You Can't Be Serious, Brisbane funky wedding photography, real family portraits, commercial photography, editorial photography, band photography

A slightly belated stocking filler

Posted on December 28th, 2011 | Category: Photography, Portrait, kids & family | 10 comments

For us, no trip to Melbourne is complete without catching up with friends. And it’s hard to find friends more fun to spend time with than Neil, Renee, Jotham and Noah.

On a recent trip we decided to do a fun family Christmas photo session with them. Problem: how to do a fun Christmas shoot without resorting to Santa beards, crazy hats, flashing bowties or reindeer antlers? Together we came up with a different solution: letting them be the gifts themselves! Renee created these very fun but wildly uncomfortable costumes for them to wear and we spent a hilarious afternoon in a park watching them falling over and trying to stand up. Hailey was laughing so hard she found it very difficult to keep them all in the frame! Of course it probably would have been nice to help them, but it was too much fun just pointing and laughing.

Hope you had a good laugh at Christmas time too! Happy New Year!

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tala wrote: Brilliant! Poor renee looks very uncomfortable in that third shot ;) (12/28/11, 7:59 pm)
Kim Selby wrote: Oh my goodness totally gorgeous - you can't help but smile looking at these. Love! (12/28/11, 8:31 pm)
Han wrote: Hailey, you are truly amazing. What a great idea! Love!! (12/28/11, 9:00 pm)
queenmumsibell wrote: you are endlessly inventive. these are funny, wonderful and charming. brilliant job! (12/29/11, 11:21 am)
Susan D wrote: This family is really living in 'the present' aren't they - ha ha. Great shots Hailey. Hey did you do your annual photographic Christmas card with your gorgeous family this year? Have a great New Year,thank you for another year of soul soothing photos and blogging - here comes 2012! (12/31/11, 9:28 am)
Poster Printing wrote: I can't help but laugh at these shots! You all look funny yet very cute! Happy family! Great bonding moment. -Sarah- (01/03/12, 2:06 pm)
april nowotny wrote: These take fun to a whole new meaning. I love them! (01/03/12, 7:47 pm)
Cara wrote: Totally awesome! What a fantastic family. (01/05/12, 12:28 pm)
Rachel (Piper_H) wrote: I love the idea! And it could not have come out any cuter. What an adorable family :) (01/07/12, 7:07 am)
sarah black wrote: I like those people a lot. (01/19/12, 9:00 pm)

Short a gift or two?

Posted on December 21st, 2011 | Category: Inspire, Other, Photography | One comment

Yesterday we posted about Goats and Organic farms… but maybe you prefer education and tree seedlings?

Either way check out this fantastic and inspiring site! Useful gifts. I am so proud to have worked with this organization!! If you need a last miniute Christmas gift maybe one of these will be perfect for your special someone?

Find out more here!! Useful gifts!

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Rachel (Piper_H) wrote: These photos are so rich Hailey. Beautiful job. (12/22/11, 7:20 am)

All I want for Christmas is a Goat!

Posted on December 19th, 2011 | Category: Film, Inspire, Other, Photography | One comment

When I was working in India earlier this year I worked with a fantastic NGO. You can read more about it here and here…

We did this little video interview with a single mother who got given goats! It was delightful to see how grateful and excited she was to share her life with us.

Why not give all the tricky people in your life Goats? Or maybe all the people who don’t know what they want for Christmas? These gifts really do make a huge difference!

Or maybe you prefer the absolutely wonderful and my personal favorite… Organic farming training!! This beautiful man loved his farm and how it has changed his life!

To find out more go to the Useful gifts website! HERE.

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Flyers Online wrote: Love the shots! Clear and natural! I would really love if someone will give my a goat as a Christmas present! -Sarah- (12/20/11, 11:45 am)

Hungry?

Posted on December 15th, 2011 | Category: Film, Other, Photography | 5 comments

I am so very excited to have just completed a new film for a wonderful food photographer!!

Julie Renouf is amazing. Her work is very sought after and featured in many popular books!! You may even have a cook book in your house that she photographed!! Julie is also a beautiful soul who has been a kind and generous friend to me for many years!

I am honoured to know her. Take a look at her fantastic site here.

Here is the film!

