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

Baby Charlie had a bumpy start to life, receiving urgent open heart surgery just days after being born. Charlie had a congenital heart defect called Transposition of the Great Arteries. But now over two months after his surgery there's no looking back - this kid is growing so fast, full of smiles and absolutely loved my camera during his portrait session earlier in the month!

There is so much goodness, happiness and love in these portraits which tugs at my heart because I know that Tish & Phil have been through hell and back on this journey with their family. I'm just so happy to see them out the other side and to see Charlie thriving. These portraits tell a story - they remind us of what a wee warrior Charlie is, but that he is also part of a very special family. I first photographed Phil & Tish three years ago now - an engagement session before their wedding. It has been such a privilege to continue to be their photographer through life's milestones. Phil & Tish just imagine your next family portraits with the boys running in two different directions! 😆

As much as I love capturing that fleeting newborn phase, I have to say 2-3 months old is my favourite age for baby portraits because you get to capture so much personality and awareness.

This image below just cracks me up. I remember Fletcher giving me all the facial expressions during his portrait session at the same age!

Phil & Tish - thank you for asking me to photograph your beautiful family. I loved getting to spend some time with Charlie and catching up with you all! These photographs are rolling off my printer today and they look incredible. Can't wait for you to see them.x

The beautiful Santer family (from Napier!) spent a fun weekend together in Wanaka recently celebrating Kim's birthday. Judy asked me to create some family portraits while they were all together and so I caught up with them one afternoon to document the occasion.

It's always so fun meeting new people & I'm often blown away with how people find me and how their story brings them to be in front of my camera. It was serendipity that Judy reached out online to enquire about portraits and that I happened to be up in Central Otago the very weekend that Judy wanted to do these photos.

​Here's a few of my favourites from their session.

Judy thank you so much for organising these family portraits with me. I loved meeting you and your beautiful family & hope these photographs bring back happy memories of a lovely weekend spent celebrating family in Wanaka.