Are you looking for candid and un-posed wedding photography?

Not into posed and formal photos for your wedding? I’m with you on this! Candid and natural photos are a personal favourite of mine. My second shooter and I make sure our approach is subtle and like a fly on a wall, so you don’t feel awkward or even know we are there.

A lot of couples are turning away from posed and polished wedding photos. Instead it’s all about interacting with guests, lots of laughing shots and those in-between moments. A great opportunity for these types of images is during your ceremony and straight after when your guests are congratulating you. There are often some tears and lots of hugging going on. Then again at your reception when you and your guests are mingling.

You can still have a bridal party shoot. I will often give directions which makes everyone laugh and relax. I will suggest things like “now everyone walk towards me” or “look at each other and chat/tell a silly joke”. These shots are more about hanging out with your best friends, as opposed to standing in a line and smiling.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this! What kind of photography are you looking for?

Planning your Zero Waste and Eco-friendly Wedding

If you’re planning a wedding you will start to see how much goes into one event. There will likely be a lot of people to invite and potential waste. Your decisions can have a huge impact on the environment. I’ve put together some ideas for how you can spread the love and have an eco wedding! Making some small changes doesn’t mean you need to compromise how you celebrate, if anything you are adding so much more value to your day.

PICKING AN ECO FRIENDLY WEDDING VENUE

If you’re looking for a wedding venue that reduces its waste and gives back to the community reach out to your local venues to see what your options are. Do they that align with your ideas; do they use sustainable products and local produce?

Get married in your back yard! Having an outdoor ceremony is one way to save on energy and decorations. If you can have your ceremony and reception at the same location this will also mean your guests wont need to travel from one event to the next which will mean less transport costs.

GO PAPERLESS

Don’t get me wrong, I adore wedding stationary but going paperless is becoming more popular. Check out Paperless Wedding, their service allows couples to pick from a variety of themes to create online invitations. Once you click send guests receive their invites straight to their email inbox which is much faster and can click to RSVP.

REDUCE PACKAGING FROM GIFTS

Your guests will want to gift you with a present to say congratulations! Think about all of the packaging that will go to waste if every person was to bring a gift. Look into an online gift registry like Honeypot, pick items that you would like to receive for your honeymoon or newly wed life and guests can choose the value they want to gift.

This also means you don’t receive the same item twice which happens more often than you think! I know this option would suit my partner and I as we are very specific about what items we want in our household and we don’t like the idea of receiving items that we don’t have a need for.

WHERE DO YOUR FLOWERS COME FROM

Talk to your florist about where they source their flowers and what flowers will be in season. Being a proud plant Mum to many indoor plants, I appreciate that sometimes insect control is needed to keep your plants alive. I use organic sprays and home remedies. Find out how long it takes for the flowers to reach your florist after they are cut, this insures they are fresh and uses less electricity as they are often kept in refrigeration.

Look into alternative solutions for flowers. Dried florals are a huge trend right now, check out Wellington florist Floriade. Dried arrangements and bouquets are timeless and at the end of your wedding you won’t need to dispose of them. Indoor plants are another alternative to using flower arrangements.

LOCAL AND ORGANIC CATERING

Look for local businesses who use locally grown organic produce and focus on seasonal food. Find out what sustainable initiatives they have in place, how do they reduce waste etc. Good Chemistry Catering Wellington pride themselves on offering good food using sustainable ingredients while tailoring to your needs. It’s making me hungry thinking of all the yummy options out there, so many companies are jumping on board with this.

SUSTAINABLE WEDDING RECEPTION DECORATIONS

Avoid single use items by only sourcing items that you can reuse again, this includes decorations. Hiring or borrowing decorations is a great way to save on money and ensure the items aren’t wasted after single use. Look for alternative materials like up-cycled fabrics, avoid plastics. Candles and solar lanterns are a great option for saving on electricity and creating atmosphere.

Look for minimalist and D.I.Y inspiration, Pinterest is the best place for this!

WEDDING ATTIRE

Looking for a sustainable wedding dress doesn’t mean you need to wear your Mums wedding dress, although this could work if it was altered to suit a modern style. Look into local designers or ethical brands that are part of the sustainable fashion movement. Find out how the fabrics are made. Groomsmen and Bridemaids have the option to wear their outfits again, so focus on finding a look that they will likely rewear.

