Tim and Shelley are perfect for each other.  The way they look at each other, share their inside jokes, and most of all have fun.  Tim is great fun and makes Shelly laugh.  Shelley is completely fabulous - so much so that her nickname for years has been Wonder Woman.  We were going to get some great photos, I knew it the minute we left for the beach.  With these guys, how can you go wrong?

Shelley had warned me that Tim was a bit of a kid sometimes, so neither of us were surprised when he suggested that she should go and sit on "that log over there".  Great idea Tim, except that that log was dangerously close to that water. 

"Why don't you go sit on that log then?"  We suggested.

So he did.

Pure awesomeness. 

Sorry Tim, but we kind of saw that coming!  Totally worth the shots though!

*cue awesome proposal story*

Tim had all of the right ingredients to an awesome proposal.  One romantic dinner, throw in a trip in a helicopter, add a pinch of "MARRY ME" in fairy lights seen from the sky and a jaw dropping ring = one giant YES.

*cue a collective sigh from all of the women*

Gorgeousness!

I love this shot.  The beach blown hair, the look of total happiness.

Hello Rarangi!  You look awesome!

Then we headed back into town.  Another special request for 'my tree' took us up the hill.

I love letting my couples do their thing, I just stand back and watch to see what they do.  These guys are awesome!

Shelley and Tim could really leap!

Wonder Woman indeed!  Tim is hiding behind the tree, he's such a clown.

Thanks for a fun afternoon guys.  I'm so excited about your wedding, let the countdown begin! 

He needed somewhere to live.  She needed somewhere to live.  They had never met before, but they soon found themselves as flatmates.  I asked who liked who first, and they both laughed.  I'm pretty sure both Nikki and Simon wanted to think the other was the first to cave.

They sure like each other now, quite a lot.  So much so, in fact, that come next March they will be married. 

The weather has been less than lovely here lately, but thankfully it opened up into a beautiful day for us.  We headed over to Taylor Dam where I thought we might get some nice country feeling images.

I just LOVE this shot.  Nikki is just beautiful.

I've been trying to get more use out of our 16-35mm 2.8L lens lately, and although I adore it as a scene setter....

I just keep coming back to my 70-200mm 2.8L.  And although I was MOST excited about finding this tree, Nikki and Simon are really what make this picture. 

Then on to Harling Park, throw in some gorgeous late light... and you have a major win.

Gorgeous!

Hello awesome hilltop, with gorgeous light and sky!

Nikki had seen 'my' tree featured on the blog before, and seemed quite keen to meet it. 

This following picture is because I'm strange, and I make people do funny things.

Just before we left the sky broke forth with this amazing show of colour.  I like it a lot.

Nikki and Simon, thanks so much for your time this afternoon.  I had a blast!  I'm so excited about shooting your wedding in the Summer, it's going to be great!

It was a day we've been looking forward to for months, one of the highlights of our winter, in fact!  The setting was St Arnaud, Lake Rotoiti, and both Paul and I were amped to get the very best images possible.  In fact, Paul was fairly sure he was going to outshoot me, and because I'm the one that writes the blog posts, I'm going to say he lost.  Or maybe it was a tie.....

It was an amazing day, not just because the weather was perfectly still and crisp.  Not just because of the jaw dropping gorgeousness of every detail, but because Glenn and Carina became man and wife.

Carina was absolutely breathtaking.  Every single detail was planned, and everything flowed like clockwork. 

Nina from Pink Poppie orchestrated the flowers, and they were simply divine. Not that I expected any less!

This is Gracie, she's nearly four, so she tells me.  And she's cute.  Way cute.

More gorgeous detail.

Meanwhile Paul was with the boys as they prepared to get the show on the road.

Glenn and Carina decided to see each other before the ceremony, so they met at this cute little cottage.

The dress stayed under wraps under this amazing cape, so there was still a nice surprise at the ceremony.

We went up Mt Robert, and although there wasn't any snow, it was still a pretty awesome spot.

I like signs.  I like them a lot.

Down by the lake.

This was Paul's capture.  I love the reflections of the trees in the glass, and seeing the nervous wait going on inside the chapel.   

As Glenn sees his bride walking towards him.  Win.

The vows nearly made me cry.  They were so lovely and heartfelt.

This photo is a major win.  Awesomeness.

