I had the pleasure of photographing this gorgeous family last Sunday morning.

I’ve known Karen forever – we spent many school holidays camping together when we were children.

Now we each have our own families and it’s lovely to catch up and spend time together when we cross paths at the beach on our own holidays.

I hope you enjoy this sneak peek of some of my favourite images.

There are so many more and I hope you love them like I do.

The image below was the very first photo I took. I can see it on the cover of a family photo album – kids on the front and parents on the back!

This image is my absolute favourite!

I’ve cropped it long and skinny and I love the bold architecture as the backdrop to the boys walking their dog.

It would look amazing framed behind glass and printed on some fine art metallic paper!

Credit goes to Mark for this ‘super cool’ shot!

I love it when families get involved – this is just too cool!

Gracie, is the family’s newest addition – a gorgeous boxer.

I’m so glad she was included in the shoot – she’s really part of the family.

I thought it might be nice to get a couple of romantic shots – thanks to Jo and Jack who helped pose their parents for me – not sure I could have done it without them!

And a really special photo that I think captures this family at their best – love these mini polaroid photos so much!

I spent an early morning with these 3 gorgeous boys and their boxer, Gracie.

I just had to share a quick favourite that caught my eye – I love it and hope you do too!

Some of you may recall previous sessions I’ve had with little miss Ava – both before she was born and also when she was just a few days old. Well, she is growing so fast and such a beautiful and happy baby.

I was so excited when Kylie, her mum, asked if I would take some photos of Ava for her Christening Invitation. She was a doll and she couldn’t have looked sweeter in her adorable pink pettiskirt. This image was just one of my favourites.

Arriving soon should be the loveliest custom designed cards/invitations that I designed for her – stay tuned and I promise to share photos over the next couple of weeks.

It’s always a joy when I know that Sharnel from Sharnel Dollar Designs is going to be involved with either styling or creating a beautiful candy bar display for a special occasion.

It’s even lovelier when I know that I’ll be photographing these pretty things.

Here are just a handful of images to show you her incredible work and her attention to detail. You must keep her in mind when you plan your next celebration!

Of course, she has her own online store should you decide you must have some of these devine pieces to enjoy yourself.

The title to this post is nothing short of an understatement.

You see, some time ago, I casually mentioned to my friend and workmate, Eliza Lu, that I was thinking it was time for a website (not just a blog). Excitedly, she told me how she loved making websites in her spare time when she was a student studying at school … who does that?

And so the website plans began!

Before too long, thoughts of a new logo seemed necessary to compliment the new website. In a blink of an eye, logo designs were created and I was in love!

Eliza, got it right from the very first design. It summed my photography style up perfectly … it was simple, contemporary and timeless …. and it made me smile when I saw it.

I can’t even begin to tell you the endless hours that Eliza put into this new Branding for my photography. She passionately would email me with ideas wilder than my own for creating something beautiful and unique for me. She is so incredibly creative and I can’t thank her enough for all that she has done to make my new look so beautiful – I will be eternally grateful!

I also would like to thank Netra Chetty for helping me to ‘see’ how I wanted the business cards to look like and creating the files for print. She embraced the logo design and a beautiful repetitive pattern that Eliza had made, and created the final design of the business card which I adore.

Up until now, all of my work has come from word of mouth. It’s a powerful thing and I wish to thank my wonderful clients and friends for sharing my details to their friends. I would love to send out a handful of my new business cards to anyone who might like them

– please send me your details and I’ll get them out this week.

Anyway, please enjoy a handful of photos of the bits and pieces that make up just some of my branding.

It will be such a pleasure to package up my client’s parcels.

oh, and don’t forget to pop over to my new website and see what all the excitement is about.

Turn the speakers on, grab a drink and enjoy –

Although there was rain, it didn’t stop last Saturday from being a lovely day.

I spent most of it at The Style Est. displaying my Wedding Photography at an exquisite Bridal Showcase, held by Jodie Randolph-Birch, the talented Wedding Stylist from W.Edding & Co. I met so many new faces … gorgeous couples, bridesmaids, Mothers-of-brides and so many incredibly talented vendors. It was a pleasure to be part of such a special day.

 

There are so many people I’d like to thank …

Jodie Randolph-Birch – for asking me to be part of this Showcase

My Australian Suppliers – who had my sample album, my acrylic print, my signage, my black easel and my professional prints ready within a tight deadline

Lauren from Valiant Hire – who supplied me the most gorgeous Tapas bar and side table to showcase my work

Rafael from Authentic French Macarons – for the best macarons anywhere in the world

Eliza Lu – for working endless hours to brand and create my beautiful new logo and website

Netra Chetty – for creating the final business card design.

My husband – for lifting, carrying, displaying, packing and unpacking everything

My friends – who sent good wishes or came to support me

 

 

Anyway, please enjoy a few images of my display.

 

 

Many of you will know that I have been spending a lot of time organising a new look and branding for Leanne Stamatellos Photography. It certainly takes longer than I expected and with more hard work than I ever thought possible to get it looking just right – and that’s with the incredible help from some amazing friends!

Well, the best thing that ever happened to make me finalise everything and put a deadline on this new look and website, was when the gorgeous, Jodie Mae Randolph-Birch from W.Edding & Co. asked me if I’d like to be part of a very special ‘Wedding Showcase’.

Jodie has a beautiful eye for all-things-gorgeous. Her taste is impeccable and when it comes to planning a Wedding, you can be sure it will be more than memorable!

So, the ‘Wedding Showcase’ is on Saturday 19 March, 2011 and held in the beautiful old stone building – The Style Establishment – on 249 Lutwyche Rd, Windsor, Brisbane from 10-4pm.

You are all welcome to come along and see some displays from the best vendors in Brisbane to help make your Wedding Day more than you ever dreamt it could be.

Be sure to drop by and say hello – I’ll be there with albums and prints and a gorgeous new acrylic mount from one of my recent couple’s wedding.

Oh, and keep an eye out over the next week for the launch of my new branding – I’m excited to say the least!

You may recognise the faces of some of these children. Their images have been slowly featured these last few weeks on the blog and I just had to share my favourite photo from the day.

Bob, their Grandad, was about to celebrate a big birthday and he simply wanted a photo with his ten grandchildren. I love this idea so much!

So, everyone came together looking simply beautiful and we had a lovely session.

This was the image chosen to give Bob on his birthday on Boxing Day – he loved it and it hangs proudly in his home now – beautifully matted and framed.

I’ve woken to another miserable day of Brisbane weather and I thought it might be nice to simply share a couple of photos taken late last year …. to make the day a little brighter!

Meet billie, joe and rosie – how sweet are they!

And one of my favourite pics of rosie with her mum, monica.

Our youngest son, Joshua, is turning 5 tomorrow so we celebrated with a family get together today.

It was a blistering hot afternoon so the adults stayed inside (thank goodness for airconditioning) and the kids had a terrific time cooling off in the pool.

Just before everyone arrived, I took the boys out for the traditional ‘special photo’.

I love these three of the 2 of them. It’s so them – giggling and laughing and being adorably cheeky!

I can’t believe he’s actually 5 – doesn’t seem that long ago that he was a baby.

And can I just say, that this photo is my new favourite – now to decide whether I love the colour or black and white image more.

And then the party began!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend too!