Dough.  That's what my kids call it.  It's soft and squishy and if I thought that the Internet truly kept me anonymous and I wouldn't run into you in the supermarket, I'd show you a picture of it.  It sits right around my middle, mostly, as well as hanging onto other places with it's squishy cuddliness.  The kids may poke it and giggle, but considering each of those six darlings had something to do with creating said dough, I'm not in the least bit offended.  The time has come though, to part with a good chunk of it and Kim and Mark have been helping me do just that.

Now, I'm not a gym bunny.  I'm more of a 'where is my secret stash of chocolate' bunny, and this is what has contributed to the kilograms sneaking on year after year making my pants too tight and my engagement ring no longer fit.  Personally, I find the gym a little bit daunting.  Those fit people and MIRRORS really don't help (you're nodding, aren't you?)  But once Kim and Mark took me under their wing and started cheering me on things started turning around. 

While they've been in the fitness game for years, they've just officially become Crossfit Blenheim, opened their own place (with nary a mirror in sight!) and changed how I feel about my fitness.  Slowly, week by week, I began to improve.  My almost completely inflexible body started doing what I asked it to, and just for kicks on my days off I can now run for 20 minutes without stopping.  For those of you fit gym bunnies I know it's not THAT amazing, but when you're taking your dough with you it's pretty darn awesome!  I've got a fair way to go, but at least I'm enjoying the process and look forward to each session.

When Kim asked us to take some photos for them we jumped at the chance.  It meant that Paul (who has been getting super fit and leaving me in the dust!) got to have a good play with his lighting techniques and we got to sink our teeth into something very different!

We love the team atmosphere of the sessions, and the fact that every workout is different and you never know what you're going to do! 

Kim knows what it's like to get her body back after having a baby, wee Jack is only 6 months old!  All of my lame excuses fly out of the window!

To get a bit of an idea of what Crossfit is really about, check out this official Crossfit video (from crossfit.com).  I would have said all of this and more, except I can't produce the swelling emotional music in the background!  It's a good way to spend 2 minutes.

You might think Mark works out like this all the time, but in fact he's really quite humble about his physique.  Kim had quite a bit of convincing to do to get him share what a dedicated crossfitter looks like.  And just for the record, there is no enhancement in this image other than colour and contrast etc.  It's all real.

This is actually really hard.  I can't even get my legs off the ground for more than a nanosecond.  That's why Mark's demonstrating it and not me.  Be grateful.  Be very grateful.

So get your tushies along to Crossfit Blenheim and try it out!  The first session is free and if you say I sent you then you might just get a chocolate fish (although I'm probably lying about the chocolate fish).  Say I sent you anyway.

Oh, and by the way, I need new jeans and I can wear my engagement ring again.  Yes siree.

Often I get so caught up with the fun of posting weddings and portraits on the blog, that I completely neglect showing off the other stuff we do too!  Here is part of a series we shot for Highfield Estate recently.  What I particularly like about this series, is how each photo illustrates the job that the person does.  They're not just the usual "This is Joe" photos. Sure they take more time and forethought, but I think it's totally worth it!

Setting the scene with one of Paul's gorgeous winter shots.  This was just before bud burst, we were super lucky to get a good frost!  Taken just as the sun was rising, this was not a shoot I was too upset about missing! 

But give me people to photograph, and then I'm all in!

This is one of the winemakers, Al.  I particularly love what Paul has done with the lighting here.  See the light pattern behind him?  That was Paul up on the catwalk with the external strobe through the grid.  Cool ey?  Another strobe camera right, lighting up Al and the doggie.

What I love about this shot, is the perfect spider's web on the tree, also the look of responsibility on the doggie's face.  It's a big job being the winemakers dog you know!

In other news:  We have released our Wedding price list and information for next summer (2010/2011), so if you've been waiting for us to open the calender for bookings, now's the time!  Drop us an email, and I'll send you all the info.

I'm pretty sure we live in one of the most beautiful places on earth.  I reckon heaven will be something like this, but without all the washing.

Paul has been taking some spectactular photos - and although I keep reminding him to put some on the blog, I don't think he's as much of a show off as I am, so I'll do it for him!

