I’ve often heard the comment, with regards to photographers and their blogs, as to why we always say such nice things about the weddings we do. Weddings, by their very nature, are wonderful occasions surrounded in love, happiness and joy. And when you do this for a living, it’s hard NOT to love what you do. I have loved shooting all of the weddings I have been involved with. And some of them, you feel like you’ve left a piece of your heart there with them before you walk out the door.

I had been long looking forward to Tarrant & Mel’s wedding. I shot their e-session around this time last year, and if that was anything to go by, I knew their wedding photos would be something else. Melanie truly does have a “presence” in front of the camera, and she knows how to use that to her advantage.

Their wedding was held in Toowoomba, a place which holds very special memories for me. Not only was my Mum born and raised in this town, but I spent a few years living up there during my USQ days. Heading up the range was like going to see an old friend - and reminded me off the excitement I would feel as a kid driving up to see my grandparents.

We arrived to find Danielle Robinson putting on the final touches to the girls makeup, and as always, she failed to disappoint! Melanie is a very smart young lady, and is always calm, cool, and level headed. But on this day, she added something else to that - elegance, and style. Even if we did manage to put part of her Hilde Heim dress on inside out - she managed that with grace and pinache. I could seriously shoot Mel all day long. But there was a wedding that we needed to get to, so headed off to St Luke’s to see Tarrant & the boys.

Two weeks in a row, I had the pleasure of working with Trevor from Suncoast Vintage Limousine’s, who delivered Melanie to the church, and she made her way down to aisle to her husband-to-be. Outside, there were so many hugs and kisses from all the guests, the festive atmosphere had already started. Mel & I had been very much on the same wave-length with regards to what we wanted from the photo’s, and she had scoped out a couple of cool locations. We first stopped off at an alleyway off Ruthvern Street for a bit of urban funk, then went off to the railway yards (which is to Toowoomba what the Botanic Gardens are to Brisbane - weddings everywhere) for a bit of country, and then the piest de resistance - The Empire Theatre.

I hadn’t been to the Empire for about 10 years - not since I’d seen Don McLean play live many years ago. I had forgotten just how beautiful it is. The reception, was being held on-site, and Mel has family heavily involved with the theatre, so we pretty much had the run of the place.  Shooting Mel & Tarrant on stage, and with full theatre lighting at my disposal, is something I’ll always remember!

The reception was held in the old church, which is now attached to the theatre. Back in the old days, my great-grandparents used to attend church there, and it’s been the scene for many weddings of my own family, and at least one funeral that I’ve been to! So it was very surreal, yet very special, to be celebrating Tarrant & Mel’s wedding there. I settled in out the back to compile the “same day slideshow”, that was shown during dessert. I’m not one to heap praise upon myself, but as I watched it, I felt really proud. Proud of myself, of Poo, but mostly proud of my amazing couple - because without them bringing “it” to the table, I couldn’t do this.

Mel was very strict on me being “off the clock” and making sure I’d had a drink (or three), as they then partied the night away. And boy do they know how to party! The dancefloor was packed all night long, and not even my minor indiscrestion of accidentally cutting the DJ’s power during the first verse of “Hotel California”, could dampen their spirits. I tried to get an a cappella rendition going, but within a minute or two Mr DJ was back in business, and they flocked back to the dancefloor!

Thank you Tarrant & Mel, for giving us the opportunity to spend this day with you and your families! It’s one I won’t forget quickly!!! xxx

And one more thing, Sarah-Jane, your wedding cake was TO DIE FOR!!!

Check out the slideshow…

10.30pm, and Mel still looks amazing as ever….

Mel & Poo…

A couple of weeks ago, I caught up with one of my awesome couples, Mark & Ashlynn, when I invited them out to the farm to shoot a “Just Because” session.

What I love about these two is that they are geniunely the nicest people you would ever hope to meet, and have just been so excited about every facet of their wedding photography right from the day I met them. They were both super excited about coming out to my house, to meet my dogs, and to generally have another afternoon of anarchy!!

So off we went down the paddock to see where the afternoon would take us. Ashlynn is my hero, suffering hayfever, and even when she was bitten by a green ant as I took the last few photos of her, she never let her pain show. Now that’s dedication!

A shout out also goes to Michael Camplin for deciding to spend another afternoon with me (some might call him crazy!!) and hanging out shooting what was a great afternoon, and a fantastic evening eating pizza! 

Our dog Toby came down the paddock with us, and wanted in on the action. Turns out, he’s not a bad little model either…

So this, of course, went immediately to his head, and he began demanding star treatment…

But more than anything he wanted to be in more photos…

So instead we gave him a camera so he could second shoot…

Here he is directing the action…

….and giving Ash some feedback….

