Sunday 27 April 2014

17: Michelle


Portraits - the Motherhood series. 

Michelle met her husband Bob at an annual 'Pyjama Jump' university pub crawl twenty years ago. She was wearing pyjamas, he was in a skirt and bra! While proud to be first loves and best friends, getting married was never much of a priority for either of them. Last year however, largely to honour their daughter's request, they surprised us by stealing away to Edinburgh, Scotland for a small and intimate wedding.


At the time of our chat earlier this week, Michelle was working on an essay for her post graduate diploma in Counselling as well as preparing for a children's slumber party. All due this weekend... of course! Michelle has always been interested in pursuing a career as a counsellor but when the opportunity to take that path arose at twenty one, she felt she lacked life experience. It was becoming a mother to her two beautiful children Katie (six) and George (two and a half) that gave Michelle the confidence in her own abilities to enrol in her (soon to be completed!) diploma. I love that motherhood gave her the courage and belief in herself to follow her passion. Through her studies, Michelle has been counselling at a women and children's refuge, providing support to those escaping domestic violence. She is very passionate about advocating and supporting women and their children through this very traumatic and unfortunately common experience. 

When it comes to her kids, she talks of how they teach her patience and selflessness. How days can sometimes be very long and challenging but how fortunate she feels to be home with them. Appreciating the simple things and sharing in their joys and heartaches. 


You can view all of my portraits from 2013/14 by clicking on the Portrait Series links in the right sidebar of this page.

In case you're wondering about the inspiration for this year's Motherhood portrait series, you can read more about it here.

Belinda x

Sunday 20 April 2014

16: Celia


Portraits - the Motherhood series. 

Celia is one of the most kind and sincere people I've met. Upon meeting, she is at once so generous and warm that you feel like you've known her for years. Celia met her husband Geoff in London fourteen years ago. In 2004, they married in her home of Brazil before moving to his home of Australia. It took them three years to conceive, during which time Celia was told she would never have children. Needless to say, when they found out they were pregnant with Luca, now five and a half, they were over the moon. 

While Celia studied advertising at University and plans to return to study psychology, the pull to stay home with her young son was strong. After such a hard fought journey, she wanted to be able to savour every single moment. A decision also heavily influenced by the fact that she didn't have her extended family nearby.  She tells me that being Luca's mother has been the most amazing, overwhelming and rewarding experience of her life. It's hard work but every day with Luca reminds her to live in the moment and be grateful.  

I asked Celia if she wanted to share any particular advice on motherhood with E&J readers and true to her nature, her response was articulate, thoughtful and honest:

"I don't think I have any advice to give to Mums/women as I truly believe that we all have our own journey to travel. I think is important to do what makes you happy and follow your heart, only you know how you feel and what rocks your boat. So, in my opinion you have to do what makes you feel good and consequently you will be ok with your choices and challenges that life presents at you. Easier said than done, I know but is part of the journey, I believe."

You can view all of my portraits from 2013/14 by clicking on the Portrait Series links in the right sidebar of this page.

Belinda x

Monday 14 April 2014

15: Deena


Portraits - the Motherhood series. 

'I love it when you talk nerdy'

I've just spent a weekend at the Hunter Valley with friends. As we pottered about the cabin early on Sunday morning, Deena made this statement with a slogan tee. It's cute because it's true, she does love it when you talk nerdy. Dee works in Graphic Design and User Experience. Balancing part time work and motherhood isn't easy but you only have to ask her about work to know she clearly loves her job. She's an early technology adopter and is genuinely excited about making digital information usable, meaningful and enjoyable.

Deena and her husband Gavin both hail from England originally but travelled halfway around the world to meet here in Australia. They married in 2005 and together are raising two 'tornadoes' James and Harry. We spoke over the weekend about the pressures on expat families living abroad without the benefits of having their support network nearby. In a few weeks time, Dee and Gav will move their young family back to England. The prospect of being closer to their extended family and slowing down their schedules to make room for each other and their aspirations as a family makes it easy to appreciate why they've made this decision.

Deena is kind and refreshingly honest. When I asked her about motherhood, she told me that she's highly unorganised, a terrible cook and feels like she's working out this whole parenting thing on the fly. But despite feeling like she doesn't have the authority to provide advice on motherhood, her boys are oblivious to all that. When they rush to show her a turtle or the bugs they've just caught, when they're covered in mud and grinning from ear to ear they remind her that it's ok to not have all the answers. Those simple things are whats important to them, and that's what she loves most.

You can view all of my portraits from 2013/14 by clicking on the Portrait Series links in the right sidebar of this page.

In case you're wondering about the inspiration for this year's Motherhood portrait series, you can read more about it here.

Belinda x

Sunday 6 April 2014

14: Hiam


Portraits - the Motherhood series. 

It's ok to not have all the answers. It's ok to work it out as you go, make a wrong turn or two. It was always meant to be this way. I love talking with Hiam. She is serene. Conversation is easy and often insightful. She smiles alot and she has an authentic, humble quality that instantly disarms.

After eight years, a formidable laser disc soundtrack, a good dose of humour and a baby boy, Hiam and Joe were married in 2006. They were in their early twenties when they became parents and were admittedly naive to what it really meant. But they knew one thing for sure. They knew that if they were together, everything would be just fine.

Joe, and their son Ryan, now twelve, are Hiam's whole world. It really is plain as day to see the three of them together. Soon this beautiful team of three will become four. Hiam tells me that the most surprising thing about motherhood was how tough it can be sometimes. No one stage is easier than another, there are just different challenges. Like most mothers, Hiam says she found it hard to let on about the toughness of it all. It felt like she had to keep on, having people think that it's all smooth sailing. It's not.

Together Hiam, Joe and Ryan have lived all over the world. Hiam approaches change with a sense of optimism and opportunity. I get the sense that she can do this so confidently because of her two great loves by her side. She and Joe grew with Ryan as people, as a couple and as parents. Nothing makes her happier than to see the boys messing around having a laugh together. Those beautiful, peripheral moments so vividly defining all that they mean to her.

You can view all of my portraits from 2013/14 by clicking on the Portrait Series links in the right sidebar of this page.

Belinda x
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