Newborn, Maternity, Baby, Children and Family Portrait Photographer servicing Penrith, Windsor, Richmond and Lower Blue Mountains.
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"There is so much for little girls, when are you going to do a Limited Edition set for boys? I want something sweet and gorgeous before he grows up!"
That's the conversation I was having with many Mum's a couple of years back - and I agreed wholeheartedly!
I heard what our Mum's were feeling. They wanted something timeless, that captured the sweetness of their boys - and something that their little boy would enjoy and have a great experience doing it.
As a child, I loved my Pop's garage. With it's old tins, strange looking tools that did who know's what, the smell of oil and paint...and of course his old HR Holden Ute that he (and us kids!) absolutely adored. My brothers and I would help him as he serviced, tinkered and cleaned that car - and Pop used to say "Best car in Waratah! Tah Tah!"
So many of your boys will do those same things with their Dad's and Granddads. I am sure for many it will be a memory they will treasure for their whole life...just like my brothers and I do. Those days spent in Pop's garage are some of the most special I have. It was this feeling, these memories that bring a smile to my face and instantly take me back all those years that brought me to create our Granddad's Garage Limited Edition Sessions for our clients with little boys.
Our 3rd Granddad's Garage is coming up soon - all the information is below. If you would like to come along, please send us an email or give us a call so that we can reserve your space for you. As we have for many clients over the past 2 years, we would love to create portraits that are beautiful, lasting and special for your little boy. I am sure you will love Granddad's Garage as much as we do.
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| My US partners in adventure - Rick and Shawn with my pub in the background - of course we had lunch there!
Not everything Australian translates all that well...I had been trying for 3 days to get a vodka Cruiser...nothing. Then one of my friends ordered and got a Smirnoff! Ah, finally! So, yes, I am on the Smirnoff here, but I swear I was not inebriated...it's just a bad photo of me - everyone else looks great!
These are my Canadian and US friends - Danuta, Suzanne, Laura, Rick, Shawn and Bill. Thank you all for making my second visit to Canada absolutely fantastic -I can't wait to see you all again!
Speaking of translation, on the Saturday night - I had given my presentation earlier in the day - we were all at the bar and one of this lot pipes up and says - "fordeen". Then they spelled it out - F.O.R.D.E.E.N. And everyone (except me) started rolling around laughing. I'm like - OK what am I missing?? So they ask me how big are the 2 small wall portraits that go with the big 30" wall portraits...and I answer 11x14, which was greeted with howls of laughter! Apparently this Aussie doesn't enunciate well at all and the word "fourteen" turns into "fordeen" to North American ears :) The were taking the piss out of me!!! Which is another expression I had to explain!
It was an incredible opportunity and my thanks go to Rob for inviting me to speak at the Inferno. The more I do with webinars, guest blogging and speaking, the more inspired I become about my own photography and I also realise just how much I enjoy assisting other's with their photographic and business education. So many photographers guided me in my early days that to now be able to pass my knowledge on, feels like I have come a full circle - and with every presentation I give, every blog post I write, I learn something new as well. To be face to face with a room full of people (on the other side of the world!!) was a new and exciting experience for me, and as much as I dislike being nervous, uncertain and scared of the unknown, I love being outside my comfort zone - sometimes I think it is when I perform at my best...it must be the adrenaline!
To conclude this part of my story, I would like to thank everyone who came along. Your energy, questions, interaction and involvement were an inspiration to me and I felt so very welcome. Thank you all :)
Then Came the Holiday!
Well a few days anyway! I came home via Vancouver and had 4 days to visit this beautiful city. 2 years ago when I flew into Vancouver and connected straight on to Toronto, I remember thinking how gorgeous it looked from the air and if I ever came back I was going to spend some time there.
In a taxi, on my way from the airport to my hotel in Downtown Vancouver, I was in awe of the beauty of this place. Cool climate shrubs and flowers decorate the roadside, azalea's camellia's, rhododendrons. As we came into the outer suburbs, the glorious old houses had me smiling - great, big blocks with humungous trees forming the tallest hedges, grand stately gates and glimpses of gabled homes with amazing windows and sunrooms! The people in Canada have to be some of the friendliest and most accomodating on earth. When I arrived at the hotel with 5 hours until check in - I was hoping to be able to leave my bags while I went to explore a little. They had no problem checking me in early, so considering I was on about 4 hours sleep I took the opportunity to have a little power nap before I started exploring.
Here in Australia we are a little bit spoilt when it comes to coffee - even McDonalds serves up a decent cappucino, but in Toronto cappucino is nearly impossible to find! That is if you don't count Tim Hortons, and I was not near one in Toronto. Truly, I was suffering. I have 2 cappucino machines in my kitchen at home - just in case one breaks down. I. Love. Coffee. As soon as I woke from my catnap, I was on a mission to find a decent coffee. Out came the Foursquare app and I found not only a Tim Hortons but a JJ Bean within walking distance - PLUS - JJ Bean had a recommendation from an Australian!
 
