It’s been a while since my last post… no reason really… we’ve just been busy. So much so that, today we decided to spend the morning in the park, flying kites and swinging on the swings.
Sometimes I forget to take time out. Sometimes I forget how much fun there is to be had out there. Go find it… Happy Sunday!
Enjoy!
When I got a phone call from an ex-colleague and friend of mine – Col Greenway – asking me if I wanted to photograph the Mundine fight in Brisbane last week I jumped at the chance and said yes….. it wasn’t til after I got off the phone that I realised what I’d said yes to!
It’s not that I don’t like boxing or sweaty, beefy blokes… I just hadn’t been to a boxing match before, let alone photograph behind the scenes or get up close and personal with some big sporting heroes. On top of this, I didn’t know how I was going to react… I knew it was going to be exciting… but I wondered if I would get excited by it.
Just before my flight a local barista told me that being at a boxing match is electric…. and that the electricity runs through your body and is inescapable. He wasn’t wrong. It was ELECTRIC… and I didn’t just enjoy it, I LOVED it. By the end of the night I was shouting as much as the fans were, and feeling every blow (a little tricky when you’re holding the camera). And I couldn’t help but reflect on how photographing the fight left me feeling the same way I do when I shoot a wedding or any other event for that matter… emotional, fully charged, hyped, exhilarated, part of the bigger picture… Hard to explain – but setting out to capture human emotion and the relationship between people is high on my list of priorities when I pick up my camera. It’s why I do what I do and it was nice to reaffirm this, even if the subject matter was a little different this time.
Oh, and why did Col ask me along do you ask? Well that’s easy. It was all for the kids 
Col is President of the Violet Foundation. The Foundation is made up of people who have been either directly or indirectly affected by Meningococcal Disease and exists to provide support and raise awareness. The Foundation took along two kids and their families to the fight last Wednesday night, both of whom contracted Meningococcal at an early age and have had to live with ongoing problems and scarring as a result. Michael and Robert got to meet their superheroes and were ringside for the action on the night. The photographs will be auctioned later this year as part of fund raising for the Foundation. It was a real privilege to be asked to take part in this event, and to meet Michael and Robert. I hope you enjoy the images.
Warming up… One of the earlier bouts…
The Heavyweight fight between Alex Leapai and Travis Walker was an amazing show of power and strength…
Ringside, ready for the action…
Garth Woods preparing for his bout against Ryan Coppick. Garth won The Contender earlier this year and trains with Billy Hussein (also pictured). I learned later that we live in the same Sydney Suburb!
I like this next photo mostly because of way Garth’s big brother Nathan is looking on with such pride and admiration…
Garth didn’t waste much time letting his opponent know he meant business…
Sonny Bill Williams received a supportive visit from Anthony Mundine before his fight…
Now, I’m no expert but I think I would’ve been a little worried if I was this guy…
And it took all of 2 mins 35 secs for Sonny Bill to put him away…
Meanwhile Anthony Mundine was cool as a cucumber looking super fit, if a little lighter, given his step down to Light Middleweight…
During the break Col managed to find some Bronco’s in the crowd who were more than happy to meet the kids and have a photo taken…
Even Brendan Fevola stopped by for a chat and a quick photo…
Then it was time for the main event, and the crowd were treated to a full 12 rounds of Mundine magic… even Garth made it back out to watch the fight…
Victory…
And finally, how can a guy look this good AFTER a boxing match? Sonny Bill is an ambassador for the Violet Foundation and they’re very grateful for his support.
So, there you have it. My experience at the Fights in QLD last week.
Enjoy!
Last night’s bout between the Screaming Assault Sirens and the D’viants was my first taste of the Sydney Roller Derby League and it certainly won’t be my last
See you at the next Bout…
Enjoy!
Really. When I was 4 I’m not sure I had much of a say in how my hair looked, or what the hairdresser did with it. That came much later when I was approaching my teens and decided I wanted flicks (or ‘”bangs” as they’re now called)… a serious mistake! How was I to know that my long locks would spring into tight curls when cut shorter…. it just wasn’t a great look at all and it took a long time for me to find a style that worked – but it was the 80′s and there was a LOT of choice
This little 4 year old however had a very different approach. It was her second visit to the salon- in her life – and when the lovely hairdresser turned to me and asked what we were doing with her hair today, my voice was drowned out with instructions:
“ a fringe… to my eyebrows…. and longer bits down here (beside her face)… and a healthy trim…….. please!”
“Same again”, I replied when I got the chance and as she set to work I relaxed into a spare wash basin lounger (they’re really comfy). I watched on with delight as her Grandmere (freshly arrived from the UK) looked on with eager anticipation. It really wasn’t as serious as it looks, Grandmere was delighted to be there and Miss 4 felt v. grown up.
I really have enjoyed having my parent’s-in-law over here from the UK. There is so much that they don’t get to see or share with the children that even mundane things like haircuts become special treats. Another opportunity to strengthen the bonds between the children and their long-distance grandparents. It’s these little moments that give lasting memories that can be shared together.
Enjoy,
Dear Blog,
Sorry for the neglect, I’ve been a little busy:
And now I return, refreshed and ready for the sessions already booked this year and those to come. There are always hiccups though, and ours came in the form of this…
Late last year I was all set to sign up for the J* workshop held in Sydney last week…. but my PC had other plans and an upgrade was required. For once I listened to my head, not my heart and placed the order.
I know the workshop was awesome, I’ve seen some of the images coming out of it already, and it hurts to not have been there, but I did the right thing. It wasn’t all plain sailing though. No sooner had I turned it on and it was the good old blue screen of death.
The only reason I’m sitting here typing this post now, is thanks in no small part to my darling husband who sat here for two whole days rebuilding my new, but broken PC.
So today’s post is for him. Thank you my sweet, I truly do appreciate the patience and perseverance you showed in getting this baby back up and running. M xxx
Have a great day,
