Denh Lay Photography

Meet my friend Kim and her beautiful family. With two children with special needs, you’d think they have much to complain about but ask her or her husband Matt, and they’d tell you that life is pretty amazing. There’s no denying they have their hands full but there’s plenty of love to go around and to make their hectic days, fulfilling. Their story is heartwarming, honest, and humbling.

Thank you guys for the cuppa… which I really should have made myself!

Thank you Mr Thomas for  sharing your dinosaurs. When you are ready to tell your stories, the world will be listening.

Thank you Mr Angus, aka, Chooks, for all the cuddles. Never fear, your family is always near.

Thank you Miss Milou for gracing me with some precious smiles. You are as fragile as any baby but stronger than most.

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Blessed are those who can embrace life and all it’s little surprises. ♥♥

In March I, along with thousands of photographers, were inspired by the brilliant Australian portrait photographer Sue Bryce, who shared with the world her technique and her passion. It brought me back to college days where I was taught that posing (of product or person) and lighting is paramount. It was technical but fun and still very much applicable to the family portraiture style I now specialise in.

My first shoot after watching Sue was this series of my friend Leanne. Ruby, her 2nd bub just popped in to say hi :)

Isn’t it amazing how a little inspiration can take you to another place?  :)  I’d love to do more portraits to celebrate mums and women in general! If these images resonate with you or make you wonder if you could look this good, give me a bell… because chances are, you already do :)

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PS: This is the last of my ‘Leanne’ posts, I promise :) Thank you sweet for being such an amazing and generous friend. You have become my poster girl :) and I hope you adore these images we created as much as I do.

Yesterday I chose to attend a business workshop over taking care of my kids who have colds. A teary drop off with the 3yo was heart wrenching :( It took an hour into the workshop before I could focus and the guilt lingered all day. This is the guilt we mums feel every time we do something for ourselves, whether it’s a business endeavour, a personal goal, or a hot cuppa!

For Mother’s Day, I’d like to reward a fellow mum. I’m looking for someone special, someone amazing, someone who’s made real sacrifices, someone who puts others before her every day! Basically, any mum :) In my eyes ALL mums qualify!!!

As most of you know, I specialise in family portraits but I really want this to be about mums. This isn’t about vanity or beauty but about celebrating the woman you have become with the responsibilities and love of motherhood.

So, the reward I’m giving away includes………..

* A portrait session all about you

* A gorgeous makeover with hair and makeup

* A beautiful handmade folio box of (5) 5″x7″ prints

* A classic 10″x10″ handmade desk mount with 3 prints

* A digital collection of 5 of your favourite images

TOTAL VALUE  $1445

Excited???!! :) I am!! To enter.……

* Comment on my Denh Lay Photography Facebook Page under the Mother’s Day Giveaway post or on my wall with “I’m worth it!”

* ‘Like’ my Facebook Page (not just the post) if you haven’t already.

AND THAT’S IT!!

* Share the post with your friends and you score another entry! :)

* If your friends enter as well you get, YES, another entry!  (Just ask them to mention you in their comment)

* If this is not for you, why not share it anyway? I’m sure you know a deserving mum or two :)

 Entries Close: Midnight 13th May, 2012

The winner entry will be chosen using www.random.org

Can’t wait to draw the winner and capture some memorable images for one of you gorgeous mums! x

Conditions Apply

# Session will be in Croydon though travel within 40km will be considered 

# Session must take place within 6mths

# Not redeemable for cash

My sis-in-law is expecting her 2nd baby. The extended family is a wee bit excited (!!), hence the rather large blog here :) I cannot wait to welcome another beautiful baby cousin to my girls. The 3yo in particular will want to put bubs in doll’s cot and sing her lullabies I’m sure! :)

Photographed in the lush surrounds of Kangaroo Grounds, these photographs reflect Kristy and Tobi’s nature loving, free spirited souls. They travelled the world then built their own camper van to enjoy life on the road. There’s been challenges, as there always are, but it’s how we embrace them with positivity and belief that gets us through. Enjoy your growing family and I hope Teesha-Lee and bubs gets to experience the world as you have. ♥

Easter is less than 2 weeks away and I’m looking forward to a weekend of Easter egg hunting! Yes it’s for the kids but there’s no reason we can’t join in the fun ;) … and take the opportunity to capture their funny expressions and little adventures. Whether your prized camera is a digital SLR or a mobile phone, here are 7 simple tips that will help you capture your special moments. Be sure to give it a go as they may come in handy in my exciting Mother’s Day Giveaway ;) Details to be posted next week!

