A Realm Beyond

Newborn Special

2008-05-07T15:11:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the impending birth of my second son I thought I'd have a special! Why not!
Until 12th May all presets are available for $39usd.

Paypal: $39usd to gemma[at]iriscreationsphotography.com

For more information on presets, please visit : www.flickr.com/groups/579523@N22/

Please indicate as to which set you would like: Lightoom or ACR.
Presets will be sent to the email address registered with paypal, please indicate if you would like them sent to another email address.

Please allow up to 72 hours for delivery, just in case bub arrives early!
If time lapses and they still haven't arrived, check your spam folder, or leave a comment here or email - I might just be in hospital :)

Jaden Rice - BMX Champion

2008-05-06T22:49:00.000-07:00

(Click on image to view larger)

Jaden Rice is 7 years old and about to embark on the trip of a lifetime!

To compete in the 2008 BMX World Championships in CHINA!

The Championships are to be held in Taiyuan from the 27 May - 2 June.

To help support Jaden on his quest, the Commonwealth Bank in Yarraville has set up a Trust account. If you would like to help support Jaden, please feel free to contact Gemma for details on how to do so, and help this beautiful family send Jaden to the Championships :)

gemma[at]iriscreationsphotography.com

okay okay okay

2008-05-04T03:57:00.000-07:00

So I've been told I have to update.... and even been given an excuse to :P

I've been tagged by Amanda.

Firstly, the rules:
Link the person who tagged you
Mention the rules on your blog
Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
Tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking them
Leave a comment on each of the tagged bloggers blogs letting them know they have been tagged.

1. I hate been pregnant. Stupid cause I love taking photos of it, and other women. I love the pregnant form, but I just hate it on me! haha. Don't get me wrong, I love the movement, the outcome (ok so not the labour part) but yeah.... maybe if it wasn't a WHOLE DRAWN OUT 9 MONTHS!

2. I'm NOT a morning person. Although, if I have guests, I appear to be. So most friends think I'm lying. I guess I'm like a child and get excited that they are here so get up. Ok that wears off after one morning... hahaha

3. I'm REALLY picky about music. If i don't like something - I DON"T LIKE IT. If i love something - I LOVE IT. But my fav styles are blues & roots, and harder rock. I also love choral/orchestral rock. But that is my most picky style of music...

4. I am a tad obsessed with my photography. I swear every spare second is spent on it or the net or something to do with photography. I think it actually keeps me sane... although sometimes makes me insane...

5. I tend to contradict myself... anyone noticed???

6. I'm insanely loyal to my friends... if I give trust, it's a big thing. If I tell a secret... it's a big thing. I don't hand out my heart often.. and if you hurt it... look out (haha that's scary ha!!)

And I tag:

Janet
Mully (and like Amanda said to me - it's damn time you updated chicky!)
Jess
Leigh
Julie
Sheila

And lastly, this blog gets a little neglected until there is news about realm beyond related STUFF. SOOOOO I invite you here.
http://www.iriscreations.blogspot.com
Please update your bookmarks ;)
It's a more exciting read (or visual feast???)

New Price on Presets :)

2008-03-26T16:41:00.000-07:00

From March 2008, all three sets are now available for the one price of $49usd.

That includes the ever-popular B+W kit, Colour and Vintage sets.
(please ask me about group buys!)

Coming soon is the Realm Beyond Website!

Stay tuned for updates :)

xx

SPECIAL! SALE!

2008-01-29T19:33:00.001-08:00

Simply paypal $39usd to gemma@iriscreationsphotography.com

please allow up to 24 hours for presets to be delivered. They will be delivered to your paypal email address unless specified in the paypal message.

This special includes all THREE sets (b+w, vintage and colour) and will also have a few BONUS presets.

They are available for ACR and Lightroom.

Take advantage of this special TODAY! :)

Day's 3,4,5

2008-01-19T20:50:00.001-08:00

(in case your not a flickr person:)

Day Three: Ok so I got better stuff from today, but they weren't of the "everyday" so this is it instead. My Day three. Being hormonal and uncomfortable.

not wanting to look anyone in the eye in fear that I might cry for NO REASON. Gotta love the hormonal part of pregnancy!

Day 4: Be'be wanted maccas (so not me craving - of course) so here is E having his first (and second) bite of a Big Mac.

Such a wonderfully technically brilliant photograph (NOT) but that's the joy of this project, they don't HAVE to be :)

Day 5: For being such a good boy while he was out with Mummy & Aunty Megs, E got a balloon, in the colour of his choice. The only colour he could kinda make out was BLUE. he was running around the house with it, pulling it. Finally caught it on the floor and what happened??

Yep, it popped.
He still had fun and didn't get scared by the noise!

Not to mention that it was the first of many photos to come from the new 50mm 1.8 that the oh-so-beautiful-generous-Blake gave me! I'm a spoilt girl!
It's nice to shoot with a 50mm again. I've so missed it.
(FYI - my 50mm 1.8 doesn't work on the 5d {have no idea why} so was sent to Europe with my 300d with a friend, and my 50mm 1.4 was broken at a session)

And now, some other shots!

The oh-so-beautiful Julia (the most photogenic person in b+w)

And the beautiful couple. Cannot WAIT for October 2009... you'll be seeing HEAPS of wedding images :D :D :D :D

Day One & Day Two

2008-01-17T02:19:00.001-08:00

Day One:

Day Two: Okay so unlike what I said in the previous post, I managed to take a photo of the "everyday" - so I made it! WOOHOO!

Rambling

2008-01-17T00:13:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was all inspired to do a 366 days thing.. Not self portraits but just daily things.
yeah well the camera didn't get touched today, and the images from yesterday are still on the camera.
OOPS
I'm terribly hormonal at the moment, for NO reason whatsoever (well maybe there are reasons but I wont go into it) and just feel BLAH.

Still waiting on developments to get my new website started and while sort of everything is ready, I've hit the "I don't like any of my images" stage.
Does everyone go thru this when putting together a new site?

I seriously want a break.. HAHA yes I can hear you call saying "So do I". Travel should be cheaper, rent/house repayments should be cheaper so we could afford to save a dime a week to maybe thing about having a holiday.... See I'm full of pregnant hormonal ramblings today.
And need to vent so your all coping it.

Sorry!

