THE SCHRAMMS | FAMILY SHOOT

I love traditions and I love the holidays. So it was only natural that an annual Thanksgiving trip has become one of the most anticipated things of each year in my world. As each trip passes, new little rituals are added, including a girls’ Napa trip and now this - a Christmas card family portrait sessions with my fam, the Schramms. (Let’s not forget the one month of discussing outfits with Em prior to this shoot).

The Schramms’ property backs straight on to one of Redding’s most popular spots, Lema Ranch, and so seeing as it takes all of two minutes to walk across the backyard and on to the trails, we didn’t go looking for a different location again this year.

Not pictured? Britt and Audra, two great friends, who came along as hype girls and made sure we were all well fuelled with a jazzy list of Christmas favourites and endless dance moves. It may be June now but let’s just say discussions have already begun for this year’s shoot.

THE DIEKEMAS

As I post this, we are fast approaching the middle of August, which, honestly, is a little hard to believe. I was chatting with a good friend of mine the other night over McDonald's hot chocolates and we agreed that we both love the second of years more. Being based in New Zealand and having an annual trip to California for Thanksgiving means I do get the best of both worlds, I suppose - summer weather, fall weather, Thanksgiving and the holidays. 

I've just returned from a 10-day trip to Singapore to hang out with my Grandma (who is doing great) and in that time, the sunset that I had been tracking long escaped my mind. But fast forward to last Friday and I was that girl who stepped out of the car at boxing grinning at the weather. Why? Well, because it's beginning to feel like spring. I can confidently say that the worst of winter is over and waiting for me just around the corner are longer, lighter evenings. I can't wait.

This was not, in fact, the weather when I headed out to Whenuapai to shoot with the Diekemas. Sarah is a beloved former colleague of mine and a friend (obviously). Muriwai beach (pictured) has been a special place for herself, Ken and River (the beautiful giant dog in the photos) for years now and so to get to be there with them and their new little babe (Eli) was extra special. This photography thing gets you into some pretty humbling and precious places of people's lives and it will never stop being an honour.

THE RUKAS

It's a rainy Sunday afternoon over here and I'm sitting here in sweatpants and a hoodie doing everything in my power to fight off what feels like an impending cold. This last week, over 65 staff members from work made the long journey to Parihaka (including this sweet family, the Rukas). Parihaka is a small settlement in the Taranaki region of New Zealand's South Island. It was a six-hour drive from Auckland and it was two and a half very rich days spent there, and the photos are coming, naturally.

I threw together a quick video of the trip. Watch it on my IGTV channel here! It does absolutely nothing to capture the depth of conversation that I got to be part of - which I hope to write about in the days to come. We dissected the topics of race, history, and the church, and spent a lot of time listening. Listening to the stories of injustice that Parihaka has experienced since the invasion of their home in 1881, listening to what forgiveness and hope look like for this community, listening to people's process. 

(Photos shot for Parenting Place).

BEE-KEEPER HARLEY

Let me tell you a story about the time I harvested honey with a three year old. This was probably the most fun story I've gotten to create for work so far. Instead of retelling the whole tale, head on over here to read about it. I will reiterate - little Mr. Harley here is living a vastly different childhood from my own. At the age of three, we were still living in Taipei, Taiwan and I can say with absolute certainty I was not running around a backyard in a miniature bee suit picking up chickens and harvesting honey.

In case you missed it, head on over to my Instagram profile and watch the highlight I saved of this day. Worth it. Promise.

THE RIPPEYS

Meet the Rippeys. Such a peaceful, sweet family and some of the most comfortable I've had in front of the camera because they really do just love hanging out with each other. Also, it was my first time out to this area of Auckland and gosh, it sure is a treat for this fam to be just a three-minute walk away from this water.

THE RIPPEYS (SNEAK PEEK)

In case you're not tracking with my on Instagram, I've taken up boxing in the last six months. I go three evenings a week and it has been nothing short of a game-changer for me. I am seriously so grateful to have found it. (I realise I sound like I should be talking about a human but whatever, it's a love affair and I'm not ashamed about it). 

But we're not here to talk about boxing today. In the last couple of weeks, I've spent my non-boxing evenings sorting and re-editing shots from the multiple family portrait sessions I've done over the last few months all across New Zealand. 

My time in Redding aside, my family has been based in Auckland, New Zealand for the better part of 18 years now. But since my parents both travelled extensively in their college and working years, and our extended family is in Singapore, any opportunity for a family trip looked like us hopping on a plane with passports in hand. I wouldn't change a thing about it at all. Travel is in my blood and I love it with my whole heart.

What this has meant though, is that we've left New Zealand largely unexplored. We've done a handful of local trips but getting in a car and going on a long road trip to go camping? Nope. No bueno. I am not a camping girl by any means. So getting to do a little travel around the country to meet families for these shoots has been a treat.

Here's a sneak peek of my shoot with the Rippeys, Auckland 2018.

THE DODDS

Hey friends, it's been a while, huh. The photography part of my 9-5 job went from 0 to 100 in recent months as we rebranded and I got to wander around New Zealand capturing families. I'm hoping to get some of those shots up here real soon! In the meantime, here is one of my all-time favourite shoots to date.

In November last year, I flew back to my beloved Redding for Thanksgiving, as per tradition. One rainy morning, I got to hang out with this beautiful family and we decided to head on out and brave the grey skies for a little fun. And goodness, I am so glad we did because just look at them. 

THE STEVENSONS

It's 2018! It feels right, doesn't it? I spent the holidays in Singapore with my family and extended family and it was wonderful. Days on end spent hanging out, eating, walking, shopping, and eating more. I'm playing catch up on a few shoots from the end of last year so to kick off, here are the Stevensons.

After weeks of inevitable shoot postponing because of weather and sick little ones, we finally made our way over to a local park. I squealed with delight when I saw the flower crowns gently pulled out of their car. My favourite detail? We ended up at the exact spot that Ty and Jess had their wedding photos taken a few years ago. It felt like we had come full circle being back there with their three kids.