‘Last night while preparing dinner, I phoned my sister. It was the typical type of conversation - she filling me in on the shenanigans of my nephew and niece, and what's been going on at work, and the pretty new lemon tree she got for her birthday. Then me laughing with her about the dog, and the silly thing my son did earlier that day, and describing in all too unnecessary detail the floral chair I'm hoping to find for the corner of my room. I ended the call smiling, and fell promptly and deeply into a thought that left me breathless.’

In this piece Geelong photographer Michelle McKay reflects on sisterhood, and how worthy that connection is of artfully documenting.

‘If you're wondering today if you are enough, I am here to tell you, you are enough. If you're fretting you're not doing a good enough job, please hear me - you are doing *such* a good job. If you're overworked and overtired and overthinking everything, let me ease your mind. You're doing SO great, mama.’

In this piece, Geelong photographer Michelle McKay delivers a message to mothers they rarely get to hear.

‘Shooting in-home is my very best thing.Nothing excites me as an artist like arriving at your home and knowing I’m about to make you artful imagery that is also deeply meaningful and exactly unique to only you.
But there are so many reasons in-home sessions should be your first pick, too. Here are five of them.'

In this piece, Geelong and Melbourne photographer Michelle McKay explores five key reasons why in-home story sessions are so very beautiful.

‘So you’ve booked a photo session and the big day is drawing nearer. Now for the tricky bit - what do we wear?!’

In this piece, Geelong photographer Michelle McKay provides some simple tips and a visual storybook for what to wear to ensure you look your best for your family photographs.

‘When it came to making a record of your pregnancy, you found yourself hoping for something a little more understated, a little more relaxed, a little more authentic. Something that went a little closer to catching a little of what life is like for you right now, in these quiet days and weeks of anticipation before your already adored darling arrives, and shakes everything up. You may not quite know exactly what you’re exactly envisioning. You just know you’d like something that’s a little more... you.’

In this piece, Geelong photographer Michelle McKay speaks about the importance of maternity photography and announces a gift for pregnant mamas in Geelong.

‘Whether it be baby one or number three, the long standing tradition of gathering with well wishes, wisdom and an assortment of miscellaneous baby goods is a beautiful way to arm new mamas on their journey into motherhood. When the gorgeous day of kindred connection and pastel patterned bunting comes to a close, pregnant women the country over are left with a belly full of cake and a gift table piled high with lotions, onesies, cloth nappies and an assortment of either brightly coloured or wooden infant paraphernalia (depending where you sit on the scale of one to Montessori).’

In this piece, Geelong photographer Michelle McKay introduces the idea of gifting expectant mothers a photo session, rather than baby goods.

'Home. It’s so much more than a place. It’s a time capsule.'

In this piece, Geelong photographer Michelle McKay talks about the importance of home and the reason photographs in the home are so important over time.

'What I relearned is that whether or not I’ve shot this scene before isn’t the point. I photograph to document our lives, to tell our beautiful ordinary story. Not to satisfy some non-existent set list.'

In this piece, Geelong photographer Michelle McKay explains the reason she shoots, and gives the reminder that time is always speeding quickly by.

'Although they might seem more unpredictable, the portraits resulting from a lifestyle photography session may just be more valuable, more meaningful and no less framable than your standard traditional portrait.'

In this piece, Geelong photographer Michelle McKay discusses just three of the the reasons you should consider lifestyle portraits over a more traditional alternative

'The beach is always beautiful, yet people seem to steer clear of it when the weather is cool. Here are five simple reasons why having your family photographed on the beach during the winter is a wonderful idea!'

In this post, Geelong lifestyle photographer Michelle McKay outlines five stellar reasons why having your Geelong family photography session at the beach is a stunning idea.