Angela Higgins – Lifestyle Photographer » Lifestyle Photographer of kids, babies, families and weddings

Happy Australia Day!

Our day started at 4.30am (yes, I know!) this morning as we all piled into the car and headed to Point Walter for Grant and Ben to compete in a triathlon. Ben won his age group coming in 1st and Grant did an amazing job too. So much spirit and passion is in every athlete that competes – its a great testament to the human spirit and I never tire of it.

The drive home along the coast was littered with people heading to the beach for the day and boats on their way to the Swan River to get their positions for the fireworks tonight. We are off to my parents house for some swimming, BBQ and  quality time with family. So looking forward to it.

So we wish you a Happy Australia Day! Be safe

When we decorated a living room recently, I invested way too much money in a custom ottoman upholstered in a beautiful chenille fabric. I had plans for this beautiful piece of furniture in our small, modest room as a feature piece. The room and layout I wanted wasn’t big enough for additional chairs, so the ottoman seemed like a perfect choice.

As it turns out, it has been an extremely good investment as a dog bed. Trying to discourage the dogs from being on the (yet to be scotch-guarded) couch, I encouraged them sit on the ottoman instead and before I knew it — it became their permanent resting place. It is right behind me as I work and perhaps the closest place to me without sleeping at my feet on the cool tiles. It is the perfect vantage point for viewing out the window without being told off for jumping on the couch and of course, is extremely comfortable for a 10kg canine. I have to admit, I like being able to hear Lily breathing deeply as she dreams. Perhaps not so happy when she lets “fluffy off the leash” as it is so affectionately termed in our house. This girl can evacuate a room, quick smart.

So here is a little celebration of my little Lily for following the rules and always staying on her très expensive dog bed and knowing the couch is out of bounds. I will not however, be posting photo evidence of Lulu ignoring the rules as always and claiming the couch as her own. No sir. The girl is 40cm long but can take up a 3 seat lounge like no-one else.

I was delighted when I opened Annika and Tom’s wedding invitation. I love it when my bride and groom’s are kind enough to send me an invitation as the choice of stationery and carefully chosen words set the tone for a wedding day. When Tom and Annika’s came it only solidified my belief that this was going to be a day to remember.

Tom and Annika have been together for years. So many years in fact that their friends and family made many jokes during the day that they never thought this day would actually come. It is evident that they are more than husband and wife, but are also best friends. They have that knowing look that couples who understand each other have when they glance at each other and know, without words, what the other needs or wants. Their wedding day was based around them spending as much time as possible with their family and friends that had come to witness their marriage and celebrating their union.

Because of this focus, Tom and Annika chose to have a First Look on their wedding day. This is something that is quite a big trend overseas and I can see beginning to take off in Australia where couples will spend time together before the ceremony for their portraits allowing them to spend as much time with their guests after the ceremony. It is also great when your ceremony is going to be later in the day, perhaps around sunset, where the time directly after the ceremony may not have enough light for the best on location portraits. This is particularly vital with my approach to photography as I work with natural light almost exclusively. Tom and Annika chose to have a First Look for both of these reasons and it was such a great choice for their day and I think it made the day all the more special for them.

Ceremony: UWA Prescott Court
Reception: Matilda Bay Restaurant

I was casually browsing through my blogroll one August morning last year when I came across a blog post that was almost too good to be true. Cathy Crawley was going to host Jasmine Star in Sydney as she conducted one of her workshops. My heart skipped a beat and I think I forgot to breathe as I feverishly put in my application to attend, hoping against hope that it wasn’t already sold out as I knew it would in record time.

I came across Jasmine’s work early on in my photography career and she has been more than a subtle influence in my own emerging style. I instantly fell in love with her work, her spirit and her candour as I read her blog from start to finish and then found her previous blog which I devoured much too quickly. Her work as always been a source of inspiration for me and to know that I would not only meet Jasmine but be able to get insights into her thoughts and then to watch her shoot was almost too much for me to bare. The workshop has come and gone far too quickly and as I begin to process what I have learnt and how I am going to implement these tools into not only my business but my life, I feel incredible blessed.

Here are some of my favourites from our shoot that are only possible because of the incredible work Cathy put into organising it. She sourced the best vendors in Sydney for the outstanding couture gowns, incredible bouquets and boutonnieres and the most beautiful hair and makeup.

Models – Lacy and Evan, Kristie Jane
Flowers – Daisy Chain Florist
Dresses – Catherine Colubriale
Hair and Makeup – Elle Vierboom

A huge thank you to Cathy Crawley and to Jasmine and JD. Your incredible hard work and effort was above and beyond my expectations and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity you have given me.

xoxo

Oh internet, where shall I begin? This past week has been beautiful in so many ways, all accumulating in my being in Sydney to attend a workshop with the fabulous Jasmine Star. This trip ended up being my own little pilgrimage as I took the time to listen to my inner voice and begin to live my life and approach my work with a new zest. I am very aware that I have been living a blessed life and I am also aware that it could be taken from me at any time. Spending time with Jasmine has encouraged me to jump head first into my life and not to hesitate in my decisions.

As I enter my third year in business as a professional lifestyle photographer, the next few months are expected to be busy with me coming to the end of a number of projects and beginning a few new ones that I am so looking forward to sharing. I have invested alot of time and effort over the past few years into my business and bettering myself as a photographer which has sacrificed alot of my time as a partner, daughter, sister and friend and the time has come to sit back for just a moment and reflect, reassess and move forward. The fruits of my labour in my business have been rewarding and there is more to come in the next few months. However I can’t wait to have more personal fulfillment as I invest time back into my loved ones and encourage them to pursue their own happiness and passion just as they have with mine.

In other fruits of my labour, these little glistening rubies were waiting for me in my modest vegetable garden when I returned home from my trip. The first harvest of the summer. They are small, but they make me smile from ear to ear.

Shaline and Mohan flew in for our session from Malaysia back in November. We hit the town for some casual post-wedding portraits finishing it off spending some time in a field of kangaroos. These are some of my favourites