1/ Prepare your gear

Whether you’re using a phone, compact or DSLR, make sure they’re charged and empty your cards so you don’t run out of space mid hunt! If you love phone camera applications like Hipstamatic or Instagram then ensure they’re at easy reach. eg. If you have an iPhone, move the application to the first screen on your phone to save scrolling time.

2/ Guide the hunt

Use paper footprints on the ground to guide the kids through part or all of the hunt. Not only will the kids love walking in bunny’s foot prints but it means you won’t be chasing them around in every direction to get the photos. Yes, it sounds orderly :) but the kids will still love the hunt and you can worry less about your stamina and more about your photos.

3/ Put them in the light

Hide eggs in well lit places or you could end up with a lot of dark and blurry photos as your phone/camera struggles to focus in low light. If hunting indoors and your home is dark, then open all the curtains and turn on the lights (even if day time) to let in as much light as possible.

4/ Create opportunity for different angles and poses

Is your Easter album going to be filled with kids squatting down for eggs hidden in the grass? Mine were until I discovered that Easter bunny gets in all sorts of places! ;) Create variety in your photos by making them search high and low! :) Try photographing from various perspectives yourself to get a different view of the action.

5/ Use some props for extra cuteness

Kids love dressing up so why not put on rabbit ears or noses to help them find their inner bunny. Making them can be a whole lot of fun on their own :) Baskets and buckets are fabulous props to help little hands from overflowing. Check out Martha Stewart Living for some great Easter craft ideas including a pair of cute felt bunny ears.

6/ Get in close & fill the frame

Don’t be afraid to get in close and fill the frame. You don’t need to see every shrub in the yard or furniture in the room. Unnecessary detail will only detract from your gorgeous subjects.

7/ Treat yourself!

Most importantly, save yourself some choccies too because as we all know, happy photographer equals happy photos! :)

Happy hunting this Easter! x

Beautiful, young, and carefree, the sweetest way to be :)  I love your dreams and aspirations Divina… because I have them too. Live life with heart and the rest will surely follow ♥

My family and I met beautiful Citra in Bali. She is sweet, kind, smart, and extremely cheeky! ;) She will love you like family in an instant but don’t be offended if she forgets your name because … she often does! hehe… She’d call me Jade or Evie (my daughters) and wonder why I didn’t respond! Genuinely goofy habit my friend :)

It was a pleasure meeting you my dear and we wish you an awesome birthday today filled with much joy. Stay young at heart, live life with love! xox

Meet my sweet friends Tony & May :) Always cheerful and always laughing! It was great catching up and sharing your happiness ♥

Looking forward to that imminent text or facebook announcement. Any day now, any day….  :)

I’ve taken my time to post these photos of this gorgeous family :) Captured at the Pobke Magic workshop held by the very talented and very generous Christine just over 10 days ago (OMG, is that all?!!), they have left a lasting impression. Over two *incredible* days packed with information and inspiration, I learnt new ways of capturing, processing, & ‘seeing’ my images. It was insightful to say the least!

My photography style hasn’t changed, that is all me :), but my business certainly will. Changes that I hope will enable the elusive work life balance we all seek. I am so thankful for the experience and can’t wait to embrace the year ahead!

How sweet are these two :) All relaxed and ready for their first little bubs, to be named…… as IF they’d tell me ;)  Thank you for the opportunity to capture these special moments and I hope they make you smile :)