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Tricia Itchy Eyes wrote: Loving your film work. Moving image suits you. (12/15/11, 8:06 am)
queenmumsibell wrote: Oh my! How beautiful. Julie: fabulous photos! you rock. Hailey... divine film. (12/15/11, 10:09 am)
Tenielle wrote: B-rilliant & Yum! Such beautiful beautiful cinematography, you're such a talented Miss. Love xo (12/15/11, 12:59 pm)
xanthe wrote: You inspire me every time... I do hope we get to collaborate on something one day?! x. (gorgeous photos of your girls) xxxx (12/20/11, 7:20 am)
Rachel (Piper_H) wrote: You wizard of film you. This is terrific! Loved seeing your girls in there :) (12/22/11, 7:24 am)

Glen & Elysia’s beautiful Coorabella wedding

Posted on December 8th, 2011 | Category: Photography, Uncategorized, Wedding | 7 comments

We love the Byron hinterland… have you visited the area? I dream of moving there! Today is a wedding from our favorite location -Coorabella at Coorabel. We love LOVE Coorabella weddings!!

Glen and Elysia are extremely fun and talented musicians and it was our pleasure to photograph their special day. We are also thrilled to have this wedding featured on the ever so wonderful Polkadot Bride blog. Go check HERE for more photos and a little of the story from this gorgeous couples special day…

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Blythe wrote: Oh, what a fabulous wedding! I love the details and colours, simply gorgeous. Zenith, the celebrant, married my husband and I at The Pass in Byron 11 years ago. It was lovely to see her face in there too! (12/08/11, 9:35 am)
Amanda Thorson wrote: This is such an exciting wedding, so much colour and fun! The bridesmaid dresses are amazing….wonderful job! (12/08/11, 5:08 pm)
Rosalind wrote: This looked like a very FUN wedding, saw it on Polkadot Bride! love your work as always x (12/08/11, 9:32 pm)
queenmumsibell wrote: stunning as usual darling, love the bridesmaids dresses - very cute and fun (12/12/11, 4:56 pm)
Susan D wrote: Wow Hailey, what a stunning wedding, love the story too on Polkadot Bride. How fun are the paper pinwheels! I hope they spun gently on the tables during the reception to help guests decide whether they really needed their next champagne! The bridesmaids looked like fairy sprites especially on the giant chair. Gorgeous and fun! (12/13/11, 7:31 am)
Rachel (Piper_H) wrote: You take amazing photos... but when you shoot a wedding it leaves me speechless. I can only imagine how much these mean to the people who's big moments you are capturing. I would honestly sell a kidney or some other internal organ to have you photograph my life like this. It is exceptional. (12/22/11, 7:26 am)
Sarah wrote: Stunning photos, you really captured the excitement and fun with this shoot. The finish on the photos really brings out the colours too. (12/27/11, 2:05 pm)

Ali Breeze & Chris engaged.

Posted on November 29th, 2011 | Category: Other, Photography, Portrait, Uncategorized | 4 comments

Ali and Chris are delightful fun. I enjoyed walking the streets of Bardon and watching their little dog Poppy do the most amazing hand-stands-to-pee tricks! (you will see what I mean!) AMAZING!

I love engagement sessions! Sometimes after spending time photographing a couple I don’t want to go home… I just want to sit and chat about books and have tea out of cool retro cups.

Ali runs a gorgeous vintage shop at the Woolloongabba Antique Centre. So naturally their home is filled with fun things! These two are wonderful together. Peas in a pod.

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Tricia King wrote: I always love your colours Hailey but this time your black and whites are really popping (the kitchen ones are tonally just divine)! And yes, the hand stand to pee dog is hilarious. I can only imagine the couple keeling over in hysterics the first time they saw the dog do this! I want their bookshelves btw. (11/29/11, 9:05 am)
michele bowman wrote: these are fabulous! i always adore going through your work, and i just love the feel of this session. i had to let you know that. (11/30/11, 10:39 am)
Sheridan wrote: Gorgeous! So many amazing moments. (11/30/11, 1:49 pm)
Rachel (Piper_H) wrote: These are wonderful. I never grow tired of seeing love through your lens. You have such a way of capturing people and they're personalities really shine through. (12/02/11, 3:15 am)

Emily & Adam

Posted on November 15th, 2011 | Category: Photography, Uncategorized, Wedding | 8 comments

About time we posted a wedding!

