My last wedding of the year. Well technically I still had one more to go on New Years Eve, but I’ve always considered a NYE wedding to be the first of the year. In any event, Luke & Bianca’s wedding was my last wedding before my yearly month long sabatical, so it was one of many reasons to celebrate.

I first met Luke back in May of 2007 when he provided the transport at one of my weddings through his company Retro Rides. After running into eachother again at another wedding, he called me earlier this year to enquire about his own wedding. Luke & Bianca’s plan for their day was to really have no plan. Just a relaxed, easy Sunday afternoon, surrounded by friends, and their spectacular Chevy’s.

The ceremony was held at New Farm park, and afterwards as the champagne flowed, we all then piled into the Chevy’s and headed up the road for some photos before getting back to the Powerhouse. Never before, have I met a more crazy bunch of people, but boy did they know how to have fun. We laughed ourselves stupid for the entire afternoon, I’m suprised I was actually able to take photos. It was the perfect afternoon “hanging out”, just doing what we do.

The reception was held on the top floor of the Powerhouse, where I kicked back for a bit with everyone to celebrate the successful end of another amazing year. Without amazing couples like these week in - week out, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do. I’m really nothing without them. xxx 

It’s not uncommon for Luke & Bianca to be caught giving the thumbs up….

I’ll always remember this image as “You don’t make friends with salad”…

And a whole lot of tomfoolery…

Getting blown a kiss from Bianca during her speech. It was touched to even get a mention. Thankyou so much!!!

It’s almost become tradition for me to share food with my brides…

Finally, a big thumbs up!!…

November 29 is a special day in my family - as back in 1969 it was the day my parents tied the knot. In 2008 though - it was the day Michael & Hayley showed Ipswich how it’s done!!

Yes folks, Ipswich. Just shy of 29 years ago, I had the somewhat dubious honour of being born in the Ipswich hospital. There’s no joke you can’t tell me that I haven’t already heard before, and there’s no more insults you can throw my way. That is why I take much pride in sharing Michael & Hayley’s photographs. These two proved we can do just about anything the people in the big smoke can do, and we may even do it better!!

We arrived to the lovely little B&B where Hayley was getting ready, to find the girls all sitting around playing cards, relaxing and generally being fabulous! Once Hayley slipped into her gown it was down to business making use of the quaint features the house had to offer. Hayley was nothing short of amazing to photograph. She’s funky, arty, and knows what she wants. I barely had to point her in the right direction, and she was giving me everything I wanted.

We got down the road to St Pauls and just as we were getting out of the car we were hit with a massive downpour. I’m talking rain coming in sideways, and hard. Fortunately all my camera bags are waterproof, it’s just me who isnt. After drying off thanks to some paper towels, we were able to get the show on the road again and get some shots of Michael and the boys.

The rain then cleared just in time for Hayley’s arrival. After a very humourous service, they made their way outside as husband and wife. With the threat of rain looming, we had to make a move, and first stopped off at the Ipswich Art Gallery, before getting into the cars and making our way out to Woodlands of Marburg.

Both Michael & Hayley are very artistic people, so had some awesome ideas as to what they wanted for their photos. I simply love love love working with couples like this who are not afraid at trying different things, and will go above and beyond to get “that” shot.

Eventually though, we had to get them inside to their reception, where a rest was very well deserved.

Thanks guys for an absolutely fantastic day. You did us proud!

Probably my favourite slideshow thus far….

Once again, Poo outdid himself….

Chimping with Hayley (it was very much a group effort!!)…

Totally exhausted, a photo with the gorgeous couple…

Here we are rounding the corner and heading towards the end of the year! I think I’m saving some of the best till last! Terry and Hannah were one of those weddings where everything just felt “right”. Beautiful young couple just so happy to be there, the love of so many family and friends, and a peaceful relaxing afternoon spent in a beautiful location.

