Well, now that the Vanilla Dawn website is just about finished I’m happy to say I finally offer Maternity sessions! I’m so excited but I do need to build my maternity portfolio, its rather bare right now!

From time to time there are specific locations, poses and ideas I’d like to capture for my portfolio – That’s where you come in! I’m currently seeking beautiful pregnant models for some maternity sessions celebrating the special beauty of women experiencing the miracle of carrying a child. During July and August I will have 4, possibly 5 complimentary maternity sessions available. Two of the sessions will preferably be in someones lovely home and 2 or 3 sessions will be conducted outdoors at an undecided location somewhere in the Brisbane/Gold Coast area (with a high possibility of a session on the beach and a session in a rain forest setting). Being outdoors showing a bit of skin at this time of year may not be possible for some, so best to keep in mind that it could be a bit chilly!

Some of these sessions require some photos of models artistically nude/semi-nude (or at least implied nudity). As they will be celebrating the curves of pregnant women, it’s not easily done with clothes on! These photographs will be artistically and very tastefully done!

The nitty gritty!

• you must be over the age of 18 and you need to be living in South East Queensland (Brisbane and Surrounds, Gold Coast) or at least be willing to travel to the location.
• You need to be willing to pose nude or semi nude so that I can capture the beautiful curves of motherhood.
• You will also be required to sign a model release which will allow me to use the photos on my professional website as well as promotional materials etc.
• Mums to be at least 32 weeks pregnant, preferably before 37 weeks.
• Physically fit (before pregnancy of course!)
• No modeling experience necessary.

In return the session will be completely free and you will receive one complimentary 8×10 print for your time. Of course other prints and packages may be purchased if you desire.

Although these casting call sessions may take up the normal 2-3 hour session time they will not be handled as regular portrait sessions.  These sessions are to capture a specific look or pose for my portfolio.  If time permits, additional images will be photographed.

Pregnancy is a beautiful time, imagine your beautiful body captured as a fabulous piece of art! Daddy’s are welcome but they will not be included in every photo. If dad’s aren’t able to come along but you’d feel more comfortable bringing a girlfriend that’s fine too!

If you are interested in scheduling a maternity session or know of anyone who may be a good candidate for this casting call, please email me at info@vanilladawn.com.au

If you are interested in a maternity session but do not want to be part of this casting call give me a call or drop me an email, those can be booked at any time as always!

Any because I can’t post without adding a photo – Remember what you get at the finish line!

It’s been a busy week here this week. Friday was our 5th wedding anniversary on which I spent most of the day cleaning and baking cake (the things I’ll do for my spoilt daughter!!), and then yesterday was her fourth birthday! Numerous times this week I’ve found myself thinking, where in the world has the last 4 years gone? I swear it only feels like yesterday she was a little baby on the floor learning to crawl.  Instead, I get woken up in the morning by a FOUR year old?? When did this happen? Sometimes I wish there was a pause button!

I’ll take this chance to share far too many photos of the cake baked with love.. I did take a few photos at about 2am when I finished it, but we had a cake-tastrophe during the wee hours of the morning.. One of the towers (the biggest one!) came tumbling down , smooshing the icing on it and the cake.. A few roof tiles didn’t make it either.. So that led to some emergency repairs an hour or two before her little party.. The only evidence is the lean of the towers and a bit of a bulge at the side (and an unfixable roof tile or two!).. Oh well, we liver and learn! Next time I’ll know not to make the same mistake *grin*

Note the leaning tower! All the vines and flowers on that tower, and on the actual cake where it feel were smooshed, but I think I saved it pretty well

Our Birthday Girl

This weekend we went to the Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens with some good friends of ours. Wow, the grounds are huge, I could spend days there! Not everything went to plan, the sun decided to go down far too quick for us and we had some very hyperactive children on our hands. So it was hard work, but fun

Well, after yesterday’s attempt, I decided I didn’t really achieve what I wanted, so I decided to give it another go! Today managed to cost me $2 for a ride or go at the chocolate machine at the shop, and a strawberry and cream! Not too bad I’d say.. I’m certainly happy with that!

Gosh… I just love her in photos.. She always looks so serene.. And, well, shes just not!

In this photo, the little spec’s aren’t bugs…  A big storm cloud was rolling in fiercely, and they’re actually rain drops

Today it’s exactly 2 weeks until my only daughters 4th birthday and I still haven’t really started planing her little party!  I can’t believe how quickly time has flown by the last few years.. It feels like just yesterday she was a little baby! She hasn’t had a hair cut yet, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it(I’m a shocking mother, I know!). So I think the time has come for her to have her first one. Anyhow, I took her down the back today and behind our block of land there’s a big field with lovely fluffy grass which illuminates at sunset, so we jumped the fence to take some photos… I have no idea who owns the block of land (naughty of me, I know) but I hope they wait a few more weeks before they mow the grass again, it’s lovely!