Christmas Gifts

Well I'm not sure about all of you, but I know how easily we get caught up in our own little worlds.  Filled with all the 'I wants'...and often fulfilling them.  Somehow.

I have been ruthlessly cleaning out cupboards for some months, rueing how much money I've wasted with unnecessary 'stuff'...building up and gathering dust in the far depths of the cupboards.
Unused.
Unneeded.
Forgotten about.

So as I've piled up all the things that we really don't need, or will ever use, I wondered what to do with them all.  I somehow wanted to involve the kids...to encourage them to give to others.

I'm no saint.  Don't get me wrong.  But sometimes I try to do the right thing.  And desperately want to teach my children that they too can do the right thing.

I thought about all the oldies in nursing homes who can't celebrate (or often even remember the joy) Christmas as we do.  Who are often alone.  Who are often lonely.  As mum is the DON of a nearby nursing home, with her permission (and help!) the kids all wrapped presents to deliver to those in the nursing home.

So the day after Christmas, armed with a trolley load of presents, mum's lead, lots of enthusiasm & my camera...off we went delivering the gifts.

We really would have been like a whirlwind in each room...bustling in, all seven of us.
The kids a bit unsure at first.
Cautious for a moment.
Then unwinding quickly, and racing to deliver the next and help them unwrap their present.

Honestly, I don't think a lot of the oldies would have minded if it was an empty box.  The look of joy and pleasure on their faces at having children come and visit them made the whole exercise worthwhile.
Satisfying.

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 45]

Well it has been an exciting day for me today.  After working incredibly hard, I now have a new business name, new direction and a new website.  For now, my blog will stay here, and I'm pleased that I still had time to take a photo for today's inspiration :-)

I don't think any of the kids could truly say what they're favourite book is!  They are all book worms and I know that their favourite changes every day!  Today I asked Miss 4 what hers was, and as part of her current (and possibly ongoing) Barbie craze, a barbie book it was!

We were encouraged to be imaginative...with one example being us reading the book to our child.

Now comes the tricky part.
Trying to take a photo with me in it, all the while trying to read the book to missy!
This was my best effort.
Oops.
Cropped out the book!

But she wasn't perturbed.  She had mummy reading her a barbie book.  The photo wasn't of importance to her :-)

Day 45:  Take a photograph of your child and their favourite book

A new beginning...

This could be quite lengthy...I'm not very good at being short (except in stature!) or succinct.
Or particularly eloquent!

"The only journey is the journey within"

Rainer Maria Rilke

I am so glad we are never too old to learn.
To learn from our parents.
To learn from our family.
To learn from our friends.
To learn from our mistakes.

Sometimes learning is just. plain. hard.  But we don't grow if we're not willing to learn.  And to change.

And that is what my new direction is all about.
Change.
The change I have had within my life.  Within my heart.  Within my soul.

And the change for my photography.


I'll rewind a little here...
For the past 2 years I have spent a lot of time doing photography courses, meeting wonderful, sharing, kind photographers.  In December 2010 I decided to get a bit more serious about my photography.  It was time for a logo, a facebook page...and some clients!


Mistake #1:  I designed a logo/business card that I thought I 'should' have.  Not one that really represented me.
Mistake #2:  Every client that contacted me for a shoot, I took on.  Don't get me wrong...all my clients are wonderful!  But I realised that I had to learn to say no.  Taking photos quickly became a chore, and I lost my absolute love of photography.
Mistake #3:  I stressed every time I heard that I have to 'find my own style'.  You don't.  You don't have to find something you already have.  I know what sort of photos I like...so that's my style!  It certainly doesn't mean I can't appreciate another photographer's work though.  Two of my favourite photographers have a style that is nothing like mine.


But perhaps I really shouldn't call any of these mistakes.  
They should be called experiences that helped me learn.

Fast forward 9 months, and with the unexpected passing of my dad, I took some time off.
To grieve.
To remember what is important to me.
And to re-focus.

The biggest lesson I learnt:  Memories are all you are left with.  Treasure them.

