Welcome to the first ART PARTY.

Art Party is a celebration of the art we create and the story behind it.

Each feature includes a curated list of questions to help you dig deeper into sessions you may see on Instagram and want to learn more about.

And we are going old-school with blog posts, newsletters, and an Instagram feature.

If you have a session, series, or collection you would like to celebrate, send me an email with all the details and a link to the gallery.

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The story behind this session:

The idea was to celebrate her maternal energy and connection to nature. The waterfall felt like the perfect place for that - powerful, raw, and constantly moving.

It was less about ticking off maternity photos and more about honouring this season she’s in.

Penelope is a fellow photographer and friend of mine, and such a beautiful mum-to-be, inside and out.

I really wanted to capture this moment for her in a way that felt strong and grounded, not overly styled or “pretty” for its own sake.

Inspirations:

I didn’t work from a proper moodboard for this session. Instead, I let the location lead. The light and shadows were changing constantly as the sun moved, so I leaned into that and responded to what was happening around us rather than trying to force a set look.

The main vibe was very much jungle goddess - earthy, primal, and connected to the land. I was drawn to the idea of pregnancy being something ancient and instinctive, and I wanted that to come through in the images.

Earthy tones:

Adding more colour at that point might have distracted from what was already happening in the scene.

The earthy tones just worked - they went beautifully with the environment and kept the focus on her.

I did have a few styling ideas beforehand, including adding a bit more colour. Penelope brought a few options with her, which was great.

Once we got down to the waterfall, though, the light was really strong with no cloud cover, which meant harsh shadows and bright highlights.

Light:

I loved working with the contrast of the harsh light and deep shadows. It really helped draw attention to Penelope, and I especially loved how the water droplets caught the light and almost glowed. That said, it did make things tricky - especially for wider shots where highlights could blow out really easily.

Slowing down:

The reflection image was probably the most challenging. I had to slow right down and just wait. I was standing in the water, and every tiny movement disrupted the surface. It was a good reminder that sometimes the best images come from patience rather than pushing or rushing - something I probably would have skipped over or not thought of prior to working with you.

Plans for 2026:

Spaces that feel lived-in, a little eclectic, and full of stories.

Overall, I want to keep leaning into work that feels natural and story-driven, where the environment plays just as much of a role as the people in front of the camera.

I’d love to photograph more families out in the bush, especially in locations that invite movement and exploration - I’ve got a couple of creek spots I’m really excited about, as well as a cool rock formation I found this week!

I’m also really drawn to shooting more in-home sessions, particularly in older homes with character and a bit of soul.