Here are the adorable Emily and Adam. (Adam you’re not that adorable but Emily has enough for 2 and you’re very handsome!)

Hope you enjoy this cute couple as much as we did.

The beautiful flowers are by this clever company ‘Green and Bloom’.

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alyda wrote: I loves them loves them loves them :) (11/15/11, 10:04 pm)
Pobke wrote: Beautimous, Hailey!!!!! Absolutely beautimous. :) (11/15/11, 10:13 pm)
Stacey Wilkinson wrote: Wow, I am always left feeling dreamy & inspired after viewing your photographs Hailey! You just capture the absolute beauty in simple things & create amazing images, I love love love your work times a million! And yup, you are my inspiration! I'm studying photography & wish I could be you for a day! Keep on being you, thanks for sharing. ~ (11/16/11, 6:17 am)
Amanda Thorson wrote: She is so cute! Beautiful, beautiful work. (11/16/11, 7:15 am)
Tenielle wrote: Glorious photography, glorious people, glorious light. Just adore!! (11/16/11, 1:17 pm)
Alex wrote: Great photos! (11/17/11, 6:22 am)
Rosalind wrote: Woah love these - how divine to sit down to a cup of tea beforehand, perfect way to start your special day! Looking forward to seeing Laura and Will's pics - eek :-) (11/21/11, 9:12 pm)
Lori wrote: Cute as ever!!! beautiful everything (11/24/11, 2:34 pm)

Summer time fun!

Posted on October 25th, 2011 | Category: Film, kids & family | 6 comments

Can you feel summer is nearly here? So excited! Let’s all go swimming!

But first you will need to buy some gorgeous swimwear from the super cool Billi Jade swimwear! I did this cute little promo video for them. Hope you enjoy!

To find out more head to Billi Jade on Facebook.

Happy summer!

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Tenielle wrote: hahaha I love all those little spindly legs and arms frolicking under the water. So cool! Being a kid is the best! (10/25/11, 12:09 pm)
Julie Cadusch wrote: You are so talented and inspire me!! What a fantastic, colorful & fun promo video!! (10/25/11, 3:27 pm)
deb schwedhelm wrote: AMAZING!! xo deb (10/27/11, 1:06 am)
wedding photography sydney wrote: Amazing Video. Its a nice experience to shot video under water. (10/28/11, 9:42 pm)
rowe wrote: amazing hailey... you are just so clever! (10/31/11, 8:47 am)
Rachel (Piper_H) wrote: How adorable! Cute video Hailey. I love everything you do. It's always so beautiful and leaves me feeling happy and light. (11/08/11, 7:30 am)

Really useful gifts!

Posted on October 21st, 2011 | Category: Inspire, Other, Photography, Uncategorized | 3 comments

I am seeing everywhere I go the beginning of Christmas mayhem! Yes indeedy, only 10 weeks apparently and Christmas will be here! EEEK!

While I was in India I had the pleasure of working with a fantastic organization TEAR Australia who with their amazing partners are doing all they can to help transform the lives of the poor and marginalized in India. It was my honor to hear and see the stories of communities being empowered with the knowledge, confidence and tools to work towards their own development. I took so many photos of sooo many great projects. This one ties in nicely for Christmas! Actually a lot of them do and I will feature a few more shortly.
So what about buying all your family and friends chicken’s for families in India? It enables them to have healthy food for their families and if they get a few chickens they even can make a little income selling the eggs.
Here is one beautiful family, who were given chickens through one of TEARs fantastic India partner projects. They even helped them build a coop to house their growing chickens in! How about going and buying a really useful gift?? Here!!

I also just finished up making a promo video for TEARs USEFUL GIFTS campaign. A fantastic way to share with your friends and family a great ‘gift’ idea.
Take a look and if you like it please do share it around. Also… if you don’t like chickens maybe you would prefer buying an organic kitchen garden starter kit?? Or a goat?

I have to say special thanks to Aaron for making music for me and Natala for being a prop and assistant star and for the lovely Pancho for editing up a storm!

