Joelle & Stuart...

Ahhh. Love it when two people so obviously adore each other. The cheeky grins, the happy tears, the tender touches they give each other.

Joelle and Stuart were married last weekend down in Torquay after a short, but sweet, engagement. They've known each other a while, and you know how it is when two people are so perfect for each other even their friends can't remember a time when they were apart. Well, this is them.

Two gorgeous people, inside and out. I feel so very lucky to have been a part of their day.

Thank you Jo and Stu, enjoy your honeymoon xxx

PS- Thank you also, to my gorgeous sister assistant/second shooter for the day, Jenna. A great support, travel buddy and pick-me-up when I needed it xxx

Love is love is love

Regardless of your race, yes? Regardless of your religious beliefs, yes? Regardless of your sexual orientation? Apparently not legally in this country. Which is a crying shame. Especially when you witness something as pure and real as I did yesterday. I was so, so, so blessed to witness the commitment ceremony of Chris and Kibare in a small and intimate party at the gorgeous Victorian in Albert Park. During their vows there was not a single dry eye in the house nor did the smiles leave anyone's faces. It was an emotional and poignant day for everyone present, and I personally think of it as a wedding to remember.

Thank you ever so much Chris and Kibare, for allowing me to witness your special day. I feel so privileged to have been there to document your union. Enjoy your honeymoon! xox

I feel so passionate about legalising same-sex marriage in Australia. Please go here to read more:
http://www.australianmarriageequality.com/
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Beachy morning | Melbourne family photographer

Back in August I had the absolute pleasure of photographing Gus and Alex's wedding. We decided virtually on the night to have a family session down the track, when everything settled down and Scarlet was a little bit older. So today we went down to the beach at Altona and took some shots with dog Willis in tow. It was a superb morning... warm and sunny, and we all had fun (except for maybe Scarlet, but she was happier when there was some food bribes on offer ;-) ).

I got to have another play with my wide angle too, which is absolutely perfect for beach shots! So here we are, the happily married family!!!!

Enjoy these Alex and Gus, and I'll be in touch again soon. Love you guys xox

Christmas rush...

... is well and truly here!!!! I'm no longer taking any more clients for 2009, but the ones I have had are now madly trying to get orders in for Chrissie presents, and I'm madly trying to get orders packaged up and posted off!!!

So it was nice yesterday to hang out at St Kilda beach for one of my last sessions for the year, with the gorgeous Skye and her 2 equally gorgeous boys. I'm known Skye since I was knee high to a grasshopper, so it was just so ace to be able to catch up with her again before she heads back up to sunny QLD today.

So here are a few preview shots for you babe, travel safely home, and I wish you and yours a very merry Christmas.

xox

Tra la la, a day at the beach!

Headed down the highway to Ocean Grove on Monday for a shoot with the lovely Lisa and her family. Beach shoots are very novel for me - with no beach anywhere near me ordinarily, I always jump at the chance to get my feet sandy and wet!

Our shoot was to commemorate little Rohan's first birthday, which was the following day. Sooo cute and a cheeky grin to boot!!

I always have a giggle when I suggest to clients that we head into the backyard and they freak out because the grass hasn't been mown! DON'T MOW THE GRASS!! I have a weakness for shots of long grass, and anyone who's had a shoot with me before can testify how much I love it. Yes, it's a sickness...

Hello, my name is Mandy and I am addicted to shooting in long grass.

Anyway! Here are some shots of the day. I had many favourites to choose from, so had to narrow it down to just a couple.

Enjoy Lisa!! And Happy Birthday to Rohan for Tuesday 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