Brisbane turned on yet another awesome day for Peter & Petra’s wedding. Overcast makes me happy. I hate full sun, and rain makes me cranky, but give me overcast, and all is right with the world!

We caught up with Petra and the girls over at the Hilton hotel. Petra is originally from Germany, and after hearing her talking in German to her bridesmaid and her Dad, I was somewhat suprised that 5 years of learning German in highschool some 10 years ago had actually sunk in! We had fun riding the lifts and generally making a spectacle of ourselves in the hotel lobby - but when it’s your wedding day what else is a girl to do???

Over at Albert Street Uniting, you could say Peter was “petra-fied” (boom tish). Right from the get go the boys were hilarious. There was another Peter in the bridal party, and I don’t think I actually learnt the last two’s names - they ended up just being “Pumpkin” and “Eater”. Pumpkin was the real comedian of the group and had us in stitches for most of the afternoon.

Poor Albert Street Uniting is undergoing a bit of a downswing in wedding bookings of late due to the construction of the tunnel out the front. I don’t feel it makes one bit of difference to the photo’s as there are a few different aspects to that building anyway. Hopefully it will be back bigger than ever once council have finished.

Afterwards we went to UQ St Lucia for formal photo’s, which incidentally was where Peter & Petra met. It was nice to be able to coordinate such a beautiful location with a special significance for the couple. We had a very leisurely afternoon, wandering around the grounds, with the boys even re-enacting a little “Charriots of Fire”.

Before too long we were back at the Indooroopilly Golf Club for the reception. Petra’s mother had organised a German tradition where the bride and groom saw a piece of wood in half, symbolising working together as a couple. It was a very nice touch, and I think the guests really enjoyed it.

People who know me know that I’m not really one for acolades or recognition. I don’t care what the competition are doing or what they think. I just do what I do. And I love it.

I started this little blog in September last year as a way to try to connect with people. My current brides, my past brides, my Mum, anyone who wanted to tune in and see what I’ve been up to. I didn’t expect people to embrace it the way they have. So its quite humbling to see that today I notched up my 5,000th official visitor to the blog, since I added the counter in November last year.

So who are they? Well they were up early is one thing I can say! At 3.57am this morning, someone, somewhere in Adelaide logged on and made a little milestone for me. They also checked out Joel & Anna’s slideshow too - scary what I know about my visitors!

So who are you? Past brides, current brides, photographers, random visitors, stalkers? Each and every one of you contribute to the joy it brings me in bringing this blog to the world, and I thankyou for that. Don’t be afraid to leave a comment from time to time and tell me who you are - I’d love to hear from you!!

How much do I love my job. I got to spend the day on fabulous North Stradbroke Island with the most hilarious bunch of people, and definately the cutest bride this side of Moreton Bay!!!

From my first meeting with Mark & Anna I knew that we just clicked, and that working together would be such a fun time. Anna is one of the most gorgeous brides I’ve ever had. When she smiles she lights up everyone around her - and she smiles A LOT!! There wasn’t a moment when she wasn’t just beaming.

I’d never been to Straddie before I went over last week to scope the place out with Mark & Anna. I swear the water is a million different shades of blue and turquoise, and it is so hard to believe that you’re just an hour’s ferry ride from Brisbane. They picked the most beautiful place to get married overlooking Point Lookout, with the perfect spot for photo’s afterwards on a gorgeous sheltered beach.

The ceremony was simple, and uncomplicated, and it went off without a hitch. Mark & Anna’s dogs, Coffee & Brickston even got to attend, as well as having a run around on the beach with their newly married Mum & Dad afterwards! Then it was time for the whole bridal party to hit the beach, and they did it in style. They did EVERYTHING I asked of them. Sit down in the sand - OK! Take off your shoes and go frolicking in the water - OK! I could not have asked for more. They were amazing.

After some quiet time with Mark & Anna we headed back to the Amis Resort Restuarant and left these guys with strict instructions. Party the night away - OK! Sadly we had to hop the ferry back to the mainland - with another wedding tomorrow there’s no rest for the wicked!!

I could post a million of Mark & Anna’s photos. I am so in love with the colours. The water, the sand, the way it all compliments the girls dresses…..I could go on and on, but I’ll get to the photo’s….

And this is Percy. We met him on the ferry ride on the way over….

