This was the view from my hotel room on Thursday morning…

I think it goes without saying that I LOVE my job!

Not many brides can boast that they got to have two wedding days. Sarah & Arunava were married in India and then got to come home and do it all again!!

It’s been said before that early mornings and me do not mix. But I hauled myself out of bed bright and early to get over to Sarah’s folks house. That rain was playing games again. There was an early morning shower that went across, and was threatening to ruin Sarah’s outdoor ceremony.

Over at Bundaleer Rainforest Gardens, management had made an executive decision to move the ceremony to the covered verandah. However, the rain hadn’t made another appearance, and what the bride wants, the bride gets!! The chairs were quickly moved back to the outdoor setting so the ceremony could go on!

Afterwards we had some time to wander around the grounds getting some pics before getting back for the lunchtime reception! 

Rick caught some shots of me in action…

So I returned the favour…

We were joined by one of my former brides Colleen. Colleen is now studying photography and wanted to come out and see what life is like on the other side of the camera…. 

And she managed to snag some great shots…

I hate the rain. And the week of Tygh and Kathy’s wedding, the rain decided to set in. It’s every wedding photographers worst nightmare. I received a phone call from Tygh the day before the wedding to advise that their original outdoor ceremony was being moved to a safer indoor location.

It turns out the rain and I have this little understanding. What went from being a rainy gloomy week, all of a sudden turned into the most beautiful Saturday afternoon. Seeing the ceremony had already been moved, it was a little too late to move it back, so we made the best of the situation.

The wedding took place at Rydges Southbank where we had a little fun on the rooftop with the boys before the ceremony. Even Kathy hitched up her dress to jump the fence to get some rooftop action! We got outside and headed into the Parklands for some more pics, and once the sun went down we set up camp down under the Victoria St bridge. We had a good hour to kill, so we got some night time shots, and very slowly wandered our way back over to Rydges in time for the reception.

Tygh & Kathy booked me to stay on for the reception, and that place was rockin’. They had a fantastic band who had everyone on the dancefloor all night long.

I got home a bit after midnight, and sure enough, the rain started to fall again. And that was fine by me!!

Celebrant Andrea Watson & I…

As I was taking this photo, I was asked if it was a little egocentric to be taking a photo of myself. Well yeah, but that’s how I roll….

I think I now know how my clients must feel when they see their images for the first time. Even though Carl & Sarah’s wedding was only three weeks ago, I’m finding myself looking at their images and thinking “oh I totally forgot that happened!!!”.

One thing I can’t forget though is how completely and totally amazing Carl & Sarah’s day was. Every so often I get a couple who I’m totally drawn to, and feel as though I’ve known them forever. When it comes to photographing a couple like this, it’s just easy.

Carl & Sarah chose two vendors off my preferred list. The first was Toula who did a spectaular job of making the girls look fantastic. The second was celebrant extraordinairre Lisa Blackmore. I always love getting to work with these suppliers, because they always always do an amazing job. I wouldn’t recommend them otherwise!!

The ceremony took place at Latrobe Chapel, and afterward we stopped off down the road in Paddington to take a walk around the neighbourhood. Then it was off to New Farm to take in Abbott Street, and the Powerhouse. Carl & Sarah had a heavy emphasis on their photos, and let me do anything I wanted. I love it when a couple are so “into” their photos, as I always know I’m going to get great results. At one point, I showed Sarah a picture on the camera. She said to me “hey that’s such a Toni Snell shot”. I though about it for a minute and said “yeah, I guess it is”.

We ended up kicking on at the reception so we could cover Carl & Sarah performing a choreographed bridal waltz, and so I could eat some wedding cake. Both were fabulous!!

Thankyou Carl & Sarah for a fantastic day!! We love you guys!!!

