Girl in the White Dress

Married! Petar and Annie

2012-01-09T14:42:00.001+11:00

I'll go straight to the point here and say out loud what everyone else is thinking: Annie is one of the most beautiful brides I've ever photographed. I'm not sure why she's not currently shooting a movie in Hollywood but she must have her reasons ;) She also knows what she wants and has great attention to detail so no wonder their wedding was a well-oiled exercise. And that dress? One word: OMG!

Engaged: Sarah & Hagen

2012-01-09T14:11:00.000+11:00

Happy New Year everyone!! I've been very slack in the blog department but today is the day I catch up :)

So my first blog post of the year is this cute engagement session taken at the Rocks back in November. Sarah and Hagen were a joy to photograph. They were all over each other and Sarah is one uber-beautiful woman (sleek hair, check. high cheekbones, check. perfect skin, check) *sigh*

Married! Glenn & Belinda (and why I love Lebanese weddings)

2011-11-22T11:26:00.001+11:00

Usually when I'm told I'm going to shoot a multicultural wedding, two things happen: 1) I'm scared (long hours), 2) I'm excited. Excited because I know it's going to be full of stuff. Of the good kind. Full of rituals, full of people, laughter, family and grandmas who want to feed you until the break of dawn. And I love it, because it makes us feel like we're close friends who are attending a personal wedding except we happen to be shooting it. The long hours are no longer an issue as they disappear into the adrenaline of the day.

Belinda and Glenn are two of the nicest couples we've had the chance to deal with and we love seeing couples who are so right for each other. Wishing them both a lifetime of happiness together x

Centennial Park wedding: Mark + Kellie

2011-11-03T09:52:00.000+11:00

This wedding was so much fun. It really felt like the day was about friends and family rather than focusing on just the couple. Kellie kept making sure everyone was happy and I loved how she was saying hello to everyone walking down the aisle. The result was a very relaxed and happy atmosphere and lots of hilarious candid shots. Oh and did I mention they have the most beautiful dog ever?? He wasn't able to come to the reception but the couple made sure there was a framed photo of him displayed at the venue :)

Vietnamese/Catholic wedding: Dennis + Lam

2011-11-03T09:27:00.002+11:00

Mmm not too sure where to start with this one as there was SO MUCH to it. Some weddings can feel like a succession of events but this one was just deep and meaningful at every moment. I loved the contrast between the cultural richness of the Vietnamese tea ceremony (and outfits!) and then the Catholic ceremony at the church (and again the outfits, beautiful wedding gown!). There were so many hugs, laughter and tears. I could have happily been adopted by either side of their family! Even though it was one of the longest weddings I had ever shot I came home feeling uplifted.

North Sydney Wedding: Huw + Samantha

2011-11-03T08:55:00.001+11:00

Time to catch up on my latest weddings! October is the craziest month for weddings so it can be a bit overwhelming keeping up with all the shooting, editing, blogging while making sure my clients are happy. I don't like backlogs and believe in quick turnarounds so it's a month where my head stays in the sand pretty much the whole time until things are done and dusted.

So here is the wedding of Huw and Samantha, which was a beautiful classic church wedding in North Sydney. I was delighted when Sam asked me to choose the location for the photo shoot after the ceremony as I was ble to pick Lavender Bay which is one of my favourite spots: Very unique with beautiful flowers and lots of shade when the sun is a bit too high.

Sam and Huw are now honeymooning all over the world and if it wasn't for the busy season I would have happily jumped in their suitcases.

Botanic Gardens and Doltone House Wedding: John & Michelle

2011-10-18T10:13:00.000+11:00

When I first met Michelle and John over a year ago, we laughed that Michelle was indeed very organised to book their photographer so early. Their wedding seemed sooo far away back then. And yet, it feels like that meeting was yesterday.

You might remember them from their engagement session here. Michelle promised herself she would not giggle as much on her wedding day, although I was hoping she would! What better than a constant smile?!

I knew Michelle would be planning the perfect wedding and think of all the little details. And it was exactly so; the kind of wedding little girls dream of. Even the weather turned miraculously from awful to amazing within just a few hours. The best part is that it wasn't only gorgeous on the outside. The wedding was filled with laughter and tears of joy throughout the day.

Wishing you all the happiness in the world Michelle and John!

Shark Beach Engagement: Andrew + Michelle

2011-10-14T13:59:00.000+11:00

You'd be forgiven to think that Michelle and Andrew were newlyweds. You'd think that it would be easy, while in the honeymoon period, to look so in love, connected, happy and share such strong chemistry.
The truth is, Michelle and Andrew have been married for 2 years! March 2009 to be exact, just like my husband and I (which surely is a sign it's all going strong for us too ;).