Even my new yarn isn't making me smile like it did on Saturday... I have this expensive Rowan and nothing to do with it as it's SOOOO thick i have no idea what to do with it... any ideas will be happily accepted.
The other stuff just needs to be balled up and a project to jump at me, and the other, well the 12mm needles didn't have the effort I was looking for so am going to have to get some 15mm's, and I have come to the conclusion that I HATE large needles. I feel so unco-ordinated with them!

Anyway here's the pics of some yarn...

Hopefully I'll be in a better mood tomorrow and I'll have a happy post xx

Joys of girlies in the house :)

2008-01-07T22:04:00.000-08:00

Thanks to a little bit of brainstorming idea help from my dear friend Amanda, I have been SNAPPING away the last few days.

I had all these unreal ideas to do when my friends baby was here... but then when they arrived - I had NONE.
But then the ideas started to flow. And even 5 minutes before they were leaving for the airport, I suddenly saw the embroidered butterfly on her jeans and remembered a pink hat I had. So there I am, telling mum to "shut up you wont miss your flight - this is SOOOOO much more important"
HAHAHA (they are now on the way to the airport :( )

So here is a few of super model Maddie

And then.....

... after three attempts I finally got this today... OMG so excited :D

Beach Days

2008-01-05T23:08:00.000-08:00

Okay so I found a good thing about being on "bed rest". Catching up on proofing.. or actually being able to proof the things you want to, when you want to!
haha
So last week we took our mates to the beach. Emerson's only been a handful of times. And because he's so much older, I think there was so much more to take in.

It actually stopped me to think - Wonder what his little head much be thinking and trying to digest. This would seems like a bloody BIG BATH!
haha

Telling the waves off for moving up and down!
"No!!!"
it was very funny...

xxx

Pain

2008-01-05T00:36:00.001-08:00

After days of annoying PAIN, I spoke to my midwife at 11pm last night and she has a theory. Which makes sense. So I went to Emergency today and lay there for 4 hours while I was prodded and poked and finally given some pain relief. I wasn't in early labour (thank God) and the pain relief worked.
So the current theory is this. I have a hyper-sensitive uterus.
I've always had chronic "monthly times", and apparently my uterus simply doesn't like being pregnant, or struggles being pregnant.

But all is good, be'be is healthy & happy, it's just poor mummy that isn't!

So ordered to {close to} bed rest and pain relief when i need it.

So this is my version of a diary-type image to describe it all.

Okay, Okay... I'll reveal all!

2008-01-01T15:23:00.001-08:00

I was gonna wait til I'd done another self portrait of the belly. But I can't seem to be all that bothered. And really still can't be. So here is come some AWFUL self maternity pics. LOL

OKAY so you wanna know the sex of the bun in the oven?

Think of that annoying song by Eiffel 65 a few years ago... don't get it???
Okay.. IT'S A BOY!

And to leave you a cute one of Emerson "learning" to share with Maddie....

Nappy Free time

2007-12-29T01:27:00.000-08:00

So we have some guests from New Zealand here, our good friends Sam & Julz, and their beautiful little girl Maddie, who's 7 months old.
It's bloody hot here in Melbourne. Today it was 39 degrees (C) which is about 100 F or more... anyway. So it was bloody hot!
Today we decided to extend the "nappy free time" before bathtime a little longer, simply because The Little Mermaid was on, and us mummies really wanted to watch it. Kids were not very interested BTW. We have floorboards so the occasional accidents are ok because they can be cleaned fairly easily. Well by the time the movie had, what, ten minutes left, they'd each had two of them. NO, i lie. Three. But this was fine, the movie was almost over, dinner had been had, and the bath was about to be filled.
I was holding little Maddie and as I dared to open my mouth and say "no more accidents, esspecially on my lap" Something happened... from the other end!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No sooner was mum taking her off my hands, my trackies being pulled off (curtains were drawn btw) that Emerson, standing up at his little table and chairs started CRYING. Not whinging but CRYING. He was standing in a HUGE MESS!!!!!!!!!!!

At the same time. Can you believe that?
I swear you could ask for that kind of timing...
So lots of wipes later, a bucket of nappysan, and a BIG SOAPY bath later we are all clean.

So that's our funny story for today.

And finally here's some images of Miss Maddie asleep & then awake because while Emerson can't stand being in front of the camera, he cannot stand anyone else in the limelight and had to come chatting away into the studio. Waking my beautifully, sleeping, (kinda) curly baby.

(see he wouldn't even have a photo!)
xxx
P.S oh and who wants to know if Emerson is getting a little brother or sister???

Slackness (with Excuses) and images from Sydney

2007-12-25T18:39:00.000-08:00

Ok so I've been rather slack. Nov 24th was my last post. OVER a month ago!
OOPS.

But it's been a HUGE two months. As you know we dashed off to New Zealand, then I came home and in three days photographed a wedding, two charity sessions, two other sessions and had about ten hours sleep.
Then packed little Emerson up to fly an hour on a plane (again!) to go to Sydney!
Sydney was unreal. Fantastic little break from reality for me. Busy - but still a break.

Caught up with Amanda & Bec and had some fun photographing away from the usual lines of business. Not that I complain about business - but it was great soul food to finally photograph things that I wanted to do for ME. If you know what I mean!

(is it totally old-fashioned and unexceptionable to arrange marriages at 15 & 20 months old?? Cause I'd like to think that in this case it's ok.. What you think Amanda? Lilly Sears??!!!!)

Came home to dad having MAJOR surgery and struggled with Emerson and being stuck in the house, with pains coming back like my first pregnancy. How tiring are second pregnancies? Can't imagine at the moment what they must be like with more than one child.. How do you do it?!

Having been readmitted to hospital with a major infection, dad is recovering well. ALMOST got admitted AGAIN on Christmas eve, but thankfully the painkillers they gave him kicked in well (I think the glass or two of Red wine he had might have also helped :) ) He was able to spend Christmas at home.

We had a wonderful day - kids were up at 6am (and we were expecting 4am)
Santa had arrived, and there were HUNDREDS of pressies under the tree (so many that for me that contained chocolate WOOHOO!)

And now it's boxing day and I'm patiently waiting for Blu Domain to unveil their new site so I can decide which one I want. DAMN DIFFERENT TIME ZONES!
I've been slaving away at my business's "new look" for weeks and now that I'm on "holidays" from business - can spend the time to do it. And hopefully catch up on personal images.

