A Very Special Day

I have some beautiful friends called Cynthia and Rex. I met Cynthia when I started working as a midwife at Selangor about 13 years ago. They are the Godparents to my children and they are very dear to me. On the 4th of July this year their son Nick married the gorgeous Holly and I was honoured to be asked to photograph their special day. What a priviledge!

Their chosen place was Flaxton Gardens on the Sunshine Coast and we couldn't have asked for better weather for the middle of winter! Clear skies and sunshine.... bliss! The views made for an amazing backdrop and everything went to plan.

The main two requests from Nick and Holly were to capture a photo of Holly with the dogs and Nick with the black Camaro he arrived in on the day. As you will see we did just that and these are the two things that will stay in my mind from their day hahaha. Trying to get three big dogs to pose for a photo, with all the bridal party looking as well, is no mean feat but it did come with some interesting poses as you will see! As for the car...... Nick says to me, "Can you please get a photo of the car leaving?" I told him of course I could...not realising he was going to do a burn out and cover me with dust and smoke but the look of pure joy of Nick's face is priceless!!

Holly and Nick I wish you many beautiful days together and a future full of love and happiness.

Thankyou for inviting me to be part of your gorgeous day.

Willow x

The Clown and The Actress

A mother's heart is a patchwork of love. ~Author Unknown

Among the many hats I wear I am a photographer, midwife, girlfriend, daughter, sister and loyal friend but my most treasured role in this life is the gift of being a mother to Angus (11) and Freya (nearly 7). It's not an easy role as most mums will agree, especially while running your own business, however it is a rewarding one. Life is hectic and a juggle but I wouldn't change a thing..... even when they drive me crazy! LOL.

Some of the things they come out with are hilarious and it is never a dull moment. One of my favourite conversations was in the car on the way to work one day. Being a midwife they have been exposed to all things childbirth and Freya said..."Mum does it hurt when you have a baby?" I told her yes it does but it is a good pain. Her brother then proceeded with an entire explanation about what happens including the doctor wearing gloves that go right up to his elbow! Freya then exclaimed that she didn't want to have a baby to which Angus replied, "It's ok. I'll be there." I said well actually she might not want you there you know and he said, "Yeah, she will. That's what big brothers are for. To look after you." I can hear you now....awwwww but I can also hear them in their rooms right now arguing about something so I'd say it's a fair bet he wont be there!

So here they are....

Angus: He is the clown. Always loves clowning around and playing practical jokes just like his mother. He's my smiley eyed boy. As a baby he was big, bald and gorgeous and is growing into such a handsome young man. Although he is often a handful he has a very sweet nature and is a proud member of our local scout den. Angus loves school and I am so proud of his efforts. He is also competitive... just like me :D

Freya: The Actress. She loves dancing around, dressing up and talks in the most expressive tones with wide blue eyes. As I write this she is prancing around in a belly dancing outfit she just found in the cupboard. The moves are hilarious! She's a cuddly girl....my squidgy bear. A few years ago she opened the front door, announced that she was going to Hollywood and left. On that note I am being called to watch her latest performance so

until next time.... Willow

A Rite of Passage

A couple of months ago I attended a fundraiser for Cambodia which was run by my beautiful friend and fellow midwife, Vicki. I donated a prize for the raffle and it was a great night which raised enough money to buy a tuk tuk ambulance, for a village in Cambodia, to transport birthing women to medical care and ultimately save lives!

At the end of the night I was approached by a woman who was looking for a photographer to photograph her 15 year old daughter. This is something she has done for her other two daughters on their 15th birthdays. I immediately couldn't wait! I just think that is one of the most beautiful and loving things to do for your daughter to celebrate her coming of age.

A couple of weeks later they came into the studio and I met Larni for the first time. Well!! What a delightful young lady she is. So polite and well mannered AND so looking forward to her photosession. We discussed clothes and styles, makeup and hair and set a date for the shoot. I couldn't wait for them to come and see the finished images so that I could share them with you!

Larni, thank you so much for an awesome photoshoot. You are a true credit to your parents and I wish you many blessings in your life ahead.

Please enjoy Larni's before and after slideshow....

I haven't always been a photographer

When I finished my four year sentence at boarding school I went on to uni to complete a Diploma of Applied Science (Nursing). I had always wanted to be a teacher but lets just say my active school social life lead me to my second choice! For three years I studied reasonably hard between partying and working. I was able to work as a Nursing Assistant through the agencies. I thought the pay was great but the work consisted of nursing homes that were understaffed so it wasn't always pleasant. After I graduated I moved to Cairns for three years and competed my Midwifery certificate..... woohoo no more washing old people lol. Having ALWAYS loved babies I found midwifery to be the best!