Around this time I met an amazing photographer, who's inner calm and peace moved me equally as much as what I learnt from her about photography.  She wisely shared that she has realised that, 'This is my journey, no-one else's'.
And then I began the wonderful Jinky Art's 'photographing your children inspiration', that inspired me to not only take photos of my own children, but to spend more time with them.
Add to this I was inspired to start a 365 Days of Grateful project.  It is amazing when you spend the time each day just looking for that day's moment of gratefulness just how many moments there truly are.

All of these moments combined caused a bucketload of ideas and inspiration to float around in my head.  Until one day I just knew.  I knew what I wanted to do.

THIS.

Create a business that MEANS something to me.
And will create treasured memories.

First step was a new name.  One that I could connect with.  That meant something to me.  That is me.
Bellakee J Photography is it.

Then I wanted to create a brand that best represented me...I like earthy, natural, textures.  And I cannot thank Krystal from Orphan Design enough for her creativity and her patience with getting my logo just right!

Next step.  Work out who I want to photograph.  And I did.
* Births 
* Newborns 
* Cancer/Leukaemia
* Elderly 

Moments where I can share in the emotion and love that we all have.  Heartwarming moments.  And sometimes sad moments.

Don't get me wrong...I LOVE pretty pictures.  And I will still take some of my children.  But it's the moments that bring tears of joy, love and sorrow through the journey of life that I want to be capturing.

This is the beginning of my new journey.
Join me:-)

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 44]

I didn't have the energy to go to the effort suggested in today's inspiration.
But I did think it would be fun to show the younger 2 boys our wedding album.  15 years on.  I figured they probably hadn't seen it.
Lot's of smiles and giggles at how young we looked.
And how young grandma and granddad looked too.

Probably just as well Miss 4 wasn't looking.
She would have asked where she was.
Yesterday she was telling me about, 'You know when I was a little girl, and J was a little boy and you were a little mum'.
Well technically I still am little.
In stature.
Not in mumness!

Back to the boys and our wedding photos.  Much embarrassment (and more giggling) to see mum and dad kissing.  Ewwwww.  Master 5 was in a rush to turn the page.

Day 44:  Print out your favourite photographs and hang them up with string somewhere.  Take a photo of your child amongst the photographs.

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 43]

There are so many things that represent each of the kids.

Miss 4: Barbies | Horses | Pink | Dolls house | Soft toys | Books | Dress ups

Master 5: Lego | Books | Rockets | Lego | Drawing | Mess | Lego

But I decided to take a photo of something that each of them love.  Missy & her pony, and him with his red panda.

Pony:
This is her 2nd one - the first one had rather matted hair.
She cuddles pony every night.
We can't go anywhere without pony.

Jag (aka red panda):
The one he desperately wanted at Adelaide Zoo.
Jag has a bandaid on his eye in the same spot he had one after splitting it open.
Jag too hurt his eye by tripping over a rock.

Here Jag is telling pony all about his sore eye.
Pony is listening intently.

Day 43: Take something from your child's room and photograph it elsewhere with your child

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 42]

I was so pleased todays inspiration fell on the first day of school.  It just seemed right.

Today was Miss 4's first day of kindy.  And with Master 5 there to help take her in before I took him off to Grade 1.

He is so sweet with her.
Most of the time.
They are like best friends.
Most of the time.
And he'll always hold her hand.
For chocolate!

Day 42:  During an outing today take a photograph that you normally wouldn't

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 41]

Finally a chance to use a 'toy' I bought a looooong time ago for the kids.  It has sat in the garage for about 12 months.  Or more.  Who knows 'round here!

A cardboard house the kids can decorate however they want.
And decorate they are.
And play.
They are playing and playing and playing in it.
Still.

So though technically not just a cardboard box...it'll do :-)

Day 41:  Grab a cardboard box and invite your child to help you make something of it

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 40]

I am quite a few days behind on blogging!  I guess if you've been following these posts you would know that :-)

The word unusual was used in today's inspiration.
Perhaps I could have just taken a photo of us!
But back to the task at hand... the kids all love to play card or board games, and Uno is a firm favourite.

