How photographers and videograhers work together?

Often couples will pick their photographer and videographer separately based on style and price, however, the truth is it’s not always easy for the two to work together so you want to make sure they are compatible.

It’s a balancing act. Both are being paid to create their best work for you. Most importantly, this isn’t something you want to be worrying about on the day. My partner Karl offers videography services alongside my photography packages. Couples tend to feel more reassured hiring a team or duo that has experience working together and knows how to produce the best results for your special day. We have put together key points to consider when looking for your videographer and photographer.

DO THEIR STYLES MATCH

Are their styles candid (natural) or posed, or a mix of both? Does their work resonate with what you’re looking for and can you see yourself enjoying the process of working with them? Are you drawn to the way they edit their work, do you like the colours and tones? If your photographer’s style is to capture candid photos using natural light but your videographer wants to use a video light then the two are going to have a hard time working together.

HAVE THEY WORKED TOGETHER BEFORE

Don’t be afraid to ask both vendors if they have worked together before. If they haven’t worked together previously, perhaps ask if they would be willing to both meet with you for coffee so you can get a feel for how well they communicate. Your videographer may want to set up a tripod or sound equipment that could limit your photographer’s angles, they will need to establish some boundaries so both can get the right shots.

WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT FOR YOU

Establish what’s most important to you. There might be a particular moment that you’d like photographed but you’re not too bothered on video, or vise versa. Make sure you communicate this to both vendors so they know who takes priority.

Blackmagic Pocket 4K Review for Wedding Videography - by Karl Mooyman

I caught up with my partner Karl to find out more about the gear he uses for our videography services. Here’s his review on The Blackmagic Pocket 4k!

The Blackmagic Pocket 4k isn’t really considered a run-and-gun camera and probably for good reason. While it does have amazing picture quality, its short battery life, lack of stabilisation and no autofocus makes it more difficult than other choices. I guess a better title for this would be ‘How I use the Pocket 4k’!

When it comes to shooting weddings, one of the key considerations for me is that my work needs to match well with my partner Jaymee Photography, this mainly involves the colour. Being able to use Braw as a codec is pretty important as it gives me a lot more flexibility in post-production to be able to match my colour looks to Jaymee’s. There are not many cameras at this price point (or any that I can think of!) that can record 4k 60p 10-bit raw, which is really what made me choose the Pocket 4k. The other great thing about Braw is that for such a powerful codec, it’s pretty light. I shoot at a 12:1 compression ratio, which gives me files similar to ProRes size. That makes it much easier on storage and processing power - double win!

There are a few hurdles that I’ve had to overcome though, the hardest of which is battery life. I use three different powering solutions that I mix and match depending on what’s going on. The first is the standard LP-E6 battery, for when I have time to swap out batteries (great for bridal shoots, detail shots and anything where I have time to get the shots). For a wedding ceremony though, I definitely don’t want to swap batteries half-way through. In this case, I use a cable to power it from my Ronin-S, this can power it for 2 hours which is more than enough! Lastly, for handheld or tripod use I have a power handle that attaches to my case which has a larger NP-F battery and also powers it for about 2 hours.

The other two hurdles go hand in hand - Autofocus and Stabilisation. I use a Ronin-S 85% of the time which gives me those smooth looking shots. I’d be pretty lost without it, though it can get heavy. For Focusing, I use the Tilta Nucleus Nano which is a wireless follow focus. It’s taken a lot of practice to get good at focusing, but I’m really glad I do manual focus, it forces me to be specific about what’s in focus to create a story. I go for a cinematic look for most of my work so these solutions are the best options anyway!

It took me months to decide which camera to buy. I tend to be quite particular about purchases so I narrowed it down to two options, then figured out what accessories I could buy within my budget, narrowing it down to what I definitely needed etc. I’m glad I went for this option, as I think overcoming those hurdles teaches you a lot. It’s also a camera I’m going to grow into as I learn more about video, particularly colouring. Feel free to comment if you have any questions or comments about the Pocket 4k!

Our top Wellington wedding venues

Wellington and the Kapiti Coast has a range of wedding venues for your ceremony and reception. This list showcases different venues with links to their websites where you can access more information!

Anam Cara Gardens

Anam Cara Gardens offers 10 acres of serene garden settings, an indoor venue and two separate spaces for getting ready making it the perfect venue for your day. Their venue has capacity for up to 120 guests, includes a modern commercial kitchen for caterers and a bar for BYO. Pick from 6 different ceremony locations and many areas for photos, including the beach which is only a short drive away for sunset photos.

