It's question time!

I thought I would take this opportunity during my down time to answer any questions you may have been wanting to ask of me and my work. You can either email your questions to chrissytorney@hotmail.com or ask your question in the comments box.
I will endevour to answer them over the coming week.
And of course...what would my blog be without a photo. You wouldnt believe the time and effort it has taken to capture my two children together at the same time, not to mention the snake lolly bribes! I won't mention how long it has actually taken me to post this either!

Take care,
Chrissy xo

Some Old Favourites - {Melbourne Child Photographer}

Just one more... {Melbourne Child Photographer}

Another one of my favourites from my little session last week with Miss P. We are both very excited as tomorrow I am putting down the camera and having my own maternity + Mummy/Daughter photo shoot with the talented Miss Kristen - I will be sure to link those sneak peeks as soon as they become available!

Have a lovely weekend!

Just a few of my own Miss P.

It was such a beautiful afternoon yesterday, so we went in search of cows and horses.

Oh My Goodness - The Eyes!! {Melbourne Child Photographer}

I am sure, just like myself, this Mum is always inundated with comments about her children's eyes. They are just pools of blue and reflect everything!
This family won my complimentary voucher through the Western District Autistic School's raffle. I have photographed a few of their students now and I always find these kiddos to be the most amazing and well mannered of all my clients.
Mr H loved the camera and I am sure he would still happily be outside posing for me if I didn't tell him I had enough georgous shots of him but Miss A was over me quite quickly as young diva's usually are!
We were very lucky that the Melbourne weather held off long enough for us to get outside this morning, I hope there were not too many soggy mud patches on the kids clothes.
Here are a couple of sneak peeks from this morning's session!

Dear Rebecca and Family,
Thank you for opening your home up to me, a complete stranger this morning. I love your children, they have such wonderful personalities! I hope you love these and there will be more to come!
xo
Chrissy

My Girl - {Melbourne Child Photographer}

I have been using this down time in shooting toddlers to concentrate on capturing my own little person more. These are some captures taken over the last week of the school holidays. I have definately decided to commit to making sure I take more photos of Miss P - as time really does go by so quickly. Soon enough she will be telling us how she has met the man of her dreams - and in the blink of an eye we will be planning a wedding for real. We best start saving now I think!

Sneak Peek - Tracy and Family {Melbourne Family Photographer}

A while a go TRacy lent me her youngest so I could work out how on earth you shoot older boys! You can see his photo shoot here: http://http//chrissytorneyphotography.blogspot.com/2008/09/sneek-peak-matthew.html Today I had the pleasure of meeting some of the other 'boys' in Tracy's life as I took some portraits of her family.
Dear Tracy,
Thank you for trusting me with creating some lasting memories of you and your family. I hope these are what you had in mind. Your Mum is adorable and yes, your sister is the sporty one! I now have to work out how I explain to my husband why I smell of men's aftershave - do you think he will believe me when I say it was an innocent hug goodbye from your dad?
I wish your dad all the best in his return to good health and I will speak to you soon!
xo
Chrissy

Just one for the Cute Factor - {Melbourne Child Photographer}

Because we all love a little fairy! Aaaah, sweet Lulu!

Session Times - {Availability}

Hi everyone,

I just sat down and prepared my calendar for the remainder of my available sessions before I begin Maternity Leave. Oh my goodness, there really isn't a lot of time left at all!! I will find it really hard to finish up for a short break before this little one arrives, but I look forward to all your wonderful sessions once I return to work after the baby arrives. It might mean I have to limit the types of sessions to Maternity and Newborns for a few months, but I am sure you all understand.
Make sure you contact me ASAP if you would like to book a session before June 14th!

xo

Chrissy

Sneak Peek - The Aldridge Family, Kinglake West Residents {Melbourne Family Photographer}

Copyright Getty Images 2009 - Kinglake West

I drove home from this session wondering how on earth I was going to blog this session as I had so much I wanted to write, say and do.

On Saturday, February 7th 2009 I had two Maternity shoots lined up for my portfolio, inside out of the expected 46+ degree forecast. However, one of my clients had to reschedule due to having a prior engagement in Yarrawonga.

My first client Megan arrived and the temperature was already souring above 30 degrees. The usual 'Werribee Winds' were extremely dry and hot.

I commented to Megan that with the forecast for the day, it was not going to be a good day. I had no idea just how devastating the day was going to be. The worst bushfires in Australia's history had hit our beautiful, picturesque mountain villages claiming well over 200 lives.

Sadly, Victoria had lost too many lives to comprehend...families had lost loved ones, friends and property as well as pets, livestock and livelihood.

Images and stories flooded the news bulletins and all Australians shed a tear for the toll and felt the need to help out in some way.