Before it all became too much and he had to lie down for a rest…

For the first time ever, I’m actually advertising in a bridal magazine. The latest edition of Ideal Bride is currently on the shelves…

….in which Mark & Ash proudly appear on or around is it Page 143???

As I’ve said before, any wedding referred by the always fabulous Kate & Denym,  you just know it’s going to be awesome!

The rain had been around for a few days, and as we made our way up the coast things weren’t looking good. I had a phone call from Kylie’s house about the weather, but as I said to them “It doesn’t worry me, so don’t let it worry Kylie”. I don’t stress about rain anymore. If it falls it falls. I just do what I do with what I’ve got.

At Kylie’s house, the girls were brimming with excitement! Two of Kylie’s bridesmaids have already been in my bridal parties before, so they knew what to expect. A big shout out goes to Kylie’s mum, Sonia, for putting on a marvellous spread for everyone to tuck into to give us energy for the rest of the day!

Tim is one of five boys, and all four of his brothers were there beside him as his gorgeous bride walked down the aisle. There were lots of tears all round, and you could tell this was a very special occasion for everyone there. What was even more special, was Kylie’s grandpa was the minister who married them.

As Kylie entered the church, the rain came. By a stroke of luck, it had stopped as they walked out of the church. We thought we were going to be lucky for the rest of the afternoon. We weren’t.

We got down to King’s Beach at Caloundra and had just started taking photos on the beach when the rain and wind came down hard. We had to make a bee-line dash for the cars, and set off in search of somewhere protected to keep on going. It was then that our wonderful limo driver Trevor from Suncoast Vintage Limousine’s suggested an old air museum out at the airport. Fantastic suggestion, but when we got there it was closed. As we went to leave I notice the aircraft hanger across the road which just screamed out to me. There was a break in the rain, and everyone jumped out and we made the most of the time we had.

From there we headed on over to the reception, stopping off at a place Kylie had scoped out for me, a simple turf farm by the Bruce Highway. By the time we arrived the rain had stopped once again, leaving some outstanding dramatic clouds, and the ground was such a vibrant green. He hung out there for the rest of the afternoon having a blast, and getting Kylie’s dress wayyyyy to dirty!!!

I really have to thank the entire bridal party for really pulling together considering the circumstances we were facing, and for most of all not letting it bother them. Tim & Kylie didn’t care what the weather was doing, they were married, and that was all that mattered to them. With an attitude like that, I can get amazing photos pretty much anywhere! Thanks guys xxx

 
We were joined at this wedding by a fellow photographer friend of mine from Canberra, Michael Camplin. With him also snapping away there’s a special edition of outtakes from this wedding…

Campo & Poo doing “The Thing”…

And one with me….

And then a shot with Tim & Kyles….

Every year I take the month of December off from shooting for a little bit of downtime and some R&R. You know, taking time out to do the things I never get to do the eleven other months of the year. I stick pretty firm to my rule of “no weddings in December”, however New Year’s Eve is one day in some cases I’ll make an exception. I’m usually in bed by 10pm each year anyway, why not photograph a fabulous wedding?

Our day kicked off with Emily-Jade & all the girls at the Stamford Plaza. I was immediately taken with the beautiful wedding gown that had been made by a close friend of Emily’s. Everyone says that a bride on her wedding day looks like a princess, but this bride was straight out of a fairy tale. Emily is also no stranger to being in front of a camera, and was an absolute pleasure to photograph.

The ceremony was held at the picturesque St Mary’s Church at Kangaroo Point. It’s been forever since I’ve been back to photograph in this church. To give you an idea, I remember the last time we were there, we could hear the band Hanson playing “MMMBop” over on the river stage! St Mary’s is perched high above the cliffs, with spectacular views of the city. Gerard was waiting with the biggest smile on his face. Even the searing heat was doing nothing to stop his enthusiasm!

After the service, the newly married couple relaxed and mingled with guests in the church grounds. Gerard & Emily-Jade wanted a really relaxed afternoon, so we did away with the big “photo shoot”. Instead we walked from the church, and wound our way down to the riverside, and along the boardwalk to the reception at Riverlife. We’d stop every now and again along the way to grab a few photos, but mainly it was about having fun, and spending time with friends. Just the way they wanted!

During the reception, we presented a “same day slideshow” for everyone to see how the days events unfolded, which was really well received. Big thanks go to my friends Ben & Jussy from XSiGHT Photography & Video for helping out with the projector at the last minute.

Why not check out the slideshow…

Instead of having a first dance, Gerard & Emily had a “first song” where they serenaded eachother to “Everything” by Michael Buble…

Chimping with the girls….

And a shot with the happy couple…