Hannah is such a sweet, unasuming kind of girl, that I don’t think she understood how taken I was with her. Those bright wide eyes, and gorgeous smile, she was so easy to photograph. When I arrived, I noticed some long grass across the road, and one of the first things Hannah said to me was “Did you see the grass across the road. I knew you would like that!!” A bride who will brave ticks for me earns MAJOR brownie points in my book.

It was up to Glengariff Estate for the ceremony where Terry was waiting. By the time Hannah arrived, the bridesmaids were MIA. They had got lost on the drive up to Dayboro. Panic didn’t quite set in for Hannah, but once we had a pinpoint on their location, she breathed a little bit easier. There was some major apologising going on when they finally arrived, but more importantly, they had a great laugh about it!

In the late afternoon light, Terry & Hannah were married, and warmly greeted by the adoring arms of their family and friends. After a short stint around the grounds, we were summons back up to the reception.

I have to send a shout out to Terry’s big sister and brother-in-law Ami & Alex for the referral. Thanks guys xx 

How cute was this little fella? He was giving me some feedback on my image…

And I’ve thrown these two in for good measure just for Alex Kennison seeing how much he says he enjoys getting to see photos of Snelly doing “the thing”…

One of my last three weddings for the year, Matthew & Ashley were married at Broadway Chapel on a very hot late afternoon a few Saturday’s ago.

The one and only Anne Campbell was the celebrant on this occassion. I can’t say enough good things about Anne. I just love her to bits. It’s the little things about Anne that make her special. For me, it’s the way she gently places a hand on the groom as his bride walks up the aisle, or the person giving the reading when they get a little choked up. It’s her way of saying “it’s ok, we’re all here for you”.

Afterwards we quickly dropped off at Kangaroo Point and then into the city, before arriving back at the Treasury Casino Hotel just in the nick of time for the reception.

Big thanks go out to my dear friend Melissa Donaldson and Ema, for stepping in on hair and makeup when Ashley had some last minute concerns about her original supplier. Thanks ladies xxx

I really don’t know if I have the words to do Mark & Ashlynn justice. I consider myself so lucky to have these guys come into my life. It was early April. I’d just got back from the U.S and had closed my books for 2008 back in February. And that was when I got an email from Ashlynn. She was so sweet and humble, and asked me if I would consider taking on her wedding later in the year. And then she sealed it when she told me that she was friends of Kate & Denym. Nothing more needed to be said. I was in.

As with Kate’s wedding last September, I knew these people would be special, and it would be an amazing wedding. From the first night eating chocolate cake with Mark, Ash and her folks, to their engagement party, and lots of talks on the phone, it felt like they’d become a part of my own family. I couldn’t wait for their wedding.

Mark & Ash were married up at the Sunshine Coast at “Montego’s on the Bay” on Kawana Island. I know it was a stinking hot day - it was the same day that massive storm lashed Brisbane. I don’t think I can remember it being that hot though. I just remember the ”feel” that wedding had. And you could feel it. I know it sounds corny, but there was so much love that day. Love for eachother, love for their families, love for God. You really felt part of it.

One of my favourite things was Ashie’s vows. They are some of the most simplest, yet powerful words I’ve ever heard. I have a photograph I took of them that bring tears to my eyes when I read it. As she read them out to Mark on the beach, I cried. When Mark looks at Ash you can tell he loves her so so much. It’s like he wants to wrap her up with his whole heart and keep her there forever.

The other thing they know how to do, is laugh. I’ve never seen either of them without a huge smile on their face. They’re ready to take on anything, and make the most out of every minute. We had a ball on the beach that afternoon - it was kind of a shame that it had to end!

Mark & Ash - you are two of the most beautiful, kind, sweet, and humble individuals I have ever had the priviledge to meet. I am so lucky to have been able to capture your day, and even luckier to now call you my friends. xxx   

Ashlynn is the coolest bride ever. She suprised me when I arrived with a present she had specially made. When we first met, we joked about how my slogan should be “I Shoot Brides”…so she had it immortalised on a t-shirt!…

With Karen & Alan, Kate’s parents…

Ashlynn showing me some love…

…and then working it down on the jetty…

Me with Ashie’s parents, Peter & Carolyn…

And of course, with the beautiful bride and groom!!!

