Skye Rocket Studio

jack { nine months old }

2012-02-03T09:30:00.000+11:00

Look at that face! And that chunky little bum. Love him!

madison

2012-02-02T14:33:00.000+11:00

I have to admit i got a wee bit emotional during Madisons session, as her mum and i swapped birth stories. We had quite a few similiarities. So even though Madison was past the age I normally photogaph newborns as she was born quite early, her story tugged my heart strings and i got her in as soon as i could. Madison was such a sweetie and i loved getting some cuddles from her. One of the perks of the job!

charli { eight months old }

2012-02-02T14:27:00.002+11:00

Charli and Sophia have the prettiest wardrobe. I always love everything they bring into the session.

Especially the smiles. The smiles rock.

the wedding of kathy & dave

2012-02-02T10:00:00.000+11:00

Kathy and Dave held their ceremony at Brucedale Chapel and their reception at the Licorice Factory in Junee. This was my last wedding and my first ever with a brideman ( instead of a bridesmaid ). So that was a great way to finish off. And if you are wondering what the black stuff is the rings are on, its licorice. I thought it was fitting.

jazmin { ten months old }

2012-01-26T10:28:00.000+11:00

What a cutie pie! She came in with enough smiles to light up Paris and enough cuteness to fill the studio a hundred times over.

will { on location }

2012-01-25T09:30:00.000+11:00

There are some photographers who dont like props. But i love my props. But it has to be the right props. I remember a couple of years ago i was given a photo of my niece as a gift. It was a baby in the mall type shot, and she was laying on half a dozen rolled up towels, with a black backdrop. There is not much about a bunch of towels i find pretty. Needless to say the photo I took of her some years later is the one framed in my house!

I had been meaning to make a tee-pee for ages, and when Will was booked in I knew he would be perfect for it. So i stayed up all night sewing it!

Will was a rockstar on the day, we would start singing "old macdonald had a farm" and he would yell out "DUCCKKKKKK!!". Maybe you had to be there. It was funny. I tried to get him to pull the red wagon but he thought it was much better if he sat in and i pulled him around instead.

And heres a flashback of one of Wills earlier sessions. Cute huh?

the wedding of nathan and angela

2012-01-24T09:30:00.000+11:00

Nathan and Angela held their ceremony at the beautiful St Michaels Cathedral,

with a reception at the City Gold Club.

display ideas

2012-01-17T10:00:00.000+11:00

Source: my-mania.eu via Skye on Pinterest

Source: google.com.au via Skye on Pinterest

Black and white.For a modern house try black frames with plain white matts, its a classic look, like an art gallery.

display ideas

2012-01-14T11:17:00.001+11:00

Source: thebooandtheboy.com via Skye on Pinterest

Source: elledecor.com via Skye on Pinterest

Dont be afraid to go big, if your space calls for it.

mini sessions

2012-01-13T13:49:00.001+11:00

In an attempt to get everyone booked in who wants to get booked in, I am going to try a set of mini sessions. What is a mini session I hear you ask? Well its really just a smaller shoot. Normal sessions go for an hour, but a mini session is only twenty minutes.

I am thinking of scheduling the first one in on the 18th of February, and it will be a themed styled shoot on location. For the theme i am loving the idea of "Black and White Circus". Interested? Email for more info!

skye (at ) skyerocketstudio.com.au

Sessions need to be booked by Monday the 30th of January.

Seeing as the mini sessions are only twenty minutes long, they are only really suitable for kids aged from about three and up, and only up to three kids together. Possibly babies who are sitting up really well by themselves too. Not suitable for newborns or a family session. Great for clients who just want a quick session to update their photos.

Mini sessions will be only offered on set days, at set locations, so places are limited.

Although I will have all the props set up, you could decide how much "theme" you want to go, if that makes sense. You could just dress the kids in black and white and meet the criteria. Or you could get all funky and do black and white stripey leggings with a black pettiskirt for girls, and black jeans with a white shirt and black polka dot braces for boys. Add a funky cap and some pretty white flowers and we are set and it will look gorgeous!! Wearing white shirts with black pants is not really the look we are aiming for here. You dont need to go the whole way and dress up the kids as clowns ( although you could, and it would be super cute! ) but a happy fun carnival style is what will work.

Of course I had to blog a picture, but dont exactly have one that i thought matched, so i am posting these black and white mood boards. Yes, its a wedding mood board but its black and white so i worked with what i could find.

Mood Boards from Snippet and Ink.

