We are engaged! Surprise Proposal at Whitireia Park Wellington

I’ve known for a while that I wanted to marry this man but now it's officially a thing!! What I thought was just a fun and casual couples shoot with Wellington photographer Yvonne Liew turned out to be a wedding proposal. WE ARE ENGAGED!

There’s a little bit of a back story to how this all went down, along with some epic photos of the moment Karl proposed. I had been wanting to book a couple’s shoot because I realised Karl and I hardly any photos together and thought it would be nice to have some updated photos for online and putting up around the house, feels a little vain but it was a new experience.

It turns out Karl had started designing a ring with The Village Goldsmith back in November. Another cool part of this story is a client who has booked us for photos and video at their wedding happens to work at The Village Goldsmith, so she was able to help Karl with the designing process which makes it extra special.

Here’s where it all came into action. We booked a couples session with Yvonne. Karl had been emailing her, I had no idea that it was actually going to be a proposal (it had crossed my mind for sure like ‘what if’, but I quickly told myself no way I’m dreaming). And then it happened out of nowhere! Below are some pics of me losing my shit.

We spent the rest of the evening hanging out and taking photos along the hillside. The sunset was insane and the atmosphere felt electric. Thank you so much to Yvonne for capturing these moments for us, the photos are such a true representation of how I felt that evening and I’ll treasure these photos forever.

A note to end on, I’m so grateful to Karl and our relationship. I’ve never felt as supported and loved as I do with him. We have so much respect for one another and the relationship side of things is actually kind of easy, that’s how it feels when you’re on each other’s team. I say I’m not a big romantic but I fricken love this feeling.

Tips for styling your engagement session - Whitireia Park Wellington

Jessica and Nathan spent a week in NZ and to celebrate the end of their trip before heading back to the US we met at Whitireia Park in Porirua for an epic sunset and engagement photos. When this location was first mentioned in our emails leading up to the shoot it made me so excited. Being an engagement session I knew how important this experience was for Jessica and Nathan which made me so grateful to be taking these photos for them while they were in NZ.

Couples are deciding to have an engagement shoot before their wedding day for lots of reasons, one being it’s great practice getting used to having a photographer take your photos and then you have some really great photos that can be used to announce your engagement. I’ve put together some tips for couples who are thinking about booking an engagement session and how you can style it in a way that is made easy.

FIND A SPECIAL LOCATION

Let’s make the most of it by choosing a location that’s going to inspire you (and your photographer) and make you feel good. Turn the session into a memory, somewhere you think you will enjoy the scenery. Light is everything, so talk to your photographer about the best time of day at a particular location.

HAVE OUTFIT OPTIONS

My engagement sessions tend to be 1 hour long, which is plenty of time for an outfit change. While you and your partner don’t want to look too matchy-matchy, pick outfits that will complement each other. Neutral colour pallets tend to work best, or fabrics with some texture but not overly patterned. Flowy dresses look stunning but keep in mind the length if it’s going to be windy at your location. Don’t be afraid to wear white, this looks great during sunset.

Cosy Newborn Session at Home!

Claudia, Steph and their daughter Coco welcomed baby Albert into the world and we celebrated in the best way possible with a newborn and family lifestyle session. This session was cosy, in their element at home and playful.

You may remember our beachfront maternity session a couple of months back, you can check it out here!

I love lifestyle sessions like this because there is a mix of unfiltered real moments but done in a stylised way. Claudia did an amazing job preparing the space for our session.

Wellington Waterfront Family Photos - A Special Occasion in NZ

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.

The Best Photography Locations in Wellington, New Zealand

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.

AT THE SEASIDE - PETONE BEACH, LOWER HUTT

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).

SUNSET AND VIEWS - WHITIREIA PARK, PORIRUA

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.

PHOTOS IN NATURE - PERCY RESERVE, LOWER HUTT

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.

HISTORICAL AND STUNNING - TRUBY KING PARK, MELROSE

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.

