On a Saturday morning at the end of November, I met Lucy, Stuart, Elliot and Finley at the Trevallyn side of the Cataract Gorge here in Launceston for a relaxed outdoor family session.

It was one of those beautiful Tassie mornings where everything just feels easy. A quick, fun shoot. Lots of movement. A little bit of peacock drama. And a one-year-old who had just discovered she could walk.

This wasn’t our first session together — not even close — and that always changes the energy in the best possible way.

Meet the Family

Lucy and Stuart have two little ones: Elliot, three-and-a-half, full of curiosity and currently very passionate about peacocks, and Finley, who had turned one the day before our session and was just starting to toddle along on her own.

I’ve photographed this family five or six times now. Elliot since he was a newborn. Finley when she was just three days old — I’m fairly certain she holds the record for the youngest baby I’ve ever photographed.

Lucy is also someone very special to me personally. Our families were close when we were growing up, so she doesn’t just feel like family, she IS family. Being trusted to document her children from the very beginning is something I don’t take lightly.

There’s something incredibly grounding about photographing people you’ve known your whole life.

The Session Story

Cataract Gorge is such a classic Launceston location for family photos, and the Trevallyn side is always my preference as it’s a bit more exciting, there’s more trees to sit under, rocks to climb on and just a bit more interest for the photos than the flat grass plains which the West Launceston side provides.

Elliot had one clear priority: the peacocks.

We managed to get surprisingly close to a couple of them — close enough that when they let out a very loud call, all of us (myself included) jumped a little. The upside? Elliot thought it was brilliant. And we ended up taking Elliot’s portraits with the peacocks in the background! You can even see them make an appearance in some of the family shots too.

Finley spent most of the session testing out her new walking skills. Those early toddler steps are wobbly and determined all at once, and it’s such a fleeting stage. One week they’re crawling. The next, they’re confidently heading off in the opposite direction.

Because I’ve photographed them so many times, the initial “who is this lady with a camera?” phase is extremely short lived. The kids know me. We play games. We chat. We move quickly.

That familiarity changes everything.

It means:

Less shyness
Less convincing
More genuine interaction
And a session that flows naturally

It also means we can work efficiently without it feeling rushed — which is especially helpful with toddlers who have very clear opinions about how their morning should go.

There are a few images that stand out already.

Elliot running as fast as he could to me, the sheer grit and determination on his face is very evident.

Finley mid-step, concentrating so hard on staying upright.

And some beautiful, relaxed family portraits where everyone is close, connected, and just being themselves.

Nothing overly posed. Nothing stiff. Just gentle guidance and space for them to interact the way they naturally do.

That’s always my goal with outdoor family photography in Launceston — to let the location add atmosphere without it taking over the story.

Artwork Choice

At their viewing appointment, Lucy and Stuart chose a memory box of 14 images to add to their gallery wall collection at home.

I love this choice for them.

They already have artwork displayed, so this memory box becomes part of an ongoing story rather than a one-off moment. Fourteen more pieces to rotate, frame, gift, or layer into their home over time.

For families who return regularly, this approach makes so much sense. Instead of replacing older portraits, you build on them.

Your walls begin to tell the story of years — not just one season.

Photographing the same family over and over again is one of the most meaningful parts of being a family photographer in Launceston.

You don’t just see how much the children have grown.

You see how the parents have grown into their roles.

You notice subtle changes. New dynamics. New stages.

And one day, those toddler steps and peacock obsessions will feel very far away.

Lucy and Stuart, thank you (again) for trusting me with your family. It really is a privilege to document your story as it unfolds.

If you’ve been thinking about updating your own family photos — whether it’s at Cataract Gorge or somewhere that feels like you — you’re always welcome to reach out and have a chat. I’ll walk you through the whole process, step by step.

No pressure. Just clarity and support.