Heidi Horton Photography

I've had an afternoon filled with laugh-out-loud moments as I compiled this year's behind the scenes blog post! I'd completely forgotten some of these hilarious, fun moments from each of the 17 weddings we've shot this year. As much as I cringe looking at a few of these shots, I also cherish that we were a part of these awesome weddings & that we have these photos to remind us of wonderful memories made.

While I do go on about how much I love my job, it doesn't mean wedding days aren't still long days of hard work. I found compiling this blog post this year really re-freshing & re-energizing. It's been a full-on, crazy year and sometimes there's nothing better for the soul than to sit back, reflect on happy memories & have a few good laughs.

And now without further a-do, let's crack into the most popular blog post of the year...We've shot in new venues this year - from autumn garden goodness to summer stunners in the mid 30 degrees heat! 

From the iconic Wanaka Tree to the Borland Saddle!

Helicopter charters to back country roads.

And I wouldn't be doing any of this without my number 1 partner in crime and all-time favourite lighting test model...

He's so good - he'll even stand out in the pouring rain for me.

Channelling his blue steel look here. Roaw!

Sometimes I'll be his lighting test model too...

And on occasion I'll even smile...

I think it is important to note that no cakes were harmed in the making of these photos.

I swear it's all just to get our camera settings right. We've even had a videographer help us!

In all seriousness though we do actually do some work on a wedding day. Besides taking the photographs we also do our bit to make sure everything looks just right, to help ensure the day runs to schedule and everything else in between that creates our signature Heidi Horton Photography experience.

Have you noticed I've had more hairstyles than I've had different outfits this year?!

From straight to curly. All shades of red, then back to natural. And that undercut. My poor 2019 couples are probably thinking what version of Heidi will we get next year!?!

Anyway back to Matt...here's a wee series I call "How do I work this thing again?!"

And this is Matt's annual series for "Photos of the back of Heidi's head"...

At each wedding we get someone in the bridal party to take a photo of us with our bride and groom. It's always entertaining (and sometimes a little nerve-wracking) watching someone with our cameras. Here's a few "behind-the-scenes" snapshots from our budding photographers...

Whatever Matt is saying here, Shanaye & Oscar don't like it...

Oh nah, it's all good.

While we're on the subject of questionable facial expressions...

But surely for once the annual award of who can take the worst photo... goes to me with this stunner of Matt right?!

There's always at least one photo of me standing up on something to get the shot...

This year Matt decided to start copying me!

The annual 'bare foot' photo...

But usually we try to blend in to the crowd as much as we can...

Unless we're giving directions in which case we need everyone's attention.

And here's how many people it takes to get the flower girls & pageboys' to look at the camera!

Matt with his favourite celebrant...Sharyn you are lucky I love ya! ​😜

While Matt doesn't shoot at engagement sessions he is useful at holding the bags, dogs, babies, beers etc. And he also needs to get a new t-shirt!

We enjoy capturing two perspectives of all the moments.

Although this blog post is evidence that our facial expressions may not always be on point, we have a lot of fun working together.

And with our fellow wedding vendors too!

Above all we love getting to know our awesome couples, having the honour of being their photographers and sharing in all the fun & joy of their incredible days!

Lastly, thank you to Matt, without whom none of these shenanigans would be possible! Love you to the moon & back babe. x

Check out previous years of 'behind the scenes' blog posts here: 2015 + 2016 + 2017.

Earlier this year when I moved my office & studio space in to Gore, creating a separation between work and home, it created a very different dynamic which has brought about some healthy changes for me. I'm talking about that elusive work/life balance thing you hear self-employed people talking about. 

With the new office space I had hopes I would only need 1-2 days a week in there for meetings and consults (and to use Gore's much faster broadband!) while still being able to get the bulk of my day-to-day computer work done at home. However within a month of being in the new office space I realised my two years of productive working from home life was vanishing. I could no longer get motivated to work at home, I suddenly craved the office environment where there were no distractions of domestic chores or homely comforts, where I could come in, sit down and power through my workload.