This was the last wedding Poo shot with me, before jetting out with Mum to the UK the next day. I don’t plug my Dad’s work enough, so here’s a few of his shots from the day…

Toula at work. Fresh from her own son’s wedding the night before, and she still knocks it out of the park…

Lisa Blackmore & me…

Some hot chicks walking through Paddington…

Poo caught this one of me shooting…

Self portrait time…

Me and Sarah…

Owning it…

I have a massive backlog of weddings to get on this blog - at last count I still had about 7 to get up here. My main priority at the moment has been getting customers out their proofs from their weddings through the month of May, so the blog has taken a backseat during that time. I’d like to thank everyone for the patience they have shown!

Going way back now to three weeks ago (I’ve shot another 6 weddings since then, so it feels way back for me!) Poo and I got to spend the day with Jason & Johanna. Adorable would be one word I would use to describe these two, especially Jo who is just a breath of fresh air, and very happy-go-lucky. There were no nerves, no tears, just laughs and excitement!

The wedding was held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Sandgate, and afterwards we ventured down to the Sandgate Pier for some more photos where we braved the wind and the cold. We all nearly got blown away, but it was worth it by the end of the afternoon. 

Like a tiger…..

We also ran into the always fabulous Ben Clark…

I thought I had better throw in an update on the progress of the Stoffice. I’ve put in some long hours painting and hanging window fittings, and the place is really taking shape. Some of the artwork for the walls finally arrived this week (thanks to the awesome input from blog readers!), and I have gotta say it’s so weird, and totally cool at the same time to see your work in living colour and so HUGE on the wall!

This is what the place looked like just over two weeks ago…

It’s still a work in progress, but this is where I was at yesterday…

I think the big 4 panel canvas screen in the corner is my favourite feature so far. It creates a little space behind to hide the fridge (beer)…

The “curtains”…

My three cameo appearances in Queensland Brides magazine (where I didn’t have to pay for the priviledge)…

Some more furniture should be arriving this week, and I’ll be another step closer to completion!!

Also, I should also announce, Miss Cassie Lapthorne was the winner of the competition. Can’t wait to see her canvas when the day finally rolls around!!

A few weeks ago, clients of mine invited me to their engagement party. That’s not uncommon for me, as I like to choose clients who in the “real world” I’d actually be friends with. I was invited purely on a social level, and under strict instructions NOT to bring a camera. Most people know I don’t like to follow rules, so I busted out the gear for a couple of quick inpromtude shots of the couple.

Congratulations guys! Can’t wait for the wedding in November!!!

My folks left for London almost two weeks ago (yes, which means I’m back to relying on the kindness of strangers to feed me!!). After a brief discussion with them on the phone the other night, I discover that they are travelling the UK in one of those god awful Wicked vans. I always thought these hideous excuses for transportation were specifically reserved for backpackers and the unwashed masses - but here’s my 60-something parents (sorry Poo….59) roaming around looking like dickheads. I have to give it to my Mum & Dad, they don’t do anything by halves. I still remember how they looked (and smelt) when they rolled into Vegas after 3 days of sleeping in the back of the 4WD travelling through the Mojave desert. That’s just how they roll. They prefer sleeping on the side of the road and eating tin sausages and baked beans, to the luxury and comfort of hotels and nice restaurants.

But one thing I can bet my life on….they’re having a marvellous time!

Here’s the rig…

Brett & Kelly are getting married in October, and Kelly had to beg, plead, and I’m guessing drag Brett along for their E-Session. Brett was unimpressed. Like most blokes he’s not really “into” getting his photo taken. He’s obviously never had his photo taken by me!

I’d spotted this really cool spot when I drove through the valley on the way to my lab one day, and was dying to shoot there. I finally got my wish when Kelly let me take them pretty much anywhere I wanted. We wandered around town for the morning, stopping when I saw something cool, as Brett & Kel gradually got used to being in front of the camera, and being the centre of attention.

I think by the end, Brett decided it wasn’t that bad, but he still seemed unconvinced. The more I look at these pictures I wonder what he was ever worried about!!!

Hands down, your self-saucing chocolate pudding with cream and vanilla ice-cream is THE BEST BY FAR.

It just needed to be said.