3 years ago I met a photographer, Mr Rob Heyman he won’t remember meeting me. I was hiding. Actually I was one of the work-shoppers at the yearly event called August Exposure. Rob and his wife Shirl put on an amazing week of world class speakers. Who motivate, teach and share freely and openly. LOVE that workshop. Life changing stuff.

I was at a dinner that night with some other photographers and Rob (Mr Social) came up to the table and introduced himself to us all. He mentioned to my friend Kat and I that we should consider one of his smaller workshops. But “don’t come if you’re a sook, I do make some people cry”. Wow I thought, I won’t be going. I thought he was serious (maybe he was??).

Then the opportunity came for me to go to the workshop, and it was at Kingaroy so it was close and too handy to not go. So I did. And I didn’t cry might I add

Rob and his wife Shirl had seen a personal project I had worked on, and let me know that they appreciated it. Then Rob said “I want to mentor you”. I soon after ran to the loo and rang my husband. “As if this world class photographer will do that for little me, I am no-one”. Little did I know at the time that Rob is a man of his word!

One year ago Rob was here in Bundaberg, mentoring me. This was a *huge* turning point for me, and something I can never put into words. I appreciate and value that time more then any other time in my photography journey. He showed me light and shadows as I had never seen them before, he shared decades of business principals and marketing. He lifted my spirits, and my portraits. He changed my professional life!

The past few days I have be reliving that time. Missing it actually. I wish I could do it over and over as nothing compares to that experience.

Today one year ago I was in Gladstone photographing the wedding of Nadean and Garren here and I remember seeing the world in my new “Heyman influenced eyes”. It was beautiful. I had lost my voice and was really unwell but I had the best time. Happy anniversary to you both – you are adorable!

So this is a post to my all time most favourite photographer, to a man that inspires me all the time. To a team (Shirl and Rob) that are always there for me and looking out for me. I love you guys, and I think you are the most amazing and giving people I know. I can’t wait to see you in two weeks time, to once again learn, be inspired, share and laugh.

And finally, an image from Garren and Nadean’s wedding last year:

How fortunate are we to live in this country? To have food, water and shelter. For our children to go to schools and experience new activities.

I have always loved my fortunate life, and always felt very blessed. I wanted to share this and Vanuatu was the place to do it. We went to a nearby school and had the pleasure of meeting two sponsor girls. Winnie and Grace are around our girls ages and have been writing letters back and forth since. It is a wonderful learning experience for our girls, and a positive for Winnie and Grace.

Here are the 4 girls:

While at the school the principal (Daniel) let us know that there were many, many more children like Winnie and Grace who need help. It is only $80 per year to keep a little person in school (kindy is a bit more). This is what we happily pay for a dinner out. Gosh, what can we do?

We decided to ask for help, to be a voice for these little guys. We are asking for YOU to help us. Do you have $80? Would you like to use it to make a difference in a persons life? This isn’t any ongoing deal, it can be a one off.

The reason we choose to do this over a sponsor child was that we had been looking for some time to find a child to help. It was almost impossible to find two girls our daughters ages, and in a country that was easily accessible. So, once again Vanuatu was the place to do this.

Our plan is to see these little girls grow up, to share their lives through letters and visits. We hope one day that they might even like to come to Australia for a visit, how amazing would that be?

While on our holiday I was blown away at the learning experience this gave my girls. They asked if they could go into town and buy the girls some gifts. And they realised that the girls didn’t need lollies/stickers etc they needed school bags, pencils and drink bottles. The look on all 4 girls faces as gifts were exchanged made me cry proud, emotional tears. WOW!!

So, would you like to help us help others? You don’t go through my business to do this, I am just a voice to get the question out there. Please email me susan@susanwall.com.au and I can forward your enquiry onto Daniel the principal. He will then let you know where to go from there. Just be sure to choose one of these little faces:

Sepeda; 7 years in Grade One: now sponsored!

Angelina; 7 years in Grade One: now sponsored!

Ricky; 7 years in Grade One: now sponsored!