Top row from left: Donna Karan, silhouette from Karen’s Whimsy, Notte by Marchesa via Something Old Something New, cake from The Knot, Cabernet-Shiraz from Le Grand Noir
Row 2: Cartier Tank watch, blackboard, bouquet from MS, Oreos
Row 3: invitation by Ceci NY, black and white lily, cameo by Tarina Tarantino, Chanel Nail Colour in Black Satin
Row 4: Chuck Taylor sneakers, photo via The Sartorialist, MS button seating cards

Top row from left: Tim Walker polka dot room via Oh Joy!, silver jack-o-lanterns by Carolyne Roehm, black swiss dot veil via Perfect Bound
Row 2: Elie Saab dress with butterfly sleeves from Brides, mercury glass candlesticks via Paris Parfait
Row 3: black and white cupcake photo by Victoria Pearson, silver glass glitter table number, anemone centerpieces from The Knot, silver leaf staircase via Willow Decor
Row 4: mercury glass pots via Lobster & Swan, commedia letterpress via Moontree, black and white groom suiting photo by Millie Holloman

Also came across this video of a circus inspired fashion shoot on youtube. Just pretend everything they are wearing is black and white.

jade { seven and a half months old }

2012-01-09T17:11:00.001+11:00

What do you think, the white or the metallic background?

display ideas

2012-01-02T23:06:00.000+11:00

Source: google.com via Darlene on Pinterest

Source: projectnursery.com via Blair on Pinterest

jade { thirty weeks old }

2012-01-02T14:02:00.000+11:00

A lovely client lent me this sweet outfit and another gave me the lacey headband ( have i mentioned i have the best clients? ), so Jade had to endure another little photo session.

Happy New Year!

display ideas

2011-12-30T22:53:00.000+11:00

Big prints rock.

And for the second image... i find it rather unusual, but the idea works.

Source: fromscandinaviawithlove.tumblr.com via Natasha on Pinterest

Source: fromscandinaviawithlove.tumblr.com via krelsk on Pinterest

display ideas

2011-12-28T22:58:00.000+11:00

Source: fromscandinaviawithlove.tumblr.com via Karen on Pinterest

Source: fromscandinaviawithlove.tumblr.com via Mrs on Pinterest

display ideas

2011-12-26T22:50:00.001+11:00

The holidays are in full swing so i have set some posts to pop up while Im getting all relaxed for next year. Now that you all have your beautiful prints that Santa gave you, its time to think about how to get it all up on the walls and looking pretty. I always have the best intentions of doing mini makeovers on my house, studio and props over the holiday break, but often i am too busy doing absolutely nothing.

Source: notetosarah.tumblr.com via Penny on Pinterest

Source: fromscandinaviawithlove.tumblr.com via Penny on Pinterest

merry christmas

2011-12-25T22:41:00.000+11:00

Jade in her christmas dress that her Nana got for her.

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas.

time for a holiday

2011-12-21T16:28:00.003+11:00

Thats all folks! I have one ordering session and a pick up this afternoon and I am done. Stick a fork in me.

The Rocket Ranch is now closed till the 23rd of January 2012.

( Except for all the work that i have to do to finish off the new price lists, update the website, paint the studio floor, tidy all the props, paint a couple of chairs, get some new sessions organised and edit two weddings and half a dozen portrait sessions, i should be able to find a bit of spare time to take some photos of Jade! )

( And note to self : the gumball machine looks much better when filled with gumballs, and you really need to return it to its rightful owner one day. )

need a portrait session?

2011-12-20T23:07:00.001+11:00

If you are on my waiting list you should have received an email with some detail in it about booking a session for 2012. If you havent received one, and you think you should have, then please email me ( skye (at ) skyerocketstudio.com.au. You need to put the @ symbol in there but my tech guy says not to type it properly in the blog cause i will get spammed. So take that spammers! )

Sooo.. next year. Wow. Seemed so far away and now its just around the corner. I am still ironing the wrinkly bits out of the new price list and making it pretty. New things are in store! More details to come soon.

cheyenne { sweet like apple juice }

2011-12-13T15:42:00.000+11:00

This was supposed to be a half session, as the previous session got interrupted. But I had a new prop and i wanted to use it bad. So the car got loaded up and off i went with a baby, my camera and a cart load of apples. And i love the results.

My lovely fiancee made the stand for me, and i just painted it white so i could use it for lots of different things. A lemonade stand, with boys in denim shorts and straw hats, or a cake stall, or a dolly hospital? So many things I can do with this!

cut off date is soon!

2011-12-06T22:54:00.001+11:00

Ok, who hasnt placed their order yet? The cut off date is this thursday the 8th of December. Just a heads up too, there will be a price rise next year.

