Spring time is always a busy wee time of year for a photographer! In the lead up to Christmas and as the days start to lengthen and the weather warms, the bookings for family portraits flood in. This Spring has been no exception and for that I am so grateful. We are living in weird times and I'm thankful for all my lovely clients this Spring.

Spring time in Southland is also usually a bit of a trying time scheduling portrait shoots around the unpredictable weather and this year has again been no exception. But that's part and parcel of getting to live in our awesome region and one look at all these beautiful photographs makes all the reschedules totally worth it!

Let's start this Spring recap off with the fun Mini Sessions I run each Spring. Here's just some of the sessions (as some are kept offline for Christmas present surprises 😉). 

My beautiful friends Alexandra and Mitch had their baby boy! And they asked me to update their family portraits for them which was an absolute privilege. Plus of course I got Flynn snuggles after the shoot!

The Orpwood's family session was a fun adventure that I won't forget any time soon! The boys splashed stones in the river, we danced in the rain and we laughed a LOT. Piano Flat is a special place for the Orpwood family and one of my favourite places in this world too. 

Continuing the theme of loyal clients, meet Oscar and Shanaye - one of our past wedding couples! That wee cutie is their son who just turned one!!!

I spent an afternoon with Judy's family creating updated portraits back in October! We got such a cool variety of photos, from the multi-generational shots to candids of the kids around Judy & Grant's incredible gardens.

Thank you to all the families who booked in portraits with me this Spring. There are so many gorgeous frames, albums and printed series in production currently, most of which will be just in time to enjoy at Christmas!

I have a full schedule now to see out 2021 and have bookings well into January 2022 as well which I am really looking forward to. 

Timing is everything! If you’re envisioning glowy, sun-kissed portraits (like a lot of the ones you see me taking) then please know that these don’t happen in the middle of the day.

​90% of the time I don’t book outdoor portrait sessions anytime close to midday. Instead, just after sunrise and not long before sunset, when the sun is low on the horizon (the golden hours). This is when I love to shoot!!! The light is beautiful, soft and saturated. It truly will make a difference to your final photos. 

If you have young children consider doing your family portraits in Spring or Autumn while the days are shorter if you want to get those glowy, dreamy sunset colours!

Obviously if the weather is overcast and cloudy, the time of day doesn't always matter quite so much as we don't have to worry about harsh shadows and glare from the sun. But even on cloudy days the sunset can still end up being beautiful and providing some gorgeous colours.

As a wedding photographer I've also come to be confident with whatever light I am given. You don't get to be picky on a wedding day and you can just about guarantee portrait time is during the harshest sunlight hours! So I always make the most of any lighting situation and use it to my advantage. Knowing light is something that comes with experience and is a skill every photographer needs to continue honing in their craft. After all, photographs are essentially all about light - without it there is no photo.

Most of all I want you to get the kind of portraits you've been dreaming of! If you love golden light as much as I do, let's chat about how we can make that happen for your portraits. x

Brian and Lisa's Anderson Park Invercargill wedding on Saturday was charged with emotion.

These two have had a long road to get to their wedding day, but their love story is a beauty - having first met many years ago at Thornbury Young Farmers and then reconnecting later on. Lisa first got in touch with me in 2017 (yep that's 4 years ago!) about wedding photography as her and Brian had started talking about getting married. So you know this girl is a planner! 😄 But it wasn't until 2019 that I heard from Lisa again. She had proposed to Brian, they were engaged and Lisa was in wedding planning bliss! And then in August 2020 I got a devastating email from Lisa telling me Brian had been in an accident and was in Burwood Spinal Unit, they weren't yet sure if he'd ever walk again! Their wedding date would have to be postponed. After an incredible and what I am sure was a long road to recovery Brian and Lisa set their wedding date for October this year. So when you look at their portraits and see their wedding day happiness, know there is also so much triumph and resilience in there too because these two got there in the end and it was perfection.

Lisa had thought of all the wee details that would complete their wedding day, with small sentimental touches and thoughtful gifts for their crew. You'll see them dotted throughout the photos of the day. But for all the beautiful details and careful planning, Lisa only had eyes for her man most of the day. And that is what a wedding is all about, at the very heart of it; the love two people have for each other and celebrating it. ​💞

Look at those proud parents! While Lisa got ready at her parents, Brian spent the morning out at home, near Riverton, with his side of the bridal party.

Brian kept it fashionably simple with shirt, pants and comfy RM Williams dress boots. No pesky ties and no jackets to be taking on and off all day. 

Now this won't be the last red tractor you see dotted through Brian and Lisa's wedding photos... Brian's old red tractor from those Young Farmer days became a focal point in his and Lisa's love story. Lisa had a model replica of it made for him when she proposed!

Lisa's excited face says it all when these two first saw each other at the beginning of their portrait time! Choosing to see each other before the ceremony kept their day chilled out and relaxed with portraits out of the way early so the rest of the afternoon was all for spending time with their guests.

Brian and Lisa released a white balloon in memory of their lost loved ones. A special wee moment in the middle of their day for reflection.

Sharyn Payne brought together a beautiful ceremony for Brian and Lisa. And she stayed on for the rest of the day to be Master of Ceremonies, which if you know Sharyn, you'll know there's no one better for this job! Is there anything you're not fabulous at Shaz?!

I doubt a single soul read the sign Theo carried down the aisle for his mum and dad because he was sprinting!!! 🤣 However that cute wee face says it all anyway!

​And older brother, George, looked proud as punch to be walking his mum down the aisle.

From Anderson Park we trooped over town to the Working Mens Club for the reception, where again you'll see all Lisa's thoughtful wee details shining!

This wishing well needs special mention as it was crafted with love by Lisa's maid of honour; Jo.

All the speeches of the evening were beautiful and from the heart. But Lisa's speech about Brian's journey after his accident had me pretty teary eyed!

And with the formalities done Brian and Lisa opened the dancefloor. Sharyn even got her dance in with Matt before the night was done! 🤣

Brian & Lisa I hope you danced the night away and enjoyed your Sunday BBQ with everyone too the next day! I know I said it on the night, but thank you again for choosing us as your wedding photographers. It has been a privilege to document your love for each other. I hope you love your blog! x

DRESSES: Love Me Do Bridal  |  SUITS: Farmers & Next Direct  |  HAIR: Jason Gerken  |   MAKE-UP: Joanne Wilson  |  FLOWERS: Jenny Phillips   |  CATERING: Lee's Catering  |  CELEBRANT & MC: Sharyn Payne  |  RECEPTION VENUE: Working Mens Club Invercargill  |  CATERING: Lee's Catering  |  CAKE: Bronwyn Broomhall  |  STATIONERY & SIGNAGE: Creativity Plus   |  WISHING WELL: J & J Workshop  |  VIDEOGRAPHER: Blackfeather Studio  |  MUSIC: Nightlife DJ.