Master 13 is super competitive!
Master 11 just goes with the flow.
Master 8 is the entertainer...complete with a running commentary, cute giggles & no idea how to play to win!!  He's normally so busy talking that he often doesn't even know whose turn it is!

And no, we don't normally play with the candles lit.
I just felt like it.
For photos sake!

Side-note:  I did get reprimanded for standing on the table when, 'We're not allowed to'!!!!

Day 40:  Take a photograph of an unusual family tradition that involves your children

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 39]

A day that required co-operation.  Haaaa!

None of the children were really in the mood for today's photo.
So this is just as they are.
Today.
For better or worse!

Miss 4:  wouldn't move her hands or look at me.
Master 5:  didn't want more photos.
Master 8:  with lovely helmet hair.

Day 39:  Capture a clean portrait of your child today.  Just your child.  No activity.  Just as is.

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 38]

A photographer's nightmare.  Being on the other side of the camera!
Well, for most photographers.
I fall into the 'most' category.

It's not that I don't want photograph's of the kids with me.  It's just that I don't like photos of me.
So I was going to cheat.
I was going to only take the photo of Miss 4 & I in my shoes.
Then I thought I'd get one of the 2 youngest & I.
Then I remembered the t-shirt I'd bought Master 5 with the camera.  So that had to feature.

Thanks to Master 8 for being our photographer.
Today's lesson was in 'compose, focus, recompose'.
It's hard teaching an 8 year old when you're trying to stay in the frame.
And exhausting.
I think I'll stay on the other side of the camera.

Day 38:  Take a photograph of your child with you

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 37]

Well today put the challenge in to, well... challenge!

I thought it would be nice to take a photo of Master 8, Master 5 & Miss 4's feet together.  You know, to compare sizes!

But I challenge any of you to get 3 kids to put their feet together and keep them straight and hold it and lie still....

More fun was had by just tangling them all up!!

Day 37:  Another day of close-ups.  This time, it's of your child's feet.

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 36]

Lots of fun was had today :-)

I had inadvertently photographed the 3 kids favourite pair of shoes on day 1...so today, with the rain, puddles & mud, it was easy to decide what to take a photo of!  Gumboots.

So this is Miss 4's favourite thing to do in her gumboots!
And yes it was meant to be a photo of just her shoes...but she looked so cute I couldn't resist taking one of her.

Also a big thanks to my umbrella holding assistant today...Master 8 loves to be involved so this was perfect!!

Day 36: Take a photograph of one of your children's favourite pairs of shoes

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day35]

A little bit of experimenting today!  Capturing Master 5's expression as he tasted lemon (and then lime) for the first time!

He is such an expressive child.
Examining what it is.
Asking if it tastes nice.  I'm tempted to say it tastes like chocolate!
And then the range of faces, combine with the shudder.
But still he went back to taste the lime.  Which he liked.  As you can see in the last photo!
Then he tried another piece of lemon and declared it, 'Yum'!!

Day 35:  Introduce a new food - something sour

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 34]

Master 8, in all his eagerness, asked this morning what today's photo was going to be.   I told him he has to show some love to his brothers and/or sister.
He replied (in such a loving manner), 'Do I have to?'.

But with very little encouragement he and his little sister were very sweet.
I told them to touch noses.
She touched his nose with her finger.
I said to rub noses together.
It became a bit of a forehead knocking, giggling session.
I said give him a big hug.
She squeezed him.  Hard.

Day 34: Capture a moment of absolute love

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 33]

One of the reasons I am enjoying doing this project so much was obvious yesterday.

Master 8 came in first thing yesterday morning and asked if I had to take a photo of him that day.  I said that since it was a bath photo that perhaps I'd do one of the younger kids.

Then I said that perhaps for todays I could photograph him...but I needed a chalkboard or something to write on.    He reminded me that he made a chalkboard for Father's Day...so that was perfect.
I said I had to write some words to describe him.
He said, 'What will you write?  Creative?'.
I said that would certainly be one!

So today, with full eagerness he got the chalkboard and, without showing him, I wrote some words to describe him.
I asked him to think of a word to describe himself.
He said 'creative'.  Of course.
Perhaps we tell him too often.

