32/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2012."

Che: He ran ahead and then patiently waited. The beach beckoned.

Poet: On the front steps of the 1950s cottage, like a 1950s baby

If you have started your own 52 project please leave a comment with a link...I'd love to see what you're capturing

52

from the south coast: are we there yet?

We've just returned from a week on the south coast; the beautiful land where green rugged hills meet the ocean. Quite strange to stand on a windswept beach and have cows grazing behind you. 

In the days before we left home I wrote list after list. As I went about washing, gathering, packing and checking I couldn't help thinking about the work of the muma before a holiday. I began to reminisce about the times, as a child, where my brother and I would sit in the packed-to-the-roof Datsun and wonder what on earth our parents were doing. "Can't we just go..." we'd moan. 

If I could, I would tell my ten-year-old self that mum was:

• doing a final check of every room to make sure the necessities were packed
• adding an extra this and that for every family member - just in case
• doing a quick tidy-up of the house (there's nothing worse than coming home to mess)
• washing the last of the breakfast dishes
• watering the plants
• making sure there were enough snacks for the trip
• filling up water bottles
• checking the supplies in the first-aid kit
• grabbing the ice-cream container and a few towels (we were carsick kids)
• packing the half-full bottle of milk, the butter and the fruit that was about to turn (no waste in our household)
• reminding our neighbours to collect the mail and put our bins out

...and dad? He was closing all the windows, setting the timer on the lights, loading the esky, unplugging the appliances and checking that the chooks had enough food and water.

Now I know exactly how mum was feeling when she would lock the door and get in the car, completely exhausted and absolutely ready for a holiday. After she asked us if we needed to go to the toilet she'd declare it time to go and with the windows rolled down we'd settle in for the drive north.

And I would try my hardest not to ask the dreaded question...

"Are we there yet?"

We found four ViewMasters and a collection of slides in an op-shop for $2. The perfect holiday entertainment that sparked oh so many childhood memories.

from the apple isle

from the city (melbourne)

from the city (sydney)

from the river house

500

I've just noticed that I've written over 500 posts; thousands of words illustrated by hundreds of photos.

I want to thank you for visiting this space, for reading my stories and leaving the beautiful comments that you do. And to the lovely new readers who have stumbled upon this page....hello, so nice to 'meet' you.

So what does the next 500 hold? Well, I know for certain that there will be more films by daniel and wonderful collaborations with my favourite photographers - tim, luisa and tamara. There are inspiring projects brewing with a gorgeous painter and an entirely new venture that will bring together my fellow creatives: writers, designers and artists. 

I hope you'll stick around to see what becomes....

Tim took this photo of us a few days ago at one of the most exquisite places I've ever visited. I'll share the rest of the captures with you at the end of the month when I post my final entry for "the sling diaries". 

tim coulson's "the nursery" - a review

On Saturday, in front of nine other amateur photographers, Tim Coulson reminded me about that day last year that I cried down the phone to him. I sobbed happiness because he had made me realise what I had. "But you already had it," he said. "Yes, but you captured it - every little moment of it." 

I cried again on Saturday. Because Tim put this photo up on the projector screen as an example of a family portrait. All he had asked Daniel and I to do was sit on the stairs. But within one shot he photographed a proud man, a deep-in-love new mother and two little ones embraced. My family. Everything. 

Tim Coulson has, within one year, travelled the path from obscurity to success - thousands of photos over hundreds of days. It's been such a privilege to witness his journey and hence it was an absolute honour to attend "The Nursery - a people photography workshop". 

I spoke a little bit about what it's like to be photographed by him. Tim wholeheartedly loves people. He admires family. When he steps into your home he treats it as a sacred space and within minutes (three, maximum) he has his camera out. But rarely do you notice it. He remains present and engaged the entire time - the essence of his emotional shooting. Within his photos are everyday moments that rarely get documented; a mother consoling a child, a father leading the way, a newly married couple holding on tight. 

          At "The Nursery" Tim taught his art. He discussed the best way to approach and connect with the subject, encouraged us to 'see' the moments that usually go unnoticed and provided a clear and concise explanation of manual photography (there's really only three things you need to know!)

After an inspiring morning, with cameras ready, he took us to the river where, rather fittingly, dappled afternoon light made for perfect photography conditions. He photographed me, explaining as he shot, and then the nine other attendees took turns photographing me, Che and each other. I'm not exaggerating when I tell you there were yelps of excitement - within hours nine photographers had learnt to shoot manual and were taking stunning photographs - light flares, bokeh, glorious composition...

When the light started to fade we headed back to the Black Shack so we could learn a little bit about organising, culling, editing and filing. From listening to Tim I now know that I definitely take too long to decide whether or not I like a photo. His advice? If you don't like it within five seconds you're never going to like it. Sorted. As for filing - create a system and stick to it. Which is number one on my to-do list. 

