Family is everything. I think a lot of us this year have reevaluated our priorities and been reminded of how important it is to stick together and make time for our family.
My cheeks hurt from smiling so much while editing my family session with @merlephotographs. These photos and the beautiful people in them bring me so much happiness! The doggos loved the beach and being involved too.
Ohariu Farm Wedding Venue - Nicola and Daniel's outdoor wedding ceremony
Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Geraghty! I had the pleasure of photographing Nic and Dan's wedding at Ohariu Farm. They made my job of photographing so easy because A) they looked amazing and B) they were so relaxed and fun! The best part was making the last-minute call to brave the weather and have their ceremony outside ... no regrets, the light was so beautiful and the rain held off for us!
Venue Ohariu Farm
Celebrant Wendy Morrison
MUA Jaymie Jarvis Makeup Artist
Dress Astra Bridal Wellington
Florals Twisted Willow
Bridesmaid dresses Evolution Bridesmaids
Newborn photos Wellington - Feeling relaxed and cosy at home with Kate, Danny and baby Kahlo!
At-home lifestyle sessions are perfect if you have an infant or newborn. You're probably still figuring out your baby’s routine so being at home will make it that little bit easier for you. These sessions are also more intimate and personal. If you're wanting natural and less posed photos, this kind of session might be what you're looking for!
Thank you so much to Kate from Kater Weddings for asking me to take these pictures for them, I can’t get over how relaxed and happy baby Kahlo was! We lucked in with lots of smiles on this day.
Postponing your wedding because of Covid19 and eloping instead - Magda and Fraser's Wellington Elopement
Magda and Fraser originally had a small wedding ceremony planned for earlier this year which was postponed due to Covid19. Their new plan to go ahead with an elopement style ceremony out in the hills of Ohariu valley was just as special and I know those who couldn't make it from overseas will be feeling so happy for them!
Some couples choose to elope instead of having a wedding so they can have that "just us" experience. Some couples want to have the freedom to spend the day together without all of the traditional rules and distractions that come with hosting a wedding.
Saving money is also a huge benefit and you're valuing memories rather than the materialistic side of having a traditional wedding. Overall elopements are less stressful and require less planning - perfect in today’s climate!
What to expect from your family and newborn photography at home
My newborn and family photo shoots capture a mix of unfiltered real moments done in a stylised way. These sessions are a personal favourite of mine, especially if you have younger children as they feel more relaxed and the images look more authentic being in your own space. It also means I travel to you rather than traveling to a location or studio.
HOW TO PREPARE YOUR SPACE FOR FAMILY PHOTOS
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 key. Often your bedroom, living area, or children’s bedroom/nursery is a great space to use for this style of session. You may want to put away some toys or hide clutter but you definitely won’t need to clear everything out of the space, you still want it to look like your home and not something out of a flashy magazine.
WHAT TO WEAR FOR YOUR FAMILY PHOTOS
You’re at home so you want to be comfortable but pick outfits that make you feel good. My style isn’t over-the-top swaddled baby poses but if you want to you can wrap your baby in a special blanket and have a one-piece underneath so we can do a mix of outfits for baby, some with hands and feet out because there is something about seeing a baby’s little toes and fingers!
Coordinate your outfits with each other and with your space, think of using similar tones and complementary colours. I personally love earthy and light tones, whites and creams are particularly great for a newborn session. Avoid busy patterns and text on shirts.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DAY OF YOUR FAMILY PHOTOSHOOT
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. While parents finish getting ready I normally ease into the session by sitting down and building trust with toddlers/younger children, rather than jumping straight into taking photos which can be a little intimidating. I might ask your children to show me around the house or show me something that interests them which helps everyone relax while I scope out the best spots and the best lighting. You can also prepare other children by telling them you have a friend coming to take photos.
EXPECTATIONS
If you go into your photoshoot feeling stressed and nervous about how your toddler or baby is going to do, the chances are they are going to pick up on this tension. Your toddler might not want to sit still, look at the camera and smile for every photo, which is completely normal. While your newborn may need some settling, take your time and do what you need to do in order to help soothe your little one. I’m not in a rush during these sessions and 1 hour is usually plenty of time to get the photos we need.