We have our BIG 20 week ultrasound tomorrow (not half excited) and will hopefully find out the sex of the baby. (YAY) but will also find out what a sus little lump is which appeared a few days ago (why do weird things appear on public holidays???) So I have been "taking it easy" and not allowed to lift more than food to my face (haha)
Hopefully nothing major but still a little scared..

Tonight our dear friends from New Zealand arrive with their 7 month old baby girl! YAY!
Went to stock up on baby supplies this morning. Had forgotten how expensive it can be when your buying nappies, formula, baby food, teething rusks, wipes etc all at once. My gosh I'm glad the cupboard wasn't empty as well, I would have been sent broke!

Anyway I think that is enough of my yipper-yapper!!

I hope everyone had an AMAZING Christmas/holiday season and hope everyone was spoilt.
I will be back with some more images soon..

xx promise xx

Trip to New Zealand - Part one

2007-11-24T04:38:00.001-08:00

so this will be another one of those annoying PART I-II-III type blogs...
Sorry!!
Been a week since we've been back but then I disappeared from home again (more about that later :) )

So here is Emerson absolutely LOVING the airport. Flying with a toddler is not an easy thing.. The plane trip in the air may only take 3 1/2 hours, but being international flights, check-in, customs etc takes ages and it's a long process. He was a real tropper.
Finally fell asleep on the plane for a while.. allowing mummy here to watch 30 minutes of "knocked-up"...
Garrison in a "dream-like state". Not common that he looks so.. umm, how to put it.. angelic? usually I get "rock star" poses!

(as you can see!)

till next post.. xxx

Missing

2007-11-22T21:19:00.000-08:00

Maybe someday you’ll have woken up,
And, barely conscious, you’ll say to no one:
"isn’t something missing? "
You won’t cry for my absence, I know -

Though I’d die to know you love me,
I’m all alone - Isn’t someone missing me?

And if I sleep just to dream of you
And wake without you there,

Isn’t something missing?
Isn’t something...

(Missing - Evanescence)

BUZZ BUZZ

2007-11-07T16:53:00.000-08:00

WOW crazy crazy times!!

Due to a illness in the family I will be in New Zealand from tomorrow (yes tomorrow nothing like a last minute holiday) until the end of next week!!

I'll have internet access but not sure *HOW* reliable it will be :)

Have a great weekend and week and I'll fill you in on my travels when I get back

For those purchasing presets, I will do my very very best to get them to you asap, but if it's not within the usual 48 hours please please forgive me - You will get them I wont forget about you!!

Thanks guys! :D
xxx

Jumping the gun (knitting)

2007-11-06T14:45:00.000-08:00

So this is my first totally blog entry totally decicaded to knitting! LOL
Since I was 5, or so, I've been one of 'those' knitters... you know the kind that knitted scarves and hats on the round... and made things up..
So lately it's been my mission to learn to follow patterns. Mum was going to "teach" me but we haven't really had time..
So I bought a couple from spotlight (eek) and tried to read them. Started to understand.
Then the first pattern I "followed" was given by a friend (wink wink) and I kinda followed it.
And i was proud.

Then I was ORDERED by Amanda to make some of the cutest booties known to mankind and succeeded - but need to get some yummy yarn to really make them ;)

THEN! I finally spoke to mum about one pattern that I had for a baby cardi. And finally "got it".
I found a yummy yummy yarn store close to me that means I will no longer hold 'shares' in spotlight and actually get some decent yarn (happy dance)

So I wanted to make this cardi in a beautiful stone colour, but they only had two balls, and I needed three.. SIGH.

But as much as I wanted to go against hte norm and NOT make this cardi in the usual newborn colours - I decided there is a time and a place for newborn colours and got some yummy Debbie Bliss yarn in baby cashmerino in Olive-y green...

AND OMG!! Ive successfully divided the piece and finished the first front left side! (and btw our power in our area went out last night so the last three rows were done by candelight (how very medieval!)

I AM SO PROUD OF MYSELF!

hehe

so now I have to save this post and go take a picture.

So fellow knitters, what do you think?!
I'm patiently (actually not patiently) waiting for my Debbie Bliss baby knit books to arrive (from the UK (would you believe it was cheaper to get them directly from the UK with postage and the exchange rate - then to buy from my local store... and for less than the stores price, I'm getting TWO books :D)
then I'm going to have SOOOOOOO many projects on the go... GRIN

So in other news, we had a prediction done on what sex the baby is (but not going to tell until the scan - just in case :D) but I'm EXCITED! We even got a personality prediction - and a future reading for Emerson, so put it in this way in 26 years I'll tell you if she was correct LOL

AND - I managed to sneak in the 5D to a Shihad gig on Monday night!
WOOHOO! They are Garrison's FAV band from New Zealand. (some of you may know of them as Pacifier)
Got some UNREAL pics, but they are for another post as this one is DEDICATED to knitting :)

So I have 4 sessions + Shihad to proof, about 6 orders of prints to assemble and no energy cause I haven't slept in two nights... EEEK

And November is going to be a GREAT month - I'm so excited... but can't tell you why (aren't I mean????)

So that's it. Hopefully some more pics for you soon :D
xxx love to all :)

A lil church in St Kilda

2007-10-31T17:20:00.000-07:00

As you may or may not know, Bec came to visit for a few days so I had to use my brain (ha ha) to think of some locations to go photo taking... there is this cute little church in St Kilda with lots and lots of ivy which I've been meaning to go to for ages, but having a visitor gave me the excuse! Turns out it's not a church anymore but someones house! It's part of a little apartment complex now... but no one seemed to care that we were there!

Emerson looking for the fishies... wish I could show you his face when he demonstrates what a fishes "says" - too cute.. cracks me up on a daily basis...

(black + white for good measure)

Since we took him a few days ago to another church in the city, he walks up to doors and says "nok nok" with his little hand... too cute.. glad no one was actually home thou.. might have been kicked out! ha ha...

With Bec in his pjs.. was very concerned about her arm... Well Bec left last night.. and Gemma here turned into a real 'mother' packing her a packed dinner... first we made two sandwiches... peanut butter & Vegemite (yes for you Americans who know, that disgusting black stuff us Aussies seem to love! ha ha) then some biscuits and cut up cheese.... two teabags, some milk in a baby food jar, measured out sugar, four dipping biscuits, an apple and three strawberries.

