Oh dear. I owe you all an apology. Its been 6 months since I blogged. But I promise it's for a good reason. Several in fact. Not to overshadow my annual Year in Review but perhaps you'll allow me take a moment to explain...

In April of this year my family and I returned to Sydney, after spending 2.5 years living and working in Tasmania. A big move and one I was initially very sad about. I loved the life we had built in Hobart. I loved how it impacted our family - the special moments we created, the friendships we developed, the places we visited. And the best gift it presented us with - time. We gained so much quality time with each other. Less traffic, less commitments, less stress. It was such an uncomplicated period in our lives. 

But work opportunities brought us back to Sydney. In September I embarked on a new photography business, specialising in all things real estate. I bought a franchise with open2view.com and I'm so excited about it! It's such an amazing venture and one that will see me pretty hectic for a while but I am over the moon to be building a strong foundation for myself and my family. (oh and in case you were wondering, light and shade photography is still very much in operation, so busy times ahead!)

So, onto the rest of 2017. This year I was drawn to quality workmanship and materials, neutral palettes and clean architectural lines, evident here in my picks from the year that was...
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Favourite headshot and in fact my favourite photo from the whole year - my beautiful friend and successful businesswoman, Alison from Moving Smoothly.

Favourite commercial property

Favourite overall property

Favourite exterior

Favourite view (famous Bondi Beach)

Favourite kitchen 

Favourite colour palette

Favourite bedroom

Favourite bathroom (a tie for 1st place)

Favourite new build 

​Favourite garden 

Yet another gorgeous eastern suburbs home was on my shot list for last week. And yet another fabulous listing for bondi beach holiday homes. So if you love it as much as I did, and you should because it's location is amazing and its vibe is totally relaxed, then jump on their site and book it for your next getaway or staycation! Oh to be in that gorgeous kitchen right now....

Huge apologies for my silence these last six months. I have been on maternity leave with my beautiful little miss Lily and we have been revelling in every special moment with her. In that time my family and I have also returned to stunning Sydney. My foray back into work saw me introduced to this amazing property, located across the road from Centennial Park. Offered as holiday accommodation through bondi beach holiday homes, you too can experience the warmth and beauty of this stunning 5 bedroom home. Just book it for your next holiday! In the meantime, you can look forward to more regular updates from me now that things are ramping back up again. 

Another year, another collection of amazing clients, jobs and memories. I have been completely blessed this year, in so many ways, not least of which with the arrival of our beautiful daughter Lillian Grace in October. Her big brother, her dad and I are are absolutely besotted as you can imagine.

On a professional front, 2016 has without a doubt, been my most enjoyable, successful and educational year. I have expanded my business offering new services and products, I have worked with truly extraordinary people and I have travelled to some stunning locations. Most importantly though, I've woken up every day feeling incredibly fortunate to do what I love. And I never take that for granted. So thank you to all the wonderful people I have had the pleasure of working with, for and on behalf of. You have made 2016 amazing and I can't wait to see what 2017 brings for us all. Best wishes for an incredibly prosperous and joyous new year. xxx

A note: normally, I categorise my Year in Review to reflect 'the best ofs' from that year. However I've had so many fantastic experiences in 2016, I simply can't narrow them down. So I'm going to let the work speak for itself. Enjoy....

This lovely family were the winners of a family portrait voucher I donated to the 2016 Bellerive Primary School end of year fundraiser. I've donated to the school's event a couple of times now and I'm always blessed with a gorgeous family to photograph. These guys were no exception. Chantal and her boys spent a great afternoon with me at St David's Park in the centre of Hobart so we could capture a moment in time, that hopefully they can treasure for a lifetime. 

I recently had the absolute pleasure of photographing the Jazzercise Australia Spring Fitness Convention held at the Grand Chancellor in beautiful Hobart. Hundreds of delegates from all over Australia came for a weekend of fun, fitness and friendship. The energy in the room was incredible and the smiles on the faces of everyone highlighted just what a brilliant annual event this was. 

As well as particpating in Jazzercise classes, the delegates were able to purchase some fantastic Tasmanian products, enjoy a gala dinner and particpate in a day long food and wine tour. One thing was clear...Jazzercise in Hobart really knows how to entertain, that's for sure!

For gorgeous skin care and cosmetics delegates could purchase marykay.com.au products from Allison Bradburn, an independent beauty consultant who had a stall at the convention.

Leah Sallese from Rosabella Designs had her beautiful giftware on display for the delegates to purchase. (It wasn't just the delegates who bought things. I couldn't resist her gorgeous candles!)

Delegates were spoilt for choice when it came to workout gear thanks to the team at Jazzercise Australia.

Pigeon Pairs had everyone looking sensational with their gorgeous handmade jewellery. Everything from earrings, to necklaces and even the perfect ring to finish off those dinner gowns later on in the evening.

Of course, what's a fitness convention without a little bit of indulgence? A Piece of Tassie made sure everyone's insulin levels were just right with some yummy treats.

And Lifeproof ensured the delegates had plenty of apparel for the fun workouts ahead of them over the weekend. 

After all the official stuff was taken care of, it was time to connect with friends from all over the country, old and new.

And then the fun really began with Susan and her team from Jazzercise Lindisfarne and Cambridge kicking things off with a bang and heaps of energy!

What an amazing weekend and what a privilege to be a part of this incredible event that encourages fitness and fun with equal measure. All ages, all shapes and sizes... everyone is welcome. Well done Jazzercise Australia. And well done Tasmania for hosting all these wonderful people in such style.  

​how do I describe this family other than with complete admiration, love and gratitude for having met them. This was their second family portrait session with me, following the growth of their family from 3 to 4. They requested a simple, fun shoot in their home where they could be themselves, be together and just laugh. And boy did we laugh. How gorgeous are they? I feel forever blessed to have met Rebecca and her beautiful family. 

I had the absolute pleasure recently of photographing this gorgeous family down at Howrah Beach. They were the winners of a voucher I donated to a fundraiser at Bellerive Primary School and I couldn't have imagined a more beautiful trio. This was, without question, one of the most enjoyable photo shoots I have ever been a part of. Both the boys and their stunning mum were so accommodating with every one of my crazy requests. Thank you Corinna and boys for a fantastic afternoon, one that was perfectly timed to remind me how blessed I am to do what I do.  

Since moving to Tassie and meeting this beautiful lot, they have become more like family than close friends to me. So you can imagine how privileged I felt when I was asked to spend time with them taking some family photos. It was also made all the more special because Angie's mum and partner were here on holidays, all the way from Crete. 

We had a fabulous, relaxing morning at the beautiful Hobart Botanical Gardens and by the smiles on the boy's faces at the end of our session, I think it might have been a success. But I'll let you be the judge….

What a brilliant year it has been both personally and professionally.

I have travelled all over Tasmania working in beautiful light and surrounded by awesome scenery. I have met incredibly generous and warm people. I've been invited to capture some of the most fantastic events. I was involved with a number of charities and fundraisers, giving away portrait sessions to three lovely families. And I have been welcomed into stunning homes and offices across the state.

Thank you all for being a part of light and shade photography's 2015. May 2016 be even more amazing for us all!

Favourite view - Dynnyrne, Tasmania

​Favourite portrait session - Anna, Alex, Lucas and "one on the way'

Favourite location - Middleton, Tasmania

Favourite event (2 years in a row!) - 2015 Jazzercise Christmas Party

"Cheekiest" portrait session - Derryn, Lorelle and Isabelle

Best view from a bath….1st place