Natalie and Todd

It's always a pleasure getting to be a part of a couples day.

Natalie made an absolutely stunning Bride and we got a fantastic day and night.

Guests came from all over to share in this celebration. It was not only a day to celebrate their love but also their family and it was all done so wonderfully.

On my way to the chapel I caught up with the groom, who was also looking rather dapper.

The Chapel was beautiful and as you can see plenty of light.

A beautiful day with a gorgeous couple.

Dakota

I seem to be getting behind on my post updates :)

I had so much fun with these guys and miss them all so much!  I really want to share these images before I even think about sharing  some of my latest work!

I really had such a great time in Oregon photographing in the small Mountain town, the colours and the light up there were beautiful, and my subjects too! Almost too easy :)
Dakota came up about a week after the shoot I did with Baileigh and the Oregon winter was kind to us and again we managed to pick up some lovely light and get some beautiful photos of a gorgeous young girl.

Appart from the cold I really love working in winter light, it's so soft, it's like having a big natural diffuser working for you. How great would it be to get this light all the time?

Senior/Year book Photography

We are not yet too familiar in New Zealand with 'Senior Portraits'
American's- particularly in the mid north west- are very familiar with this concept.
American Seniors (older high school students) have the opportunity to bring a professional photograph of themselves as the photo for their school year book! 
How GREAT would that be, to choose your own image rather than just use the generic school photo.
This not only gives the student control over the image( used to place them historically in their year book), but also allows them to be creative and show more of their own personality.
This is a great opportunity in these young adults life, finding that image they feel best sums them up at this stage in their lives.
It's kinda like telling the world who YOU think you are- or perhaps that image you project, but either way it says something!
As a NZder I wish we had done this at school, I got stuck with the goofy generic shot- I think we all did then? 
It's that stage where we are all full of potential and hope, it's a new beginning a statement photo to say; this is who I became at school and this is the person ready to leave and take on the world! 
That is why I was so happy while in the pacific north west earlier in the year, to have the chance to take some real American style Senior photos.

I mean where better to go? 

My niece Baileigh was probably a year younger than the usual age for the 'senior' age group, but we had a lot of fun playing around and doing a 'senior' style shoot (Never on holiday :))

It's a fun shoot and it should be, it celebrates so much.

Julie and Brian

A day of celebration, a day of family coming together as one.

Julie and Brians wedding was a true celebration of life and what it brings. Happiness and love, it was about the joys of life. the Joy of their families and their new love, a joining together of two families at a new stage in their lives. 

Winter beauty

As some of you know my family and I spent our 'Christmas Holidays' in Oregon, catching up on five years gone by(for those of you who don't know me my partner is from Oregon).
While back visiting I of course had my camera, I have already shared some on the blog and said there were more to come....so here are some more.
It's actually the time of year in Christchurch here in NZ that brought these photos to mind for my next post.
Of the times I have visited our family in Oregon it has mostly been in the winter months, This time of the year makes me think about all our family and friends in Oregon.
We are not yet this thick into season, but the colours of the trees like the maple and oak as they change colour are quite breath taking and I find myself thinking how perfect the backdrop is at this time of the year and how beautiful the backdrop was there.
The ground is still embellished with leaves of reds and browns.

This makes me look forward to winter, if it's not raining you can't beat the light, and the colours are beautiful, as the seasons change.

-thank-you guys for being so beautiful xxx

Sheree and Nick

Still catching up on the blogging, time to Share a Wedding from this season.

It was probably one of the hottest day's of the Summer when Sheree & Nick tied the knot.And these two made quite the sizzling couple themselves.

A beautifully personalised and pretty wedding...

Still relaxed and fun at the same time, a balance that worked well.

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Shadbolt, a beautiful day for a beautiful couple.

thanks

Tessa

Three

I've been photographing this sweet wee girl since she was new born, and it's not only a wonderful thing sharing her mile stones and watching her grow- it's also a lot of fun!

Zoe herself is a budding wee photographer and our last shoot she clutched to one of my old cameras for most of it. It was so cute to watch her lift the camera and learn how to take photos and play them back.  

She did get to use her camera again, but we decided to take turns  taking photos this time :)