T21:48:00.001+10:00

Our adventurer...

project 52 - 43/52

2010-12-03T21:43:00.002+10:00

Something different. We took a turn off our intended path and our drive in search of the Rathdowney Hotel ended up taking twice as long as originally planned. We made it to the Rathy, in time for a country pub meal. It was a bit spooky on the drive home...

project 52 - 42/52

2010-12-03T21:37:00.004+10:00

Taken at Lillydale Farmstay. The kids just radiated pure joy & loved every minute of the farmstay experience. I wanted to stay forever. You can check out more pics & video here.

project 52 - 41/52

2010-12-03T21:30:00.001+10:00

I am so behind on blogging. Still taking pictures most days but struggling to keep up with the actual posting. Love these pics ♥ Just adore his little hands...and those lashes.

project 52 - 40/52

2010-11-15T07:26:00.001+10:00

We had been playing in and around this huge Bamboo at the Botanical Gardens. Later that morning, we chatted with the Park Ranger, as a Snake had been spotted nearby. She mentioned to me that a huge Python was seen in the Bamboo a couple of weeks ago & is probably living in there. As much as I love animals (yes, even Snakes), had I seen a giant Python I would have completely freaked. Needless to say, we won't be playing in there again.
Hope you all had a great weekend. Jx

project 52 - 39/52

2010-11-09T17:09:00.003+10:00

To cut or not to cut? Definitely NOT. Thanks to those who put in their two cents worth. Jx

Halloween 2010 - Gold Coast Custom Photographer

2010-11-03T14:50:00.002+10:00

Trick or treat :) some of my fave pics from the day...

project 52 - 38/52

2010-11-01T17:20:00.001+10:00

I tried to dress Jesse up like Gandalf for Halloween, it wasn't to be. This was pretty much his reaction (actually, it was much worse). He went 'trick or treating' with the other kids, as himself.
Jx

project 52 - 37/52

2010-10-23T16:29:00.000+10:00

Look who decided to give his hair a quick trim :-/

project 52 - 36/52

2010-10-22T15:24:00.002+10:00

He's gone for a sleepover with G'ma & G'pa. There are no loud noises in our house, no questions, no mud being tracked over the carpet, no squabbles with his brother, no refusing his vegetables at dinner. There will be no early morning wakeup via an elbow to the side of my head...but I miss him already :)

Beach session (gifted) - Gold Coast Family Photography

2010-10-21T08:36:00.000+10:00

This shoot was going to be a hit or a miss depending on Mother Nature. I think we all had our fingers and toes crossed that the weather would hold up for us and it did, yay! We had the most amazing, dramatic sky & a golden Sunset towards the end of the session. Emma was the lucky winner of the session giveaway. Thank you Emma & your gorgeous family for such a fun, relaxed shoot. Actually, semi-relaxed, when you consider the rogue wave that drenched poor Mitchell and almost took out my camera bag (sand play was abandoned). Then, there was the downhill run-&-eat-sand stunt dive that almost sent him to the Chiropractor (huge sigh of relief that he was ok).
You were all truly a delight to photograph & beautiful people, inside and out. These are my faves from the day. Jx

project 52 - 35/52

2010-10-10T15:04:00.004+10:00

35/52
Originally uploaded by Janine Coveney Photography
I'm behind on this project. Neither of us are feeling very motivated today. Perhaps it's due to the constant rain that has been hanging around all week. Anyway, this is our effort on our grey Sunday.
Jx

project 52 - 34/52

2010-10-07T22:08:00.006+10:00

Lisa & Dave have the most beautiful flowers in their backyard...along with the odd Bandicoot or two - but that's another story.
Jx

flying solo (beach session) - Gold Coast Custom Photographer

2010-09-29T22:50:00.016+10:00

This was such a fun session & had a whole different vibe (considering I'm so used to shooting family portraits). It's quite a strange feeling, shooting an adult who actually sits still for more than a couple of seconds - but don't get me wrong. I love photographing the little people, as well as the big people.
Tracy & I were both laughing through most of the shoot. She was such a great sport & did whatever I asked, even venturing into the surf at one point, on a not so warm Spring afternoon.
There are so many images from the session that I love. Hope you love them too, Tracy.
Jx

