What is family??? Many have tried to answer this question. Many more have failed. I prefer to leave it to those poets and scholars that know how to better articulate its nuance much better than I…

“In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony.” —Friedrich Nietzsche

I was most fortunate recently to meet the delightful Sarah and Ali when they visited the studio for their very first family portrait with their gorgeous son, Harrison. They have been interviewed for the next edition of LOTL magazine where we will be featuring in each edition, a same sex family telling the story of their journey to parenthood in all its wonders and trials. Their story is amazing and inspiring. Grab a copy of LOTL via their website to read all about it, but in the meantime, here’s their perfect family portrait. Sarah’s Mum even made it into a few shots too…

By Samantha Halpern
B. Visual Communications (Photography & Digital Imaging)
Dip. Fine Arts (Photography)
Fully Accredited Member of the AIPP since 2008

Owner and Principle Photographer at JettyBlue Photography

Email me to connect and book a family portrait session.

sam@jettyblue.com.au 0414 412 069.

 

My Journey with the Wayne family started way back in 2011 when I shot the glorious wedding of Jodie and Mark. Their groomsman Adrian, who is Mark’s bestie from school, happened to be at the time, national sales manager for Porsche (nice friend to have), so he dutifully arranged for a brand new Panamera Turbo as Jodie and Mark’s wedding car.

Fast forward a few years, and I’m now shooting Adrian’s very own wedding at the beautiful Chateau Elan in the hunter valley, where I met Adrian’s brother Alex, who was his best man.

Over the years, I’ve had the delight of capturing Josien and Adrian’s growing family…

So I was delighted to again capture a moment in the Wayne family story. This time, Josien had purchased a family portrait voucher for her brother-in-law alex (Adrian’s brother) which I captured just last week…

So thank you to the Wayne family for again having me along to capture your amazing family stories. I can’t wait for the next installment 😉

When your Mum & Dad announce they’re renovating, you never expect to meet the love of your life. That’s exactly what happened to Alicia! Joel was one of the builders on site and Mums place and when Alicia popped in to check out the goings on, there were sparks and not just from the nail guns.

They were engaged in New Zealand and married at the amazing Ravensthorpe in Albion Park. Their brady bunch family were all in attendance and it was an amazing day!

Bride’s & Bridesmaid’s Accessories –  Collette Miranda

Bride’s Earrings – Swarovski

Shoes – Betts Miranda

Make-up & hair – Samantha Lee MUA

Celebrant – Belinda Richardson

Ceremony Location – Ravensthorpe

Entertainment and/or DJ – Ultimate Entertainment

Rings – Michael Hill Jeweller Sylvania

Floral Artist – Fancy Flowers by Felicity

Honeymoon destination – Hunter valley

 

One of the absolute delights of my job is watching my client’s lives unfold over many years. I first met Tracey and Pat when their first daughter Chloe was just a baby and I photographed the family at Blackwoods Beach, Cronulla. Pat being a mad keen surfer, it was a no-brainer to include his board in that first family portrait (well, what kind of Aussie family portrait would this be without a piece of sporting equipment???)

So when Tracey emailed me to request an update of their family portrait because of their new addition, I was thrilled! Tracey wanted the new shoot to match the old, so we again visited Blackwoods Beach, but this time I found a different corner to shoot in to give their imagery a new feel but still keeping with the theme. Congratulations Tracey and Pat on the arrival of Kirra-Rose. She’s delightful! I can’t wait to see what the two of you have in store next. xxxxx

Its not too late to update your family legacy before the weather gets too chilly! The light is absolutely divine this time of year and because daylight savings is over, we can start much earlier to catch the perfect light – which makes for happier little ones 😉

sam@jettyblue.com.au or 0414 412 069

Looking forward to chatting with you soon!
Sam.  Xxxxx

I first met Justine way back in 2009 (I think) when I photographed her family portrait with her Mum and uncles. I then met her and her school girlfriends when they asked me to capture their friendship group portrait when they all graduated from high-school together.

So I was absolutely delighted to capture this next stage of her life with a family portrait of her own! Husband Brad and the two kids were a delight and these shoots is one of the truly joyous reasons I do what I do…

What is a photograph? Is it a picture? a story? does it have life? Does it make permanent all those fleeting moments we don’t see? Can a photograph define our family history?

To me, photography is not merely the best possible representation of ourselves in this moment looking like the version of ourselves we want to project. It is about future. The stories we capture today will become the past of tomorrow. If in the future there is no record of the past – did it even exist? How will that shape your future? That to me is the whole point of photography. To tell stories to the future, craft a legacy of today.

I was gifted the opportunity to craft Katrina & Matt’s legacy way back in May 2013 when I photographed their engagement portrait. Then there was the wedding…

and then baby Zahlee…

and now its Katrina’s Mum Kerry’s turn to complete the picture with a family portrait of her own with ALL the kids and grandkids…

 

Can’t wait for the next installment…

One of the most satisfying parts of my job is when I get to see my clients at numerous stages of their lives. I first met Carly 10 years ago when she and a bunch of gal pals got together and had me photograph them all to celebrate their finishing high-school. So I was delighted when Carly connected with me (via Justine, another one of the gal pal gang – thanks Justine! I look forward to shooting your family portrait soon too 😉 so I could shoot her husband and absolutely adorable new bub Sophia. Too much cuteness for one afternoon! So awesome to see you again Carly and I loved capturing this new chapter in your life. Can’t wait for the next one!

Clients often say to me that the main reason they hesitate to update (or even initiate) their personal branding, is they worry that they won’t look like themselves in the images. I’m all about communicating authentically and delivering nothing but authentic imagery for my clients to communicate their story. My client Melissa from Divine Creative Agency​ recently updated her personal branding and here’s what she had to say afterwards…