As February rolled around, so did the run of wet weather. Over the years I’ve gotten fairly good at being able to wake up in the morning and “read” the clouds. I can usually tell if a) that won’t give us any trouble, b) we’re in trouble, and c) you know what, it could go either way. My feeling on the morning of Paul & Branka’s wedding was it could go either way. The morning started out completely miserable, but somewhere behind those clouds I knew there was some blue sky just busting to get through.

We kicked off the morning at Paul’s house where the persistant showers was making things interesting, but spirits were still high. Once the band arrived, I think the rain was forgotten, and the singing and dancing began.

By the time we arrived at Branka’s, the worrying thoughts of the rain were far behind us. The team from Beautiful Images By Toula had already been and gone, and had made the girls look spectacular! After some photos with Branka, the boys arrived to begin the traditional process of bargaining for Branka’s hand in marriage. Branka then emerged and was escorted to the awaiting car to be whisked away to the ceremony.

After the ceremony at the Serbian Orthodox Church at Woolloongabba, we then headed into the city to enjoy some time at Parliament House, as well as then getting on over to Captain Burke Park for some photos, still managing to dodge the rain all afternoon. We could hardly believe our luck! It was then back over to The Greek Club right on time for the reception!

A big thank you goes out to the awesome Steve Thomas of ST Photography for coming out to second shoot with me, as Poo had been in hospital in the weeks before the wedding. Thanks Stevie!!

Slideshow time!…

I’ve been saying to myself all this week that I think I might be a little bit in love with Tamaryn. In every single photo I have of her she just looks that gorgeous. Forget photoshop. Straight out of the camera she’s a natural. If you know Tam and her whole “hair” story, you’d know this could just as easily been a completely different situation. I love how life just has a way of working out when you need it to!

Dan & Tam’s wedding took place on Australia Day weekend, up at beautiful Noosa. I had the gorgeous bride, I had the great location, all that was needed was an awesome dress as well. Tam had asked me a while back who my favourite designer was - so I almost squeeled with delight when I discovered a Hilde Heim gown hanging in the closet. I love love love Hilde Heim. It takes a certain type of bride to pull off wearing one of her gowns, but Tam was more than up to the challenge. From the moment she slipped into that thing, she owned it. Nothing makes me happier than photographing a bride who is completely “into” being in front of the camera and revelling in it. Not shy, not embarassed, just ready to BRING IT ON!

The ceremony was held at the reception venue, the Waterfront Restaurant, under the big tree that provided some respite from the scorching afternoon heat. Tam & the girls made their way over the bridge to an eagerly awaiting Dan, and were married in a lovely little ceremony. We then had a very quick turn around time to get up to the beach and back to the restaurant. Once we fought the traffic on Hastings St, we had about 20 minutes to get photos before we had to leave, or risk their dinner getting cold. With what I had them do, in the space of time that we had - Dan, Tamaryn, and the entire bridal party were extremely receptive, considering I was cracking that whip like it was no ones business! But with a group effort, we got the job done, and everyone was happy.

Dan & Tamaryn - you guys are amazing. Tam, you’ve without a doubt scored yourself a place on my official website xxx

Time for a little (ok, not so little) slideshow….

Tamaryn & I having a face-off to see who could strike the best pose….

You can tell I must have been super exhausted, because I totally forgot to do “the thing” in my couple mugshot…

I went over to see my dear friend Courtney, and my newest honorary neice Lily who was officially 3 weeks old on Friday. Courtney is already back to her pre-pregnancy weight (and no doubt envied by new mothers everywhere). This actually has nothing to do with hitting the excercise hard since Lily’s birth, but more a testament to looking after herself so well throughout her pregnancy.

We decided to grab some quick random photos of Lily while she slept and threw on a pink tutu we found amongst the GAZILLION items of pink clothing Lily has just waiting for her to wear! TOO CUTE!!

P.S. For kids portraiture that is light years better than mine, go see my good friend Kym Berry. She’s the best!

2010 has finally rolled around and I was super pumped to be heading out to shoot the first wedding of the year - the beautiful wedding of Daryl & Amanda.

This was such a sweet wedding to kick the year off with. Simple, yet elegant, with a very intimate feel. The main focus of this wedding for Daryl & Amanda, was eachother, and being surrounded by their family and friends. Nothing else mattered.