LONG GRASS AND BEACHY - EASTBOURNE, LOWER HUTT

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).

IN THE CITY - BROOKLYN CENTRAL PARK, WELLINGTON

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.

PHOTOS IN NATURE - MOONSHINE PARK, UPPER HUTT RIVER

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.

ICONIC - PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS, WELLINGTON CITY

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

BELMONT RECREATION RESERVE - LOWER HUTT RIVER

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.

URBAN VIBES - WELLINGTON CITY

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.

ROUGH COAST LINE - BREAKER BAY, WELLINGTON

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

PHOTOS IN NATURE - SPICER PARK, PORIRUA

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.

THE BEST AFTERNOON LIGHT - REDROCKS, Owhiro Bay WELLINGTOn

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.

BLOSSOM VALLEY - ASTON NORWOOD GARDENS, KAITOKE UPPER HUTT

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.

Wedding Albums for Christmas Gifts - Momento Pro Photo Albums

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.

INCLUDED

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!

PRICING AND SIZES

8x8” - Regular
10x10” - Large
12x12” - Extra Large

Please get in touch for the latest pricing update!

Same sex couple Engagement Photos - LGBTQIA friendly photographer Wellington

The excitement is REAL. I can’t wait to be Grace and Gemma’s wedding photographer! Bring on December 2020! Here are a couple of moments from our Engagement session over in Eastbourne.

This little puppy is so lucky to have beautiful Mums like Grace and Gemma. Millie joined us for their engagement session and she knew how to work it. I swear pets know how to pose for the camera. The beach was also a very exciting place for a puppy. Sunset, love and a puppy - what more could you ask for in a photograph?

The best things come in packages - just like our photography and video duo! My partner Karl recently launched his business Traveller Audio and Visual and we want to offer his videography to couples that are looking for a no fuss, all in one package. Previously I have had so many people ask if I can also shoot video and now we can. This is the beginning of a journey for us and we would love to hear what you think of Grace and Gemma’s engagement video!

My diversity statement - I will work with all races, sexual orientations, genders and people from any country. I do not support or tolerate discrimination and ask all my clients to respect this as well while we are working together.

Maureen's 80th Birthday Dinner at Ruth Pretty Catering

Have you been to Ruth Pretty’s Springfield House in Te Horo? Maureen had her 80th birthday there last and I was asked to document the occasion. Here are a few of my favourite moments from the evening.

It was my first time visiting this venue and I loved it! The beautifully restored 1910 homestead is perfect for a small event and dinner party, as well as the gardens which made a great backdrop for family photos.

Outdoor lifestyle maternity shoot - Wellington Eastbourne, New Zealand

Pregnancy is a special time for expecting mothers and their family. If you already have children, this is the perfect time to have a maternity shoot combined with family photos. These photos will be a momento of the ‘time before baby arrived’ and as your children grow you can look back at this time of your life together.

If you have a toddler and you’re worried about how they will find the photoshoot, look for a photographer who has experience working with children. You may only have a short period of time to get key photos and your photographer may need some tricks to get children on their side. A lifestyle session is perfect for capturing real moments and interactions between family, this works well if children aren’t interested in posing or are too young for directions.

Finding a photographer who has a style that speaks to you is important! When Claudia and Steph contacted me about their vision for this shoot they were looking for a lifestyle session near the beach where they live. Claudia put together a Pinterest board of inspiration. I knew straight away that we were a great match and I could bring their vision to life.

I recommend following a few different photographers on social media and over time you will start to see who connects with you best!

Claudia is extremely photogenic! I think I said ‘gorgeous’ about 100 times during our session. I love the way their outfits were styled and the use of adding in a denim jacket for Coco because it was extremely windy/cold and the shawl around Claudia’s shoulders.

Being on location can be really hit and miss if the weather isn’t great. It took 5 days of scheduling and rescheduling to get the weather right for us. We originally planned for a nice, sunny evening with a sunset, but decided to go with an overcast evening last minute which actually worked out really well. The cloudy sky adds a dramatic quality. Finding a photographer who can be flexible around weather definitely helps for an outdoor maternity session.

