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

We were all sitting down watching one of the many cooking shows that usually graces our television set. As we watched and giggled at a bunch of very inept adults trying to cook and one in particular trying to peel and chop garlic extremely unsuccessfully, Ben at 12 years of age declared “Even I know how to do that.”

One of the best decisions we made in the past year was allocating each Tuesday night to the kids as their night to cook a meal and spending the time supervising them honing their skills and giving them tips to make things easier in the kitchen. Tips such as putting the salt in after the water has boiled or understanding the ratio of a good vinaigrette. They alternate each week and create a meal of their choice from scratch. No frozen food. No packaged sauces. No boxed meals. They scour my ridiculously large selection of cook books and find what appeals to them, write out their shopping list and get cooking. Much to Grant’s dismay they seem to be veering towards vegetarian meals mainly.

My ultimate aim is that they are gaining skills that won’t leave them relying on prepackaged meals and fast food and give them the courage to experience new things. And once you experience new things in one area of your life, it opens you up to experiencing other things in your life too.

As for me, I’ve become a baking fiend recently as I try to create snacks for the kids for their lunchboxes and after school snacks instead of relying on sugary muesli bars and overprocessed snacks. Its not hard to find a cookie or cake recipe they will love but it is hard to find one the is at least less bad for them, let alone good for them, that they love. So our home is littered with oatmeal raisin cookies and banana bread at the moment as I experiment and find some good choices. If you are coming for a consultation anytime soon, be prepared to be wowed by my baking prowess because no doubt I will be trying to palm some off to you too.

I came across this recipe on Cook Yourself Thin, an awesome cooking show. It substitutes sweet potato for butter and is just 336 calories per cupcake, including the icing. The original recipe can be found here. I adapted it a little bit to the flavours I wanted and my adapted recipe is below. I have seen the kids try new things more readily and when Ben helped me make these cupcakes and I put in the sweet potato, it wasn’t received with a “Gross!” but a simple “Oh” and he was interested to see what they tasted like. They were awesome by the way and totally worth trying.

I felt like indulging my feminine side and went for pink icing with sprinkles. Sometimes life is better with sprinkles.

CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

MAKES 12 CUPCAKES : 336 CALORIES PER CUPCAKE

2 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1 heaping cup of peeled and finely grated sweet potato
1/2 cup ground almonds
3/4 cup plain flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 180 degrees celcius. Line a 12 hole muffin pan with paper liners.

Using a handheld or stand mixer, whisk the eggs and sugar for 5 minutes until pale and quadruled in size. Add the grated sweet potato and whisk again. Whisk in the ground almonds, flour, salt, cocoa powder and baking powder until they are well combined. Add the chocolate chips and using a spatula mix until just combined and distributed.

Divide the batter evenly between the cupcake liners so each liner is half filled (Hint: Use an icecream scoop to get exactly the same amount in each liner)

Bake for 20 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean when inserted.

Once cooked, remove from oven and cool for 15 minutes. Allow to cool completely before icing.

For the icing, I started with 2 tbsp unsalted butter (at room temperature) and added 2 tbsp icing sugar and food colouring. Mix well. Then alternate between 1/4 cup cold water and additional icing sugar, mixing well until you get the right consistency and quantity. Ice and enjoy If you have any left over, refrigerate.

I am sure that Grant is tired of it. Of me declaring nearly every afternoon, “Tomorrow. I’m doing it tomorrow. Promise.”

Whether its paying the power bill, cleaning out the spare (aka junk) room or getting in a workout, there are so many things on my to do list that I’ve started to become the queen of tomorrows. I just think of pushing it back a little but before I know it my Things list is reminding me that finalising our wedding budget is 39 days overdue. 39 days! I mean, come on! There is so much to fit in that it becomes overwhelming and of course, responsibilities and unfortunately sometimes dreams and wishes get pushed aside as we move from day to day. The fact is that there are only so many tomorrows in our lives and they pass by way to quickly. Before you know it, tomorrow is here and the next one on the horizon.

This morning I was up at the god-awful hour of 4am to take Ben to a triathlon. It should be illegal to be up that early. However, as a result I found my silver lining of being on the beach in North Coogee during sunrise on this amazing autumn morning. I’ve experienced many sunsets on the beach but not often a sunrise so it is one of those moments that I acknowledged as being special and made the most of it. It was the most peaceful, serene and humbling moment as I meandered along the beach as the sun peaked over the sand dunes. We collected shells and beach glass and basked in the light pink glow of the morning.