And cause their could have been screaming children on board, 4 panadol, a pillow, a blanket and a face washer, which could come in very handy.... Ok either I went really overboard, or I'm just too caring. LOL

She arrived home safely... and enjoyed the lunch (or so she says)

So back to work... got orders to prep, orders to package, orders to send, a coffee table book to send back as they STUFFED it up... and a baby cardi to knit...

oh oh speaking of knitting, i have prettttyyyyyyyy yarn... Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino.. in a limy/olivey green... it's SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO nice to work with, I'm loving it...
and then (and this is a funny story)

I went into an old little backpack nappy bag I have to use on Sunday, and guess what I found!?? My birthday card from my grandmother with $50 in it!!! I mean who forgets about a birthday card with money?? CRAZY!
So what did I do... SPEND IT! And of course on something she would be VERY proud of...
Two baby knit pattern books.. he he
Debbie Bliss Cashmerino 2 & the Baby knits for beginners... I found it super cheaper on EBAY from an English store, in fact less than half price what I almost paid in a yarn store... YAY!

anyway I' m sure you sick of my babbling so I'll go now :)

SPECIAL ON PRESETS

2007-10-30T16:43:00.000-07:00

Because it's Halloween, I'm having a special on the preset kits!

$us49 for all three kits! That's nearly $40 off!!!

So jump on it! :D

paypal $us49 to gemma@iriscreationsphotography.com

with a valid email address!!

More images coming soon!!

Testing, & me...

2007-10-29T16:09:00.001-07:00

Playing with Amanda's new actions...

And lil me.... 11 weeks...

Nothing else really to report :)

Excursions into Melbourne

2007-10-29T04:05:00.001-07:00

Bec has invaded Melbourne! Help us all please!
Naa kidding... took a little trip into the city for some images, and to "hunt some red doors"... don't ask - we found them thou..
and no I dont have images of the doors.. but instead...

and of course an excursion would not be complete without a model:
and little Mr. I-hate-the-camera-I-refuse-to-look-at-it-or-do-what-mummy-says"!
is getting better and was quite a good little model!!

Presets

2007-10-22T19:02:00.000-07:00

Well the trials have gone brilliantly, and now they have been released!

B+W Kit: $39 usd
Colour Kit: $25 usd
Vintage Kit: $25 usd
All Three kits: $75 usd (saving of $14!)

These kits are perfect for proofing entire photographic sessions and exposures can be tweaked to suit your photograph. Obviously they can also be individualised within photoshop for your own unique look.

To purchase simply paypal the dollar amount (USD) to gemma@iriscreationsphotography.com indicating which set/s you are purchasing. Please include a valid email address for delivery. Purchased sets will be delivered within 48 hours, and due to the electronic nature of presets, strictly no refunds!!

See what other photographers are doing: by visiting the flickr group HERE

Presets for Camera Raw

2007-10-22T02:04:00.000-07:00

I've been working on these for AGES, and finally it is all coming together - but good things take time!
Here's a slight preview of some of the presets that are currently being tested and will be available soon!

These have been also processed using Amanda's Texture actions - which are available here

examples of what will be coming out...
B+W
(Set includes B+w, b+w light, b+w dark, b+w blue tint, b+w brown tint, b+w warm tint, b+w high contrast, b+w dream & b+w sleeping newborn)

I will post some more examples soon! In the meantime, a new group has been set up on flickr..

Remember When...

2007-10-18T15:39:00.000-07:00

I found out I was getting my 5d + L series + 50mm f1.4??

Well that wasn't the only news:

EXCITEMENT!!!
We are ten weeks pregnant with a strong heartbeat! All systems go! So does that explain the need to make hundreds of cupcakes?? LOL

I'm so happy and excited (even if I'm having one of those weeks of - I feel fat & ugly LOL)
I'm going to get my hair done today - that will make me feel better!
Been a bit more nauseated this time.. In the evenings!

So like I mentioned EXTREMELY EXCITED! And have been DYING to annouce it and decided I couldn't wait any longer!
So there is my news & secret everyone!
xxx

Which of Henry VIII's wives are you?

2007-10-14T21:42:00.000-07:00

As most people know, I'm a bit of a medieval history fan... and I found this quiz...

I put in my answers, and turns out I'm Anne of Cleves..

Anna of Cleves got the royal shaft. She came all the way to England to become the fourth wife of Henry VIII. Once married to Anna, he refused to consummate the marriage, and called her the "Flanders Mare". Talk about a burn, considering that by this time, Henry was the fattest man in England and had a rotting syphilis sore on his leg.

Anna was miffed, but she was too sensible to let it ruin her fun. She was given an annulment and a fat yearly allowance, and she threw extravagant parties and dined on delicacies for the rest of her life.

Which of Henry VIII's wives are you?
this quiz was made by Lori Fury

A flower bush

2007-10-13T18:44:00.001-07:00

Cause that other post was just terrible when it comes to the quality of images - I decided to post this one...Not that much better.. but we have off days (and sometimes more often than good days.)
Hoping today I'm a bit more on... I have a session for the ACOCP for a family at Werribee Mansion. It's a fairly lovely day out... so here's to hoping!
hope everyone is having a good weekend...

Football Fans are SCARY!

2007-10-13T18:36:00.000-07:00

...Especially when their team wins the Grand Final! (and yes - ok it was two weeks ago - I'm behind) But GO MELBOURNE STORM!

And now for some slightly less "scary" images -

A terrible 'candid' one of Emerson riding a "horse"
The bro:
And my latest obsession: cupcakes.. Don't think I have the skills or product photography skills to go into business - but oh the cake mixture tastes so good!!
(yes I prefer the mixture to the final products!)

So please excuse the terrible lack of photographic skills in this post - but thought it made for an interesting post (not).

Hmm.. Chalk & Crayon Soup anyone??

2007-10-10T23:29:00.001-07:00

Emerson learning to cook. Yes cook. At 18 months old , we are learning to cook. Say to him "go stir the dinner" he grabs a pot & spoon and off he goes. LOVES IT.Taste testing can sometimes be a bad thing :P

As you can *kinda* see in the background.. we have LOTS of toys scattered in the "toy area" (which drives me insane.. I so need a new toy box or something)
but no, the ottoman is the stove, and at a time we have 5 or 6 saucepans out for cooking.
It's so cute!