I did try and post a cute pic with this too, but its late and it didnt work and im going to bed.

jake { cake smash }

2011-12-06T22:17:00.001+11:00

Jake is one of my "first years" ( Babies i get to photograph and cuddle and play games with over the first year of their life ). I get berry attached to these babies, and its always bitter sweet when they turn one.

rose + archie + tessa + elsie

2011-12-06T20:52:00.001+11:00

Fabulous four in the studio. See the second group shot? A tongue poking out, someone jumping - how i managed to catch it with her feet in the air i will never know. I would love to say i did it on purpose, but in reality it was a total fluke. Maybe i shouldnt tell you that? One of these four had to go home and have a nap and come back for a reshoot. Can you guess which one?

jade { twenty seven weeks old }

2011-12-05T22:59:00.001+11:00

I honestly dont know how these little bloomers from Oobi ended up in my props box. They have apples on them. Notice a theme here lately?

lucy { six months old }

2011-12-05T22:40:00.001+11:00

Hello cutie pie! Thanks for coming to visit my studio and being so sweet.

next years waiting list

2011-12-02T18:33:00.001+11:00

I am pretty close to booking you all in for next year! It looks like the shoot days will be mostly Mondays and Tuesdays in 2012. The emails should get sent out to you all the week starting the 19th of December. I just have to get all these Christmas orders done first then put the finishing touches on the price lists for next year.

Speaking of which, the cut off for ordering is next Thursday the 8th. I will be away the Friday the 9th and the ordes will get processed first thing Monday morning. This will be the final order for this year and all orders placed next year will be on the new price list.

della { almost two years old }

2011-12-02T18:23:00.001+11:00

Its funny how things work out sometimes. We were pretty much at the end of the shoot when Della spotted a basket of apples in the studio, leftover from another shoot. Have you tried to tell a two year old that they cant eat an apple because its a photo prop? So she ate an apple and I took photos, and we played apple bowling and I took more photos, and then there was some more apple tasting. And they ended up being some of my favourites from the session.

five gorgeous girls

2011-11-22T21:06:00.001+11:00

I have photographed Milla & Asha a couple of times, and they just rock the camera, then Isla came along, a little peaches and cream baby girl, and then the twins, Eva and Jaya. Look at those little faces. There is an abundance of gorgeousness here.

ellie { sixteen months old }

2011-11-18T14:01:00.001+11:00

I nearly fell over when I saw Ellie, the last time i photographed her she was a tiny little newborn all wrapped up in mummys scarf.( See the pic below for a flash back! ) She was bery busy but they all are at that age, and she absolutely loved playing peek-a-boo behind the netting "cubby house".

cut off dates

2011-11-17T21:18:00.001+11:00

Print orders must be received by Thursday the 8th of December to be back in time for Christmas.

Orders for blocks must be received by the first of December.

jasper { seven months old }

2011-11-15T19:59:00.001+11:00

Jasper has this way of smiling, he fully commits to it. Its just so cute. Towards the end he got a bit tired and would just look up with his big sweet eyes.

display ideas

2011-11-15T17:06:00.001+11:00

Source: allthingsstylish.tumblr.com via Skye on Pinterest

Source: jeansmithphotography.com via Skye on Pinterest

Have you heard of Pinterest? Its a place where you pin things of interest, hence the name. Kind of like a virtual mood board. Each image pinned is tracked back to where it came from, so you always know the source of the images. So inspring ( and a great time waster! ).I have a board that i stick any ideas i can find for displaying photographs and art, and when I can i will randomly blog some here, but go and check out Pinterest if you need more inspiration.

lulu

2011-11-15T10:00:00.000+11:00

Where does the time go? Feels like i only just did Lulu's newborn session in my vintage pram, and now she is sitting up all by herself. And big sister Indi is so grown up now!

kilarny { fourteen months old }

2011-11-14T10:00:00.000+11:00

There is a park just around the block from the studio, I walk the dog there sometimes, so when Kilarny bought her old trike to the shoot, all decked out in red, I thought it might look good to do a few shots outside before we went to the studio. She was such a smiley girl and loved sitting up on the trike!

madeline { eight months old }

2011-11-11T15:30:00.001+11:00

Doesnt she look sweet in her ruffle bloomers?

little sneak peak { apple juice! } a location shoot

2011-11-10T15:33:00.003+11:00

I cant post the rest of this session yet, cause I havent edited it, and there are another dozen or so sessions in front of it. But I had to post a little sneak peek!

Sweetness!

jade { twenty five weeks old }

2011-11-08T21:16:00.000+11:00

These apples were left over from a photo shoot I did ( wait till you see it, its lovely! ) so i grabbed jade and popped her on the floor of the studio for a quick session. I just happened to pick this cute little onesie up from Myer. I swear, it was a fluke it had apples on it! Ok, maybe it wasnt a total fluke. She was the happiest little thing in my office, then when we went into the studio I couldnt get a smile out of her. She's still cute though.

{ Hugs to the lovely Katie from 7 Lil Girlswho dropped some lovely headbands off for me to use, I am in love with them, and I added the green polka dot one Jade is wearing to my collection. )

molly & harry { at the old church }

2011-11-03T10:31:00.000+11:00

I went for a drive to visit the family of Molly and Harry, and they have an old church in their backyard. ( I so want one of those! ) They were celebrating a birthday so we did a whole family session while the wind whispered through the trees, promising birthday cake to all those who were good.

cheyenne { sweet like orange juice }

2011-11-01T10:00:00.000+11:00

Had so much fun styling this shoot, I even made the dress. Unfortunately about twenty minutes into the session i got a phone call from home, evidently my daughter was in hysterics and Daddy needed help, so I didnt quite get to finish the session off. Which means I get to do the rest later, but I might have to style a totally different one now, because I bought a red pettiskirt I want to use.

journey

2011-10-30T21:24:00.002+11:00

booked and bookings

2011-10-28T14:27:00.000+11:00

Booked out for 2011 and a waiting list for 2012.

