New Adventures - Brisbane Northside Maternity Photography

This crazy wet weather has to date stopped me meeting this little girl, but I can't wait until I can. Already so loved and adored before she arrived. Wishing you guys all the best on your newest adventure! Now come on sunshine! Just a few of my favourites from their recent mini maternity session. 

Waiting on Baby Girl - North Brisbane Outdoors Maternity Photography

Golden hour and last light. I love it so much. 

So great to be able to do a mini maternity session for these guys and their hilarious dog. I'm pretty sure he was preparing them for the chaos that was about to unfold. Congratulations on your baby girl guys.

 If you'd like more information on how to receive a mini maternity session, please contact me (Mandii) at xanthephotography@bigpond.com

Celebrating Emily Mae

Little Emily Mae was born on Wednesday the 20th September. She passed away on the following Friday evening. She was born into LOVE. From the very moment she existed it was present. So much love... and it is this love that will continue to carry her. It is love and support that will see her family through this unimaginable loss.

On the 15th of October, it is International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. A special day for us to honour those who have passed away. 

For those of us who have never been through such an experience, we might ask ourselves.. "what can I possibly do to help?" We might even convince ourselves, that by doing or saying nothing we are actually helping.  However, I think the overwhelming message I am receiving, is that we need to reach out. Reach out and connect. Offer practical and emotional support, and most importantly... talk about these beautiful children and their lives. Speak their names out aloud and with joy in your heart. Help break the silence. That is the most precious gift we can give. 

It is with the permission of Emily's parents, I share these special photos with you, that were taken before Emily was born to help celebrate and honour her life. 

My Angel up in Heaven

My angel up in heaven,
I wanted you to know,
I feel you watching over me,
everywhere I go.

I wish you were here with me,
but that can never be.
Memories of you in my heart,
that only I can see.

My angel up in heaven,
I hope you understand,
that I would give anything,
if I could hold your hand.

I'd hold you oh so tightly,
and never let you go,
And all the love inside of me,
to you, I would show.

My angel up in heaven,
for now we are apart.
You'll always live inside me,
deep within my heart.

- Dave Hedges

By the Sea - North Brisbane Maternity Photography

Even amongst all of the chaos that is a family trip to the beach for photos, wonderful things still unfold. Tiny little imperfect moments. And I think... these moments are the bees knees and reveal an honest beauty. I always take my hat off to any family that embraces this with me! These guys are expecting two new additions soon, and I just can't wait to meet them. I know already, they are loved beyond words. 

The Full Circle - Brisbane Maternity and Family Photography

Meet beautiful Kate and her adorable family. As Kate knows.. I am not so great with words (some would even say I'm rubbish with them)... so I'm going to use her beautiful words for this blog post, and I will simply finish up with just how grateful I feel to have met her and to be invited to share this journey with them x

“When we first started trying for a family about 8 years ago, my Nana was still alive. She knew how much having children meant to Michael and I. She passed away at the start of 2010 when we were about 18 months into trying and not succeeding for our first. We started fertility treatments that year, not long after she passed away. She was my last remaining grandparent.

It was a long and extremely emotional year, probably one of the worst of my life. The grief I experienced from the constant negative pregnancy tests was overwhelming. That locket I am wearing was one of Nana's which I was given after she passed. I put inside it a pendant of St. Gerard Majella who is the patron of expectant mothers. That pendant we also found within her jewellery collection. I wore that pendant/locket all year through our fertility treatments and prayed to my Nana to help us fall pregnant. In October 2010 after 2.5 years trying to conceive, we finally fell pregnant. We were going to name the baby after my Nana if it was a girl but we ended up with our beautiful boy Hayden instead.

I have been saving her name for 6 years and we are having a girl this time. She will be named after one of the most beautiful ladies I have ever known.

That image of the three of us with Hayden touching the locket means more to me than could be imagined by a photograph. It represents, for me, the full circle we have come as a family, from infertility to our first beautiful child and now this last baby to complete our family.

Thank-you Mandii for intuitively knowing the meaning behind that pendant and for capturing the perfect memory for us.”

ps. if you recognise Kate it's because she's the talent behind Kate Veronica Photography and I've quietly stalked her for years as I love, love, love her work! I promise you will too.