...where we lay our scene...

Time to go.....

2008-05-14T17:58:00.000-07:00

Well as you can see this blog has been neglected .....I've decided to once again mess the blogs of my personal and professional life so you can now catch me over at this address......

http://sheilahigginsphotographyblog.blogspot.com/

Pink Ballons and a rainbow too

2008-03-01T01:46:00.000-08:00

from 07

2008-02-13T20:17:00.000-08:00

These pics have been sitting on the hard drive for a few months now. They are just some quick snaps of Mary-Ella with her missing her first two teeth - she has lost 6 now! I will need to get some updated photos but when I found these I thought it would be nice to share......

Ice-cream

2008-01-29T01:55:00.000-08:00

Slackola

2008-01-22T19:07:00.000-08:00

Okay so I've been pretty slack over the holidays......

To be honest it was a holiday and I didn't take many photos and editing just keeps getting put on the backburner.

Here are a few images to share and one day - hopefully- I will get to some of the others that are just sitting on my hard drive and the moment.

This is the daughter of photographer extraordinare - Kelly Munce. We got to have a fun shoot when we were headed home from Sydney.

The other news is that I'm in the process of building a brand new website......will keep you posted on it......

Outtakes

2007-12-16T04:00:00.000-08:00

Excuse me, excuse me - can I just ask, when will this be finished????

Seriously? It's going to be that long???

Dolls

2007-12-03T04:20:00.000-08:00

if only I had a dollar if everytime the girls have been likened to dolls......

Kitty

2007-11-28T21:51:00.000-08:00

My little Kitty Higgins

Ava and Grace

2007-11-13T01:39:00.000-08:00

This is Grace - the little sister of one of Mary-Ella's school friends and Ava's buddy.
They were born exactly a year apart - their birthday is March 8th - International Women's Day.
Ava just adores her. Actually anyone that meets her feels the same.
These shots were taken for the Minsters Multicultural Photographic Awards so we made sure we got a few with Grace wearing a Hanbok from Korea - her country of birth. Otherwise known to Ava as a Hammock.

Burger Town

2007-10-28T03:54:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to post these for ages! Thanks guys for a fun afternoon. I'm lovin' all the sunflare.

How cute is Charlie? I love the way Lucy has her arm around his neck!

Sydney Photo Sessions

2007-10-27T14:05:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm doing just a few sessions while we are in Sydney.
If you have family and friends in Sydney please let them know that I will able to take on 1 or 2 more sessions over the two weeks around Christmas. My dates aren't yet confirmed.

I'm really excited to try some new locations and just have some fun.

Hittin the Beach

2007-10-22T03:18:00.001-07:00

Think Pink. I Just Joined!

2007-10-13T20:45:00.000-07:00

hey all - here is a copy of a post I just made on my Photography Blog. I 'd love you all to read this and share the link with as many people as possible.

Think Pink Photography

Think Pink Sessions
Through our photographer network, we are helping breast cancer survivors and their supporters to celebrate life with charitable photography sessions.

Any individual that has been diagnosed with breast cancer or completed treatment within the past 12 months qualifies for a Think Pink Session. Sessions are available to document the fight before or during treatment or to celebrate the victory when treatment is completed.

Clients will receive a complimentary session, (20) small prints, and a discount off additional print orders.

All profits from Think Pink Photography will be donated to The Beverly Family Foundation. As a 3-time breast cancer survivor, Danielle Beverly and her husband Eric joined together to form a foundation dedicated to promoting education, increasing awareness, and providing support and resources for families who have been touched by breast cancer.

As Think Pink Photography grows, so will the opportunities for you to become involved and support this important cause. I encourage you to sign up for our newsletter (on the Think Pink website and Think Pink blog) and tell your friends and family about Think Pink Photography. Awareness is everything and we can't be successful without you.

If you know of anyone that may benefit from a Think Pink Session please direct them to my website or here at my blog. Please visit the website to learn more about this great organisation.

Please share this post and the Think Pink link with everyone and support this great cause.

Sunny Coast

2007-10-01T15:57:00.000-07:00

Just a few shots from our few days at the sunny coast....i was on a break....
Jasmine and Pete ...the rest are still coming....

June 2nd

2007-10-01T03:15:00.000-07:00

Your Birthdate: June 2

You're so intuitive, it's like you have a sixth, seventh, and eighth sense.
You connect with others freely and easily - and you tend to have many best friends.
Warm and caring, it's hard for you to close your heart to anyone.
Affection is like air for you - you need to give and receive it to survive.

Your strength: Your universal compassion

Your weakness: Your unpredictable mood swings

Your power color: Mauve

Your power symbol: Butterfly

Your power month: February

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Thanks Frederique, I don't think it really describes me but it was fun.......