With only a few weeks left till my Christmas cut off dates, there are no bookings left for this year. I have a waiting list for next year, and as soon as I get daycare dates and such sorted I will start taking bookings for 2012. Keep in mind that i often book out months ahead, so if you have a special date you would like you need to get in early.

I will be working around Jade next year, so I am cutting back on work a bit. I'm not doing weddings anymore, the studio will just be all about the babies and kids.

abbie { nine months old }

2011-10-28T09:03:00.002+11:00

Abbie's big brother had his turn at rocking the camera, so now its Abbie's turn. Doesnt she have the most gorgeous big brown eyes?

jade { twenty three week old mini session }

2011-10-27T21:48:00.000+11:00

One of the benefits of having a studio at my disposal is being able to pop Jade in for a quick session. She is getting really clever now, although sometimes she pokes herself in the face with a rattle. What a difference a day makes though, the top two were taken one morning and the bottom three the next day. She was in a totally different mood. Just goes to show you cant pick it.

All of these props and hats are from my props box. Although its more of an overfllowing cupboard than a box! The hats are from the MILK collection, the pink flower is just from Big W ( and it was on sale for $4 too! ) the other flower clip is from 7 Lil Girls ( find them on facebook ) and I made the bottom one.

2011-10-27T14:49:00.001+11:00

Hello cutie pie!

display ideas

2011-10-27T10:21:00.000+11:00

Source: laurawinslowphotography.com via Lindsay on Pinterest

Love this idea, three big images in lovely white frames. If these images were smaller it would lost impact.

Source: None via Lindsay on Pinterest

A grid display is a great way to get lots of images to look good together.

charli { a beautiful girl on location }

2011-10-26T10:12:00.000+11:00

I heart photographing Charli this much, says the photographer, throwing her arms open wide. Maybe even more. She is such a gorgeous girl, with a pretty wardrobe and a sparkly personality. She's a rock star.

audrey + henry { on location }

2011-10-22T10:53:00.000+11:00

I took a lovely drive out to photograph Henry and Audrey on their old red tricycles. Audrey loved sitting up on the bike, and Henry would give the Energizer bunny a run for his money.

jade { twenty one weeks old }

2011-10-13T21:58:00.000+11:00

My baby girl will be five months old on Sunday. Thats nearly half a year already!

I have had these absolutely adorable pants in the prop cupboard for a while now, and i couldnt wait any longer to use them. Which is just as well, cause the little onesie i bought to go underneath it didnt fit her anymore, and i had to do the shoot with the snaps open, but you cant tell. Can you??

I am so in love with this girl, its such a time waster just watching her learn new things every day.

Look at her crazy hair! She spewed at least four times during this session, and the last one was just as i had finished and picked her up, and it required me to wash my hair. She's so classy!

millicent + lucida + violet + saffi

2011-10-10T17:25:00.001+11:00

Four gorgeous girls in the studio. Loving those gorgeous outfits, and all that colour. Their clever mum made lots of pretty things for them to wear.

display ideas

2011-10-10T14:17:00.000+11:00

Source: blog.hannamac.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

In love with this! I have been looking for inspiration to do a photo gallery in Jades nursery. Actually, to tell the truth, i am always on the lookout for photo displays. I actually found a similiar image ( might even be the same image? ) of the dog in the bicycle basket, but it was really expensive, so of course i am now planning to do a session with a pink bicycle and a dog! If i ever get the time... one day!

And loving all the colour on the white background on this one.

Source: desiretoinspire.net via Skye on Pinterest

{ Images via Pinterst }

jade { nineteen weeks old }

2011-10-06T20:46:00.000+11:00

Is she not the cutest little thing? This was just a little bitty shoot to celebrate her new trick, she can hold her head up now! So that means lots more photo sessions on the way. Once i figure out how i want to style them, and what she's going to wear. Her skin is looking so much better, its been a battle to get it looking so good but totally worth it. I miss chocolate though.

The sweet hat is from Vintage Stash. I love that shop. I borrowed it from my props box for the session, and maybe for a shopping trip or two.

eliza, sophia and fergus

2011-09-28T21:31:00.002+10:00

Had a ball with this family in the studio, I'm in love with the girls dresses ( from the Muddi Markets ). Katie is part of the team at 7 lil girls , they make gorgeous clips, headbands and jewellery. I have quite a few of these clips in my props cupboard!

charli { five months old }

2011-09-27T10:57:00.000+10:00

What a sweetie pie!

nate { one year old }

2011-09-26T13:46:00.001+10:00

I often think how quickly time flies, and that thought ran through my head again when i did Nates shoot. He was a tiny little newborn last time I saw him, and now he's running around. He is absolutely obsessed with wheels, and i only had him on the tricycle for a minute, because he kept leaning over sideways to look at the wheels!

cheyenne { part two }

2011-09-22T10:00:00.000+10:00

She is so cute! The pink gumboots were an afterthought but ended up being such a sweet addition, adding a splash of another colour.

