NZ photographer
What’s something you’re looking forward to the most this Christmas? I’m excited to see our families. Lucky for us Karl’s parents live 1.5 hours away so we get to see both sides of the family.
Here’s a couple of moments from my recent family session with Craig and his family while they were on holiday in NZ. I love how NZ was the destination for them to get together right before Xmas and celebrate their Thanksgiving.
I’ll often get asked where the best spots in Wellington are for photography. We’re really lucky in Wellington as we can easily travel from the city to the hills with a view or the coastline. In this post I’ve put together a few of my favourite locations for wedding photos, engagement shoots or family sessions. All of these locations have their own benefits and suitable times of the day for the best outcome in your photos. Get in touch directly if you’d like to know more about these locations and if they will be suitable for your next photo shoot.
Pros: Petone Beach is an easy-access location with great views of Wellington City. On one side of the wharf is the dog beach, so there is a dog-friendly area and on the other side of the wharf there are usually no dogs off leads. In the summertime, the grass area is covered in bunny tail grass which I love photographing in. This area can also be more sheltered from high winds coming from the North/West.
Things to be mindful of: It’s a popular location, and lots of people are out walking their dogs so it can feel busy (good news is I can avoid having people in the background of your photos, so no issues there).
Best time of day for photos here: Approx 1 or 1.5 hours before sunset depending on the time of year and the weather forecast (particularly in winter the light gets lost behind the hills a bit quicker than expected).
Pros: Whitireia Park is one of those spots that make you feel extremely grateful for living in New Zealand. It’s an easy location to drive to for a panoramic view of the ocean, Mana Island and in the distance on some days you can also see the South Island. There are multiple areas for photos here and some long grass areas.
Things to be mindful of: There is no hiding from the weather here, bring warm clothing and hair ties or wear your hair back. This location isn’t suitable for high wind forecasts.
Best time of day for photos: 1 hour before sunset.
Pros: A great location for families with younger children who aren’t able to stay up late for a sunset session at Petone or Eastbourne Beach. It’s also great on a windy day rather than doing photos at the beach as it’s more sheltered. There are a few areas within walking distance of the car park that I like to use and I’ll often finish the session at the duck pond so children can enjoy that part of the reserve. This reserve is also great because of the open spaces and concreted pathways, it’s not overwhelming with green tones which can sometimes affect the colour of skin in photos if it’s a highly dense bush area.
Things to be mindful of: In winter it can get cold in the reserve from 3 pm as it doesn’t see much sun after this time.It’s not suitable for dogs.
Best time of day for photos here: morning or early/afternoon in winter. Early morning or early evening in Summer.
Pros: This is a historical site of the founders of the Plunket Society. If the beach isn’t your favourite location, then this one could be it instead. I love the old brick archways and paths, the garden sweeps around the building giving you a number of spots to pick from. In the late afternoon, you can hear the lions at the zoo roaring. There is also a pine forecast nearby that can also be used for photos if the light is too bright in the main gardens.
Things to be mindful of: Parking is limited and some areas are cornered off due to earthquake damage.
Best time of day for photos here: 1 hour before sunset or early morning.
Pros: Eastbourne has been a popular spot because of its long grass and beach setting. It’s a lot quieter than Petone Beach which some clients prefer. This can also be a beautiful spot at sunset.
Things to be mindful of: It is a more exposed location to windy weather. I recommend bringing a jacket and hair ties just in case.
Best time of day for photos here: 1 hour before sunset in summer or 1.5 hours in winter, depending on the time of year and the weather forecast (particularly in winter the light gets lost behind the hills a bit quicker than expected).
Pros: This location is very easy to get to near the CBD but at the same time it is out of the hustle. It’s great for being shaded away from the bright sun (bright sunny days aren’t usually the best light for photos), so this location is perfect for daytime family sessions with children if a sunset session isn’t an option. The park is also dog friendly on leads and there is a playground that we can go to at the end of the photo shoot.
Things to be mindful of: Sometimes parking is limited on the street, it can just mean parking further up the road and walking down to the entrance a minute or two.
Best time of day for photos here: Morning or afternoon in winter. Or Late afternoon/early evening in Summer around 5pm.
Pros: An easy location for those living in Lower Hutt. It has good parking and a couple of spots for photos. It’s also dog friendly!
Things to be mindful of: It can be a little noisy as it is right next to a bridge on the motor way.
Best time of day for photos here: Early morning or late afternoon about 1.5 hours before sunset.