I'd always been so good at working from home that at first I found this sudden change in motivation alarming. But then I realised to look at this change as a good thing. I'd finally forced myself to draw a line between work and life. The office space was for getting the work done, then I could come home and switch off. I was actually gaining that elusive balance. 🙌

Sure there are days when I am required to work from home still and sometimes I do want to just edit from the couch rather than drive into the office, but there is a new joy of coming to work and then switching off the computer and going home to be present in my life. Instead of that awkward in-between where the laptop was always open as I flitted between work and home life constantly and at any hour of the day (or evening!).

I love what I get to do as a job. And I love the life I get to live because of my business. But the transition into an office space really opened my eyes to just how merged my work and life had been. At the time I had thought I had it pretty well sussed with work routines and good workflows, but really I still let the email inbox into every awake minute of my day. As a business owner there will always be a blurred line, work can never really ever be left at the office, but that doesn't mean we should just let it be a part of our life 24/7.

Here's to continuing to create the perfect work/life balance! 🥂

Ever wondered what it's like to get your portraits created by Heidi Horton Photography?

​Right from the beginning of our business I decided to put a huge emphasis on the experience we give our clients. I believe my job as photographer is not only to take the photos but also to provide an awesome experience during the whole process. Capturing your story is not a transaction for me, it's a privilege.

With weddings that extra experience comes in many forms right from booking, through the planning stages, on the big day & after. While portrait sessions aren't as in-depth as weddings, I still bring the same philosophy to my portrait clients too. My portrait sessions are fun and relaxed, as is the whole experience from planning through to the finished product. I love the connections I get to make with the people I photograph and I strive to offer a luxury experience.

​So here's what you can expect from the portrait experience with me...

Enquiry
When you first enquire about portraits we have a quick chat about the sort of portraits you want created. We chat about potential locations, the best time of day for your portrait session, how you want to be photographed, when the last time you had portraits taken. I run you through how my portrait experience works and the pricing. I answer any initial questions you might already have.

Booking
After you've had a chance to look over my portrait information email and we've found a date that suits for your portrait session we get your booking confirmed and in the calendar. Your booking is confirmed with payment of your session fee plus acceptance of our terms & conditions which I email out to you. Our Portrait T&C's can be signed digitally online which make it easy and painless.

​This is pretty much the only formal part of the whole portrait experience and then it's on to the fun part!

Pre-shoot planning
We can do the pre-shoot planning either via email, a phone call or even a coffee date in studio. This part is all about how you want to be photographed. We talk about any goals or ideas you have for your portraits. If you already have an idea in mind of how you want to display the final products we can plan for that too. Whether you have a wall in your home you'd like to fill or maybe a keepsake box for the bookshelf - this can influence the style of the portrait session.

I also send you information & tips for preparing for your portrait session. Including what to expect and ideas for what to wear.

The portrait session itself
My portrait sessions are really relaxed and conversational. I know just how awkward it can feel being in front of the camera so I make sure everyone has a fun, enjoyable time with zero awkwardness. I'll give you all the guidance you need & I promise we'll have a great time during the shoot! 

​I don't put a time limit on my portrait sessions as every family is unique. Some sessions go for 30 minutes, others for 90 minutes! I let the sessions unfold organically - sometimes we'll start with the obvious combinations and shots, then move into capturing more candid photos. Each session is different and I encourage you to put forward any specific shots you want during our time together.

Your viewing session
After your shoot I process your photographs and invite you into the studio to view them. I play a slideshow of the images from your portrait session up on the big TV so you can see what we captured. Then we go through the photographs one-by-one and discuss options for what you might like to do with them. We can compare images side-by-side, select favourites and also look at the sample products in studio for inspiration.

I help you with ideas for getting the most from your photographs and answer any questions you may have. I can also design up a wall collage or frame series on the computer to give you a visual idea of how the finished product will look. This viewing session is all about how you wish to display and enjoy your portraits.

The final product
This is the exciting part - getting to hand over to you the final product! It's also a little sad because it brings the experience to a close (until next time!). 

I love when clients see their printed portraits for the very first time! There is something incredible about the tangible keepsake of a printed photograph. Being able to hold it in your hands. To feel and see the quality, the texture and crispness. It is at that moment that I am reminded of the true value of what I do and of what I have created for my clients. Those printed portraits will be treasured for the rest of time.