A family celebration can be so much fun to capture. When I was asked to attend a wedding anniversary for an extended family and some of their closest friends I was thrilled to say yes.
How precious to have the afternoon captured so you can enjoy the time and not worry about who is taking the photos! The family were able to casually hang out with each other as I went about snapping and we managed to take some relaxed family photos too for each group there.
Here is just a small snippet of what was taken on the day.
(Note: consent has been given for these photos to be shared).

When a husband or wife contacts me to arrange a surprise gift for the other, I get extra excited! This time, the family and I met in a beautiful park in Surrey Hills. The light was golden and the leaves gloriously crunchy. They were just right for throwing and rolling in! With grandparents, parents and a very special auntie, we made sure that every relationship was captured. 
I love this feedback from the session- "I think in the years to come as we look at the photos, we'll remember the fun we had as a family as well as having the amazing photos as a tangible reminder." THIS is what I aim for. All the time.  

If you had to choose how you would like your family to relate to each other, I think that this one would be a great model to aspire towards. Amy and Frank are wonderfully relaxed and down to earth parents and their boys Campbell and Wilson have the most gorgeous bond. I loved watching these guys interact so naturally together and with Campbell's partner, Courtney. The time flew as we chatted over life and work. Amy and her business partner started Eastside Midwives and Counselling to support the families of Melbourne through their journey of pregnancy, birth and early parenting. As I have such a love of these things and a longing to photograph more births, it was fascinating to spend time with someone so passionate and experienced in the area. Lots of genuine moments captured in this fun session.

When Nic, a workmate of mine approached me asking if I could take some photos of her extended family, the answer was always going to be yes. Her husband's family were gathering in Melbourne to celebrate several big birthdays and Mother's Day was coming up too, which meant a perfect time to update the photos. Lucky for us, the ANZAC Day weather was perfect as well! 
A personal highlight of this session was to watch how this family related to each other. They were so relaxed and is was a delight for me to observe the warmth and fun of their interactions. 
Twins, E and K have just turned 5 and they have changed so much since I first met them, as tiny premmies dependent on oxygen! Right now they are best friends, full of life and energy as you will see below. Thank you Rheumer's for letting me share in your family on this day. x

On a crisp early December morning ! headed to the park to photograph these two proud siblings and their new baby brother with their nenek and datok. There was exploring in the bush, stick light sabers, cheeky tongue poking and lots of cuddles- the perfect ingredients for a happy family session.

There's nothing like having a photo of your family hanging in your home, or even just knowing that there is an image safely stored in an album or a bedside frame recording what your family is like now. This daughter knew how much her mother would value a photo of her family and surprised her with an extended family portrait to celebrate a birthday. 
It was a glorious morning with everyone relaxed as the kids played at the park and when we later pottered in the bush. Cousins playing together, aunties and uncles with Oma and Opa just enjoying being together. 
Oma now has a beautiful collection of natural photos of her family, enjoying being with her and one another. That is a priceless gift!