Another weekend, another WOW! wedding. Actually, there were two, but the second one is still to come. Ben & Sharna rocked my world. Sharna booked me in September of last year, but up until about two weeks before the wedding we had never met. As with previous brides who have booked without meeting me, I knew that we would get along famously. We always do.

Right from the get-go, Sharna was an amazing bride. I could tell she was nervous, and not used to being in front of a camera, but she trusted me 110% and followed my lead, and went along with anything I asked of her. The other thing that I love about brides like her, is that I don’t think she had any idea just how gorgeous she was, which only made me love her even more!

Sharna, and the girls, Jasmine & Krystal, got ready over at the Scarborough Beach Resort, assisted by their ever so efficient flower girl, Hayley-Jade. Seriously, this girl would have to get the medal for the best flower girl ever. The first picture below, she’s actually the one putting Sharna’s shoe on, and I think she was only something like 5 years old. Most people will know I’m not good with kids, but if they could all be like this, I’d happily work with hundreds of them!

The ceremony was held at the school chapel where Ben went to school. Ben strikes me as a pretty cool character, and he was there hanging out with his boys waiting for his girl to arrive. The service was short, swift and to the point (I think the minister had a prior engagement) but that didn’t matter, they were married and ready to celebrate!

After stopping off to a local fish and chip shop (that had our stomachs churing), we headed for this neat little gem that Ben & Sharna had picked out for me. I’m sure it’s not secret, but I’d never been there before, and if you asked me to tell you where it was, I’d still have no idea. I was just following the limo! It was a small cove with a pretty cool shipwreck. Problem was, the cool photo opportunity was a pretty decent climb down some steep rocks. However, that didn’t bother Sharna who hitched her dress up, kicked off her shoes, and made her way down and up onto the wreck. I can’t thank her enough for being so easy going and not stressing for a second that her dress might get dirty (let alone fall down the rockface!).

Then it was on to the Sandgate Pier for some final photos for the afternoon. We had so much fun that afternoon, everyone was so accomodating and making sure that I was happy with what they were doing and what I was getting. By then it was time to head back to the Belvedere Hotel for the reception. Ben & Sharna had us stay on for a few hours to catch some of the nights festivities, and have a good feed. When it came time for the speeches, there weren’t many dry eyes when Sharna’s grandpa gave a beautiful speech, that really touched my heart.

Ben & Sharna, thank you so much for taking us in and looking after us like we were family. Yours was an absolutely beautiful wedding, and I’m honoured that I could be there. xx

Poo was completely rockin’ it at Ben & Sharna’s wedding, and got some of my favourite photos of the day…

And she’s GONE!! Sharna cracking up after not being able to hold a straight face for one.more.second!!..

Showing Ben how it’s done…

Poo with Ben…

…and sharing wedding cake with Sharna’s brother…

Self portrait with the beautiful bride…

Last Monday my whole family got together to celebrate my Dad’s 60th birthday. There’s not that many of us, but we are all fairly spread apart from eachother. So for us to be all in the one place at the same time, is a rarity. To all be in the same place at the same time, and to not be fighting - well that is indeed a miracle.

Constable Plod came in from hicksville, Lisa came up from Sydney, and it was off to the Breakfast Creek Wharf for seafood. We’re a pretty low key family. We don’t throw big parties, and we definately don’t get out much - so it was a really lovely quiet evening with good wine and good food.

Poo with Plod… 

With my sisters and I…

+ Mum…

Graham is the soon-to-be newest member of the family when he marries my sister in a few months time (Yes, I’m shooting it; No, I wouldn’t rather be a guest - but thanks for asking)…

Our family…

Poo showing off the cufflinks I bought him…(thankyou Justine for marching all over Carindale to help me pick them!!)…

And blowing out the candles on his dessert…