This year has been a journey and a half.  My photography has really taken off and I’m looking forward to what 2010 brings. It’s been an incredible journey so far.  I started off thinking that if I got a client a month by the end of the year, I’d be happy… well, some weekends I was doing 3 photoshoots!

Next year is going to be interesting… I’ve already got quite a few maternity shoots, engagement shoots, batmitzvahs and weddings booked. And in fact, January is looking pretty full already!

Recent improvements to my fledgling business have been (I’ve spoken about them on Twitter but not actually blogged about them yet):

• I now offer vouchers.  3 clients have bought vouchers for photosessions with prints for their family and friends for birthday presents, engagement presents and Christmas presents.
• I’ve printed my first A1 canvas (nerve wrecking for me as I was hoping the quality of the photo would stand up to that size enlargement) and it turned out amazingly!! It was the last photo of Damien daydreaming on the wall from Angel’s shoot.  It’s now hanging in the stairwell in Angel’s home and it looks magnificent (if I may say so)
• I’ve installed new proofing software yesterday, so my proofing area for clients and their families to view their photos and order prints has been jazzed up and it actually works!! My first gallery is up on the new site, and all future galleries will be there.  It’s much more secure than the old site I was using, and I don’t have a restriction in terms of the number of photos I upload!
• I’ve ordered a new lens… a Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS and it’s waiting for me in Hermanus (long story)… I cannot wait to get it.  It’ll be here in time for the first wedding that’s booked!
• I’ve made the packages for 2010 simpler, I think… and my rates are updated

So it’s all systems go!

And I can’t blog without a photo, so here’s one of me. You never get to see what I actually look like, so I tried my hand at a selfy-pee (as Mishi calls self portraits).  I probably should have put lipstick on before I did this… but anyhoo…

Father Christmas brought Connor a bicycle for Christmas. It’s not just any old bike, this time Father Christmas got wise, and bought a JD Bug! It’s a pedalless bicycle and teaches balance… the kids I’ve seen with these bikes go straight to 2 wheel bikes and never get fairy wheels.
And I can see why! It’s taken Connor a few days and he’s already starting to freewheel using it!

We went to Parys on Sunday, and the kids got to ride their bikes on the quiet suburb streets and test out Connor’s new bike and their new helmets

The arrival of Nicola has been hugely anticipated in the local blogging and Twitter community, as her mommy Louisa has been blogging for years and Louisa even tweeted on her way to the hospital!  I couldn’t wait to take her photos, so I took it upon myself to give Louisa a voucher for a photosession at her babyshower   (it was my first voucher that I gave out!)

And OMW she made us work hard today.  When I got to Louisa’s house, she was telling me how Nicola sleeps all day and is awake all night… well she proved her mom wrong   Eventually Louisa’s mom got her to sleep!

As soon as I saw the kist in the lounge I knew I had to use it somehow!

Then as I walked out, I noticed this heirloom sewing machine that’s been passed down from daughter to daughter, so poor Louisa had to undress her again! But I think it was worth it, don’t you?

It’s now Boxing Day, and already Christmas is just a memory, but one which I’ve captured with my camera, so the moments are preserved forever.

We spent most of the time at my mom’s house.  Christmas Eve was our main dinner at my moms house with my brother and his family too, as my brother was working on Christmas Day.  On Christmas Day we went back to my moms house for lunch and more swimming fun.

Because it’s been so hot here, we’ve spent most of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the pool, which to me is absolutely perfect!! Much better than snow as far as I’m concerned

Connor got a new Black and Decker Chainsaw for Christmas and insisted on wearing goggles in the pool, just like Bradley was doing!

I hope your Christmas was as special as ours was… and filled with fun and laughter and love!

More blogging Weekly Winners on Lotus’ blog

Tomorrow it’s Christmas eve, and the excitement in this house is building.  I just love having kids in the house at this time of year.  Everything is filled with magic and tradition.

One of the things I was determined to do this year, was take the boys to see Father Christmas at Cresta Shopping Centre.  I’ve taken them every year, and this year was important to take them because Connor is aware of what is happening for the first time.  Now this particular Father Christmas is brilliant.  He even looks like the real McCoy, and he’s so good with the kids.

I even left work early today to make it happen, because @JessicaMcD replied via Twitter the other day (when I asked), that he was there until roughly 5pm.

We got to the centre at 4:30-ish and the queue to see him was snaking!  They were both chomping at the bit to see him, so we waited.  HALF AN HOUR!   Connor kept running to the picket fence and waving and trying to get his attention; and both boys were discussing what they were going to ask for.  And as we got to the front and he called the boys…

Connor hid! He point blank refused to show his face to Santa or even mutter hello.  The poor man tried his best! LOL! In the end, he clung to me like a monkey and I had to sit next to Father Christmas for our photo… and then Bradley said he forgot to smile!

And then to top it off… Bradley asked him for a Transformer mask! And Santa said he’d leave it under the tree.  Well, this Father Christmas has not found one of those!! Oh boy!

If I don’t get to blog tomorrow, I wish all my photographic clients and blog readers and friends an awesomely fabulous Christmas!!

Hope you all have a very special time with your loved ones, and that Father Christmas brings you what your heart desires.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ME TO YOU