Wedding Planning - How to Write Personal Wedding Vows

Wedding vows serve as an intimate moment during your ceremony to express your love, commitment and promise to one another. Writing your own wedding vows gives you the chance to personalise this moment.

SET THE TONE WITH YOUR PARTNER

First you want to set the tone. You have decided to step away from using traditional vows and want to write something that comes from the heart and is about your relationship.

Together you can decide how long your vows are going to be. You can discuss if you want to add elements of lightheartedness or inside jokes. You might decide to keep it more sentimental.

MAKE TIME TO REFLECT

Take some time to reflect on your relationship and how it makes you feel. Start with a statement about who your partner is to you; your best friend, your lover, your partner in crime.

What did you think when you first saw them?

What do you have now that you didn't have before you met?

What do you miss most when you're apart? 

Can you think of a funny or touching experience that put your partner in a new light? 

What goals and values do you both have?

What about your partner inspires you? 

What promise can you make to solidify and encapsulate your devotion? 

What are you most looking forward to about married life? 

THE PROMISE

What promises do you want to make to your partner? Mention ways that you will continue to show your love. You can use words like ‘I promise’, ‘I vow’ and ‘I pledge’. Make promises that you can keep, avoid promising perfection, make it real and down to Earth.

SEEK ADVISE FROM YOUR CELEBRANT

Talk to your celebrant about what vows are required by law. In New Zealand you must include “I [name] take you [partner’s name], to be my legal [wife/husband/partner]”, or something similar, to each other at some point in the ceremony. Your celebrant will also be able to structure your ceremony.

WRITE YOUR VOWS EARLY

It can take time before you feel completely satisfied with what you have written. You might have several drafts. Give yourself plenty of time, after all it is your wedding so you want to be putting in your best efforts. Start writing your vows around the same time that you start looking for a celebrant.

What's in my camera bag & how i prepare for a shoot

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!

Wedding Planning Timeline - How to plan a wedding

What’s your wedding game plan - from the moment you get engaged, what comes next?

12- 18 MONTHS BEFORE

To get started set a budget and write a list of all the costs that you are going to have over the next few months (there are some helpful wedding cost checklists on Pinterest which you can download for free). Try to be specific with how much you want to spend on each part of your wedding. For example, photography may be really important to you so this might be an area where you splurge a little but you might need to save money somewhere else to make up for this.

Start saving for your wedding! One of the most common costs that aren’t accounted for are deposits from your vendors. When a Bride and Groom ask to book me I have a $500 deposit which is non-refundable, a lot of vendors will have a similar upfront cost.

Once you have an idea of the budget you can start writing a guest list. Depending on numbers, this might mean some changes to your budget. Start with close family members, close friends and close co-workers because these are the people who you can’t imagine your wedding without.

Next comes the venue and setting a date. This is a biggy and can take a little bit of time and research. You’ll need to know your budget and guest count before you can confirm a venue. There are two main things to consider, the first being the location and the second being do you want the venue to cater for both your ceremony and reception.

10 - 12 MONTHS BEFORE

Let the fun begin! Once you have confirmed a date and venue you can start looking for things like a dress, photographer, celebrant, hair stylist, make up artist, florist, cake and reception entertainment.

You might decide to throw an engagement party or send gifts to your best friends asking them to be your bridesmaids.

6 - 8 MONTHS BEFORE

You’ll want to give your guests plenty of notice so make sure you send out save the date invites. Queue cute wedding stationary! It’s usually around 4 months when you send the final wedding invites.

Your hair and makeup artist may ask you to book in a trial, this is a good time to start thinking about the styles you want and book in a time to see them.

4 MONTHS BEFORE

If your vendors are organised they will start asking for a timeline of events. I try to encourage couples to talk their timeline through with me so I can make sure enough time is set aside for photos. This is also a time to start finalising seating plans and the dinner menu for your reception.

1 - 2 MONTHS BEFORE

As you move closer to the wedding start thinking about your vows and speeches, otherwise you might find yourself on Google frantically trying to write these a few nights before the wedding.

