Windang Beach Photoshoot today was so much fun!

Windang Beach Photoshoot today was so much fun!
Originally uploaded by Vanessa Pike-Russell

I had a great photoshoot with three families that lasted two hours.
It looked like it was going to rain but we were lucky and we had a great time.

Charlotte Belle and Blake Farrow from Circus Monoxide at Viva La Gong

Charlotte Belle and Blake Farrow from Circus Monoxide at Viva La Gong
Originally uploaded by Vanessa Pike-Russell

I met Charlotte Belle and Blake Farrow at Viva La Gong celebrations in MacCabe Park. They have been in Circus Monoxide for over a year and a half and I asked them to pose for a few photographs and wish I had spent more time learning about their story.

Circus Monoxide, Viva La Gong, MacCabe Park, Wollongong

Circus Monoxide, Viva La Gong, MacCabe Park, Wollongong
Originally uploaded by Vanessa Pike-Russell

Maryann's One of a Kind Crafts

Maryann's One of a Kind Crafts
Originally uploaded by Vanessa Pike-Russell

I met Maryann through Auslets, a 'local energy trade scheme' where you post your wants and your offerings and network with others and create your own currency.

I spend time teaching Maryann how to use her digital camera and how to blog, she makes me a dress which I commission for my young friend Siobhan. Everyone has skills and talents which are worth something. In these days of financial insecurity it is good to be focused on finding a way to work at what you are good at, collaborating with like-minded individuals and meet a lot of nice people along the way!

Maryann loves to make jewellery and children's clothes. She lives in Kiama Downs and has travelled to Lake Illawarra and Windang to work on her photography with me. Recently I travelled down to Kiama Downs to her home and enjoyed her view of Cathedral Rocks, sharing a wonderful lunch with Maryann and her mum Frances. The first of many visits, I am sure.

http://oneofakindcrafts.blogspot.com/

I met Shana on the Boonerah Point jetty on Lake Illawarra and then saw her happily walking along in the mud. I asked her if I could take her photo and she happily posed for me.

I met Shana on the Boonerah Point jetty on Lake Illawarra and then saw her happily walking along in the mud. I asked her if I could take her photo and she happily posed for me.