Hello? Are you there?

Yes yes, I know it's been a long time. Do you remember me? I used to blog here, and I haven't been around for a while. There are many many reasons, mostly due to a lot of soul searching, personal growth, fabulous mental/emotional achievements for myself, and well, basically, I lost my groove.

BUT! I am still shooting, I am still in business and I am still moving forward!!!

I have a few posts coming today, to tide you over until there are some fabulous new reveals of exciting adventures that are on the horizon. I've been dreaming folks, and I've been dreaming BIG. So stay tuned. You should probably "like" Relic Imagery on facebook too, so you can get all the info as soon as possible!

Over the next few posts I'm going to show a few little hints of what I've been up to for the last 3 months. Not a heaps of images, but enough. First up is beautiful Kylie and dashing Daniel, pregnant at around 35 weeks.

Til next time xxxxxxxx

Bree's gorgeous belly

This time last year I was photographing baby Zarah with her cousins, and now baby Zarah is about to become a big sister, how cool is that? Bree is super stunning, and even though she feels like the size of a whale she totally isn't, and is just radiating with good health and happiness.

What started as a maternity session for Bree, with only a few short weeks to go in her pregnancy, quickly became more of a celebration session for her and Zarah - celebrating the time they have together now before new bubbaloo comes along!

I hope you enjoy these Bree. You seriously are glowing xox

Michelle's bubba belly | Melbourne maternity photographer

How cute are these two? Seriously. They obviously adore each other and their bebe. Only a couple more weeks for Michelle and Daniel to meet their little bundle! So very exciting! Michelle was so so gorgeous and such a trooper on Sunday... traipsing all over the park wearing high heeled boots! She deserves a medal! I don't think I could have done it at 37 weeks... Thankfully she did swap to some flatties, so I felt much less guilty for moving from one end of the park to the other.

Enjoy your little preview Michelle and Daniel... Soon bubba will be on the outside and you'll almost forget what it's like to be pregnant. Almost ;-)

xox

Mothers Day! | Melbourne family photographer

Mothers Day is almost upon us again for 2010. It's always a very busy day for our family, as both my kids birthdays are around then. This year Ivy's birthday falls on Mothers Day, last year it was Elliot's. I admit that sometimes it'd be nice to have a nice quiet relaxing Mothers Day, being pampered with sleep ins and breakfasts in bed... But if you're a mother, how is that even logistically possible? Especially if there's a birthday in the house too!!!!!!!!!

But seriously, I do feel very very blessed to be able to celebrate Mothers Day with my kids special days as well. As a mum, what other present could I ask for????? (Besides that sleep in!)

The 2 proudest and happiest days of my life... the birth of my 2 kids.

My own family has something of a Mothers Day brunch tradition. We all head out to see my mumma and my family, we eat a lot, drink too many caffeinated beverages, the kids run wild. Presents are shared and much banter is thrown about.

Me and my mumma

*sigh* I do love Mothers Day.

SO!!! To celebrate mums everywhere, I am running a special Mothers Day promotion and competition! Email me at comps@relicimagery.com.au and tell me about your own mum/nanna/mother of your own kids, and why you'd love to win a session with them. Tell me your story. I'd love to hear it. The winner will be chosen by a panel of judges, and will win a session with me at the location of their choice (Melbourne metro only... unless you want to fly me elsewhere ;-) ) with a $300 print credit which can be used towards anything you like... Prints, canvases, albums, ANYTHING! Conditions do apply, so please read the fine print at the bottom of this post. Competition closes on Monday April 12th, so get cracking!!

NOT ONLY THAT! Anyone who books a session between now and Anzac Day (April 25th) will receive a bonus 11x14 print, as well as your usual print credit. 11x14s are a size I don't normally stock, so this is a once only shot! That's a $75 bonus for you to use however you like... gift it to your mum, nanna or wife! Keep it for yourself! You choose.

And don't forget, I do have gift vouchers available.

Celebrate the special women in your life this Mothers Day, regardless of what you do. I know I will.

A client shoot - 4 generations of beautiful women

The fine print:

1. Winner must redeem prize by 31st May, 2010
2. Locations must be in Melbourne, otherwise travel fees will apply
3. Winner will be notified by email
4. The photographic session must include the person/people in your story. Otherwise, what's the point?
5. This is not a competition of chance. Winners will be carefully selected based on their story.
6. By entering this competition you agree to hear from Relic Imagery from time to time regarding promotions and special offers. I won't spam you, and that is a promise.
7. Competition closes on Monday April 12th, 2010. Winners will be announced shortly after.

Anne+Hugh | Melbourne wedding photographer

Anne and Hugh. Two gorgeous people, both inside and out. I photographed them and their equally gorgeous daughter Miah, last year. Plus a whole bunch of their family. Plus their new niece!! I feel like we're old chums, and I love that! That's exactly the sort of relationships I love to have with my clients... To be welcomed into their lives, and see their families grow and change, is a real blessing.

Well since the last time I saw these 2 crazy kids, they have another beautiful daughter on the way and went and got themselves married!! Yes I cried. Yes I do that a lot at weddings :-) I was so moved with how both their children were included in the ceremony, Hugh's tender touch on Anne's tummy, the way they adore each other.

*sigh*

Anyway, on with the pics!!!!

I hope you enjoy your preview Anne and Hugh. I had such a lovely afternoon with you all. We'll talk soon xox

Starting with the B+G. Aww...

The addiction of light...

So as summer approaches and the days get longer, I'm finding myself addicted to shooting late in the afternoon and bathing in that gorgeous late sunshine. I don't know if I can shoot particularly well in it (lol) but surely if you enjoy it as much as I do, then it's worth it!

Add into the mix my fabulous best bud and her growing belly, and a WHOLE paddock of long grass, and you've just about found my perfect shoot. *sigh*

So without any further ado, may I introduce you to the gorgeous Felicia and the surprise bundle that resides within - due ANY day now (yippee - can't wait!).

Flea and Gregg (and Jet, you big slobbery goofball), I hope you enjoy these as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Big love xox

Maternity shoot at the beach = AWESOME...

... of course it helps when you have such a stunning (and willing model)! Gorgeous Toni is due with her second baby in 2 weeks time, so I headed out to visit her yesterday for a little maternity shoot. When I noticed that the weather was going to be nice I suggested we head down to Williamstown beach and this is the spectacular result!

Toni was happy to go anywhere I put her and we scrambled all over the rocks, waded through the (chilly) water and generally had fun in the sun.

And of course no maternity shoot is complete without the older sibling having a couple of shots - and even though Georgia wasn't quite as willing as mum, we snapped a couple of lovely shots of her before heading to the beach.

All in all, I had such a lovely time, and I'm so excited to share these with you...

Thanks SO much for yesterday Toni - I had the best time. I can't wait to meet your new bubba!

Mandy x

Beginning...

Beautiful Rachelle is due with baby #3 in about 8 weeks (hopefully less). Her two older boys are just gorgeous, so I have no doubt at all that the newest addition will be just as lovely.

Stay tuned for our newborn session in a few weeks. In the meantime, Rachelle here is your sneak peek. Stay well, rest up and I can't wait to hear from you again soon!

xox

Lil sis, Wolfie and the belly...

My little sister is pregnant with her second baby, affectionately named Wolfie. I've been DYING to get photos of her glorious pregnant belly. She wanted to wait until she was a bit bigger, and generally I would say around 32-36 weeks would give the best photographic results, but Wolfie is a bit on the large side (poor sis, I hope he has a small head!) so we went ahead anyway.

So here she is. My lil sis, my lil nephew and one gorgeous tum. Thanks babe. Love ya xox