Sweetheart session - Luci and Vladimir

I said to Luci that she could bring as many props as she wanted along to this photo shoot. I'm so glad she took me literally. When she and Valdimir rolled up it looked like they were moving house due to all the (awesome!) stuff in their car. I clapped my hands, jumped up and down a little and didn't even try to contain my delight.

When I pulled a pink toaster out of their boot and looked at Luci quizzically she smiled at me. 'I thought it'd be fun,' she said, and that's exactly why I love these two so much. They are into fun. Fun, fun, fun.









Apparently love is the cornerstone of a good relationship. but fun has got to be right up there along side it. Luci and Vladimir enjoy each other's company enormously, and the feeling is infectious. I couldn't help but enjoy myself around them.











If they came up with such great things for their sweetheart session, then I can't wait to see what they will produce for their wedding. Whatever they do it will be unique, authentic and fun (of course).





Luci, I'm in love with this photo of you. It really shows your warmth and beauty. (Not to mention that killer jacket.)



Thank you both, for being yourselves.




* Meaghan


Contact Meaghan | Join the FACEBOOK PAGE | Follow on TWITTER

Ooo baby I love your way

Please excuse my inexcusable reference to Peter Frampton's unforgivable song, but those lyrics kept running through my head when I was photographing Taj.

He had a way. He just had a way.






I photographed Olivia when she was pregnant, and she had a way about her too. I can see it in Taj. There's a presence about them.









Olivia was much like me before Taj was born. Worried about how she would handle it? Would she be maternal enough? Having a baby is a huge unknown, the the worries are very real.



Now that Taj has arrived, Olivia is proving her worries to be baseless. She's a natural mother. A natural, doting, glowing mother. She's even taken him on a plane already. Talk about a duck to water.









This kid is dynamite. A gentle bundle of dynamite. It was a privilege to be able to photograph him, and have him reach out and touch my camera.



* Meaghan

Just Miles

Just as he is.



* Meaghan

What I'm reading: Dead Europe by Christos Tsiolkas

The Beer family

I've decided that I love photographing families. I love watching parents interact with their children, watching children interact with the world.

I used to think photographing families was too hard. Chasing littlies around is so tiring. But the more I do it, the more I love it. It's the chance to see how each and every family is unique in everything they do.

The wonderful Beer family helped me realise my love for capturing families.



I spent a golden afternoon with Jess, Steve and Liam. Jess and Steve are so warm, so open. They sweetness and love they show to Liam is inspiring.



Oh my oh my Liam is cute!



This photo cracks.me.up. Why is it that all little kids love to give the biggest, sloppiest, kisses?



Liam is fast. Like all toddlers, he moved quick, laughed loudly and ran me ragged. It was exhilarating because he let me into his world and let me laugh along with him.





I've known Steve and Jess for forever and a day. It made my heart glow to see them with their little boy, and to see them so darn happy. It really was a golden afternoon.



* Meaghan

Big kid (with teddy in tow)

Miles took his first step into formal education this week. It was his first day of three year old kindergarten. We packed his lunch, put his name on everything with black marker, and held his hand as he stepped through the door.



He walked straight in a hugged the teacher. Got to love that kid.

I know it's not the same as the first day of school. But to me, even going to kinder is big. Mainly because I never got to this stage in my head. During my pregnancy I though a lot about baby world, and even thought a lot about what it would be like when the baby grew up and finished school. But I didn't think the years in between.

So it kind of hit me hard when I dropped him off at kinder. It wasn't that I was teary or upset. I was more 'wow, this kid is growing up'.

Miles (and I!) couldnot be any more ready for this next step.

* Meaghan

What I'm reading: For good schools, forget the net, try the toilets by John Marsden in today's The Age. I'm currently researching schools for Miles and Ryan. I take their education extremely seriously. I won't just send them to a school because it's the closest to my house. This article articulates what I feel about education is so important. I've cut it out and stuck it on the fridge, it's that good.
What I'm watching: Whip It Ellen Page, you had me at 'Let's skate

Wedding - Becky and David

Becky fixed her hat in place and looked in the mirror. She lifter her head, pulled her shoulders back and puckered her lips. "I'm ready," she said to her stunning reflection.

And ready she was. Ready to marry David, the man who found her half way around the world while she was studying and thinking of books, not love. But isn't that what happens? Love turns up when you're not looking for it. "I'm ready", she said again as she kissed her mother sweetly and headed towards her awaiting fiance.





They were both as nervous as each other in the moments leading up to seeing each other for the first time on their wedding day. David laughed loudly at my jokes which I knew weren't that funny. Becky adjusted her dress, then adjusted it again.

But it all melted away in an instant.







Becky and Dave's wedding was pure and simple bless. I'd never photographed a Jewish wedding before, so I found it all really enthralling. I loved hearing the Hebrew spoken, seeing their traditions, and of course, eagerly awaiting the glass stomp.







Before the ceremony proper, there as a smaller ceremony held. At one point during the first intimate ceremony Becky and Dave were asked to stand back to back. The members of their family then stood in front of them. Becky and Dave were asked to reflect on all the aspects of their lives that had brought them to that day. Becky's mother wiped away a sliding tear from her cheek as the enormity of the day washed over her.







And the dancing! At least twice I thought David was going to spontaneously combust because he got so hot whilst dancing up a storm. This crew knew how to party. When they lifted Becky and Dave up on their chairs I briefly forgot I was the photographer, and cheered loudly with everyone else.



Not as your wedding photographer, but as your friend, my very best to you both. Becky, get back on that blog. You've got so much to give the world, we will all benefit from reading what you write. David, keep framing the world for the perfect shot.

* Meaghan

PS - I wouldn't mind at all if you left England for Australia. Then I could raid your bookcase and CD collection!

Wedding - Courtney and Dana

I'd been excited about Courtney and Dana's wedding for months. The 'can't sleep the night before' kind of excited. They got married before Christmas in one of the most stunning chapels in Melbourne.

If you listen closely, you can hear the choir of angels singing.



Dana's surname is Bentley. So their wedding cars were bentleys. Naturally.



Enter the beaming bride. Court, you really did glow.







I love smiley guests at a wedding. Makes my job a snap.



And Courtney and Dana's guests were some of the best dressed I've ever seen.



The light bouncing of Court's head in this one makes me sigh out loud.







We wandered over to the beautiful grounds of Melbourne Uni for some photographs. I did not appreciate the beauty of the grounds when I was a student there. I just put my head down and get to and from class as swiftly as possible. Silly! How could I have missed this?





Formal photo of the wonderful bridal party ...



... enter a random gaggle of students. Peace.





This next (large) handful of photos of Dana and Courtney are some of my favourite of a couple on their wedding day. It's the way they are so relaxed. So relaxed with each other. You can tell they are 100 per cent themselves in each other's company.







See what I mean?





And you noticed Courtney's shoes right? Exquisite. Of course Court was going to have fabulous shoes. Especially after she turned up to their sweetheart session in those knockout sequin shoes. Would you call that cornflour blue?










Two of the most genuine smiles. Ever.



All the best to you both. You know how awesome I think you are. Don't change.

* Meaghan

You can view Courtney and Dana's slideshow by clicking HERE