A friend once taught me that everything life has to be about giving and receiving. That there has to be an equal exchange of the two, energy and flow in balance with one another.

I recently gave away a fairly major prize in a draw at the Sunshine Coast Women’s Lifestyle Expo. It was a big prize for me to give away, and when you give something away in a draw it really is a bit of pot luck. It was really tough for me as I got to meet and bond with so many deserving ladies, who shared their stories and struggles. And as I put their entries into the box I did so genuinely wish that they would be the winner… and then the next lovely lady and the next.

So when I pulled the name out of the box I was seriously hoping that the lucky person with their name on the paper would really appreciate the awesome experience they were to receive and a gorgeous big box of memories to remember it by.

So when I called Tatjiana to tell her she had won, I was genuinely relieved and so excited. I knew from that first instance that this lady was really going to see the value of the gift she was to receive and cherish the entire experience.

When we met, this beautiful and yet totally humble lady and I instantly bonded.

Tatjiana is exactly the type of woman who I love to work with. A beautiful soul who is dedicated to giving her family the best of herself, who leaves little time at the end of the day to do anything just for her.

So it was with great pleasure I invited her to come in and have a little of the star treatment 🙂

We had a lovely afternoon filled with champagne and fruit, makeup and hair, clothes and of course gorgeous studio portraiture.

And after a nice girly afternoon we headed to the beach to meet her lovely family, husband Peter and two hilariously chatty twin boys Finn & Liam. Plus the two show stealers who they obviously all dote on, Molly & Kaiser.

A stunning Sunshine Coast evening to finish off a beautiful day of sharing and photography.

Now I absolutely love love love the shoot experience, we have so much fun dancing around being crazy and having a ball during our shoots. And funny thing is I know that everyone enjoys themselves, contrary to their paranoia prior to the photo shoot. I just don’t let anyone have a chance to let that head stuff in through the door.

But more and more I am loving the part where I get to share the images we create together.

And Tatjiana & Peter’s reaction to their collection totally made my week. They were so thankful. So emotional, and it was obvious so grateful for their family and the reflection captured before them.

In giving this prize away I in turn received so much from this lovely family. I felt the emotions within them as they viewed the images over and over and received their genuine gratitude for the gorgeous collection they were blessed to win, and be gifted.

It really confirms to me that there really is a value in the lesson I was taught.

There is as much (if not more) to gain from giving to deserving, gracious people as there is from receiving a gift you will treasure. It really is a wonderful exchange if both parties appreciate, respect and share the energy of the other.

And I can’t wait to be able to do it again 🙂