A Tale of A Wandering Photographer.

 As I mentioned in my previous blog, I had decided to do a photo tour while I was recovering from my bypass surgery. My first stop was at the Johnson house as they weren't home the following week when we had planned to do their shoot. So that was the first leg of my trip to Springsure and then onward to Rocky for the kids awards night. After that we returned home for a couple of days to finish school and then I was off again. I'll share some of my favourites here although there were many to choose from. 

First Stop Epping Forest with the Hampson Family. 

We giggled about the sturdiness of the burnt out tree and whether it was safe enough. 

With an extra day up my sleeve by having done Sheree's the previous weekend, I was lucky enough to be able to stay for two nights and I was so grateful I did. They were lighting fires and anyone who knows me well, knows that fire lighting and photography are my two favourite things! 

Scott and Megan were reluctant to do any "mushy" hand holding or eye gazing, but they were compliant when asked and I thought we got some cute shots. 

With Gemma having been their govie for previous 6yrs, I think it was fitting that we got her in a few photos too!!

Love these two.

Franko, the pody!

"Oh no, more hand holding"

Poor little Zara had really gotten into the spirit of taking photos right up until this moment when she was being bitten by something. 

Fire bug family.

Dunno how it started!!!

They have this beautiful creek in their backyard and I absolutely love the trees. Actually, it seems that, I have an affinity for trees, as they seem to be in all my shoots. 

I loved working with this family, they are so welcoming and easy going and it was just like walking into a second home. I could have stayed here for weeks. Alas, I had other families to visit and on the second morning I headed for the Ahern's. 

I stopped over in Emerald to call my dear husband who had been fighting fires ever since I left in the mountains and even having to sleep on the mountain on a couple of occasions. I was concerned I should come home and he was extremely fatigued with about 18hr sleep in 5 days. The kids had been left to their own devices a lot and while they were very capable of looking after themselves, even cooking dad a omelet one morning and pancakes another, as well as doing all the dogs, pig and horse feeds, I was filled with mother's guilt about leaving them. So I called my neighbour Julie who said, "fire is under control, if you come home, you'll only end up doing something you're not supposed to, so keep going". So with that, I continued on my way. 

Second Stop: The Ahern family. 

Was fortuitous that Ange had messaged and said her husband Sean would be home the following day, as we thought they would miss out. So I drove without stopping from Emerald to Hayley, just in time to catch the light for their shoot, which meant I had the next day free for Ange. 

It was amusing, in the lead up to doing their photos, Hayley was pretty uncertain about whether or not Andrew would be home for them or not, but I had a feeling. Stars always seem to line up for Hales and on this occasion they definitely did. 

This shoot was so much fun. I just loved the banter with this mob. And the most polite and lovely kids you could find. All of them thanked me for doing the photos, even the boys whom I'm sure would have rather been elsewhere. 

Talk about swagger. 

And these two were a bit cute in their matching shirts. 

Loved this one. 

Next day before I ventured off, Hayley had to turn out some weaners and work her dogs. Which I think is the coolest part of my journey, getting to see people in their work environment. 

On my way out Hales told me about an old house on their place, so I called in to take some photos. 

I love old houses, I always think of the stories they could tell. 

Next stop; the Schuh family. 

Never work with children or animals they say, but here we are. We had a great time driving around and picking out different locations and visiting the cattle. Again, it was just fortunate that the stars aligned and that Sean was home for the photos. 

How cool are all the matching shirts! And you can't even notice that poor Libby has a broken arm. 

This took 70 images and a bit of help from photoshop, but we got there lol. 

So many laughs with this family. 

It's just the best to be able to go around to peoples places and take their photos in their home environment. 

But by morning I was off again to the Raine family. 

Interestingly enough, until I had done this journey, I had not really gotten to know many of the distance ed dads. Usually only get to catch up with the mums and it gave me the best opportunity to meet the other side of the family unit. I just loved the dynamics in this family. So much great banter. 

With Tania being a very competent photographer herself, I must say, I was very nervous about this shoot. 

The Face

Hugh is in Jessica's class

The determination

The defeat

I loved that we could incorporate pieces unique to each family in the shoots.  

With the Raine's only an hour from mum, I left their place after the shoot and stayed with mum for the next 4 nights. Venturing back to the Lindley's place the next afternoon. 

