Jets Fever!

The 2007/2008 season of the Hyndai A-League has been my introduction to football ( apart from my son playing rooball). And what a season it has been. From the very first game i attended in the beginning i was well and truly hooked! I remember walking to EAS from where i had parked my car and hearing the Squadron in full voice for the first time...it immediately spread a grin across my face that lasted all game and i havent looked back. I'm a fan...well and truly. I've attended every home game bar their first, and travelled to their derby's against the Mariners at the CC. I've been caught up in the atmosphere and here we are right now on the eve of a major Grand Final Derby! All i can say is this has been the perfect year to become involved and i only wish i had been from the get-go.
I've photographed many of the games from the sidelines.....but this means you dont really get to see the game played as everybody else does. Looking through the lens just isnt the same as watching the game...but it has it's own rewards in taking home 'souvenirs' to view at leisure. So some games i opted to just watch and appreciate ....it's now such a hard desicion on game day: Do i shoot or watch? If you'd care to view some of my Jets images you can check them out here in my event galleries: http://www.pbase.com/nicbenson/galleries . I'll add more shortly.

I'm all set to head off to the Big Game tomorrow at SFS.... i simply can't wait! We jump on the supporter bus @ noon. It's been an exciting and nailbiting Finals series & I've only just recoverd my voice after last weekends Prelim. And i fully expect another week of scratchy , throaty noices instead of my usual voice for the coming week. Hopefully recovered just in time for next weekend's wedding! I've decided to leave the camera gear at home...settling to take a little P&S camera just to capture the atmosphere.

So look out for my next blog entry - post Grand Final. Whether it be with jubilation or commiseration the highlight of the season is going to well remembered!

To the team and all involved i wish you the very best of luck in tomorrow's game and thank you for the season and giving me another passion. You've done us proud!
GO THE JETS!!!!!!!!!

Nic

Wedding: Nicolle & Peter 9th February 2008

I just want to say that Nicolle & Peter are such a beautiful couple, and i had the honour of being a part of their special day on february 9th. The day started full of rain clouds and patches of blue sky were visible from time to time throughout the day. The inevitable occured however and it was pouring by the time the bridal party were ready to leave for the ceremony set at the Japanese Gardens in Gosford. By a magical stroke of luck, or a blessing from above; whichever way you choose to look at it, the skies cleared and we had a fabulous ceremony outside in the gorgeous surroundings. It was obvious to all just how happy and in love these guys are. A Beautiful couple, a fabulously fun bridal party and a blessed event. Thankyou Nicolle & Peter for allowing me to share your day & may you always be blessed with such love.
.............Treasure the Moments.
Nic

Multiple Award Winner!

I'm going to start off by sharing my fantastic news and hope this is the start of a fabulous 2008!
Xmas Eve i recieved the best news: I am now a Multi Award Winning Album Designer! WOOHOO!

In October/November i had entered a competition: ' The 2007 Photographers Shootout in Album Design.' It was open to all Professional Photograhers & Designers in Australia & NZ, sponsored by Timeless Albums in QLD together with Peter Williams of Turning Heads Photography in QLD.

There were two categories open for entry :

Best Digital Wedding Album
Most Cutting Edge Digital Album

I decided to enter both, not really knowing how i would fare against the rest of the entrants.

After a few weeks we were notified.. right on xmas eve....

I discovered that i had won in both categories!!!

1st Place in the Most Cutting Edge category and Highly Commended in the Best Wedding Album category.

I cannot begin to tell you how stoked i was to hear of what i had achieved! In actualy fact just being 'stoked' is a huge understatement! It took me over a week to really let it sink in....i've acheived something i'd never even thought possible!

There is an Awards Presentation coming up shorlty in QLD, where i will receive my prizes and i cannot wait to experience it all! Would you believe i've never flown before so that will be my first time in an aeroplane too.

Anyway, i'll update this with some images once the Awards Presentation has taken place....i cant wait!
Nic :)

Welcome to Treasured Moments Blogalogue!

Welcome viewers to what i hope will prove to be a fun and interesting spot to stop a while and catch up with what's happening in my world. I have to admit this is my second attempt at blogging, with my first failing dismally.. so much so that i had to start again...... and here we are at post #1. I do promise to try to make this interesting and keep it updated with new content.
I've been really busy of late and have quite a bit of sharing i can do... so let me just catch up on my year to date with a few opening posts to get the ball rolling.
Nic