The ceremony was held on the grounds of UQ at St Lucia down by the pond. After mingling with guests we then wandered around the grounds of UQ having a lovely time just hanging out. Daryl & Amanda were such a sweet couple, and an absolute delight to photograph.

Thankyou guys for having us along, and helping to make our start to the year so enjoyable!!

The first slideshow of the year…

Workin’ it with Amanda…

I woke up this morning, and things were a little hazy. Trust me, it had absolutely nothing to do with turning another year older, but more from the kick-ass party I had on Saturday night!!

I had decided long ago I was not going to let 30 quietly roll around. There ain’t a whole lot you can do about it, so why not celebrate it in style! On Saturday evening, about 85 off my closest friends, family, clients and industry peeps gathered at The Fox for what was one of the most memorable evenings of my life to date.

Some big thankyou’s go out to firstly Matt & Nikki from The Photobooth People for getting the awesome photobooth up to the rooftop. It was a HUGE hit and really made the night what it was. Extra thankyou’s to Debbie Thomas for being the “keeper of the booth” (aka “booth bitch”) and trying to flog everyones second strip to give to me to keep! The good news (or in some cases, not so good news) is I’ll be receiving a lovely disc of all the hijinks that went on inside the booth. And yes, I will accept bribes for the images to not go public!!!

Sarah-Jane from Cake That truly went above and beyond to provide the birthday cake that completely knocked everyones socks off. The ENTIRE bottom tier was completely devoured on the night, and the general consensus was that it was the best cake they have ever tasted. I would be inclined to agree. If you didn’t get yourself a piece, you really did miss out. There’s a very good reason why Sarah-Jane is the only cake maker I recommend!

My heartfelt thanks goes to my friends Melissa and Ema for providing my hair and makeup, and to my best friend in the world Kelly for manning the door and greeting the guests with grace and style!

I also need to thank the one and only Mr Alex Kennison from Savvy Studios for being the official photographer for the night. As well as being a guest, Alex worked tirelessly to capture images that I will treasure always. Thank you Alex xxx.

Finally to everyone who came out and celebrated with me under instructions to “Drink Snelly Dry”, thankyou for helping make it a night I will not forget. xxx

Here are some of Alex’s images (that are rated G and fit for public consumption!!)…

Todd & Alyda hanging out with Chris & Sonia…

My sister Constable Plod (centre) with her entourage…

Me and Poo…

And with my Mum…

My best friend in life, Kelly…

 Ben & Jussy together with Tony & Cathy…

George & Mira with Kim & Dusan…

The awesome Alex & Alicia…

Former next-door neighbour, travel buddy, landlord, and good friend Karen Devereux, and her partner Tony…

The always entertaining Kym Berry… 

My old Telstra crew…

Juanita & Clarky…

The person who has been taking up a lot of my time lately, my boyfriend Tony…

Lisa shares a laugh with Jan & Anne…

Laydes & Jussy…

The most awesomest 30th birthday cake ever by Sarah-Jane…

I just love how well Sarah-Jane knows me. “Little Toni” on the top of the cake was me all over!!…

It was really a shame to cut it….

But it was AMAZING to eat!! I keep getting comments about how good the cake was. Here I am with the cake’s creator….

I got my cake, and got to eat it too!!…..

If you’ve been around this blog long enough, you’ll know I have these two friends Richard & Courtney. A few years ago these two friends got together, fell in love, got engaged, got married (their outtakes are my favourite), and occasionally still model for me! So it may not come as any suprise that these two have gone on to have a baby. And her name is Lily Grace.

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times - I am not a childrens photographer. I can’t do the things my good friend Kym Berry does with kids. I can’t do the naked on the sheepskin rug, with the gorgeous little bobble hats. I wouldn’t know where to start, and besides, it’s just not me. What I do love doing, is getting up there to that hospital in the first 24 hours or so, and just spending about a little time taking photos of whatever the hell is happening at that point in time. It’s no Anne Geddes, but it’s real, and it’s heartfelt, and its a record of what it was like when life began for this precious little person.

Lily’s very own slideshow….