Tinkerbell

2007-09-18T21:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was storybook dress up day! Mary-Ella went as Tinkerbell.

I think she just might be the prettiest Tinkerbell that ever was!!

Ans she's sporting a mighty fine tatoo.

Ahhh sweetness
A huge thanks to Hazel for making the dress (it's a long story......don't ask.)

Hello Yellow

2007-09-17T04:18:00.000-07:00

I've been driving past these fields for the last few weeks and couldn't help but imagine what the photos would be like. It was a little late when we arrived and I wished I'd taken something to stand on so you could see that it was like being in a see of yellow.

These cows had to come and check us out.....

Sing, sing a song, sing out loud, sing out strong........

Check out this bathing beauty

2007-09-15T20:50:00.000-07:00

8. 9 . 10

2007-09-14T00:44:00.000-07:00

Powerfinger - an old fav

a song to drive and really belt it out...

Fiest - a new fav

It's been a musical journey coming up with these songs - very tough! and I'm sure I will want to change it in five minutes but I think I've covered a lot of musical ground with my choices - old and new favorites - songs that are sentimental - songs that resonate with time and place - songs that make me laugh and make me cry (sometimes both) - songs that take me away and songs that ground me. I've also risen to a new love for youtube..... I'm glad I took the time to do this because I've learnt a lot about myself and had a lot of fun.

7/10

2007-09-09T20:03:00.000-07:00

our wedding dance

Ava and Joe

2007-09-08T16:54:00.000-07:00

Pie in the Sky

2007-09-06T23:57:00.000-07:00

Passport to Brazil

2007-09-02T22:11:00.001-07:00

A few days back I got to take some photos for a really exciting project that Tara Castle has been working on.

Tara has collected around 600 Teddies all destined for Brazilian orphanages. The teddies, old and new, have been donated by friends and family and more are welcome. Four shipments have already made their way to Brazil and Tara is working hard to find sponsors to cover the shipping fees - if you know anyone or have any ideas about how to get these bears on their way PLEASE let me know.
Currently the bears are hanging out at Pandemonium They began to get a little crowded at Tara's house so Leisa has given then shelter at the coolest cafe in Paddington until their departure dates are finalised.

This is Tara's second huge charity project - earlier in the year Tara along with two friends brought about the "The One-Armed Cookbook" - a collection of easy recipes from mums, dads, friends, family, chefs and even a few celebrities ....100% of the profits go to the Perinatal Research Centre at the Royal Brisbane and Woman's Hospital. Stop by and check it out.

Here are just a few of the little guys that are awaiting a ticket to Brazil.

This little guy really tugged at our heartstrings!! He needs a name.....

Please contact me or Tara (via Pampered ) if you can donate any bears (any colour, shape or design - just not too huge!) Please contact us if you can help with shipment or have any leads to individuals or company's that might be able to assist.

Don't forget to stop by The One-Armed Cookbook website to get your copy!

Tagged!! Lists of 4's.

2007-09-02T14:16:00.000-07:00

I've been tagged by Amanda !

This time it's Lists of Four.

So here goes....

4 Jobs I've Had

Tutor
University Student Mentor
Child Care Assistant
Telescope Operator

4 Places I've Lived

Boonah
Brisbane
Gold Coast
London

4 favorite tv shows

Grey's Anatomy
Seachange (old but still a fav)
Kath and Kim
Spicks and Specks

4 places i've been on holiday

Sydney
Tasmania
Spain
Portugal

4 movies i could watch over and over

Amelie
Stealing Beauty
ummm
ummm

4 favorite dishes

thai green curry
timtams (not technically a dish)
applepie and cream
panang or something else thai

4 websites i visit

Flickr
Etsy
All my fav blogs
All my fav photography forums

4 places i'd like to be....

Italy
Turkey
on a beach in northern queensland
somewhere in Asia

4 people i'm tagging

Marla
Meg
Megan
Frederique

5/10

2007-08-31T22:41:00.000-07:00

okay so next on my top ten is "common people" by pulp - i have a little story to go with this one
in 1999 we went to the Livid Festival and when pulp played this song i had one of those never forget moment - the vibe was awesome - it was hot and people were dancing ...it's hard to relate the vibe - but it was there and this song always reminds me of that day....

the fifth to join my list is my fav from last year, "one crowded hour" by augie march
this was number one on last years Triple J hottest one hundred - that made me happy!!!

okay - next installment coming soon.....

Top Ten

2007-08-30T17:30:00.000-07:00

A few posts back I added a youtube video of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers doing "scar tissue" one of my all time favorite songs. I got thinking and tried to come up with a top 10 list. It is so hard - I'm still struggling - for some reason it seems to be much harder than listing top 10 books or films.

I thought I might do this in installments as I have time to think.

