The year that was...

Today marks a very special day. A year ago on Dec 21 I got the keys to the studio, and my husband and I ducked around before heading to his Christmas work dinner to just sit in there and drink it in. It was such a magical moment, so heavy with possibility, with both of us mentally planning out the rooms and visualising how it would all look.  To think of all I've achieved in there since...it does my head in.A huge thank you to all of my vendors and supporters, who helped me pull it all together and talked it up all over town. It's been such a joy to do this, so to have had it be so successful has been amazing.

I wanted to pause for a moment as I wrap up this year, with a huge thank you to all the clients who passed through my doors in the last twelve months. Your beautiful children with their open hearts and souls have been such a gift, and I hope you all have a peaceful and joyous Christmas.

I'd like to make a special mention of little Gemma and Dylan from Ronald McDonald House, who have shown me what strength and hope is, and I wanted to send hugs to their families who get to take their babies home for Christmas. You're in my thoughts constantly. xo.

Christmas

It feels like ages since I've posted here, and it's no surprise with how busy the last few months have been. So, I'm poking my head out to show off a few latest favourites, before I disappear beneath the mountain of work again! Roll on Christmas Day :o) This is a sneak preview of my new Christmas window photos... This family was so inspiring, and so lovely to let me fulfil a dream of taking a newborn down to the beach. The photos we got were beyond my wildest dreams, so thank you so much Mary and Ricky!

For the technically minded out there, these sittings were both held on fairly sunny (and yes, windy) days, around midday. I set myself a challenge to make the harsh midday sun work, and really love the results. Of course, having an adult that will stand where you want them to makes all the difference! I'd defy anyone to do this with a toddler :o)

and the one that will be the showstopper in the window (I love this image sooo much)

with baby Joseph...

My goal will be to move to more newborn work like this, so if you're interested in something outside the norm, more conceptual, and a piece of art to celebrate this new little life, please call for a chat. I'd love to hear from you :o)

xo Simone

For Cynthia and Neville

a whole gaggle of grandchildren, and three kittens...

I had a ball photographing your beautiful grandbabies, they did an amazing job! These are a few of the fun ones to tide you over until we meet :o)

xo Simone

Design Aglow article

It's with a lot of pride that I show off the article that was done on the studio in the latest issue of the super stylish photographer's magazine, Design Aglow. It was an honour to be asked, and I'm thrilled with how beautiful the layout is! You can see snippets of the article in the collage below. To see Design Aglow's offerings, and purchase the magazine which is full of incredibly inspiring articles on fellow photographers, go to [Design Aglow](http://www.designaglow.com).

I've also finally transferred my blog over to the new one, so while it's a bit gappy (the comments on posts got left behind!), I hope everything works fine :) Please update your RSS feeds and bookmarks etc to the new one :)

xo Simone

A new site!!

Finally, after months of agonising over how to make my site match the studio...I finally got it together and a new site is born :) I'm loving it muchly, and hope you all will too :) www.simonehanckel.com.au

To celebrate, the first person to book on seeing the new site (I'll ask a tricky question..so you'll have to study it!...just kidding), will receive a complimentary 8x10 inch print of their choice with their order, and a spot in the featured sitting part to show off their photographs.

And...just because it's a wasted post without a photo...a pic of my boys. It's on the site (maybe that should be the question...like Where's Wally! ), but I wanted to show it in it's full glory. I love this shot to bits.

xo Simone

My annual Winter love-fest

I just can't express how much I love this time of year. Ok, I'm not loving the cold studio right now, but a heater is definitely on my to-do list.

This winter I wanted to share the love, and so I'm offering something a bit special. Book a sitting to be held before August 31st, and you will receive a mini coffee table style book of your session. These books can't be bought, they are only available to fellow winter devotees. Bookings for this offer are limited to  new bookings only, and the first twenty calls that mention they saw it on the blog, so be quick to get the best dates :o) You will have to be up for anything though, winter is unpredictable, and it may involve umbrellas, gumboots and squealing.... usually from me ;o)

For more information give me a call on 83402838, or drop into the studio at 20 Elizabeth St, Croydon. Actually, call first, I'm in and out a lot!

"People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy" Anton Chekhov

For Greta, Didier and Jude :)

a sneak preview!! Jude was such a delight, and completely cheeky :)

See you next weekend!

Cheers

Simone

Ta-da!!

the studio is now done :o) Finally! It took way longer than I anticipated due to a severe shortage of white console tables in Adelaide...lol. But it's done and I'm stoked. It's even been featured in the very stylish Design Aglow blog. Go here for a look.

So, drop by, come have some lunch with me at the amazing Queen St Cafe and have a wander up and down the great shops in the strip. The address is 20 Elizabeth Street, Croydon, in the very cool Queen St Precinct. Opening party details are coming shortly :o)

xo Simone