Take the time today to do what you have been putting off until tomorrow. For me, I’m getting the chores done early and blowing of the afternoon to spend some quality time with those I love. I’m going to make their day just a little bit more special.

Amy knew beyond a doubt that I was the photographer for her wedding that she booked me without having actually met me. I have had a few clients do this and while it is a leap of faith, I am so pleased that Amy took the leap and I was able to witness her marriage to Joe in February.

Amy and Joe were married in Subiaco and their reception was held at the Ocean Beach Hotel. With so many personal touches and many moments throughout the day that honoured Amy’s mother and Joe’s father who had both passed away, it was truly a union of families and a celebration of life and love.

An outtake that I couldn’t bare to throw away that it made it into Amy and Joe’s collection. I wanted to give a shout out to Mr Boogie Board who successfully boogied right into my shot.

While I don’t normally post many bridal party shots, I knew as soon as I captured this one I would want to share it. I love the casualness, the incredible bridesmaids (all Amy’s sisters by the way) and the smooth Groomsmen all bringing together a signature portrait.

Oh, Kieran and Allan – where do I start? This adorable couple were referred to me by a childhood friend who found me on Facebook. When it came time for him to find an engagement gift for them, he contacted me to give them a portrait session which I thought was a brilliant idea.

We ended up having their shoot in the city and up until this past weekend, I haven’t shot much in the city or in an urban landscape. I do think that this is because I have a such a connection with the earth and most of my couples have similar connections and choose a location such as the beach, a park or a field. I can see it in most of my images that there is usually an element of earth, wind, sun or water. However, as Kieran and I began to discuss their session, I was thrilled when they chose a location and environment that I haven’t shot at before and that they have a connection with. I was ready for a challenge and came away from the session feeling refreshed and alive.

Kieran and Allan, thank you so much for trusting me implicitly and I wish you all the best for your upcoming wedding and your future together. I know it holds wonderful things for you. You are beautiful

Back in December I mentioned that my “resolution” of sorts was to make each day a little more beautiful than the one before and take pleasure in the small moments. Its about taking the time to watch the glow of the sunset over our garden or taking a silent moment of reflection or perhaps taking the time to stop cleaning or cooking or working to snuggle on the couch with my love. These small things warm my heart immensly.

So as I am looking for things and moments that make my day better and in an effort to share a little bit more about me and who I am I thought I would start a regular post of The Bees Knees : all things fabulous that rock my world. Incidentally, while I was thinking up a title I came across the Dogs Bollocks and the Sardine’s Whiskers as a similar saying. While the Sardine’s Whiskers intrigued me, I like bees and I like their knees so here we are.

Gossip Girl : I so want to love Gossip Girl but geez, Blake Lively makes it hard with her whining. I love the fashions and forays of the Manhattan elite however if it weren’t for Chuck Bass, I might have tuned out long ago. Go Chuck Bass!

Hydration : My not-so-guilty pleasure recently has been the result of the purchase of a gorgeous glass pitcher for my client meetings. However, in an effort to try to get in more water (we all do right?) I have started filling up the pitcher daily and adding in some lemon or lime slices for a twist. It is sooooo much easier to get in my water and so much prettier than a plastic water bottle. Give it a try – you’ll be hydrated before you know it.

Kikki-K : Oh, heaven on earth! I have been ordering Kikki-K’s gorgeous stationery from their online store for ages and a few months ago I discovered their store in Karrinyup. My heart jumped out of my chest and I squealed just a little bit at my delight although I don’t think Grant quite understood my excitement. I feel instantly more organised and calm as soon as I enter the store and recently purchased their big family planner for the 2nd year to organise our increasingly busy family.

Marie Antoinette – The Soundtrack : I’ve mentioned before of my love of Sophia Coppola and her incredibly beautiful films. Marie Antoinette is my absolute favourite. There is something about how Sophia merges her gorgeous imagery with a rockin’ soundtrack that I connect with and the only thing better than this film is the soundtrack which I finally bought this week. Go check it out on iTunes now – I think I am in love with Hong Kong Garden by Siouxie and the Banshees. And after you’ve bought it, go buy the Virgin Suicides soundtrack too They both are the Bees Knees.

Puppy Time – I have started trying to schedule my day a little more and one thing I wanted to add in was regular time with our two puppies. The best time of my day is taking them for a walk with Grant as we discuss our plans and dreams while watching the girls foraging through the tall grass and leaves near the lake. They look so happy sniffing and running around it just melts my heart each time. Then for the rest of the day I am their BFF as they follow me everywhere and snooze the rest of the day away. Puppy time is the best.