So far in random order have

"scar tissue" (see video below)

"nothing new" by the waifs -I couldn't find a video and am not even sure one was made so I found the lyrics

NOTHING NEW

I'm going to dress up tonight
I'll look real pretty for i don't know who
I'll find my own way around this great big city
And I'll sit at a bar and im gonna have a drink

I'll leave you to revel in your youthful yearnings
I know you like to visit them from time to time
Like a theif I steal the words you write to her
I take them to my heart and I wish them to be mine

But this is nothing
But it ain't nothing
Oh this is nothin new
But it aint nothin

You long for sweetness
Does mine make you sickly
Or maybe I no longer have the sweetness you require
There's nothing sweet about a heart so embittered
It;s ugly and it's cold and tonight it's out for hire

This is nothing new
But it ain't nothing

We live through this day after day
Complacency's a curse
But you just can't escape it
I've arrived at a place where my tolerance gave way
And i struggle to hold my head up high

It doesn't mean much without the music - so if you get a chance to listen- do it.

And lastly for this installment

"into the dark" by ben lee

I'd really love to challange some of my fellow bloggers to list their top 10 and hopefully link us to a video....

So Anna (coz I know this girl loves her music) Julie Renee Amy(another music lover) and Brenda

I will work really hard to come up with my final seven.

Kholo Gardens

2007-08-29T04:13:00.000-07:00

One of my photographer friends shoots regularly at Kholo Gardens - she's been trying to get me there for ages - finally the other day we meet up - Kym, Annie and I (with all the kids - 9 in total). The kids had an awesome time running around together and we managed to get in some shooting time before the sun set. Pictured is Poppy. She was fantastic to photograph! And despite getting lost on the way I will certainly try to get back there again.

What A Little Rain Can Do

2007-08-25T04:20:00.000-07:00

I Blame It All on the Red Hot Chilli Peppers

2007-08-19T20:25:00.000-07:00

I may have earned myself a speeding fine - but only because I was listening to the Californation CD. The girls and I were on our way to meet some ILPer's (for the uninitiated it's a photography forum). We live an hours drive from where we live so off we left. The first part of the trip it was the Beatles - I explained to Mary-Ella how the were one of the first superbands and tried to imprint on her little mind the magnitude their tunes have had on the world of music. After a while I decided it was time for a change in tempo and if a musical education is important then it's not complete without one of my all time favs- Californication. There are so many awesome tracks and I was grooving away - it was a 100km zone and I realised that I was doing 112kms and I know the police often have speed cameras in the area. I eased back on the accelerator and went back to singing. Next thing I know I've driven past the camera and I just my speedo only to discover it had crept back to 112kms again!!!!

It will be at least three weeks before I know for sure if I got a ticket. You do see why the Red Hot Chilli's are at fault don't you?

Just after that Mary-Ella reads a sign that says "Choose your speed. Choose your consequences." She struggled with consequences and wanted to know what it meant and that conversation is a whole other story...

I thought I would leave you with one of my all time favorite songs - if I had to write a top ten list this would be on it - I would have to think hard about the other 9 but this would be there.....

She Wouldn't Even Know Who Marilyn Was...

2007-08-16T18:28:00.000-07:00

These were all taken on the same day as some of the photos I posted of Mary-Ella and Matisse from a few weeks back now - I still have more that I'm yet to edit!!

Anyway the Art Gallery has the wall or glass and the light is just glorious - along the edge are these vents that push the air up and of course the girls had a ball playing on them - I love the way Mary-Ella's hair kept flying up.

This one is a little different from the first but I just love her little face in this one.

Fault from the Vault

2007-08-15T06:01:00.000-07:00

I was having a little look around on my computer tonight and found this. It has all manner of faults but I just love it - this is my Kitty - this photo captures all those things I don't have words to describe - things that are on the periphery, always out of reach, and that's why I love photography - it takes away the need for words - I always mangle them and make them ugly. But here, even with the faults - a perfect moment is forever captured.

Emma is Almost One

2007-08-14T19:49:00.000-07:00

Her Mumma is giving her a rubber duckie party and I'm making a 3D duck cake!
I don't think she's too impressed with me and my camera in this one - do you?

Just playing around.

Her Royal Kittiness

2007-08-14T04:46:00.000-07:00

Just because.......
she's so cute and I haven't posted any photos of her in awhile.......

What I've Been Working On

2007-08-13T20:50:00.000-07:00

As you all know I've been pretty slack with my blog of late - but here is an example of what I've been working on. This is the front page of my Product and Pricing Guide that will go home with clients after their photo session. Designing doesn't come easily to me so it's been a mamoth effort - I've done about 8 pages so far and still have about another 6-8 to go.

