My year 2015.
Once again I’ve been so lucky to have photographed so many newborn babies and families. I know I’m fortunate to spend my days doing something I love and I truly appreciate families entrusting me to help create their precious memories for them and their future generations.
This past year I’ve made some wonderful connections and friends within the photography industry. I’ve stepped out of my little bubble a little to surround myself with like minded people. I attended a wonderful conference in August “The baby summit” – it was 3 days, 300 photographers based on maternity, newborn and baby genres with presentations from some of the best in the industry from Australia and overseas. I felt exhausted, refreshed and enthusiastic all at the same time (weird huh?). Cannot wait to attend in 2016.
On a professional level, early in the year, I finally submitted a portfolio to the AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photographers) to become a fully accredited professional photographer. My portfolio was assessed and I am now a fully accredited member of the AIPP (something that had been on my to do list for some time). And with this I then decided to enter the 2015 AIPP State Professional Photography Awards. This was a totally new experience for me and something I didn’t think would be quite so nerve wracking. My heart fluttered when I saw my images, then sat nervously as the judges reviewed my image waiting for reactions. Apparently this year’s judging was quite hard, so I was very thankful to receive two silver awards in the state competition.
On the home front, I’m just like any other mum/parent racing around after my boys with nine sessions or so of soccer a week (YES! I’m truly a soccer mum), fitting in school, housework, shopping, cooking, cleaning and hoping to sit down for a cuppa with 5 minutes of quiet – all while hoping to find that illusive work/life balance. 2016 – the baby of the family is off to school – I’m both excited and a little sad as it’s the end of an era (no more children at home during the week), but with that I hope to be more organised and make the time at home with the boys count more.
Anyway back to 2015 – thank you to everyone I have photographed this past year and everyone who has supported me along the way (my husband, my boys and my family especially).
Here’s to 2016 🙂
Melissa x