Imagine - you’ve just had your second or third (or fourth!) babe, and you’re thinking about photographs. Fact is, if there’s anything your bigger kids have taught you in their young lives, it’s that time freaking FLIES. I mean, in those fist couple years they grow and change basically bi-weekly, so yeah - making photographs is important. Except. You’ve just brought a brand new bundle of cuteness home, and the kids who already share your address maybe have some feelings. Like, LOTS of feelings.

‘You arrived when the yellow leaves were falling. Tiny beams of yellow light floated softly from tired branches, carpeting the path your parents would walk to bring you gently home. It’s a quiet time, when the leaves fall. A reflective, and a still. And now it will be known as the time they met you - their own happy little star. Fallen from the skies like a tiny yawn, Landing safely in their arms.’

In this piece, Geelong photographer Michelle McKay shares a short poem, pertaining to the beauty of an autumn born baby.

‘I hear it a lot.‘We cannot wait to book an outdoor session with you, just as soon as the weather warms up!’ ‘Just as soon as summer arrives we’ll be booking a beach story for sure!’ In fact, I’ve already started booking beach summer story sessions. After all, the beach and the summer go together like peas and carrots. Right? But. Folks. Winter at the beach is it’s own type of magical, in a way that cannot be overstated.’

In this piece, Geelong photographer Michelle McKay stresses the beauty of beach sessions during the winter time.

‘When I was a child and the weather was fine, sometimes we’d drive into the mountains. To me it was a magical place. The shadow of the mountain stretched across the land, resting against the surrounding fields like a cool sheet. From the second we left the sealed road and hit the tree line it was like we’d entered and enchanted space. Somehow it felt sacred.’

In this piece, Geelong photographer Michelle McKay introduces the idea of a family story session in the woods, and the magic that can result.

‘My favourite time to visit the beach is during the off season. Picture it - it’s a seaside town but all the tourists have gone home for the winter. The beach is empty save for the gulls, the wind swept ocean and you - rugged up against the brisk autumn breezes in your woolies, a thermos of cocoa in hand and the humans of your heart wrapped around you.’

In this piece, Geelong photographer Michelle McKay speaks on the benefits of a story session at the beach in autumn.

'When I began printing and displaying my family’s photographs, it was for no other reasons than that seeing my children and our beautiful ordinary life on our walls made me crazily, dizzily happy. But when I saw the impact it had on my daughter to see herself large as life in the hallway, in the bedroom and above the kitchen bench, I was hooked.'

In this piece, Geelong photographer Michelle McKay talks about selecting wall art that is not only a beautiful representation of your family, but that is also artistic.

'In the name of documenting a significant and life changing piece of your family's story, let’s catch those memories as soon as possible! : ) Whether this is your first or final babe (or perhaps one in between!), those first few days of bring home baby will be exciting, formative and incomparable, as well as amongst the most fleeting of eras in your long life.'

In this piece, Geelong photographer Michelle McKay explains the importance and beauty of catching the memories of the first week home with a new baby.

'My memories of childhood playtime are vague, but oh so precious. In them, my sister (who was just 11 months my senior) plays a pivotal role. She was my best friend and side kick when we were small.'

In this piece, Geelong Photographer Michelle McKay explores the gift that is documentary photography - especially for children once they've grown.

'Nothing before or after compares to those first few hours after bringing a baby into the world.'

In this piece, Geelong Photographer Michelle McKay talks about the beauty and importance of having that first 48 hours with a new baby documented. 

'I'm pleased to announce I have a super special offer for friends and fans of Zoe George and The Subtle Mummy. If you’re a resident of Geelong or Melbourne and you secure a Storytelling Session for your family for any time between now and December of 2018, you can enjoy and Storytelling Session for the super special price of $599.'

In this piece, Geelong photographer Michelle McKay announces a special promotion for readers and followers of Zoe George and The Subtle Mummy.

'As a storytelling photographer my most dearest desire is to be a memory catcher. I want to come to your home and I want to hang with you while your children play, giggle, pout, and squabble. I want to be there to witness their idle wonder at the world and the way things work, to see their curiosity, their sense of adventure, and their sweetness.'

In this piece, Geelong Photographer Michelle McKay answers the frequently asked question - will you take my family's portrait?