Jennifer Stocks Photography – The Blog

I was lucky enough to photograph the most amazing couple’s wedding on the weekend. It was such a magical and beautiful day in absolutely every way. The groom, Sam looked spunky is his suit as did his entourage (especially the little man, Jimmy). Honorable mentions must also go to the beautiful bridesmaids, but I have to say…. Jamie, the bride… well, she was truly stunning. I almost feel that I need to write that twice to reiterate to readers just HOW stunning she looked (although it will be very obvious as you look at the images below). I even saw her in her underwear, and I swear if I had a body like hers I wouldn’t take pictures of anyone else at all – i’d just photograph myself all day long.

For me, the most beautiful moment of the day was when Jamie was being walked down the aisle. How truly special for a bride to be presented to her future husband by her two dads. There were a few tears at the altar …but I will keep it a secret about who shed them…

Every detail, every little thing about this wedding was sublime. Oh, and the love… it was just floating around everywhere. These pair are so obviously madly smitten with each other. Sam, the groom could hardly keep his eyes of his gorgeous new wife, and Jamie could not stop smiling at him.

Sam & Jamie, I hope you like your sneak peek. It’s going to be quite a large one, as there are so many beautiful shots I am having a really difficult time choosing! Have a wonderful time on your honeymoon, and thanks for having me photograph your wedding. Also, a big special thanks to my lovely second shooter, (Orange Photographer, Penny Smith) for being another set of eyes with a camera.

The days when your kids are still so little and so beautiful and so funny and so spirited and so full of life (and beans). These really are the days. I’ll never forget them. God I hope I never forget them.

Sometimes I can’t wait for our kids to grow up. To see who the boys grow to be, what will they love to do (and who will they fall in love with?), what path will they take in this big life? Oh, but WHY do they have to grow up when deep down you still want them to stay little forever. Maybe it’s so you know they are there…you know they are close to you.

Everyday I look at them and my heart just flips around and around, and I just don’t know how on earth I ever lived a happy life when they weren’t there. They just make me so happy. SO SO damn happy. And I love to see how happy they make other people. And I am proud of Damien and myself – what a wonderful way to spend a married life.

My sister and her kids came to visit from Queensland last week. They moved there recently, which has been a massive adjustment for our family. It was the happiest time. I was so deliriously happy to see her and my little nephews…..like screaming inside like a wild banshee happy. (We missed her husband as he had to stay and work boohoo). And we just hung out. No plans, no exciting adventures, just hanging out. We had a sleepover and read books and watched kids tv shows together, played on the swings, and in the sandpit and played soccer in the backyard. And now they are home, and I am sad, but I’m also happy we will get to do it all again soon.

Sometimes you just need to tell someone somewhere how much you love your special people. And I love mine. Oh yes indeedy I love their guts out.

For one day in April and one day in May, I have decided to offer $300 kids mini-sessions. Yay – i’m very excited! They will be held in Machattie Park, where the leaves are getting golden and beautiful. I love the park in Autumn and really think we are so blessed to have such a beautiful place right in the heart of our town. See below for more details!

The mini-session structure is something I experimented with recently, and it worked wonderfully. The idea behind these sessions are to allow parents to get some updated photographs of their kids without having to book a full session. My aim is to focus on each child individually and capture some amazing portraits.

The package cost is $300 per child, and you will  be given the link to an online gallery with 10-15 beautifully edited proofs to select from. As part of the package you will also receive three 5×7 inch desk prints and one 11×14 inch wall print, with the option of purchasing more prints and the digital files.

These sessions are perfect for parents with 1 or 2 kids. If you have more than 2 kids or are wanting a family session, it is best to book a regular session with me as the shoot would depart from the whole concept of the mini-session! These sessions are not suitable for babies under 3 months old as a great deal more time is required to photograph this age group. The sessions are open to all other kids, toddlers and even teenagers. I am happy to photograph siblings together, but the cost will still be per child (and each child will receive what is outlined in the package).

I am thinking about offering the mini-sessions around 2 or 3 times per year, which gives parents a great opportunity to get updated prints for their kids on a 6 monthly or yearly basis. I would SO do this, if I wasn’t a photographer (which I am, so I don’t have to!)

The dates are as follows : Thursday, 30th April 2009 and Monday, 11th May 2009. If I need to open up more dates, incuding a weekend date I will consider this. A $100 deposit is required on booking, and is not refundable if you cancel the session.

So, get in touch with me if you are interested!

This past weekend I photographed a beautiful wedding in Grenfell – the place where it rarely rains. Well, guess what? It didn’t just rain, it poured. It wasn’t pouring like we were in Tropical North Queensland in the wet season, but the skies opened up and gave it a pretty good go!  But if you think this dampened anyone spirits, you would be very wrong! Contingency plans were made up quick smart, and I think the added changes or ‘drama’ really added to the overall feel of the day.

Tara (the bride) was stunning. From the minute I saw her, I never saw a smile leave her face. She was without a doubt the star of the day, and she didn’t even have to try. Andrew (the groom) was also a handsome devil and the way he looked at his beautiful bride just made my heart melt. There was some serious love going on here. Not only that, but I think these two are the best of friends.

Although weddings aren’t something I regularly do, I really loved shooting this one – I especially loved the warm family feel to it. The wedding was held at the brides parents property, where she grew up. You could see how connected she was with the place, and her family. The thing I love so much about weddings is seeing how much people are willing to do for the people they love. I could see how much effort both families had put into the event, especially Tara’s parents. There were so many beautiful details that people had worked on, from Tara’s dad trying to perfect the garden and the lawn in a drought, to the boys building a bar from fence posts and timber from around the property.

These guys were so relaxed and easy going – there was definitely no bridezilla business happening here! Despite the rain during the ceremony, it slowly cleared up and we ventured out into the weather to take advantage of the spectacular countryside.

Tara and Andrew, thankyou so much for having us (me and my great friend and talented Orange photographer Penny Smith who second shot) photograph your wedding day. I wish you all the best for your honeymoon and life together. Oh, and of course I hope you enjoy your sneak peek!

The other day I had the opportunity to try out a ‘mini session’ type format. It actually worked really well, and I am seriously considering adding ‘mini session’s to my packages. Essentially what we did was meet up in the park for a little ‘mini shoot’ to get some updated photos of this cute little fella. It is the perfect option for people who don’t want full family photos, and just want a few updated portraits of their children.

And moving on….this little guy, who I was lucky enough to photograph, was a complete and utter little dude! I can think of no better way to explain him. Little ‘Jay’ had just got his first hair cut. He had the best hair – he looked like a little rock star. It must just grow so quickly because I don’t think I have ever seen a little person his age with hair that long! He also had really dark which set of his amazing blue eyes. I’ve never seen eyes that colour before – they were SO cute (and of course they came up so beautifully in his photos).

Little Jay also had the sweetest disposition, and was happy to flash a variety of looks – smiles, serious blue-steel looks, tongue-pokey shots and laughs, which made it an easy job for me. I know his mummy is just crazy in love with her little man (who is the last of three) and is desperately hoping he doesn’t grow up too fast!

It was great to meet you guys the other day, and I really hope you enjoy your sneak peek! I will be in touch soon with your gallery.