project 52 - 33/52

2010-09-12T22:29:00.012+10:00

This image doesn't do this handsome Rooster justice! Well, you know how much I ♥ birds. Love that red & those golden feathers.
Took the kids to the Currumbin Rock Pools today and just across the road, we found the RSPCA Currumbin Community Farm Campus.
The RSPCA run educational programs in Queensland schools. They teach about animal care but also about kindness, responsibility, fairness, commitment, courage and respect.
No entry fee & a mere $2 gets you a bag of food to feed lots of very sweet & appreciative Pigs, Sheep, Chickens, Turkey, a Cow, Guinea Pigs & a Goat. There is also a Turtle, a Python (who was shy & retiring) & a Bearded Dragon. The staff are super friendly & up for a chat & we couldn't have had more fun on a Sunday with $2!
Hope your weekend was fab. Jx
(click on the pic to get a better look)

project 52 - 32/52

2010-09-03T18:01:00.009+10:00

Today the kids and I took a drive to Tyalgum to breathe in some country air. If you ever get there, a visit to Flutterbies Cottage Cafe is a must.
Just oozing 'ye olde worlde' charm, it's stuffed with lots of pretty, pretty things - too pretty to take two boisterous boys inside.

Have a beautiful weekend - Jx

project 52 - 31/52

2010-08-27T09:09:00.001+10:00

A favourite place to watch the world go by...and play peek-a-boo!

project 52 - 30/52

2010-08-22T22:25:00.003+10:00

G'ma cuddles ♥

Ava's Tea Party ♥

2010-08-16T15:01:00.013+10:00

It sometimes pays to drive down an unfamiliar road. For no particular reason I made a right turn off my usual route home and spotted a little park. It didn't look like much - until I took a walk.
Turned out it was the perfect place to celebrate Ava's Tea Party. Although we never met the Super- Princess, we miss her & wish her.

Here comes the Sun ♥

yesterday.

2010-08-13T07:52:00.003+10:00

I'm always thinking about how he will not be small for very long. I try to soak in all his baby-ness as it slips away. He's fascinated by our bathroom at the moment and bath time is definitely a highlight of his day. Hanging out there anytime is pretty fun too. J x

Project 52 - 29/52

2010-08-12T12:36:00.006+10:00

We've been at Gov's Espresso this morning. Met some lovely people, big & small :)

Project 52 - 28/52

2010-08-02T00:07:00.004+10:00

Just had to post two images together for this one. It's all fun & games until the smaller of the two gets body slammed by you know who. P.S. Trusty blankey is at hand to provide instant relief.
P.P.S. 'body slammed' was a slight exaggeration of course!

project 52 - 27/52

2010-07-26T00:35:00.001+10:00

Today we celebrated Jasmine's 1st Birthday with her at the Botanical Gardens, Benowa. As we walked back to the car, loaded up with kids, pram, scooter, balloons & loot bags - I had to stop. Next time I'm there I'll take the time to actually find out what they are called :/. Hope you had a great weekend.

Jx
P.S I love that you can see the little Ant on the right.

"T" family - Gold Coast Winter session.

2010-07-25T20:53:00.002+10:00

I fully intended to post these images earlier this week. Then I got busy and pretty overwhelmed with a long list of 'other things I should be doing first'. While editing the images I was reminded how important it is to step away for a bit and just do something fun. Be in the present moment.
The light on this particular afternoon was perfection. Our original beach location was snapped up by a commercial photographer so we headed South a bit & just caught the Sun as it was about to disappear behind Burleigh Hill.
Watching kids at play, you can't help but feel lighter. I went home feeling refreshed & looking forward to the Summer months when we eat our dinner at the beach and stay until dark.
Thank you for such a fun session girls!
janine xo