Stress Free Family Photos

Family photoshoots always bring me so much joy. They remind me why my job as a photographer is so important. I always feel so accomplished when parents come back to me with feedback saying they love the photos and appreciated how easy going the photoshoot was.

Some parents feel anxiety leading up to their family session as they want the day to go smoothly and hope their children will behave for photos. If you’ve got children there is some planning that can help ease this feeling. Going into your session with an open and positive mindset is the first place to start! I’m definitely one to go with the flow and get children on my side before I take photos of them. Heres how you can have a stress free photoshoot.

PREPARE YOUR CHILDREN

Start talking to your children about the photoshoot a few days prior to get them familiar with the idea. Talk about it with excitement but also make it sound normal and fun, you don’t want to overwhelm them with expectations of how you think it will go. Tell them what to expect from your photographer. You can tell your children that your photographer is a friend, so they don’t seem like a stranger.

DAY OF THE SESSION

On the day of your shoot, make sure everyone is fed and not coming into the session hungry. Wait until everyone has eaten before changing into your outfits for the shoot. You may want to wait until you arrive at your location before changing younger children or toddlers into their outfits.

EXPECTATIONS

If you go into your photoshoot feeling stressed and nervous about how your toddler is going to behave, the chances are they are going to pick up on this tension. They might not want to sit still, look at the camera and smile. If you put pressure on them it might make it harder. My best piece of advice is to go with the flow and work with your photographer to capture natural moments together, these are often the best photos! You might need to make it fun and let your child play, be convincing that its fun!

LISTEN AND GO WITH THE FLOW

Toddlers will go through different stages and phases. They may only want one parent to hold them and getting them on their own isn’t going to happen without tears. The best way to work with toddlers is to not force them but to comfort them, they might be nervous! Work with what you can. Sometimes bribes can work, or perhaps they just need their favourite toy.

LIFESTYLE FAMILY PHOTO SESSIONS

My family photo sessions are fun, relaxed and easy going. I’ve photographed families with children of different ages and every session will be slightly different. I use all of the tips mentioned above in order to capture the best moments of your family.

What is a lifestyle photography and why is it a good idea to do newborn photos at home?

Have you noticed that I rave about doing your family and newborn photos at home! This style is called lifestyle photography. It’s an easy-going and more candid approach, different from traditional newborn photos taken in a photographic studio. These sessions capture a mix of unfiltered real moments while positioned and captured in a stylised way.

Why have photos taken at home

The images feel more relaxed and they look authentic being in the comfort of your own space. You’ll be able to look back at your photos in the years to come and your children will be able to see the home they grew up in. As a huge bonus to new parents, it also means I travel to you rather than traveling to a location or studio.

Preparing your home for photos

The goal is to capture authentic moments of your family in an everyday life setting. A home is made to be lived in and no one is expecting every room in your house to be clean or tidy, especially if you have younger kiddies! There is absolutely no pressure to prepare your entire house for photos but having one or two spaces ready to use is helpful, even if that means moving any clutter to the other side of the room. You get to pick your favourite spots in your home, it could be the nursery chair, so you get to keep some of those memories from when baby was little.

Unposed and natural photography

You’ll be wrapped up in looking at baby and each other, you’ll feel more comfortable with me being there. I don’t have any big lights or equipment so it feels like less pressure to pose for the camera. This style of photography is more about interacting with each other than smiling at the camera for every photo.

What to wear for newborn photos

You’re at home so you want to be comfortable and pick outfits that make you feel good. You can wrap your baby in a swaddle or have in them a one-piece so their feet and hands are free, or do both. My style isn’t to pose newborns in any unnatural sleeping positions.