Apply for a wedding license. In New Zealand you’ll need to arrange your license at least 3 working days before you get married. It expires after 3 months, at around 1-2 months before the wedding this is a good time to arrange this so it isn’t a last minute stress.

Have your final gown fitting and bring your dress home! Make any last minute adjustments with vendors and book any beauty appointments that you will need a week or so before the wedding. This is a great time to pamper yourself and take some time off.

More about Jaymee! Quirks, strengths and anxiety struggles

I’m learning that it’s ok to just be myself in day to day life and in my business. We all have our own quirks, strengths and struggles. I have realised that so many people can relate to parts of my story. It has made me want to be honest and connect with my audience beyond sharing pretty photos. I hope this post inspires you to not be afraid of showing your colours.

THE QUIRKS - 5 FUN (& WEIRD) FACTS

• I can't leave the house until the bed is made.

• It takes me about half an hour to water all of my house plants.

• My favourite food is Thai (Thai Country Cafe in Tawa is the best). I could eat Roti and satay every day.

• In my mid teens I went to a performing arts school where I was training as a dancer. This is also where my spark for photography began as it was one of my classes.

• I like to sit down in the shower, it's even better when I have my morning coffee with me (or a glass of wine in the evening). Super weird I know, but you should try it.

I’M KNOWN FOR

Couples and families will usually recommend me to others because of how I interact with people and how I am able to make people feel comfortable. I know how awkward it can feel having a camera pointing at you, when someone tries to take my photo I freeze up and my face starts to do weird things. Who relates? I make it my goal to help people relax by reassuring them and offering some direction.

MY RELATIONSHIP WITH KARL

Karl and I met through working together at a place called Rubber Monkey. We were friends for some time before we finally figured out (or admitted) that we have an awesome connection and have lots in common, it’s scary how often we are thinking the exact same thing. We are two individuals who love spending time with each other. Not to mention he makes me feel all kinds of pretty, even when I’m in my daggy clothes.

He’s also going to start shooting wedding videos with me so we can be your ultimate dream team.

WHEN I’M NOT BUSY YOU CAN FIND ME

I’m a home body. If I’m not busy you’ll definitely find me at home either curled up in bed watching RuPaul’s Drag Race or in my living room working on a puzzle and listening to a podcast.

WHERE DO I COME FROM

I grew up in Taranaki on a dairy and beef farm. I love going home to see my family and our pets (I’m obsessed with our cat Tittens, picture below). It’s my most favourite place in the whole world. I’m not big on travelling, I would choose a trip to the farm over a trip overseas any day. Pass me my gumboots and let’s go!

I have a brother who is 15 years younger and a sister who is 5 years younger than I am. Ryan and I are the type of crazy kids who dance around the house half naked. Taylar is the cool middle child who does her own thing and always makes good choices, she is also a bit of a babe and was blessed with blonde hair.

MENTAL HEALTH & MY ANXIETY STRUGGLES

I am a huge advocate for self care and self love, this is because of my own struggles with learning how to manage anxiety. Growing up in my early twenties I was so scared of showing weakness. I acted overly confident, but really I was filled with fear. For so many years I was ashamed of having anxiety because I thought that ‘normal’ people shouldn’t feel that way.

The stigma around mental health is changing. Standing up and saying hey this is who I am, doesn’t make you any less professional or worthy.

Christmas 2018 I took two weeks off. During this time I started long term medication to manage my anxiety better. I had put it off for about 5 years because I had heard so many horror stories about the nasty side effects and I viewed medication as the last resort.

After doing lots of research and talking it through with my friends, family and Karl, I decided to give it a go because I was ready to change and tired of living half a life. The first two weeks SUCKED, like really really sucked. The only thing that distracted me from feeling sick was working on a puzzle that I found in the garage. We spent hours chipping away at it. It was such a hard puzzle! Sometimes we would only find a few pieces but we were determined to finish it and we did! By the time we finished it my side effects were much better and I was already feeling the benefits.

I’m so grateful I managed to get through that short period of discomfort because trying a recommended medication has been a life changer for me. It’s not for everyone, I know how scary it can seem but overall my experience has been really positive. I’ve been obsessed with puzzles ever since!! I compare it to meditating, it’s my ultimate self care activity

Planning your wedding - How to choose the right wedding photographer

Researching wedding vendors can be a lengthy process. It can also start to feel overwhelming when it comes to making your final decisions. When picking the right photographer for your wedding day there are a number of things you can consider. I’ve put together some key points that will hopefully help make this choice easier!

