Sunday I went out and spent the afternoon shooting Ben & Tash’s E-Session.

I always try to pick e-session locations that are a) totally different from where their wedding photos will be taken, and b) include something that is significant to the couple. Ben & Tash’s locations were easy to pick.

First of all, I just love the story of how they met. Ben was working at the BP that Tash would go to to fill up her car. She walked in one day and saw him behind the console, and it was love at first sight. What made it even cuter, was from that point on Tash would make sure she went and bought her petrol at the same time, and Ben made sure his shifts always lined up with her expected visit - and they danced around eachother, until one of them FINALLY bit the bullet and asked the other one out.

The next thing, was I asked them both about what they do in their spare time, specifically “where can you usually be found on the weekend?”. When Tash said that Ben is usually at Bunnings, I was sold.

Enjoy! 

I cannot believe there is only 6 weeks to go until I head off for the States. I am so freaking excited because I haven’t had a holiday in a long long time, so this is way overdue. A lot of people ask me if it’s for business or pleasure - it’s actually a little bit of both. I’m heading direct to Vegas to do some learning, and visit a massive tradeshow. But after that I’m officially on holiday!

Mum & Poo are catching up with me in Vegas, and then we are hitting the road for about a week visiting god knows where. I actually have no idea where we are heading, I just hope to see a lot of sights, and take a ton of pictures. I believe this is the planned route…

I get dropped off in Phoenix, where I then board a plane to spend about 6 days in New York before heading home.

So can anyone give me some pointers for visitng Vegas & New York? What is a must see, and what is a complete waste of time?

On Thursday I took some time out to have lunch with clients of mine, Dean & Christine. Afterwards we set out to shoot their e-session. As both Dean & Christine are super smart, the first stop was the UQ Library at St Lucia.

After getting to make out all over Uni (even in a garbage bin), we then made our way across town to the Powerhouse for some more canoodling. They say it’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye - Christine took a bit of a tumble performing a stunt and ended up with a nasty scrape. I hope your hand is feeling much better Christine xxx

I think Dean fancies himself as a bit of a photographer, and snagged this one of me at lunch…

He’s also one of the most organised grooms, who prepared me a small dossier on his favourite shots from my previous weddings….

I don’t have another wedding until my birthday next Friday, but I have about four e-sessions to shoot. The first of which was Sunday afternoon spent with Tarrant & Melanie.

These guys have planned an ultra swish and elegant wedding in Toowoomba next January, so the order for today was laid back and casual. Tarrant & Melanie met at Uni, so when they suggested shooting at QUT, it was very fitting. We had no real plan, or agenda, we just spent the afternoon wandering around stopping whenever something cool caught my eye. That’s what I love about e-sessions. No limits.

We did the Uni over, headed down through the gardens to the river, and then up Edward Street where we stopped in for a drink at the Belgian Beer Cafe.

Now, these two were on fire. They just smouldered in front of the camera. Melanie is HOT, and I just can’t wait to shoot her in a wedding dress…

Despite what you might think, I get this question asked of me a couple of times a week:

Your calendar on your website says you are booked on my wedding date, but I just wanted to check that it wasn’t a mistake and you are definately already booked?

Yes. I’m booked. Trust me, I don’t fill those boxes out for the fun of it! I don’t update my online calendar until a booking has been confirmed (ie booking fee received). I am, however, more than happy to provide a list of other photographers, whose work I admire, that you may wish to consider. They’re all excellent photographers in their own right, and I have chosen them because I either know them & their work personally, or their reputation preceeds them. Seriously, if you’re going to choose anyone else - I’d choose them from this list!

Occasionally I get asked if I have a cancellation list in case a date becomes available. Cancellations are very very rare. I would hate to see a couple miss out on booking their next choice of photographer, whilst waiting for a cancellation that may never happen.

But hey, if your date isn’t carved in stone………let’s talk!!

It was a trip back up to picturesque Maleny Manor for Stephen & Amy’s wedding today. Stephen was a groomsman of mine waaaaaay back at Wade & Johanna’s wedding in October 2006, and today, Wade returned the favour.

In had been raining all week in Maleny, and the manor had been fogged in. But as is always my luck, Saturday rolls around, and it cleared up beautifully.

Amy was still getting ready as we arrived, and running a little behind, but it’s nothing we couldn’t tackle. She slipped into her vintage inspired gown, and she was still showing signs of being nervous, but she forged on regardless.

Stephen arrived downstairs, and eagerly awaited his brides arrival. Amy emerged from the manor to the new purpose built, I guess you can call it a gazebo, which was a fantastic initiative of the manor for those rainy days, and for when the grass under the big tree is just a bit too damp.

After the ceremony Amy had to brave her heels in the mud as we moved around the grounds of the manor. I can tell you this much, her shoes are officially trashed. Her heels were sinking into the ground and coming out covered in mud. Once she resigned herself to the fact that they were just shoes, she relaxed and begun to enjoy herself!!

From there we went up to my favourite paddock for some shots of that fantastic view, and where my rolling in the grass meant I went home smelling like cow poo. Sometimes that’s the price you have to pay to get “that” shot!

Big thanks goes to one of my favourite couples, Wade & Jo, for the referral…

I knew it was going to be an awesome day when I heard back from Canon that my favourite camera was back from the emergency room, and feeling a whole lot better. We picked her up on the way, and I can tell you she is very happy with her new twin brother, and they are getting along just fine and dandy!

John and Kyrralyn only booked me a month or two ago, which fitted in with their whole plan for their wedding - laid back, relaxed, and surrounded by family and friends. John & Kyrralyn have two beautiful children together, and wanted the day to be more about their celebration as a family, than having a gigantic wedding day.