Pros: Wanting a more urban city vibe? Wellington’s parliament buildings are a mix of historic and modern backdrops. This is a great location on a rainy day as well, there are some sheltered areas for photos.
Things to be mindful of: This is a location that you require permission to use for professional photos but I can arrange this for you with enough notice.
Best time of day for photos here: Afternoon
Pros: Lower Hutt river has a few different areas that are suitable for photos but I love Belmont Recreation Reserve! It has good parking and multiple spots for photos including a garden lawn setting and then the river bank. There is also a playground area that kids can play on after the photo session.
Things to be mindful of: Getting into the reserve from the motorway can sometimes be a challenge during busy periods.
Best time of day for photos here: This can depend on the weather forecast and time of year but as a rule, anytime from about 2.5-2 hours before sunset is suitable before the light is lost in behind the hills.
Pros: If you’d like to showcase our beautiful city there’s no better place than the waterfront or around Cuba Street. I really like the backdrops along Leeds/Eva Street and Wigan Street.
Things to be mindful of: Parking can be difficult and expensive in the city, plus dodging crowds can make it take a bit longer than other locations. You will need to walk to get to each location, which may not be suitable for families with younger children.
Best time for photos here: Late afternoon/early evening for the CBD, 1 to 2 hours before sunset along the waterfront.
Pros: On the other end of town is the coastline that looks out to sea and a number of bays that are great for photos that tend to be really quiet with less people around. I like this spot for its grassy area as well as the beach just down the road.
Things to be mindful of: This is one of the furthest away locations from my home, so this there is a slightly higher travel fee. Can also be exposed to cold southerlies.
Best time of day for photos here: 1 hour before sunset
Pros: Great all year round for family and portrait sessions. Great for families with young children who can’t wait up for sunset photos at the beach. It’s also dog friendly.
Things to be mindful of: It gets dark 2-3 hours before sunset due to the surrounding hills.
Best time of day for photos here: 3 hours before sunset.
Pros: Of all the sunset locations, Redrocks tends to be the most magical in Summer.
Things to be mindful of: The beach area I use for photos is about 5 minutes walk from the car park. Sometimes the car park is full and there are a lot of people here in Summer time. This is one of the furthest away locations from my home, so this there is a slightly higher travel fee. Can also be exposed to cold southerlies. Not suitable in winter due to the low sunset behind the hills.
Best time of day for photos here: Depending on the time of year, I suggest arriving 1 hour before sunset.
Pros: The Blossom Valley festival is a stunning and unique attraction, making it a really special photo location.
Important information: The Japanese cherry blossom trees only bloom for a short period of time from around mid-September and finish early October, depending on the weather. However, the gardens are beautiful all year round.
Things to be mindful of: There is a ticket fee to access this venue. I will organise permission to photograph here on your behalf. During school holidays, the blossom festival is very busy and popular, making parking accessibility not as easy. If you would like photos during the blossom season, please book well in advance as spaces are popular.
Best time of day for photos here: We are limited to their opening hours. I recommend early morning for summer or late afternoon for winter/spring.
It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! To celebrate the end of an incredible year for my business I reached out to previous wedding clients with a special on my wedding albums.
Printing is the best way to get more value out of images and relive moments from your wedding day. Quite often photos will only sit on a USB stick or live somewhere on your social media feed, this can mean moments are lost over time. Physical prints add so much value to your investment as they will last for generations to come so your children and their children too can enjoy a little piece of your history.
Yuming and Bevan picked a red linen cover and gold text for their album cover, perfect for the holiday season and it matches the red dress Yuming wore on her wedding day. Momento Pro is the printing company I have picked to use for my wedding albums. I love their European linen range for cover materials which comes in 18 colours for clients to pick from.
To protect your album and add that finishing touch, a clamshell box is included with all of my orders for no extra cost. This means you can leave your album on your coffee table or book shelf with peace of mind.
I’m consistently blown away by the quality of Momento Pro’s prints. They have created a printing platform for professional photographers who take pride in quality. I truly believe in these products which is why I choose to pay a little more for these albums compared to other lower end printing companies.
If you’d like to know more about my albums, get in touch! Here is my album pricing guide.
Linen cover available in different colours
10 spreads (20 pages) with multiple images per spread
1.1mm page thickness
Custom text on the front of the album cover
Box to protect album is also linen covered
Pick your favourite images and I'll handle the rest!
8x8” - Regular
10x10” - Large
12x12” - Extra Large
Please get in touch for the latest pricing update!
Planning a wedding proposal is a mix of excitement and nerves! You’re asking someone to spend the rest of their life with you, so you want to ensure this moment special for the both of you!
