A family worth their weight in gold

Sometimes a family really has an affect on me. It could be their vibrance, their love for each other, or their outlook on family life. It could be how much they pamper their pooch. It could be anything. 

The Doak family are one such family. I came away from our shoot knowing I'd met some pretty special people.

Our shoot was part of the work that I do for the Australian Community of Child Photographers. Darling, divine and super sweet Gemma has spinal muscular atrophy (type 1). This very rare genetic disease affects Gemma's motor neurons in her spinal cord and brain stem, meaning she has weak muscles, difficulty sucking and swallowing and won't reach developmental milestones such as lifting her head or sitting on her own. Gemma is 9 months old now, and is not expected to live past 1. 

And Gemma is absolutely beautiful. 

She was spritely and chatty. Smoochy and loving. Wicked and cheeky. 

Gemma's parents are beautiful. Despite being faced with Gemma's prognosis, Sue and Justin were doing their all to enjoy every moment with Gemma. I'm sure there are very hard times that I don't see, but at the shoot they were relaxed, jovial, composed and fun. 

I think what impressed me most was that Sue and Justin is that they were not being victims. They were getting on with life. And they were very mindful that there was other children in the family who were just as important as Gemma.  The shoot was about all the kids, and capturing them as a family. 

 

Can't get any more fun than a jumping Toyota shot. 

And can't get any cuter than a child in oversized glasses!

My love and thoughts and prayers are with you all.

* Meaghan

Find out more about the Australian Community of Child Photographers.

Meagan and Rich get sassy

As I mentioned earlier, I've created a snazzy new way of presenting wedding photos. These are not like your average slide show made with no pizzazz. No sir-ree. These ones ooze pizzazz. 

I'll let the DVD do the talking though. Remember Meagan and Rich? I've put their wedding photos into one of my new DVD's. 

Check it out. But I will warn you, it may induce tears... 

The wedding of Meagan and Richard from Meaghan Cook on Vimeo.

Married on December 30, 2008
Stones of the Yarra Valley, Coldstream

* Meaghan

The Boutique: Now dazzling bride's with wedding photography in Shepparton, Geelong and Launceston, Tasmania. 

Wedding DVD's with kick!

I've found a great new way to do my photo slide shows. Gone are the days of cross fading and cheesy music. To give you an example I've put together a little promo DVD for The Boutique. 

It's absolutely cracking!

Meaghan Cook Photography Boutique from Meaghan Cook on Vimeo.

Experience the Beauty

www.meaghancook.com

I'm just in the middle of putting one together of a recent wedding (I'm also in the middle of having a cup of tea, ignoring the washing, and longing to finish reading today's paper), and when it's done I'll put it on here so you can have a little look see. 

* Meaghan

The Boutique: Geelong, Shepparton and now Launceston, Tasmania!

Sneak Peek - Sharla and Ryan

I took this beautiful couple around some of the best locations Ocean Grove has to offer on the weekend. Here is a little peek from their sweetheart session. 

* Meaghan

Geelong, Shepparton and Launceston wedding photographer. 

The most romantic day of the year

Being the most romantic day of all, many people get engaged. If you did, then contact the Boutique! We're still got a few dates left in 2009 if you're planning on a nice quick engagement. But if you want a little more time to plan, we are now taking bookings for 2010. Popular dates are always booked early by well organised brides!

Ask about our free sweetheart sessions....

* Meaghan

The Boutique has launched in TASMANIA!

I'm very excited to announce that The Boutique is expanding, and has now launched in Launceston, Tasmania. 

The Boutique now covers the stunning area surrounding Launceston including the famous Tamar Valley. I'm very excited about photographing weddings in these areas because they are incredibly picturesque. Breathtaking. Plus I'll get to explore a new area. It's renowned for it's fine food and wine. Northern Tasmania here I come!

The second part to this great new venture is that I have a great new photographer coming on board. Her name is Estelle Phillips, and she is an extremely talented photographer who lives in Georgetown, Tasmania. Estelle has a beautiful knack for making people feel really comfortable in front of the camera, and then capturing their true spirit. I'm in awe of her work, and feel so lucky that she'll be working with me. You can see her work by visiting her website.

To find out a little more about the new area we'll be covering, check out this brochure from Tourism Tasmania BROCHURE. And while you're looking, check out the photos, Estelle took them!

If you are getting married in Tasmania, the Boutique would love love love to photograph your wedding. We're looking for one lucky couple to kick off our Tasmanian adventure. Email me meaghan@meaghancook.com to find out exactly how you can be a part of our launch.

There is also new information on my website about the specific areas the Boutique now covers.

* (a very excited) Meaghan

You've got to be fit to be a wedding photographer

News in my world is that I've started going to the gym. I've been huffing and puffing and sweating and cussing and and throwing myself around in an attempt to get fit (read: lose the 8 extra bags of oranges I'm hauling around). 

I used to go to the gym, way back in the day. Before babies, and stress-induced chocolate binges, and sitting in front of the computer for hours editing photos. It was much easier then. I could grapevine for hours. Now I can barely lift my arms to feed myself a grape the next morning.

 In some ways though, it was harder. When I was younger it was all about looking good, checking out the chick next to me and making sure my butt was smaller than hers, and checking out which hot boys were checking me out. This time round, I don't give a bouncy butt about any of that stuff. I'm content to be the un-coordinated one wearing mismatching socks, an oversized t-shirt with holes in it and a beet-red face. But if you see me gagging for breath while doing a very awkward version of the nutbush, I don't advise offering me assistance. I might collapse in your arms and beg you to take me to the nearest bakery! 

Ryan loves dressing up in beads, can you tell? Wasn't so impressed with me when I took this photo of him, but I love love love it. 

And I love his downy baby fluff. 

* Meaghan