As of yesterday morning, we are no longer waiting for Baby Frost. Just two short days after we met to make these photographs, tiny and clearly impatient Harry decided to make his much anticipated arrival. Thank goodness mother nature held out for us, because after postponing previously due to summer storms, I'm not sure that Harry would have waited any longer.
Late Sunday afternoon we met at Wellington Point. I asked Alyca and Matt to think of somewhere on the water near them that would be suitable for our session, because I know they spend a lot of time around the waters edge. We kicked off our shoes and wandered down to the sticky mangrove-edged sand and played really. This family of three, more on the cusp of becoming four than they knew, walked around muddy pools looking for treasures, chatted about their little boy on the way, and indulged in a fair few snuggles-come-tickles under the blanket made for Lyla by her great-grandmother. And when Lyla needed a break to head to the playground with dad, Alyca and I worked together to make a few portraits of her in-full-bloom pregnant form.
Lyla, (as you'll read further on) wasn't into having a conventional family photo taken, and while it would have been nice to have amongst their collection of photographs ... wow, I'm sure glad she protested so much, because look at what we made instead.
I have never photographed a child who I couldn't win over, even just for a few seconds to take the sort of family photograph that everyone likes to have - three beautiful smiling faces looking down the lens of my camera. But, I hadn't met Lyla before. Dear, spirited Lyla - who is also as adorable as can be, as spirited children usually are - beat me. The choc-chip cookies didn't help sway her, she took one in each hand and off she went. I'm far from disappointed though, I'm impressed! This gorgeous little lady, who knows exactly what she wants and what she does not, will be a force to reckon with as she grows up, so look out world. Spirited children make for the most capable, confident and intriguing adults. Probably not much help to mum and dad first thing in the morning right now, but enviable nonetheless.
One thing Lyla will have on her side her whole life, is love. And not just oodles of love lavished upon her, but she has the very best example of a really kind, completely joy-filled and loving relationship in her parents. I didn't pose these two much, it was a very vague sort of "snuggle up together, feel free to have a kiss" and that was that. Look at them. It really brings tears to my eyes every time I look at these photographs, the love between them is obvious and powerful. I don't think I have ever overheard so many I love you's being passed back and forth as I did in this session. It's magic, and they're truly some of the lucky few.
I know that today, this little family will be bunkered down in hospital marvelling at their new son and wondering how lucky they are to have these children. I know that they will have already learnt how in an instant, that your heart is not divided, it only grows with a new baby. And I know that they will be as awesome at parenting two children as they have been at parenting one.
And I hope they know I will take them up on their offer to visit soon to be introduced to their son, and indulge in some precious newborn snuggles. xx