Happy Birthday #IBOT {I blog on Tuesdays} | IBOT

Hello and welcome to the 5th birthday instalment of IBOT!

In case you missed it last week, the lovely Essentially Jess has entrusted me to look after her baby for a while so she can take a well deserved break. So between now and the end of the year I pledge to do my best to be the hostess with the mostess, and make sure IBOT continues to be the amazing community that Jess built.


Jess has left me big shoes to fill, and I'm rather nervous about the responsibility. Nervous, but excited as well! You guys are what makes blogging great, the community and support is second to none, and I'm excited to open up my blog so you can continue to connect and comment in the true spirit of IBOT.

For those who aren't familiar with me and my blog, I thought I'd kick off my hosting duties with a little get-to-know-me session.
I may be a photographer but that doesn't mean I manage to get a decent photo of my own family!

My name is Kylie, and I have been blogging for just over 7 years. You may remember the name of my blog used to be A Study in Contradictions. It was something my Mum used to call me as a teenager, and I always thought it would be a great name for a blog. Over the years my blog has grown and changed, in much the same way I have.

When I first started blogging in 2009 I was a child-free newlywed, eager to share my ramblings with the world, and spare my husband the word vomit he was subjected to when he arrived home from work. Anyone who has met me offline knows that I LOVE to talk. So starting a blog and continuing the conversation online seemed like a natural thing to do.
Shooting my first wedding a couple of months ago

Since then I've left a marketing career in the publishing industry, had two beautiful baby girls, and have started working towards turning my passion in to a business. From the age of 10, when I received a camera for my 10th birthday, I've been obsessed with photography. After having my second baby I decided that I wanted to pursue photography as more than a hobby, I wanted to make it my career.

I spent last year studying at Tafe for my Diploma of Photography, and graduated with distinction a couple of months ago with an award for Most Outstanding Student. It was one heck of a juggle, with two toddlers to deal with, but I survived my studies and now work turns toward building my business.
Looking like a proud gumby at my Tafe exhibition

My passion is documenting our everyday so that my children will have something to look back on and show their own children in years to come. I want to help other families do the same, and as a natural consequence of this, it seemed fitting to rejig the blog to reflect my true passion, capturing life.

These days I blog mostly about photography (tips & tricks, apps, basic beginner concepts), my life as a Mum (the good, the bad and the craft!), books I love and the odd post here and there on whatever takes my fancy.

When I'm not behind the camera I'm in front of my computer, editing day and night. And when I'm not in front of my computer I'm on the ground, covered  in preschoolers! My husband Dave and daughters Punky (4.5 years) and Zee (turning 3 on Saturday) are the light of my life, and I love nothing more than spending time with them.

We spend most of that time playing, going for walks, or pottering around the backyard. We've recently set-up a herb and flower garden, and Punky was over the moon to discover that the flower seeds she planted a few months ago have finally started flowering!

My other passion in life, aside from my family and photography is reading. With a background in the publishing world, I've been lucky to have discounted access to more books than you could poke a stick at! Last year I read over 40 books and I'm on track to read about that many this year too. It's something I just have to make time for, even if only for a few minutes, every day. Reading allows me to escape the realities of my life and live vicariously through others. If you've got any good book suggestions, make sure you send em' my way.
The fruits (flowers) of our labours

So that's me in a tiny, tiny nutshell. One thing I didn't expect when I started blogging was to not only meet new people, but make new friends. I've met some of my closest friend through blogging. Beyond anything else, I'm thankful for the connections and friendships that blogging has bestowed upon me, and I have IBOT to thank for a large part of that.

So Happy Birthday, IBOT! Here's to at least another 5 years of comments, connections and community! Get linking below...




If you're looking for a qualified, professional Sydney Family Photographer or Hawkesbury Family Photographer be sure to check out my professional site at

www.kyliepurtellphotography.com.au

Comments

Popular Posts