I photographed a great bunch of people today, who were so laid back and fun to work with, and who laughed at all my jokes!! What I also liked about today, was that Kirsty & Shayne went for a local wedding in the area that they live. All the locations were only a few minutes from eachother, and it made such a refreshing change from hiking across town, or dealing with parking and a million other brides in the city.

To say Kirsty looked gorgeous is an understatement, and once she warmed up in front of the camera she really knew how to “work it”. You could tell from the start she was eager to get into her dress and get to the church!

The boys were a hoot. I recognised one of the groomsmen, and after rattling off a few of his friends who had been married recently, we narrowed it down to him being a groomsmen for one of my couples from June last year. Once I’ve photographed a face, I never forget it! Joel (aka Stunt Hands) and Matt made plenty of fun of Shayne as he was getting his mugshot, but all the laughter at least took any nerves away!

Shayne & Kirsty were married at the All Saint Anglican Church at Arana Hills. Soon after we headed just down the road to some local parks for some fun-filled formals.

The limo bottomed out, bridesmaid Kathryn made a faux pas of biblical proportions, but it was an awesome afternoon. The whole bridal party really made it a fun experience which I whole heartedly thank them for.

Kirsty’s bridesmaid Kathryn (my apologies if I’ve spelt that wrong) kept getting herself into so much mischeif, and everywhere she turned, we were there to capture it…

As promised, here are some more pics from Adam & Louise’s gorgeous wedding yesterday!

Enjoy!!

Wow. Just wow.

There was just something about Louise today that was….how do I describe it….regal. She just shone, so radiant, and so beautiful. From her vintage inspired dress, to her hair and makeup, and gorgeous floral arrangements, she was a true fairytale princess. There’s a moment, as a photographer, when you take a photo, and you know, just know, that you’ve got gold. I had quite a few of those moments today.

I only met Adam and Louise in December, so the amazing thing is they managed to pull this day off with only about 3 months of planning! I knew from our first meeting they would be such a fun couple to work with, and that today would be a very elegant affair. They certainly delivered!!

It was an early morning for us arriving at Louise’s hotel at 9am. They must have all been morning people because everyone was so excited about the day ahead! Louise was very comfortable in front of the camera, and she even quite literally stopped traffic!

Over to the boys for a 11am ceremony and Adam seemed quite relaxed even though he was dealing with a music crisis. They were married in the Botanic Gardens, at a gorgeous little spot hidden away from all the public enjoying a Sunday morning stroll. We then stole the bridal party away for some formals, for which they were great sports considering we were out in the midday sun! Before too long we had them back at Restaurant Two at 1pm for their reception.

With such a big weekend (and my best friend’s baby shower this afternoon) I’ve managed to blog the first set of shots from today, tune in tomorrow evening for the last half.

I got my wish today for a “different” wedding dress! I love all wedding gowns, but I get that little be extra excited when there is something “noice, different, unewsual” about it. Kasie’s dress had that. I loved the colour of Kasie’s dress, champagne, as opposed to your traditional white. And she wore it well. Yet another cool, calm and collected bride, I think she was almost bored waiting around for the action to start!

The ceremony and reception were at the stunning Glengarrif Winery & Estate, purched upon a hillside, in picturesque Dayboro. I just had to mention Kasie’s name to Daniel, and he would start to tear up (I’m sure he will deny this ever having happened!!) So I did my best to do my happy dance and try to keep him entertained to take his mind off how nervous he was!

The service itself was over so quickly, and the new husband and wife went on a quiet romantic stroll through the vineyards. Well, as romantic as it can be with your bridal party and two photographers in tow!! Peter and Shay-lee the attendants were ever so obliging, and made it an easy, albeit quick afternoon. A special mention goes to the outstanding efforts of Shylee, Daniel & Kasie’s appointed videographer who I swear ran the length of the vineyard at least twice running errands for things we had left behind. It was a stellar effort on her behalf and well above and beyond the call of duty.

Its so hard to believe how fast a day like today goes by. My best advice to anyone is to just enjoy the moment. There will be so much you won’t remember tomorrow, so try to take it all in.

Oh, that’s just me standing on a tin. Not much more you can say about that, really….

About six months ago I experimented doing “Intimate Portraits” of my friend Courtney. I was very pleased with the results and am toying with the idea of introducing them into my portraiture as an option for my brides to give as a gift to their fiancee/husband, or for any woman who would love to give their partner a sexy, but elegant gift.