I wanted him to add his word to my list.
He then said 'smart'!

After reading what I wrote about him, he asked, 'Why did you say I was cute?'.
Because he is.

Day 33:  With paint or chalk, write a few words around your child that best describes them.

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 32]

What an exciting photo!  The kids don't have too many baths, because I find that more water ends up on the walls and floor than on them or left in the actual tub.  So when they are given an opportunity to have one they jump at it!

The promise of a bath bomb escalated the excitement...and I love that Miss 4 was so intrigued with watching it fizz :-)

Day 32:  Capture a series of photographs of your child bathing

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 31]

I am cheating.
There.  I said it.

Today I was supposed to print the photos from the last month.  With emphasis on 'TODAY'.  But I have decided that I would like to print the whole 60 (yes...I am going to keep going...who would have thought?!) photos in a coffee table album, so I'm not ready to print today.  Um mah!

And then I thought I'd cheat a little more.
Yep.  Twice in one day.

Rather than having a whole blank page for day 31, I thought I'd add the family photo from my 365 Days of Grateful.
Just to prove that there are more than 3 kids.
And that I do have a husband.

So here we are in all our quirkiness :-)

Day 31:  Today's task is to print and share

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 30]

Today was a no-brainer.  The kids playing happily = pool photos!

They are more than happy to ham it up for the photo.
Master 8 loves jumping in in crazy ways.
Master 5 epitomises courage:   day 1 of the pool being built he would only swimming with water aids to swimming with nothing in three. short. days.
Miss 4 is a little more cautious, however, now if I am in with her she will swim across the pool with no floaty.

Day 30:  Capture a photograph of your child in active play; however, this time with an emphasis on joy or courage.

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 29]

Once again I am a few days behind...even though I have taken the photos.  Honest.

Mess.
I could just take a photo of every room in the whole house.
But I went to the bathroom, where there's evidence of discarded togs & towels.
Very common now we have a pool.
The end of the day we now have a new chore.  Towel roundup.

The second photo is taken about an hour after the first.
A new pair of togs.
Fresh towels.

But they have SO. MUCH. FUN.  So it's worth it!

Day 29:  Let the mess tell the story.  Take a photograph of something your children left around and let that mess tell the story of what happened next.

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 28]

I was a little stumped for ideas today, but it couldn't have worked out more perfect.

Capturing my child's name.
I could get them to write it, but that didn't seem interesting enough.

So I asked the two boys if they wanted to create their name out of lego.  They can't get enough of lego.  But Master 5 was getting frustrated...because the pieces don't curve!  So Master 8, the creative artist of the family, more than happily built his name.  And it looks fantastic.

Day 28:  Take a photograph of your child's name

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 27]

This was an interesting task!  To initiate a messy activity the children have never participated in.  Well at least not with my permission ;-)

Well there's painting - I leave that to kindy.
There's cooking - they do that occasionally (or at least lick the beaters).
There's eating chocolate - doesn't fit under the 'never' heading.
There's eating.  Ditto to above.  Would you believe??

So with two grumpy kids not wanting to participate (interesting, since they wouldn't normally pass up an opportunity to get dirty...even the girl), Master 8 was all for my suggestions.  We headed down to the creek to mud paint.  Was hoping for two to join in and it could have been a mud war...but in the end J was happy as, well, a pig in mud!

And with his innate artistic flair, all mud painting was done methodically (even though the J is back-to-front!).  He LOVED rubbing it in to his hair and losing the blonde.  Briefly.

Day 27:  Initiate a messy activity that your child has never participated in before and capture the moment when your child is most engrossed in it.

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 26]

Okay, well lets pretend yesterday didn't occur.  Not that it was a bad day.  Not at all.  But I didn't take yesterday's photo...so if we pretend yesterday didn't happen then I haven't missed a day at all!

Now that we've cleared that up!

Today I have to shout a big 'thank you' for being inspired to take today's photos.  The kids & I used to take the dogs for a walk nearly every afternoon...but a lapse of energy and motivation has meant it has been a few months since we've gone.  But today's inspiration was just what I needed to get out there again.