From there I spent 18mths travelling overseas on a 'working' holiday. I worked as a carer looking after a young lady with MS. When I say young she was only 24 years old. That experience made me appreciate my life so much and to this day I still think of my days looking after Sharon. My other job whilst overseas was as a Maternity Nurse. Wow this was an experience. Women employ you to come into their homes, after they have had their baby, usually for a period of up to 6 weeks. You basically just help out with caring for the baby whilst they recover from the birth. I LOVED it!!

After travelling extensively around Europe and USA I finally settled here on the Sunshine Coast. I really love it here! After working at the hospital here as a midwife I decided that shift work was doing my head in. I was constantly tired and feeling rundown and needed a change. By this time I had children so shiftwork and family life does not always go hand in hand. I hated working nightshift and REALLY hated having to work Christmas Day and missing out on time with my family.

I woke up one morning and I'd had a very vivid dream.... that I should become a photographer. Now it may seem strange but I literally acted on the dream and contacted the TAFE which happened to be closing applications in two weeks time. I had to submit a portfolio.....WHAT?? I'd always been interested in photography and had a pretty good camera at that time but I had nothing for a portfolio! So I grabbed some black and white film (yep I am really that old hehe) and borrowed a pregnant friend and a friend who had just had a baby and there was my portfolio. Fate stepped in and I was accepted into the course. To this day I can still see myself making the walk to the mailbox and receiving my acceptance letter....

and here I am: Concept Images...Photography by Willow

Almost Famous

Last month I ventured to Sydney for the Australian Professional Photography Awards. This is my third year of entering the awards and I was thrilled to be awarded three silvers this year! At the awards dinner I was presented with a 'gong' for achieving my Associate membership to the Australian Institute of Professional Photography. The three silver awards now give me 3 points towards my Master. I need 10 points to achieve this. Perhaps next year I will get a couple of golds to boost me along!!

Last week the local newspaper ran an article on my achievements and it has been lovely to be recognised and congratulated around town.

Happy Birthday Ellie!

Ellie's sister, Janis, organised a makeover portrait shoot for the two of them and it was Ellie's birthday on the day of the session! Jodie and I loved pampering these two beautiful women and they had such a great time. They are currently overseas visiting their elderly father and took with them a stunning portrait of the two of them to give to him. I would love to have seen his face! I hope you are having a fabulous time ladies. See you when you get back!!

A bit about me....

Oookay.... I thought I better tell you a little bit about myself! As you can see I am eternally 28 :)

Alright, I was a 60's baby (just!) but I have felt 28 since I was 28 and I don't think I will ever grow up! I am a big kid and will be the first one down the waterslide, love to prank people and generally clown around if given half a chance hehe. I was born and raised in country Victoria with my brother who is only 13mths older than me. I had a blessed childhood filled with the kind of fun and adventures that come from living in a small town. Memories of building cubby houses up in the trees on the hill above our home, riding bikes through the countryside, pony club and snow skiing to name a few. Above all it was the amazing freedom way back then that I remember most.

At the age of 13 I went to boarding school in Melbourne. Woohoo, what I describe as one of the best times of my life! My sentence was for 4 yrs and the time flew. I met some lovely friends of whom I still keep in contact with and the opportunites I had at school were amazing. I excelled in anything extracurricular but particularly sport....athletics and gymnastics were my forte. If you were down at Cotton Tree park last weekend you would have sprung me with my tunic tucked into my leggings doing handstands! hahaha told you :)

So I will leave you with that vision and hope it gives you a giggle. Until next time.....

Hello at Last!!

A BIG hello to you! Well, this is me! It's been a long time coming but here I am :) After two years my blog is finally off the ground and I am looking forward to letting you know all about the happenings at Concept Images. Things change quickly so follow me and I will keep you informed of our special offers, recent photo shoots and plenty of current information!

Our biggest news at the moment is that we have moved into Portrait Couture and we are having a ball!! Our new natural light studio space is awesome and we would LOVE you to come and experience your very own glamourous portrait session. Our makeup artist, Jodie, will pamper you with a full makeup session whilst you sip on champagne. THEN we can have some fun creating some gorgeous portraits that celebrate YOU! Doesn't that sound fantastic?? Celebrate with us by contacting us before 15th August to arrange your own portrait couture session for the special price of only $49.

I have so much more exciting news coming up so stay tuned! Willow :)