The day of your newborn shoot

It’s ok if your newborn isn’t settled when I arrive. These sessions are usually 1 hour long which is always plenty of time to feed, nappy change etc in between shots. The best thing about these sessions is we can book them all year round with no restraints on outdoor weather forecasts!

Wellington Headshot Photographer - Unposed and Candid Headshots

When was the last time you updated your professional headshots? You are probably thinking of the kind of photos taken in a white studio, am I right? Clients are starting to move away from the classic look of a studio headshot. Depending on your needs, you could consider an on location lifestyle shoot. This is a better opportunity to showcase your personality and fun side.

When Nick contacted me about updating his headshots he wanted a mix of candid moments and locations. We picked a number of urban/city locations like a coffee shop and bar.

When picking a location, ask yourself what the message is that you would like to convey in your headshots. If the photos will be used for a CV, a bar may not be the best location but a coffee shop could be a winner. The reason being, the activity of drinking a coffee is relatable to most people and a coffee shop usually has a friendly atmosphere. To add some variety, we also picked an outdoorsy location. Moa Point is a great representation of Wellington’s rocky coastline.

Have you been to ParrotDog in Lyall Bay? This is such a cool space! I’m a fan of the vintage 70s look wallpaper and industrial lights. These shots were so much fun. Nick was even able to enjoy a beer while shooting, now thats my kind of shoot…

Family Photos at Home - Wellington NZ

If you’re thinking about updating your family photos, have you considered using your home as the location? I always feel extremely grateful that I get to meet so many families and take their pictures. Being invited into their personal space brings another element into the session. If you have children who are a little camera shy and reluctant, being in their own environment could be an opportunity for them to feel confident and enjoy having their photo taken.

When Candice invited me into their home, everywhere I looked was something out of a magazine. I love the way they have styled the rooms! Absolute goals. Willis thought it was great because he could show me all of his toys and jump on the bed with Mum.

If you have a park or a playground near your home, this is another great location for photos with children. We all jumped in the car and headed to the park where we could run around with their dog.

Amanda's 30th Birthday at Sudbury

I love birthdays! It’s the perfect occasion to get together and celebrate. You can also use it as an excuse to have a ‘birthday month’, if you’re like me.

Friends and family came together to celebrate Amanda’s 30th birthday at Sudbury. I was asked to come along and take some photos. Take a look!

If you’re having a birthday and want to remember the day with awesome photos, get in touch for more info!

Wedding Planning - Top Tips For Brides!

Wedding planning can feel overwhelming at times which is why I like to keep the photography side of things easy! I’ve put together some of my best tips and advice to help with your planning.

YOUR WEDDING TIMELINE

It's best to chat with your vendors about a timeline for your wedding so we can help the day run smoothly. Here are some tips to keep in mind for your photos.

PREPARATION PHOTOS

Get your girls together and open the bubbles! Chat to your hair and makeup stylist about the best time to start your preparations in the morning and take into consideration what time your photographer will be arriving.

If you want photos of the guys suiting up, hold off putting your suits on until your photographer arrives. Sometimes an activity like throwing a ball around or a game of cards can look great in these photos, but if you just want to share a glass of whiskey with the lads that's cool with us too. 

CONGRATULATIONS

Allow some time (maybe 20 minutes) after your ceremony for guests to come up and congratulate you, before jumping into family photos.  This is a special part of the day and your guests will want to hug and congratulate you!

LARGE GROUP PHOTO

Some couples choose to not do a large group photo of everybody. If you decide you would like one, it can be a good idea to do this shortly after the ceremony before guests separate around the venue too much.

FAMILY PHOTOS

The formal family photos can take longer than expected and sometimes it can take 5 minutes per group. It can suit grandparents more to do these groups first so they can then relax.

BRIDAL SHOOT

It's becoming popular to have a 'first look' and your bridal shoot before your ceremony. This is definitely something to consider, I'm all for it. It's less traditional which might work for you, it also calms your nerves sooner!

