I’ve had this tactic since winter came around, that this year I was saying no to the cold. Just like we tell teenagers to say no to drugs, I was saying a big fat NO to the cold. It was working really well until yesterday. Stacey was a bridesmaid at the wedding I shot of  Matt & Natasha, for which I had particuarly nasty case of conjunctivitus, so she knew a few sniffles wouldn’t hold me down.

When I arrived at Stacey’s house, she was already dressed waiting for me!! Now that’s keen! Stacey’s favourite colour is blue - so why not wear a blue wedding dress! I love it when my couples do it their way, and aren’t afraid to go against the “norm” and be unique.

The ceremony was held at St Mary’s at South Brisbane. Now this is a church that does things a little differently. There are no seats in the middle of the church, everyone gathered around the centre of the church to witness Ben & Stacey exchange vows and rings. And the part where they would traditionally walk back down the aisle after being announced as husband and wife, all the guests formed a guard of honour and Ben & Stacey headed down the tunnel!

Afterwards we went into the Botanic Gardens, and did over all my favourite hang-out joints. The bridal par-tay were heaps of fun, and made for a great afternoon. We were finished within the hour, and cruised over to East’s Leagues Club to deliver them to the reception.

Ben & Stace are off to enjoy a 7 week honeymoon in Europe! Half their luck!

This is fast becomming one of my favourite shots…

But it’s not all as glamourous as it looks…

And that’s just me getting intimate with Stace…

Today is my former flatmate Belinda’s birthday. Belinda left Australia to live in Prague in February, and has been living the high life in the Czech Republic ever since.

Bel has her own blog where she chronicles her travels, and her day to day life in a foreign country. She writes really really well, and makes you feel like you’re actually there with her.

Visit her blog here and give her some birthday love!

Happy Birthday Bel!

On Sunday, I hit up St Mary’s Catholic Church in Ipswich for Milly’s christening. I’ve never been to a christening before (not even my own!), so it was actually pretty cool to watch.

Milly looked so cute in her little christening gown her Mummy & Daddy bought her. There were three other babies getting “dunked” at the same time, but I think Milly put them all to shame. She got startled initially, but she didn’t make a sound. I was so proud of her.

Afterwards we went out to Milly’s grandparents house for an afternoon garden party full of good food, good beer, and good company.

Milly wasn’t phased by all the attention…

In fact she’s even working on perfecting her Aunty Toni’s “no paparazzi” shot…

The cake was unreal, and was gone in about 5 minutes flat…

Kelly & I…

And the first official photo of me and the Millypede…

There was some old world romance in the air today for the wedding of Nick & Elin.

Elin was simply stunning in her vintage inspired Darb gown, and she reminded me so much of a 1920’s movie star, so classic, so elegant, so refined.

Nick was equally dashing, even if I did have to trick him into getting some photo’s taken! He had every right to be nervous when he saw what was waiting for him at the end of that aisle! The ceremony was really beautiful, and the cheer that went up when Nick & Elin were pronounced man and wife was stirring.

A bagpipe serenaded the newlyweds out of the church, and that’s where we really had to get to work. This weekend is the shortest weekend of the year (in terms of light) and with a 3.30pm wedding, it doesn’t leave you much time to work with. So we tore through those family shots, and got the bridal par-tay into their vehicles, and got over to Southbank as fast as we could.

We had about 15 minutes of light left when we got there, which isn’t so much of a problem, it just forces you to get creative once the sun goes down. Available light is available light. Whether its coming directly from the sun, or from a street light. You just roll with it!

Soon after the bride and groom were back at the River Canteen to enjoy the evening, and what I’m sure was a great party!!

I’m already thinking that Milly is going to need her own category on this blog. I went over to see Matt & Kel today to get Milly’s first official portraits at home. I know I’m biased, but I swear this girl is an absolute angel to photograph. Which is a good thing because she is going to be in front of the camera A LOT!!

I’ve found my new nickname for her. Up until today I’d been affectionately been calling her Milly Vanilli, but I’ve settled on Millypede. And believe you me it has nothing to do with her having 100 legs, but more paying homage to her having a tinkle all over Aunty Toni’s backdrop!!

Here we put her through her paces…

And then had some quiet time with Mum & Dad…

Before long it was time to drift off to sleep. Being famous is hard work…

I just got one of the most delightful emails from a former couple of mine, Patrick & Tina. Patrick & Tina were married in January of 2006, so before I started the blog. But any clients who have met with me over the past year may recognise these two as the gorgeous couple in one of my sample albums!