But first I need models! In a few weeks I’m running an intimate marathon to be held in a suite at the Stamford Plaza. I’m calling for any volunteers who would like to participate. The sessions are 1.5hr-2hrs in length, and a lot of fun! Its strictly for ladies only, and all sessions are 1-on-1, so I am the only other person present. Sessions are being held at the Stamford between 3pm Thursday the 5th, through to 12pm Saturday the 7th of April (This is Easter weekend).

These sessions are FREE of charge. Participants will receive two complimentary 8″x12″ photographs, and their images stored online (password protected) for 6 months. In return, I would like to have the option of using their images for promotional purposes (ie sample albums etc). Any images used would be at the discretion of the participant.

I’m all about class and elegance with these shoots. I avoid gratuitious nudity preferring any nudity to be “implied” rather than actually shown. How much, or how little a participant wants to show it purely up to them. Participants will also need to take care of their own hair and makeup. Its important to note you don’t have to look like a supermodel to do these shoots. Its all about capturing YOU!

So if anyone thinks they may like to take advantage of this experience, and you’re available on the above dates, then please email me at enquiries@tonisnell.com.au .First preference will be given to my current and former brides, but anyone is welcome to apply. If you’re not available but know of any friends who will be around that weekend and may be interested, please feel free to pass my details on. I’m looking at holding another marathon mid July if all goes to plan, but this is the last chance to get in free of charge.

I’ve gone to the archives for some shots of Courtney’s last session to give you an idea of my style and vision.

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of taking portraits of my friends new baby! Darren & Andrea had another little boy that they have called Liam Sean. Little Liam is just one week old in these shots, the same age as his big brother Ryan when I first photographed him.

Proud Mum & Dad… 

Ryan getting used to his new little brother…

Liam had enough of all the attention, and drifted off to sleep. I can just watch (and photograph) babies sleep all day long. There’s just something unbelievably precious about this new little life making its way in the world…

Of course, we couldn’t not give Ryan his chance in the spotlight…

Nor their yummy mummy Andrea! Pretty hot for a chick who has just had a baby eh??

Thanks for the home cooked meal guys!!

Today was a perfect example of why I have a blog. I can’t spend 24 hours a day getting to know my couples in the lead up to their wedding, so this blog is not only a way of showcasing my latest work, but letting people get to know me so I don’t feel like a stranger on the big day. Tegan’s Mum, Judy, is a self confessed groupie, and blog fanatic. Walking into this home was like being welcomed by family, and I didn’t even need to introduce Poo at all! In fact, I don’t even think they’d used his real name by the time the day was out! That’s the power of a blog. Letting people get to know you, and having people who feel like they’ve known you forever. And what do I get? People who are comfortable and relaxed in your presence, and great photo’s as a result.

Tegan just looked fantastic today, and she had this sultry mysteriousness about her. All the girls had chosen fantastic dresses - and it helps when you’ve got ripper bodies to match! They had fun playing up to the camera for me, and we had a lot of laughs as the afternoon went on. Here’s a tip for any brides out there - baby wipes are guaranteed to get any stain out!!!

The ceremony was held at Snug Harbour at Kangaroo Point. I’d never shot here before, but I was quite impressed by the location. Ashley and the boys were very cool calm and collected, and were fantastic at giving me “attitude” when I asked for it. Not bad at the Zoolander catwalk either!!

My favourite marriage celebrant Mike Gordon conducted the ceremony. I’ve been running into Mike for a few years now, and he is definately, by far, the best civil marriage celebrant Brisbane has to offer. Everything from his flawless delivery, to the way he has the couples stand, to the allowances he gives me, is first class. 

With a 4pm wedding, we moved quickly after the ceremony for some family photo’s, and some shots of Ashley & Tegan with their two adorable children Jacob & Isaac. Before too long we were down at Captain Burke Park under the Story Bridge fighting off two other bridal parties for the best spots (None of them were as good looking as our party though!!!) I was tough, I drove them hard, but they were as gracious as they were co-operative. I always aim to make the formal shoot the most fun part of the day, and I hope we acheived that for them!

Then it was back to Snug Harbour for some last minute romantic shots of the couple, before leaving them to enjoy a well deserved break. 

So onto to what we all come here for - the photo’s. My favourite is this first one where Tegan’s Dad, Ron, came down the hallway and stood in the doorway watching his daughter finish getting dressed. No one else knew he was standing there, and I watched the tears well up in his eyes. For me, it was a special moment to capture.

Special ones just for Judy…