Talk to your photographer about your own ideas for the bridal shoot. I recommend allowing 1-hour minimum for this part of the day, depending on the size of your bridal party Take into consideration adding on travel time if you are traveling to a different location.

YOUR BRIDAL SHOOT

The bridal shoot is one of my favourite parts of the day! I like to start off with the whole bridal party and then the three of us separate from the group for couple photos, this is a chance for you two to have a breather and say 'Yay we are married!'

KEY TIPS

- What time do you want to have your photos, is this going to provide you with the best light?
- Travel distance from your venue, is this going to give you less time for photos?
- Location, do you want beachy, urban, nature, landscapes? 
- Weather, is the location exposed to wind and is there any shade (bright sunny days require some shade)? 

If you're not too sure about the best time of day for photos or want some recommendations for a location, let me know! Sunset is always my favourite time to photograph, this might not work with your schedule but we can always sneak out during your reception for these shots. 

I love natural shots and I try to keep my directions to a minimum.  While you laugh and be in each others company I will be working my magic.

I’d love to hear from you. Involve your photographer and other vendors as much as possible. After all, we are here to help and make your wedding day awesome!

Vineyard Wedding at Poppies Martinborough - Sofia and Andrew

Sofia and Andrew tied the knot at Poppies Vineyard in Martinborough. They decided to do a first look and have their bridal party photos before the ceremony, I love this idea. Having photos beforehand can ease the nerves and allow you to relax more after the ceremony, plus having a 'first look' is always special. 

We decided to have some of their bridal photos at their new olive grove in Martinborough. What is it about olive trees that makes everything so dreamy? We then made our way to Poppies which is where their ceremony and reception was held.

Twig and Arrow did an amazing job as always of the flowers and venue styling. The cake, made by Cake Friday NZ, was stunning too. I had a lot of fun with the detail shots and there was an epic bouquet toss and the end of the night, take a look! For a full list of vendors, see below.  

Florist/Styling: Twig and Arrow
Makeup: Eileen Donovan Photography & Makeup Artistry
Dress: Karen Willis Holmes
Cake: Cake Friday NZ
Hair: DollHouse Do
Venue: Poppies Martinborough
Second Shooter: Samantha Hamilton

Fun Family Photo Session - Wellington

Time to have some fun, let the kiddies run around and play. My family photo sessions are relaxed and easy going. This session with baby Bodhi, young Sofia, Summer and Joel was a treat! Bodhi has eyes that make your heart melt. Sofia loved showing me all of the flowers, this is why I love these family photo sessions. 

This month I’m running a special on mini portrait sessions. Due to interest, I'm extending the special to run through September as well. Get in touch before they get booked up! 

Highlights from Second Shooting with Jenny Siaosi

I sometimes team up with Jenny from Siaosi Photography. I love being a second shooter,  it's a chance to shoot from a different perspective (which can be challenging at times) and get creative without so much time pressure. Plus I get to meet even more amazing couples! 

I usually bring a second shooter along to my own weddings at no extra charge. You receive a lot more coverage and it's great just having that extra hand to help the day go smoothly. 

Here are some of my favourite moments from the previous season with Jenny. 

Petone Beach Family Portrait Session

Soon after Jane and Jake's wedding we got together again for a family portrait session at Petone Beach! These family photo sessions are fun, relaxed and easy! It's the perfect opportunity to do something fun with your loved ones, while I stand back and capture those moments for you. 

Wellington city photo shoot with Larissa Deana Carlson

Earlier this year blogger Larissa Deana Carlson and her husband Issac asked me to photograph their 3 year wedding anniversary. We decided the waterfront would be the perfect location to mark this celebration as Wellington City has been a symbolic part of their relationship.

The waterfront area in Wellington has so many areas on offer for photos and it’s great in the late afternoon when the light starts to peak over and in behind the buildings. These particular examples were all in one area within walking distance of The Boat Shed. I love the shark wall, I’ve used it a handful of times for photos and every time my clients comment on how it makes a cool backdrop and it’s something different to the other areas.