Well, Patrick & Tina welcomed their son William into the world early this morning, weighing in at a tiny 6lb 6oz. All 3 of them are doing well! Patrick attached this pic of little William…

Hearing wonderful news like this from your former couples is what makes your job so rewarding!!

Now I realise we had Vijay & Linda’s wedding last weekend, but these two had so much fun, they just had to do it all over again!!

Earlier this afternoon, Vijay & Linda were married in a traditional Hindu ceremony, and tonight they celebrated with a reception for family and friends.

This was an absolute joy for me to photograph. In a word - COLOUR!! The women wore the most beautiful vibrant coloured sari’s I have ever seen. Even La-la got to show off two different outfits!! And the food was out of this world!! I am a curry-a-holic, so the food definately didn’t disappoint.

I had a great time photographing the guests enjoying themselves, and then took some time out to grab some quick portraits of Vijay & Linda. Shooting at night always presents a challenge (especially when you don’t want to use flash). But some good indoor lighting, combined with some fast glass - you can get some pretty good results….

…I hear the train a comin’, it’s rollin’ round the bend, and I ain’t seen the sunshine since I don’t know when… I had Folsom Prison Blues in my head all day today, and for good reason.

Alayne is the daughter of friends of my folks, so today I tagged along to shoot with Poo. Paul & Alayne were married on the platform at the old Swanbank railway station, just outside Ipswich. When you’re getting married at a historic railway station, how are you going to arrive - by steam train of course!

After the ceremony, all the guests got onboard the train for a quick trip, before we had some quiet time alone with the bridal party. Alayne got down and dirty on the train tracks, and when I spotted an empty field just screaming for a bride and groom, they both enthusiastically jumped in (and lay down!!)

Afterwards we stopped by the new River Link Parklands at Ipswich. Nice place, obnoxious security guards, but Ipswich has needed a place like this for a long time.

Mum and Poo went on to enjoy the reception, and me…well I let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away….(you have to be a Johnny Cash fan!!)  

I had an experience with my bank recently, that I just had to share. Now, when you think about banking experiences, usually its in a negative context. But the most unusual thing happened to me last Friday night, that has restored my faith in the banking industry.

I was online ordering my brand new Shootsac. But everytime I put in my payment details and pressed submit, the Shootsac website told me there was a problem with my payment, and to go back and check my details. So I did. Three times.

Eventually it gave up on me, and I went back to the main site to get the contact details to notify the company of my problem. Then my mobile phone rang. It was my bank ringing to alert me to some overseas transactions that were occuring on my account. Turns out my card had been authorised all three times which raised the alert. The part that blew me away, was this was at 9pm at night, and less than 5 minutes later! 5 minutes - how’s that for service! You would expect to hear about this maybe a day or so later once your card had been maxed out, but not so quickly! Needless to say, I’m very impressed with the Commonwealth’s fraud measures (and strongly advise making sure your bank has your current contact details!).

The good news is, that my order was successful, and my Shootsac will make it’s way from North America to Australia soon. I’m very excited about it. Whilst my Lara Croft Tool Belt works great when shooting weddings, I wanted something a bit simpler and “girly” when I’m out shooting e-sessions, friends, or simply shooting for myself. Can’t wait!!

The thought just occured to me, that I have never actually photographed a wedding on the Gold Coast before. So Vijay and Linda have given me a great introduction!!

Poo took temporary leave from his weekend away camping, and we headed down to the Sofitel at Broadbeach. First we met up with Vijay and his best man where they were getting ready in their room. I would have to say, hands down, Vijay is the most stylish groom I have had in a long time.

Then Linda, (or La-La as I like to call her) arrived and we proceeded to get her dressed in a hurry. Her gown was just gorgeous, but had these tiny little buttons that wore my fingernails down quick smart. This girl is an absolute natural in front of the camera. I’m sure she’s been practicing in front of the mirror at home, because she just nailed it every time.

The ceremony was held downstairs on the terrace, and it was such a good-humoured, uplifting service. The love between the two of them is so obvious, and the look on Vijay’s face said it all.

Shortly afterwards we headed to the beach to make the most of the last half hour of light the day had left. It was beginning to get a bit cool, so we were back inside to the warmth of the Sofitel just after 5pm. After a few drinks up in the newlyweds room, it was time for Vijay and La-La to go and enjoy their reception.

The kids and I …..