Singapore Sensations

I was fortunate enough to be able to travel to Singapore for a work conference in July! While I was only there for a short time and most of it was hauled inside a conference room for 16 hours of the day, I did have 24 hours to venture off and explore Singapore City!

Most of these images are taken around the harbour - featuring the amazing light show over the water, on top of the Marina Bay Sands where the view of the illuminated city was just spectacular, and within the Garden’s By The Bay domes!

I shot some night images from the top of Marina Bay Sands where myself and some work colleagues enjoyed beautiful champagne from a breathtaking view! You overlook the twinkling city and an amazing golf course.

One of the most amazing parts of this trip was having a ticket to visit Gardens by the Bay which features two AMAZING domes with gorgeous flora, fauna, waterfalls, rocks & ornaments  If you love flowers, or just love looking at pretty things it is a must! 

I also ventured down to the water where we waited for the final light show of the evening. This performance showcases a lovely story through light projection on multiple sprays of water. What made this view special was the magnificent illuminated glass LOUIS VUITTON store that sat direct on the harbour. These are my favourite shots from the trip and for will be on my living room wall in my new house.

 

  

Some of my amazing Nestlé colleagues from around the world: Nestlé Indonesia, Nestlé Singapore, Nestlé Philippines,  Nestlé Vietnam,  Nestlé Head Quarters in Switzerland & me from Nestlé Australia! 

I am very very very lucky to have such a fabulous job that allows me the opportunity to see the world.

If you would like to order any of these images in high resolution for printing – please contact me direct and let me know which you are after and in what size.

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Fields of gold

It has been a while since I last blogged and have quite a few things to catch up on. I had planned to blog in order of events, HOWEVER, I had to write something else first that is very close to my heart.

For my friends and family – those that know me well – are well aware of my love, adoration (and OBSESSION) with my gorgeous darling baby niece, Isabella. At the cheeky age of 18 months this little munchkin truly lights up my entire life. She has the most exuberant personality; she is so very stubborn (like her mother/my sister), energetic, joyful, clever and very cheeky! I won’t lie when I say that she is extremely spoilt (the first grandchild & niece on both sides of the family), and can be a little bit of a diva – but she has the kindest heart too (must take after her me).

She will share any food & toys that she has with you (aside from lollies, in which case she shoves them all in her mouth at once and runs away!), she hugs you when you cry or have a “booboo/sore” anywhere she can see and, in my case specifically, protects me when my boyfriend tries to hug me!

Aside from the cute stuff most 18 months old do/say – she really is very clever little human. If she thinks that Santa is on the phone to her Dad, she will do anything she is asked – like putting her hands in the air, saying “mum”, “dad”, “Nonno” (grandfather), “Zia” (meaning aunty) and “Zio Cucka Cuccka” (meaning uncle poo poo). She will tell you to “SHHHH” when she knows that her Nonno is asleep on the lounge, or when she is trying to sneak up on horses! She will tell you that her Nonno’s trucks sound like “BROOOOOM” and says “Yeahhh” to everything you ask her! She says “buh-bye” and blows you a kiss – if you’re lucky enough you get an open mouth of slobber to the cheek too!

I have never seen any other baby move quite like she does. In most cases, toddlers tend to just bop to music – but not Isabella, she does a total hip swing with a hand in the air while she sings along. I will also mention that while she is very clever, she doesn’t appear to know the meaning of “walk” or “slow”. Isabella has two speeds, and two speeds only: (1) ASLEEP and (2) RUNNING.

She is clever enough, however, to know when her Zia has a camera in her hand! She shakes her head at me and runs away (definitely takes after her mother there!). For this shoot, we decided to go out in a paddock and sit her gorgeous patchwork chair down and let Bells be herself while I snapped away. I sometimes prefer my candid shots over the completely composed shots – and in this case, they turned out beautifully (potentially bias opinion, but whatever).

While you scroll through these images, you may be thinking “Wow isn’t she a great kid, she is sitting down and posing”. Let’s be frank here – my sister and I bribed her with lollies after every 3 shots! 

 

  

The common joke for people that have my personal profile on facebook is “Wow you take so many photos/videos of your niece that people would think she is yours!”. I hope that after you read this blog and view some of these images that you can see why she is such a beautiful light to my life. She truly makes me so happy.

Wherever she goes – people simply fall in love with her beautiful smile and her energetic and exuberant personality.

We are blessed to have you in our lives my little angel!

I know we will be best friends when you get older.

Love your Zia.

