Evocative, timeless, romantic photography. I am Anastasia, a Sydney-based wedding, engagement, children, family, portrait photographer. Available for destination weddings.
From kite flying at the quiet Patonga on a Sunday afternoon to staying in a hotel high above the busy streets of Sydney.
From slow days at home when we have nowhere to be and nothing much to do (aren’t days like these the best??) to revisiting our favourite places on the coast together.
From morning till night, grateful for every moment spent with my loves.
Soft September light, pastel-coloured buildings that look like they belong on the pages of a fairy tale, misty mornings, and portraits of Mozart everywhere. Hohensalzburg Castle high above the city, where Daniel got his first sword and shield set and pretended to be a knight in shining armour for the rest of the day. Salzburg Toy Museum, where we spent a rainy afternoon, and the place Daniel remembers the most from those six weeks in Europe (don’t ask me about hours-long, tearful discussions we had with him when all he wanted was to go back to Salzburg when we were already thousands of kilometres away). All the Christmas shops that are open year round, filled with thousands of beautiful, handmade baubles.
These are the memories we have of Salzburg, one of the most fairy-tale like places we’ve seen.
We stayed at Star Inn Salzburg Zentrum, which was pretty basic, but was located in just a few short minutes walk from everything you have seen in this post.
We woke up in Tuscany and ended up in the Dolomites that same day. The six-hour drive took us past the big flat wide open spaces of Northern Italy, and then the road gently guided us up in the mountains – those views were making us gasp after every curve of the highway.
We spent the next three days riding the chairlifts and hiking. It was glorious and breathtaking and unforgettable. And maybe Tre Cime di Lavaredo were veiled by the heavy cloud, but there was snow on the ground there (which was such a nice surprise), and it took us a long time to persuade Daniel it was time to start the descent back to the car. Our little Aussie boy thinks that snow is pure magic.
At nighttime we strolled along Corso Italia (the posh main street of Cortina d’Amprezzo), ate pizza, and bought and consumed numerous jars of marinated mushrooms that lined the shelves of the local supermarket.
We want to be back one day.
We stayed in Hotel Columbia which was lovely and cosy, had a great breakfast, and made me feel like I was staying inside the dollhouse my father built for me when we were living in Germany when I was a little girl. Complete with the heart-shaped alpine chairs.
Gratitude. The feeling my heart was overflowing with when I was putting together the photos from June for this post.
Gratitude for the sticks in his hand, for the beach that is within walking distance from home, for the rocks he can climb and conquer, for the firepit in our backyard, for the gentle winter sun.
For the plane that took us to Adelaide to spend time with the grandparents. For witnessing Daniel’s wonder of exploring new places. For being there when he saw his first ever Monet painting.
For living so much closer to the Hunter Valley now that we call the Central Coast home.
So this is our June:
May came and brought with it those lovely chilly mornings and warm, short days. I can’t remember enjoying May as much as I did this year. We got out of the house almost every single day, spending hours in the sunshine without the fear of getting sunburnt or feeling too hot. Every morning of our free days I packed a little picnic, and off we went on our new adventures. We spent time at our old favourite places, and we also discovered a few new to us locations that blew us away (like the Green Point lookout at Pearl Beach – how did I just learn about it??). These days are quickly becoming very treasured memories, and I am so grateful for the camera by my side.
In other news, Daniel is now totally and completely obsessed with Star Wars. Keep scrolling for a few adorable photos of the cutest Darth Vader I’ve seen.
Thank you, the month of May, for all these precious moments.
Exploring Somersby Falls together. Last time we were there, Daniel was nine months old, but it feels like it was only yesterday.
A few friends from The Reptile Park.
May is a strange month. One day it is warm enough to swim in the ocean, the next day you have to get your warm jacket and your beanie out.
My little explorer:
When he sits like this and takes it all in quietly for a few moments, my heart is overflowing with happiness that my little boy knows how to connect to Earth.
Muscles!!! Bubble muscles!!
The most important part of the babycino is the marshmallow. Of course.
Our little adventures together will become the most treasured memories. That is what I know for sure.
A lazy Sunday afternoon strolling through The Rocks:
My succulents. They bring so much joy asking for almost nothing in return. I sit with them often, admiring their perfect shapes and their zest for life.
This alley of liquid amber feels is like a magical island of Autumn surrounded by our abundant and lush coastal greenery.
Exploring the coast near our home. We’ve been living here for three years, and I am still pinching myself that this beauty is right on our doorstep. 
The last tomatoes before winter arrives.
The Star Wars craze has officially begun in our household. Also, I do know that Darth Vader’s lightsabre is supposed to be red. He has already asked Santa for it
May the Force be with you.
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