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The beauty of motherhood is sometimes forgotten  with the dreary of our day to day. The jobs of being a mother can sometimes feel like a thick blanket on a warm day…smothering. We can forget that there is beauty in our roles as Mums, as we focus on the washing, cleaning, fighting, messiness of life with children.   This messiness and noise is not why we signed up to be a Mother, and as my best friend said “this was not in the brochure.”

But I love being a Mum, and there is beauty in motherhood . I wanted to remind myself of this,  so I decided to join my two passions: photography and motherhood.  I created a project to document the natural, and the candid beauty of motherhood. Our smiles are the biggest when our arms are wrapped around our children. There is a sparkle in our eye when we play at our favourite place with our children. There is real joy when we watch our children be little. That smile is what I want to capture. The look of love that is indescribable with words.

My plan was to document 20 Mothers and their children by Mother’s Day in 2015. I have captured 5 gorgeous families. The real number doesn’t matter that much but I would like to get as close as possible. In fact, I thought I would reach 20 easy peasy. However, the number one reason I have heard why Mothers don’t want to be in front of the camera usually has to do with their appearance. I knew this was a possibility, so I put myself in front of the camera here.

But just let me say this ” you are beautiful“. I want to shout this from the rooftop. Your wrinkles are from smiling. Your tummy is stretched from carrying your gorgeous children. The bags under your eyes are from looking after children who wake-up at night. But only you will see these flaws. Only you will not see the Beautiful YOU. Your children will see your beauty, and so too will your friends and family. Again, “You are beautiful!!!”

So if you are flawless, and belong in a magazine then your are not the role model that I am looking for. But, if you love your children, and they are the light of your life then I am looking for you. If you love to bake, and have a favourite recipe then I would love to capture you in your kitchen. If you love to build sand castles, and collect shells then I would love to capture you on the beach. If you love to make a mess with arts and crafts or jump on the bed with your children, then I would love you to invite me into your house. If you would love to help me reach my goal of capturing 20 mothers by Mother’s day, then send me an email at cindy@image421photography.com.

One of the first questions that I ask when families enquire about portrait sessions is “where do you like to play together?”.  Sometimes, there is a pause and I can see them thinking, “We don’t  have a place to play”. But then I ask “Where is your favourite place to visit together?” “Is there a beach or a park or a room in your home that you like to play together?”  The reason that I ask this question about the location for the portrait session  is that I have found portraits at your favourite place are  relaxed.  Your favourite place is where children relax the most. Children love to show you the hidden secrets they have found with their Mum and Dad. They lead the way and I follow. This is their turf and they invite me to play. The result is that the portraits are natural and unposed. It is not forced fun. It is fun.

When I suggest the location, then I lead the way. This is my turf, and they are seeing it for the first time. I invite you to play and sometimes it takes a while  for children to warm-up, and relax.

The next time you are thinking about portraits for your family, then think about the places you like to play. A great view is one thing, but real laughter, unforced joy and a sparkle in their eyes is another.

If you want to book a  {together } session with your family at your favourite location, then please send an email to cindy@image421photography.com.You will receive a complimentary print (11 x 14)  of the collage of your {together} session for all sessions booked in January, 2015. Just like this one!

December was a crazy month for us.  My son graduated Year 10. My daughter had  surgery on both of her feet. School finished for the year, as well as ballet performances, and end of year concerts. We moved house, and after all the boxes were unloaded from the truck, one of the first requests that I heard was, ” When can we put up the Christmas tree? ARGH! Christmas! I felt like I couldn’t catch my breath. So I bought some time, and I used a delaying tactic. “How about we buy a real tree for our new home?” It worked, and I had a weeks grace.

During that week, I unpacked, and the dust started to settle. I started to imagine a series of photos at the Christmas tree farm in summer dresses, sandals, and gorgeous afternoon light. Blue skies with puffy white clouds as we celebrated the Summer Christmas we enjoy here in Sydney. My imagination ran wild as I unpacked….and unpacked.

The weekend arrived, and I could feel my plans starting to slip. End of year activities filled our weekend, and the only time available for us to visit the farm was in the morning. The weather was cold for December, nothing like the Summer weather we normally experience.  After breakfast, my girls went to get dressed and walked out in boots and long sleeves. Nothing that said Summer. I will admit that the photographer wanted to scream “NOOOO!”. This was not the mini session that I had imagined as I unpacked. I Sighed! I paused.