My best piece of advice is to go with the flow so we can capture natural moments together, these are often the best photos. You might need to make it fun and let your child play! I’ll also provide some guidance and suggestions for getting moments of everyone looking happy and interacting.
Styling your maternity session - Paraparaumu Beach, Wellington
Pregnancy is one of the biggest life-changing experiences you will go through. It’s incredible that our bodies can grow and nurture a new life. I loved this relaxed maternity session on Paraparaumu beach with Steph, Anthony and their two dogs. The Kapiti coast always feels special to me, I lived there for three years while I studied at The Photo School.
Couples are deciding to have maternity photos before their baby is born for lots of reasons, one being pregnancy comes with its own challenges and excitement, this is a chance to embrace all of those emotions and document this time with your partner. I’ve put together some tips for couples who are thinking about booking a maternity session and how you can style it in a way that is made easy.
FIND A SPECIAL LOCATION
Let’s make the most of our shoot 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. Steph and Anthony’s pet dogs loved the beach because it meant they could run around while we took photos.
WHAT COLOURS WILL BE IN THE BACKGROUND
Think about what will the colours be in the background, from here you can start to think about clothing and how these will blend or contrast with the background. The colours could be seasonal but most importantly, try to pick colours from the same pallet or similar in tones (bright vs. earthy).
HAVE OUTFIT OPTIONS
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. If you’re not sure, bring along some options and we can pick together. If you’ve booked a 1 hour session there may be time for an outfit change.
10 year friendship anniversary photos!
To celebrate 10 years of friendship Jess and Annah traveled to Wellington for the weekend and while they were here Jess organised a surprise photoshoot! It was such a thoughtful thing to do and a special way to document their friendship anniversary. I personally would love to do the same thing with my best friends! These moments are forever and having the photos to look back on later in life is going to feel so sentimental.
This was a 30-minute photo session which is great if you’re not looking for a 1-hour photoshoot. These sessions are currently $490, this pricing is set as of October 2020 and subject to change. Which makes them more affordable and more of a reason to book photos in even if it is just for fun.
*pricing set as of October 2020 and may change in the future
Tips for styling your family photo session - D.I.Y. mini hot air balloon
Booking a family photoshoot can be an important milestone for your growing family. It’s an important event and I understand why you would want it to be perfect because it’s not often you get professional photos taken.
It's been 6 months since my newborn and family session with baby Albert, take a look at our last shoot here to see how much he has grown! Claudia has been so supportive of my business, this is our third shoot together and when she said she wanted to do a creative session for Albert... of course I was all in! Take a look at what she came up with and the amazing homemade hot air balloon.
START WITH YOUR LOCATION
Planning what your family is going to wear is going to add an element of styling to your photos. To form a cohesive look start with your location. Where will you have your family photoshoot? What kind of vibe are you wanting - do you want the environment to be outdoors, or do you prefer an in-home session? Do you want to add in some props for this special occasion and do they match what you’re going to wear?
WHAT COLOURS WILL BE IN THE BACKGROUND
Think about what will the colours be in the background, from here you can start to think about clothing and how these will blend or contrast with the background. The colours could be seasonal but most importantly, try to pick colours from the same pallet or similar in tones (bright vs. earthy). The grass and soft tones of the beach worked perfectly with the earthy tones this family chose to wear.
MUM PICK YOUR OUTFIT FIRST
Mums you might find it easier to start with your outfit first! I know how hard it can be to find clothes or an outfit that you love. You want to feel confident and beautiful for this shoot. You can then style your children’s and partner’s outfit around what you’re going to wear. You might think it sounds a bit selfish but you also deserve this moment to shine.
ADD IN TEXTURES AND A POP OF COLOUR
Add in some extra textures so it doesn’t become too matched and don’t be afraid of an extra pop of colour. Avoid big and bold patterns (like floral tees), the reason being you don’t want your clothing to distract your attention away from your expressions. No matter what style you pick, go for a look that suits your family. If your vibe is more relaxed and comfortable then keep it authentic.
The Power Plant - Paraparaumu, Kapiti Coast
Who else is obsessed with indoor plants? The Power Plant is fuelling my addiction in the best kind of way! I caught up with my friend Sam to take some shots of her store for an upcoming magazine feature! How amazing is this space though? It’s definitely plant goals. There is something therapeutic about caring for plants. I started this week off by spending a whole day tending to my collection - watering, dusting, rearranging my shelves, rearranging some more.
