Cheng and Shawn –a highly intelligent, motivated and dedicated couple (Cheng was studying on the day of her wedding) also gentle, gracious and very much in love.  

Cheng walked down the isle of St Peter's Anglican Church radiantly beautiful  in a sublime lace dress...and her shoes – oh those shoes...wow!  Their ceremony was filled with love, followed by a reception at Stoneridge Estate where family and friends were treated to stunning surroundings and views.

On a way to the ceremony we made a small stop off to Lake Wakatipu where ‘those shoes!’ were briefly changed for a small walk, some intimate moments and of course some photos capturing the beauty of their love in the splendour of some of the world’s finest scenery.

The photos taken that day reflect the attention to detail, the meticulous planning and resulting perfection of the day.  It was a stunning wedding, one that I feel privileged to have contributed to and participated in.

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What a fabulous idea for a 50th birthday present - a helicopter ride over Wanaka to the top of Mt Roy for a family photoshoot.

It started with a glorious autumn morning, the light gorgeous and the air alpine crisp and clear. We ‘coptered’ up over Wanaka and of course the breathtakingly beautiful Lake Wanaka before landing on Mt Roy.  Wow, those views, that scenery, in all directions.

Landing on the top of Mt Roy, I lined up the starkness of the mountain top with the classic beauty of the lake below, a gorgeous backdrop for taking photographs that capture the special bonds that knit this family together.

Turning 13 is a big deal, your life is changing, you’re moving from being a girl to a young woman. What a wonderful idea to capture that time with a photo shoot.

For this kind of photography, I always sit down with the client before the shoot and talk through what a lifestyle shoot is about and what should be included.  For Libby this included who was to be part of her shoot, what things where important to her and where her favourite places are.  My goal is to incorporate this in the shoot and to use the time to create a feeling of trust, familiarity and comfort between us.

Libby's shoot started with some images of things that were important to her (good girl shoes!!!!). This was followed by a series of shots in her home with her family.  The family connections were fab and we were able to capture the special bonds between Libby,  her parents and younger sister.

We then went out on location.  The train tracks were my idea, something a bit fun and different. Libby chose to wear her favourite dress, purchased for her end of school function.  Libby's mum was on train lookout - but don't worry, the tracks were infrequently used and we had a good view in both directions!  The lineal aspect of the train tracks made for a great contrast to Libby’s movement and dress  - great shots!

We finished the photo-shoot at Libby's favourite place, Raumati Beach - this time with a more casual look.  Not sure how much longer she will be holding her mother’s hand.......but it is captured forever.

I often take snaps of my children but don't often take time out of my busy life to take those special images that will go into albums, be sent to grandparents and go on my walls.  

Inspiration comes at all sorts of times, but for my somewhat impromptu family shoot, the location and the bed formed into a plan while I was on a run.  The bed was outside someone’s house with a sign "take me" and that’s what I did - well with my husband, Dale.  He did think it was a bit odd when I told him I wanted to take it down to the lake.

It was the end of summer, golden hour, so beautiful natural light and the lake was low.

I wanted the feeling of being free and enjoying the space.  At first the kids weren't so interested in sitting on the bed posing, so that’s when we changed it up a little and a mud fight started between the kids and Dale.  That’s when the shoot really started!

Now I am grizzling the fact I haven’t done more family photo shoots. Life is so busy, but that doesn’t stop our children growing up when we’re not looking. Before I know it they’ll be grownup and doing their own thing so I’d better start planning another ‘impromptu’ photoshoot. This time it will be in Wellington - our other home, perhaps featuring the wind and wildness of the surrounds... who knows.  I’m waiting for that moment of pure genius – but I’d better not wait too long!