Taken over the steering wheel.  Only in New Zealand, ey!

This was on the way home from the wedding the other night.  Clearly one sheep had found the way out, and all the others followed, as you do, when you're a sheep.

Hugo and Kelly are the nicest people you ever could meet.  We had an engagement shoot earlier this week, in preparation for their wedding which was yesterday (watch this space for those photos!) As luck would have it the weather just didn't want to play along.  Not to worry, Hugo and Kelly are so lovely and easy going we decided we'd go ahead anyway.  I'm so glad we did!  Sometimes grey days make great pictures!

I had asked them if they had anything they'd like to bring along and include in the pictures.  Yes indeedy, check out Huxley!  Don't you just want to pop him in your handbag and take him home?!

We went to the Japanese Gardens, it's such a pretty place!

I love this, check out Huxley being all guard doggish!

I love this!

It was so nice having that little bit of time to get to know them better before their big day.  The wedding was super fun as well - but you'll just have to wait for the next post for that one!

We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day for Kelly and Deon!

Kelly got ready at Locks and Lashes, an absolutely beautiful spot out in the middle of the vineyards, definitely worth the effort if you're a bride still deciding on where to get hair and makeup done!  Deirdre does a really awesome job.

I love the 'proud as punch' look on Kelly's parents face.  Gorgeous!

Kelly looked absolutely spectacular!  She had such a beautiful vintage look about her.  She's such a sweetheart too, she's a school teacher, and I think you have to be a special kind of person to be able to pull that off!

This was the guys just before heading off to the ceremony.

The ceremony was held at Hortensia House.  Wow, what a spot!  I can't even imagine how much time goes into the gardening there, it's just amazing. 

This is Paul's view as we were arriving to the ceremony.

And this is my view looking back at the guys waiting.  Deon's first glance at his bride.

I love this!  Could he possibly be any more pleased to see her!?

After the ceremony we pop off to Pollard Park for some shots.  This one really appeals to me, normally I quickly go past any shots with me in them.... this one made the cut, maybe because it's only the back of my head!  We try and keep our portrait sessions light and fun - and these guys were all about having a great time on the day!

That dress!  Oh my gosh, awesomeness!

Then off to Deon's parents place for the reception.  I saw some sweet light when we arrived and stole them away for a bit to make the most of it!

I love the end of the day at weddings when everything comes together like this! The pressure is off the couple, the beautiful light hits and all is well with the world!

This was Deon's idea!  Brilliant!  Married on the 9th of January.  Well spotted my friend!

How cute are they! 

What a lovely day it was!  Thanks for including us in it Kelly and Deon!  Can't wait to show you all the rest of the images! 

In other news:

Training has started in earnest for a Half Marathon I have, perhaps foolishly, entered us into.  Six babies (and far too much Christmas chocolate, lets be honest) have somewhat ruined me.  So I've got five months to get fit and fabulous.  Well, that might be stretching things a bit far... I'd just like to get to the end of 21km and not be dead, to me that would be a success! 

Yesterday I photographed Kelly and Deon's beautiful wedding.  But I don't feel right about blogging their wedding photos until I've posted their engagement ones!  (plus I don't have the wedding ones ready yet!)

We went to Pollard Park and chatted the whole time, getting to know each other and going through the wedding plans.  I always love doing the engagement session as it helps SO much when it comes to the wedding, breaking the ice and helping the couple be less scared of the camera. 

These guys are so cute together!

Ok then, just ONE from the wedding!

So watch this space tomorrow, I'll blog some more.  But be warned, there will be some serious gorgeousness!

I can't even tell you how excited I was to be able to go hang out with Jasmine Star who came all the way over from the USA, and a very cool group of photographers who came from NZ, Australia and even California for the Jasmine Star Workshop in Christchurch this week! 

We came from all over the show to hear Jasmine speak on photography, branding, well... pretty much everything really.  I got SO much out of it!  

The morning was spent learning about branding, workflow and a bunch of life simplifying suggestions.  Then in the afternoon we got to go out and do some shooting.  But we had to go the long way:

Unfortunately somebody took an unattended box of scorched almonds in the courthouse a little too seriously, and there was a bomb scare that shut down several streets.  That was Ok, made the day that bit more interesting!

We had some gorgeous models to work with.  This is Leon and Anna, awesome, patient models!  It must be so daunting for them to have a hoard of photographers surrounding them, just waiting for them to do something cute! 

See?

Katy and Brad.... amazingly cute.

These dresses were AMAZING!  Louise Anderson, check her out, jawdroppingly good.

Jasmine dragging lovingly to show us how it's done.

How could Katy and I walk past this guy without at least saying hi?  Seems he's the strong silent type.

There is so much I have taken away with me from my day with Jasmine and the other photographers.  I'm so grateful that Jasmine took time to come over to humble little New Zealand to talk to us!  Thanks so much to Fiona Anderson for organising it all.  Seriously amazing.

I know I've been a bit quiet at blogging lately, it's not cause I don't love y'all, it's just that life is so full and interesting right now!  I've been flat out photographing all sorts of gorgeous people lately!  Not the least of which is Rachel.  I got SO many gorgeous shot of her, but here are just a few as it's WELL past my bedtime!

In other news: I'm off to see Jasmine Star in Christchurch!!  Yay!  I can't wait to meet her and a crowd of other talented photographers, and hopefully recharge my artistic batteries!  I'll be back on board on Wednesday, so watch for more blogging then.  Oh - and there's a wedding coming up on Saturday that will be awesomeness, so keep a watch out for that one too!