Creative marketing materials for your business!
Creative marketing materials can be used to inspire and resonate with your audience. Headshots don't need to be plain with a white background, they can show your playful side and build on what your brand stands for.
Jacqui Sive is a transformational coach, global speaker and high-level mentor here to help leaders expand into their greatest potential. Jacqui brings high energy and high vibes to her work which we were able to express and capture in these images.
If you're an entrepreneur looking to level up your business lets talk about updating your marketing imagery! More than ever clients want to see the face of your brand so they can connect with you and feel inspired by what you have to offer.
D.I.Y. Bridesmaid Gift Boxes
I made my own bridesmaid gift boxes! We are starting to plan our own wedding for next year and I'm so excited to have three of my best friends as bridesmaids and my sister as my maid of honour!
The chocolates are from House of Chocolate NZ, sparking Rose from Spoil Me Gifts and personalised cookies made by Personalised Cookies NZ. I added in some lemon-scented bath salts as an extra to fill the boxes. The reason I made my own is that I couldn’t quite find the right already made box and I had specific item’s in mind. That being said there are some amazing businesses in NZ offering custom made boxes if you’re wanting it taken care of!
Tips for Photo Sessions with Children and Toddlers
My latest adventure with Becci and my three favourite tiny humans! Lifestyle photography captures children in their element. I love these real and unfiltered moments of playing in the mud, gathering wood for the fire and bushwalking. Some parents feel anxiety leading up to their photo session as they want the day to go smoothly and hope their children will behave for photos. Spending some time with Becci and her three kiddies reminded me of what really goes into making great photos.
PREPARE YOUR CHILDREN
Start talking to your children about your 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.
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. My first evening with Becci one of her twin boys didn’t want to come outside for photos and she didn’t force him which I really respected. If you put pressure on them it might make it harder and we knew there would be another opportunity to get photos on the following day (this situation is a little different to my normal 1-hour session as I spent the night with them).
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
Children 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.
Becci is definitely the most ‘go with the flow’ parent I’ve ever met, this mud puddle was so much fun and she didn’t care about the aftermath or clean up. Totally worth it!
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.
Reasons to Elope! Wellington Elopement Ceremony at Makara Wind Farm
The number one reason couples choose to elope instead of having a wedding is so they can have that "just us" experience. Some couples want to have the freedom to spend the day together without all of the traditional rules and distractions that come with hosting a wedding.
Saving money is a huge benefit and you're valuing memories rather than the materialistic side of having a traditional wedding. Overall elopements are less stressful and require less planning!
Jess and Matt contacted me a couple of weeks prior to their elopement ceremony. We had to postpone due to weather but we were able to reschedule with the shortest notice possible (literally same day notice). They chose Makara Wind Farm as their location and their celebrant Mirandar Zander joined us for an intimate ceremony looking out over the ocean and hills. Karl and I are honored to have been their witnesses.
Pregnancy announcement photos and overcoming the heartbreak of two miscarriages
I feel really honored to have been a part of documenting Hayley and Tim’s story! These photos have been taken at an exciting time in their pregnancy as they are now 13 weeks along and the images have been a perfect way to announce the news to their friends and family! Leading up to this moment in their journey it has been a whirlwind of emotions. Talking about their two previous miscarriages has been an important part of overcoming heartbreak and finding hope. I admire their honesty and bravery, I hope their story inspires others who are or have been in similar positions.
“After a tough road getting here, when the time came to share our news we wanted our pregnancy announcement to be really special. This is why we decided to have Jaymee take some professional photos so we could truely capture and remember this special time in our lives and thought it would be a beautiful way to special share our news with those close to us, especially those who knew about the heartbreak we had gone through in getting to this point.
Despite being young and healthy, our pregnancy journey has been harder than we originally thought it would be. While we were lucky enough to get pregnant relatively quickly, unfortunately, this was short-lived and we had our first miscarriage last year at 6 weeks while on holiday in Australia. Before this happened to me, I’d honestly underestimated how hard it was to lose a pregnancy so early on. We were devastated and felt so alone not being able to share with those around us what was going on. We remember seeing other people we knew announce their pregnancies and while we were so happy for them, it hit us hard because we wondered why it seemed so easy for others and why this had happened to us.