Selina; 7 years in Grade One: now sponsored!

Joelyn; 8 years in Grade Two:now sponsored

Cicilia; 8 years in Grade Two:now sponsored

Doreen; 8 years in Grade Two: now sponsored!

Jelsia; 9 years in Grade Two: now sponsored!

Lucy; 10 years in Grade Two: now sponsored!

Morris; 7 years in Grade One (this little guy wasn’t going to school very often due to lack of clothing!). We got him some uniforms and hope he now attends more often now sponsored!

Billy; 10 years in Grade Three: now sponsored

Roslyn; 10 years in Grade Three:

Kelanyi; 5 years in Kindy (and very shy): now sponsored!

Feeling love, feeling warmth, feeling acceptance, feeling joy, feeling excitement. This is Hayden and Lisa – all of these! I love it when you see a groom before the ceremony and he is bursting, so excited to share his love and life. Then you go to the girls and you see a calm and overly excited bride, who knows today is perfect as she is marrying a man she adores.

How can it possibly get any better? Well, what about a fun, loving and supportive bridal party? Yep, that was here on the day too!

Lisa and Hayden I really enjoyed each moment with you both, and your extended family and friends. It was too fun to be honest, I had a blast. Enjoy your honeymoon, and see you both soon.

Hayden passing Lisa a tissue *sigh*

My sister is here for the holidays, and also to be so kind and supportive to look after my lovely girls while I am at a workshop starting tomorrow. As this is most likely the last time I will see her before the birth of her baby we took the opportunity to do a shoot today. We plan more shots once I am back. It is fun to hang out, play and experiment together. Today was the outdoor part of the shoot. We had 3 very quick locations, which all were fun and exciting. Sandra is now 29 weeks pregnant, and due in September. Can’t wait to meet another beautiful baby!

Here she is, in pure perfection!

Charmaine ended up winning and excitedly contacted me last week. Her Aunty was over from South Africa, which meant we could do an extra special *girls only* shoot. How fun, as it isn’t something I get to do very often. But when I do get the opportunity it gets me thinking. How fortunate to have 3 generations in the same frame, something to be treasured that’s for sure.

Here are a couple from Friday afternoon, a glorious afternoon at the beach:

But in saying that, I don’t suggest doing formal photographs on the day of the formal. Hairdressers.nail technicians.makeup artists.dress fittings.cars.friends. augh it is too much already! And as this particular school has their formal/prom in winter the light is hard at that time of year to co-ordinate everything with. So what do I do? I do a shoot before or after the event. Then we can take our time, not be concerned by time limits or by the fact that it is a tad full on and stressful the day of your formal. This then means that you get much better photographs and a few variations in locations.

For this shoot we did it the Saturday before hand as Amelia had her hair and makeup trial then. We walked the city center and found a few spots that worked well. Here are a few samples:

Isn’t she just stunning? Congratulations Amelia, and all the best for the rest of your school year!

The bridal party were fun, and made me laugh so much at the party. The guests were so excited, and very, very happy to see Chan and Ben married. It was really just beautiful!

Listening to the announcement:

Then on the Monday we all got back together and did the family shots and location shots. It allowed us a lot of time and a few more amazing and totally cool locations:

Now yesterday was *cold* as in burrr! Chantelle got INTO the dam and wasn’t cold at all. We did a few shots of her being so brave (and beautiful!):

It was nothing but fun to spend the afternoon with these guys, B and I are so well behaved with lovely little souls. They quickly became my new little friends, and you can’t prove friendship more then by sharing your Chico babies with your photographer – yum!!!

Jo and Graham, many thanks for being brave, beautiful and lovely x

I entered the below image of a beautiful little client of mine, and now great friend of my girls. E was on a family shoot with her Teddy her Grandmother made when I sat her on the box and her little feet went like this. She is so adorable.

With her cute self and my photograph I ended up getting a silver award at the Awards. Something to celebrate that’s for sure! Keep an eye out in the soon to come newsletter to see how I have decided to celebrate…..Stay warm in the meantime x