What do you do when your computer starts flashing warnings at you that you're on the verge of hard-drive failure? Umm... PANIC is the first reaction I had! I mean, tech-wise, is there anything more scary than a hard drive crash? All your work, client files, personal data and photos, emails - potentially gone! EEEK! Two weeks ago I got a warning message about imminent hard drive failure. I FREAKED. I immediately shut everything down and started ringing computer repair shops to see what I should do. I was without my computer for two days and I honestly didn't know what to do with myself. I just about chewed my fingernails to the bone - I finally got it back but they had been unable to retrieve the data off my second hard drive. This was all just before one of my busiest mini shoot sessions of the year, so to say I was stressed is an understatement! All I can say is that I am SO THANKFUL that I am ultra diligent with my backups, especially with client files. I actually lost very little because I'm so careful with backing up after each and every shoot. The only pain has been reinstalling everything from my backup drive, which is still ongoing but I'm getting there slowly! Have you ever lost everything with a computer or hard drive failure? Did you freak out like me?? :) I am always so excited whenever a friend asks me to do a family shoot for them, its so lovely for me to not only enjoy a fun catch up with them, but also to capture some precious memories for them. I have known Cindy and her family for many years as our kids went to Playgroup together. We have watched our families grow together and shared many laughs over coffee together. I had so much fun capturing this beautiful family here at Tamborine in some stunning late afternoon sunshine. And as you can see, there was much laughter going on! Such gorgeous smiling faces! Thanks guys for sharing a lovely afternoon with me!
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Like most parents, we've tried a variety of different ways to keep the kids in line, to reward them for good behaviour and discourage the naughty stuff. Lately I found that I'd mostly resorted to yelling and shouting at them, and to be honest, the effect seems to have worn off. They're not scared of me! So I decided to try a different plan of attack. We introduced the "Star Chart". I printed a large star for each of them which they got to colour-in and cut out. Printed a simple chart (see below), popped it in a clear plastic sleeve and stuck the star on their name with Blu-tak. Now the fun stuff - every time they do something deemed "good" - they get to move their star UP one spot. Whenever they are fighting or naughty, they move their star down one spot. Once they get to the end, they choose a reward! I have a prize box full of kids-stuff: fluffy pencils, notepads, matchbox cars, stickers, lollies etc and they can choose from there, OR choose something like a new ipad game or get 30 minutes ipad time. We've been doing this for a few months now and I actuallly love the way this is working for us, because the thought of losing a star seems to be a pretty powerful motivator for my two. Also, I'm awarding stars for independent thought. I'm sick of barking orders at them in the morning like: "brush your teeth!/get dressed!/put your shoes on!" etc so I made it clear that they would be given stars for thinking ahead and doing it without being asked. If I have to ask, they dont get a star. Mornings now are a lot more peaceful, they have breakfast and quite often don't have to be reminded to go and get ready, they just do it in the hopes of getting a star. Miss 6 has also started helping with drying the dinner dishes (without me asking!) and giving out foot massages to mummy and daddy, so its a win for everyone! Mr 4 likes to let me know that he remembered to switch the light off in the bathroom, or put his plate in the sink, just in case I didn't notice ;) I love it! What do you do to help keep your kids in line? Recently I spent a beautiful morning with Angie and her lovely family for a newborn/family shoot. The family wanted to include their 3 fur-babies in the photos as well (and we all know how I love having family pets included!) so we did the shoot at their home. I was delighted with the super-cute miss Aubrey, who was my constant companion and little helper for the entire shoot! I hope you enjoy these images! Thank you Battelley family for trusting me with your precious memories! Mr 4 and I spent this morning at school at their pre-prep program - in readiness for the transition to big school next year. We've been a few times, but for the first time ever, he was super excited to go. I'm taking this as a good sign! We gathered at the school and met with other boys and girls who would soon join him as a "preppie" next year. Its quite amazing to think that all these little ones will become school kids rather shortly. It feels like another step towards independence, to growing up and needing us less and less. Its bitter/sweet. It happens gradually. We celebrate each little milestone, each little achievement with glee and pride, cheers and celebrations: but if I think about it too much, there is an undercurrent of sadness that sometimes hangs around, like a grey mist that seeps in slowly, softly, often without realizing. “This wont last” it whispers. They grow up too fast. He’s not a baby or a toddler anymore, although he still needs me so much. He's been a little sick this week and my mama instincts kicked up a notch, loving the way he NEEDS me when he's sniffly. But not for long. He is becoming a big boy, with his own hopes and dreams, his own friends, making independent choices and learning new things every day. I am torn between wanting him to grow into an independent big kid, and wanting him to stay just like this… at this crossroads between baby and boy where we can enjoy the best of both worlds for just a fleeting moment in time. I spent a fabulous fun afternoon with Sandra and her lovely family recently! Sandra wanted to capture some special memories with her son Josh and the lovely Miku before they embarked on an exciting adventure in Japan, and I was so thrilled to be asked to preserve these moments for them! Thanks for a fun afternoon guys, and I hope you are enjoying Japan! If you enjoyed this, you might also like:
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AuthorHilary Hudson Photography. Natural Light Newborn and Families Photographer based in Tamborine, QLD. Australia. Archives
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Hilary Hudson Photography is located in Tamborine, Queensland, photographing newborn portraits and family sessions in the Gold Coast, Logan and Scenic Rim areas of Queensland, Australia.
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