There was so much more to The Nursery....I could tell you everything but I'd rather you discover it for yourself. If you attend I promise you an inspiring, informative and heart-warming day. 

If you have any questions I'm more than happy to answer them in the comments section. Tim will be reading your comments too so no doubt he'll join the conversation. He will be travelling to Melbourne in September (there's still a couple of places left) and every state in Australia in the next year to run "The Nursery"....email Kesh at hello @ timcoulson.com to register your interest. 

Familiar faces in my photos? Luisa and Annettte were documenting the day behind-the-scenes style...and the lovely Peta, Belinda, Greer, Kelly and Roberta were there too! I shot on two cameras - my GF1 and Tim's Canon 5D Markii (I'll be upgrading soon!)

Of course, those last three photos up there were taken by Mr Coulson.

on taking photos

31/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2012."

Che: Oh, I can see the five-year-old here. Yes, yes I can.

Poet: Bubba in her bonnet. Bless.

There's so many wonderful 52 portraits out there now. Leave a link to yours in the comments section.

52

sakura bloom sling diaries - history

When she grows up I'll tell her about her first year, how we travelled from the beach to the fragrant garden, journeyed through the apple orchards to the city and back to the gumtrees near home. As we wandered she was worn in silk and linen, between my hip and my belly, her little hand clasped to me. I carried her close and kissed her head and every so often we stopped so she could feed - on a park bench, in an urban cafe, standing beside the ocean. 

....her first year recorded in illustration, photography, film and words; her story, my story - our history. 

communication
exploration
style 
love

I wear the simple silk sling in amber, the essential linen sling in organic raven/maple and the pure linen sling in twilight. 

illustration by Rebekka Seale
images one, two and three by Tim Coulson
image four by Luisa Brimble
image five by Tamara Erbacher
image six, seven, eight and film by the beautiful dad (of the baby in the sling) - Daniel Grey

the books we read

Last week Daniel started reading The Hobbit to Che. I watched his little face as he was introduced to Bilbo Baggins and then I listened to all the questions he had for Daniel. Later the same day my boys went for a walk to see the hobbit house - a home near us that's built into a hill, complete with round windows and a grass roof. Really, truly, it exists. 

Whilst in Melbourne Che purchased his first ever Tin Tin book (top photo). I stayed at the cafe breastfeeding Poet but lucky for me Tamara captured this gorgeous moment; the excitement of a little boy who, with his very own money, bought his first comic. 

Books are such a big part of our life. At least once every day I'll find Che curled up on his bed flicking through the pages of a story book. Sometimes I'll join him for a lazy afternoon reading session and every night, without fail, there's a bedtime story before slumber. So what are our favourite reads? In my opinion, you can't go through the first few years without reading:

• The Terrible Plop by Ursula Dubosarsky, illustrated by Andrew Joyner, is a rollicking rhyme based on a Tibetan myth. Comical pictures, loveable characters and an upbeat rhythm...it's one of the best.
• Little Cat and the Big Red Bus by Jane Godwin, illustrated by Anna Walker, is a heart-warming story complimented by the whimsical artwork of one of my favourite artists. 
• The Amazing Machines series by Tony Mitton - these ten books are written in verse and feature quirky animal characters as they explore a variety of vehicles and machines. I stop each sentence half-way through and Che finishes. Sometimes I read the entire sentence and change the words (and then he changes them back) - tricks encouraged by his Montessori teacher. Each book has a glossary at the end with vehicle-related words...perfect for pre-schoolers.
• anything by the wonderful Shirley Hughes. The queen of children's picture books, Shirley infuses everyday scenes with beauty and warmth. I love how she glorifies the work of the muma and recognises the wonder of nature and the seasons. We're currently reading Dogger, Out and About and The Big Alfie Out of Doors Book. 
• The Way Back Home, How to Catch a Star, Lost and Found and Up and Down - all by the fabulous Oliver Jeffers. These tales of adventure are dreamy and fanciful - perfect for little imaginations. 
• Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury - I'll admit that I may have shed a tear or two when I first read this book as a new mum. It so accurately captures the joy of having a baby and the illustrations are precious.
• Hello Baby by Jenni Overend and illustrated by Julie Vivas is a beautiful celebration of home birth - an honest and realistic depiction of the journey. I recommend it to all my pre-natal students who are preparing their children for a new sibling or seeking a comforting story about labour and birth.
• Alex and Lulu - Two of a Kind by Lorena Siminovick is the sweetest story about best friends. The illustrations are beautiful and the characters....utterly adorable. 

Of course, a child's bookshelf is not complete without The Cat in The Hat, Where the Wild Things Are, The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom, The Tiger Who Came to Tea and Possum Magic.

As we begin to venture into chapter book territory I am most excited about The BFG, Pippi Longstocking, James and The Giant Peach and Matilda.  

Of course, there are a plethora of gorgeous children's storybooks out there. What are your favourites?