BOOMROCK

Boomrock Lodge is an out of city experience with panoramic views across the Tasman sea. The clifftops are a perfect spot for your outdoor wedding ceremony and The Lodge can comfortably seat up to 120 guests or 140 cocktail style. Their resident chef Warren Maddox will design a menu to suit your requirements and budget. Boomrock is a 30 minute bus ride from the CBD or a 6 minute helicopter transfer. They also offer fun activities for guests during cocktail hour like clay bird shooting and golf.

SUDBURY

Sudbury is a Kapiti Coast wedding venue set on a ridge overlooking a valley in Peka Peka, 40 minutes north of Wellington City. Dinner in the stables can seat up to 150 guests and their catering partner Mark Harman brings a delicious dining experience while you provide BYO alcohol with no corkage fee. The venue offers a range a stunning photo backdrops and is only a short drive from the beach if couples would like sunset photos. The onsite accommodation Cottage 103 is the perfect spot for getting ready.

OHARIU FARM

Ohariu Farm is a countryside venue found only 20 minutes outside of Wellington CBD. Their in-house catering team will cater for weddings with up to 230 guests seated and 450 standing. Their menu is prepared on-site using fresh and organic ingredients. Their wedding packages can include lawn games, a prosecco wall, a mobile gin bar and a golf driving range.

DOCKSIDE

Dockside is a venue and restaurant located on the edge of the Wellington waterfront. The Main Deck downstairs can seat 140 guests and features an opening roof, so it’s perfect for any weather and large enough to host your ceremony and reception.

Lighting tips for your Wedding Reception

Wedding receptions can be a challenging environment for photographers. Most venues will have low light conditions once it gets dark and artificial lighting from the dance floor can mean there are a lot of uncontrollable variables. A good photographer will be able to adapt on the spot to any lighting condition, but there are a few things we can prepare for in order to get better photos. Putting more thought into the design of your wedding lighting can add a lot to the atmosphere of your reception.

LIGHTING TERMS

Here are a couple of lighting terms that you’ll want to know before asking your vendors for quotes:

Uplighting – lights that are placed on the floor and shine up the walls in various colors
Gobo light – a template that light shines through to create a pattern, monogram, or motif on the floor, ceiling, or wall
Texture lighting – the same as a Gobo light but with a preset pattern, such as leaves or a starry night sky
Spotlight – a lamp that projects a narrow beam of light on one particular area or object
Pinspot – a tiny light used to illuminate a small area, such as a centerpiece on a table
String lights – also referred to as twinkle, fairy, bistro, or cafe lights, these strands of lights are the most versatile and cost-effective way to light up any space
Pendants – also known as drop or suspender lights, these are single fixtures that hang from the ceiling
LED light – type of bulb that is cost-effective, long-lasting, and provides more vibrant color than a traditional bulb
Color wash – a general fill of color used throughout an entire room that doesn’t highlight any particular area
(Information sourced via: Junebug weddings)

DECIDE ON A STYLE

Decide on the atmosphere and style that best suits your ideas and venue. Candlelight and fairy lights work great for romantic and classic lighting. If your style is glamourous, look for more dramatic lighting sources and add sparkly details so the light glows around the room. For a rustic look use antique lanterns and bulb pendant lights for a raw and natural look.

MATCH THE COLOUR OF LIGHT

Only add in light if it’s the right colour for the occasion. If you use different colours and shades the lighting can start to look very unnatural and it can make people’s skin tones look unflattering. I prefer photographing in warm tungsten lighting, as opposed to purple and green spotlights.

SPEECHES

Plan where your guests will stand when they make speeches. Avoid having guests stand in front of large windows, this can make it tricky for your photographer as the light will be brighter than the rest of the room and it can make images look hazy and less detailed.

LOW LIGHT

Discuss with your photographer what will happen to your lighting during your reception. Communicate with your DJ about which lights will stay consistent and if any lights, like a strobe, will be added later for your dancing. Your photographer will appreciate knowing in advance so they can plan without any surprises and know to bring additional lighting if needed. If there is limited light at your venue and it’s too dark, your photographer will need to use a flash to capture your first dance and speeches.

How to pin a buttonhole (boutonniere) to a suit jacket?

Pinning a buttonhole or boutonniere to a suit isn’t something most people have done before. Groomsmen are often Googling ‘how to’ the morning of the wedding. This tradition began when men would place a single bloom through the buttonhole of their suit lapel to add colour and style. They are usually pinned on the Groom’s left side (above the heart), with the flower pointing up and the stem pointing down.

First, decide on the placement of the boutonniere by holding it against the suit. Once you’re happy with the placement, fold the lapel over and use your pins on the back of the lapel and weave the pin through to the front of the flower stems.

Brides and Grooms - send a ‘how to’ video to your bridal party before the wedding so they know what to do on the day. Here’s a helpful video found on youtube demonstrating what to do!