PHOTOGRAPHIC STYLE

Think about the kind of photos you want and ask photographers what their style is. There are different approaches when it comes to taking photos. Traditional or formal photos are often planned or posed by the photographer. They can also be ‘looking at the camera’ images. This approach is usually used for family photos and group shots.

A documentary approach is used for capturing candid moments as they happen naturally. This is when there is little to no engagement with the camera. This can capture emotion and real moments throughout the day.

For some couples it’s mostly about capturing the memories, for others there can be a stronger appreciation for photography as an art form. Look through examples of work and pick a style that captures your eye. It could be the colours, the creativity or composition of an image. Every photographer will have a different style, look for something that speaks to you.

BOOK EARLY

Turning down clients because I’m already booked on their day isn’t a great feeling. Once you have secured your date with a venue, start looking for your photographer. Or even better, get the conversation going before you finalise your date. It can be worth enquiring 12 - 18 months before.

RESEARCH

Check out a number of websites and social media accounts. When you see a style that connects with you, start to look deeper into who that photographer is. Their website should be easy to understand and tell you further information on the services they are offering. Testimonials and Google reviews are a good way of checking feedback.

GET IN CONTACT

Next get in contact and get a gage on their personality. See how they interact and respond to your emails, when I respond to emails I do my best to stay authentic, I talk to people because want to get to know more about them (which is genuinely true, not because I only want to sell them my product). Do they make you feel comfortable and have they listened to you?

MEET FOR COFFEE

I like to meet couples for a coffee (or wine) before they book. This makes it easier for people to see who I really am and gain extra trust. You want to make sure your photographer is a match for your vibe.

PRICE

I’ve saved the hardest one for last. Budget will be something you need to consider. Getting married isn’t cheap, but shopping around for the cheapest deal might leave you disappointed with the results. It comes down to one simple question - is photography something that is important to you and do you want awesome wedding photos? Anyone reading this will probably answer YES. It will be an investment if you want a photographer with higher skills and experience.

The price tag isn’t how many hours your photographer is with you for on the day. A photographer needs to consider their travel costs, paying their assistant, the 6 (or more) hours it takes to edit a wedding and then have enough for their bills and costs of living at the end of it (lets not forget that hefty student loan).

If you find a photographer who is perfect for you but you can’t justify the price you could continue looking for someone who has a similar style, or ask that photographer if they have payment plans available. We are all human and the chances are they will want to make it work for you!

It’s a long conversation! Start talking it through with your partner and reach out to a few different photographers. See who sparks the best interest and connection with you from the get go. Better yet, get in touch, I’d love to answer any questions you may have.

Planning your Wedding - Wairarapa Wedding Venues

Picking a venue is usually one of the first things to check off your wedding planning list. We are so spoilt for choice here in New Zealand, especially if you are wanting an outdoor wedding!

The Wairarapa is a popular wedding destination for couples. It’s only a short trip over the hill if you live in Wellington, it usually feels a bit warmer and often gets better weather! If you’re a lover of wine, even better because there are a number of vineyards in Martinborough.

Here are a few of my most popular venues that I often photograph. This is only a small handful of what the Wairarapa has to offer. If you want to know more about my experiences at each venue, get in touch, I’d love to help you find the perfect venue.

POPPIES VINEYARD MARTINBOROUGH

Located in Martinborough is a venue called Poppies. This venue is surrounded by vineyards and offers two spaces for your wedding - an outdoor courtyard for your ceremony as well as an indoor space for your reception. The grounds are well kept and very picturesque!

THE LANDING AT HOMEBUSH

If you’re needing a venue wth accomodation for your morning preparations make sure you check out The Landing at Homebush located 5 minutes from Masterton. There are a number of spots for you to choose from for your ceremony such as the chapel vineyard, ivy archway or the gazebo.

MARTINBOROUGH TREE CHURCH

I recently discovered Martinborough Tree Church. If you want to get married in a chapel but also dream of an outdoor wedding then this is a venue worth checking out. The Church walls are made of hedging and large glassless gothic windows.

