Evocative, timeless, romantic photography. I am Anastasia, a Sydney-based wedding, engagement, children, family, portrait photographer. Available for destination weddings.

Aug 02 2014

Baby’s First Hike

A few weeks ago, on a sunny Sunday, we ventured out to our first family hike together, to Bouddi National Park. And what a beautiful part of the world it is. We did not do the full hike from Putty Beach to MacMasters as we did not want to put too much pressure on ourselves and the little one, so we walked from Putty Beach to Maitland Bay and back, and I must say it is one pleasant, very accessible walk through the bush with many heart-stopping views of the ocean. We walked quite lazily, had a picnic at Maitland Bay, enjoyed the views, and it took us four hours. Someone even managed a long nap on the way back. Ah, to be carried everywhere and not to have a care in the world!

My backpack looks massive. One might think we did an overnight trek, but don’t be mistaken – once the extra layers, food for the picnic, the picnic rug, the change of clothes and small toys for the baby, and a couple of camera accessories are packed there is not much space left at all!

I am forever grateful for this abundance of natural beauty right at our doorstep. I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story:

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Jun 18 2014

And just like that…he is six months

Our baby is six months old. Half a year. Two thirds of the time he lived inside me. Still so tiny, but when I go through his newborn photos I am amazed at how much he has grown. Cheeky and fun, he spends his days in the babyhood bliss, playing happily with his little mountain of toys, joining me for neighbourhood strolls, sleeping like a log, or just screaming because he is a baby and he is allowed to and he is teething. He has a thousand facial expressions ranging from hilarious to totally heart-melting and everything in between. And he likes to watch the world (I am absolutely sure he gets it from me). The waves, the birds, the sky, the boats, the cars going past. He smiles at everyone, and is generally a super entertaining person to be around.

And here are some pictures from the last few weeks:

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Another talent is the ability to blow the most spectacular bubbles:

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Just sitting there and watching the world go by:

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No fear of heights:

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When I see this face I don’t care if it’s too early or if he has not slept enough:

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My little yoga buddy:

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Just being adorable and totally knowing it:

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That look…

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First time sitting unsupported all by himself. He toppled over in no time, but it was quite a milestone still:

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He can effortlessly pull off questionable fashion choices:

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But those sneakers are totally cool. Thanks Aunty K!

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When I see this expression my heart melts into a little puddle:

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Of course I had to get this onesie:

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Dipping toes in the warm sand for the first time. Obviously enjoying it:

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Can’t say so about the cold water:

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His first day trip. Even managed a nap under our favourite jacaranda tree in our favourite picnic spot:

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My recent favourite picture:

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And this one too. Little dreamer:

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The facial expressions I was talking about:

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We started solids! Endless fun for the whole family:

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Dapper:

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Our sweet, sweet boy, you are our rainbows and sunshine and the whole wide world:

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May 23 2014

Exploring

“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful…Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

There is nothing sweeter than watching a tiny little one exploring the world around her. Boundless curiosity. The found treasures are looked at with wonder, touched with little clumsy fingers, and tasted (with often surprising results). We should all live like that. Maybe try not to eat the flowers, but keep your eyes open for the tiny wonders all around you.

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callan - May 30, 2014 - 4:02 pm

Beautiful work!

Anastasia - May 30, 2014 - 5:09 pm

Thank you so much Callan!

Apr 23 2014

Mount Wilson

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

A year ago there was a blog post I drafted but never published – first the morning sickness got the better of me, plus our life was generally super hectic this time last year. And when it calmed down a bit it was already too late to post the pictures of yellow and red leaves on my website – it was nearly spring.

But those photos are so dear to my heart. It was the day after we found out we were pregnant. Instead of going to Hunter Valley to enjoy the wine tasting we had to change our plans last minute, so we headed for the mountains instead, to one of our favourite places there – Mount Wilson.

And now, a year later, life is more hectic than ever. But I could not be happier. We are moving house (which is extra fun with a four month old), but we could not break our yearly tradition, so we hit a pause button on our crazy packing and took Daniel to the mountains, to the same gardens we visited a year ago carrying our little secret. What a difference a year makes. Not a secret anymore, but a chubby, happy, the sweetest ever baby.

Here are a few photos from twelve months ago. It was raining. We walked the empty gardens as the rain was hammering our umbrella. What a quiet, slow, perfect day it was:

And here are the photos from this year. Sunshine, glorious Easter Monday, and the baby’s first time in the mountains. He loves looking at the sky, my little dreamer.

mount wilson mount wilson; autumn mount wilson; bebeah; autumn

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Angie - April 24, 2014 - 9:12 am

So divine! xox

Mar 28 2014

The Joy of Everyday

“Life will never be the same because there had never been anyone like you…Ever in the world.”

– Nancy Tillman, “On the Night You Were Born”

We are having a time of our life right now – watching our little guy growing every day, learning new tricks and giving us his biggest smiles. Just going through these photos made me think how fast the days go, how far he has already come. Also, the range of facial expressions Daniel has – hours of entertainment.

He loves eating (look at those cheeks!). He has warmed up to tummy time now, and he is very proud of himself for it. He is still not sure about being in the pram but he loves his Ergo (so we go everywhere with both). Having a bath is a lot of fun, and often ends up in tears when it’s time to get out of the water. His favourite book is the black and white My Animals, and the picture of Panda gets him crazy excited. Not sure what it is, maybe the big black eyes? He “talks” a lot to us, to Panda from the book, to his soft toys, especially teddy bears, making sounds I would never think were possible to come from a three month old. He enjoys doing baby yoga. He loves watching the sunsets from the comfort of Daddy’s strong arms. He has started fighting the naps as there is too much happening around him (toys! books! Mum cooking in the kitchen!Look at those blinds patterns on the windows!), but he is quite a good night sleeper (touch wood).

I take thousands of photos, and here are a few of my recent favourites. Maybe it’s too many, but I don’t want to miss a thing – this is the most precious time.

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