Today marks exactly 50 days until we head out on our much anticipated adventure. It’s such a nice round number that you’d think I planned it like this, but in fact I’m just as pleasantly surprised as you are. At the roundness of the number. Not how little days are left because that’s a shocker. 50 days are going to fly by real quick. Too quick. Flip.
What this really means for me, aside from frantic planning, plotting and prepping, is that we are closer to leaving our 2 Dogs and 1 Old House behind. We’ve made so many memories in this old house in the last 5 years and even though we’re not selling it, when we come back we will be changed people. The way we look at things, experience things and just deal with things will have changed. Our dogs will be a year older when we come back too. Time will have passed. Our reality will have dramatically shifted.
I am a stickler for trying to capture memories. It’s what this blog is all about actually. It’s why my kids are so used to having a camera pointed in their faces. A picture really does capture a thousand words and tells a story of a time and experience that words often fail to do. From the look between siblings while they’re ripping off their parents, or the snuggle moment between mother and son or the wide eyes of a child trying to copy their dad. Photos tell that story better than anything.
So now with this pivotal moment in our lives I want to remember what life is like right now. What makes our family happy in our own every day space. What our every day space even looks like. From that red plastic chair that has spent half its life upside down to the dogs staring out the window, barking intensely at some imagined bad guy. And maybe even be present in those pictures instead of behind the camera.
When Tabitha from Grand Little Adventure got in touch with me about working together, I was interested. Then she told me that although she has been a wedding photographer for ages, she was branching out to capture more of lifes moments. That her new focus is capturing families in the hustle and bustle of the every day normal life they lead, in their own special space – their homes. And then guys, then I was SOLD.
I did a quick squiz at the type and style of photography that got Tabs up and passionate every morning and I fell in love. It’s the kind of moment capturing that I only aspire to be able to do one day when I’m big.
We spent about an hour one Saturday morning chatting to Tabs while the kids excitedly showed her around every space in the house. I swear the are one more chat away from inviting her to live with us. They warmed up to her so quickly they wouldn’t let her leave. And I don’t know if you have had any experience with trying to take pictures of a little person, but that is basically a must. It’s impossible otherwise.
And in between all the chatting and just carrying on with normal things we get up to on a Saturday (save for us being in the play house with the kids), Tabs snapped away. I really adore the pictures and the moments that she captured. So extremely special.
(I love how scared Spartan looks in this picture hahaha. He’s like, “Why am I getting all this attention?! Something must be wrong.”)
Now I just want to make something clear. This is not the type of photo shoot that you only book before you jump into a campervan to travel South Africa for a year. Although it’s not a bad time to do it either.
This is the type of shoot that you book with Grand Little Adventure for a multitude of reasons. Here’s a few to consider…
- MOTHER’S DAY – I cannot imagine a better gift to arrange for Mother’s Day. Actually getting Mom in the pictures will be so appreciated by every Mom out there. So Dads that still haven’t figured out how to spoil the Mom in your life, this is it.
- MOVING HOUSE – You’re about to move house and want to capture some special memories in your old house before you pack up. I can’t think of a better house warming present for your new place than one of these framed pictures on your wall. (Not of us, obvs. Of you and your family having the very best time ever).
- KEEPING THE MEMORIES ALIVE – You don’t need to be moving to want to capture the slice of life that you are in right now. You will look back at these pictures for years to come and still enjoy them.
And guys, you’ll want to book in May. Let me tell you why… Grand Little Adventure has partnered with Giggle and Co who make the most divine wooden toys and nursery decor that will leave Pinterest drooling. Which means that for every booking made in MAY you will receive a R400 voucher to spend at Giggle and Co!
That’s our little secret, so don’t miss out and book now.
WIN A FAMILY PHOTO SHOOT WITH GRAND LITTLE ADVENTURE!
If you’re new to this entry situation of if you are using your phone, let me give you a heads up. First comment on the blog post, then go through the Rafflecopter widget to confirm that you have done that. Then it should be easy peasy lemon squeasy to enter. Good luck!
CONDITIONS:
- You need to enter through the Rafflecopter widget below. Like you have to. No other option. It just makes things fair you know?