It was a real pleasure working with two warm and happy people and I'm thankful they chose me to document their love.

Lilli Pilli Wedding: Rohan + Jennifer

2011-10-04T10:26:00.000+11:00

Jennifer is what I would call an "easy-going perfectionist", a rare combination. Perfectionist enough to have every detail of her wedding day perfectly organised, yet laid back enough to just go with the flow if things don't turn out exactly as planned, which makes working with her a real treat. Oh and did I mention she's a professional hair and make-up artist, which means she looked absolutely flawless?
Rohan was no less warm and friendly, and along with the wedding party it seemed like we were shooting on the set of "Friends".

As of late the Sydney weather has been very moody which proved to be very upredictable for my last few weddings. This usually works well for me as I love a bit of weather drama with strong winds and contrasty clouds. Somehow the sun always manages to wink at us at some stage and it all becomes magical.

Doltone House Wedding: Paul + Danielle

2011-09-28T11:58:00.000+10:00

Shooting a lot of weddings is a great source of inspiration for my own wedding. Except for the fact that I'm already married. Indeed, I had the SUPERB idea to get married in a state of absolute bridal cluelessness before I came across all the prettiness and genius ideas available out there.
Don't get me wrong, we had a great time surrounded by our friends and family, and this is what counts after all. However, when my husband and I are shooting a wedding and we come across the cutest/quirkiest/funniest little detail we look at each other and we just know. We know this could have been included in our wedding too. And don't tell me the candy bar, oversize chandelier or the framed photo of our grandparents' wedding were there in spirit. They just weren't there, but here is the thing: It makes us appreciate the little things at other people's wedding more. Which means we know we can't let them go, and we need to record them because in a few years time they will bring back smiles.

So here is Danielle and Paul's wedding, which could have also inspired us on many levels. Namely I loved their "Wedding Tree" on which guests put their fingerprints to form the leaves. What a great keepsake! I could also have stolen her smile, cat's eyes and high cheekbones, but then again my husband chose me, hamster cheeks and all.

The little story behind this wedding is that it was absolutely pouring rain for most of the day. Non stop. We're used to showers here and there and we know we can usually shoot in between the cracks. However, this was like an open shower left unattended. Luckily, the rain stopped just as the ceremony commenced and we got to shoot outside afterwards as planned. The sky was dramatic, the light flattering and the sun was peaking though the clouds. Perfect!

Manly Wedding: Glen & Gemma

2011-09-07T17:08:00.000+10:00

I really don't know where to start with this wedding. Every aspect of it was so perfectly organised that the day felt easy and happy, just like Gemma and Glen (or "Glemma", how cute!). To be honest, it had much to do with Gemma's friend Justene who acted as wedding planner from the start. And a really good one at that. If I could afford to hire her as my EA/ human reminder/ guest police I totally would!!

As we went down to Freshwater, we were blessed with perfect weather: just enough sun to get some gorgeous sunset shots, and just enough clouds to add a bit of drama. The main ingredient though was the playfulness of the wedding party and couple. Things can never go wrong with people who are genuinely happy and relaxed.

Richard and I were sooo well looked after during the whole process that we can't thank them enough.

I had a lot of trouble cutting down the number of pictures to show, so here is a bit of a lengthy post but I hope you enjoy it!

Lavender Bay wedding: Rob & Lindsay

2011-08-27T23:04:00.000+10:00

Rob and Lindsay were much fun to work with. I loved the fact that they were after a mix of traditional but also fun/quirky shots. It makes for a wedding album that is varied, timeless and light hearted. Their choice of locations was magical. The ceremony was held in Mrs Whiteley's Gardens at Lavender Bay which is always so lush and intricate, and could easily be used for a remake of Alice in Wonderland. We then walked through Luna Park which provided the perfect dose of quirkiness. I just love the contrast between the classical beauty of the newlyweds and the fun and childlike twist of the fair backdrop. To finish things in style the reception was held at Aqua, a restaurant overlooking Sydney harbour and Olympic pool. Perfect!

Botany Bay Engagement: Ish & Terri

2011-08-15T14:25:00.005+10:00

"We are both grown-ups who never thought would fall in love again let alone get married" wrote Terri in one of our first e-mail exchanges.
I found this statement very endearing and couldn't wait to meet them in person. It turned out Terri and Ish are two of the funnest and happiest couples I've had the pleasure to work with. If you think that love and passion belongs only to the twenty-somethings, think again. Ish and Terri are like two peas in a pod who make each other so happy. Funnily enough they are both originally from the UK but met in Australia!
I loved how they were constantly laughing, on and off camera. I hope these photos will make you smile, their happiness is infectious!