Also I've update my website SHEILA HIGGINS PHOTOGRAPHY so be sure to check it out - I've replaced this images when you first arrive, I've added a gallery, new photos and done a little bit of a shuffle - I still have a few more things to do - like make the galleries run as a slideshow - no more clicking thumbnails!! new music, and a few smaller things - all in good time - writing html is no easy feat for me.

As well I've been creating custom client pages which will be accessed via the website - very exciting but again - making them has eaten into my time. I'm almost done though. maybe I will have more time to photograph my own kids and get a chance to do some relaxing things soon. One can hope.

On her birthday...

2007-08-11T20:12:00.000-07:00

Mary-Ella had her ears pierced! Here she is getting ready. She was nervous but she has been wanting to get them pierced for so long now. I picked her up from school and she rode her brand new Barbie bike (pink city) complete with Barbie helmet - up to the shops where we had an appointment to get those little lobes forever changed.

She'd already selected earrings with pink stones (of course) so all that was needed was to mark the position and load the guns. Each of the ladies held a gun and they counted 3, 2, 1 and viola !! Job done. Mary-Ella had this blank look on her face and I thought she was going to cry but a few seconds later a huge smile came over her face - she couldn't believe she'd been so brave.
Believe it or not - this is the only pic I have with the earring in it - not a clear view but they are very pretty and it's not long now until she can try on someother earrings.

Welcome Sunny Leigh !!!

2007-08-09T21:36:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the world Sunny Leigh.

Sunny's actually a month old now and that's how slack I've been. Apologies.
I know you've been waiting for these Kaz! So here she is....

We thought wrapped up in golden fabric was just the right thing for a beautiful girl named Sunny.
Here she is in some retro threads!! Now while she looks at peace in the first few pics - you might be forgiven for thinking that she slept through the whole session but that would be untrue - this is what Sunny actually thought of her first photo session. Oh well - we still got some sweet shots.

I can't wait to get back down the Goldie and get some of the whole family in their new home.

More Matisse

2007-07-13T14:16:00.000-07:00

These were taken on the same day as the photos at the Queensland Art Gallery. Kym and I drove around West End/South Bank area and found the warehouse. It was absolutely freezing. I was shaking so hard to was difficult to keep still while taking the shots.

Matisse looks great in red doesn't she? Such a great model!!!

Mary-Ella and Matisse

2007-07-12T17:39:00.000-07:00

More from our trip to the Art Gallery the other day......

The Toothfairy Is In House

2007-07-12T03:31:00.001-07:00

Well - she was about two weeks ago!

Mary-Ella lost her first tooth - it had been wobbly for a few months and we began to wonder if it would ever come out.In the end she was hit in the mouth with a teddy bear! Beware the plush toy! The tooth was literally hanging there and an old family friend pulled it the rest of the way out.

I was somewhat surpised by the amount of inflation that has occured in tooth fairy currency. $2 was left on the bedhead - somewhere in my memory 20c rings some bells for that first tooth .....

At Last

2007-07-11T20:51:00.001-07:00

Okay, so now I've been a really bad blogger. Don't ask me what I've been doing - I just know I've been busy!

Meet Matisse - the daughter of fellow photographer Kym Berry .

She is such a great model. It was refreshing to work with a slightly older child. Mary-Ella came too so I will share some of her pics soon. (I will try to get back to blogging on a more regular basis.)

I still have loads more to proof - so I will be back with more.......

Lavender Fields

2007-06-13T18:14:00.000-07:00

I haven't been out with my girls and the camera a lot lately - but I convinced the pie to come out to the Winery the other day - they have some gorgeous lavender fields as well - here are a few pics I caught the other day. I'm not finished editing yet but here are a few that I'm liking so far.By the way "convinced" actually means bribe! It cost me a chocolate milkshake!!

Trying something a little different here with my black and whites.....what do you think?

Girls and Worms

2007-06-11T01:34:00.000-07:00

Lucy.
Jas and Mary-Ella

The girls and the worms.

Sorry I've been such a terribly bad blogger.......
Yesterday we spent some time on the McGuane Farm - Serenity Now- we took the girlies for a walk through the paddocks and they spent awhile digging for worms.

Afterward was a bonfire, a bbq and marshmellows. I put the camera away - been feeling like a need a break from it sometimes . All in all, a pretty good way to spend the long weekend I'd say.

Busy Busy Busy

2007-06-07T02:41:00.001-07:00

Sorry ...I promise to post a real post soon......