Location shoots are always more complicated than studio sessions, you have the weather to worry about, and the light, and then all sorts of other things like mozzies, ants, dead mice, random stray dogs, grumpy old men, overly enthusiastic huskies, mud puddles, swooping magpies and all sorts of other adventures. But in the end, it all works out beautifully.

cheyenne

2011-09-21T11:09:00.000+10:00

I have been photographing Cheyenne since she was a newborn, or even before she was born because I did a maternity session for her mum. I love my sessions with Cheyenne, watching her grow up, she is my little muse. Her mum lets me do anything I want, and i had just bought this cute umbrella so had to work it into the session. She is quite used to being photographed though, and it takes some circus acts from her mum to get a real smile and not the fake one!

kourtney { on location } part three

2011-09-15T10:00:00.000+10:00

I remember when she used to wear fairy wings, and try on all my shoes.

And now she wears eyeliner and fits into all my shoes.

kourtney { on location } part two

2011-09-14T10:00:00.000+10:00

My beautiful niece. I love this girl! I have been photographing her since she started to walk, although our first offical photo session involved fairy wings and is still in a frame in my house. Since then we do at least a shoot a year, or try to, sometimes more, sometimes with the rest of the family too. And i get to style them and shoot whatever i want which is one of my favourite things!

And Kourtney, because i just love ya so much, i decided i had to post this one of you being a dork. Cause its just so you! Do you still love me??

kourtney { on location }

2011-09-13T21:05:00.001+10:00

This gorgeous girl is my niece. She came to stay for the weekend, so of course we did a photo session. When I asked her what she wanted to do or wear she said she didnt care, so we went shopping and i had sooo much fun styling the session. I have had the red aviator sunnies for ages and wanted to use them somehow, and then as soon as i saw that hat ( which is now in my props cupboard! ) i knew i had to use it. Pics with the hat are going to be in another post.

We snuck the session in between Jade's nap times and i hadnt done a shoot for ages, i felt so out of practice, i drove around wasting time looking for the perfect loation. In the end i just pulled the car over, got out and started shooting. And then realised how much i had been missing it while i was on maternity leave!

I love location shoots. The light, the textures, the bokeh, the colours... Bliss!

ivy mae { eight days old }

2011-09-13T12:02:00.000+10:00

Little Ivy didnt want to sleep a wink, she just wanted to stay awake and look at the whole wide world. But with some gentle persuasion she went off to dreamland, where I am sure she had wonderful dreams of bunnies and butterflies.

jack { four and a half months old }

2011-09-12T16:54:00.002+10:00

This is Jades good friend Jack. Jack and Jade. They will grow up together, learn to swim together, and probably get in lots of trouble together, especially if they get up to half as much mischief as their dads did. Jack is the cutest little man, he squels when he is happy and is just learning to clap his hands, so he thinks he's pretty clever.

stella { six weeks old }

2011-09-09T22:08:00.004+10:00

Six weeks old and she still slept for me, looking very sweet in her little hat her Nan knitted for her.

jake { eight months old } on location

2011-09-09T11:52:00.000+10:00

Jake is one of my first years ( where i get to photgraph them a few times in the first year ) and i get quite attached to my first years, because i get to see them grow and change so much! I know I still have Jakes twelve month session to go, so i get to see him at least one more time.

I love shooting on location, it often turns out to be more difficult than the studio, but the results are so gorgeous its totally worth it. This is also a great age to photograph on location, before they can run away from me!

lucy { six weeks old }

2011-08-19T16:12:00.000+10:00

Lucy was such a good girl, she had a sleep for me and could hold her head up, both of which are unusual for a six week old little girl.

back on line!

2011-08-16T22:16:00.000+10:00

the tech guy worked his tech magic and i think everything is back on line now!

harrison { twelve days old }

2011-08-13T10:00:00.000+10:00

If Harrison is half as cute as his big sister, he is gonna be very very cute!

ginger { on location }

2011-08-12T10:00:00.000+10:00

It wasnt an easy job dragging my lovely old cot out into the middle of a paddock. Actually I didnt even carry it as i was quite pregnant at the time, but i was carrying blankets and bunnies and stuff. It got cold quite quickly so i didnt get to shoot as much as i would have liked, but still got some very cute shots!

harry { twelve months old }

2011-08-11T16:18:00.000+10:00

Harry thought sitting in a box was the funniest thing ever!