I’ll leave you with one last moment that makes my heart sing. This gorgeous little vase I found in a York antique store for $8 and my home grown roses. I knew they would be a perfect fit. They definately are, the bees knees.

As if Von and Conrad hadn’t bought enough to the table for their wedding, but a couple of days after their nuptials we met at Kings Park for a Day After Session.

I highly recommend a Day After Session for those couples that might be time crunched on their wedding day for their on location portraits. This is especially a great idea when you are creating an album as I find most of my couples chose the images from their on location portraits for the majority of their album pages. So if on your particular day you have a short amount of time or perhaps can only squeeze in one location, a day after session might be just for you. You can change it up and perhaps have a more modern bouquet or add in props to the session. In Von’s case she wore a beautiful fascinator that she wore to their reception on their wedding day.

Von and Conrad took the opportunity of their day after session to add more images to their album and just spend some more time together – just the two of them – while I documented it all. I would photograph them every day of the week and twice on Sunday if I could.

The location. The light. Their clothes. Their love. It was bliss.

And so it begins.

We have set the wedding date, found the location and now comes the hard stuff. All those details and plans. I am beginning to have a new found respect for my brides (or any brides for that matter) who plan a wedding from top to bottom. It is a daunting task and perhaps the wisest piece of advise so far has come from Grant in saying that so long as we have planned as best we can, nothing can go wrong. Its always in the preparation that things can be overlooked or missed, but if we prepare as much as possible all that is left is for the day to unfold naturally and for us, and our guests, to enjoy the moments we have crafted.

And so while we begin the planning stages I thought it might be fun, and perhaps useful for other brides, to see how we are crafting our particular day of days. So here marks that first post of what I am sure to be many which are going to be categorised under PLANNING!

There is still much underwraps as we finalise some details but I can tell you this. It is a destination wedding and it is in 2011. We will not be getting married in Western Australia or anywhere else in Australia for that fact, so it is going to be a challenge putting it all together remotely. I am so looking forward to it though. Our ultimate aim is that it is a celebration over a few days, not just the one day when the actual nuptials take place. A time for us to spend time with those that we care about most.

And so as I put down the cheese and cracker and get my workout routine together, beauty routine, find the dress, the shoes, his suit, perhaps the attendants clothing, create the save the dates and invitations, find a florist and a photographer, plan events for our guests over the weekend – we have a lot to do and just over a year to do it. Totally doable. Right?

This is a inspiration board I created a month or two ago over at Style Me Pretty. It is an awesome application that I highly recommend any bride use in the initial planning stages as it makes it so much easier to see what could possibly eventuate out of those thoughts in your mind. This is how I envisage our wedding. It will be interesting to see how it actually turns out I keep hearing Darryl Kerrigan when I look at the Chanel shoes, “Tell her she’s dreamin’!”.

Wish us luck (and pray for good shoes)

xoxo

Von and Conrad are just perfect together. There is a synchronicity between them that speaks volumes about how much they care for one another. The light touch on the small of her back. The glance across the crowd to her groom with a knowing smile. They just get it and they get each other. Conrad looks at Von the way every woman wants to be adored. It is incredible to be witness to their relationship beginning the next chapter.

Von and Conrad are based in Melbourne and were initially supposed to be married at a private property on the outskirts of Perth. As fate would have it, circumstances left them finding a new venue and they came across Mosman’s Restaurant which was fortunately available for their date. Its funny that when I look at these images, each one is coherently Von and Conrad and I can’t imagine their day any other way or in any other location. It was a dream for me to be a part of and their collection is to die for.

I have to mention the time and effort they put into finding locations for their getting ready images that were beautiful as well as well lit was invaluable. As a natural light photographer, I will often forgo an attractive background for the best natural lighting. However, when I arrive to a beautiful home or wedding venue that has natural light pouring through the windows I often breathe a sigh of relief and have an internal “YES!” moment complete with fist pumping the air. It really does and makes my job much easier and creates those signature images that you see on the blog and in my portfolio – captured simply with the light that we are provided by the earth. Naturally.

Bride Getting Ready: Eight Nicholson
Brides Dress: Izaro
Brides Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Wedding/Reception: Mosman’s Restaurant
Flowers: Urban Flowers of Perth
Hair/Makeup Artist: Lisa Chester

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.