Summer

Oh summer... after just getting back from Melbourne I was happy to come back to the nice warm weather of Perth. I only ended up taking photos on one of the days I was there and I was lucky it was the only really sunny one for that week!  

I didn't get the change to go into the city this time as we were catching up with family for Christmas, but that's ok as I was able to find different areas to photograph around Mornington. I am going through an op-shopping phase, and have been finding some amazing bargains. I don't know why I didn't start doing this earlier - especially when I am always needing outfits for photo shoots and props. I found this long vintage skirt and teamed it up with this cute little Bardot backless leotard. This shoot had a little audience. I really thought by now I wouldn't get embarrassed but I always get nervous when people stop to watch what I'm doing. Next time I am going to try really hard not to care. To get good photos you need to put yourself in situations you normally wouldn't be in. 

  

Sister Bond

This month I photographed two gorgeous young sisters. Their lovely mum came along too and we all went down to the river to capture some special moments at sunset. We even managed to see a dolphin. It was a lovely afternoon with beautiful back lighting. I just love photographing people against a natural backdrop. There is something about being in a natural environment that always relaxes a client, more so then shooting in front of a studio backdrop.

I can't stress how important it is to make a person feel comfortable during a photo shoot as well as making it a fun experience. In the end your mood will influence their mood, and if they are enjoying it, then that is what you will get coming through the photos.  Photo shoots are a great way to spend time with loved ones and also use as gifts to grandparents or parents. The next time I take someone to a beautiful spot like this one I'm going to suggest they take a little picnic for after the shoot.

A little bit of R&R

After so much excitement I decided to spend a day relaxing before having to get back into work. I went outside and surrounded myself with things that relax me and take my mind away from such busy madness. Candles, incense, DVDs, my book See Naples & Die, flowers, soft lighting and coffee. It was also nice to take photos of objects for a change rather then a person. A small challenge in making something ordinary into something special and just using natural light.  

Small & Tasty

While sitting at the computer editing clients photos for hours, I sometimes forget to have lunch & drink water. My aim has been to eat something healthy and keep a bottle of water with me at all times. So here were a couple of my favourite light lunches I made. I wanted to share them because I am sure other people also struggle with being too busy to make lunch, so I hope this inspires you a little and not to mention how yummy they are. 

SMOKED SALMON CRUSKITS

Light Cruskits

Light Cottage Cheese

Snow Sprouts

Cherry tomatos
Smoked Salmon


A SIMPLE PASTA

Spaghetti

Cherry tomatoes/ Roma tomatoes – This is the trick to the sauce. The tomatoes must be held over a flame until skin is burnt and easy to peel off. Then roughly cut the tomatoes up and heat in pan adding the remaining ingredients.

2 cloves of garlic – Do not fry the garlic (it loses its taste) just add it at the end to the sauce and heat through.

Chili

Saffron

Lots of parsley & basil finely cut

Lemon juice - to taste

Olive Oil to drizzle over pasta

Salt and Pepper

Parmesan Flakes

To this dish you can also easily add fresh calamari rings, prawns & rocket.

Burlesque

Last night was my first burlesque performance. I use to dance and perform 6 years ago and I am so happy to have gotten back into something I enjoy.

I decided to give burlesque a go for something different. For those of you that don't know, burlesque was a rich source of music and comedy that kept American audiences laughing from 1840 through to the 1960s. Although it has since been associated with a 'strip tease', the key word being tease, they  generally never actually show off the goodies. If they do come close, they will use tassels or something alike. It is also generally incorporated into a funny sexy little act.

My classes don't consist of anything like that, and is more based on the style of dance and cheeky behaviour, providing the audience with some vintage glamour. I have been to see professional burlesque shows. It is so much fun for men and women alike and very entertaining!

Our performance was very exciting and very theatrical. It is the best feeling to pull off a fantastic show and hear the crowd applaud after the girls and I had put in so much commitment. The build up of make-up, hair, costumes and getting excited together with friends is just another aspect of the fun involved. With a break over Christmas, I can't wait to see what we will be doing next year. I think for the next boudoir shoot I do for a client I will incorporate some burlesque glamour!