TARUREKA ESTATE FEATHERSTON - BARN WEDDING VENUE

If you’re looking for a barn wedding venue check out Tarureka Estate in Featherston. There are a number of different spots at this venue including gardens, a historic homestead, cottage and barn which is made up of two levels.

LACEWOOD AT TUHITARATA ESTATE

Lacewood is located in South Wairarapa and is surrounded by rural scenery. This venue is elegant and has a lot of history dating back to the 1840s. There are a number of different buildings consisting of a homestead, cottages and a large restored barn.

The Landing at Homebush wedding - Marie & Matt

Everything about Marie and Matt’s day was the ultimate photography dream! It was also really special having my sister and her partner as guests at the wedding, as well as my talented partner Karl who was shooting video. Marie looked stunning and The Landing at Homebush was the perfect location for photos.

Video: Karl Mooyman
Dress: Maggie Sottero
Make up: Charlotte Wilson Beauty
Hair: Kirsty Macrae
Catering: Blue Carrot 
Groom Suits: Barkers Menswear 

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.

Martinborough Tree Church Wedding - Rachel and Edward

Rachel and Edward travelled from Auckland to Martinborough to tie the knot. I spent the morning with the girls at Rachel’s family farm. I always love being out in the country since I grew up on a farm and instantly felt inspired by my surroundings. Rach and her bridesmaid’s looked amazing! The forest green bridesmaid dresses were a great colour, earthy tones are always good.

While I was with the girls, my second shooter Ana from Moonflower Photography caught up with the guys before heading off to Martinborough Tree Church for their ceremony. Thanks for spending the day with us Ana! This was my first wedding at Martinborough Tree Church, I always enjoy being at a new venue. 

Ata Rangi vineyard was the perfect venue for guests to chill out and play some games. Another detail which caught my eye were the flowers used for the reception decor. Rachel hand picked these from Holbrook forest Garden in Carterton. This added a personal touch!

Thanks to all the wonderful vendors involved, it is always a pleasure working with you and bringing the day together.

Flowers: Beverly from Tree Top Flowers Martinborough 
Flowers on the tables were picked by Rachel from Holbrook forest Garden in Carterton 
Make up: Emily Bertram from Masterton 
Dress: The Kate Moss designed and made by Jane Yeh Auckland 
Mens Suits: Barkers 
Food: Salt street food
Celebrant: Reverend Steve Thomson
Band: The Relatives and Uncle Monkey Wellington 
Ceremony venue: Tree church Martinborough 
Reception: Ata rangi vineyard  

Planning your Wedding - Helpful tips for creating a timeline

Have a chat with all of your vendors about a timeline for your wedding day. This will help things run smoothly and you’ll be able to relax more on the day. Here are some tips to keep in mind for your photos.

PREPARATION PHOTOS

Get your girls together and open the bubbles! I like to allow 2 hours of coverage, starting 2.5 hours before your ceremony, for preparation photos. Talk to your hair and makeup stylist about the best time to start your preparations.

For preparation photos with the guys I allow 1 hour of coverage, starting 1.5 - 2 hours before the ceremony. 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!

FAMILY PHOTOS

Family photos can take longer than expected and sometimes it can take 5 minutes per group. Write down a list of the different family members in each group. Start thinking about this sooner than later, it can feel overwhelming writing this the night before! It's also a good idea to send a list of the group shots to your MC so they can help with finding guests on the day. 

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 leading up to the ceremony.

I recommend allowing 1-hour minimum for your bridal shoot. Take into consideration adding on travel time if you are traveling to a different location. 1-hour might seem like a long time for photos, but I promise the results will be worth it!

Let your caterer know what time you’ll be starting the bridal shoot as this may be helpful if they are preparing food for the bridal party to bring along. At the start of the bridal shoot, you can all relax, catch up and have a bite to eat. 

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.

Rosewood Estate D.I.Y. Wedding - Jane and Jake

Jane and Jake married at Wellington's newest wedding venue Rosewood Estate. I loved the D.I.Y. wedding decor, including their teepee entrance into the reception marquee which later on turned into a photo booth. Check out a few of my favourite moments!