Life With Lisa – Lisa Kelly Photography Blog

Don’t get me wrong, I love all of the kids that come and see me.  They are all funny, sweet, tiny, big, brave, cheeky, adorable, you get the picture.  But every now and then, a little one comes along who touches my heart and I don’t want to let them go.  This little sweetheart was one of those babies.  She was just “heavenly”, that is the only word to describe her.  Amazing smile, amazing eyes, amazingly sweet personality, amazing parents, amazing amazing amazing!!!!!

I’m pretty sure mum and dad were a little scared I was going to keep her too hahaha…you are about to see why!

Now dad said that baby M was a real mummy’s girl (which she is)

But I would argue that she also has a pretty special place in her heart for her daddy

That smile, sigh.  She sort of smiles with her tongue as well which I thought was adorable

I always get excited when I have a client bringing twins.  They are just so fascinating to me.  I am in awe of the fact that these two little people will forever be connected in a special way.  Sharing so many milestones and events throughout their lives.  And seeing their similarities and differences has me intrigued as well.  These two bubs couldn’t have been more different.  Beautiful baby S was smiley and alert and demanding of our attention.  Handsome baby D was calmer and quieter, just happy to watch the going’s on without too much fuss and bother.

And mum was amazing.  She handled them both so well, juggling the two so confidently and calmly.  I was in awe of her.  And to think she has two other little ones at home that are under 5.  Let’s just say that the words “super woman” came to my mind many times as I got to know her better.

Enjoy these two little sweethearts…

Well hellllooooooo everyone.  I hope winter is treating you well and wasn’t the rain much needed (even though for a natural light photographer it is a little less welcome LOL).

I just want to update you all on what is coming up for myself and for Lisa Kelly Photography for the remainder of the year.   The most exciting news I have to share is that we loved our trip to the US so much last year that we have decided to go again this year. Woo hoo. The whole family can’t wait. A quicker trip this time but a more relaxed one thank goodness. Last year was action packed and exhausting and wonderful all rolled into one. This trip is all about relaxing, shopping, sightseeing and relaxing some more. Sounds heavenly to me. The kids inform me that it is only 36 sleeps until we leave. Yay! We loved New York so much last time and can’t wait to get back there and explore some more. My husband loves to shop so he can’t wait to give the credit card a workout. Then it’s on to Florida to Walt Disney World for lots of fun and sun and food and wine and music and swimming and stop me now, I could go on haha.

So that’s my exciting news!!!!!!!

What  effect will this trip have on my schedule and availability for the rest of  the year?

Well it will have a huge affect.   Due to some personal commitments we have and then our trip, I will be unavailable for any sessions from the middle of September through to the middle of October.   This is generally my busiest time of the year for family sessions and so it is going to have a huge impact on how many families I can fit in for the remainder of the year.

Normally my last session for the year is the middle of November (except for newborns,) however to try and cater for the demand, I will extend my calendar a further 2 weeks, until 28 November (for guaranteed Christmas delivery).  Soooo, this means that weekend availability is VERY limited for the remainder of the year.  At the moment all weekends are booked through to the middle of October ( do have one Sunday left at the end of August but you would need to call this week for that one).  From mid October there are only 6 weekends of availability after that for the year, wow that is scary to even type, hehe.  Weekdays there is more availability though these dates are also filling up.

What else has been happening with the Kelly’s…

My baby girl is off to high school next year and I want this year to slow down to a crawl so I can enjoy her being a “little girl” for just a bit longer.  I sobbed my way through the whole experience of which school to send her to but somehow the tears were more about myself and not her LOL.  The Singing Chef said only I could make Liv going to high school about ME!!!!  I just feel like I was at high school just yesterday myself.  Having my own child go to high school is a sure sign of my aging, more than the fact that I turn a certain milestone age next year SOB SOB!  I really do not know where the years have gone.  I guess once you have children you are so focused on them that you look up and realise years and years have past without you really even noticing.  One thing I do know though, my DIVA is going to rock high school.  She’s going to wring every last drop of knowledge and fun and life out of it.  I’m so excited for her.  I’m always talking to her about how she truly can BE ANYTHING SHE WANTS!!!!!  The sky is the limit.  Wow, I truly can’t wait to watch this journey.  She’s still dancing but has taken a step back a little this year and is dancing for fun, no longer in competitions.  I kind of think maybe she burned out a bit, which is fine with me.  While she still loves it she can do as much or as little as she wants.  She has also thrown herself back into netball this year and is ABSOLUTELY loving it.  I played netball my whole life so I really enjoy watching the games.  And I’m amazed at how good they are at 12, it’s really good to watch.  And as for when she becomes a “yukky” teenager, well I have my buddy champagne to get me through those years LOL…

Little Fraser has been sick alot this winter with croup,yikes!  I am so over it.  It just never seems to end for the poor little guy.  I’m blessed to work from home really.  I don’t know how all of my busy working clients manage to juggle sick kids, I am totally awed by how they get through it.  Fraser has been playing footy (aussie rules of course), and he just loves it.  He has a smile on his face the whole time and the thing we are proudest of is how he willingly shares the ball with his teammates, rather than being a selfish player.  We really love that about him.  He has also just come back from Melbourne where The Singing Chef took him to see their beloved team Western Bulldogs play in the afternoon and then on to the WWE Wrestling in the evening.   They had an absolute ball and were lucky enough to run into all of the wrestlers at the airport the next morning.  Fraser got to have his photo taken with 3 of the wrestlers but his favourite was Matt Hardy (for those who know who that is haha).  It was a complete highlight for him and I think daddy was pretty chuffed with it all too.

