Golden Light and Happy Puppies

I was stoked when Danica and Gary told me they were bringing their dogs along to their engagement session as I absolutely love working with animals (even if they do say never work with children or animals). We arrived at Paterson Park one beautiful sunny afternoon and I was introduced to their Labrador, Papillon and Daschund. After the dogs had a run around the get out some of their energy we started working on some portraits with the dogs who for a while seemed more interested in putting their butts towards me rather than looking in my direction. Eventually we got the dogs facing the right way and we were good to go. And they were very cooperative puppies!

When we finished at Paterson park, we started chasing that divine light, so made our way up past Vacy to a gorgeous sundrenched paddock. The whole time we were shooting, there were three very concerned looking dogs watching us from the car, wishing they were running around in the paddock as well. As the light started to drop, we headed back into Paterson for a last few photos on the bridge. After we finished these, I was inspired for one more location back in Woodville. By this stage it started to get freezing cold and we were loosing light, so after a few photos here, we were done for the day.

Thank you both for a fun afternoon and for introducing me to your fur babies! I can't wait for your wedding!

A Beautiful Collaboration

On a sunny Wednesday in July, some of the Hunter Valley's best wedding suppliers teamed up to create a stunning collection of images following the theming of "A Winter Bride". Months and months of meticulous planning had gone into this shoot, with many mood boards created, colour palettes and swatches poured over and gowns designed and created from scratch for the shoot.

The day was long and exhausting, but so beautiful! All the months worth of planning came off perfectly and we saw our vision come to life! I cannot wait to show you more images after they have been released, but for the time being, here is a few to wet your appetite!

A big thank you to all these amazing suppliers:
MAKEUP: Stacey Hipwell Makeup Artist
HAIR: Katrina's Creations
GOWNS: Gracelynn Couture
JEWELLERY: Exquisite Jewels for Hire
FLOWERS: Wow Flowers
WEDDING CAKE: Michelle the Cake Chef
DESSERT BAR: Wild Rose Sweets and Styling
VENUE: Leogate Wines
MODELS: Caitlin, Vivienne, Tanika and Caitlyn.

Old Stables and Warm Fires

In a few weeks my best friend of 14 years is getting married! So naturally I had to photograph her and her awesome Hubby-to-be Lachlan. My gift to them to celebrate their engagement was an elegant couples shoot. As a special treat for Amy, I organised a gown, hair and makeup (by the ever awesome Stacey Hipwell), jewels (by Exquisite Jewels for Hire) and an amazing venue!

We spent the afternoon shooting all around the homestead and stables creating romantic (and some very very silly) photographs in some gorgeous sunlight. Eventually it was just way too cold to shoot outside anymore, so we moved inside to warm up by the roaring open fire, where we also lounged around on the antique furniture and played Pachabel's Canon on the Grand Piano.

It was a pleasure to finally to get to shoot you both after all these years of you being together, and I cannot wait to stand by your side in just a short few weeks and watch you become Husband and Wife!

Flowing Veils and Old Buildings

Lately I have been working on some slightly different images to my usual bright and colourful work. My aim was to create some really creative, moody and artistic images. I'm rather happy with the outcome. For my processing with these images I went for something a bit more moody as well, that felt so odd while doing, but I really enjoy the finished product.

Thank you for a fabulous afternoon Kristi! Hope you had as much fun as I did creating these images!

Museums with Giant Globes and Backlit Alleyways

I do love a winter wedding! I know its crazy chilly, but the light! Oh my, the light! I was stoked when Corrine and Nathan booked me for their stunning winter wedding, and the day was just magical!

Corrine and Nathan's ceremony was held at the always beautiful Newcastle Museum and was decorated with dreamy cascading flowers and a ribbon backdrop. It was just divine! And the ceremony was so heartfelt, bringing a tear to my eye while I was shooting. After the ceremony ended and we finished the family photos, we made our way into the museum for some portraits. first stop was the big inflatable Globe. I have had in my head for a long time, and image of the couple dipping under the giant earth with their bridal party running circles around them. I am so thankful to the bridal party for agreeing to help create this image. It turned out exactly as I had envisioned it! It took a number of goes to get it just right, but I was stoked with the results. And the bridal party got a good cardio workout in the process. Thank you to all of you. You helped bring my vision to life, and I apologise if I exhausted you all!

After a few more shots around the museum, we made our way outside to utilise the big doors across from the museum, always a favourite, and then hopped in the cars to head to Hunter St for some more portraits. First stop was some bridal party portraits on the steps of the old post office, and then I took Corrine and Nathan into Le Passe Temps for a few more portraits. A big thank you to the venue for allowing us in for 5 minutes! The rest of the portraits took place in front of an awesome door that I have always loved and a little alleyway nearby that had some fantastic light streaming through! Corrine and Nathan were perfect to work with, they knew just the right way to pose with barely any instruction, you guys made my day so easy!

After driving through some crazy rain and the start of a large storm, we arrived at Brown Sugar in Warners Bay for the reception. It was lovely and warm inside, with gorgeous lighting and beautiful personalised movie themed touches on all the tables.

Thank you so much to Nathan and Corrine for having me there to share your day. You made the day not feel like work at all. This is why I love my job! And thank you to the bridal party and all Nathan and Corrine's family members for making us laugh all day and making us feel so welcomed.