Love those little feet poking out.

macey { a sweet location session }

2011-08-09T10:00:00.001+10:00

Teacups, cupcakes, biscuits, flowers... all yummy sweet things for a sweet photo session with the beautiful Macey.

all systems are offline!

2011-08-08T07:00:00.008+10:00

So last week the other computer blew up. The one that runs my email and my slideshows. My email was back up and running, but the slideshows are still in limbo land. The tech guy is working on it! I also lost about three months worth of my book keeping data. That will teach me to not back up while on maternity leave!

Then i decided that its about time my main computer went in for a service, its getting really slow and driving me CRAZY lately and Im not even at work at the moment! I need to get it all running happy before i go back to work and get hammered for the crazy christmas season. Can you believe Jade will be seven months old by Christmas?

With the main system offline everything goes offline. So no email, no slideshows... no editing ( not that i am doing much of that anyway right now! ) I will add some more info here when its all back up and running.

( As of Wednesday I have email back but the slideshows are still offline, at least until next week... Boo! )

the wedding of shane and amanda

2011-07-28T18:00:00.001+10:00

Amanda and Shane didnt stop smiling all day, they have big hearts and lots of love. There is always a bit of stress leading up to any wedding day, but on the day they just relaxed and enjoyed every minute, including watching a very pregnant photographer climb into a rather large truck to take the group photo. But i got to honk the air horn, so that was a bonus i dont usually get at a wedding!

I just managed to get this wedding in before Jade was born, I had always planned to take is easy on the day ( i had someone help me out, which i dont usually do ) but I actually went into labour the following night! The newlyweds have been sooooo patient waiting for me to edit their images.

Ceremony : St Peters Chapel

Reception : RSL Cub

my maternity session

2011-07-25T15:27:00.000+10:00

I figured since Jade is ten weeks old today, it was way past time to blog my maternity session. The very talented Briony of Hardinge Photography took the images, and had to put up with me as a photo subject. I am VERY hard to photograph! She did an amazing job with what little i gave her to work with! The bottom one is my absolute favourite. When i look at these i now see why people kept looking at me funny when i was working - i was huge, but still had about six weeks till my due date. Ten days after this was taken Jade was born. No wonder i was tired!

chloe, phoebe and ellie

2011-07-22T10:00:00.007+10:00

Three girls = three times the pretty!

riley { a location session }

2011-07-21T22:03:00.000+10:00

Riley is a spunk muffin. Shy but cheeky at the same time, and those big brown eyes!

maternity leave

2011-07-20T12:36:00.001+10:00

just a reminder that the studio is still closed for maternity leave
i am typing this one handed while the baby sleeps in the other
she is refusing to sleep in the cot today

i guess that means i get extra cuddles

but will get absolutely nothing done

and because every post needs a picture here is a sneak peek of tomorrows pretty blog post

olivia { three months old }

2011-07-20T12:36:00.000+10:00

anastasia { a location session }

2011-07-20T12:16:00.000+10:00

Beautiful light, a gorgeous girl and some seriously pretty outfits!

This was the second time i photographed Anastasia, the first time she was quite serious, this time she giggled and smiled and clapped and seemed to really enjoy her photo session.

jade { six weeks old }

2011-07-19T22:52:00.000+10:00

Just to prove that even my baby will crack a tanty during a photo session! The first time i tried to do a shoot for jades six week session she vomited, then pooed all over me, the bed and my bedoom floor, and then promptly peed on me too. Then she cracked a big tantrum and demanded to be fed.

So the only shot i got of her is this one.

But i do like the fabric in the background with that blue wrap so i might have to try that one again when she is in a better mood!

I had another go the next day and got better results. I was mostly playing with some new headbands to see what they looked like so didnt get a lot of different shots. Being six weeks old she is way past the age for newborn sessions, but she did sleep for me for a bit.

The middle flower clip is from 7lilgirls ( i have a few from there! ), the top one is from Diva and i made the bottom one.

danielle { waiting for baby }

2011-07-18T12:35:00.000+10:00

Since this session this wonderful family has welcomed little Harrison into the world, who i had the pleasure of photographing. Honestly, i could photograph them all day long, especially Sophie, who was in love with a horse that just happened to be stabled in my studio the day of their session.

display idea

2011-07-13T22:53:00.000+10:00

Love the idea of a bench under a gallery of pix, great for a hallway or entry
Image from The Estate of Things Flickr Page

iris { thirteen days old }

2011-07-12T14:09:00.000+10:00

charli { ten days old }

2011-07-06T12:03:00.000+10:00

Miss Charli is the little sister of the delightful Sophia who was not having her photo taken at this session, despite begging and pleading from me.

inspiring video

2011-06-23T18:10:00.000+10:00

This makes me want to style and shoot a photo session!

Papier Mache - XOXO from papier mache magazine on Vimeo.

jackson

2011-06-23T18:07:00.000+10:00

chloe + phoebe + ellie

2011-06-20T18:48:00.000+10:00

sophie and jack

2011-06-16T18:50:00.000+10:00

jade { three weeks old }

2011-06-14T10:53:00.000+10:00

Jades latest photo session. Having a play with some props this time, just for something a wee bit different.