OMG OMG OMG OMG.... one morning Emerson stirred.. I went downstairs quietly to check my email before he really *woke* up.. and 9 o'clock came, 10 o'clock... finally I poked my head in to see that he was ok (I could hear him breathing thru the door - he was a little blocked up)
and managed to not only NOT wake him, but get the camera in!!
That is rather exciting as Emerson is the kind of child who a) hates the camera, b) doesn't sleep like an angel, and c) this is a miracle...
Mummy rather excited....

Gosh they are peaceful when they are sleeping. Then little devils when they are awake!

Finally got an invite to Ravelry today (happy dance)
and now I have a new forum to get all addicted too... and inspired by... and to learn LOL
I've already got a list (in my head - cause I'm still learning the whole ravelry thing!) of new projects and who's going to get what for Christmas... Can't wait - it's so exciting!!
I guess I'm one of the cool kids now :)
One thing that I got very excited about is there is a group on there fully dedicated to Firefly fans & stuff! (Yes Mully you read that right!)
I mean - OMG that is just so cool..
For those you don't know Firefly - it's by the guy who directs (?) Buffy, and only went for one season in the states. Season two got bought by another company and it because a short season squashed into the movie Serenity.
Which I haven't seen yet.. simply because my copy of Firefly, the last episode skips... and FINALLY Sci-fi Channel is airing the final episode next Tuesday, so FINALLY I can see it and FINALLY I can watch Serenity.
WOOHOO!

Sorry to ramble on about that...

Haven't got any other news really... Oh I lie - our friends from New Zealand are coming for New Years to stay! And they are (obviously) bringing their 7 month old girl with them! YAY!
I'm very excited.
Anyway that's all..

Tiny Miss E

2007-10-04T23:13:00.001-07:00

This little girl is a client who I photographed at 3 weeks old. I'm photographing her "first year" which is very exciting - I love photographing babies and seeing them grow up!

But at only 3 months old - Little E is facing a challenging week as she undergoes open heart surgery..

She is a tiny little thing, and only just weights a little more than when she was born. We had to be careful not to tire her too much, but got some beautiful images.

She is a little princess, and a joy to photograph..

I wish you and your family all the best this week, and wishing you a very very speedy recovery..
there are many people around the world thinking of you too xx

a recent..

2007-10-03T23:50:00.000-07:00

I traveled a little for this session - and apparently baby would do nothing but sleep! LOL she wanted to hang out... not sleep!!
but it was a great time..
(thanks to Ashley for the inspiration for this pose - )

A trip to Hogwarts...

2007-09-30T18:15:00.000-07:00

I didn't post these images that I took a while ago. I photographed the Girl Guides being presented with their awards. And THIS was the location. I swear it was like stepping into Hogwarts. It's a girls school here in Melbourne. I wonder if the girls think it's beautiful and enchanting or maybe because it's SCHOOL they don't see it.

Don't think I would have got good marks if I went here - I think my imagination would have run wild being here. It was stunning.

I'm sure many 'stories' would have been written...

After the HAIL...

2007-09-29T04:20:00.001-07:00

Well, when I woke up, it was raining. Then the sun came out. Then it clouded over, rained, rained, rained, the sun poke out, cloud, rain, sun, cloud, rain... etc etc etc.
Then the sun came out, then it HAILED. Just as the bride was due to arrive.
Then it stopped. And then they were married, and then this:

Can everyone say WOOHOO!????

Stuff - again

2007-09-27T02:01:00.001-07:00

Check out this hair!
In a hat - for 5 minutes, therefore it requires a photo!
Hehe - i LOVE this image - and don't think I've posted it here... oops if i have.. don't you love it when they are teething... dribble everywhere!!
nothing much interesting to report really... I'm boring.... except the fact i have to complain... why is it, when you NEED something - you cannot buy it? I mean - why is it so difficult to buy a white or cream PLAIN umbrella? I mean - really!!
I have a wedding to photograph tomorrow - on the beach... the weather forecast is 16, rain, hail, and gale-force winds (so yeah the umbrellas will get blown away anyway)
but honestly.. it's like when you need a plain black shirt or something classic - no shop stocks it!
(hense why I own a lot of black, I never have this issue! )
So I've got a stock of BLACK umbrellas now - just in case...

So if anyone has special powers to change the weather in Victoria, Australia tomorrow - I'll owe you one LOL!!

That's all for now.. I'll stop complaining..

Toby Outfit

2007-09-23T18:25:00.000-07:00

Cause I promised Amanda I would.... ;)

Another band rehearsal

2007-09-23T18:15:00.001-07:00

What every band needs: a crazy groupy...
This was the first time going to their rehearsals with the new baby (5d) and using the 1.4 lens OMG so good... I had the camera set at 1000 iso, cause I wanted to test out how much I could push it.. and I couldn't believe the results...
The band is called Non-slip Rope. Garrison (singing) is my husband, Richie (drummer) is my brother, Paul (lead guitar) is Garrison's cousin... so it's a bit of a family affair. Megs (above) is Richie's Partner. I call her my sister anyway!

After the girls had enough we went home, stopping off at an Italian place to get some food. Poor Megs ordered carbonara... and when we got home it was Marinara. Not good for something that gags at the smell of seafood. She was claiming she wasn't hungry anyway so went to throw it out. I grabbed a mobile phone and rang the place.. The guy is hilarious and insisted on delivering the right order and then decided that we deserved a bottle of wine too!

Order there more often and have them stuff up your order... !

Now for some images:

Garrison is a really quietly spoken person - who would think?

"... if men are from mars, then drummers are from pluto.." Still Crazy movie.

The BIRTH

2007-09-20T17:44:00.000-07:00

LOL!

YES siree! I have a 5D!

2007-09-19T21:53:00.000-07:00

But this was taken BEFORE the new baby arrived ;)
Putting on shoes kept Emerson occupied for 15 minutes. He gave up and found something else to play with. But I had to take a photo. Pity the ISO was CRANKED up high and the shots of intense concentration are so noisy you can barely see who it is - but this worked...
EAT YOUR HEART OUT DAVID BECKHAM! I'm only 17 months old!
And obviously training to be a goalie - since I keep forgetting that you use your feet NOT your hands!
And now my new love..
My L series lens. Put that on the 5D and OMG I need to get to the gym to build some muscle!!
But wow. I'm so excited. CANNOT wait to have a session.
I could NOT have done this shot like this at this ISO on my old "excuse I called a camera" (oh that was harsh... but oh boy am I in love!)