On Her Own

2007-05-30T13:39:00.000-07:00

This is a cut and past job I did from an email Mary-Ella wrote this morning to a friend of hers (her old babysitter - hi Nicola!) I'm just such a proud Mumma. This is all her own work. For those who don't know Mary-Ella personally she is in her first year at school (second term) she's almost 6 - her reading and writing skills are pretty impressive for her age. Apologies to all those who have to listen to the proud mumma talk on a regular basis.

hi nicloa.i had a new techer yesterday and the day befor yesterday and today and
tomorrow. mrs riabbt is a way on some holidays.

my new techers name is mrs pillp i love having her as a techer evan with mrs
riabbt too.mrs riabbt will be back on monday.
mrs pillp pulls out rafl tickit and if it has our name we get a toy from a
plactic bag.bye bye nicloa.

For the record her teacher's name is Mrs Rabbit and the fill in teacher's name is Mrs Phillips.

Have a great day!!!

Kings of Leon

2007-05-27T21:16:00.001-07:00

I'm loving this song at the moment. Can't say I'm really diggin the album but this song takes me places ...not just because I'm usually driving while playing it.

Mary-Ella loves it too - it's kinda hard to understand the words but we belt it out anyway.

Wish there was a proper clip to share but had to share the track....hope you like....

My Meez

2007-05-27T21:11:00.000-07:00

This is the animated me I made....

I will have to refine it a little but there you go.....thanks camera girls for finding more fun things for me to do......

School Kid

2007-05-24T20:30:00.000-07:00

Year 1 is almost half done. Filled out the slip for parent interview night - that's when we get the report card! Lucky for us The Chop loves school - "Mum. Is Monday a public holiday?" "No." "Great!"
PS. the font is called catholic schoolgirl - and that's just what she is!

Warning - Bare Booty

2007-05-24T18:21:00.000-07:00

This is something for all my photography friends ...and I think everyone else will get a kick out of it too.....

glumbert.com - Photoshop: Your New Weight-Loss Regimen

Can You See Katie Holmes?

2007-05-21T04:23:00.000-07:00

As soon as I took this photo I thought to myself - Katie Holmes.....I'm sure you know the expression - it featured quite heavily in Dawson's Creek....of course I didn't watch it ...but my flatmate did!!!
And another - you can't make out where her hair ends and the dry grass begins - it's near her foot though.

What Sheila Needs

2007-05-18T20:01:00.000-07:00

After reading Meg's Blog I couldn't resist trying this ....googling "Sheila needs" and see what came up.

Here's my short list ....apparently I'm not so needy.......(18 google pages later this is what I came up with ...lots of entries with "sheila" and "needs" but not so many combined).

I don't know that Sheila needs any drink training.

Sheila needs to get specific and address each of her fears head on.

Sheila needs help in getting her dream school up and going somewhere...anywhere.

Sheila needs a speechwriter - but dont' let that fool you into believeing her not to be competent.

Sheila needs to relax and recharge - she works at least as hard as I do.

Sheila needs to hear.

Sheila needs to talk.

Sheila needs to create.

Surprisingly so many are close to home.........Meg if you are reading this take note - alcohol came up first for both of us.....is there some message in that???????????????

And a pic of me to finish.......

Favorites of Mine

2007-05-17T23:42:00.001-07:00

My Favorties of Mine
Originally uploaded by SheilaHiggins.

I decided to make a mosaic of mine own photos - chose some old and new favs. That first tile is one of my most loved photos of Ava.......all have there various reasons for being close to my heart.

A few of my Flickr Favs

2007-05-17T21:42:00.001-07:00

A few of my favs
Originally uploaded by SheilaHiggins.

Just a few of my favorite photos from flickr - the talent astounds me each and every day.
From the cute to the quirky...i love the variety of the images

Click on the pic and it will take you to flickr where you view the links to all the talented photographers you see before you....

Tara's sneaky peaky

2007-05-16T21:02:00.000-07:00

Here you go Tara - a quick sneak peak - I'm about half way there and these two are fast becoming favs. Harrison's a gorgeous boy ...look at those eyes....hope you like them!!!!!

At The Art Gallery

2007-05-09T19:40:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've been a bad blogger!!
Here are a few pics from our trip to the art gallery on the may day public holiday!

Love Letters ?

2007-04-28T16:55:00.000-07:00

Baby Ben

2007-04-28T00:40:00.000-07:00

I LOVE newborns. There is something so special about newlife. It brings out the romantic in me. It is such a special time in life - the stories of the babies we bring into the world will be some of the most told of our lives.

Welcome Baby Ben - you have wonderful parents and a great family who love you - can't wait to see you grow.

Growing Everyday

2007-04-26T21:41:00.000-07:00

ME

2007-04-22T20:37:00.000-07:00

2 + 1 = 3

2007-04-22T00:35:00.000-07:00

This lovely couple are expecting their first baby in just two weeks time. I loved this shoot with Lori and Damien so much in love and they are really excited about making their little family bigger and I'm excited about photographing that new little bubba - I just love newborns!

Here's one of Lori - she looks fantastic doesn't she?