Tarureka Estate Wairarapa Wedding - Amelia and Tom

Amelia and Tom first met at a Wellington Phoenix football match at Westpac Stadium. Amelia’s friends encouraged her to ask Tom, who was sitting in the row behind them, to take their picture as an excuse to talk to him. He took the photo and then took a sneaky selfie. For the rest of the game, they didn’t have much of a chance to talk. When Amelia got home that night she knew she needed to track him down on social media. She posted the photo of Tom on Facebook and by chance one mutual friend happened to recognise Tom and was able to tag him in the post. Tom added Amelia on Facebook and things grew from there. He moved from Palmerston North to Wellington, where Amelia was living, after one year of long-distance and they have been inseparable ever since!

Tom proposed to Amelia during an evening walk along Titahi Bay Beach. He stopped at the top of a hill that had views of the South Island and got down on one knee. The rest of the night was spent down on the beach with fish and chips and some champagne that Tom had smuggled into the car before they left home.

Tarureka Estate was picked as their wedding venue for it’s rustic but elegant charm, which many guests later commented on how well the venue suited their personalities. They wanted a location where their bridal party and immediate families could stay the entire weekend to hang out. Being able to hire the venue from Friday through to late Sunday was a bonus!

It was an absolute treat photographing their wedding. They were so organised by having their timeline broken down into 15-minute intervals which is extremely helpful as a vendor. I knew exactly what the day looked like and it meant that Amelia and Tom could just relax and trust that we would make things happen on the day. I adore the simplicity of their decor and the venue, it really did suit their personalities perfectly. I have so many photos from this day but these are some of my favourites from their preparations through to the first lot of the speeches. Thank you to Amy Schulz for second shooting alongside me on the day!

List of vendors

Venue:  Tarureka Estate 
Photographer:  Jaymee Photography 
Second Photographer: Amy Schulz
Florist:  Juliette Florist 
Makeup and Hair Stylist:   The Makeup Artist 
Brides Dress:   Hera Couture by Katie Yeung 
Bridesmaids Dress:  Ruby 
Groom and Groomsmen:   Barkers 
Cake:  Stiletto Studios 

Unplugged wedding ceremony - Asking guests to be off their phones

Having an ‘unplugged wedding’ is when couples ask their guests to stay off mobile phones or tablet devices during their ceremony and/or reception. Here are 3 reasons why this option may work for you!

GUESTS ARE MORE PRESENT

Without the distraction of their phone or camera’s, your guests will be able to fully immerse themselves in the experience that you’ve spent months planning. Ask your MC or Celebrant to make an announcement at the start of your ceremony. Here are some polite ways of making the announcement to guests.

“The Bride and Groom kindly request an unplugged ceremony. We ask you to please turn off all devices and enjoy being fully present in this moment with us.”

“The greatest gift you can give us today is to be truly present, so please turn off all phones and cameras and enjoy this special moment with us. ”

LEAVE IT TO THE PROFESSIONALS

If you’re hiring a professional photographer, leave it to them to get the best shots of your wedding day. An experienced wedding photographer will make the best of any lighting situation so you can skip the unflattering, inappropriate, or blurry photos that some guests think are okay to upload to social media.

Your photographer will have more space to get the shots they need, instead of competing with Uncle Bob who also wants the same spot for taking photos. I have seen so many great moments ruined by a phone or iPad sneaking into the side of my shot. I love taking photos of guests and their reactions, this always looks better when they don’t have their phone in front of their faces.

You can add this to your announcement at the beginning of the ceremony.

“We’ve asked a professional photographer to capture this special moment so that you can sit back, relax and enjoy it with us. Our beautiful images will be available after the wedding.”

LET’S BE SOCIAL, NOT ANTISOCIAL

You may want to be the first to share any images on social media. Having an unplugged wedding encourages guests to put their phones down for the day and stay offline. Instead, you want everyone to be social in and present in person.

“We ask our guests to hold off posting any images on social media. We will share our professional photos with you all after the wedding”

HOW TO HAVE AN UNPLUGGED WEDDING

Your MC or celebrant can announce your requests at the start of your ceremony but you can also set this expectation sooner by including a note on your wedding invites. Signage or chalkboards are another popular way of displaying this message as guests arrive.

Tips for your wedding preparation photos!

Photographing your wedding preparations is about letting the day unfold and capturing some of the best moments with your Bridesmaids and Groomsmen. The morning of your wedding day can be a little chaotic, so I’ve put together some helpful tips that you (or your Bridal party) can organise before your photographer arrives.