I love this photo. It reminds me of a similar picture I saw on a billboard on Corro Drive of a screaming baby. It was an advert for a fertility clinic, and had the tagline of “for some parents this is the most beautiful face they’ve ever seen”. Only once I saw what Richard & Courtney had to go through to get Lily here, did I understand…

Aunty Toni brought Lily a special present she picked up in New York in November. This made Aunty Toni very popular……

SHAM-WOW! That’s about the only word I have to describe Bruce & Jacqueline’s wedding. It’s still so hard to believe that I only met these guys on the day of their wedding. Let me explain.

Bruce & Jacqueline have been living and working in China for some time now, and planned their entire wedding over the internet. No visits back and forth to check details, just putting their faith in the world wide web, and flying in three days before the wedding. And it couldn’t of been executed more perfectly!

The best thing that any bride can do in this situation is book quailty vendors who you can trust to pull the day together for you. Jacqueline did just that. Danielle Robinson was in charge of making the girls look beautiful, Karen from Bliss Floral provided the bouquets, Ken & Robyn from Kenz Classic drove the cars, and the always delightful Sarah-Jane from Cake That! served up a four tiered creation that was just to die for. These guys all read like a who’s who of my preferred vendors, because I’ve worked with them all - multiple times - and they are amazing at what they do.

We walked in to the suite at the Stamford to meet the bride I’ve been emailing for the best part of a year. Instantly, I knew she was my kind of bride. Our sense of humours were very similar, she was gorgeous, and was not afraid to “work it” to get the shots we wanted. It was a match made in heaven.

It was then around to St Stephens Cathedral, where I met Bruce and the boys, and the day just continued to get better. Bruce & Jacqueline couldn’t have picked a cooler bridal party to surround themselves with on the day. The guys and girls were hilarious and kept the mood going all afternoon, and well and truly into the night.

The storm clouds began to gather after the ceremony, and it was only a matter of time before we were going to be wet. Very wet. But my rule is until that rain falls (and I mean REALLY falls), we continue to work. We’d already been up to Bowen Terrace, and was then down at Tenneriffe when we were running close to the wire. Jacqueline had one eye on the approaching storm but we kept forging on until I finally called it, and we took shelter in a nearby bar. Not being one to waste time, I managed to sweet-talk the bar staff into letting us shoot inside until the rain had passed and we could go outside again.

Once it eased off, Poo retreived the umbrellas from the boot of my car, and it was back into the street for some more photos. Big thankyous go to the best man, known only as The Silver Fox, for working tirelessly on being the “Umbrella Boy” and providing shelter for Bruce & Jacqueline so we could still get some photos out in the rain.

I got to stick around and enjoy the reception at The Stamford, where there was one hell of a party! We really had the best day getting to know Bruce & Jacq and I cannot thank them enough for trusting me to be a part of their day. xxx

A new favourite slideshow of mine…

When you book Danielle Robinson and she brings Bec Narvaez on hair, it’s pretty much a winning combination….

Two of the most grown up, well behaved, and not to mention gorgeous flower girls/junior bridesmaids ever….

This little fella was adorable, but I would love to know what his Dad was saying to him here…

A final shot with the happy couple….

Andrew & Claire’s wedding was exciting for so many reasons. It was my last wedding before I left for New York, and unofficially it was my last wedding for the year. Technically I did have one more to shoot in December, but I kind of thought of that as being my first wedding for 2010. In any case, I was determined to go out with a bang, and Andrew and Claire stepped up to the plate.

From the leadup to Andrew & Claire’s wedding, it had become very clear that we shared a very similar sense of humour, and that our day would be spent in fits of laughter. What I love most about Claire is her no nonsense, no bullshit kind of attitude. Plus, she’s cheeky. So of course we got along like a house on fire. Claire didn’t flinch when I suggested fixing a wardrobe issue by hacking at her underwear with a pair of scissors. She let me in there with those babies, and I went to town. Yes, Claire rocks.

Andrew, Andrew, Andrew. He would have to be one of the most hilarious people I’ve ever met. He had me in stitches right from the word go, and the quips and wisecracks didn’t stop for the rest of the day. But that’s Andrew. Always the class clown, but a huge heart underneath, you just can’t help but laugh around him.

