Mocking Bird » Travel

Morning in Morocco

Amanda — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:18:55 +0000

I awoke to the sounds of strange birds chirping in the terrace of my riad this morning, as the sun streamed through the shutter style windows. There is an orange tree that stands in the middle of the terrace that can be seen from every room.

Arriving in Marrakech last night was crazy and I don’t even have the words to describe what that experience was like. Chaos is one word that comes to mind.

We are going out adventuring today with cameras at the ready. Sunshine here we come.

Morocco Beckons

Amanda — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:30:45 +0000

This week I will be taking off for one of my biggest adventures of 2012. Come Sunday morning, I will hopefully be sitting somewhere delightful with the Instant Love team ready to take on Marrakech and our instant photography workshop. It seems hard to imagine that I will be in Africa in just a few short days. I have no idea what is ahead of me and I cannot contain the glee I feel about the amazing things I am going to get to shoot. Not to mention that I am going to get to meet some wonderful people.

This workshop is only the beginning of our Instant Love adventure as we have got lots of things planned already for the year ahead- one being a book launch hopefully somewhere in North America in Spring.

Mocking Bird may be a little quiet in the next few weeks while I take this show on the road however you know I will be back with plenty of photos to share- film, digital and of course, Polaroids! I’m sure you will see plenty of updates from all three of us from the road on twitter and facebook!

Speaking of facebook, Instant Love now has a facebook page. Come ‘like’ us over there! We’d love the support.

Have you been to Morocco? Photographer’s paradise, yes?

Letters to Lovers: Paris

Amanda — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:00:19 +0000

Dearest Paris,

For the longest time I have loved you from afar. You with your style and poise, never once knowing the longing in my glances, never once feeling the depth of my passion, you and I have been absent lovers for the longest of times.

In vain have I struggled. Struggled to recreate your seductions with charlatan croissants and lesser baguettes. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.

I cannot wait any longer. With every fiber of my being, I will cross ocean and sea to be with you. I shall come in late winter when I will have you all to myself. We shall dance under the light of La Tour Eiffel and wander the hills of Montmartre as we have long dreamed.

With love and undying affection, I will see you very soon.

Love Amanda xx

Check out my Letters to Italy, France and Japan.

*Some lines of this letter may have been “borrowed” from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

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Yes, friends, can you believe it, I’m going to Paris! Finally! On my way to Marrakesh (where I am teaching our Instant Love retreat with Susannah and Jen), I am flying through Paris, so I am having a few days of awesomeness in the city I’ve been dreaming about for the longest time.

I am totally paranoid about speaking the language and looking like a hobo, so if you have any tips, I would greatly appreciate them. Cute areas to visit, cafes to eat at, museums to wander, outfits to wear, views to see and shops in which to spend Euro – I would love to hear all of your suggestions, so hit me!

The Missed Society Inc

Amanda — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:00:28 +0000

I’ve wanted to visit Sibella Court’s Society Inc store for the longest time so it was a must on my “Need to Visit in Sydney” list. As you can see from the outside, it’s picture perfect and so utterly quaint that you just want to snuggle into the chair out the front with a book and a blankie.

I could have looked through the windows for hours, but of course was itching to get inside. Unfortunately for my companion and me, nobody seemed to be home. Next time I’m in Sydney, I’ll have to ring ahead and make sure they are open before swinging by. There were shelves and tables full of glorious trinkets that were calling out to be brought home. I love the idea behind the store – valued pieces of eclectic curios found whilst travelling and exploring. Sometimes I come across a place that I feel was created just for me. Do you ever feel that way? Such a glorious little slice of Sydney culture.

You can find The Society Inc in Paddington, Sydney.

Published in Somerset Mag

Amanda — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:00:31 +0000

The lovely Alessandra of Gypsy Girl’s Guide asked me to contribute some of my images to an article she was writing for the magazine, Somerset Life. Her article discussed The Art of Collaboration as seen on her blog Gypsy Girl’s Guide.

I am thrilled to see my work alongside many of my peers and inspirations and it was such an honour to be included in such a beautiful article. You can see work by Alessandra Cave, Fernanda Montoro, Jeanine Caron, Jena Ardell, Deb Schwedhelm and Leonie Wise.

Thank you to Alex and the editors at Stampington for including my work. You can find the current issue in bookstores.

Wandering Neighbourhoods: Cronulla

Amanda — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:00:23 +0000

I’m kicking this week off with a Wandering Neighbourhoods of Sydney. While in the homeland, I spent a lot of time staring out at the ocean and soaking up all those blues. Cronulla is Sydney’s southern most beach and it was walking along the esplanade here that I had my “I grew up in an amazing country” moment.

It wasn’t warm enough to tempt my toes closer to the ocean, but brunch overlooking the water was just what I needed. Lattes, good food, warm, blue skies, the sound of the ocean, crystal waves and family time – the only thing missing was my Sean.

Sydney, you truly are beautiful.

Home And The Rest Of The World

Amanda — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:00:33 +0000

It’s been a roller coaster of a month for little old me. My time in Sydney was full of happiness, excitement, rest, anguish, stress, sadness, and joy. Living abroad is such a mad mix of emotions both while you are away from home and when you return. You always feel a little on the outside of both worlds – never feeling like you completely belong in your new land and the same time feeling disconnected from the home you grew up in. This life you lead is often hard to describe to others.

Despite the disconnectedness and the not so great things that happened on my trip home, I spent many joyous days soaking up my beloved Australian light and feeling the sand beneath my toes at the beach. I reveled in the bliss that is spending quality family time and devoted many mornings and afternoons to sipping my cherished Sydney coffees with friends old and new. I lapped up my favourite shopping haunts and ventured to many new ones.

I think my most favourite moment was my second morning in Sydney. I walked along the esplanade with my mumma in the glorious sunshine, the light was sparkling on the beautiful blue ocean and bouncing over the sand so perfectly white. Mum asked me if I missed the city…I looked out and said, “that right there is what I miss.” I think she looked at it with almost glazed eyes, as she sees it on a regular basis. I told her that we Australians have no idea how lucky we really are. You don’t know until you leave. And I’m quite certain the same thing happened to the Canadian when he lived in Sydney. His homecomings would include looking at those snow-capped mountains and thinking the exact same thing. He hasn’t told me in so many words, but I’m pretty sure that’s what he’s thinking when he sits atop Whistler Mountain on his snowboard.

Clearly, these are first world problems and ours could be far greater…either way, we will be alright.

p.s. Swing back here tomorrow to hear about my give away!

Polaroid Portraits iii

Amanda — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 17:00:24 +0000

We wandered into the woods where the light was shimmering through the trees and shadows played across the dusty ground. A path lightly trodden underfoot. I didn’t need to ask him not to smile. – Polaroid Portraits

A Beach Somewhere In Sydney

Amanda — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:44:06 +0000

Hello from down under,

After the plane ride from hell, getting over the jet lag has been tough, but I am starting to feel more like myself again and venturing out and about in Sydney.

I walked along the seaside path with my mum on a gorgeous sunny day and told her how I’ve come to realise how lucky Australians are to have such a gorgeous backyard. The light so bright and shimmering across the ocean as the waves lapped onto the white sands of the beach…it felt great to be home.

We stopped in to a beach-side cafe for breakfast and watched the surfers and swimmers wander by. I could have stayed there all day.

Australia Bound

Amanda — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:00:45 +0000

I’m not quite ready for summer to end, so I’m heading to Sydney where spring is in full swing and 25 degree days have already arrived.

See you on the other side!