- Leaving a comment on the blog and confirming this through the Rafflecopter widget gets you one entry. The rest are optional but encouraged.
- The prize cannot be exchanged for cash or anything else
- You need to live in the Cape Town area and be free to do the shoot at a time that suits both parties
- PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU ACTUALLY DO ALL THE STEPS THAT YOU TICK OR YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. Sorry to shout at you like that but apparently it’s necessary. Just play by the rules and stuff.
- If you have won a giveaway on 3 Kids, 2 Dogs and 1 Old House in the last 6 months, you may not enter. We need to spread the love, not hog it.
Now let me share some more of our special moments with you. Our 3 Kids, 2 Dogs and 1 Old House all in one shoot – perfection.
91 comments
For me : I really liked the visit to the beachfront vibe, lol my house is a disaster don’t want photos to remind me of that haha
I would chose a homely one.. playing in the garden included.. I absolutely love your photoshoot, its so natural in your own environment.. (well your environment for now 🙂 and its just simply gorgeous
I’ve entered, hope to win!!
These are such beautiful pics! I would absolutely love to win this prize!!! 🙂
My favorite photo is the one with all of you on the couch looking much happier than Kim K’s family portrait. My second favourite is the one of Seth making coffee with you praying in the background!
Would love a play in the garden shoot! Would love to capture the special memories
Beautiful photo’s! And what a great to way to create some treasured memories
Love these pics and your new shorter hair style! Holding thumbs for some beautiful pics of my own!
Would loooove to win this for a family shoot with my son, my mom & grandma , sisters and nephew. Sort of a generational family shoot 😍
This would be awesome before our new addition to our family arrives 🙂
Not sure if this is where I’m supposed to leave a comment… but here goes! I would love to capture our life at the moment. We are currently living in the Cape winelands with our 3 year old son, and another one on the way. And as with most moms, I’m the one always taking the pics. So I hardly feature. And when I do ask hubby to capture a moment I’m sharing with my son, he captures all the wrong angles, and I end up deleting his attempts – of course I never tell him! SO. It would be absolutely amazing to have a professional behind the camera for a change! I’m thinking a wine farm / estate with lots of open spaces. The winelands is so beautiful at this time of the year! 🙂
Entered. These pictures are beautiful.
Wow what an awesome giveaway. I really need a family pic for our home.
I love lifestyle shoots. We did a shoot in a forest and on a wine farm already. Would love a family photoshoot at the beach – either on a cloudy day or during the magic hour!
The universe is so funny. Only yesterday I mentioned wanting to organise a family photo shoot before my child was no longer little. I have already wasted 10 years of possible ops, time waits for no-one…Holding thumbs.
I would love a photo shoot with us in a outdoor location where we could include our loving pooches too!
Would love the opportunity to actually be in the photos with my family!
I would love to capture our family in our new home we moved into almost two years ago. I would choose to capture us cooking or baking as a family because my kids absolutely LOVE us doing that together and the mess is something crazy and beautiful. 🙂
I like foresty type of shoots. Big open spaces for the kids to run around and greenery and trees and grass and and for the nature lover in me.
I love following you on Instagram. We also have 3 kids, no dogs but 2 cats and some large koi. Not exactly cuddly kind of pets but fun to watch. I would love to win a photoshoot for my brood in our natural home environment. I love baking with my kids so it might be fun having some baking activity involved in the shoot too.
These pics are great. So refreshing to see candid shots and not posed! I’d love to do this with my family
An outside shoot( like the beach visit with the Shaws) is our vibe! This is my first Mother’s Day and will be my boyfriend Kevin’s first Father’s Day to our baby girl, Kadin. A photo shoot will make it extra special!
I have entered. I would love to win. Time goes by so quickly and kids grow up just a quick. WOuld like to just capture those moments before they are gone.
I couldnt decide which photo I liked the most they all good but the one that stood out for me was where you all on the couch i love the togetherness it represented .
Ah, these are perfect! Tabitha actually went to my school (I think she was in the grade below me?) and I’ve seen her wedding photography online, which is amazing! I’m the worst at having my photo taken, but these are so precious I definitely want my own now!
