Step it up

Step it up, step it up.... YUP gotta step it up.  I guess its easy to take the road with no corners.  Keep safe, heck why not????   I do take the straight road.  Sometimes taking risks is daunting, scary, damn right difficult, however in order to become better we need to challenge ourselves, and if this means stepping into uncharted waters then so be it!!!   My photo a day has become a chore, not a challenge.  I grab my babies (my very willing and oh so sweet babies) when the light is about to say goodnight for the day... the very last moment.... "quick jump in here so I can blog a shot"  Where is the challenge in that?  Phuuuuuttzzzzzz!!!!   I'm a gonna step it up and surprise y'all!!!  (eeek what with who knows?????) So just because I have, here is my darling girl, aka willing subject just before bed.... truth be told I grabbed her out of bed (hence the scarf and sweater).   Bad mother, bad mother.

Oh and what am I listening to right now..... SOLA ROSA A very cool kiwi based group.  The kind of music you dance yourself silly to!!... Trust me I know!!!

SMIZE (adj) Smiling with your eyes

Having the discipline to blog everyday is definitely a trait I admire.   Most who know me know I do like to talk, probably a bit much at times.  However there has been numerous occasions that I sit staring blankly at my keypad in a trance with nothing to say..... as mentioned previously........very rare!!! Jasmine  Star is a fine tuned machine when it comes to blogging!!!  She is not only a master at the typed word but also very diligent at making sure her millions of blog readers are satisfied daily with her charm, wit and talent.  Recently I was very lucky to have Jasmine visit NZ for a workshop.  Prior to the workshop we went walking to 'scope' out some spots for the photo session we would be holding the next day.  Whilst strolling around the streets of Christchurch, Jasmine took some shots yours truly.  Being on the other side of the camera was horrifying and utterly foreign, I felt like a complete idiot for the first two minutes until my inner Gisele came oozing out and then I thought I was all that and a bag of chips... Jasmine's ability to make me GREAT was amazing, and I can honestly say it was fabulous!!  So where are these photos you ask???  No laughing!!!  http://www.jasminestarblog.com/index.cfm?postID=749&fiona-andersen-new-zealand-photographer

And here is day 9.   Again I have to put 2 photos up just because she's still cute!!!

Ready set go!!

I knew 2010 was going to be a goody.  The year has already started fabulously and I know its going to continue to do so.  I do wish however that this year hangs around a lot longer than last.    I really do love what I do and I am humbled beyond belief from all the well wishes and encouragement.  I didn't have a lot growing up, encouragement that is, but thats another story and a whole lot of therapy.  So from the bottom of my very humble heart, THANK YOU, to everyone that visits wether you comment or not, your presence is felt and I appreciate it.  So day 8 here it is.... shock horror its a picture of the girls!!!!  And two shots as I couldn't resist!!!

Three times a charm

It was a sunny day, I was nervous, but well versed.  I had been through it twice before.  Perhaps thats why I was so scared?  I knew what to expect.  Tonni held my hand, really tight, because I told him he HAD to, and of course he did.  They wheeled me into the sterile room full of masked men and woman.  Even though I couldn't see their mouths I could see their eyes and I knew they were smiling.  "are you ready to meet your baby?" 1 year ago today Quinn Penelope Andersen and I met for the first time.  Her big eyes stared at me with recognition, her soul screaming I know you and were going to love each other forever.

Happy birthday darling girl.  May you forever be happy.  And instead of the cake shot, I had to sneak in for the sleepy shot.  I guess I didn't want to miss any of the day whilst she was awake.

Its all because of him

As the title says, it is all about him.  He, who has been with me through thick and thin, he, who accepts me for who I am, he, who hugs me when I cry, he who rolls his eyes when I ask if Motorbikes have to do the same speed limit as cars (yes I did ask that question)  I love him more today than I did yesterday, if thats even possible.  He is my soul mate the person that I was meant to be with for eternity. I cherish him and thank him (via the world wide web) for all the support and love that he has shown me in the last decade.  If not for him, none of this would be possible.  He keeps me kind and for that I am grateful.  He loves me back and for that I am grateful.  He makes me laugh and for that I am grateful.  But most importantly he gave me 3 beautiful girls and for that I am grateful and so very blessed.

And if not for him this Tuesday would not have been possible.

I got to hang with two of the most amazing, kind, beautiful (like totally, stunningly beautiful) people I have had the pleasure of meeting.  Not only are they perfect they are also humble and so so talented.