These pair of boys were so cool! They were excited to get their photos done and had spent the afternoon preparing their horses and we had to get photos with the cat and the dogs in their vests and without their vests plus all the poses with all the horses. It was pretty cute. They are both definitely a chip off the old block. Having grown up with their dad it's like going back in time. 

This was my favourite. (another tree photo)

Love these two. 

Somehow I think mum is going to be the shortest. 

Can you canter bareback? "Course we can!!!"

Twerking

With the Lindley's complete and an accomplice to hide the ducks I forgot, I stayed at mums for the next 3 nights, catching up on photo editing and some sleep. So good to see mum for a couple of days and have her to myself without little people. Did a bit of xmas shopping too in between editing. 

Next stop: The Geddes Family. 

So nice for it to be nearly all bitumen now and to travel past my old home and see the changes. Was also just the right amount of corrugation and loose gravel left on the road to remind you of what it was once like. 

This family has always felt like a second home to me. Growing up as a kid, Lou was like a big brother and I recall many visits as a little girl to Couti Outi to eat 'dried up old ice-cream' (pavlova) and 'little round balls' (beetroot); milking the cows; mustering and playing cricket or footy, whatever the season.

 Then returning back to Banksia in 2011, after being away for a long while and then having my own kids. Finding that Bonni's kitchen was always a safe space of no judgement and good conversation when my new life as a mother began and I often felt overwhelmed or lost, this was a space that I could breathe and refresh. 

I still get sad sometimes that we've moved so far away from them. 

Probably one of my favourite shots of the whole trip. 

These girls have grown so much these past couple of years. 

Mr Brown. 

If I had a dollar for every face that was pulled by one of these family members.... I would have a nice night out I reckon lol. 

The next day Bonni had to venture to town for Dentist appointment for Lucy, so I got to take some photos of Ella's jumping. She has come so far in the last couple of years. 

With one family away, I had an extra night at the Geddes house to catch up on some rest and more editing. Even got to get a photo of Lucy in her natural environment. 

Leaving the Geddes clan and venturing northwards to the Denise/ Pownall family. 

Took me more than 5 hours for all the phone calls I made and people I needed to catch up with. 

For someone who wasn't impressed about having their photo taken, and even missing the last time I took some family photos for them, Stew seemed to come around pretty quick!! Especially when I told him to drive at me on his motorbike really fast. 

Now Stace isn't usually a big fan of sharing on socials, pictures of her family, but she has given me special permission to "sneak a couple in". So I had the impossible task of picking only a couple.... that's 4 right?

Ok 5... 

After a night with Stace and her beautiful family, who, to be honest, I probably haven't spent that much time with, but feels like we've known each other forever; some more stray ducks and I was off again to the Shelly's house. 

I took twice as many photos here as we had some extended family and Elsa, whom Sonya has taken under her wing. So we had many photos and many stunning locations. 

She didn't think I caught this one lol

Oh look, a tree!

The face LOL

Isn't DJ just the most stunning creature. She could be a model I reckon. 

It was raining and I had them all running around like madmen to get these lol. 

This family is so genuine and so precious and easy going. Just another family one my journey where I instantly felt welcome and at home. 

With loads of laughs. 

Probably my favourite. 

I wish you could see the rainbow better.. but there is a rainbow. With miserable weather all afternoon and taking photos between showers, the sun finally came out just after 6pm as we had predicted it might. 

Another model prospect I think. 

Sonya was quizzing me on what to do in the photos, in the lead up to my arrival. I told her chin forward and shoulders back. Nate was teasing her. Just beautiful family banter which is what makes it all so special. 

Some we even shot in the rain. 

And then, once again, it was time to go... to the last family on my tour. 

The Murdoch family. 

I think I may have saved the cutest couple for last. These pair are just made for each other. 

This family left our distance ed team at the end of 2024 when they moved to Dysart and they are very sadly missed. 

Kaycee stole mum's horse... .I know how that feels. 

These two... so cute!! I loved this one so much. 

Just really earthy, lovely people with such genuine souls. A real pleasure to know and be able to call friends. I know Jessica misses Kaycee, as they were really good friends and I don't think she's really found anyone else like that since. 

"tree"

And that's the end of that.. Home we go and don't spare the horses. 