And then I reminded myself that this wasn’t a photo session. We were buying a tree for Christmas. This was a moment, not a photography opportunity. So we went with the clothes my girls had picked out. We went when the light was not perfect. We went to the tree farm,  and we wandered through the lines of beautifully shaped trees. We ran up the hills, and down the hills. We talked and we laughed. We picked a tree we thought looked beautiful. We took it home, and decorated it.

This moment was  filled with joy, and I am so glad that I let the moment happen. Now when I look at these images, I think they are better than what I imagined as unpacked the boxes. This is life. And this is my festive 5.

Now follow the link to see Sonia Epple Fotografie . I can’t wait see her Festive 5 images.

This month I started a red and green project. I love colour and I love combinations of colour. Red and green seemed an obvious choice for this month, but I did not want to capture the traditional Christmas images. I was using this time of year as an inspiration, but I didn’t want all of the images to be about Christmas. It started with my red shoes, and green fern leaves. I posted the picture online, and then thought maybe I should do this for the whole of December. I am amazed at how many “red and green” combinations I have seen when I didn’t have my camera. A red and green cars parked next to each other. A toddler with a green tutu, red tshirt, and red shoes. A green letterbox with red flowers. All of these, and many more have popped into my field of vision. I was truly at awe with how many times I have seen this color combination in the last two weeks.
Personally, we moved house and I wanted to stay creative during this crazy time. It helps me to be a little sane, and helps me to get through my to do list. Once I crossed something off my to-do list, then I could play with the camera. Many of the images I shared via instagram or via VSCO as we didn’t have the internet for a while. I did take the same images with my big girl camera, whenever possible. I love my big girl camera. There are some who love IG and posting from their mobile phone. I am not one of them. I do like the simplicity but I don’t think it will ever replace my camera.

I have received a few requests to share by daily images in a collage. So here it is! The first 13 days of my red and green project.

Now take a peek at the color in Erica’s world.

On this day, we visited “the Rocks” “The Rocks” is the historical part of the Sydney, and get it’s name from the fact that many of the buildings were made with sandstone when the first settlers arrived. It is a must see when you visit Sydney, and a favourite place of mine. We went to visit the markets, and look for some locally made crafts. My daughters and I wandered happily until we stumbled upon some chocolate covered strawberries. I knew instantly they would ask for this treat, and I did not plan on saying no. We shopped and looked a little more, and then back tracked to get our treat. I asked the girls if they wanted to walk to the park, and enjoy an impromptu picnic by the harbour. They agreed but the temptation to eat our sweet-smelling strawberries as we walked was difficult until we saw the Harbour Bridge and The Opera House. They were a great distraction. Once we arrived at the park, we found a patch of grass and finally enjoyed those strawberries. On one side of us was the Harbour Bridge, on the other was the Opera House. I never get tired of this view. It is a stunning city, and this is our 30 minutes in one of the prettiest cities in the world.

Now pop across the Tasman to see Sam’s 30 minutes in New Zealand. Sam Mothersole Photography

Time with our children is always precious. When we have a place to play that we all love, we relax and be ourselves. We create days, and moments  remembered for a long time. Kristin, and her two children, enjoy such a place. It is her parent’s property where they spend long afternoons searching for yabbies in the creek, riding on grandpa’s tractor, building bon fires and toasting marshmallows.

The beauty of this property is obvious as soon as you arrive. There is a little lake, stunning trees and a house that belongs in a magazine. We pulled on our gumboots, and started our session with a walk to the creek. Then they played, and it was a true pleasure to capture. We walked along the creek, and they made boats from leaves and sticks.

As we walked to the lake, we chatted. Ms B and Master H told me a little about their Mum. They said she gave the best hugs, and made  delicious “eggs on toast”. This made both of us  laugh. We often focus on the big fancy meals, and it is the simple dinners they love. The meals we pull together in a moments notice to give them something to eat.

This is the beauty of motherhood. It truly is my pleasure to share it with you. Enjoy!

Real life is not all smiles and laughter. We have those days when tears and sadness fill our house. These tears are usually fleeting, and pass quickly. This day was no exception. You were feeling tired from a late night. A broom fell on the floor, and then your sister knocked it. The broom hit your foot, and you burst into tears. We all stood looking at you, as the force of the knock did not seem to match the amount of pain it caused. You saw our looks of bewilderment, and you stormed out the room. I let you go. I knew you needed some quiet time, and time to yourself. You sat on the stairs staring out the front door, with tears in your eyes. I let you calm down, and then approached you. I do not normally take my camera, but it was in my hand when the tears started. As we talked, I captured your anger, your tears, and then your smiles. You realised that your sister did not mean to kick the broom, and the pain subsided quickly. This all happened in 30 seconds. Real life is beautiful mixed bag of emotions, and I cherish every moment.