If you want the proposal photographed there are two ways this can happen. The traditional approach is to plan with a photographer where and when you plan to get down on one knee, your photographer should be somewhere hiding near by ready to snap the action. The way of photographing a proposal which I prefer is to have a planned shoot where your partner knows a photographer will be joining you. This approach means you end up with better photos because your photographer has more control over the scene and your movements. It involves a little more planning and some strategic communication but heres how you can make that happen!
Your partner might start get suspicious so come up with a back story as to why you have booked a photo shoot. You could explain to your partner that you won a couples shoot through a competition you entered, or a work give away. Your photographer could be ‘an old friend’ who is looking to build her portfolio. You could ask a friend to help out, perhaps they won the couples shoot but they can’t go ahead. Suggest a photo shoot for a special occasion like an anniversary or birthday, but really its much more than that. Keep it simple and make it more about the act of doing something fun together. It might be completely out of the ordinary for your relationship but the chances are your partner will definitely be into it! Let your photographer know what your story is.
Pick a location that you know your partner will love. If you are shy and nervous about other people watching, find somewhere that is quiet so the moment can be more intimate. Your photographer will be able to suggest a good spot and the best time of day. Visit the location a week or a few days before hand to make sure it feels right.
Don’t stress too much, your partner will sense you are acting strange. Before the shoot, ask your photographer for a queue which indicates a good time for proposal. Your photographer will be looking at what the light is doing and framing the image with the background while keeping an eye on what you are doing, so it’s important they are ready for this moment.
I’ll usually spend 20-30 minutes with couples ‘warming up’ to the actual proposal. This is a chance to set the scene and get used to the camera.
When it comes to getting down on one knee, try and stay there for as long as it feels comfortable. This will give your photographer more opportunities to get the key shot. Have some words prepared and tell your partner how much they mean to you!
Plan the whole day and make it special. You could book dinner reservation for afterwards. You’ll both want to celebrate the beginning of this new chapter together!
You will be so excited to see your new photos! Ask your photographer for one or two preview images so you can announce your engagement to friends and family.
I have never been one for needing the highest quality camera or the latest technology. I learnt how to take photos on a 35mm film camera and then upgraded to my first digital camera which was a Canon 500D.
Sometimes I will hear people say “you must have a really good camera”. The truth is, my current cameras (Canon 5D Mark II) are still pretty basic and there are now 2 newer models on the market. I was taught to make the most out of the equipment I had because my skills and knowledge would be what makes a great photograph. I still stand by this. I also have a 40k student loan and Degree backing me (the most expensive piece of paper I own but it was worth every cent).
If I’m shooting a wedding or family photos I will have two Canon 5D Mark II bodies on me. I use a handmade leather harness made in NZ by The Knot Leather, not only does it look cool but it has been a life saver for my back and shoulders.
I’ll choose my lens depending on what I am shooting and what I want to achieve. My go to lens will be either my Canon 40mm f/2.8 or more recently Sigma Art 35mm. I’ll then have a 50mm or 135mm on my other body. I use my Canon 135mm for candid photos of guests at weddings, it allows me to put some distance between me and the person I’m photographing (I’m like a fly on a wall). My Canon 50mm f/1.4 I mostly use for freelensing which is a technique I use for details or more creative shots.
My main focus when using this gear is being consistent with my style (using a wider aperture, usually around 3.5 -4.5) but maintaining sharpness where it’s needed (usually around peoples faces/eyes) and avoiding movement (I try to keep my shutter speed at 1/200).
Getting to know my couples or families before a shoot is how I prepare the most. If I can help people feel reassured and comfortable before they meet me it makes it easier for them to relax on the day of the shoot.
If I am photographing at a wedding venue which I haven’t been to before I will do some research first and see what spots other photographers have used. I will often turn up to a venue 10 minutes early so I can scope out some good spots. I’ll be looking for covered spots on a bright sunny day, otherwise the light is too harsh and creates unflattering shadows on the face. Sometimes it comes down to making decisions on the spot because of weather conditions or lighting which can change in a second.
Sometimes I will have a second shooter with me for weddings. We try to not plan our movements too much, otherwise, our shots start to feel too forced and don’t often go to plan. It’s best to let events unfold in front of us. At the start of the day I will be with the girls for preparations and my second will be with the guys. We work around each other and sometimes have a key focus, for example, I might ask my second shooter to mainly photograph candid photos of the guests or get the parent reactions.
There you have it! I definitely don’t over complicate things when it comes to gear. I am all about the people, capturing emotion and documenting the occasion!