I’m sure it’s no news to anyone, but I’m not really the best at keeping my blog up to date. The problem is that blogging takes quite some time – most times I have to dedicate a whole night to one blog post and because I work after hours when the kids are asleep, that means that blogging has to be a low priority because my main priority has to be completing galleries and making sure my clients receive their photographs first and foremost.
But, as I said, there are so many beautiful families to share with you all and so I have a few catch up blog posts in store over the next few weeks. One of the most important blog posts though, is this one! You may remember reading here (from last year) about giving away a Christmas present of a Portrait Session to one family who might otherwise not have been able to, for whatever reason, have some family photographs taken.
I received the most heartfelt, beautiful nominations. My Mum, Dad and I all read through the nominations and found it so incredibly hard to decide who to choose, and I have to say I’m not sure I’d like to do that again, because honestly? It was TOO hard. How do you choose from so many families who deserved to win the prize? I really struggled with it.
Finally, we came to a decision, and I’d like to share a little bit about the lovely family who won the prize of a Portrait Session – a Christmas present from me and my family last year, to their family.
Felicity and Matt have three beautiful daughters. Matt is a school chaplain at their local high school, and youth pastor at their local Baptist Church. They spend countless hours volunteering and serving their community.
Felicity has been actively involved in the local playgroup for a long time. She spends many hours caring and assisting others, and some of the beautiful things she does for others include organising a two week meal roster for ALL Mums who have a new baby within the playgroup; sets up and packs up playgroup each week, and bakes yummy treats for the parents to enjoy while they are there; cooks meals for others in the community, especially at times of hardship i.e when a family is grieving the loss of a loved one, or even if they just have a cold! In general, Felicity is just a phone call away…a wonderful friend, and very caring person.
Somehow, Felicity manages to do all of this while her family goes through it’s own hard times. In 2006, Matt began having seizures and was diagnosed with a brain tumour. This was an extremely difficult time for them emotionally, physically, mentally and financially. She was a pillar of strength to Matt, continually amazing others with her strength in such a difficult situation. After surgery and treatment he went into remission, however in 2009, their worst nightmare resurfaced when another brain tumour was found. Now with two young children and another on the way, Felicity made the daily journey into hospital to be there for Matt, while being “mum” and “dad” for the children. Just before this competition was announced, Matt had his routinely six month scan, where they found another brain tumour. With his specialists onboard, they began planning their next form of attack…but on top of that, at the time Felicity’s Mum was very ill as well.
When I photographed the family together before Christmas, it was a Thursday, and Matt was having surgery on the following Tuesday. We went fishing, we laughed, we blew bubbles, we smiled, and most of all, we captured this beautiful family together. I am beyond thrilled that Matt’s surgery went well…but it is a precious reminder that we should hold our families tight and make the most of the wonderful time we are able to spend with them.
Thank you Matt, Felicity, Naomi, Emma and Lucy, for allowing me to photograph the love you share for one another! Christmas has long been and gone (and although my blog is late, I promise they received their prints etc before Christmas!), and I do hope that it was a wonderful time together with your family over the Festive Season. Much love to you all xxxx
Without further ado, please meet the beautiful winners of the Win Your Portrait Session for 2011!!
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