Arno & Kirsten and Emu Park

Saturday just gone, Sam and I trekked over to Rocky for Arno & Kirstin's wedding. Half the wedding occurred in Rocky and the other half at the Reef Resort at Zilzie.

In Rocky we went and got some shots while Kirstin got ready. Followed by a ceremony at Oasis new life center on George street. I am HOPELESS at navigating my way around Rocky, I hardly know the place and I am hopeless with direction. Now my trusty Navman sometimes likes to play games (usually at crucial points on a trip). Luckily I had Sam with or else I could still be there trying to get out.

Kirstin was fashionably late for the ceremony, and after all the hugs we headed to Emu Park at 4pm. On the way there was a plume of smoke over Emu Park and I must say panic crossed my mind... but thankfully, we drove through it into clear skies :)

above: Candid shot of Kirstin

above: Kirstin getting ready

above: the girls on the beach, they all look incredibly lovely

above: Arno & Kirstin on the beach

above: Arno and Kirstin on the beach above right: Arno & Kirstin on the jetty at Emu Park

above: Arno & Kirstin

above: My very favourite shot ~ Arno & Kirstin at the old Jetty at Emy Park. I love the gritty wall!

Baby Love

I really enjoy photographing newborns in natural light. I have a little space next to the studio with nice windows, its a little hallway and its a dump. People must have nightmares when I drag them in there for their pics - but, the surrounds don't make it into the photo, but the beautiful light is why I am there! People generally like to come and have studio type black and whites done of their newborns, which is fine, and people always love those, but I always prefer my time spent one on one with the baby , with the 50mm lens and real light.

This beautiful baby is Abigail. She was such a good girl! Babies can be challenging sometimes, but it just takes a little patience and you can always get what you need from them, because the thing you do want to capture is their innocence. And that's EASY cause that's all they know ;P

above: I like Abi peeking out from behind her arm in this one. She like most newborns forever have their hands touching their faces - its so new to them, why wouldn't they be intrigued!

I don't like props much, but simple things can add something on occasion without taking away from the subject

above: Chris gives Abi a little kiss

above: Chris has hold of Abi's feet. Then Sandie gives Abi some attention.

Enjoy xo

Blogs ARE important!

So here I was thinking, meh, why not start a blog? Be something fun to do and keep record of things I am doing. A photographer friend of mine Geoff Sinclair from Rocky, emailed saying good for me for starting one. And I dont think until I read this on Geoff's blog, I realised, that, yes, I am not just wasting my time, but I am doing something that makes sense!

Geoffrey Sinclair Blog » Wedding Photographer based in Rockhampton: "A blog is so important for any wedding photographer, as it shows people the quality of photographs that you can take at any wedding. A normal wedding photo portfolio really only shows that a photographer can fluke a good photograph once in a while, a blog shows that you can get consistent great photos at every wedding – including yours."

And its so true. Unfortunately, it happens that sometimes people who own a DSLR today, think they can cut it in the pro world of photography, but you know what, it isnt an easy job, and being able to show you are capable and consistent on every job is a huge huge part of being a photographer!

So cheers Geoff, your insight has given me an excuse to use more time I dont have to look after my blog. I like geoffs blog set out and I am now going to try and make mine look nicer buuuut Html scares me half to death so lets see how it pans out. eeeekkk

Julie & Rhys and Cedar Galleries

Julie & Rhys

Next month, I am looking forwards to shooting the very beautiful Julie and her groom to be Rhys at their Cedar Galleries wedding.
It will be the first wedding I have had the pleasure of shooting at this location, although I have shot families out there, I am thinking it will be spectacular for a wedding!

I really enjoy locations like this one, although a relatively small area, the variation and variety you can find there, is brilliant.

I met Rhys & Julie out there at 5.30pm and we did a few engagement snaps.

above: the happy couple photograph very easily, and are more than happy to cater to their crazy photographers requests....

above: I love the big old rusting drums

above: again with the drums, Julie & Rhys being adorable

above: my favourites. We headed down to the little dam, and imagine my surprise, that some considerate person knew I was coming and put a cool old tinny there, complete with oars for the pics. I think Julie and Rhys might have been wondering why I was delighted when I saw it, but, hopefully now they understand!

above: I will definitely try something more with this at the wedding, this shot was taken at 6pm and the light was all but gone, so I was lucky to manage to get just a few for the engagement snaps

pre-wedding Helen & Jamie

Helen & Jamie are getting married later in the year, but Helen wanted some fun shots to incorporate into their wedding invites. The shoot day came, and Helen & Jamie were running a little late, so by the time we got to the Gardens, it was literally a race against the sun to get the shots, we had about 15 minutes of light left, which is fine because its my favourite light of the day!