And the big yawn, the last shot i got before she cracked it at me for unwrapping her.

sneak peek

2011-06-07T20:23:00.001+10:00

Baby Jade had a photo session. I am a wee bit biased, but this girl is just adorable!

Big thanks to Briony for taking the photos. It was a change to just sit back and be on the other side of the camera.

welcome to the world little jade

2011-06-02T14:55:00.000+10:00

Introducing Jade Leeanne Keogh, born on the 16th of May at 5:21am, weighing 6lb 2oz.

Jade's due date is the 22nd of June, so she was in a hurry to get into the world and arrived over five weeks early. Her early arrival meant her lungs werent fully developed so she was rushed to the intensive care unit at Canberra Hospital. By the time Jade was eight days old, she had been in a helicopter, an ambulance, a plane, and three different hospitals in two different states.

As you can imagine, her early arrival has thrown life into a bit of chaos. I was meant to be working up till the end of May, and starting maternity leave in June ( allowing myself two or so weeks in case she decided to show up a bit early! ) It broke my heart to have to postpone sessions.

It was slightly surreal coming home after two weeks. The house was just as i had left it, with a list of "what to do before baby comes" written out, sitting on my bedside table. My computer was open to start designing a storybook for Will, and my to-do list was sitting neatly on my desk, ready to start on Monday morning.

Craig took time off to stay with Jade while she in NICU, and at the moment has work commitments he has to stick to, so I am home with Jade trying to figure this out all by myself. My business has taken a back seat, and I do apoligise to those clients whose sessions i had to cancel, whose sessions are yet to be edited, whose story books are to be designed, whose weddings are to be finalised... I will do it, but right now there is a little baby girl crying in her cot. I think she needs a cuddle from her Mum.

With much love for your all your well wishes and support,

Skye.

the wedding of louise & greg

2011-05-14T22:16:00.000+10:00

Louise and Greg celebrated their wedding at Mt Erin Cathedral,

followed by a reception at Cottontails Winery.

luella's room

2011-05-10T22:13:00.000+10:00

Did i tell you i got published? Little One Magazine ( available at newsagents ) is full of gorgeous ideas for nurseries, and stories from mums. And beautiful photography! I had the oppurtunity to photograph Lulu's room for the magazine, and I was so excited when i got my copy in the mail.

( I also have a half page ad in the magazine, which in hindsight is a bit of bad timing, seeing as i am booked out for the rest of the year ).

the pregnancy numbers

2011-05-02T13:25:00.000+10:00

seven

The amount of weeks to to till my due date

two

The amount of weeks till i shoot my last wedding before the baby is born

two

The amount of weeks till my birthday

four

The amount of weeks left that i am officially at work

daisy { three weeks old }

2011-04-27T13:32:00.000+10:00

Daisy is the three week old who threw everything I knew about photographing babies out on its head. And then she stomped on it. I normally do newborns in the first two weeks, so I figured Daisy wouldnt be too difficult at three weeks old. Well, she showed me how wrong i was! We persisted for a time, and then I got her Mum to bring her back for another visit at a later stage. Where she did the whole session her own way again.

Daisy, thank you for reminding me how unique and individual each and every baby is, I will be fascinated to watch you grow up and see the strong minded spirited child you will become.

bailey { seven months old }

2011-04-26T16:54:00.000+10:00

Bailey came in strong, had a melt down, had a power nap and came back for a great finish. Sometimes I envy seven month olds. A power nap can sometimes fix everything and make the world all shiny and new again.

ruby { ten weeks old }

2011-04-26T11:40:00.000+10:00

I have had the pleasure of photographing this lovely family since their oldest was a wee little thing. Now they have a beautiful third addition, little Miss Ruby. We do seem to be sticking true to our trend of having the youngest crying in their family photo though, and although I did take the crying one for their story book album, i have posted the one where ruby has gone off to sleep. They get a story book from each session for each child, so they have a beautiful family history record of how the family has changed and grown over the years.

child model call for creative sessions

2011-04-24T01:50:00.001+10:00

A lot of people ask why i still do creative shoots, and the truth is I just love them. I get to style, and direct and use whatever props i want and i love it! Its also a great way to try out some setups before you get a client in to use it, only to find you were missing some vital ingredients. I have some new props i really want to experiment with too.

I alway have ideas for shoots bouncing around in my head, and they need to get out so I can get new ones in there. I will drive past a location, or see a prop somewhere, and i can see the shoot in my head. The best part is thats all so much fun, it spills over into all my other work, and thats a good thing.

I try to do a couple of these a year, some just for kids and then some for fashion, which is a great way for me to play. Soooo much fun! These sessions are for kids, and we need some models! Normally I try to only use people I haven’t photographed before so i always have new people in my portfolio, but as i know there were a few people who were trying to book and couldn’t get a session so we are opening applications wide up. Keep in mind though, that these are not run like my normal sessions exactly. I always have a very particular idea of the type of style, props, outfits and models i want to use, and we don’t normally deviate much from that.