Pie in the Sky

2007-04-21T23:47:00.000-07:00

Love the light in this.

A Few Things

2007-04-21T23:44:00.000-07:00

The candeliers at my sisters place - gorgeous aren't they?

The last frangipanis of the season in Mel's front garden.

Finally - Steve Irwin and Ross

2007-04-15T20:03:00.000-07:00

I just had to put this clip here. A forum photography friend of mine showed me this and I have never laughed so much - I keep showing it to friends and family so I thought it was time I posted it here.

For those of you who've already seen it - I have just one word PINEAPPLE!!!

Everyone Wants to Be A Rock Star

2007-04-10T17:33:00.000-07:00

There's really not a whole lot that I can say about these pics........

Love Penned At Five

2007-04-10T15:30:00.000-07:00

Mary-Ella brought me this little token of love the other day.
"I Love You" scribed in blue biro on a heart shaped leaf - does it get any sweeter than this?

This Face

2007-04-04T02:54:00.000-07:00

Had to post these for your viewing pleasure.

Happy Easter

2007-04-03T23:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter Everyone - not sure if i will be able to post much over the easter break but have a wonderful time, be safe and be happy.

Fellow Bloggers

2007-04-03T01:31:00.000-07:00

I've been having trouble posting comments on your blogs - can't seem to remember my username and password.......
Know that I've been coming by and checking out everthing that you have been doing......love reading your blogs!!!

Branching Out

2007-04-03T00:54:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to branch out and take photos of stuff other than people - feel free to comment!!

Angus and Julia Stone - April 11th - Zoo

2007-03-25T23:55:00.000-07:00

I'm there ....with Rose...can't wait...

Smile Like You Mean It

2007-03-25T05:04:00.000-07:00

Climb On Board...

2007-03-22T06:49:00.000-07:00

...the texture bandwagon...I did! It's a photogeek thing!!

Almost Autumn

2007-03-22T06:45:00.000-07:00

Mary Had A Little Lamb

2007-03-22T06:38:00.000-07:00

Lamby is near and dear to us all but of course he belongs to Mary-Ella. He arrived just days after she did (thanks Justin and Tracy!!) When he first joined the family his hair was so soft and his little cheeks had just a hint of colour.

Lamby is dear to me as he has been my most patient subject. Lamby helped me throught the introduction to manual exposure and for that he will always hold a place in my heart.

The Higgins Family loves you Lamby!!

(ps - I was recently informed that Lamby is actually a girl - of course when you belong to a five year old how could you be anything but?)

Her Royal Kittiness

2007-03-20T15:09:00.000-07:00

Took these yesterday afternoon - she actually said "take photo mamma" - yeah!!!

That's my Kitty.

Two Wheels Today

2007-03-20T02:28:00.000-07:00

And I guess if I blink it will be four wheels tomorrow.....

As you can see Mary-Ella said "good-bye" to training wheels. This age amazes me - so many new things to learn like tying shoelaces, blowing bubblegum bubbles, skipping rope, swinging on monkey bars and of course riding a two wheeler. All complex tasks - tasks that challenge but this kid is a determined little girl - she keeps at these things until she gets them just right.
I was preparing for some angst on her part - things come so easily to her and I thought this challenge might be the one that made her walk the hard road - but it was not too be....

Luke gave her the run and push and she just peddled her little heart out - perfect balance first time. She didn't have any major crashes which was amazing. The only thing that gave her any tears was a green ant bite - and who can blame her - they make me cry!!

Terrible pics - I know - but you can see the joy on her face and that is what really counts.

Now she just needs to learn to start herself and master the brake......I can almost hear the keys jangle.....

Pie and Kitty

2007-03-18T04:20:00.000-07:00

Pie and Papa

2007-03-18T04:02:00.000-07:00

Happy Little Vegemite

2007-03-14T19:47:00.000-07:00

Here is Ava's litte vegemite face.Each day she asks me for a "meatymite poon" - so I get a small spoon and put a little vegemite on, she gets it all over her face.
When she is done she brings me the spoon and asks for.....

No - not more vegemite but peanut butter....

Kiss Me Sister

2007-03-13T20:38:00.000-07:00

Bittersweet and the birthday bbq..

2007-03-11T19:14:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we had a quiet little birthday bbq to mark Ava's second birthday.

Here she is playing with her Tinkerbell teaset from "the burgers."Cake time. These are just a few snaps that I got - no great portraits but they show her cute expressions. She was so excited when everyone hit the "Happy Birthday" high notes!!

I would never have finished the girl in the teepee cake if my sister wasn't there to help...I was ready to flatten it!!!
I can't believe my baby girl is two. I'm feeling sad to say goodbye to those baby ways - her sweet little chatter, her wonderful expressions, her cuddles and all those tiny little things that make her who she is right now.

