Heidi Horton Photography

We first met Dwayne & Brittney last year at a past couple's wedding. They were both in the bridal party and I remember they told us they'd be in touch once they started their own wedding planning...and here we are! These two get married in a few months & last weekend we shot up to Wanaka for their engagement session. Dwayne & Brittney are best friends, they've been together for 5 years now and have a beautiful 7 month old daughter - Rylee. We laughed our whole way through their engagement session and cannot wait for their winter wedding day to arrive!

It was blowing a gale up the lake on the afternoon of the session, but I managed to find a sheltered spot for these photos that still highlighted the lake, the views and the very last of that warm autumn colour. We couldn't start this session without first getting some gorgeous photos with Miss Rylee! So cute! Though it was probably a good thing Rylee hung out with her uncle while her mum & dad did the rest of their engagement session because she would have stolen the show. ​😍

Can we just appreciate how awesome the colours of Britt & Dwayne's outfits work for this location and the autumn colours! Perfection. ​👌

The story goes that Dwayne had this beautiful engagement ring for years (this may or may not be an exaggeration!), in fact he took it with him all round America on their OE, but it took him until early this year to finally pop the question to Brittney. I guess someone was living into the idea that good things take time hey!! It's so fun hearing couple's engagement stories. Most of the time the guys have a different take on it to the ladies!

Bring on August friends! We're so excited for your big day. xx

Pete proposed to Alex in Riverton last duck shooting season. On Friday, just before this year's opening weekend, we met this beautiful duo back in Riverton for a sunset engagement session! This was our first in person meeting since they booked us as Pete & Alex live in Christchurch, but from the moment we stepped out of the car I knew we had made new friends! 

I had a wonderful time photographing these two. We laughed our way through the whole session, as we climbed up rocks & adventured along the beach creating these portraits together. Pete & Alex were just so much fun to hang out with! And the late afternoon light we got was absolutely gorgeous. I love the candidness of these portraits and how they showcase both Pete and Alex's fun, beautiful personalities.

Once the sun sets there is a small amount of time where the sky becomes like candy floss with soft hues and a last wee punch of warm glow. It's the time of day that I love the most but it's so fleeting and often the weather conditions or sky just doesn't provide the right conditions for it, but when it does it is PURE MAGIC to photograph...

Pete and Alex - thank you for being so much fun to hang out with and photograph at Riverton last week! We loved getting to know you both a little better and we're excited for your wedding day to arrive! It's going to be a lot of fun if your engagement session is anything to go by. 

​More photos to come soon, x.

On Saturday we met Dean, Danielle and their miniature schnauzer Ted at Northburn, just up the road from Cromwell, for their engagement session. Most couples mention to me that they don't really enjoy having their photo taken and we love being able to show them at the engagement session that it can be (and should be) fun, conversational and enjoyable. After Dean and Danielle's engagement session I got a message from Danielle to say how excited they were for the wedding photos now - which just makes me super happy!

We had a blast getting to know Dean and Danielle during their sunset session. The autumn colours and light were incredible. Ted loved exploring in between posing for photos. And the location for these portraits was not only gorgeous but also special to Dean - who remembers family holidays along the shores of Lake Dunstan. In fact the stone ruins you see in the photos is the remains of the family's crib!

Dean and Danielle - thank you for hanging out with us on Saturday! We are so excited for January to roll around!!!

I'll be in touch soon with all your engagement portraits. Until then, enjoy the school holidays and I hope Ted has got all those weeds & twigs out of his coat by now! :-) x