And they're married!  This was Paul's view of the group shot.

Then back down to the lake for some more photos. Gosh I do love this spot.

 

Some of the best shots are of what goes on right before or right after a posed shot.

I've fallen in love with Lake Rotoiti.  I was told that there were sand flies, but they seemed to leave me alone.  Clearly they knew not to mess with me!

More beautiful detail on Carina's dress.

This bridge was Glenn and Carina's idea as well.  I love it!

 

Looking smooth Glenn!

Then onto the Lodge for the reception.  Everything was absolutely perfect.  Stunning even.

 

I love the emotion in these shots.

Thanks guys for inviting us into your spectacular Winter Wonderland Wedding.  You're a very special couple, and we wish you huge amounts of happiness for the rest of your lives together.  Enjoy your honeymoon!

Even more photos on facebook!

Vendor Shoutout:

Hair: Chrissy, Urban Hair

Makeup: Grace

Gown: Bernadette Thomas

Flowers: Nina - Pink Poppie

Reception and Catering: Alpine Lodge

Cake: Chocolate Velvet

She looks at Mark and smiles.  She smiles a lot.  "He stamped in a puddle and splashed me the other day!  Like this!"  She shows me how the offence occurred.

He giggles. 

"No one has done that to me since school!" she laughs.  I assured her that that's how boys show girls they like them.

To say that Mark and Lisa suit each other would be a tragic understatement.  They belong together, pure and simple. 

Mark makes Lisa laugh, Lisa makes Mark spend 2 hours getting their photos taken.  I don't know where the time went, it flew past so quick, so at least I know that I was having fun! 

Oh yes, this amazing-as-anything location?  Provided by Deirdre from Locks and Lashes.  Not only did she make Lisa look like a Hollywood film star, but she let us use her AMAZING property for the shoot!  Thanks Deirdre!

Add in a little bit of lovin'...

A bucket load of laughs...

And I think we've found the perfect combination!

Stunning, hu?!

And Mark scrubbed up pretty well too!

I love the way Mark looks at Lisa.

And the way he makes her laugh.

Often kisses don't look all that gorgeous close up like this, but what do you know?  Lovely!

Loving this location!

  

Mark and Lisa - thanks for today! I can't even tell you how excited I am that we're photographing your wedding!  It's going to be such a fun day!  For those facebookers, there's more pics over here.

It was going to happen sooner or later, he couldn't stay in there forever!  Hunter was born exactly one week ago today.  And my word, he was worth the wait! 

Josh and Fiona are totally in love with this little guy, and who can blame them?  Look at him!

He didn't want to do much sleeping for us - but that didn't matter, it was lovely to see his eyes.

Clearly he was having sleepy thoughts though.

Such teeny tiny toes!

Congratulations Josh and Fiona - he is absolutely scrumptious. 

My delicious little girl turned one last week.  ONE.  I'm both excited for her and gobsmacked that the year has flown by so quickly.  It's been quite a year, one where I've learned the value of family.  My Mum was recently diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.  It's nasty and terminal, and to be quite honest it kind of knocked the stuffing out of me for a bit.  So I'm spending as much time with her as life allows, and remembering to enjoy my babies because life is so short. 

Look at her, she makes me smile all the time. How could you not?

Sophie is 3 now, and I think she enjoyed Charlotte's presents more than Charlotte! 

Poking dolly's eyes.  It's what you do when you're a toddler. 

It's mostly about the wrapping paper.

And the ribbon.

See Sophie?  It's RIBBON!!

 

Happy Birthday baby girl!  You brighten every single day. 

I have the best job in the world.  Really, I do.  (Well perhaps short of being an official chocolate taster for some expensive Swiss chocolate company.)  Families let me into their lives to record a moment of their history, whether it be a wedding or a newborn, or just because.  It's a time capsule, and it's a privilege.

I first met Melissa and Kaiser a few months back.  Since then Melissa asked me to come and photograph her lovely family at her Grandad's house, as he hasn't been very well, and so I was able to capture some memories for them.

Check out Kaiser's cute-as-anything smile. 

I love this one, I love it a lot.

Becky and Melissa having a laugh with Mum.

Melissa had baked the most scrumptious afternoon tea, she's a girl of many talents I tell you! 

Thanks so much for allowing me to capture your lovely family!  May you create many more happy memories together!