I wish I could hang onto it for just that little bit longer.....

Being a mother is bittersweet.

Her Royal Kittiness Turns Two

2007-03-08T13:00:00.000-08:00

March 8th - and Ava turns two - it's also International Women's Day (a great day for a girl to be born).I was hoping to get some great birthday shots - but Kitty wasn't workin' it - guess she figured it was her birthday and she was entitled not to have photos.

I hadn't planned for the ballons but we got them at the Luncheon we went to for International Women's Day - their was a guest speaker from a Woman's Mag discussing the achievements of women and celebrating the strength of women around the world.

It's also Kaitlin's birthday - Happy Birthday Katie!!!!!

No School Today

2007-03-07T16:30:00.000-08:00

Mary-Ella was last to fall victim to the illness in the house. She spent the day at home in her jimjams with Kitty and I.
She's feeling better now :)

A Song I Love To Sing Loud....

2007-03-05T17:28:00.000-08:00

....usually in my car....you need fast lips to keep up.....

These guys are a UK outfit that I have been lovin'....the video is a tad weird and I will understand if you run away yelling "PINEAPPLE" (sorry and in joke...will link that next)

anyway this is just a crazy fun song that I dig...enjoy and feel free to comment that I'm a freak...

Look out ...now that I have figured out how to link youtube I will be pushing all my fav tunes on you........

Meet Tamana - I'm a great-aunt

2007-03-05T03:17:00.000-08:00

Sorry it's been awhile.
We've had some illness in the house.

Meet Tamana.
He's about 3 weeks in these pics - he was born 9lb 4 (Mary-Ella weighed the same when she was born) and he was such a happy little baby.

And here he is with his Mama He was awake for the first part of the session but he fell asleep later on....i love sleepy baba's...

I havent' finished proofing yet....hopefully I will get a chance to share more sometime soon...

That Kitty

2007-02-21T21:43:00.000-08:00

She's cheeky isn't she?
She pulls this surprised face quite frequently - I'm glad I captured it. The fact that we don't have a video camera and have only such a small amount of footage of the girls is one of my greatest regrets - I would give anything to have had one when they were small, to capture their voices and their expressions. In fact I think I won't write about it because it makes me feel really sad.
I should just be grateful that I have so many photos of my girls - some people don't have that.

How could you not love this little face?

Emma

2007-02-18T19:36:00.000-08:00

Here are a few shots I took of Emma a few days ago - she has grown hasn't she?

My girls are just loving having a little cousin - they spend all their time pulling faces and doing little voices so that Emma will smile and laugh at them.

She is getting to that very sweet age where they really smile and interact. I loved this age with my girls and I know B is loving this time with Emma.

Rob Heyman Photography Workshop

2007-02-16T01:05:00.000-08:00

A few days back I went on my first photography workshop. It was such a great experience - Rob Heyman is a Master Photographer with the AIPP - he spent time with us discussing and practicing lighting and composition as well as running a photography business. Here is a pic of Rob at work. Rob has so much knowledge about photography - it's mind blowing, he is quite a character too - so the sitting and listening part was educational, interesting and entertaining (particulary when he threw paper balls at Kym when she couldn't keep quiet!!) I felt like I was hanging with a celebrity - I've known about Rob and his stunning work for many years - so it was amazing to spend two days listening and learning from him.
I tell ya - I had some serious gear envy!! The group was a pretty mixed bunch - from people with many years experience through to me ....with not much time behind me. We also had another Master Photographer attending who had lots of advice and great discussion. I can't say how much I enjoyed my time.

Here is a pic of the ladies I went with - I'm the one without the camera of course!! Next to me is Annie (who coincidently goes to my sisters church and we had a good laugh when we discovered we knew a lot of the same people.) Kym and Jenny are ILPers who I meet on an Aussie Thread. We have shared many hours of photography conversation in our previous get togethers so you can image the gabble when together for a few days in a row. I'm really grateful for this experience. ( I won't tell you what I did to myself with the liquify tool!! haha.)
Here are a few of my shots from our final play at Moffat Beach on the Sunshine Coast - a location I hope to visit again very soon. Isn't it magnificent - particulary with the storm brewing .......?

Anna and Megan Tagged Me

2007-02-08T18:57:00.000-08:00

6 Things That Make Me Happy - here you go Anna and Megan

1) Luke, Mary-Ella and Ava (of course)

2) Rainy days

3) Getting a great photo

4) Little everyday things

5)Friends

6)Holidays

Marla Tagged Me

2007-02-08T18:37:00.000-08:00

Okay Marla tagged me and I have to tell you six strange/weird things about myself....

1) I like to push on bruises - it hurts but in a good way (is that strange enough for you????)

2) I hate the feeling of bare feet on cement.

