Pink Spring blossoms add a colourful dimension to your family session!  These are only around in full bloom for about 2 weeks of the year, but worth hunting out!
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I get it.  There are days when family life is a struggle.  Some of those days can seem relentless and really, really hard.  Some of those days you don't particularly love the grind and wish to be exported elsewhere.  Anywhere.  
But you push on, because it's just what you do.  You grit your teeth and find ways through the tears, the tantrums, the mess, the louder voices, the frustration.  Hopefully at the end is a cuddle and maybe a sweet word or two of love and appreciation.
Motherhood eh.....it's always a juggle.  Just remember you are doing great.  I'm cheering for you.
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This family are amazing - tackling 3 energetic kids and a house renovation!  We didn't stop with our time together with plenty of laughs, tickles and games.  Thanks guys for spending some time with me! Jx

This is the reason that I mostly schedule family photographs about an hour before the sunsets.  The light is soft.  The light is golden and reflects the warmth from the family to the image.  

It's a no brainer that the benefits are there.  Please get in touch if you are interested in a golden hour family photo shoot.

When you have a shoot with me, I ask everyone to cuddle and tell each other what they think is the best part of being part of the family.  Its honest, it brings smiles, it brings funny faces, it brings energy and may be even a kiss or two :)  Thanks Robertson family.

Daylight savings gives everyone a lift, am I right?  I start to feel alive and unbundle from the Winter layers.  I get hopeful for more BBQs and relaxed evenings that drag until the last light of the day is gone.  My planning for Summer holidays gets underway and start the count down till our camping holiday near a fab Northland beach.  I also panic a bit that perhaps I ate a few too many Winter treats and that swimwear weather is too close for comfort :)

As a Te Atatu (Auckland) based family photographer, I'm spoilt with some lovely local locations.  We have plenty of green spaces - where the kids can burn some energy, the dogs can run free and meeting their mates' too, and I can capture some fun family time before heading back home for dinner as the sun dips below the horizon.
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I'm a mum of two boys.  
Because of this, I get them more than I get girls.  
I get that they are constantly on the move, and their attention span is minuscule, they love to get dirty, to dig, to explore.  
I also get that they also love their mum.  They might drive her mad, but they love her to bits and hopefully when mum sees these photos she will forget the hard times and her heart will melt for just a teeny moment :)
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I don't know many people who enjoy those last few weeks of pregnancy.  Particularly when it's not your first.  Your body is hurting.  Your body is puffy or bloated.  Your body is being asked to care for your unborn baby while still looking after your older children.  It's tough.  

It can also be tough wanting to get in front of a camera lens.  You aren't feeling your most attractive but you are in anticipation of what is coming and getting to meet your new baby.  

So while it's tough, I still recommend get capture the moment.  Your family is about to change so capturing the pregnancy and your family at this stage is special and unique.  You will look back and remember what things were like 'before' while still having the opportunity to spend time with your family and enjoy each other.
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I live in a part of Auckland that offers the most spectacular view of the city.  Yes it's at a distance, but it can't be escaped as when you leave Te Atatu, it's very hard to avoid clocking the harbour bridge, Sky Tower, Rangitoto or city landscape.  The view never gets old on me, or many locals for that matter.

So when a local family asked me to capture them, we found a local park that basks in this view and had a play together.  Thanks, Revell family for getting me back again and spending more time with you.  See you on the school run!  
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I know that family photographs seem like a chore, and an uncomfortable one at that.  Yes, it can be like that at the start, but as soon as you are you, and you let your family be themselves, photos are never boring. 
We smile, we play, we giggle, we cuddle, we tickle.
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Everyone leaves with a full heart.  Even me.