And yes - Even Emerson is impressed. He even looked at the camera! It MUST be the L series. LOL
(Do I sound like a complete moron if I say with a bigger camera & lens I actually feel like I can call myself a professional photographer???)

xxx

the joys & heartache of a new 5D

2007-09-18T19:46:00.000-07:00

So I'm meant to be doing a happy dance...

BUT...
I woke up on Monday morning. THe first thing I though of was my 5d. I ran downstairs like a child on Christmas morning to find it was only 7:10am. Bugger. So I waited. and waited.
FINALLY there was a knock at the door! It was my husbands playstation 1 that he'd bought on ebay for $30. NOT my 5D. BUGGER. I was so annoyed.

Then ten minutes later - another knock at the door! YAY HAPPY DAY! The 5d had arrived!!
So I quickly put the one lens I had that would work happily on it, my 50mm f1.8.
The shutter stuck.
I had to take the lens off to release it.

So I waited for the lenses to arrive to see if it was my lens. I have dropped it twice.

So I waited, and waited, and waited.
430pm came and no lenses.

So I rang. Found out he hadn't sent them by courier, but by post. But they will still arrive today. NOPE. Rang the postal company - they hadn't heard of the number.

So I waited.
And I'm STILL WAITING.

It's now Wednesday!

But if they don't arrive by 330pm - the guy will jump on his motorbike and deliver them to my husband to bring home.

So I'll update you later! So no - I've had a 5D for nearly 3 days and only a bung lens to use!
I have a session tomorrow so can't wait to play!!

In the meantime - here are some images (with the 5d!!) of a gift I received from a client a few weeks ago.
I photographed her whilst pregnant, then her birth and her beautiful baby boy when he was home again. we have become great friends, and this brought tears to my eyes!!

Oh, and I have some big news to announce soon (just gotta get the all clear)
xxx ;)

Images + a Hat..

2007-09-14T16:19:00.001-07:00

I know that isn't the best focus - but look at that face!!

And ask my son to have his photo - AND wear a hat? that is a challenge impossible. So this is the best I can do! I stuffed up the pattern but had done so much I refused to start again. I'll have to make another!! So Miss Queen on the knitting needles.. what you think???

imagine a BIG happy dance...

2007-09-12T19:24:00.000-07:00

Happening right now in Melbourne, Australia - all due to...

A 5D + 24-70mm F2.8L + A 50mm F1.4 !

Imagine the happy dance when it arrives... oh my!

that's all! xx

Just little me....

2007-09-11T19:27:00.000-07:00

Okay - well it was time to do a self-portrait. A few reasons - one - I need a shot for my website (the new one in development)
two - if we are to have another baby - I'll get big again...
three - it was my first day home (as in the job is OVER!!!) and Emerson was asleep so it was time for ME TIME.

Now I SUCK at self portraits - so please help... are any of these any good??

need some HONEST opinions please!!

xxx

TAGGED....

2007-09-11T04:40:00.000-07:00

(hehe not technically the most brilliant image - but that's cute for a newborn who's asleep!!)

OMG!! I've been tagged again!! The lovely Leah is responsible!

| the rules |

post the rules before you give the facts. post eight random facts about yourself. at the end of your blog post, you need to tag eight people and list their names. leave the people you tagged a comment on their blog, letting them know that they've been tagged.

| my eight |

(ok I'm making these COMPLETELY photography related!)

1 - I started out using a canon film SLR - it was meant to be a different model but we got JIBBED and the camera inside was the wrong one... problem was - my father got it in another state!

2 - I also made my first money (therefore making me professional - I am told) from a hip hop artist that promised me the WORLD.. in that a world tour... New Zealand - Japan - London - Switzerland - {somewhere else in Europe} - Finland - New York {for a month} - LA - Mexico - and then home.. Obviously that never happened.... and no - the "record label" that supported him - he didn't come up on a search on their website...

3 - I continued in the music industry - photographed bands & "blues & roots" artists...
then i was pregnant (woohoo!)

4 - I "toured" country Victoria at 26 weeks pregnant - met the loveliest couple who mothered me the whole tour {of two days - but when Frenzal Rhomb are belting out the music and your in front of the speaker stack, and then the baby doesn't move - you get scared you've deafened it for life - the doctor the next day said the baby would be fine - i feel for these people putting up with me! - I was photographing... and we are still friends to this day...

5 - I then - at 37 weeks - photographed a music festival../ by 6pm the crowd were throwing the crowd floor into the "pit" I decided it was time to leave - It was getting a tad dangerous for me & my baby! "rock on" (whatever)

6 - decided to launch my business towards Maternity & Newborns (and photographed LOTS of babies during PB time) and have never looked back

7 - I still love the music scene - and now Emerson is old enough - can enjoy the occasional night out {which also serves as a business trip} and take some music making pics...

8 - I'm about to re-launch my business - hehe - stay tuned!! You'll see it here first!!

So the 8 I'm tagging (so sorry some of you have already been tagged - mix it up - this is fun!!)

Amanda

Amelia

Sheila

Jessie

Mully - who still hasn't answered the last tag!!

Ashley

Nadia (but damn you just got tagged!)

and Janet (again!!)

And so - some images - well since the other night of proofing I have none... but going thru the memory banks found these of Emerson...
and these P.J's don't fit anymore!!! (and they were HUGE on him in April!)

xxx

Curly newborn

2007-09-09T00:59:00.000-07:00

So much for not putting "previews" on this blog! Oops. Must updated business blog - note to self!
This little one was three weeks old. Took us a while to get her to sleep, but finally she drifted off. And then was such a little angel!
Thinking of using this first one on a business card design.. what do you think? I really love this session - maybe cause I got many shots I've been trying with bubs for ages - and also - a little girl!! I swear I only photograph boys!

This is such a fav:

Tiny Mr. H

2007-09-06T04:55:00.000-07:00

Now this blog isn't really about client previews or anything, cause I have a blog for that. But this is more about me and my photography.

This was a baby I photographed via the ACOCP and offered to go back when he was released from hospital. They are friends of friends!

I think he's about 8 weeks old here - but still smaller than Emerson was when he was born!
For a premmie, technically only a few days old (adjusted) he was SO alert!