3) I compulsively check the little switch to see if my head lights are on at night while driving - even though I can see that they are on.

4) I guess the way I make/eat milo is not so much weird but the fact that is regemented.....4 large spoons of milo in the bottom of the glass - glass must not be wet - milk carefully poured so as the milo remains on the bottom - carefully dig the spoon into the milo so little bits float to the top - they must stay wet with milk (I hate when the milo bubble bursts and you have dry milo) eat in this manner until a small amount of milo remain in the bottom of the cup - stir this in and drink the milk. If the all the milo floats to the top when milk is poured I'm screwed!!!!

5) not sure anyone will tag me after this

6) On my dinner plate I always save my fav food until last - Luke thinks this is weird behaviour - it makes sense to me!!

I'm not sure who to tag next? Will be coming by your blogs - look out.....

Fish Face

2007-02-06T02:46:00.000-08:00

Mel and her gorgeous girlies

2007-02-05T00:33:00.000-08:00

This was such a fun shoot!! Mel and the girls and I went to New Farm Park for the afternoon just before sunset. The girls were full of energy and wanted to play. After some nature type shots with the trees and green grass we went for a walk near the PowerHouse - the girls were racing ahead and took a little detour which lead to a great discovery!!!

There was an old section of building that was full of vines and grungy textures - it was awesome and the girls enjoyed playing there because it was like a little cubby house for them.

I plan on taking my girls there asap......

Hope you like these Mel...I have lots more to share too.

First Day - Year 1

2007-02-01T15:48:00.000-08:00

Well here is the big girl on her very first day of school. We've been looking forward to this day for some time and she was very excited. No tears....not even me. I thought I would cry seeing her in her uniform (I cried when she tried uniforms for size.)

I wish I had some better photos (like Renee's) but she wasn't interested.

Here she is in the classroom....(forgot to change the White Balance- they are a bit yellow) but she looks so pleased with herself...

Here she is with one of her friends - I love their faces in this shot.

I Love You Mumma

2007-01-28T04:33:00.000-08:00

She finally said it....the words you long to hear..."I Love You Mumma."

Granted it is only parrot fashion but it's still one of those milestones you love to record.

For that record she also says "I Love You Daddy (Gaggy)."

(Kitty also suffers from photographer's child syndrome - she can't bear to look at the camera.....)

A Photographer's Child

2007-01-28T04:22:00.000-08:00

We recently had a conversation that went something like this....

The Chop - Mum, I don't really like photographers.

Me - Why my darling?

The Chop - They take too many photographs.

End of conversation. I think you can see here her attitude has not altered since that little chat took place......

A Smattering of Freckles

2007-01-28T04:16:00.000-08:00

She thinks they're awful - I think they're lovely......

Jammin'

2007-01-23T13:04:00.000-08:00

When Besty came to visit he brought his drum kit so he and Luke could have a bash. Here's Luke on drums and Besty on guitar.

Ava didn't want to be left out of the action.

Luke and Kitty doing a duo on drums.....

Kitty

2007-01-23T12:48:00.000-08:00

Just a few of Kitty ...she is growing up way too fast......

2007-01-18T17:05:00.000-08:00

Besty and the girls came for a visit. Seeing the girls in the tub like this, I couldn't resist pulling out the camera to get some shots.

I couldn't decide if I liked the colour or black and white version best so here are both!

Will post some of Luke and Besty havin' a jam later...

The Monster At The End Of This Book

2007-01-18T03:21:00.000-08:00

This was one of my favorite books as a kid and Mary-Ella loves it too.

For those who've not encountered the fun and joy that is "The Monster At The End Of This Book" - a brief plot outline - Grover (of Sesame Street fame) asks us not to turn the page as there is a monster at the end of the book, but of course being the curious creatures we are, can't help ourselves and turn the page. Grover tries many remedies including tying the pages together and building a brick wall. Despite his best efforts the reader continues to turn those pages, scary Grover silly. There is a major plot twist just before the resolution and I don't want to spoil it those who've not had the pleasure!

I'm so happy that The Chop digs this book the way I did!!

Kitty came and joined in listening to big sister spin the tale too.

Girls Day Out

2007-01-18T03:00:00.000-08:00

Mary-Ella, Jas Rose and I had a girls day out not too long ago. We headed to Bulimba, caught a movie and then took the girls to House and Doll (tired to get a link for the store but couldn't access the site). It's a little girls dream store.....they have minature everything (I need a macro lens) as well as tiny furniture and dolls, they have tiny cakes, fruit bowls, dogs, sewing kits, jars with lollipops. It's insane. There is so much to look at. I wish you could see more in the photos ( I was too chicken to whip my camera out inside the store.)

After that we went to Cold Rock icecream for some indulgence. A great girls day out.