The Singing Chef has been absolutely flat out with work all year.  He’s in Sydney a few days a week now too which adds alot of time away but we make it work.  He is continuing to love what he is doing and although his hours are crazy, it all just fits in for our family and we try to keep our spare time just for us, not too many social commitments.  We have definitely been hibernating this winter.  Like alot of other families, we are at our happiest when we are home together.  He is enjoying watching his team the Western Bulldogs play this year.  He’s hoping they finally make it to a grand final for the first time since the 60’s I think LOL.  The sad part will be that if they actually make the grand final we will be in America, yikes!  He knew all of this when we were planning the trip and has joked many times that they will actually probably finally get there because he will be away.  He has resigned himself to sitting up in the middle of the night and watching it on the internet.  What a trooper.

As for me, I’ve been just so busy with the business this year.  Things have been hectic non stop since January so I have just been trying to keep my head above water hahaha.  August has been a more normal pace for me, thank goodness and I feel like I am ready to take on the “lead up to Christmas craziness”.  I have to say though, I have met some AMAZING families this year.  Everyone has such interesting stories and careers and lives and all of them have been incredibly sweet to me.  And the babies and kids, wow!  That’s all I can say.  All of them are so unique and cute and funny and perfect.  I am very blessed for sure.  I’ve also really been enjoying planning our trip too.  I just love love love researching and planning.  I was a bit bored when we got back from our trip last year because we didn’t have anything else planned.  So once the new year rolled around I just started planning a trip that didn’t exist yet and eventually The Singing Chef jumped onboard the idea and now we are going in 36 sleeps….YAY!  Of course he knows that the minute we get back I’ll be thinking about what we might do next.  I’m sure he is scared hehe.

So there you have it, Christmas is hurtling towards us at at scary rate.  I cannot believe how quickly this year has flown.   If you wish to book a session contact me asap and we will get you locked in.  Hope everyone is well.  Take care, Lisa  xoxo

It’s time for another business spotlight, although rather than a business this time I am featuring a particular professional, Kirsty Turnbull from Flight Centre Tuggeranong, who I have had the absolute pleasure of dealing with on a few occasions now.

I first met Kirsty last year when as you all know The Kelly’s went to the US for our first trip overseas.  We crammed so much into those 3 1/2 weeks it wasn’t funny.  Kirsty was a very important part of our experience and I am very excited to share her with you all.  We have just recently booked another US trip through Kirsty and her amazing patience with my millions of questions, the ease of getting everything organised, the great prices and her sweet bubbly personality make everything so much easier.   The other thing I loved was with my busy schedule it was really great that we were able to arrange everything via email and phone.  Gotta love that.  I’ve been encouraging my interstate family and friends to use her too, with the wonders of technology these days, dealing with someone out of state is no big deal anymore.  I know I sound like a walking advertisement for Kirsty’s services but honestly great customer service is sooooo rare these days, when I find it, I shout it to the hilltops.

Enjoy…

SPOTLIGHT – Kirsty Turnbull, Travel Consultant

Tell us a bit about what you do:-

I’m a travel consultant with Flight Centre, Tuggeranong. I help people plan for the smallest getaway right up to the most wonderful international holidays.

What is your favourite thing about your job, why do you do what you do, etc.?

Hands down getting to travel, I love it! It’s also wonderful hearing feedback from my clients after their holidays (only the good stuff…haha!)

How did you get started?

Nearly 5 years ago, I applied online after travelling and thought it sounded like the job for me. (Lisa – “I can honestly say she is awesome at what she does”)

Where can we find you (website, blog, location)?

With my “headset”on, at Tuggeranong Hyperdome Flight Centre. Shop 127 Hyperdome, Anketell Street, Tuggeranong Ph:- 6293 2961

What services can you offer readers?

The world…..!!!!!

Do you have a family?

My adorable husband and two very naughty doggies.

What is your favorite thing about Canberra?

The four seasons. (Lisa – “I agree, we are so lucky to get a true experience of all four seasons here in Canberra”}

What’s your favorite ‘indulgence’ that is just for you?

Eating bbq chippies, philly cheese and chili sauce while watching tv or a movie. (Lisa – “I just knew we were kindred spirits Kirsty LOL”)

What is your favourite thing about Lisa Kelly Photography?

Her questions….haha!! and her fantastic photos!!! (Lisa – “the lady has good taste, what can I say LOL”)

Note:- Just in case you were wondering, no Kirsty didn’t bribe me to write all that stuff haha.  And no I don’t get any free flights.  I just think she does amazing work and I wanted to share her with all of my blog readers. 

I recently had this 5 year old girl for photos and she was seriously the funniest 5 year old ever.  She was so grown up, sometimes I wondered if she was 5 or 15 I swear.  Some of her expressions were hilarious and she totally knew what she wanted.  She had her runway walk down and even suggested a few poses to me.  She was hilarious!!!!  Good luck mum and dad once she reaches her teens, she will totally be running the show.

Little brother on the other hand was a quite little soul, just content to watch his big sister do her thing.  He had the most adorable smile which was hard to come by but once you saw it, you knew it was special.

Lovely spending the morning with you guys, enjoy your preview…