The wedding was held at Pacific Harbour at Bribie Island, on what was a perfect November afternoon. It was rather an intimate gathering, made even more interesting that both Andrew’s brother, and Claire’s sister are married to eachother. It was then I realised just why the day had that close-knit family feel.

We then headed out onto the golf course for some fun and hijinks, before heading down with Claire & Andrew to the waterfront where we were treated to a spectacular sunset (I think they ordered it specially!)

I had the great pleasure of getting to kick back and enjoy the reception, and experience Andrew & Claire’s heartfelt hospitality (Poo is still talking about the Scotch you guys kept sending him!). By the end of this day, if I didn’t already know Andrew & Claire, it became abundantly clear that these guys are very special people, so kind and giving, and very generous to people close to them.

And lets not forget FREAKIN HILARIOUS!!!! Love you guys xxx

Andrew & Claire organised a fireworks show to kick the festivities off for the evening…

Check out the slideshow…

This was our take on that god awful “groomsmen holding up the bride shot”. It failed. And there’s a good reason for that. The photo is ridiculous and anyone still shooting it should be embarrassed for themselves….

This party was crankin’!!!!….

Judging by the look on Claire’s face, I call this one “Get off my chair, bitch!”…

Andrew cracked me up all day…..

A year ago I was invited to a Christmas party of a friend of mine. At this Christmas party I sat next to a lovely girl called Louise, who upon hearing about what I did for a living, asked me if I could fix her camera as all of her photos were coming out blue. And so I did.(I’m no tech, but turns out that switching WB from Tungsten to Auto will stop people looking like smurfs!). 

What I didn’t know was that after that meeting, a little less than a year later, I was going to get to spend an amazing day photographing the wedding of two soul mates.

Natalie and I headed up the coast to Louise’s Mums house where the girls had been enjoying a very relaxing morning getting ready for the day ahead. Louise would have to be one of the most calm, relaxed, stress-free brides I have ever had the pleasure to be around. If she was nervous, she definately wasn’t showing it. She looked absolutely radiant, which was totally obvious through the lens.

Chris and his boys were a bloody cheeky bunch!! You really had to keep an eye on them! They were, however, nothing short of hilarious - never missing the opportunity to make a joke at someone elses expense. My kind of people, really. Chris was adorable though, wanting to make sure that I got some photos of him looking hot! (Standard answer - yes Chris, you’re smokin’!!).

The wedding took place at the Novotel Twin Waters, where most of the guests were staying, which made for a really relaxed fun feel to the day. Weddings in locations such as this let guests feel like their on a holiday, even just for a weekend, and adds to the festive mood.

After the ceremony it was on to the golf buggies, and straight out to the beach, where the wind was blowing a gale. Despite being self confessed “amatuers” in front of the camera, Chris & Louise shone just by being themselves. They are both two of the most down to earth people you could hope to meet, and have such a beautiful connection that is obvious to anyone around them.

It was then time to get back over to the Novotel for the reception at Lily’s on the Lagoon. It was an all dancing entrance for Chris, Louise & the bridal party, which set the scene for the rest of the evening. This crowd knew how to party. There wasn’t a moment when the dancefloor wasn’t completely packed. Even at midnight, the guests had to almost be kicked out of the restaurant by the staff.

Chris, Louise - thank you for having me along for the ride. I can’t ask for more than to get to spend an amazing day with such kind, genuine, and selfless people as yourselves. You really helped make the end of the year go out with a bang! xxx

Such a lovely little slideshow….

I have three words for you boys…….on.the.internet….I warned you!

Whenever I see this photo I can’t help but think…..”Welcome to the Starlight Ballroom ♫♫ fly me to the moon ♫♫…..”

Right now, as we speak, I’m sitting airside at the Brisbane International Airport with my beautiful friend Justine, awaiting our flight to New York City!!  

What began as a simple idea, has now become reality, as we head off for two weeks in the Big Apple. No plans, no agenda. Just two chicks, their cameras, and their dancing shoes!

Unlike previous adventures, I will not be blogging the trip whilst I am away. Reflecting on my last couple of holidays, far too much time was spent in a hotel room working on the computer so my mother could get her latest updates on what I was doing. I figure the odd mobile upload on Facebook or Twitter here or there should keep her happy.

See you in two weeks! In the meantime, the cool stylings of Mr Billy Joel are here to keep you company….