What I didn't know at the time, was that the client who had to reschedule actually resided in Kinglake West (picture above) - and if she had of actually been at the shoot in the morning- then she would have been at home later that day with her beautiful daughter when the Kinglake West fire swept through.

You could imagine the multitude of 'what if's' that have been going through my clients mind about that day.

There is so much more I want to say...the Aussie Spirit is alive and well. This family will be ok, I know they will be...they are true survivors because after all is said and done...they are still here. They are looking forward to moving back into their home and welcoming their new baby into the world.

Most clients will rock up to a shoot with a few changes of clothes. Ang rocked up with a basketful of clothes apologising for not having that much to bring. We joked about the fact that well, that that was pretty much all she had left to wear as most of her wardrobe had been either scorched or smoke effected.

So, let me introduce my beautiful client Angela. Her home has been severely effected by the bushfires. She has lost her belongings, beloved pets, livestock and her town and fellow towns people. But you wouldn't know it when you meet her.

She exudes vibrance, friendliness and excitement and I was so very honoured to have been able to capture these images for her today. It was meant to be a maternity shoot, but after I had seen her facebook images of her burnt and scorched home, I insisted we made it a family session.

You may also notice Glen's red wristband - all permanent residence of Kinglake West are required to wear these now so that they may enter their town and property.

This is Angela laughing at me for being unable to tell a joke to get her to laugh for the camera - I did a great job at non-joke telling ;)

Angela, Glen and Lulu,

Thank you for sharing today with me, I hope today was a little bit of a distraction and time out for you all. I look forward to hearing all of your good news in the next few weeks! Take care of each other!

xo

Chrissy

Sneak Peek - Sam {Melbourne Maternity Photographer}

Right - next time I put a call out for Maternity I am going to include a maximum height restriction. When Sam arrived today for her session at Willy Gardens all I could think was - "I'm going to need the step ladder again!"
Sam was another tall and georgous Mum-to-Be which I had the absolute pleasure in photographing today. The sky was tainted with bush fire smoke and it was hard to not think about all those people still in danger and those suffering loss from the devastation. Our hearts go out to you all.

{Sam - it was great getting to know you this afternoon - I hope you like what you see so far - especially given you are someone who never has their photo taken!}

xo
Chrissy

Sneak Peek - Megan {Melbourne Maternity Photographer}

There are two things you notice about Megan immediately; 1. Her height and 2. Her stunning blue eyes. It's ok - I had a step ladder just in case!
Megan braved the 44+ degree temperatures to drive into Werribee to have her complimentary maternity session. She was a photographer's dream allowing me to try some new things. What a difference it makes photographing an adult!
{Megan - thank you so much for your time this morning! It was a pleasure meeting you and I hope you made it back home safe and sound. Maybe even a little bit quicker with the Werribee Wind behind you! Make sure I get a text once this little one arrives xo}
Chrissy

Free Maternity Sessions - Offer Extended! {Melbourne Maternity Photographer}

I have decided due to such an overwhelming response to the February special - to offer up the discount during each Month until June (March, April, May and possibly early June - see how I am going).
Being pregnant myself - I am finding it easier to shoot maternity and I really do enjoy doing these sessions.
So...

* You need to be 34+ weeks at the time of the shoot ( earlier shoots available for Mums carrying multiples).

* Booking Fee is waived (Session can include hubby and children although expecting mother must be in all shots).

* 1 x Complimentary 8x10" or 8x12" print.

Additional prints and products available at regular prices.

Please email me at chrissytorney@hotmail.com for pricing information!

xo

...and 1 more. {Melbourne Teen & Child Photographer}

Because I can!

Happy Australia Day!

Where I live, it's pretty dry and dusty. To shoot in lush green gardens usually means travelling elsewhere. Tonight I took my little Supermodel friends up to the back of our estate to watch the sun set. You can see how dry it is...but even brown and dusty can look beautiful with the right models.
Happy Australia Day!
Chrissy
xo

The trouble with my Paigey Girl - {Melbourne Child Photographer}

The trouble with my Paigey Girl is that whenever I take a photo of her eyes, they look fake. I always get asked 'What did you do to her eyes?". The answer is always "Nothing"...her eyes are like crystal balls that reflect everything which sometimes includes too much light. Strangers always stop us and comment on them. *Sigh* - I wish she had gotten them from me....but alas - I have boring old brown eyes.

Sneak Peek - Max {Melbourne Child Photographer}

I had the pleasure of shooting 2 year old Max today. I work with his Mum and he also goes to daycare with my daughter Paige.
We had so much fun together, chasing bugs and looking for pirates treasure! Max enjoys a chat and we had a great time driving around Williamstown looking for some older buildings.
Brooke and Jeremy - It was a pleasure taking your portraits today. I see so much of your Dad in Max - cheeky bugger! He has such a wonderful sense of humour!

Chrissy
xo