Hello Belinda, Michael and Phoebe

Every time I photograph a new family, I always end up learning something about parenting. I don't specifically ask parenting questions (although I'm always tempted to ask how they all manage to get their children to be so well behaved) but I learn so much by just watching them. Watching the way they interact, how the parent speak to the children, and how they speak to each other.

I learnt a lovely thing while photographing Belinda, Michael and Phoebe. I learnt that children don't have to rule your lives. That they can slip right in, go along for the ride, be a part of the journey. Belinda and Michael are keen to have Phoebe be part of their lives, not dominate it. They live the ideal by taking Phoebe on holidays, out for diner, to visit friends. "She's relaxed like us," Michael said. And that she was.



[Photo details}
1/200
f/2.8
iso 200
80-20mm 2.8





I've gotten to know these guys over the last little while because I photographed Belinda's sister's wedding, and Belinda came along to my first workshop. They laugh a lot. I think that's what I like about them most.








These two have just gotten engaged!







[Photo details]
1/125
f/3.2
iso 200
50mm 1.8





Let's hug it out.



* Meaghan

ps - I've given my website a freshen up. T'was time. Check it out HERE

double ps - I've added the photo details to some of the shots to give some insight into how I achieve my results. I'm going to try to do it for a few photos each post.

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Helen and Pauline on a quite afternoon

When I arrived in France I was tired and overwrought. Not because of the long haul flight, but due to the weeks leading up to my trip being hectic and stressful. And when I say 'weeks' I mean 'months'. Its been such a busy year with Miles starting kinder, Ryan wanting to do more and more, Amba working more and more, and the business taking off into the stratosphere. In the weeks proceeding my trip all of this was catching up with me and I was pale and tired.

When I got to France I was offered the perfect solution. That solution came in the form of a pocket-rocket New Zealander and her family. Helen welcomed me into her home with warmth, and it was exactly what I needed.

Helen and I spent the next week sitting in her back garden in the French summer sun talking. Of this and that, of nothing at all, of everything that's important. She forgave me my life-fatigue and offered my her incredible cooking as sustenance.

Helen's daughter Pauline practiced her extremely good English with me, inquired about my life in Australia and gave me insight into being a 14 year old girl in France.

One such sunny afternoon I grabbed the two of them in a quiet moment and took their photo.





Pauline is now officially the sister I never had. She possessed both a fashion sense and a serenity I didn't know possible in a 14 year old. Goodness knows I didn't have them.



And Helen is the new friend I didn't know I needed, but am now so grateful to have.





Much love to you both. See you in Australia soon?

* Meaghan

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Baxter family

Hanging out with the Baxter family made me excited about my own children growing up. These guys are such good friends. They chatted, laughed and enjoyed spending time with each other. It's clear they are all equals, and they view each other as such. It made me really look forward to the time my children are adults.





We found a beautiful little spot in Geelong for the shoot which was a gift from Natalie and Courtney to their parents. We also got an up close look at Geelong's bat population, which was both awesome and really freaky.



Natalie and Courtney are gorgeous girls, inside and out. I hope my boys are great friends like these two are when they grow up.



* Meaghan

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