Beautiful Photos!
The pictures of your family are beautiful, and I would love the opportunity to have some of mine as well.
Beautiful pictures of your family, creating wonderful memories!
I love pictures and I adore yours! I would love to win this photoshoot so that I can add to my collection! Good luck with the next 50 days!
I’ve been waiting for this post since your first teaser picture! I would love, LOVE to win this. We’ve just (a week ago) moved to CT and we’re setting up in our dream home. My baby is 1 in just over a week and I would so love the last of gis babyhood captured in a natural setting. Holding thumbs!
Wow! So beautiful to capture memories of a house before you move.
Would love to win the family shoot
I’m pregnant with my second, and we’re leaving our much loved (but seriously outgrown) little flat for a big home in the suburbs. I’d love to capture this time with my firstborn who’s about to go through so much growth and change. I’d love to capture my family’s excitement and trepidation and all the mess in between with these major life changes.
This is amazing! You have such a lovely outlook on such an exciting (and daunting) adventure!
Love your photies with Spartan.
Would love this fir our little family of 4☺️
Enjoyed the read… Leaves one thinking… Feeling inspired and loving what one is blessed with even more! Awesomeness
Gosh, any pics with me actually in them would be great! 🙂
This shoot looks fantastic and your family is so beautiful! Props to Tabs UP.
To be quite honest I’ve never had a family shoot 🤦and I think it’s time💝… An open space… Seaside or park would be ideal 😊
I love all her shoots, hard to choose, but I love the home ones with the dogs involved and the kids in the garden and enjoying their home environment. Would love to win this!!
I would definitely do a homely one. Caleb’s at such a sweet age at the moment but still discovering things around him and I’d love to capture those moments of discovery!
I really enjoyed the baking one because I love baking with my son and it brings him such joy to use all the big boy baking equipment 🙂 i would love it in our home as it captures our complete personality and style as a family and I think that’s something really beautiful to capture in photos!
Lovely pics! I love the one of Knox on the monkey bars with his tongue out in concentration! Would be a great prize to win.
Such a lovely giveaway. Truly priceless!
Stunning pics! I would go for a ‘hugs and kisses on the beach’ vibe with my hubby and kids. Hope to win.
I would love to do a shoot every year.
Our little boy LOVES spending time outside, so I’d love to have a shoot in our garden at home xxx
Stunning, I want to have a chilled shoot at home like you. I’m so in love with this house.
I’m all about playing a board game – but it’d be more like building with lego for us :p Am so going to tuck this info away for later.
I’m all about playing a board game – but it’d be more like building with lego for us :p Am so going to tuck this info away for later.
Aaah I know exactly what you mean when you say it would be nice to have photos with you actually in it rather than behind the camera. The moments shared between my 7 month old Georgia and I are only captured in my memory…. Not documented anywhere. I always tell my husband she’ll look back and know her daddy spent so much time with her because I’ve taken so many special pics of the two of them together. Would be amazing if our family of 4 (incl. Ella, our dog) could be in some photos together with special moments and memories captured.
All the best to you, Seth and the family for your next adventure. You guys are inspiring!
Oh… And I think a park or some greenery where Georgia and Ella can play would be great to capture some special moments!
Ohhhhh. Would love to win this!
I think on the beach or in nature.
Amazing!!
Type of shoot… one that shows our unique big family. A BJJ, Gymnastics, cycling shoot:)
Entering and Confirming
These are amazing!
I love the artistry of Tabitha Mee!
What a really special thing to do before you set out! The pictures are beautiful!
What a really special thing to do before your big adventure- the pictures are beautiful!
I would love to do a photo shoot at the beach – it is my son and daughter’s happy place. We spend many hours at the beach, with them playing in the ice cold water and building sand castles. It would be amazing to win a shoot with my family at the beach.
I would love this for our family! I think we have one family photo.
I would like a shoot in nature!
