Suddenly 30

Today is the last day before I take on my 30s! Reflecting on my 20s, they've been very good to me...

Graduated CITwith a Bachelor of Design (Photography) Degree
Started my photography business
Started working as an agency photographer for Victoria's Models...
Went backpacking around Europe for 3 months and travelled solo for the first time
Started working with and learning from an experienced wedding photographer (O Photography)
Met the love of my life
Ran/walked the Sydney 14km City2Surf
Started a personal creative blog Em's Pretty Inspired
Moved out of home and experienced the good and bad of house sharing
Threw a few themed house parties
Became a bird mum to our budgie Dizzie Rascal
 Dealt with health issues and a new diagnosis as best I could
Studied a Cert 3 in Early Education part-time at CIT
Went to 5 Day Surf Camp at Seven Mile Beach
Travelled to South & Central America for 3 months with Rob
Moved in with Rob
Completed Rainbow Yoga For Kids 3 Day Teacher Training in Sydney
Taught yoga to kids aged 0-5 yrs in childcare centres for The Yoga Garden
Worked my dream job as a tour photographer for Life Before Work in Thailand and Indonesia for 3 months
Invested in a one-on-one business tutorial with Sunlit Studios in Brisbane
Re-branded, set up my home studio and grew my Wedding & Portrait Photography business
Experienced Tony Robbins: Live in Brisbane
Learnt how to cook
Dyed my hair all colours of the rainbow
Worked my dream job again as a tour photographer for Life Before Work's Yachtlife tours in Turkey, Greece and Croatia
Visited 30 countries by the time I'm 30
Bought a house with Rob

What will my 30s bring? I have no idea, but I've decided it's going to be totally awesome.

2018 Memorable Moments

New Years Day at Mt. Corree
Ian's Summer Pool Party Early
Birthday lunch with the family
Brunch at Botanic Gardens
Peter Dombrovskis: Journeys Into The Wild photography exhibition at the National Library of Australia
Birthday lunch at Ricardo's cafe
Australia Day at Hyams beach
Hike up to Drawing Room Rocks
Federal Golf Club Wedding Fair
Poachers Pantry Wedding Open Night on Valentines Day
Thai Herb family dinner
Won 2x movie tickets to 2:22 at Dendy Cinemas
Won 30 min Thai Yoga Massage
Hall Markets stall holder
A visit from a fox during a photoshoot up at Mt. Stromlo
Family catch-up at T on the Square
Brekkie with the girls at Ricardos on Easter weekend
Day trip to Yarrangobilly Caves and Thermal Pool
Noosa trip with Rob to photograph destination wedding and visit Bloxome family
Brisbane trip to visit friends and attend National Achievers Congress with guest speakers Naomi Simson, Michelle Bridges, Turia Pitt and Tony Robbins
Live in Conversation with Collective Hub founder Lisa Messenger at QT
Extra for Smoke Screen movie at Canberra Airport Master Builders Awards
YachtLife - Turkey/Greece/Croatia
John McGrath commercial
Batemans Bay trip with Mum for beach Engagement Session
Raize The Roof Charity Open Home
Rozie and Janine's visit
Your Local Wedding Fair Bridal Parades
Get Remarkably Organised workshop with Lorraine Murphy
Kangaroo Valley trip Tamworth trip
Charity craft making with Rasa
Sleepover at Hannah's Michelago farm
Girls picnic at The Cotter
Christmas at Bainton Crescent
Dinner at Lazy Su
What's Op New Years House Party 

Albums That Have Influenced Me

Albums that have influenced me and have a place on my playlist:

Grinspoon - Thrills, Kills + Sunday Pills

Grinspoon was the first gig I ever went to back when I was a baby teenager and our parents dropped us off and picked us up.

AQUA - Aquarium

The first album I ever bought. Classic 90s pop! 

Good luck trying to get 'Barbie Girl' out of your head now...

Kisschasy - United Paper People

'Black Dress' is my favourite song off the album and possibly my favourite song ever. ❤

I met Kisschasy at an after party of a gig they were support act for (I was more excited to see them). I was way starstruck and not sure that actual words came out of my mouth. I also lost a shoe that night. Good times.

PNAU - self titled

At their peak PNAU ran a competition to win the chance to be a wild dancing strawberry on stage at one of their shows. My deepest regret in life is not entering said competition.  