10 families, 14 days, 2448km and some ducks. So many laughs and so many smiles. Welcoming and loving homes, beautiful home cooked hospitality everywhere (I'm sure I'm fatter) and I feel so blessed to be friends with all of these precious, beautiful families. This was been such a cup filling journey and I have loved every minute. I was a bit concerned that the photos would be come a bit generic and repetitive along the way, but I was amazing at how each family had their on uniqueness to bring to each shoot. 

You know, we all fantasise at some point about a life without children, and I know I wouldn't change things for the world, but for me this trip was exactly what I would be doing and I feel very grateful to have been able to experience that and still return home to my perfectly, imperfect life. 

Google wouldn't let me put the whole trip into one journey, cause that would be crazy, but this was about half and half. 

Thanks for sticking with me. I'll now add the photos from my phone, because surely this isn't all I've been up to, after all, we've just had xmas. Better fill your tea cup again. 

From my Phone: 

This wombat shaved his eyebrow for awards night!! SMH

I may have to keep this one for his 21st lol

Such a good brother. 

Some of us mum's finally getting to let our hair down. Still trying to teach them the drinking song; we will get there. 

Oh our way home from awards night, we stopped in at Mt Hay and did some fossicking. Kids found a few pretty ones. It was worth the stop and only took about hour and half. I'm sure the lady cut more for us than she was supposed to. Only cost the 3 of us $60. 

I've decided that all grannies that crochet are witches!!!! This said it was for beginners. OMFG, it was really HARD! 

My apple tree has been producing which is exciting. They are actually really good. 

Off... on my big adventure. 

This was a refreshmint from kaka, when the kids brought him breakfast in bed (not that he'd been to bed at all) while he was fighting fires all night. 

Burning stacks at Hampsons place. Hard to comprehend the amount of dozer work that goes into creating something like this. Hours and hours of stick raking and all over in a day. 

Photographing me photographing. 

On my last leg home. Hinting at what people may find in their houses. 

Back home after my trip to see my puppy, whom I missed a lot. 

It's been very cool keeping our little chat group alive with all of the duck finds in the past couple of weeks. I will be very excited if it's a few years before they are all found. 100 in total, about 9-11 in each house. 

Getting home, only days before xmas, there was much to do. 

Cleaning, as Justin has been too busy and kids had been unsupervised. 

Xmas decorations. 

More editing. 

Baking!! 

I'd only been home a couple of days and mum arrived to help out. Gingerbread houses were erected. 

With the travel this year, we opted for 3 smaller ones. Might become our new thing to have a ginger village. 

Xmas day, even Betty got a present. 

We ventured to Duringa for a Cummings family Xmas celebration. G man was a bit excited about his new camel bak. 

Mum and I having a xmas drink. 

Kaka's new boots! I want a pair!!

Prosecco and Lemon Sorbet!! YUM

Grandma Shirley and all of her family. 

Below, Shirley with all her daughters; Marina, Linda, Di, Sonya and Fiona. 

Santa brought G Man a new helmet

Grandpa George bought the kids some beautiful hand made mugs. 

Kids got bow and arrows for xmas and Kaka got $20 for hitting the head of the target. 

New Years celebrations and Kaka and Shaylee got to hang out together. 

Cobi whom is now very much taller than me! 

Gotta love the shades. 

A bit of "Cards Against Humanity" to bring in the new year. 

G man has got Auntie Mango. 

And, G man finished his clown fish (with some help from mum), that Santa gave him. 

Aaaaand that's the end. Justin bought the kids a new pool, that they have been living in the past couple of days since he put it up for them, 19,500L so it's plenty big enough for them to swim in. 

Mum went home yesterday which is always a bit sad. So nice to have her around! 

On my road trip I was recommended "The Housemaid" to read. It's a bit of a thriller, which isn't my usual genre, but it was a definite page turner and I guess I was lucky that I was listening to it and not reading the book, so I couldn't flip to the end to see what happened. There is a movie, but I'm not sure I'm up to that.. might be too scary for me! 

Latest song: "Last one to know" by Gavin Adcock and "Drinkaby" by Cole Swindell

I have been having a rest this past week. I'm not going to mention the rain... we were fortunate to have some over xmas and that's all I'll say about that. I'm having one more day tomorrow to rest and then it will be back into it, full swing. Will be good to get some jobs done that I've been making a list of these past 3 months while I've been recovering. 

That's all from me. 

With Love