Christmas (preparations) in October

I recently walked past a sign outside of a gift shop that read, "Only 11 weeks until Christmas." I had started to notice Christmas decorations popping up in malls but I guess I figured it was the early season marketing that the large chains seem to love. It was only later in the day that I got to thinking about Christmas and gifts when I realised that 11 weeks is not a lot of time! Not when you are as adept at procrastination as I am. Christmas is a busy time for most people and we all know how easy it is to find yourself doing the last minute shop on Christmas Eve.

As Rich and I move into Christmas mode we would like to offer an incentive to anyone who is thinking of giving the gift of photos this Christmas. If you book a family or couple portrait session before November 1st we will give you a 11x14 mounted print, free of charge. We think photos make a great gift. It's just our way of saying Happy Christmas to our clients.

Can you say cheese, carrots, peas?

We love kids. There is nothing more entertaining than photographing kids; they are fun, they aren't self conscious and they usually love being photographed. They may be the perfect clients! Rich and I have been lucky enough to photograph all the kids at our daughter's preschool over the past few weeks. Thanks to all the children and the staff for allowing us to catch a glimpse of their preschool life - we had a ball.

Broadway to Bangalow

One of the many, many wonderful things about living in the Northern Rivers area is the abundance of positive and interesting people. Northern NSW really is a creative hub which, for a photographer and journalist, is exactly up our alley. This week we were fortunate enough to interview and photograph author, Kevin Palmer. Kevin is launching his first book at the Byron Writer's Festival in August and for those who are looking for an inspirational read, Boy's Home to Broadway, may be just what you thirst for.

I set the interview up with Kevin's literary agent in Western Australia and after swapping half-a-dozen emails, we were invited to meet Kevin and his partner, Bruce, at their Bangalow home. In a strange turn of events, we were more than a little surprised to find out that Kevin and Bruce live next door to us! (That is to say, they live next door to the block of land we bought eight months ago). What a great way to meet the neighbours!

Kevin is an inspirational yet humble man. Without a trace of sentimentality, he writes of his journey from a childhood spent in a boys’ home, to travelling the globe with the biggest names in stage and screen. It was an interesting interview - sorry if we out stayed our welcome guys! Be sure to check out Kevin's book, it really is an enjoyable read.

For further information you can also check out the interview in next month's edition of Bangalow's Heartbeat. www.heartbeat.net.au

Keeping it in the family

Kids! We love kids! Photographing them, talking to them, listening to them - I mean, kids are really entertaining - as our own daughter keeps reminding us everyday. Trouble is, the time you have with them when they are small just flys by. That's why I'm so lucky to have Richard (one of the reasons anyway!) Let's face it, more often than not, I forget to charge up my camera battery. I've also been known to take my camera case but not my camera and I find it an impossible task to get anything in focus out of my camera phone. So... I leave the photographs to Richard.

For all those of you who don't live with a professional photographer... he does portrait sittings...

Here are some of my favourite images from our daughter's first years. Enjoy!

Michelle