BLUE MOUNTAINS LOCALS - Bloom Mountains Designs

I first met Cass from Bloom Mountains Designs at her stall at the WInmalee Markets. I was instantly captivated by her energy and sass! She’s so colourful and creative! I have followed/stalked her on all the socials and marvelled at her original creations for weddings, events and workshops. We have collaborated on styled shoots in the past (see below) but I just knew I had to photograph her in her element. So we met for this session at her studio at Nauti Studios, Hazelbrook. We laughed. We took pictures. And here they are.

Say Hi to Cass here: https://bloommountainsdesigns.com

Collab link: https://polkadotwedding.com/2020/08/from-proposals-to-elopements-how-to-choose-the-right-flowers-for-you-your-event

Location: https://nautistudios.com.au/blue-mountains/studio-space

BLUE MOUNTAINS LOCALS - Not Without Spice

It was 2018 when I first came across Not Without Spice at the Winmalee Markets. I discovered the beautiful combination of flavours created to elevate home cooking to another level and to introduce people to new flavours they might not otherwise be adventurous enough to try. So when Emma reached out to me asking for some business photography I jumped at the chance to meet and learn more about the creative spirit behind this amazing local brand. I was not disappointed.

When I turned up to her Katoomba home, Emma had a pot of her own chai brewing, filling the air with exotic aromas, and then she paired it with a homemade gluten free lamington, I could’ve cried from happiness! We sat and chatted for hours like old friends. I heard all about growing up in the Blue Mountains Honey family, learning how to run a small business by helping her parents run the family business, then branching out to create her own business spurred on by her passion for food and flavours, how her passion for singing lead to forming a band with her musical husband, how she became a mother and cherishes her beautiful girls, how she juggles it all and remains the accidental hipster who has big dreams for the future and the tenacity to make them happen. I can’t wait for our next catch up to see what the future holds!

Say Hi to Emma her: https://notwithoutspice.com.au/

BLUE MOUNTAINS LOCALS - BLUE MOUNTAINS ECO CONFETTI, Winmalee

I reached out to Amanda after attending the WInmalee Markets at Winmalee Public School last month. It was a thrill to discover that along with being co-organiser of the Winmalee Artisan Markets, she also founded XOXO Posy Co & Eco Confetti, two businesses I have been following online for some time. With 10 years floristry experience Amanda found herself with two young children and wanting to create work that could fit around her SAHM life. An epiphany at a soccer game kicked off XOXO Posy Co the subscription that sees 4 beautiful posies delivered in the month of your choosing. Then the abundance of gum leaves in her yard inspired the Eco Confetti she now makes and supplies to weddings and events. And finally, she put her hand up to help organise the Winmalee Markets when the previous organiser had to leave for personal reasons. She manages to do so much with her limited time by compartmentalising every task and keeping things simple but effective. It was such an inspiration meeting and chatting with a fellow creative mum who is rewriting the rules and making the life she wants while raising her children at the same time. 

Say Hi to Amanda here:    @bluemountains_ecoconfetti

Blue Mountains Locals - Orwell & Watts, Springwood

Orwell & Watts sits nestled away behind the main street in Springwood. It's a simple space that Luke & Lauren have transformed to house not only their hair salon but also their leather goods business, Knowhere to Hide. While we chatted and I took some pictures, we spoke about following your heart and passions, how challenging and exciting it is raising our young wildlings, we listened to vinyls and sipped delicious herbal tea, they told me of their visions of adding jewellery making and pottery to their repertoire. They say yes to themselves and to each other readily and it was genuinely inspiring to get to know them.  

check them out here: www.orwellandwatts.com.au and here: knowheretohide.com.au

Wolgan Valley

Driving into Wolgan Valley for the first time I got goosebumps. What a unique and breathtaking location. Jess had organised a surprise getaway for the family to celebrate her husband Anil's 40th birthday and I could see why she had chosen the Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley resort. Every where you look is amazing Australian landscape begging to be photographed. The Sabharwal family have just moved back to Australia after years working in the U.S. so this was also a beautiful welcome home celebration. And I am so very glad they invited me along to capture it all for them. Enjoy!