This looked like a bit of fun. I see the visitor counter rise and wonder who you all are, where you come from, and why you’re here. So humour me…

P.S. Could the other person who claims to be my mother please come around to my house - I’ve got a load of washing that needs doing.

It was a whirlwind day from start to finish for Kav & Nipsy’s wedding! We met up with Nipsy at home in the morning, where the mammoth task of getting her ready was just starting to get underway. She wore the most beautiful traditional wedding “gown” that was flown direct from Sri Lanka just for the wedding.

We met up with Kav in the city gardens, and the look on his face when he saw Nipsy for the first time was priceless. The whole bridal party were hilarious, especially bestman Paul, who kept us thoroughly entertained (even if it was at his own expense most of the time!).

It was time to head over to the Wolston Park Golf Club, where we awaited Kav & Nipsy’s arrival. They were married in a traditional Buddhist ceremony, followed by a quick civil service to complete the formalities.

Kav & Nipsy were just the sweetest couple to work with, there was never a dull moment, and they were just so happy all day, and you couldn’t take the smiles off their faces!

Rain rain, go away, come again another day. I tell you, I’m really happy we’re getting this rain and all, but I’m a bit over it right now. There should be a law passed that says it can rain as much as it likes Monday-Thursday, but those other 3 days are mine.

But once again, you just have to get smart and try and work with what you’ve got. Fortunately I got given plenty today so it wasn’t too hard to do my thing! Gianni & Cherisse were married at Glengarrif Winery at Dayboro. The rain had been on & off for most of the morning and early afternoon, and looked like it was starting to clear. The ceremony still had to be moved to the upstairs verandah as the ceremony garden was a little waterlogged, and I don’t think Cherisse would have been too happy squelching her way down the aisle (and especially not in her gorgeous Joanne Mercer heels!)

Right in the middle of the ceremony (and rather fittingly after paying tribute to Gianni’s late father) there was a downpour, which actually looked quite beautiful falling across the valley. We waited long enough for the skies to clear, and finally beyond the clouds there was a glimmer of blue sky. We were able to make our way around the grounds getting some shots, before retiring upstairs to get ready for the reception.

Gianni & Cherisse organised me to stay on to shoot their bridal waltz on the terrace which was accompanied by a pyrotechnics display. I also got to chat to Sarah-Jane from Cake That, who did an amazing job on Gianni & Cherisse’s spectacular 5 tier wedding cake, as well as many more wonderful cakes for many of my clients. She also did the bonbonniere consisting of some of the most AMAZING fudge I have EVER tasted!!

As a family member of a police officer you can’t really understand what it is like for them to do the job they do, or what they have to go through day in-day out. All you can do is love them, be proud of them, support them in everything they do, and hope they come back to you safely everday.

I’ve compiled a very special slideshow dedicated to my sister Cherie. Click here.

And they are so cute!!!

I think my own little boys were getting a bit jealous watching all the fuss from across the road…

It’s a question often put to me by couples when discussing their wedding photographs. What happens if it rains? Well truth be told, you panic for about the first 30 seconds. Then you slap yourself upside the head and say to yourself “think outside the square”. And then you’re fine.

Whilst it’s not the most ideal situation, I really don’t think that anyone minded it raining on Anthony & Melanie’s parade. It’s really come to a point now where we need it so badly, so noone really cares when it happens, just as long as it happens, and when it does it’s a blessing. And as Melanie put it so well earlier in the day “I don’t care, as long as I get to marry Anthony”.

The setting was St Lucia Golf Links who did a really great job with their wet weather contingency plan, and transformed the outside verandah into a makeshift altar. A string quartet played as Melanie made her way down the aisle to her awaiting groom, Anthony. It was moving as both the bride and groom were visibly emotional during their vows, but the smiles on their faces afterwards told the world how happy they were.

Fortunately we didn’t really have to change our plans too much as were headed to UQ St Lucia for photographs which was a perfect wet weather location. We still managed some outside shots, which simply required the help of a groomsmen to hold an umbrella over the couple, jump out of the way, and then jump back in with shelter once the shot was taken. Easy as 1-2-3.

Before the girls got too cold, we got them back over to the Golf Club, where they were dry and warm, and didn’t have to go outside in the rain again until the evening was over!

Don’t you just love limo drivers who think they’re photographers? Pretty much at every wedding, I like to get a shot of the bride in the car through the open window. So I ask the limo driver to wind the back window down (the door controls are often disabled). He told me the window only went down half way, and proceeded to start getting Melanie out of the car. Before he could go any further I asked him again to wind the window down. He pretty much ignored my request and told me that “it’s a much better photo with the door open and her sitting in the doorway”. I’m thinking to myself “well that’s as good as maybe, but there’s a reason why I’m the photographer, and you’re the limo driver - so open the god damn window!!!”.

I rest my case.

It had all the hallmarks of a textbook perfect wedding day. Smokin’ hot bride - Check. Equally handsome groom - Check. Perfectly overcast day - Check. Gorgeous venues - Check. How could we go wrong!

Kymberly looked absolutely stunning. No suprises there when the girls from Beautiful Images by Toula are responsible for the hair and makeup! Everyone was on time, and the morning went so smoothly. Kym learnt early on what it meant to be a Toni Snell bride, getting into the shower for me, so I could make use of some nice marble tile work. She didn’t seem to have a care in the world - she just wanted to get to the church and marry her man.