After a rough couple of months, we decided to try a second time and once again got pregnant straight away. Yet again, the 6-week mark rolled around and we had another miscarriage right at the start of the NZ covid19 lockdown. We were crushed and once again felt so isolated and alone. We were left wondering why this kept happening to us and thinking that surely more people must be going through the same situation given how common our doctor had assured us miscarriages are, yet very few people seemed to talk about it.
We took so much comfort in those few stories we did come across of those who were brave enough to share their experiences - we clung to those stories with so much hope that things would eventually work out for us too and we knew that when they did, we too would be open about our own journey in the hope that it could hopefully bring comfort to others who are going through the same thing. Thank you Jaymee for helping us share our story!”
Tips to prepare for your in-home lifestyle and newborn photo session
Family sessions at home capture a mix of unfiltered real moments, done in a stylised way. These sessions are a personal favourite of mine if you have a newborn! I’ll be able to capture your family in an authentic way and you’ll feel more comfortable being in your own space.
PREPARING YOUR SPACE
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 kids. There is absolutely no pressure to prepare your entire house for photos but having one or two spaces ready to use before your photographer arrives is key. Often your bedroom, living area, or a children’s bedroom is a great space to use for a lifestyle session. You may want to put away some toys or hide clutter but you definitely won’t need to clear everything out of the space, you still want it to look like your home and not something out of a flashy magazine.
PREPARING YOUR NEWBORN AND TODDLER
Let your children know a photographer is coming to your home for some fun and they will be taking some pictures. Asking your children to sit quiet and still usually doesn’t work and it can make your photographer seem like a scary person coming into their space. Make it fun and playful, prepare some activities that you can all do together. Let your kids run around and your photographer can interact with them, we love building trust with them and making the process enjoyable for everyone. Relax and try not to stress over their behaviour on the day.
For your newborn, do what you need to do. Stick to your feeding routine and don’t be afraid to feed during your session if you need to. You’ll likely plan to have your photos taken at a time when your baby usually sleeps but come the day of your photos their sleeping habits might be out the window. Your photographer will be able to adapt and allow you to settle your newborn if you need extra time.
WHAT TO WEAR
You’re at home so you want to be comfortable but pick outfits that make you feel confident. Coordinate your outfits with each other and with your space, think of using similar tones and complementary colours. I personally love earthy and light tones, whites and creams are particularly great for a newborn session. Avoid busy patterns and text on shirts. At the end of the day, if you want to be in your PJs and your baby wants to run around in their nappy, that’s completely ok too! The goal is to capture authenticity.
Wellington maternity photographer - Reasons to have a maternity session
If you’re counting down the weeks until your little one arrives this could be the perfect time to book in your maternity session. From 30 weeks is usually a good time for photos depending on your pregnancy, you want your bump to be visible but still be feeling comfortable enough to enjoy your session. There are so many reasons to book in a maternity session, take a read!
YOUR PREGNANCY JOURNEY
Pregnancy is different for everyone and you may feel self-conscious about having your photos taken at this time. Your body is changing in the most incredible way and having a photo session is a way of shifting your focus towards celebrating the new life you are creating, instead of worrying about your appearance.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Your pregnancy may feel as if it’s taking a toll on your body and if we are being real… you can’t wait for your baby to arrive just so you can start to feel normal again. Once baby is here and in the years to come, you’ll be so focused on raising a child that your pregnancy will feel like a very distant memory! Having photos to look back on will allow you to relive some of those moments you had together during pregnancy and remember that feeling of being so eager to meet your little one.
YOUR FAMILY IS GROWING!
When your little one is older you can show them photos from when they were in Mum’s tummy! If you are someone who likes to look back at old family photos, your maternity session is the best place to start your own family album. You can document your family’s growth by following up with a newborn session.
DISPLAY YOUR IMAGES
Wedding photos are often put on display throughout homes and a maternity session signifies another milestone in your life together. Professional photos are worth putting on display. You can also use your photos for your gender reveal, there are lots of ways to get creative with this.