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Georgia wrote: I love this video and what beautiful photos. I will definitely buy from that catalogue when I come time to get some presents this year! (10/22/11, 2:05 pm)
Matilda Beezley | Bundaberg & Toowoomba Wedding and Family Photographer wrote: I have a few girlfriends who only accept Tear gifts for their birthdays and Christmas. It's an amazing idea and if you see some of the lives that have been transformed from just a chicken or pig or goat it is worth the small amount of money. I give Tear gifts as often as I can. :) (10/28/11, 5:53 pm)
rowe wrote: i love this idea hailey! the video and photos are just amazing... LOVE! (10/31/11, 8:54 am)

Fog and family photos…

Posted on October 12th, 2011 | Category: Other, Photography, kids & family | 18 comments

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of spending a weekend filming with the beautiful Amy Gill. She is a super inspiring friend I have made through doing the 365 grateful project.

Amy and I could NOT stop chatting about all the deep and meaningful things in life. We talked so much our brains hurt!

While I was there I wanted to take some photos of Amy and her delightful little family. So one morning we decided to head to the park. When I woke up and saw the fog so thick that I could not see the steps outside my hotel door… I got a little worried.

We got to the park and discovered that yes, it was still VERY foggy!

I often find myself annoyed at these times. Wishing that the weather would please help me out and make my job easier! It is an easy trap for me, wishing for things to be other then they are.

However as it happens sometimes I don’t know what is good for me.

We spent 2 hours playing around the park and taking photos. The fog did not clear one little bit! The following images are taken at the end of our play. Something about these shots I just love. I don’t think I have ever posted a blog post with just B&W photos. I love colour. I live for colour. However sometimes maybe it is good to be out of our comfort zone. Maybe it is good to be pushed to try something new. Maybe now I rather like fog and next time won’t be worried but wish for it!

Here are a couple favorite shots that feature the super clever and gorgeous Annabelle.

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Dan O'Day wrote: love it!!!!!!!!!! (10/12/11, 9:52 am)
kelly tunney wrote: I die at that 3rd image! Something supremely magical amount it (10/12/11, 9:57 am)
El wrote: I love these!!! Awesome! (10/12/11, 10:18 am)
rowe wrote: these are just beautiful hailey... i love that they are b+w and you rocked the fog like i knew you would x (10/12/11, 11:51 am)
queenmumsibell wrote: yum yum yum Hailey, congratulations! Go fog. (10/12/11, 2:08 pm)
pobke wrote: these are absolutely beautiful, hailey... love how you connect with people so beautifully. :) (10/12/11, 2:43 pm)
Tenielle wrote: Like still from an old b&w movie about a little girl who ran about carefree many moons ago. Timeless and soooo supremely beautiful! (10/12/11, 2:51 pm)
michelle wrote: are you kidding? these are absolutely stunning x (10/12/11, 3:18 pm)
tasj wrote: gorgeous, they make me feel :-) (10/12/11, 4:51 pm)
Julian Beattie wrote: Wow! Fog FTW. Killer shots! So natural! (10/12/11, 5:06 pm)
Christine Mc wrote: Awesome photos but you had a beautiful subject!! She is an amazing little girl isn't she? (10/12/11, 5:10 pm)
xanthe wrote: Sometimes striping back to b/w creates more emotion. These are lovely, I spy a great reflection in the second shot, of mama holding another child. Brilliant x. (10/12/11, 6:56 pm)
Amy wrote: You are the best! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. (10/12/11, 7:08 pm)
Lori wrote: I love the thought of the two of you together chatting up a storm- so much love, so much to be grateful for. And Annabelle is a DOLL. Beautiful pictures. (10/13/11, 8:34 am)
Amanda Keeys wrote: LOVE that you did these in bnw... gives them a kind of old-worlde, almost spooky atmosphere (and you know I mean that in a good way!). (10/14/11, 8:39 pm)
Naomi Bulger wrote: Perfect, magic, something as simple and 'homey' as child's play, in the eerie backdrop of fog haze among the trees. These are extraordinarily beautiful, and moving. That last one, oh my! (10/19/11, 8:22 am)
Cass wrote: Oh! So wonderful and other-worldly! I love it. The big bubbles look like life-forms floating down to earth on a cold misty morning, mesmerizing and peaceful and... ok, no, I'll stop there with my little reverie lest you think I'm completely insane! (10/20/11, 4:22 am)
Rosalind wrote: They are beautiful! (10/28/11, 12:36 pm)