SAS xx

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Ruby & Emily

A few weekends ago I was lucky enough to be involved in the Naming Day and belated 1^st Birthday of Emily & Ruby Nichols. Let me begin by sharing the story of the two gorgeous identical twins.

I first learned of Emily & Ruby around their 4-month mark in their Mumma’s tummy when Michelle asked me to shoot her pregnancy shots. To say I was excited was an absolute understatement. I just adore some of the shots we captured last year, and here are some of my favourites. 

  

As a first time mum, and Dad (my good friend & baby daddy to the girls – Matt) it was an overwhelming experience. I think it is safe to say that one child is a handful for first time parents with no idea what to expect. You can never be prepared. Well, just imagine two! DOUBLE THE TROUBLE!

What makes this beautiful new family so special is what they have been through during the pregnancy and the first year into parenthood. During Michelle’s pregnancy she found out that the girls had a condition where only one twin was receiving the nutrients and blood through the umbilical cord, causing restrictions with growth and other complications.

The girls were prematurely born and monitored in a special care nursery for weeks post birth. While Emily thrived in the first two weeks and was allowed to go home, Ruby failed to thrive. A month went by and Ruby was still not improving. During that time Michelle and Matt found out that both girls had been diagnosed with Velo Cardio Facial Syndrome. 

If that wasn't shock enough for Michelle & Matt, they also soon learned that Ruby was about to take a turn and be transferred back to Westmead NICU in the Grace Centre for Newborn Care. While Ruby failed to feed and rapidly lost weight, she went into an open heart surgery to repair three holes she had in her heart - all at the fragile age of 2 months old. 

After recovering from such an invasive surgery, Ruby quickly become known as the "Feisty Ruby" in the hospital for her incredible strength and determination to live. 

Life continued on for this amazingly strong family, however not without feeding issues for both girls and severe reflux for Ruby. While it was difficult for the girls to spend time together as newborns, bonding and growing - Emily stuck by her sister's side, often visiting her in hospital and laying by her  holding her hand. When I saw this photo from Michelle it brought true meaning to the saying "Your sister is your first best friend." 

After five excruciating months, Ruby finally came home! However, another surgery for Emily was approaching to address the webbing on her throat aimed to resolve her feeding, breathing and low weight issues. 

Both girls are now home - although they are frequent visitors for their many doctors appointments to address follow-ups. They will have many challenges ahead in life - but if the past year isn't a testimony to their strength and determination - then I am not sure what is. 

The Naming Day of Emily & Ruby  

For me, what made this day so incredibly special was the approach from Michelle. When I received the invitation in the mail for the Naming Day & First Birthday for the girls I was advised not buy a birthday present, but to donate to 1 of 3 charities that mean so much to Emily & Ruby. 

The three charities open for donations were (click on the links to learn more about each):

[1] Velo Cardio Facial Syndrome

[2] Grace Centre for Newborn Care

[3] Heart Kids

Each of these charities hold a special place in both Emily & Ruby's hearts and I think it was an incredibly selfless thing of both Matt & Michelle to put these charities before presents for their girls.

The outdoor ceremony was beautiful. The sun was shining, a lovely warm breeze and the girls were surrounded by their amazing parents, god parents, family and friends. 

Happy belated 1st Birthday, girls! 

So why not celebrate two milestone events into the one party!? Great idea. After the ceremony ended a huge lunch was served followed by Mickey & Minnie Mouse appearing, pass-the-parcel, dancing and a huge piñata exploding on the floor with hundreds of lollies! 

I love shooting kids especially when they are just being themselves. I think they have the most fascinating expressions as they explore their surroundings, interact with others and communicate what they want without forming words/sentences. 

Here are some of the snaps from such an amazing day that I was blessed to be a part of.

  

I have a ridiculous amount of respect for these two beautiful souls. Matt & Shell - you guys are amazing parents, your love for your children and each other knows no bounds. You truly have been through it all in just a short period of time. I have the utmost amount of faith that you both will continue to be amazing parents to Ruby & Emily. They are blessed to have you both to look up to as you have set such an example for their first year of life already. 

Strong, determined and inspiring. 

If you were touched by this beautiful family's story - please visit the below charities and donate! Share the love and spread the awareness, for so many families are going through the same struggle and can use every little bit of help you have to offer. 

Velo Cardio Facial Syndrome

Grace Centre for Newborn Care

Heart Kids

A short DVD may follow in the coming week. It may or may not make you cry a little :) 

LOVE SAS xx 

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