autumn light

the end of day light in autumn is out of this world.... especially on a clear day.  that clear day took the edge of the cooler weather that has been starting to creep into our days here in christchurch.
this year, post 22 february, shooting weddings has been particularly more enjoyable.  i've savored these days filled with joy and happiness, that let you forget momentarily what awaits you at home.
all the weddings i have booked were planned outside of christchurch, so very little disruption to the planning of the day, but it also means i get to travel away from the city and feel some distance.
melton estate was the venue of choice today.  tracy the host is amazing and makes everything so easy.  pre-wedding, the girls had spent the night at halkett lodge, which is just the cutest little b&b out the back of west melton.  it's tucked away down a long, long drive in amongst forest and farmland.
the day overall was gorgeous, along with the bride in her stunning dress.
again, another wedding i was so honoured to be a part of.  thank you n & t.

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a spring wedding

one wet saturday in late spring 2010 i had my first experience as a second shooter/ assistant at a wedding, a gorgeous wedding.  i loved being a part of the day and still experiencing all that comes with that, without the usual pressure of being 'the' shooter.
it was super wet in the morning, but it cleared just half an hour before the (outside) ceremony, with just a few spits during it.  it really couldn't have been any better weather for a photographer (except maybe a little less wind)
i still got to do all the girly stuff and the details.  the bride was gorgeous, as were the bridsmaids and the groom and groomsmen, well they were just downright fun(even after copious amounts of port)!
in all reality, the day couldn't have gone better..... win

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worldskills

what i love most about my job is the variety i have.  to say i get bored quickly is an understatement, so to be able to shoot a wide variety of subjects in any one week, makes my world. 
i guess my interest in all things different, partially came about when i was working on documentaries with robyn scott-vincent, or maybe that just reiterated how interesting i find the world around me and all that is in it.
a bi-annual event, worldskills nz nationals is a competition for young people(basically just entering their trade of choice) to compete in their chosen skill to be nz's best, with then the possibility of competing at the international level.  the majority of the competition was trades based this year, and watching the skill involved in each trade was awe inspiring.  when you actually take the time to watch and learn what is involved in any particular trade, it definitely makes you think twice about the work that goes into fixing your car, building your house,
fixing your drains.....etc etc.  much like a professional photographer really.  we make it look easy, but there is a skill involved ;)

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squeeze

i did a shoot back in september that i squeezed in for a family visiting from australia.  it was during a week that i already had shoots (sometimes more than one) on every day...i was frantic. 
it was a very random meeting of an acquaintance of mine that they came to me and  i had organised someone to do the shoot for them, but bless them, they wanted me to do it.
it was a stunning, but very chilly morning (esp as they hail from the sunshine coast).  i was freezing and i was dressed much more appropriately(not having to be in front of the camera) than they were.  but they were troopers, even when i was fussing trying to find the right light, they just hung on in there.
gorgeous story, this couple were over with their daughter celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary.  they had eloped all those years ago and were married in hagley park under a stunning old oak tree. 
they were also the first wedding for wesley of "punting on the avon".... oh how i love me a good story.
thanks for sharing your story with me anita, craig and layla. 
 

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extremely overdue

some serious catching up is needed here!  but in the meantime - head over to here for my take on the christchurch earthquake 2010.  it's been a tough week, but for me it's been NOTHING compared to what others are going through.  it's grim for so many...it's not pretty.

i'll be back online, in proper, soon.

i hope you are all well and for those that are in christchurch and/or have family in the area, i hope they are safe.

kia kaha

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jumping outside the rectangle

it's good for one's soul to look at things outside their normal boundaries.  i'm not so good at this concept, so when i was up very early one very crisp, clear morning recently i did wonder for a moment(or three) that i was perhaps mistaken about this.
i had been commissioned take a photo of cass bay, one of the many bays on lyttleton harbour.  i think seeing the same landscape so often, you forget about the beauty of it.  but once you start to actually look at it in details you realise what a stunning country we live in.
i managed to please the client, so i was happy.....maybe i have a new avenue to pursue

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hannah & asher a year on

a little over a year ago i photographed my flatmate's niece and nephew for their christmas present for their parent's. you can view some of those images here.
a few weeks ago i suggested to meg's that i do some more of them - they're pretty gorgeous kids after all.  the results are below.  def managed to get some similar shots to last time, but also, wow they have grown up!

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