Who can blame her? Those boys scrubbed up pretty darn well, and cut a dashing figure outside St Paul’s at Cleveland. My Aunty Diann (of “Honey” video fame) and Uncle Rodney were married in this church going on nearly 30 years ago. I remember them pointing it out to me once when I was younger, and every time I drive past it I think of them. Now I’ll also be thinking of Gavin & Kym when I’m in that neighbourhood!

Afterwards we all made our way down to Cleveland Point for mostly some laughs, and a few photo’s thrown in. There were many things that kept us entertained. Other bridal parties, other photographer’s entourages, you name it. It felt like we were just a bunch of people hanging out, and having a few drinks on a Saturday afternoon.

Once we left there, we stopped down the road just a bit to play in the traffic, and generally sit by the side of the road. I unintentionally paid homage to my former employer, when Gavin dragged his bride into a phone box for some impromptude fun.

The reception was held in the Barrel Room at Sirromet Winery. I’d never been there before, and I was speechless when I saw the room. Picture yourself in a wine cellar - old brickwork, barrels lining the walls, lit almost entirely by candlelight. It would be the most romantic reception room I have ever seen in my life. Gavin & Kym’s choice of two “piano boys” over a DJ for entertainment was perfect to compliment the mood the room had.

On to the pictures. I had way too many favourites to choose from, but one of my sentimental favourites from the day is Kymberly and her Dad walking down the aisle. The image says so much, and even makes me emotional. Just the way her Dad is looking at her, with his other hand clutching hers on his arm, and the moment when Kym looked up, saw Gavin, and tears started welling in her eyes….

Fast becomming my favourite.photo.ever…..

And Poo snagged these few of me on the job - I just always seem to be lying down at the time…

On Friday night, I was hired to shoot the birthday party of a lovely young lady, called Linley. 

Linley’s Mum organised a fantastic night for her only daughter, inviting some of her closest friends to enjoy a dinner cruise on board the Kookaburra Queen.

We kicked off earlier at home with some relaxed portraits of the birthday girl, her parents, and her friends. A limo then arrived to transport everyone to the awaiting paddle steamer. Then it was 3 hours of cruising, great food, drinks (for the adults of course!), and some very enthusiastic teenagers! The girls really had a great time, and enjoyed hamming it up for the camera!

Linley was an awesome model. The camera just loves her, and she knew how to work it when she wasn’t even trying. If I said it once, I said it a hundred times that she should consider doing this for a living!!

I don’t know if I have the words to describe just how beautiful Barry & Jill’s wedding was.

The setting was Bundaleer Rainforest Gardens, and we arrived to see the ceremony set up with seats for all 150 guests. It looked fantastic. Barry arrived with his family, and there was a complete feeling of calm about the place. As guests arrived there wasn’t the air of tension you sometimes feel before the wedding, it was just friends and family gathering to celebrate what they knew was a very special day.

What can I say about Jill. Jill is such a kind and gentle soul, that just being around you puts you at ease. When she smiles, she glows with warmth and radiance. You just had to take one look at her to instantly love her. Even as she was walking down the aisle on the arm of her son, she was still saying hello to her guests!

Barry & Jill specifically didn’t want all the fuss of your standard wedding photography. Formal photographs were kept to a minimum, and focused on capturing the bride and groom enjoying their day with their loved ones. It was so nice to actually get to see a couple spend quality time with their guests, and to be able to get around talking to everybody. When I did steal them away for some quiet time we were gone only 10 minutes, where we grabbed the “official” bridal portraits. They had far too much entertaining to do, and it was back to spending time with the people who mattered most.

The whole afternoon was a very intimate affair, considering the number of guests there were. Barry gave a speech recounting their first date that brought the house down. People were laughing and talking everywhere you turned, there wasn’t a single person that wasn’t having a great time!

I felt privileged to be able to be a part in this day, and from the bottom of my heart thank Barry & Jill for letting us share in their joy.

How many of you remember Brent & Fiona from their engagement session in May? The big day finally rolled around, and culminated in what can be described as nothing short of a spectacular day at Maleny Manor.

Its normally the groom who has a case of nerves on the day, but this time it was the bride! Fiona was packing it. I’m not talking butterflies. I’m talking not sleeping for two days, shaking like a leaf, and unable to eat, period. Everyone rallied around, especially Fiona’s Mum, who did a fantastic job of getting all three girls into their gowns with a minimum of fuss.

Maleny Manor is just gorgeous. It has all the charm of an old country B&B, and all the elegance of an upmarket reception venue. The ceremony takes place in the grounds underneath a 100 year old Red Bean Tree. When Fiona emerged on the balcony of the manor and came down the spiral staircase to the sounds of “For The Love Of A Princess” from Braveheart, I felt a shiver down my spine. It was just beautiful.

Afterwards we hung out in the gorgeous grounds of the Manor for some photo’s, before we headed up the road to a nice little spot I have named “One Tree Hill”. It’s a gorgeous little spot Fiona & I found a couple of weeks ago. You just have to be sure to dodge the cow dung and you’ll have no problems whatsoever!!

It really cooled down on the mountain rather quickly, so we had all the guys back to the safety of the Manor just after sundown. I really cannot say enough about Maleny Manor as a venue, it really made the day a relaxed and romantic affair that Brent & Fiona will never forget!

The things Poo will do to get a shot (I love my Daddy-Poo!!)