We arrived at the Stamford and popped into see Kyrralyn who was at the hairdresser having the last of her makeup applied. John arrived with the girls, and we all headed upstairs to start getting everyone ready. Watching John & Kyrralyn dress the girls, I stepped back for a moment and really appreciated what I was seeing - as it’s not too often on a wedding day you get to see the bride and groom share in the lead up together.

It was time for Kyrralyn to get into her gown, so John was sent downstairs to wait, and Kyrralyn’s transformation from a hot pink sundress to a bridal gown was complete. Kyrralyn decended the stairs to her awaiting groom, for whom it was the first time to see her in her wedding gown. We then had some time for family photo’s, before we needed to get John to the church.

Seeing there were no bridesmaids or groomsman, and we were going to be driving around the city on a Friday afternoon where parking is a nightmare, we had made the decision to ditch our car, and ride with the bride and groom for the afternoon.

We arrived at St Stephen’s, and before too long, Kyrralyn had arrived. John & Kyrralyn’s daughters, Hayley & Dakota, walked ahead of their Mum down the aisle - not an easy feat for two such little girls, and one very big aisle!!

Once the ceremony was over we walked across the road to Market Street for some photo’s, and then onto Eagle Street Pier. John & Kyrralyn had booked themselves a London Cab for their wedding transport, which was very fitting considering they spent a number of years there. Kyrralyn’s brother Blake picked us up from Eagle Street, and drove us down to the gardens.

We made quick work of photos and had them back to the Pav Bar at the Stamford to enjoy happy hour with their guests, and then waltzed over to the Rugby Club for the reception. 

It’s often said about not working with animals or children, but these two kids blew that out of the water. I think, hands down, they are the cutest flowergirls I have photographed…ever!

Hayley…

Dakota…

Hayley loved to play with her Mum’s veil…

Gorgeous family…

As a wedding photographer, you do so much more than just take photos. You can be a hairdresser….

A shoe specialist…

Buttonhole administrator (I particuarly like that title)…

Stylist…

Pretty much any job that needs doing, gets done. And you know my most used piece of equipment on my tool belt?? My scissors. Without fail, I will at some stage, have to pull these out at every wedding. (Some trivial information for you!!)

And what awesome wedding could be complete with our mug shots…

I’m always prattling on about Mark Seymour, and posting my concert pics whenever I see him play. I was in Melbourne in September for the DVD taping, and took a few pics. I was approached late last year by Mr Seymour’s management about using a couple of my pictures for his official website, as well as some other promotional material. Of course I said yes!!

I just noticed in the last few days that his official website has been updated, and heading up the “Photos” section, are my two shots with my name proudly underneath! Now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, this wont do anything for my career (no one takes notice of who took those photos except maybe for other photographers!). I’m just incredibly humbled to see my photos that I treasure, being used on the website of an artist I admire so much.

The two pics they chose…

This one is one of my favourites. He’d just stuffed up the words, and had to stop the song, and it just conveys the frustration of the moment…

Listen to Alan & Ruth, and they’ll tell you love is even better the second time around! Today they celebrated their union in front of family & friends, and the four children they have between them.

I have to say, Ruth was an amazing bride. She was up for absolutely anything, and wanted to do everything!!! You could twist her into pretty much any position, and she just worked it! Ruth and her best friend Sue got ready at the newly refurbished Sofitel, which looks completely AWESOME!

The ceremony was held at a reserve out at Mt Nebo. Surrounded by peace and quiet, Ruth’s arrival was preceded with the roar of a convoy of Nissan Fairlady’s. Being active members of a car club has its advantages!

Afterwards we had time to relax for some drinks and nibblies, and mingling with guests. Then we hit the road. Further testament to how cool Ruth is - driving all the way from Mt Nebo to Sandgate - WITH THE TOP DOWN!! I don’t know too many brides who would be prepared to risk their hair-do’s that way!!

Down by the Pier, Alan & Ruth enjoyed some romantic shots, and strolls along the beach. There we ran into another photographer friend of mine, Tram, and had a quick catch up (we don’t all hate eachother!!).

As the sun was setting we left Alan & Ruth to have some quiet time before they headed on up to their reception at the Full Moon Hotel.

Every now and again, you get a couple that come along, and make you feel so lucky that you get to do this for a living. Adnan & Susie were such a happy little suprise package. We met for the first time on Monday, where over icecream, we talked about their plans for their wedding. This was to be the smallest wedding I had ever been a part of, and I was already so excited!

Adnan & Susan came to Australia as international students, and got more than just an education. They met and fell in love at Uni, and have made Australia their home. With both their families on opposite sides of the world, what else are they to do, but to elope.

The service was held at the Holland Park Mosque, with just Adnan & Susie, the Imam, two witnesses, and Poo and myself. The ceremony was short, and simple, but when Adnan & Susie emerged as husband and wife, you couldn’t take the smiles off their faces.

We made our way into the city to the Botanic Gardens, where Adnan & Susie exchanged rings. I think Adnan had been nervous about getting in front of the camera, but it didn’t take him long to look like a natural. We were blessed with a glorious overcast day, so we took in all of my favourite locations, and had so much fun doing it. Adnan & Susie were such a beautiful couple to photograph - the connection they have is so strong, and the love they have for eachother is very obvious. I could have photographed them all afternoon, and not grown tired of it.

After a good couple hours of photo taking the four of us stopped off in the Valley to grab a late lunch/early dinner. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know both of them, learning about their respective countries and cultures. I cannot express how priviledged I felt to get to play a part in such a beautiful and intimate occasion for the both of them.