The sessions are also only mini sessions, so each child or set up may only get twenty minutes or so of shooting time, whereas a normal Skye Rocket session is an hour ( which gives more time to get the kids warmed up and playing the game )

You will also need to sign a full model release for myself and Briony Hardinge of Hardinge Photography so that we have full permission to use the images for our portfolio and advertising work.

How much does it cost?
Nada. The session fee of $70 is waived plus you get $50 worth of prints for free.

What do we need to bring?
Depends on the session, some I already have the outfits and for others you may need to supply a particular outfit, or part of an outfit.

When are the sessions held?
Final times still need to be locked in, but Thursday afternoon the 5th of May, and Friday morning and the afternoon of the 6th of May.

Where are the sessions held?
At locations in and around Wagga, some may require a fifteen or so minute drive to the location. All sessions at this point are on location, not in the studio ( although that may change if we have bad weather, or the sessions may be cancelled altogether ).

What models do you need?
Thursday Afternoon :
Cute girl, about six to eight months, sitting well but not standing yet
Up to two older girls, about three to five who love having their photo taken!
( This session will be quite pink and girly girly )
I have a pink pettiskirt i want to use here, which would suit a girl about two to five and i will make a singlet to match once i know sizing, but other models will need to be in girly outfits - tutus, pettiskirts, stipey leggings, vintage dresses, think pink, glitter , teacups and fairy floss.

Friday Morning
Cute girls who would suit a vintage look, from sitting up well to ten or so?
( You will need to supply the outfits for this one, probably similar to the looks from Tea Princess and Doll Cake, lots of vintage lace and flowers, white, pink and pale blue )

Friday Afternoon
Boys standing but not walking if possible, otherwise boys who are happy and smiley
Older boys, cheeky ones who like being photographed
You will need to have the boys in cowboy boots for this session, and probably jeans and white singlet or something similar.
For a younger boy ( sittting well, say six to eight months ) i will have an outfit of bloomers and singlet to match once i know sizing.

Either morning or afternoon :
Also want to do an autumn shoot here, but waiting to see what fabulous looks the models have, so if you have a cute kid and are interested in an autumn themed type of session please send an email ( address listed below ). Will depend on what props i can get too... Then we will design the mini session around you.

EDITED TO ADD : i have had way more interest in the autumn sessions than i thought i would, so we are not going to do the cowboy styled shoot anymore, because nobody has cowboy boots! I have a couple of other ideas up my sleeve instead. The autumn leaves are looking rather fabulous so lets make use of them!

How to apply?
Please send an email, with a photo of your child or children to
skye(at)skyerocketstudio(dot)com(dot)au
( You need to do the proper dots and such in the email address, but this way the spammers don’t get my email address, fingers crossed, i get enough spam as it is! )

Please let me know your availability and preference for session days and times.

sophia { two years old } wagga child portrait photographer

2011-04-22T15:30:00.000+10:00

We did two totally different looks for Sophias two year old session. ( I just photographed her ten day old baby sister today, sooo cute! ). I was loving the lace dress from Tea Princess with the old stone, and then we did a change to some pink and yellow with a pink tractor on the farm. We tried to get some chickens involved too but they were a bit camera shy!

Sophias mum was pregnant when we did this shoot, so the two of us would have been quite a sight lugging my camera gear and sophias stuff through a flooded paddock with a really big bull in it. But not to worry, I had my gumboots on, and we had a bull wrangler with us too. Unfortunately Sophias mum had her thongs on so her feet were a wee bit muddy by the time we got to the other side, but it was a small price to pay for such cute shots!

jasper { seven days new } wagga newborn photographer

2011-04-21T10:00:00.005+10:00

Jasper only just fitted in my pod and he was quite happy all curled up in there, as long as he had his hands up around his face. Have to mention a big thank you to Jaspers dad, because during our photo session he climbed up a ladder and rescued my somewhat hysterical cat off the roof of the studio. Do i have the best clients or what?

alex { twelve weeks old }

2011-04-20T10:00:00.010+10:00

If you miss the newborn stage ( which really needs to be in the first two weeks ) i recommend waiting till three or four months old. Alex was 12 weeks for his session and his little personality is starting to shine through. I love this pic where he is giving me a little fist pump. I feel like he is giving me encouragement!

He bought some of his cousins along to the session, and i cant believe how much they have grown! I have photographed the two little girls on the right of the group shot since they were both tiny. They were some of the first kids i ever photographed and now they are six and seven years old!

oliver { six and a half months old }

2011-04-19T10:00:00.008+10:00

Such a good age to photograph, sitting up so well, all those expressions, and their little personality is starting to really shine through. Look at this little man, he's gonna be a heart breaker!

And look at that face!