Just had to post some here.. and the new look logo/watermark.. i kinda like this one.
I'm trying to redesign the business. I'm just not happy with it's current look/feel. so this is my new idea:

Any good?? I'm thinking (today) that it's more sophisticated & classy (LOL) yet still rather me... would be happy with ideas/suggestions!
till then
xx

New stuff = fun!!

2007-09-05T02:56:00.000-07:00

Just a quick play... where does the day go???

My son is brave.. I am NOT

2007-09-02T03:52:00.001-07:00

Okay so that is NOT my son - that is my CRAZY brother! Loves the camera, and showing off. We went to spend the weekend with them. Mainly Saturday afternoon so we could all be together for Father's Day, and also cause the boys have band practise on Saturday nights. So I was to have a girly night with Megs and her sister Alana.

(I told you he was crazy! And by the way those tattoos have one many, many awards. The letters on his hand are new - AJH, my father's initials. He plans something for mother's day next year too... He's very personal in some of his tat's. When am I getting one? Soon... LOL)

So here we were at my brothers place. Out the back enjoying company, food and a few beverages. When my fearless little boy played with the dogs in the backyard. He walked over to some steps, I was blocked by the table and my husband who'd just walked outside. I yelled to my father and someone else to grab Emerson, and saw {in slow motion} he leaning forward. I started slapping and pushing poor Garrison to get out of the way when he WENT forward. I screamed. everyone panicked. Dad leaped up, as did Meg's mum. he started crying. I was screaming and a hysterical mess. My view was partly blocked but as i pushed past Garrison I honestly thought he'd broken his neck. Down two deep steps onto concrete.
He was balling his eyes out, Pat (meg's mum) held me back hugging me (in tears) and Dad held Emerson in his arms. Pat was saying "Gemma, listen to him, he's just scared. He's just frightened. He put his arms out and did a somersault. He's fine. He went into survival mode." I think I kept babbling something about his neck and are you sure, and should be call an ambulance, and what about concussion.

Dad took him into the garage and Emerson picked up a drum stick and started "playing the drums". I calmed down.
But OMG. It was the scariest thing I've ever seen. He's never been interested in stairs and we have them. Just goes to show, just because your somewhere for a few hours, BABYPROOF.

So here is my brave little man about an hour later. Playing with a toy car.

The gash on his nose is a graze today.. but we look at it with pride now. (I know that sounds weird) but it's his first real "battle wound"! Playing with the better drums inside a little later. My little drummer boy! (Uncle Richie is SOOOO proud)

A beautiful tree in the front yard. And evidence my colour conversion seems to be working LOL!!
And finally, a complete lucky moment in lighting. This is Meg's dog Tara.

I'm still shaky over the fall... I know there will be many, but a 16 month old on concrete... SCARY! I' usually the last to get upset.. he's fallen SOOO many times at home when he was learning to walk.. I usually am the level headed one... this was just so scary! Anyway I'm done.. I am not very brave...

BLAH

2007-08-31T03:55:00.000-07:00

This was going to be another Sydney trip entry... but blogger is being annoying and kept "not responding" on me when I try to upload images. (*edit* see below.. i fixed it! LOL) And being a Friday night... I have no patience.

So.. I have one more 5 day a week (4 hours a day) week at Multiplex.. then one more FULL day (being 9-5) then I'm done.

They need to me to train the new person. THEN I'm done. WOOHOO!

Emerson was really distant from me today. Just goes to show spending time with Papi (his grandfather) is great... But children do cling to the one they spend more time with. It's heartbreaking and good at the same time.... I came home today (and barring in mind he'd been at daycare today - an Papi picked him up) and while he was tired and overly ready for bed, he ran to Papi, more than me.

Oh how I hate that.

I wanted him to run to ME.

but looking on the up side. I finish this job soon. and I'll be home more. I don't know how some families cope with full time work. I understand the need, and trust me, we could use *that*. But still. Scary stuff.

anyway enough of that.

I'm gonna try to upload an image now.. i sound depressed and didn't want this post to be like that!

*EDIT* Can we all say "Gemma is an idiot?" let's try uploading full res images instead of web size ones!

No wonder it was taking ages! LOL

These are from the Hunter Valley in NSW. Just outside Newcastle. I was SICK as a dog on this day. dropped my camera - On concrete! and then later dropped my 50mm 1.8 lens... Oh my.

But they still seem to be working fine..... And still waiting on the loan for the new baby... will announce when I know...

Stuff and... stuff..

2007-08-30T01:33:00.001-07:00

I still haven't finished my photo diary of Sydney, so here's a break in that tradition..

Been rather busy with life (so what's new) ha ha

I finish at Multiplex next Friday (OMG it can't come sooner) and then can fully concentrate on Emerson, the business, the house (it looks like a brothel.. not that I've been in one but you KWIM) and other personal photography stuff.. and maybe knit something.. or sew something.

Still working on some presets in ACR. (all these are using my own settings barring one image (Garrison on guitar) in which I used Amanda's bw1 from set three. I plan to concentrate on settings when Multiplex is done... but finally came up with a colour one that I like. I find colour difficult, and I'm JUST as picky as I am with B+w.. which I'm also not 100% on either... but definitely getting happier with this colour...

What do you think?
We had a social weekend. 3 different social occasions! World record for us I think! Here's is Sade & Taye..

Here's a few images from rehearsals a few weeks ago.. My husband, Garrison, plays in a band with my brother (who I didn't capture well) and his cousin. And can i just say they are awesome? I'm usually really really critical.. don't know why but i am. seriously their new stuff is unreal. One song especially would make no.1 if they got their heads out of their butts and did something with it..

Firstly, my husband Garrison...

Cousin Paul (and a little lucky light!)

The band... from a weird angle I found... no i was not comfortable{!}..

My space in the room and what I take to band practise.. a few drinks... a box of tissues (as i was sick) {obviously} the camera, another lens, knitting.. mobile phone, etc... I thought it was amusing so wanted to share!

And finally... before being "tagged" the beautiful sky from the other night when we had an eclipse... this is basically SOOC...

So Amanda tagged me... 8 interesting things about myself... hmmmm... me interesting??

