To all Mums, I hope you had a special and wonderful day with your families xx

However on the Monday, I was a little distracted from the beauty of our surroundings as I desperately hoped to watch the live streaming of the judging the 2012 Epson AIPP Victorian Professional Photography Awards.  Slight little problem.  I had NO SERVICE on my Iphone, or the Ipad!

Off I went a little further up the hill and happily found 3 bars of 3G service.  So there I sat, on a blue towel, creating a little picnic and waited.  I’m sure I looked rather odd to the many trucks and tractors that ventured down the country road….

(My picnic on the side of a dirt road, in Daylesford | Taken with Instagram on the Iphone 4 | A rather beautiful view I must say!)

After around two hours we ventured into Daylesford, visiting the Convent for lunch and the Botanical Gardens for a play.  A beautiful afternoon with the children being really really good.

We then stopped at the supermarket for BBQ supplies.  All with the iPad on the arm watching the judging.  My heart would practically stop as my images appeared on the screen.  In fact we all stopped wherever we were that day, and we adults pored over the wonderful device that is the iPad and listened watched.

Our last stop was to buy champagne!!  I am utterly thrilled and excited to announce that of the four images I entered into the Portrait Category, 3 won Silver awards, and my final print a Silver with Distinction!  I also received a Silver award in the new Family Category.

I choose to enter the awards, not to lose hair every year(!), but to push myself creatively and take the opportunity to have my work judged by some of the leading names in the industry both in Australia and overseas.  Australia really does have the most amazing photographic talent, and I’m honoured to have received awards judged by some of these brilliant artists.

The AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards will be held in Melbourne in May, so I will be sharing my full portfolio after this.  However would like to thank my fabulous friends in the industry for their advice and support as well as the beautiful subjects of the prints!  I will leave you with this print, which won a Silver in the Family Category.

As we all know today the reason we are all gathered here, But if ya don’t…. your in strife so go get a beer,

From the day we first met, Link and I were destined to be a team, From which I found out who’s boss (dammit) with a black eye and a hell of a gleam,

But when two hearts so soft and caring do collide, Ive got no choice buddy… I defiantly want you on my side,

Not from the shiner-Split lip & nor what I perceived,But from the morals and respect that this man Master Link Barnett showed and received,

He was a true friend that I knew I’d have from the start,One I’ll treasure, hold and respect forever with all my heart,

We lost contact for some years till this one special day, Of which I remember so dearly & what more can I say,

Apart from the fact that I did try and go hide (shah), Work had brought us once again together, side bye side,

Then came that invite to come around for that lovely tea, To not only catch up but meet the special but stubborn K-D,

That beautiful smile and her eyes oh so deep, And as I said hey Linko….. This is the one ya definitely gotta keep,

As time went on they grew and he finally bent that knee, Shivering and shaking asked special K…. will you please marry me…”

“…Little did we know of the plans to come that we would find, And along with some very hard times to confuse and test any mind,

I could tell something was happening with a special little surprise, And holly snappin ducks**t batman…. Hey Richo meet our little Levi,

Oh Boi…. Isn’t he a Gem with those chunky little legs, But the poor little bugger has definitely got dads big boof-head,

Now to my point… Where to start lets see, Just to let both of you how proud we all are and always will be,

From those sh***y little things that continue to niggle at your mind, Just remember your love together as “one” You never again will find,

So I will ramble on cause that’s what I do… And I’m gunna any way, On how much love and respect you two have right here today,

So as I’m the little bugger with that voice oh so loud, I think I’ve got the right to speak for all of this crowd

There is no words nor reason for this tear in my eye, Apart from the the example and reason Ill explain now and why

I think it needs to be noted just what makes this day so special for me, Well lets put it this way… there is never going to be a place Id ever rather be

As one you will follow each others heart and soul, Life’s ups and downs to just keep that almighty “one” special goal

To respect and cherish each other through life and to never let go
With love and congratulations for your special day
Always and Forever Love your little mate
‘Richo’ “

(Words written by Richo, thanks for allowing your words to be shared!)

Massive thank-you to Blake Pearl, who was the best assistant anyone could ask for, your work is amazing hun! xx

Presenting Mum her latest gallery, brought a sad but important image to her, totally by accident…  This family have two gorgeous cats (and I love cats!)  and all this time I’ve failed to get an image of the two of them together (and certainly not in the family photos!)  But in the latest session, I captured Cleo watching over our session.  It was the first image in the gallery.

I woke up this morning to this email:

“The photos are absolutely beautiful as ever.

I had a lovely surprise on opening them although it made me cry, seeing a beautiful picture of little Cleo, as sadly she had to be put to sleep last Friday, as she had a stroke which had left her back legs paralyzed.

We now have a beautiful picture of her so thank you!”

Capturing family pets is just so important, and even if it’s not the image I’d been hoping for over the years, just goes to show that the accidental ‘snapshot’ can be just so important.  RIP Cleo, and my thoughts are with the gorgeous J family xx

Stay tuned, more to come SOON!