Strickland House Engagement: Michael & Nadia

2011-08-05T12:24:00.000+10:00

A word of warning before you start looking at the photos: you might want to put your sunglasses on because Nadia is just ridiculously beautiful. To make things worse, she's from Malta and has this little accent that makes her even cuter. And then there's Michael, a true charming gentleman that complements her perfectly.
No need to say the camera loved them, and the backdrop of Strickland House in Vaucluse was perfect.

Elkington Park Engagement: Glenn & Belinda

2011-08-01T14:29:00.001+10:00

The first thing Belinda probably did last Saturday was check the weather forecast. Because, clearly, we were not ready to postpone their engagement shoot yet again. The weather had been so bad the last few weeks that we thought this shoot would never happen. But it did, and we had some amazing winter light.

Glenn and Belinda chose Elkington Park because it's a place where they often like to hang out, a place with beautiful trees and breathtaking water views. They are a fun couple to work with and I'm very much looking forward to their wedding in November!

Love, faith and a sprinkle of purple: Josh & Vanessa

2011-07-13T21:57:00.002+10:00

Josh and Vanessa are certainly the youngest couple I have ever photographed. Yet they looked as mature and ready to settle down as people who get married later in life. Their family values and strong faith would have played a big part in building a strong bond and foundation for their life together.

Josh is actually an enthusiast photography himself, and as always when I deal with people who know their f/1.2 from their f/2.8 , I get a bit more nervous than usual :)

The couple chose to have the location shoot done at Carss Bush Park, and it was a great idea because we had the most amazing light. The wedding party was fun to work with, which made the whole experience very lighthearted and enjoyable. Oh, and although it's not obvious on the photos, it was actually really cold. Well done to the girls for such patience in their summer dresses!

Gunners Barracks Wedding: Aaron & Tiphaine

2011-06-07T05:19:00.003+10:00

To be totally honest, I am very biased when it comes to this wedding. Tiphaine, the bride, is French, so of course, we became a little bit best friends behind everyone's back ;) Her French family and friends were getting ready at her place, and speaking in my mother tongue with them made me feel like an old friend from the moment I stepped in.
Biased or not, I'm sure everyone will agree that the simple style Tiphaine chose for her dress and hair suited her perfectly. Understated elegance at its best. It was refreshing, modern and sexy.
Let's not forget the groom, Aaron, so well matched to Tiphaine and just an all around great guy. Together they have a little boy Levi, the cutest in town. Biased or not.

I'm not sure if this is a French thing, but Tiphaine had her make-up applied lying down on the couch. What a great idea!! It's also good to know that this family really loves photos! Not many people actually take the time to have their photos developed and framed, and I just LOVED their family wall.

I'm totally in love with this dress. Ok, on her. On me, it probably would have looked like I was wrapped in curtains.

Tiphaine was worried that her apartment wouldn't be very suited for photos. I'm saying, bring on the zebra cushions!!

Yummy milk & honey tones...

Gorgeous Levi and cutest costume EVER

Meanwhile...

It was absolute pitch black when I took this photo. I was directing but could not see anything and had no clue what they were doing. I fired the flash and quite liked their pose!

Sydney Uni - Baulkham Hills - Watson's Bay wedding: Wes + Ruth

2011-05-16T11:56:00.000+10:00

You LOVED their engagement session, and here they are again, more handsome and in love than ever. Wes & Ruth, who took their wedding so seriously that their run sheet for the day was 9 pages long (awesome job Ruth!) and they got up at 4am to get ready. Also, the bouquets, invitations and many more details were lovingly and meticulously done by them.

Because there wouldn't be enough time for a location shoot in the afternoon, Wes and Ruth opted to see each other before the ceremony. And it was just as emotional as seeing the Bride for the first time walking down the aisle. This gave us time to have a location shoot at Sydney University which is officially one of my new favourite places to take photos! This building is out of this world and so appropriate for a wedding shoot. Luckily for Wes and Ruth, we ALSO had a bit of sunset light left at the end of the day to take a few shots at Watson's Bay.

Botanic Gardens & Opera House Pre-wedding session

2011-05-12T10:50:00.027+10:00

When Canny contacted me for a "pre-wedding" session, I assumed she meant "engagement". Little did I know that what she meant was that she would actually be wearing a wedding dress! Canny and Tony live in Hong Kong and explained to me that in Asia it is very common to have "pre-wedding" pictures done. Not only that, but if it can be a destination pre-wedding shoot then all the better! Hence their choice for Sydney. With this in mind, we made sure we got some Sydney staples like the Opera House and Harbour Bridge in the photos.