Tips for your winter photo session - Whitireia Park Family Photos
Lam and Peter braved the cold and wind for their recent engagement shoot which we also combined with some family photos of Lam and her sisters. We had originally planned to take these photos back in March, followed by their wedding in May but had to postpone everything due to lockdown. I'm so glad I was finally able to take photos for them! Winter is a little unpredictable but the light on this afternoon was worth the wait and being out in the cold.
FIND A SPECIAL LOCATION
Let’s make the most of your photo session 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 WARM OUTFIT OPTIONS
My sessions range from 30 minutes to 1 hour long. 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. Bring a warm coat that you don’t mind wearing for some of the photos.
BE FLEXIBLE WHEN RESCHEDULING
I wish we could control what mother nature does on the day of our photo session. If your photos aren’t urgent I always recommend rescheduling to a different day if it’s raining or too windy. There is no extra cost for rescheduling and I do my best to be flexible with back up days. If rescheduling isn’t an option consider having an indoor location for your photos.
Bronzed Goddess Wellington Photo Shoot
I recently photographed this fabulous group of ladies for Bronzed Goddess, Wellington and Christchurch based spray tanning salon. We tuned into goddess vibes and danced along the beach taking in the stunning views. FYI it was the very beginning of winter but you wouldn’t even know it from these photos!
The best part about this experience was actually trying the product after our shoot. It was my first EVER spray tan (I’m really low maintenance when it comes to beauty) and I was so impressed by how natural it looked. The Wellington team matched my skin colour perfectly. Going into the salon with your Bridesmaids would be a perfect pre-wedding pamper and I’ll definitely be booking an appointment for my wedding!
Wellington Newborn and Family Photographer - In home portrait session
At-home lifestyle sessions are perfect if you have a newborn. You're probably still figuring out your baby’s routine so being at home will make it that little bit easier for you. These relaxed sessions are intimate and personal. If you're wanting natural and less posed photos, this kind of session might be what you're looking for!
Sarah and Anthony invited me to their home to photograph their newborn Theo. We timed the shoot for what normally would be nap time for Theo but he definitely had other ideas! Being at home made it much easier for Sarah and Anthony to soothe and settle him in a comfortable space. The photos of him awake turned out great and it was a bonus that we were able to get a few sleeping shots of Theo at the end of our session.
Reasons to hire a wedding planner - Interview with Kater Weddings Wellington
Your wedding day is one of the most important and memorable days of your life! Wedding planners can take a huge weight off your shoulders when it comes to organising a wedding and will be able to help you make your vision come true.
I caught up with my friend Kate from Kater Weddings & Events to find out more about her role as a Wellington based wedding planner!
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A WEDDING PLANNER?
As a wedding planner and coordinator, it’s challenging to explain to a couple the extent of our role without sounding like a comprehensive devil’s advocate. The reality is, that is our job.
Like a duck to water, a wedding coordinator jumps in the pond the moment you sign them on. Whether it is three months out or a few weeks before, a wedding planner/coordinator loves and is experienced in all thing’s logistics. We meet, share a glass of wine and work through every element with you. After all those hours of perfectly selecting the most magical vendors, styling your tables, budgeting and saving like a squirrel to ensure you can include all your Pinterest dreams, we want you to enjoy the complete wedding experience. And on the day, simply be surrounded by those you love and be present in every moment. Because let’s be honest your wedding day is over in a flash, so why not enjoy the planning highs, the cake tastings, and often daunting dance lessons together as a couple.
Wedding planners/coordinators offer proficient industry advice and cross any t’s or dot any i’s that you may have missed. We help with the tricky decisions, provide a tissue for happy tears and an emergency safety pin for any dress mishaps. We pre-plan and pre-empt for the worst (so that you don’t have to). We assist your Aunty with decorating the cake, provide an extra pair of hands for your florist and host your guests on your behalf.
WHY SHOULD YOU BOOK A WEDDING PLANNER?
When you book a wedding coordinator you can guarantee that if anything goes wrong, we will arrive on the day like a magical fairy godmother, in a pumpkin chariot pulled by magical unicorns.
Speaking as a past bride myself, to a ‘bride/groom to be’, I speak from personal experience when I say wedding planners/coordinators are worth their weight in gold.
Image of Kate at The Milk Station by Candy Capco
You can find out more about Kate and her services over on her website: https://www.kater.co.nz/
Go check out her Instagram account here: https://www.instagram.com/kater.weddings/