This first one was obviously when the vines still had leaves on them, so it was a few months ago, but it's just too pretty not to include.

This photo was a cover image for the Property Press here in Blenheim, and was given a 'Best Cover Ever' award.  Not quite sure how you can top the 'best cover ever'?

Even in winter, the vineyards can still look great.

Mt Tapi, I love this photo!  I think it would look really great in a massive print.

Shots from one of his helicopter jobs.  Ahh, it's a tough job, but someone's got to do it!

This has got to be my favourite.  We've got it on our screensaver, and when it comes on, I just have to look at it everytime.  Way cool!

So while I've been playing with our gorgeous new baby, Paul has been busy keeping things afloat.  I've got shoots booked in over the next coming weeks, I'm looking forward to dusting off my photo skills and getting back into it!  I've got some new ideas I've been aching to try!

I realise things have been a bit quiet on the blogging front - and just in case you're wondering if that's because I'm busy with a newborn, well, it's not!  I had hoped to have had this little bundle by now, but it seems that he/she is far more comfortable than I'd like!  So the waiting continues, but as soon as we have news, we'll be posting it right here!

In the meantime, if you'd like to go look at something - go check out Clark Estate's  new website, it's very nice, and I think the pictures have come up rather pretty, if I do say so myself!

So, it's about time that I, Paul, make my second post on this blog.   Normally I leave this part up to Jess (other than writing the software to run the blog). 

I have been all over Marlborough shooting some fantastic places for Bayleys during the last few weeks.  With a couple of helicopter flights thrown in for good measure my head is still spinning from all the amazing sights I've had the pleasure of photographing.  Here are a small number of pics - the best helicopter ones will have to wait for another day as I still have a bit of editing to do, but they will be worth the wait!

With two visits to Portage in two weeks, I had the thrill of catching the water when it was this beautiful turquoise colour - can't believe how much the weather changes the colour of the water out there!  Here is a panoramic shot looking back from the wharf (about 5 photos stitched together).

Just behind portage is a new development - beautiful views over the bay, but I really loved the setting in the bush:

After what seemed like a long winter it is so good to have some green back in the vineyards!  Most of these shots are taken just after the sun has gone down when there is that beautiful glow on the landscape.

Here's one quick view of our flight down the sounds - the weather was a bit hazy, but the views were still spectacular.

I like this old shed which was on the property we were hovering over - not too far above the water for this one:

Well I had better go and do some more editing...  A couple more shots as I leave.  One interior from a beautiful farm that I photographed out in the middle of nowhere.  And the parting shot is from a sunset I caught the end of a few weeks back.

So, until next time... have a fantastic Christmas and happy New Year!

I've been a little blog neglectful lately, I've been happily updating weddings, and forgetting the fact that Paul has been taking some stellar images that really should be seen!

This was a shot for Bayleys, I think it looks just like a painting.

Tonight's sunset was promising to be rather lovely, so I handed Paul the camera and told him to get out there and shoot it.  Nice one babe!

In other news:

All our tadpoles have become frogs and finally (thankfully!) left home.  The kids had a great time watching these amazing little things, but I'm awfully pleased to have 30 less animals to look after!

We're so excited to be shooting Anna and Tim's wedding tomorrow!  Can't wait to be part of their big day, and I'm sure little Seth is going to steal the show...  Watch this space!

Check out Riannon's absolutely stunning eyes, what a little cutie!

On Saturday we popped out to Yealands Winery to photograph the Ulysses Motorcycle club.  The wind was absolutely atrocious, but these guys soldiered on amazingly!  I think there must have been about 60 members who turned up and had a wonderful time trying Yealands wine and touring the winery.

If ever you get the opportunity, don't hesitate to try the Yealands Sauv.  It's fresh and rather delicious.

You can check out the Yealands website at www.yealands.co.nz where you can see some of Jim Tannock's amazing photography.

In other news:

We've managed to bring our tadpoles back from the brink of death (all except for two, sorry guys).  They've got some cute (although seemingly useless) backlegs, and adore eating their dried worms.

I'm heading down to the West Coast for a couple of days to be with my Mum who has had a fall and ended up in hospital.  Paul will be holding the fort here, so things will continue on as usual.  Although the family meals may be interesting!