Some exiting news !

So I have had the privilege of shooting for Wendy Barker Dance Studios for a couple of years now and as most of you would know my daughters have enjoyed being one of the students for a few years more.
Whenever I get into a bit of  a photo funk,  I go through the work done at each of the Christmas concerts for drive and inspiration.  During the full dress rehearsals I get so drawn in.... its hard not to forget myself , leap out of the chair and yell out   'I  *know* that girl!'  and fumble and fuss in the dark trying not to  drop thousands of dollars worth of lens and camera body- and act like a clumsy idiot skipping through the isle chairs while dropping replacement cards and aa batteries (you could never accuse me of doin any kind of cool).  This years concert was 'Out Of the Box' and on concert day there was standing room only.     Well I know this girl...... its Matilda  -   this year she really shone in every single frame.

Added to shooting for the school,  I will this year be covering the La Sylphide proffesional production set to take place in August dance by the Young Dancers Company of Central Queensland.  You may remember last year the company performing the Nutcracker over Christmas 2010.  
There is so much work going on every day of the week by the company to bring our region the beautiful art of dance.  I hope to be able to post updates on progress,  and document  some of the blood sweat and tears that go into putting on a ballet.   In the next little while I will have done some research on La Sylphide so we can go on the journey to gether and by performance night - you can come along  and support our local  fabulous dancers like Matilda and know exactly what its all about.
STAY TUNED

Double Figures

This past week my darling eldest daughter turned 10.
Jazlyn ?...Please stop growing so fast and so tall ( I am not sure jeans can be made with longer legs in them than you wear right now -  I have no intention of learning how to sew at this stage of my life)
If you keep growing so much you'll be left home in no time at all - so you're only allowed leave a couple hours drive from me at most !
When ever my girls have birthday's I stupidly  suffocate myself  in nostalgia and quietly plead for time to turn just  wee bit slower- (unlike when they were teeny tiny babies I would wish away time to see them reach milestones).

I am so proud of who she is !

On with 2011

As you probably know by now I do sneak off to my favourite place for a few days here and there...
It really refreshes me to be surrounded with laughter,   nature,   and intelligent  conversation.

The new year really kicks off for me when the children go back to school.  I get back into business mode.   I feel inspired  to be a better business person - and free up some time and energy for more creativity.  2010 wasn't the very best year for me,  I struggled, cried learned  - and grew.    Who knows what 2011 holds ? But I am really looking forward to it- & will hopefully have plenty more I can blog about this year.

This little guy

This little guy turns up every night.  We leave the light on over head so it attracts moths geckos and other hideous critters.  He has been here for nearly two years... at least.  In the begining  he'd model for me while I played around in every other mode on my camera than manual ...because I was afraid I wouldnt' get it all together in low light.  He still turns up, even when the weather cools off. 

And although I love to see him - its from  a little way back... well more  like a way way back. 

A new year ! and some great changes.

This is the address to my brand spankin shiny new flash website and I am really hoping it serves the purpose of being able to browse latest work, with the option of visiting me here to read about how things are going on the family and photography front.
http://gracephotographyonline.net



So..  let me know how you like it !!  I hope after a few days of little sleep and a brain bleed the effort was worth it.

Some Dance

As you all know both my girls love to dance and each year I round them up into the outfits they've worn throughout the year and document them all...  its just too rushed for me to get nice images on important days and the last thing they appreciate is being pulled up and told to 'smile'  for me.  Doing it this way gives us a girly day and the chance to re-live some great times we had in the year.
Here are some of our favourites...  ( yes family these are some that'll make the calendar ;)   )

Schools out at our place !

School is finished, dancing is done and dusted.  So at the moment my kids days are filled with days with long swimming sessions icecream and soft drink.  Visits to parks and the beach are just too hot for my girls - they burn so easy.  Jazlyn and her cousin her are showing all kinds of awesome ;)  for the camera and Chloe just took along time to think about it

After the stunt work I made them play in the shady part of the pool  (a) so we didnt get any scrunchy face photos and (b)  so I wouldn't have to buy my  Mum a new set of teeth because although you cant see her in the frame she dilegently waited just in front of them their in case they needed to be caught....

I lo

I love this photo of Jazlyn - there was SO much strong sunlight and blue cast due the white surroundings and pool lining I was playing with some vintage ...

I think its soft -  & all three girls were of course fabulous models...   they're not camera shy.  At all.  Their cousin wasnt allowed in the pool yesterday due to being too burned on the top of his little ears but I can hear them  just outside my lounge today in full swing as he stacks marshmellow Christmas Trees on some Kabana cheeze and dip stacks they tucking into.  An interesting combo.

 

 

My hope is they can always remember how to play.... with sweet abandon and joy.   No one has been allowed the Wii or Playstation and you should hear them create play...  its pretty funny (Chloe is SO bossy)
They will all want a look at their photos when they come inside and see them selves on Gina's (or Mummy's) blog so this is one of  Elijah when he was being a good boy with his sun hat on. 

Now he'll  like being here with all them girls... :]   
This weekend I have a photoshoot at the beach with a toddler and a puppy.  Good times lol...  I cant wait to share them its going be cute business I can tell.