Erin & Mike

2010-07-13T23:00:00.001+10:00

This session was so relaxing. I could not have asked for a sweeter couple to spend the afternoon with at the gorgeous Botanical Gardens. The day had been overcast & soon after we arrived, out came the Sun.
Love was definitely in the air.

monday

2010-07-12T22:41:00.007+10:00

You are worried about seeing him spend his early years in doing nothing. What! Is it nothing to be happy? Nothing to skip, play, and run around all day long? Never in his life will he be so busy again.
~Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Emile, 1762

project 52 - 26/52

2010-07-12T22:26:00.001+10:00

my favourite time of the day...

project 52 - 25/52

2010-06-25T21:42:00.005+10:00

I have to say that the recent environmental catastrophe that need not be named has been getting me down.

Not to mention all news stories in general.

I am reminded to pause and find the light.

project 52 - 24/52

2010-06-24T23:20:00.000+10:00

How the time has flown. He turns 5 next week ♥.

project 52 - 23/52

2010-06-20T15:36:00.007+10:00

Brothers.

project 52 - 22/52

2010-06-13T22:49:00.006+10:00

He had so much fun at the Wintersun Festival today. We will miss it next year now that it's moving down South :(

Inspired.

2010-06-10T00:35:00.006+10:00

I spent my first weekend away from my family recently, just two nights. It's so true that you appreciate so much more when you step away for a bit. I missed our boys.
However, I spent the weekend in Brisbane with some beautiful friends. We shopped on La Trobe Terrace at the Antique Market where I picked up this little red chair. We saw Sex in the City 2 at the historical Regent Theatre which is sadly to be torn down soon to make way for a high rise office building.
I discovered I like a Mojito along with my Jaffas.
Best of all, we got together with the gorgeous Sheye and talked for hours about photography, not the technical stuff - the stuff at the heart of it.
I look back now and realise how Sheye may have been just a little nervous at the thought of being surrounded by us, in the buzz of our excitement.
The time got away, there were loads of laughs and some tears too.
I am reminded that dreams are worth following.

project 52 - 21/52

2010-06-08T17:51:00.005+10:00

A Gold Coast local.

project 52 - 20/52

2010-06-08T17:31:00.002+10:00

A quiet moment in his favourite tree.

project 52 - 19/52

2010-06-08T17:08:00.004+10:00

Peek-A-Boo!

project 52 - 18/52

2010-06-08T16:42:00.002+10:00

His favourite things are: climbing trees, dirt, water, bugs, treasure hunting & his scooter. I LOVE that he gives me flowers almost every day & I hope he never grows out of it.

Super Kid-O!

2010-05-20T22:20:00.008+10:00

How much super gorgeous-ness can you cram into one room? A whole lot!

This was so much fun! Lots of giggles all around.

It's quite a job to keep super-caped-crawling-crusaders in one spot, so thanks for all your hard work

Super Mum :)

By the way, Super "O" left his pants behind...I will drop them off to you :)

Casting call!

2010-05-18T22:59:00.017+10:00

Interested in free custom photography portraits? If you meet the criteria below & can spare an hour or so of your time, you will receive 5x7" professional prints at my cost. Also included will be images on CD (low resolution) to share with friends & family on the web as well as the opportunity to purchase enlargements & custom boutique products at a very special discounted rate.

I am looking for:

Little People -
Girl aged between 7-15 with distinct freckles (and lots of them) and long hair.
Girl aged between 5-15 with super curly hair.
Sisters aged between 7-15.
Brothers aged between 7-15.

Big People -
Mum-to-be at approximately 34-36 weeks. (Partner may also be included).
Couple aged between 18-30.

To register your interest, contact me by email (see contact section at the top of this page) & include a photo of the potential subject/s.
Please note that this offer does not include a standard gallery of images. You will receive up to 5 images from the session.
Places are limited for this casting call offer & you must live on the Gold Coast or just over the border at Tweed.
I will contact you to discuss all the details.

project 52 - 17/52

2010-05-15T12:33:00.003+10:00

He cried when it was time to get off :(

project 52 - 16/52

2010-05-15T12:32:00.006+10:00

I liked the shadows here.

project 52 - 15/52

2010-05-15T12:31:00.006+10:00

The Gold Coast version of a Beach Box :)

i heart faces week 19 "Celebrating Mom".