30 minutes. Once a month. Well, that seems like an easy task. By my rough calculations, there are over 43000 minutes in a month. So how does each month come by so fast? Are our watches on fast forward? Some months, I have a vague idea about what I would like to capture. Other months, the idea bank is empty. I am constantly on the lookout for that elusive 30 minutes, thinking ” is this 30 minutes I need to capture”. I take my camera with me everywhere. It is my one constant accessory. When I don’t, I feel almost naked. I am not a mobile photographer, although I am trying to embrace this. Honestly, I like my camera. I like capturing our life with my big camera, and taking it with me is not a hassle. I keep it simple with 2 lenses, but usually I don’t change the lens when we are out and about. I just roll with it.

This 30 minutes was spontaneous. It just happened. We went to a park on a Saturday afternoon. We felt bored, and not sure what to do with ourselves. We had just come back from holidays, and we were still in that holiday activity mode; ” What are we doing today?”.  We decided to go for a drive, and went to visit Parramatta Park. The kids were less than impressed, as it was historical buildings and no playgrounds. After a long stroll by the river, they all wanted to go home. We got in the car, and as we drove out I saw  blossoms on the trees. I said, “let’s take a look”. All the kids cried “No!”. I begged; “Please, can we take a quick look”. So my husband stopped the car, and I jumped out before they had time to argue with me.

And gradually, one by one, they joined me in these gardens, called the “wisteria garden”. Seriously, could spring be anymore beautiful? I do not think I have seen so much beauty in such a small space. The gardens attracted many to enjoy picnics, play games, and slow walks. And next season, we will go back for a picnic, but this is our 30 minutes of spontaneity in spring.

Now take a visit to the amazingly talented Summer of SummerKPhotography. I promise you will love it.

Doors. I love doors, and I particularly like old doors with their rusty handles. I like the scratches and imperfections. I love the history, and the stories they could tell.

I like modern, and bright coloured doors. On my buckets list is a home with a red front door. I think I would instantly purchase an unseen house if I pulled up in the driveway to see a red front door out the car window.

I love the symbolism of doors, and the fact that in life when one door closes, another door opens. To move on, we often need to open that door, and make a change. I love that life presents us with sliding door moments, and our life is never the same once we open that door.

Of course, my photography has increased my appreciation for doors. I love photographing doors, and find it a challenge to get the lines straight. I have many door images with crooked lines. I think this has to do with my height, or lack there of. My tippy toes just don’t give me enough height. But still, I stand on the very tips of  my toes, and stretch in the hope of getting those lines straight.

Now you can imagine my joy when we arrived at our holiday house to find a door with character. Instantly, I loved it. I knew that before the holiday was over, I needed to capture that door. I observed the door in different light, and I waited patiently for the right moment. That happened on the day you decided to play a game. You walked in and out the door several times, and played different parts in your imaginary game. I loved that game.

Click on the link to view beautiful images on Cherish this day

So when I took my vacation a couple of weeks ago, I really missed one aspect of Facebook. I missed the blog circles that I belong to. I have met some absolutely beautiful women who adore photography. They encourage each other everyday. They cheer loudly for all of the successes, and they commiserate the failures. They push each other to do better, and to create the best work possible. We are all at different levels in our photography journey, and  there are no divas or drama queens. Just a group of Mums who love photography.

I check my blog circles daily to stay in touch, and chat with my online friends. The funny thing is I have never actually heard their voices, but I feel I know these ladies by their words, and their images. I know the day we do meet, we will hug each other with a real affection.

This is my tip to you to  improve your own photography. Find a blog group, and take part in a weekly or monthly circle that requires you to share your work. You will start as strangers with a passion. You will be inspired to stretch your skills, and be a better photographer. Your work will improve. At times, you will feel out of your comfort zone. You will question your abilities, but as the weeks pass you will start to soar. There helping you along the way will be those strangers who are now friends. But to receive praise and comments, you need to give it. Be generous, real, and open. Share the love, and it will come back to you.

Now don’t take my word for it. Follow the link to see the rest of the photographers in this circle. They are truly gorgeous ladies, and the lovely Julie of Jujujems Art and Photo Studio will not disappoint you.