1. I had no real friends in Primary school til I was about 11. And even then I was always the subject of the 'bitchy' nature of schoolgirls. When I was younger I would rather play soccer or sport with the boys in the mud... My teachers in Prep were really worried about me, and my mother make a school uniform for my cabbage patch doll.. who was my only female friend... I did end up making one friend from primary school who is a friend to this day.. but it wasn't until High School that I made true friends..

2. I lived in Brisbane and to this day it is my heartland. My lifetime friend Mully lives there with her husband Troy, and I still feel their house is more home than my own sometimes. (even if it's kinda small and full of stuff and i can't help myself cleaning it for them LOL)

3. The best year of my life was 1997. I was in year 11. I still look at that year and my heart smiles.. there was so many things about it i loved... I was the trainee "lighting technician" for the tech crew.. (and SOOOOO in love with Ben, the head lighting guys LOL) but really, that year, I found me.

4. I wanted to be a dancer. Not sure if I was really ever THAT good... but for evidence that it's still in my blood check out Amanda's blog.. I think she captured so much of me in those images.... and other bits too... like I'm jealous of the fact she lives so close to a place i would visit so often... and like her do not thinks it's weird or weird for children to enjoy playing there... (see her blog if I'm confusing you)

5. I love books. LOVE THEM. I want to write one day. I have many ideas... still brewing in the cauldron...

6. Music photography is my first photographic love.

7. I hated being pregnant. I wanted to love it. I tried to love it. But i hated it. When i was on my own, i had many moments of LOVING it. But overall.. it isn't my favorite state to be in. I keep promising myself to embrace it next time. And plan to.. I think it's because I hate being the centre of attention. And i hate being told what to do. And i hate being criticised about ME. when pregnant you are so open to being told your a bad mother-to-be or "do this" "you can't do that" "are you sure your 6/7/8/9 months?" "oh your having a boy" etc etc etc. I'm a control freak (so I'm told) and I hated being out of control with myself.

8. My nick name is Iris. Mully gave it to me. And i think it's more my own "name". It comes from a combination of my love for music, personality and many other things. But it's me. And i love it. Imreasc is the Irish word for Iris. In case anyone was wondering.

So I tag Mully, Janet, Jen & Bec! (and cause I know someone doesn't have a blog to publicly be 'tagged' you can answer in comments - he he... see you can't escape!! {insert evil laugh here})

The Sydney Trip - PART V

2007-08-24T21:12:00.000-07:00

"..Please don't let this turn into something it's not
I {can't} give you everything I've got
But I still love you more than anyone else could...

... The splintered mast I'm holding on Wont save me long
Because I know fine well that what I did was wrong...

The first kiss and the first time
That I felt connected to anything...
...The weight of water the way you taught me
To look past everything I have ever learnt...

...The final word in the final sentence
You ever uttered to me was love.."

Sydney -> Newcastle. That is all.

{Lyrics - Lightbody}

The Sydney Trip - PART IV {Rookwood}

2007-08-21T23:57:00.000-07:00

Oh lovely day, finally I was going to Rookwood!!
But it wasn't such a lovely day..

On matter.. I (yes that's right I) was the subject matter for Amanda, and did a new spin on the new "trash the dress" trend. This was "trash the ballet shoes!"

How oh how did I manage those poses after nearly 6 years of retirement of dance?? I don't know!
Maybe it was the magic of the place - WHO KNOWS!

anyway I have many many many ideas for next time, and hoping to take Garrison & Emerson there in October, and hoping to meet up with the Keeys again at Rookwood..

So here is a LOT of images from Rookwood..

{will they ever be the same? Who cares!!}

HA! I did get one of Amanda!

Lilly in the little bonnet I'd made for newborns. I will have to make her one that's a bit bigger! She looks so cute...

Oh how I want to go back xxx

The Sydney Trip - PART III

2007-08-21T23:52:00.000-07:00

Coffee with the Keeys...

I met up with Amanda Keeys and half the family for a coffee, next door the most unreal yarn store. (and yes my bank statement has arrived... oops!!)
I met the youngest two, and got a few images (not the best) of Lilly..
And I really hope you guys didn't get a parking ticket!! Like I said "Courier" sign! LOL xx

The Sydney Trip - PART II

2007-08-21T23:24:00.001-07:00

Hidden inside a memory
Lies a stage...

(this last image to me is like the 'Magic Faraway Tree". Oh how I loved that series as a child.

The Sydney Trip - PART I

2007-08-21T22:39:00.000-07:00

I have now started this blog (yes I'm terrible - i always change my mind) as it's not connected to my client one. And Emerson's blog so I can be more personal on this one. And not have clients read it - which suits me better.

SO... part one of the Sydney trip.
I went to Sydney with a goal. Well several goals!! This post is about finding one!

I arrived at 8am at Circular Quay, and set out on my "rocks" plan. Years ago I visited Sydney with Mary & my father, and when going for lunch I spotted the place they had film "playing beatie bow" - a book I read in Primary School. It was an awesome location, so this trip I wanted to go back and do a photo series of the place.

But on the way I got SERIOUSLY lost! Here I was wondering around The Rocks with about 15kg's on my back, and seriously tired by 930am.

I walked past Sydney's oldest pub and seriously thought about it - but it was full of men, and I didn't feel confident enough.

I then found myself BACK at Circular Quay, so almost gave up. But i REALLY wanted to do this series, so pulled out the map, called dad to see if he thought it was the place I found on the map, thought about getting a cab there.. then decided no... I'd brave the walk (again).
This time I made it. This post is some of the images I got along the way.

I VOW

2007-08-21T22:34:00.001-07:00

To use this blog more. I've wanted one for myself for so long. I have a client's blog, one for Emerson - I felt left out! So here I am, after so much dramas with the computer and the internet and I VOW to blog more!
Even if no one reads it! LOL
Got a phone call today that lucky me might get to go to Brisbane the first weekend of September to help some friends set up their new shop... SO EXCITED. Does mean hours behind the sewing machine. But hey - IT'S BRISBANE! Three days away! Wonder if I'll be allowed to sleep in??? Must ask that - Mully will I get a sleep in??

Set fire to the...

2007-08-21T22:33:00.000-07:00

"Your words in my memory

are like music to me

And miles from where you are

I lay down on the cold ground and I

Pray that something picks me up

And sets me down in your warm arms

After I have travelled so far......

The last place we left off.."

words: Lightbody

A Realm Beyond

2007-08-21T22:32:00.000-07:00

A journey into creativity.

That's what this blog is about.