SHOWER AND HAVE LUNCH

Do the essential things like shower and have lunch nice and early. If you only have a short window of time with your photographer for Groom’s preparation photos, make sure everyone is showered and has their outfits ironed and ready to go.

If you don’t feel like a big lunch, have some nibbles laid out for you to snack on. I’m obsessed with platters and these look nice if they’re in the background of your photographs (rather than a plastic bag of potato chips, as much as I also love potato chips).

PUT YOUR SUITS AND DRESS ON DISPLAY

Photographers love details. Take your suits and dresses out of any protective laundry bags, cut off any tags and unpick any temporary stitching on the backs of suits. Hang your garments on a curtain rail or a ledge. Try and do all of this before your photographer arrives so it’s not something you need to worry about later on while you’re in the middle of having photos taken.

AVOID SMALL AND DARK HOTEL ROOMS

Often the Groom and his Groomsmen will get ready at a separate location to the Bride and ceremony location. If preparation photos are an important part of your day put some thought into the location for these photos. A cramped hotel room with minimal natural light isn’t going to be the easiest space for your photographer. Instead, look into booking an Airbnb or something similar which has more space and style.

OTHER DETAILS

Gather other items like shoes, the rings, a wedding invite, buttonholes, etc and place them somewhere obvious for your photographer, so they can create more detail images for you.

PLAN THE LOGISTICS

Know what time your photographer is arriving and plan any important photos around this. I recommend a maximum of 2 hours for the girl’s preparation photos. Preparation photos often look better once the Brides makeup (or hair) is complete, you can then get some touch-up photographs and the most important part which is putting on the Brides dress.

The guys don’t tend to need as long for preparation photos, I recommend 1-hour max. Make sure the Groom and his Groomsmen hold off getting fully dressed until the photographer arrives, they can leave suit jackets off and wait to pin the buttonholes. Sometimes we have arrived and the guys are fully dressed and ready to go which leaves us with no authentic and natural moments to photograph, which often means we have to stage photographs that the guys don’t tend to enjoy doing!

Clem and Lox's Garden Wedding - Lower Hutt Wellington

There's no place like home so why not make it your ceremony venue. I loved this outdoor garden wedding at Clem's family home. It made the day extra special and intimate, plus their house was incredible so it was a photographer's dream to be there. The Bridesmaids looked stunning in their emerald green dresses, which also matched the Groomsmen’s bow ties.

Clem and Lox met through friends in 2013 and after spending time together they started dating in 2014. Since then, they have spent time in Canada working and road-tripping the entire country. They then moved back to NZ and adopted a cat called Robert Redford. Lox proposed on the wharf at St Kilda Beach in Melbourne as the sun was setting, he knows romance!

A big thank you to Amy Schulz for photographing alongside me on the day!

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 SITE IN NATIVE FOREST - BATTLE HILL FARM FOREST PARK

Pros: This location is found North of Wellington on Paekakariki Hill Road. It’s great for families with young children that just want to play and be in nature. 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.

Things to be mindful of: This is a historic site. Dogs are not allowed in the park due to farm animals and wildlife. It’s about a 30-45 minute drive from Wellington CBD. Opening hours are 6am – 6pm April to September, and 6am – 8pm October to March

Best time of day for photos: Late afternoon.

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).

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.

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.

How to assign guests to tables at your wedding reception

Assigned seating at your wedding isn’t mandatory, but most couples will decide to have a seating plan for a number of reasons. You want to make it easier for your guests and group people where it makes sense. If your reception is providing a plated dinner service your coordinator may ask for a seating plan as a requirement for their staff.

Start with a lay out of how your tables will look and how many people they will sit. Your venue should be able to suggest the most appropriate layout for your number of guests. Typically you can fit more guests on rectangular tables and it makes it easier for guests to talk to other tables.

Place your parents next. Traditionally, parents on both sides will sit together, along with grandparents. This is a chance for families to share how happy they are for you. Sometimes, this arrangement doesn’t work depending on their relationships, so you may need to consider multiple tables for family members.

Once you have finalised who is attending you can start grouping people together. You can create groups based on how you know each other, for example: high school friends, work friends, cousins and other family members. Consider your guests ages, backgrounds and interests, so they have lots to talk about. You will want to make sure there are some familiar faces at each table so no one feels left out or awkward.

Consider having a separate table for younger children (somewhere not too far away from their parents). You can make this fun and provide lots of activities to keep them entertained and happy.

Keep in mind your floor plan. Your bridal party will want the best seat in the house, while Grandparents may need easy access and won’t enjoy being too close to the band or loudspeakers.

Make it easy for guests to find their table by having a sign at the entrance and cards on their table. If you’re still not into the idea of assigned seating, consider assigned tables instead, that way guests can pick their own seats but within the right group.