Bendigo Family Photographer

~ The Prange Family ~

Once in a while, you find people that you instantly connect with. You might not even have to spend much time with them or talk to them often, you just get *that* feeling. Laura is one of those people for me. We haven’t actually spent that much time together in person, but the words of love & support that come from this woman through text or email is extraordinary.

I met Laura briefly about 8 years ago when our Hubby’s played cricket together, I say briefly because I *HATE* cricket with a passion, and I was the crap girlfriend who didn’t go and watch my Fella’s games ~ Laura was the GOOD girlfriend who was always there supporting!

So for years we knew of each other, and would say ‘Hey’ if we saw each other. It wasn’t until Dion proposed to Laura that our friendship blossomed, as we spent almost a year chatting and planning their wedding, which I was lucky enough to be asked to photograph! In that time, my Dad fell seriously ill. One week he was getting better, then the next we were told he wasn’t going to make it, then the next week he was going home, then the next he wasn’t… Throughout this rollercoaster, Laura stayed so calm and always put me (as a person, not her photographer) first. I found it truly inspiring & I was/am SO touched that this woman who was planning the biggest day of her life, was so empathetic & understanding towards me when I told her there was a chance I wouldn’t make it on the day (Obviously I arranged alternatives, just in case.. But y’know… That is a HUGE spanner in the works moment).

It got to the weekend before their wedding when I got the phone call from the hospital… “You better get here, your Dad is dying”. I rushed to Melbourne where he was in palliative care. I felt sick to my stomach, that there was this phone call that I had dreaded making, that I had to make to Laura. I couldn’t believe I was going to disappoint them like this. In a time where my world was turning upside down, I still couldn’t believe that I was about to let them down. My heart jumped out of my chest as I listened to the phone ring, all the time I was thinking ‘Hold it together, don’t lost it – explain yourself properly.’

Laura answered, and I think she knew straight away. Without hesitation, and without any ounce of disappointment or disapproval in her voice she said “Do not worry about it. Do not even spend another second worrying about it. We planned for this, and prepared ourselves for it. Obviously we wanted you here, but we 100% understand that you can’t be and you need to go and be with your Dad.” I still can’t believe what a selfless, beautiful person I was blessed to meet in a circumstance like this. In a world full of people worrying about first world problems, Laura has the wisdom and heart to see the bigger picture. So in the end, this wedding that I was SO looking forward to shooting, I just didn’t get to shoot…

So… Making a short story long (I’m good at that!)… imagine how EXCITED I was when The Prange’s announced the birth of their beautiful girl Edison, that I hoped I would one day photograph! And last week, I did just that!

So… The point of my long winded story here, is that this family is AMAZING.

Laura is SUPER-DOOPER AMAZING.

And anyone who has the pleasure of being friends with these guys, are pretty bloody lucky!!

Thank you Laura, for all of your kind, supportive, thoughtful, beautiful, wonderful words that you have ever sent my way. Because honestly, every time I get a message from you, I know it is going to make my day better. You know exactly what to say to people, you really have so much compassion, and you have never shied away from talking to me about my Dad, which for me, is HUGE.

So from me to you as I write this will happy tears, I will always be so sorry I didn’t get to photograph your wedding personally, and I hope that these photos (and hopefully I get to capture more in the future!) make up for that a little bit!

I hope you know how amazing you are, and please don’t ever change!

(P.s. Sorry Prangey, this blog is pretty much just about how amazing your Wife is ~ But I’m sure you agree you lucky man!)

Big Love, Leah

~ xoxo ~

Bendigo Family Photographer ~ Leah Ladson Photography is now taking bookings for April, click below to request a current price list: