When Kat told me that she'd like to have their engagement shoot with an urban theme, I was so excited!  It's been a while since I've had a stroll through town, looking for interesting spots to shoot, and just shooting what we find. 

No urban shoot is complete without a stop at the blue wall.  When I asked how brave they were feeling, I had no idea that Chris would be up for just about anything!  Jumping, posing, dancing in a public street?  No worries at all!

Public displays of affection?  Easy peasy.  I didn't have to ask more than once!  Often I didn't have to ask at all!

I love this spot!  The colour, awesome!

Chris is away for work quite a lot, and so every moment they spend together is special.  This makes my job so much easier, Chris just adores Kat!

Then we headed over to this abandoned old building.  I absolutely LOVE this spot!  Look at them, just hanging out, all hoodlum like...

Gorgeous!

Kat is just lovely, and is so natural in front of the camera.

The wedding is only a couple of months away, and it's going to be so much fun, if these guys have anything to do with it!!

Then a quick trip to Harling park to finish off a fun afternoon. Beautiful!

I love this one!

Thanks so much Chris and Kat for spending the afternoon with me.  What fun!  I can't wait to show you all the rest!  See you at the wedding!!

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!

Dot and Al left for the big smoke a while ago and they've been gone for so long that they've had another baby to add to their collection. Between us now we have 12 kids.  I kid you not.  Six for them, and six for us.  We swap notes about the funny reactions we get from people, and how the washing pile seems to need its own postal code.

But when you've got great genes like this, why wouldn't you have lots of beautiful babies?

See?  Look at them!  Fabulous!

This is Amelie.  She's the newest addition.  Don't you just want to squeeze those cheeks?

 

Anika.  This little girl just melts your heart. 

Malachi, doing boy stuff which always should include sticks, dirt and a river.

Elias totally knows how to turn on the charm.

Micah, goes with the set of beautiful girls.

And Levi, the big brother that seems to have suddenly grown up.

 

I simply can't help adding this photo.  I love it for so many reasons.  Not the least of which is the milky spill running down Dot's side.

Such cuteness. 

Sometimes fat cheeks need to be kissed.  A lot.  That's the price you pay when you are so loved.

Near the end of the family shoot Anika had a serious bout of disappointment at the thought of going home for a nap. I spotted Al comforting her, I don't think he even knew I was clicking away.

Thanks to Grandma looking after the short people, I was able to steal Dot and Al away for a bit of a play.

If Dot wasn't such a nice friend, I would totally begrudge her looking so darn amazing after having six kids.  It's just not normal.

We have the most massive series of jump photos - but this has to be my favourite.  Totally their idea.  Kissing in midair, not for the fainthearted, or for couples with braces.

Thanks for an awesomely fun day guys.  Your family is an absolute testament to your great parenting.  Can't wait for your next visit so we can do it again!