Barley Monks Muddy Session | Sydney Family Photography

Disclaimer – No clothes were harmed in the taking of these photos. However I cannot guarantee this will be the case for all Barley Monks family photography sessions!

From the moment I met these 3 brothers I knew this session was going to be fun. It had been raining all week and I had messaged Melanie that morning giving her the heads up that things could get messy in her family session, so to bring a few towels and a change of clothes. I think it’s fair to say that we all underestimated just how messy things would get.

The rain had stopped by the time their photography session had started at Sydney’s Rouse Hill Regional Park and it was shaping up to be just another family session. The boys were bouncing off the walls and Arky was wearing his favourite cowboy boots.

The park and the maze were a hit, and there were a few close calls with giant ants (I mean like as big as your pinky with bright yellow jaws… we breed them big out west) that seemed to be out in force.

They were keen to do their own thing and so we ran with that and I was able to bring them together occasionally for a look at the camera with the promise of a puddle run at the end of the session.

Well, once it was time for the puddle run they could barely contain themselves. I was trying to setup at the end for a great video moment and they were just chomping at the bit, like bulls at a gate. Then I gave the word – “GO!” And it was like a stampede.

Water, mud and children were flying everywhere. The camera was working overtime going off like a machine gun with photos and video all the while trying to save my gear from the debris flying in every direction. Splashing turned to mud hurling and then to puddle tackling. It was fantastic! Well, for me and the photos/video I was getting anyway. Dad, Jamie, seemed slightly concerned (probably because he was thinking how much money they just spent on those clothes that morning and how the hell they were going to get them home without having to hose down the inside of the car). Mum however, couldn’t get the smile off her face.

Afterwards it was back to the park for a final play where the visual can only be described as post apocalyptic zombie children enjoying a break.

Seriously one of the most fun family photography sessions I’ve had the chance to be a part of. Not sure I can say the same for the brand new clothes…. which, much to my wife’s shock, came up without a stain. The big question is – what sort of miracle washing detergent could conquer such material devastation??

See some of the chaotic highlights from the session in Sydney’s Rouse Hill Regional Park below.