After a small amount of pleading, many months ago, Jasmine and her husband JD took a very long flight to NZ and took a chance on me and this lovely country we call NZ, to share their talent and inspiration to a group of very 'in awe' photographers (me included).  I do not know where to begin or how to say thank you enough.

Jasmine, your talent inspires, amazes me.  Your words make me cry.... go figure.  You truly make me want to be a better person and of course photographer.  THANK YOU xxx

To the vendors

Louise Anderson - thank you for being so god damn good at making dresses.  The gowns were beautiful and I thank you from my soul!!!

Melanie Brown -   Thank you to Portfolio Modeling agency!!  You could not have sent better models.  They were all so so perfect and I can't say thank you enough!!!

Kristen Stewart - Gennady was perfect and an amazing makeup artist.  Thank you for sticking around for the touch ups you were truly great!!!

Mod's hair - The hair was stunning and again I am so so grateful.  Thank you.

Working Style -  You seriously could not ask for better vendors to supply some of the best suits available in New Zealand.  Outstandingly stunning thank you, thank you!!!

And lastly a MASSIVE thank you to the models.  If not for them it wouldn't have been as successful as it was.

Brad, Katy, Leon and Anna.  It was awesome to work with you and I wish you all the best for the future!!

So of course I want to share some shots of the day.

Wish me luck

Photo a day take 3..... Ohhhh today was hard, super dooper hard.  Couldn't decide what shot was to be awarded the 'photo of the day'???  I think my flustered brain is in overdrive this evening.  I leave tomorrow and I need to pack.... eeek.... where did I put the suitcases??  Due to my absence there may be a slight chance that photo #4 is put on the back burner.  Tomorrow I get to meet some superstar photography royalty!!  Jasmine (sweet as sunshine) Star is holding her greatest and bestest workshop tomorrow in sunny NZ and after many moons of organizing I can finally sigh and say weeeeeeeeee.  Cross your toes for me.  I hope I have planned well and the models turn up with clothes on!! So here is today's shot(s)  A short hike from home is one of the greatest beaches... note how there is NO ONE there!!!  We rocked up minus our bathers due to the storm that was brewing that morning.  However the day turned out rosie!!!  This was Quinn's first time crawling on sand... I LUFF HER xx

Hullllo, two posts in one day!!!

Yep the resolutions are already being jeopardized... I am posting day two on day two.  I did however (silly me) post day one on day two hence the double posts... make sense... a bit like a Dr Seuss story line but you get the drift... anyhow day two..... TAAAA DAAAA

A photo a day.... what a splendid idea

I begin the year with many a new year resolution, like most, keep fit (oh I mean get fit), be nicer to people, getting out of pj's before midday ,brush my teeth more often, floss, ra de ra de ra. There are a few personal resolutions that I keep quietly to myself, the ones I know will mean nothing to anyone else, however to me accomplishing those resolutions will make me a better person/wife/friend/mother.   Last year I challenged myself to take a picture each day over the period of a month.  Much to the horror of my family AKA my models, I am going to strive to do it again over the month of January.  I will post the 'photo of the day' each day here as well as client sessions etc, so I anticipate my blog to be full of lots of pics.

I hope everyone will enjoy my daily creative exercises as much as I will enjoy deciding on what to snap!!!  Bring on the ideas!!!!

Also if any brides to be are reading this post and wondering where my wedding gallery has gone..... stay tuned a few changes will be appearing over the next month or so, so be sure to check back.

SOOOOO here is the beautiful Marnie who just happens to be my first photo of the challenge

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!!

The year that was the year that will be

Happy Holidays to one and all.  A little late for the Christmas cheer, selfishly I removed myself from my posts to spend a much blessed Christmas week with 4 of the most important people of my life.  My day was marvelous with family friends and a very large amount of food.... a trend I seem to be sporty after the fact.... I feel a new years resolution coming on. It would be a very rare occasion that I would be lost for words however I think it might be happening..... crickets chirping.... how do I say thanks?  I have been so so lucky to have an array of amazing clients/friends supporting me in my first year of business.  I cannot  not express enough just how grateful I am to these people who have truly helped and been a part of my journey as a photographer.  SO rather than me banter on and get all soppy.  I just want to say THANKS a whole lot, and thats not just my wonderful clients but anybody who ever takes time in their day to stop by and read my rant.

Next year is going to be a ride, a really big fast amazing ride.  I have a LOT of things bubbling in my cauldron and I am DYING to yell it from the rooftops, not that many people would hear me as I think there is something like 20 people in my village????  Keep tuned and please continue to visit in 2010.

And here is one of my biggest accomplishments of 2009.... I'm so god damn proud of this thing,