Shania Twain - Come On Over

No shame... I've always been a Shania fan. When I eventually get the balls to sing a karaoke solo 'Man! I Feel Like a Woman!' will be my song of choice. 🎤

Pink - M!ssundaztood
 

I think of Pink's music as pop with a purpose. She has things to say and I like to listen. Her lyrics are honest and raw, showing true vulnerability. When I listen to her songs I feel like I'm listening to her personal diary. In particular 'Family Portrait' really tears at the heartstrings.

 

 

Red Hot Chilli Peppers - By The Way 

 

'The Zephyr Song' soothes me. 'Can't Stop' excites me.

 

I'm currently reading Anthony Kiedis' eye-opening autobiography 'Scar Tissue' and crossing my fingers I can get tickets to the bands first Australian tour in over 12 years. Wish me luck!

Michael Jackson - Thiller

The King of Pop! How selfish of him to die before I could see him perform live. I mean really.

I guess the old videos will have to do - my favourite moment of which being when Michael (and by Michael I mean his stunt double) flies off stage in a jetpack! Mind blown.

Bruno Mars - 24K Magic

There's nothing like a Bruno Mars song to lift my spirits!

I know 'Uptown Funk' isn't included on this album, but it should be so I'm going to talk about it anyway. In my old Zumba class this song became our favourite track to dance to and was regularly requested.

Bruno Mars' commanding showmanship, charisma and style make him a likely candidate for the current King of Pop!

Avril Lavigne - Let Go

Every angsty teenager needs an angsty soundtrack. This was mine.

For a friend's dress up party I dressed as a skater girl and brought my brother's skateboard with me to complete the look, which was no doubt Avril Lavigne inspired. I couldn't skateboard to save my life, but whatever.

Triple J Hottest 100 Volume 6 - 1998

What a year! I was and still am obsessed with these songs:

Addicted to Bass - Josh Abrahams and Amiel Daemion
I Don't Like It - Pauline Pantsdown
Intergalactic - Beastie Boys
One Week - Barenaked Ladies
The Rockafeller Skank - Fatboy Slim

I've never voted in the Hottest 100 and to be honest probably never will, but I still love listening to the countdown each year on Australia Day.

A Present Under The Tree

 

Don't feel sorry for me

When it's Fathers Day

I'll have letters from him

Until I'm old and grey

 

Don't feel sorry for me

When I reach for his hand

Because he'll always be with me

Through the lines in the sand

 

Don't feel sorry for me

On my wedding day

When it's time to dance

For he taught me the waltz

When he had the chance

 

Don't feel sorry for me

That he's no longer here

What if his place in the world

Is now for someone else dear

 

Don't feel sorry for me

For I have not lost

If you knew my Daddy

You know what I've got

 

I've still got his songs

His voice in my head

Saying carry me with you

In this journey ahead

 

I'll carry him always

Like the clothes that I wear

Every day in my thoughts

This, I swear

 

He left me a present

Under the Christmas tree

A little baby sister

A sister for me

 

A sister to love

And a sister to hold

To hold hands with

When we cross the road

 

Thank you Daddy

For our present under the tree

I know you'll always

Be smiling with me

 

 

Written through the eyes of a 5yr old girl who's Daddy was an amazing musician, gave
the best cuddles, told the worst jokes, had the biggest heart imaginable and also had Cancer.

Beautiful People

 

I've made it out alive after 4 weeks of working and playing as a photographer onboard YachtLife this summer!

 

You never know how a trip will change you, you just know that it will. The places I've visited throughout Turkey, Greece and Croatia have taken my breath away.... but even more beautiful than the landscapes I've seen is the people I've met.

I'll be forever grateful for all you amazing people, and to Life Before Work for this incredible experience.

 

 

Happiness Is Fleeting

Happiness is fleeting,
We must enjoy it while it lasts
Appreciate these moments
As they will soon be in the past

 

Semi-Naked Succulent Cake

As a wedding photographer, I often get to photograph the most beautiful looking wedding cakes!

I was so excited to have the opportunity to learn how to decorate one myself at a class taught by Anita at Across The Board Cake Decorating. I'm a little obsessed with succulents, so this was the perfect class for me!

As a complete beginner (I've never in my life decorated a cake before) I found the class was equal parts fun and challenging! The six hours we had went by super quick!

The ever popular semi-naked cake trend is still going strong at the moment. I really loved learning the technique of getting the cake underneath to show through the buttercream just that perfect amount for a rustic effect.

I can certainly appreciate even more so now the energy, time and skill it takes to make a professional wedding cake. My hat goes off to all the talented, committed cake makers out there!

Here is end result! My cake made it 90% of the drive home perfectly intact... until slipping on the last corner turn before my house. Good thing I got a quick photo at the shop before leaving :)