2010-05-11T16:31:00.008+10:00

I think all the Moms/Mums/Mamas of this often chaotic, always interesting world should be celebrated each & every day. This image calms me, I love her protective & tender kiss.
See all the gorgeous Mama entries over at i heart faces.

i heart faces "Fix it Friday" #52

2010-05-01T15:40:00.011+10:00

This is my first attempt at editing somebody elses image and sharing it with the blog world.
I cropped out the distracting sign pole on the right and the other distractions on the left (I wasn't game to remove the pole & sign from behind her arm as i couldn't get it to look 100% natural). I then converted to mono using the Gradient tool. I tweaked levels and curves using layers & masks. Next I added a blue filter layer to cool the tones slightly and darkened the edges a touch.
Look here for more "Fix it Friday" edits :-D

Original

My Edit

i heart faces week 17 "smiles" photo challenge.

2010-04-26T14:41:00.001+10:00

I'm not sure what the joke was but it sure looked like it was a good one. I ♥ this moment captured.

Head on over to i heart faces to check out all the fantastic smiles.

rainy day play date.

2010-04-20T17:05:00.001+10:00

Today I made Playdough with the kids, it's amazing how something so quick and easy can keep them entertained for so long :-) I captured these just as it started to rain ♥

i heart faces week 16 "Collages" photo challenge.

2010-04-20T00:02:00.003+10:00

Some of my most favourite images this year are of Jesse playing at the Pirate park in his Pirate pants! I love his sweet little hands. We had so much fun together on this day ♥
Head on over to iheart faces to check out the other collage entries.

project 52 - [14/52]

2010-04-16T19:36:00.001+10:00

I ♥ his smile...

"P" family mini session.

2010-04-15T11:32:00.011+10:00

Just all around gorgeous-ness! I hope I get to capture your lovely family again as it grows ♥

project 52 - [13/52]

2010-04-10T21:52:00.003+10:00

I'm behind in my project 52...I took this a couple of weeks ago and only just went back to look at the shots. I must include this one as he just melts my heart ♥. He has a yucky cold but is still smiling through the runny eyes, coughing and sneezing. Thank you Baby Balsam.
Jx

project 52 - [12/52]

2010-04-08T19:01:00.004+10:00

This post is a little late...it's been crazy around here. I did two Zumba classes this week and it felt great to get the heart rate up and feel re-energized. Also, I was so thrilled when I heard that I was the lucky winner of the red Lola camera bag by Epiphanie from the Beyond Snapshots blog give away. I will be posting pics here when 'she' arrives. Jesse had so much fun today in this bucket! Life is beautiful...take time out to soak it in.

iheartfaces weekly photo challenge "dramatic b&w"

2010-03-29T16:28:00.008+10:00

This is our son Will, captured mid sneeze.
I love his dramatic face wrinkles ♥.
This weeks guest judge is Tara Whitney. You can check out other entries over here at iheartfaces.

"F" family sneak peek...

2010-03-28T23:15:00.024+10:00

So today I returned to take more pics of the gorgeous "F" family. Baby "M" is now 6 weeks old and seriously cute as a button. It was lovely to see that the two first born 'kids' are just as loved. Thank you again for sharing your precious Sunday morning time with me.
Jx

I want you red Lola!

2010-03-26T11:54:00.011+10:00

Maile Wilson has donated a red Lola Epiphanie camera bag for one of the lucky readers of the Beyond Snapshots blog! It is beyond gorgeous and certainly not your run-of-the-mill-boring-zero personality bag which is what I currently have.
So the catch is you have to win it! So here is my Red entry...

You can pop over here to see more red entries and check out the blog...
beyond snapshots

sweet baby cuteness by the truckload...

2010-03-25T11:57:00.001+10:00

Just wanted to share this super cute collage of baby M. I'll be seeing him in a couple of days to take more pics of his family. I can't wait to see how much he has changed :-D