THE DIXON FAMILY | SPEAKING STEREOTYPICALLY

We left with cake and a dress... 

I struggle with stereotypes. I've been cast as one my whole life because of my faith. For most people, discovering what I believe doesn't align too well. 'But you have long hair', 'You wear skinny jeans though…', 'You listen to hip hop, I didn't think you were allowed to listen to hip hop', 'How can you work in fashion/marketing/advertising/photography and be a member of that church?'. I've had some doozy's thrown at me.

It's one of my favourite things when you think someone is this and they turn out to be something else.

When Kate contacted me, there was a small link at the bottom of her email. I clicked once and it led me to her blog filled with all things knit, crochet and quilt. Since marrying Kesh, I've been educated on more than a few things: 

- Chicken schnitzel with sweet chilli sauce is no longer my favourite dinner

- Some days the world isn't the same colour it usually is

- Country towns are cool

- The Beatles really were that good

- Handmade things are the best

Kate is not the stereotypical Mum who knits and makes quilts. I love that. And I love that I honestly think someone who can do those things is awesome, talented and patient. The more I think about it, the more I realise stereotypes are lame. You can't generalise a Mum, or a family, or anyone. And if you do, it's your loss.

The Dixon Family and I, we connected. Long after I put my cameras down, we sat around their kitchen table and spoke about the things we were passionate about, our possibilities for the future. Somewhere mid-speech about all those things we love, I remembered Kesh was waiting in the car. I called her and Kate welcomed her into her home.

We left with cake and (Kesh) with a dress. Kate's generous like that. You will love her, and her family. We did.