YALETOWN
Oh it was good! Once I had re-charged I didn't have to go far to get a feel for Vancouver. Here in Yaletown, this park - an oasis amongst the hustle and bustle of a busy, cosmopolitan city. High rise condo's, busy streets, specialty shops, restuarants and bars on all 4 sides...and this patch of green. Soothing water features, a fountain that cascades over rocks and a long man made watercourse with knee deep water that children play in - with stepping stones to make crossing from one side to the other, so much more interesting.
  
There are people here. Mums with kids, families, people with their dogs - the dog park is popular. Twice I have been here and there is one young guy who dances at his regular spot - each time I have been here he is jiving away to his own beat - and damn he is good!
Kid's climb on stuff, mum's chat, pigeon's clamour for a feed, dog's inspect the lamp posts and trees. Another place of relaxation and beauty in a city overflowing with beautiful scenery. Vancouver is something else.
GASTOWN
The next day, I decided to get on the hop on hop off bus and do the tourist thing. I wanted to see the city and this was the perfect way to do it - I bought a 2 day pass. I decided that I would do the loop on the bus and I got an overview of English Bay, Granville Island, Stanley Park, Chinatown. When we reached Gastown, I just had to get off and have a look around. A popular tourist area, Gastown is one of the oldest parts of Vancouver, cobbled streets, great old architecture, the steam clock and loads of shops, restaurants and cafes - yep, this will do me for a while. I did some shopping...and had coffee of course!
   
STANLEY PARK
Stanley Park is a 1000 acre in downtown Vancouver, bordered by the Pacific Ocean. It is stunning. On day 2, I spent some time in Stanley Park and took and additional bus tour that showed more of the park.
This is one of the tea houses in the park - not surprising that this is the most popular spot in Vancouver for wedding photographs - it is like something out of a fairytale.
  
These crappy iPhone photos do not do this place any justice at all. I hope to be back there one day - there is so much more to see in this beautiful place.
GRANVILLE ISLAND
Granville Island is the most incredible market I have ever seen. Located on False Creek, there is an abundance of fresh seafood, local artists, tourist shops and handmade wonderfulness. Then you get to the market.
I found myself sitting in an amazing outdoor area in the middle of a market that has the most incredible selection of fresh produce and gourmet meat's, cheeses, fruits, seafoods, breads, cakes, pastries...like I have never, ever seen! And busy!!
 
In the food hall you can get any style food you might like - german sausages, pizza, thai, fresh made pasta...anything! I decided on a Kaiser Roll with Garlic Roast Beef and a side of au jus for dipping. I made my way out to the sun drenched square to take in the sights and have lunch. I wished I had ordered 2 of these rolls - it was soooooo good!
The square is full of people enjoying the sun, the fantastic view and the wonderful atmosphere. People are relaxed, a little girl is giggling her head off while she is almost completely covered in pigeons when she started feeding them. A young man comes out to a small stage area with an accoustic guitar and starts to play and sing for the lunchtime crowd. People are sitting here with their friends and families in the sunshine, laughing, eating and listening to this young man sing.
He is singing Hallelujah, and I am moved to tears of happiness by the beauty of his voice, the song, and how incredibly blessed I feel to be right here, right now, in this most beautiful of settings. I could stay here forever.
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