Not that the inspiration is to take the kids and dog for a walk!  But I knew it was the perfect family outing to shoot.  Where we walk/ride to the gully and the dogs swim and the kids skim rocks.  It's an exciting part of our day.

Of course none of the photos are staged.  At all.

Okay, maybe a little.
A little synchronisation.
Or a lot of trying a little synchronisation.

Because our normal walks consist of about 500 metres (give or take a few hundred metres!) between the first and last creature walking//running/riding.

And no.  They don't normally walk/ride along holding hands.
They are normal siblings.
Hold hands, hug, be nice etc.  All foreign concepts!
As is me trying to only post one photo :-)

Day 26: Out and about.  Capture a family outing in one photograph.

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 25]

A multitude of reasons nearly stopped me from being inspired to take this photo...but not long before bed time I decided to quickly take a photo.  It's just taken me a little longer to post it!

Technology certainly can be a wonderful educational tool...making learning fun and interactive.  All my kids love playing games (educational and otherwise!) on the iPad :-)  This is Master 5 playing Letterland.

Day 25:  Take a photograph of your child learning

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 24]

I knew that today's photo would occur.  Sometime.
It normally does most days.  Sometime.

Honestly, if I'd bought bandaid shares all those years ago I'd be a millionaire!

Today Miss 4 came hobbling in from the pool with a sore foot.  By the time she picked the bandaid she wanted (we were all out of Dora ones, so pirate's are suitably girly...right?) and got to her room, she couldn't find the imaginary sore.  Anywhere.  On either foot.  So I decided that her knee would be more 'photogenic' and found a sore there.  It was a terrible one.  That hurt.  A lot.  Look at her poor, pained expression.

Then her sweet surprise when she stood up and said, 'Look mum, my foot's all better now'.  The magic of bandaids!

I think she might have been enjoying the breaking of my number 1 bandaid rule.
"No blood, no bandaid".

Day 24: Take a photo of your child being comforted, comforting another or self-comforting.

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 23]

Spent most of today excited and pondering my 'grateful' project...so was just a quick last minute thought for this challenge.  Back focussed tomorrow :-)

This is the 3 munchkins reluctantly doing what mum asked.  Only standing there as they are assured promises of a reward!

Our house...still with renovations to complete.
One day.
Maybe.

Day 23: Take a photograph of your child outside of your house.  Make sure you fit a lot of your house in.

365 Days of Grateful

I can't believe I'm going to do this.

But I am.
I will.
I will succeed.
Oh yes I will.

After lots of encouragement and inspiration from wonderful photographers I decided to also do this challenge.  I found the 52 one difficult because a week would go by, then two..and I just couldn't motivate myself.  But one thing doing the daily inspiration of the children has done, is made me realise when you are thinking about it EVERY day it is easier.  Though admittedly 365 days with no inspiration guide to follow will challenge me more!

I was going to wait until I'd finished the one of the children, but reading (and reading) posts and others motivation I couldn't sleep last night.  And thought...what better day to start than the 1st of the year, even thought it means that for the next 38 days I will be undertaking 2 personal projects.

My conditions to make it possible:
a)  'borrowing' a few rules off other talented photographers (one lens, only natural light)
b)  there won't be a full post to write with each photo
c)  I will take the photo each day, but I will not put pressure on myself to post it each and every day

Let the gratefulness begin...


___________________________________________________________________________


5/365:  Grateful....that hairspray removes pen from cream lounges!

4/365:  Grateful for the effort J put in to finding out my favourite colours and making this for me (that Christmas is well and truly over doesn't matter one bit!).

3/365:  Evidence that lots of (little) people live in our house.  Grateful that we have clothes to wear.  And also grateful when it's all folded!

2/365:  Somehow the felt pens were found.  Grateful she didn't draw on the walls.

1/365: Grateful for...inspiration at any time of the day (or night).

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 22]

A sleepover at grandma's saw the long awaited arrival of her getting chickens!

Miss 4 is so excited that apparently she checked for eggs so many times she barely gave them a chance to lay!  Maybe giving them some time to settle in will make the next visit even more exciting :-)


Day 22: Visit grandparents or relatives and capture your children with them