Relaxed and in love, I think the shots are really cute!

I will be sure to ask Helen for an invite to photograph to show you here.

Julie & Ben and a spectacular orange wedding dress

Saturday 12th September ~ Ben & Julie
awesome orange bridal gown

On Saturday afternoon, I had the pleasure of photographing Ben and Julie's intimate wedding with Family & Friends at Canoe Point. Gina came along to help me on this wedding and, I think this will be the only time we will get to photograph a Bride in such a vibrant orange dress! Julie looked completely stunning as you will see!

The usual thing is to photograph the bride prior to the ceremony, so we went to Julie's to get some beautiful pre-wedding shots

above: Julie's little dog is her baby

above: I really adore this shot of Julie using window light. She looks so reflective, which, most brides definitely are on their big days

above: Julie walking down to her Husband to be, Ben. She looks so happy, this is what the whole day is all about!

above: couldn't bypass the light here! The hue of Julies dress just works on so many levels with green grass and the late afternoon light

above: Canoe Point it is obligatory to have a tree shot or too and I do have a favourite down there with my name on it (well not literally... yet)

above: One of my favs :)

above: Ben wasn't too sure about the whole plot to spin Julie round, and I think he got dizzy and had to counter-spin so he didn't fall over (yes I torture all my clients in this way)

above: love Julie's laughter in this one

above: a moment to recompose after all of that spinning

above: Well there is nothing better for the groom to do than lean on the broken down wood fence. Ben thinking he is having a rest when really, that was never my plan

above: Done on the beach now, at around 5.30, my favourite light of the entire day.

above: Julie is all smiled out so Ben does what a loving husband should do and gives her a hand :)

above: the wind really started to pick up, great for hair? not so much, but brilliant for showing of the amazing dress!

above: Julie was keen to take a few steps in the water for the sake of getting an amazing shot. It was worth it. Yay for my fearless bride!

above: I don't generally post many photo's of objects or decorations, while I always shoot them for sure, I prefer to talk about the human element and show my people pics. However, this cake is rather special and extraordinary. I should have picked out a close-up of the bride and groom sitting on the cake, but if you can make out with this pic, you will see - Cartoon Ben and Julie perched up on top... orange dress and all! Not only was the cake something amazing, the entire day was, Julie and Ben put a lot of effort into making it perfect, and it was, in every way!

Huge Congratulations Ben & Julie and happy honeymooning

Miss Ella

This kids club sitting was extra special to me because Miss Ella O was my first proper newborn baby I photographed when I opened the studio. Ella is now well past the one year mark, and she is completely gorgeous!

I need to remind you of my fav shot of Ella as a newborn.

Now as soon as I saw Ella at the Gardens she was all smiley and lovable and giggling. I though... great, I will be able to get some gorgeous pics effortlessly. Ella had other plans.

She wouldn't let Paula out of her sight! Actually she had to be touching Paula or the smiles fell into tears and pouts. But I didn't mind that, because she was incredibly adorable smiling or not!

I must share some of these pics with you, as I said they are a milestone for me.

Ella was so sad - this was the last frame I took. Not only did we have tears, but she was covering her eyes.

I gave Ella my blackberry and put tunes on for her and she was happy then for a while

this tutu is incredibly gorgeous

Paula giving Ella a comforting cuddle - I think Ella thought Sam and I were crazy people... she might be right actually lol

Not even an outfit change dried her eyes... Ella dear, you have a lot to learn about being a girl, outfit change should make you happy!

I got this one just in time, Paula had sneakily removed herself from Ella's side. Ella was quick though, 2 second later she was crying again

Ella will be getting some kids club pics with her brother and sister in a few weeks time, so keep an eye out for more Ella... I know I cant wait!

The Petersons

I had the opportunity to do a last minute shoot for the Petersons. Sam started them off and did the big extended family shots, while I was finishing up a meeting at the studio. When I got there, it was time to get the kids shot. I do have to say, these kids were such a delight to photograph. Lucy, was a complete star and she loved it in front of the camera!

Sam photographed most of the group shots, so I am sure if you keep an eye out on her blog, you can see some more of her work on this shoot.

I have included a few of my favs

above: all six of the kids having an absolute ball

What a fun afternoon!