A dear little family in Tocumwal

I always love a drive to Tocumwal, but especially to photograph families. I photographed Justine and Chris’ wedding awhile back and this visit was to photograph them for the first time as a family. I always love afternoons like this. It was so lovely to meet little Henry and see Justine and Chris again who are so very dear to my heart.

This was a extra special session for Justine. You can read her brave story here - 

From Justine –“The past 12 months have been the most challenging I have ever had to face. When I remember my life this time one year ago it is full of the emptiness & darkness of post natal depression. A brand new, perfectly healthy, happy baby, who I just could not enjoy. Luckily the care of amazing health professionals quickly had me diagnosed & on a path to recovery. Unfortunately the way this illness works, trying to rush getting better does not work. After an anxiety meltdown I was off to a mother/baby unit for round the clock care. I am finally on the road to recovery & feeling better than I have ever felt in my whole life. My beautiful little family is not perfect & we have many challenges still ahead of us, but my friends, this is real life & I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What the amazing Liz Arcus has captured here for us is truely magical. Liz took our stunning wedding photos & with that she included an offer to come back & capture us when we had our first baby. Due to my illness & erratic disorganization at the time I was unable to schedule in a time in the early months with Liz. It’s funny how things work out. For me now, these photos, taken just last month represent a moving forward for me & my family. To me they show our strength & courage. They remind me how much us three love each other & with that love we will be able to overcome anything life throws at us. These images go through our story, Henry asleep, my gosh the child finally sleeps now! Our feeding relationship, breast feeding was crucial to us to build our bond, it’s not for everyone & that’s ok but for us it’s been a lovely experience & I’m so grateful to have that. Our puppies, with everything going on the last thing I needed was my first baby to get pregnant! Mim was a great mum though & now we have Roxy. Our cuddles, we are a cuddly family & are always giving each other hugs, it’s just our thing.

Thank you Liz, you have a gift & I am so lucky you have shared this with me. I have always said your images are more than photographs, they tell the story of life. Thank you for telling my story. Love justine xx”