The Wild, The Tender, The Real

Real, Raw, Unfiltered: Family Stories

Family, Maternity, Newborn I Gold Coast, Brisbane, Byron Bay

An illustration of a woman and child embracing with stars and a moon in the night sky behind them.
Black silhouette of a woman standing with her hand on her head, wearing a long flowing dress.

Your story matters. Let’s make sure you’re in the frame.

Illustration of a family of three holding hands and jumping on a beach at night, with a large sun and stars in the sky.

Hi, I’m Zara

Visual storyteller, mum of three wild hearts, and passionate collector of the real stuff — the laughter, the chaos, the quiet in-between.

I was born in Berlin, raised by movement, and shaped by a life that took me across the world — from India and Spain to Vanuatu and Bali. Now I’m settled by the sea on the Gold Coast with my Aussie husband Shaun and our little crew.

Photography has always been how I make sense of things — how I hold onto what matters. These days, that means documenting family stories with honesty and heart. No stiff poses or forced smiles. Just real connection, raw emotion, and the kind of memories that make you feel something years from now.

Close-up of a smiling woman with dark hair in a messy bun, touching her face with her right hand, standing against a white wall.
Illustration of a hand holding a vintage camera, surrounded by stars and decorative elements.

The Heart of My Work Is capturing honest, real-life moments — the kind you’ll feel in your chest years from now, when the house is quiet and the kids aren’t this little anymore.

  • Creating a calm, playful vibe that helps people feel instantly at ease

  • Gently leading with confidence — especially when kids are involved

  • Embracing chaos and genuine connection over perfection

  • Honouring motherhood in all its messy, beautiful truth

  • Turning everyday moments into emotionally rich, deeply personal memories

The Words That Mean the Most

  • little boy face cuddled up

    My family is SO greatful to have had photos taken by Zara! She made us feel so at ease. Nothing was posed or felt awkward. The photos captured such joy. I will treasure them for the rest of my life.

    Zara sees things from a perspective that is so unique and creative. She is also so great with kids, she made the whole experience such fun for them. Thank you so much!

    Chelsea

  • two young children holding flowers and kissing standing on a field at sunset

    The photos Zara takes are absolutely stunning and truly capture the essence of our business. Zara is extremely understanding of the brief. We are always over the moon when we open the website to view our photos. The captures are effortless and beautiful. Zara is worth every cent as she’s taken our business to the next level and for that we are so grateful. Thank you Zara for your talent and ongoing support

    Little Clothing Co

  • toddler with big blue eyes, breastfeeding

    Doing a photoshoot with Zara is like hanging with your best friend who happens to be an amazing photographer. From the moment we met it was big hugs and big smiles. Zara made my awkward man, look like he loves me LOL and captured my son's fiery spirit so well. My maternity session with her was a dream and I am forever grateful for the amazing memories she created for us. Book the shoot!

    Brooke

  • mother cradling baby in her arms sitting in a green field

    I loved our experience with Zara, she makes you feels very relaxed and comfortable. She was constantly looking for the best light and angle, the pictures are beautiful, natural. Images that we will treasure forever. Highly recommend!!

    Raisa

The Studio

In this calm space in Burleigh Heads, it’s just you, the light, and the story we’re telling. Whether we’re shooting timeless black and white portraits, model test shots, or creating clean, scroll-stopping brand content — studio work lets the emotion shine without distraction.

Every detail matters here: the way light hits your face, the quiet confidence in your eyes, that one expression that says more than words ever could.

Studio sessions are raw, refined, and real — and whether you're a parent, a creative, or building your brand, there’s magic in seeing yourself this clearly.

Various modern stools and platforms on a white display stand, with a cream-colored tufted pouf and a full-length mirror in the background, all lit by natural light.
Black and white photo of a young girl with short, curly hair resting her chin on her crossed arms, looking at the camera in a contemporary living room.

have a look at some Recent Sessions

Two children playing on the beach with a small sailboat and a child holding a can, with the ocean in the background.
pregant woman looking out of window through curtains
Black and white photo of a young girl with long, wavy hair and freckles, wearing a floral tank top, looking directly at the camera.
Two young children, a boy and a girl, wearing warm knitted hats and sweaters, sharing a playful moment indoors. The boy is smiling broadly with his hands on his face, while the girl is leaning in to kiss him on the cheek.
A young girl in a pink dress playing in the shallow water among rocks on the beach, with a man and a woman with a small child in the background sitting on large rocks.
A young boy stands on a sandy beach with the ocean in the background, wearing a T-shirt that says 'PLANTS'. In the background, a woman in a floral dress and a headscarf dances, and a person in a hoodie appears to be taking a photo of her.

A photo is the story we cannot put into words.

The poetry of our own blissful reality.

Your Art pieces

You haven’t gone through all the effort to just to store your images, somewhere on a hard drive, never to be seen again. I will make sure you will go home with gorgeous framed art pieces and coffee table books to brighten up your home.

Black and white framed photograph of a laughing child in a denim jacket and pants, standing barefoot against a plain background, displayed on a green wall above a wooden sideboard with candles and decorative items.
Living room with a white sofa, decorative pillows, and a coffee table. A picture of children playing on a beach hangs on the wall.
A framed family photograph of a man, woman, and young child, with the woman kissing the child's cheek, placed inside a beige gift box with a white ribbon, surrounded by small succulents and decorative stones on a light gray surface.

Need striking content for your Kids brand?

Specializing in capturing the essence of childhood, I work closely together with you to create captivating images that showcase the magic of your products.

Two young girls in blue dresses walking hand in hand on a dirt path between wooden fences, outdoors on a sunny day.

Not sure what the next step is?
No stress — just reach out. I’ll walk you through everything and make sure all your questions are answered. It’s meant to feel easy

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