I LOVE natural lifestyle photography more than anything…. what talent! I’m also painfully sentimental so would love to capture our lives right now. Our fledgling garden is in it’s infancy as we built our house a year ago – from the dust up – it would be so cool to look back and remember where we started. Also, i’ve just done my annual hair highlights… so the km of regrowth is currently connected to my ever-growing grey at the roots. Also also, my hub and I are late (again) at taking our annual March anniversary photo. And I recently just lost 2 years of photo’s on my hard drive (heart stab). All the reasons 🙂 I’m just not sure i have enough time to make my knees look as sexy as yours Cindy – haha 🙂
Gorgeous photos. Special memories.
Somewhere cozy and minimalistic. #hygge
I would love a homely one. Showing our amazingly diverse family within our own environment is a rare moment that is difficult to capture. This would be so amazing for my mom! I LOVE this blog and your family is so amazing and real. I love that you guys never leave out any information and genuinely share your feelings. So thank you!
I have 2 beautiful boys and would love to win this!!Entering, so crossing fingers & toes
These pictures are beautifully captured. Definitely something I would like to do with my family.
Thanks for a great blog post once again! Always enjoy them. I’ve entered. What a great prize!! 🌸🌸
This would be fun to do – without my husband taking pics for a change. and having family images that are NOT selfies…. this would just be AWESOME
Such beautiful photos of your family. So special to have!
I’d love a shoot in our home, it’s almost impossible getting good photos of our twin toddlers and having some memories of our little family would be fantastic.
This would be such a special treat to win! Our youngest baby is crawling so things are moving pretty fast,would love to capture some of the special moments.
Would be an awesome win
we are about to leave Cape Town and would love a farewell shot!
Would love to win this as I am always the photographer but am so rarely in the pictures. Love the idea of doing it at home . It’s where my daughter is most comfortable so would be perfect
I have changed jobs and it keeps me so busy. I don’t get to read your blog as often as I want to anymore.
I’ve missed almost all the prep post #sadness
Good luck guys and I hope I will be able to follow the amazing adventure 😁🌻
Such beautiful moments captured… Love this 🖤
This is such a nice giveaway! I’d love to win and have some special moments captured on camera.
Really love these pics. They are so candid. I’m often the one in our family trying to capture the special moments and so often find so many pics of everyone else and none of myself at those special occasions etc. it would be awesome to have these. Would also be great to have these pics before our baby is born. As a family of theee we have never had a family photo shoot and I think it’s good to have this time in our lives captured before we become a family of four. Really hope I can win 😁
Great prize! Love it! Love Thabitas work so much!
Would absolutely love to win a shoot to capture the memories of this special time in our lives – our last few months alone with our little girl before her baby sister arrives in August. 🙂 We love being in our little home and would love to have pictures of us hanging out together in our own space like we love to do.
Best wishes and safe travels for ur year ahead. May it be all u are expecting it to be and so much more.
I’d love a photoshoot of our family in our breautiful neighbourhood national park, Deer Park. It is so beautifully natural and would be the perfect setting for a family shoot 🙂
I’d love to bless the family I stay with, with a photo-shoot! They’re 6 strong – 4 lovely home schooled kids who are always on adventures outside – building forts high up in the tree’s!
They also have a bit of a farm life going at home – lots of veggies growing in the garden, chickens, rabbits, dogs! It would be incredible to capture their school from home, adventurous life!
Stunning pictures Tabitha… Like I said earlier on my email I love this approach to shoots not the old “cheese” photos that had become so used too. Kudos to you🖐️
I love, love this and her work. Really hope I win 💕
I would probably do a pizza making late afternoon shoot in our home (we all LOVE pizza 🍕) or at our favourite pizza spot and maybe go for a golden hour stroll to walk it off 😊 We are also expecting our second little boy in a few months, so a few casual belly and big bro photos would be so special to capture too. Fingers crossed. X
Beautiful family captured naturally and perfectly. These are the treasures in our lives
Absolutely love this shoot. Your family is stunning!
I think we’d probably be photographed at home, just chilling. I’d be baking and my husband will tasting whatever I made, of course. There’s likely to be some PlayStation games going on too
The first time ever that I read a post on your blog. All thanks to thos competitionand. Love your writing style. It’s like im sitting in front of you and we’re having a conversation. Guess who’s subscribing…. Is there such an option even?…