Heidi Horton Photography

I just realised that there is a mere 20 days until Christmas! I feel like it was Christmas not that long ago haha - where has the last year gone?! If you're like me and haven't organised all your Christmas presents yet then I have a pretty sweet special running until the 16th of December on our portrait gift cards (find out more here).

So now that I'm back on board after 10 days away drinking cocktails in Rarotonga, it's time for a re-cap of the beautiful month that was November. Here's some of my favourite portraits taken last month...

It was lovely seeing past wedding couple Cory & Ashleigh again and their wee dude Felix! The weather worked against us but we still got some beautiful family shots.

I'm currently creating a stunning keepsake prints box for them which Ashleigh plans to fill with annual family photos each year. I absolutely love this idea and our Italian leather display boxes allow you to switch out the displayed photo as often as you want with ease - a great way to get maximum enjoyment from your portraits!

I also had the pleasure of catching up with the gorgeous Hamill family in November. I feel as if I sound like a broken record but getting to photograph a family multiple times over the years is one of the best things ever! I've photographed so many life milestones for Caleb and Paula. It's a true privilege - getting to see kids grow up, family dynamics change and love forever grow.

Earlier in November I met Helen and her two boys Jake & Ollie, full of life and laughter. We had a fabulous time creating some casual portraits at Dolamore Park one evening.

You know I love nothing more than photographs filled with fun, laughter and candidness. But this striking photo below is possibly my absolute favourite portrait from the whole month and not a hint of a smile in sight...

It was wonderful to see the Walsh family this month. Just a day before Joel and Aimee (one of our past wedding couples!) got on a plane to fly to literally the other side of the world to start their new adventure in Ireland! Thank you Aimee & Joel for organising these family photos - it was a pleasure to create some precious memories while you were all together and also of course to see you again.

Last but not least is the lovely Horne family! I had a great evening hanging out with these guys updating their family portraits before Ethan heads away to University next year.

Now I'm working on a stunning linen covered photo album for Adele to showcase the wonderful mix of candid, fun portraits we created. Getting to print my portraits & bring them to life is the most rewarding part of my work, other than meeting & creating connections with the beautiful people in the portraits!

I have just a handful of portraits left for this incredible year and already my summer months are starting to book with portrait sessions.

​Don't forget to check out my limited time Christmas Gift Card Special (here). Our popular gift cards make awesome presents anytime of the year but especially for Christmas. Give a loved one the gift of photos. Preserving memories forever. (Or if you're wanting to do your own family portraits in 2020 this is a great chance to get the ball rolling & make your $$ go further! 😀).

Southland turned up the temperature last weekend making for great kilt weather! Glenn & Rachel married at St Andrews Church in Gore on Saturday surrounded by their nearest and dearest. What a perfect day it was for an epic celebration!

Rachel is an aunty of one of our past brides so it has been pleasure and a privilege to not only become Glenn & Rachel's photographers as well, but to catch up with the Keown family again.

Glenn and Rach opted for a first look timeline, seeing each other before their mid afternoon ceremony, which always makes for a cruisey day time wise. And they both got ready at the Oakleigh Motels in Gore making for a laidback morning. There are so many special details incorporated into Glenn & Rachel's day from the family tartan, a nautical theme (Rachel is a deep sea Captain!) to quite a few bottles of whisky (Glenn is a collector) and of course the wedding cars - Cadillacs! Each detail well thought out and meaningful.

While Rachel and her bridesmaids were at the beauty salon I was entrusted with a pretty special surprise by bridesmaid; Charlotte. A beautiful brass sextant which is a nautical navigational instrument. Charlotte surprised Rachel with this wedding gift during speeches later in the evening but asked if I could photograph it in the morning and then look after it for the day. ​What an honour!

Rachel was gifted a wedding garter, made with McAlpine tartan. Glenn was gifted one too of course! That's the thing with wearing a kilt!

Glenn was pretty excited to see his bride!

While Glenn and his brothers headed to the church, Rachel popped in to see her Mum before the ceremony and share some quiet moments together.

Rachel was bag-piped into the church and walked down the aisle by her proud as punch dad.

At the end of Glenn & Rachel's service they did a rope-tying ceremony, joining two pieces of rope in a fisherman's knot - essentially two knots that pull tight together and become stronger as they join. Beautifully symbolising their wedding and extra special for this worldly duo.

Glenn and Rachel spent a few moments in the Gore Gardens, where Rachel's parents Bill and Diana had their wedding photos taken. And then it was on to the RSA function room for their reception!

This gorgeous watercolour cake was created by the talented Jude Taylor. And all the incredible florals of Glenn & Rachel's wedding day were done by Joyce at Lily Jackson's Flower Co. Every corner of the reception venue was filled with flowers at the request of Glenn who loves flowers.

So very special to have their wedding guest Charlie serenade their first dance as husband and wife.

Congratulations Mr & Mrs McAlpine! What a fabulous day!

Matt and I wish you the very best on this new voyage of marriage together. Thanks for sharing your special day with us! And all the best for your next celebration back up home - here's hoping you have another stunning summery day.x

DRESS: Brides by Donna Rae  |  BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES: Joanna Casserly  |  KILTS: Just Kilts  |  MAKE-UP & HAIR: DeVine Hair & Beauty  |  FLOWERS: Lily Jackson's Flower Co  |  MINISTER: Helen Martin  |  CEREMONY VENUE: St Andrews Church  |  CATERING: RSA Gore &  Food Affair  |  RECEPTION VENUE: RSA Gore  |  CAKE: Jude Taylor  |  MC: Jeanette McIntyre  |   PIPER: Bruce Hastie  |  MUSIC: Caveman.

We got sun, rain, wind and hail in the space of one engagement session - but to make up for the stormy weather mother nature treated us to an incredible rainbow against the rugged cliffs at Jack's Bay.

Rachel & Glenn get married this Saturday. Thankfully the weather forecast looks tropical compared to the weather we had on Wednesday for this engagement session. These two worldly souls were absolute troopers though in the testing Southland weather conditions. It was nice to be able to get out to the coast for these portraits too as the sea is a huge part of their lives.

Rach & Glenn thank you for choosing us as your wedding photographers - we are looking forward to celebrating with you both and there won't be any need for umbrellas tomorrow!

How cool is Rach's knuckleduster of an engagement ring?! Lovingly designed by Glenn to incorporate a container ship (Rachel's line of work!) and different stones starboard and port.

Bring on tomorrow's wedding! x