The simple things...

Whoo hoo! I got my camera out again today. I decided to test out my lonely 50mm f1.8. It has been collecting dust lately so I thought I would test it out for something different.

Jackson needed to get outside, so outside we went! I love that Jackson is so interested in the small things in life. Eating bark, watching the washing machine spin, touching leaves and plants.

It is so amazing to be able to watch him grow and develop. I feel super grateful that I get to stay home and be a part of it! Although I must say that today was a big day and I am ready for bed now :)

 

Doing personal photography work is actually quite fun! I can do things at my own pace, try different editing, lighting and angles without any pressure!

Today I posted a bunch of CD's out to clients which was exciting. Still more to send tomorrow. Always so much to do. Note to self, improve editing workflow and general organisation. So much to learn still!

♥Shayla

CL Wedding and Event Stylists & Callie B Photography {Wedding inspiration...}

I love the details in this wedding, as found on CL Weddings and Events. The details are beautiful. The photography is awesome too. Callie B photography is located on the Sunshine Coast. Her work is quite lovely and she seems to cover some beautiful weddings!

How cute!

Beautiful use of flowers and greenery.

This is the cutest idea ever! Although I'm not sure how long it would take for all of your guests to use it.

Another simple, but cute idea for people to leave messages. I think it's a nice way to add a personal touch and have some special keepsakes from your day.

Loving these chairs.

For some reason I love this photo! Especially the candlesticks. I think the mood of the picture is lovely too.

ST xo

All things floral...{Beautiful fine art photography}

See more beautiful photos here.

Colour me Katie... {Inspire me}

This girl is crazy! Click here and scroll to the end of the post for a dance that made me smile. It has inspired me to make a video. Just need a camera :-) I love what she does with her art and her perspective on life. Make sure you check out her "about" me video. It's pretty awesome. What I take from Katie is to smile a little more, and let go of your inhibitions. Why are they even there? Life is for living!

Anyone who can make sky out of a sheet and paper is worth blog-stalking. Especially if it makes you smile :-)

Love ST xo

{Inspire me}...Moodboards

I love "moodboards". I guess you could call them "inspiration" boards too. Here are two beautiful ones from my new favourite blog Jacqueline Rose. I would love to put together something like this. The trouble is I would run out of printer ink really quickly! Maybe this can be one of my new projects!? I'm gathering ideas of what sort of projects I can do at the moment.

Here are some of my ideas for topics:

--> Weddings (what a surprise I hear you say!)...but real ones, with real brides. And local ones too. I love the wedding blogs out there, but some are very busy and not relevant to the local area you live in, or they don't include budget specifics.

--> Inspiration boards

--> 365 gratitude project

--> Learn a new skill every week (for example, how to make a flower bouquet)

--> Get to know Brisbane

--> Wedding photography mood board!

So now for more of a plan. Lol...I get all of these ideas but starting them is the issue. I want to do everything at once!

Here are a few moodboards I found through google images:

Love ST xo

If I had all the money in the world...{Inspire me}

I would plan mini photo shoots like this one.


How pretty! Jacqueline Rose is my new blogging love :-) hee hee

Inspire me...{Beautiful fine art imagery}

I found the most BEAUTIFUL images today and I am so in love I had to share. This person has compiled beautiful photos that inspire her, and also sells some of the images seen below. She does beautiful fine art photography. See her Etsy shop here.

My new photography props...

Today I ventured outdoors to run some errands and when I arrived at the shops I saw a Lincraft store and that angellic choral sound echoed in my head. Why the excitement you ask? I have been wanting to purchase some material I can use for backdrops when photographing babies/ children. At the moment I am a little bit into polka dots so I thought these would be fitting. Not cheap though hey! I was sort of surprised.

Hopefully I will be able to use them this weekend as I'm taking some baby/ children photos! :-)

Today is a beautiful day!

So after my long-winded post the other day, I realised I was complaining and feeling down about something I have complete control over. Also, it contradicted exactly what this blog is meant to be about...so here is to a new day with new and exciting things ahead! I have so many project ideas coming up I'm excited to share. I love feeling positive and motivated. Life is a beautiful gift to be cherished! So I'm ready to live it!

Mummy Monday....How to find joy in your day

I nearly forgot it's Monday. I have had a lot of thoughts swarming through my head today. I'm sure the weather is contributing, and the fact that I have had Jackson in his Baby Bjorn sling for four hours asleep (my neck/ shoulder muscles are starting to go numb)!

Is it just me, or do any other stay-at-home mums question how much they are doing (or not doing) for their families, their children, themselves? Sometimes I think I get so caught up in making the most of the moment that the moment just passes by. And sometimes because I don't conquer the "motherhood" world I feel a bit glum. I stumbled across a post written by a photographer which included a letter to her son who was turning four. She reminisced over the daunting and ever-consuming first year of life and it was obvious that she really missed it. See her entry here . It's a nice reminder to appreciate every moment. And funny enough her sons name is Jackson!

So, today I am grateful for sore shoulders because I get to hold my little boy close and listen to him taking small breaths, kiss his forehead and smell the sweetness of milk (lol...possibly gross to others?). It's actually quite beautiful. Today, even though I didn't get the dishes done, it rained on my washing and I doubted my abilities to start my dream business...Jackson smiled beautifully at me so many times, he has slept and I know when he wakes up he will be excited to see me again (after I feed him..lol).

So to my little boy....I love you sooooo much and am grateful that you make me smile every day!

I'd really love to hear from others mums, or even those who aren't about how they spend/ would spend their time at home!

Oh, and don't forget to drink lots of water everyday!

xo Shayla

Mummy Monday...on Thursday...

So I'm a little behind the eight-ball with this one. And it's only going to be quick because my boy is screaming...again. He doesn't seem to want to sleep today. And meanwhile I am feeling a little nutty, however I was lucky enough to get some beautiful play time with him and one of these:

Makes it all worth it hey!

Off to rescue the little man...

Shayla xo

Called to serve...

My family are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and as some of you may know the young men in white business shirts with the black badge serve in an allocated country/ city for two years.

My brother Matthew came home from Serving in the Adelaide mission where he spent time in both Adelaide and Darwin. He was hard working, sacrificed his time to serve and I admire what he gave up during this time. He has been an example to all of us. If you ask him, he will tell you about the amazing time he had.

So this week I am grateful for family, especially Matthew who has made us all so proud. We are super excited to have him back home! Some pictures of the anticipation and joy of having our Matt home!

xo Shayla