This is a wedding I will fondly remember as all about love and family.

Not only did Jules and Adam have a two gorgous children of their own but it was also their family on both sides that was extremely important to them.  Every part of their day and ceremony had consideration and inclusion to make sure that their weeking represented just that - family.

For me the day that was about them and their love but also acknowledges the importance of their family. 

Mike and Rhoda feel in love with New Zealand while on holiday and like many that now live in Wanaka, decided to move here.I had the privilege of photographing them with their extended family who were visiting from the States.

For those who know Mike, he never does anything in halves.  A full family lifestyle shoot was booked including a helicopter ride to Coromandel Peak at the top of Mt Roy. 

We arrived at Wanaka Helicopters and Mike had a small chat with the pilot …Well the trip to the top of Mt Roy was soon extended to include the pilot's favorite location, Lochnagar,  a majestic alpine lake pocketed in craggy cliffs, snow and surrounded by tussock country.  What a location, it was simply stunning!  

The family had a lovely time skimming stones, and playing along the shoreline and showing off their Maori haka moves while I clicked away. As we flew back to Wanaka, we were treated to even more spectacular views over the magnificent Rob Roy Glacier and surrounds. (I love my work!!!)

Part three of the photo shoot was set in the pretty garden of Mike and Rhoda’s Wanaka home.  Lush grass, a ball and four young boys  - it’s an easy way to capture their unique personalities.  I have to say though, while I loved shooting the boys and the wider family, I adore the shots of Mike, Rhonda and their dog. It was obvious they’d had a lovely day with their family,  they looked completely content.

I managed to get so many beautiful photo’s in all three locations, such a beautiful happy family. 

Mike & Rhoda decided to treasure those memories in two beautiful Queensberry leather albums.  One as a gift for their daughter and a smaller copy album for themselves. Easily picked up and flicked through, albums are a great way to keep the memories fresh.

I have to confess to being a Mum who has occasionally taken her kids to school with her PJ's under her trackies. (“Mum, don’t you dare get out of the car!”)  One morning I woke up feeling slightly on the wrong side of the wonderful and I donned my less than vogue PJs/Trackie pants outfit to drop off the kids. As I arrived home I decided that a mood change was required and the morning was too beautiful to be wasted, so I grabbed my camera and my hairy children (the dogs) and off to lake we went. (Isn’t it great that your pets don’t care about bad hair and PJs!)  For me, taking photographs is almost like a drug.  I love the thrill of the shot, the prospect getting that ‘magic shot’ the one that captures something really special.  Taking photos is a no-fail way for me to get my ‘mojo’ back on.

When we got down to the Lake Wanaka the dogs leapt out of the back of the truck and took off like mad things, galloping around lake edge and bounding into the water, crazy on life and freedom.   Wow were they a beautiful sight!  I started snapping away, capturing their wild and carefree spirits, my mood instantly swinging into buzz mode. I knew I was I was getting amazing photos -  the glassy-still silver background of the lake paired with contrasting crazy, shaggy subjects – a photographer’s dream!

There are times when I’m capturing imageries when I do a wee squeal with excitement, knowing I’m capturing the pure essence of the moment - there were plenty of those happening. I was nailing it. Doggy glory moments caught on film forever. Morning funk over!

What is it about fun and laughter that is so contagious?  

Justin and Sharon’s wedding had such fun and hilarity that it still makes me smile whenever I think of it.  I started the morning capturing Sharon getting ready and the giggles started there. The fun intensified at the ceremony at Edgewater Resort, with an awesome boogie down the aisle (one of my favourite shots). Love and gales of laughter punctuated the whole day and being able to capture such joy in their photos was a real treat. 

This beautiful wedding was about them, their love for each other and for life itself. The fun and laughter a clear expression of who they are as a couple.

It was a delight to work with Justin and Sharon, capturing their special moments as they unfolded and whisking them away for some scenic portraits to incorporate their destination wedding in Wanaka.

May the joy, laughter and love continue throughout their married life together.

xx