It was the first time I shot in the Botanic Gardens and I LOVED it. It's up there on my top locations to shoot, because of its prettiness, variety and gorgeous light.

Beautiful Classic Greek Wedding: Anastasia + Angelo

2011-05-05T17:29:00.000+10:00

After Anastasia and Angelo's engagement session last February, we kindly asked Julia Roberts to move over since Anastasia's smile clearly is the new benchmark. This time I will ask Will and Kate to step aside because the beautiful Greek wedding I had the chance to attend last Sunday was nothing short of royal greatness. I am pretty certain that if Anastasia was fantasising about her big day as a little girl, this was her dream come true. The dress, the Prince Charming, the love, the smiles, the sunset, the dancing. It was all there.

Pyrmont Park wedding: Ceri + Foad

2011-04-29T17:21:00.001+10:00

On the morning of Saturday 23 April, I looked through the window and thought of Ceri and Foad. It was heavily raining and their outdoor wedding was just a few hours away. For having been a "plan B" bride myself (our ceremony ended up in a windowless room instead of the under-the-lovely-tree-in-the-vineyard scenario), I knew there would be some disappointment. Even as I greeted the bride as she was coming out of the car, under a black sky and fine rain, she suggested we moved the ceremony to the cafe nearby where the reception was organised. Luckily the celebrant pushed for going ahead as planned, and it was the best decision ever made in the History of mankind. Am I exaggerating? Maybe a little. Nonetheless, the rain remained gentle though the ceremony, and just as we started the location shoot the skies parted to let a sublime albeit soft and gentle sunset beam peak though the clouds. And on cloud 9 we were...
The official theme of the wedding was orange and blue, but I think they meant 1920s industrial vintage. And it's a compliment.

Special brownie points go to this couple for: a down to earth, intimate and personal wedding. One of my favourites of the year so far!

Surf, Beach and a gorgeous Redhead: Sarah + Ryan

2011-04-25T20:52:00.001+10:00

Ryan is from Ireland, Sarah is from Australia. However, with Sarah's red locks and Ryan's beach blond hair, a surfboard in one hand and a beer in the other, you'd be forgiven to think it was the other way around.

I love love love when a couple laughs as much as they did. And that despite the fact that the weather was so terrible that all their plans had to be turned around. The ceremony that was going to take place on top of a cliff overlooking the ocean had to be held at the reception venue, and was postponed by a couple of hours. This also meant not much time for couple photos as the sun was coming down rapidly. However Sarah and Ryan kept their eyes on the big picture and went though it all with utter happiness.

Invanhoe Park wedding: Jessica + Tone

2011-04-20T17:26:00.002+10:00

Here is a couple who is very much in love and who made us feel like friends from the start. The ceremony took place at Ivanhoe Park in Manly which pretty much looks like a little paradise. After the ceremony we headed to Shelly Beach and North head. The location shoot was challenging as Jessica had injured her ankle a few days back and could not walk on the sand. It was also late and by the time we arrived at North Head it was nearly completely dark. My "natural light" photographer within felt very much out of her comfort zone using flash outdoors!

A little anecdote which is worth mentioning since quite rare: The groom actually took on the bride's last name! When I asked him why he chose to do so, he explained that it was a fresh start for him and that he liked his wife's name better. Something to think about for all the future grooms out there... :)

You will quickly see that purple was the dominant colour of the day. This is not a random theme, apparently purple is an obsession running in the bride's family!

Lavender Bay wedding: Leanne + Elvin

2011-03-30T12:40:00.000+11:00

Leanne and Elvin truly deserve brownie points for being one of the nicest and easy going couples I've had the pleasure to work with. Their wedding really wasn't about showing off or being the prettiest, it was a true celebration of love. I appreciated the simplicity and genuineness of it all. I think Leanne and Elvin bring out the best in each other and it naturally shows on the photos. Elvin kept making Leanne laugh, which is always a photographer's delight!

The Rocks Engagement: Ruth & Wes

2011-03-28T15:05:00.002+11:00

Some couples have such great chemistry, love and playfulness between them that the pictures just take themselves. Seriously, I could just leave the camera there, go and have a bath, eat a bite, watch a movie and come back and the memory card would be filled with pretty pictures on my return.
Well, Wes and Ruth are such a couple. My directing was limited to just stopping them in whatever they were naturally doing and take the shot. Ruth oothed feminity and grace while Wes showered her with attention. Meanwhile they were laughing non-stop. Despite the rain.

Rose Bay Wedding: Amanda and Michael

2011-03-21T15:10:00.002+11:00

First of all I'd like to thank Richard Jules from Richard Jules Photography for giving me the opportunity to co-shoot this wedding with him. I had never been a second shooter before and it was refreshing to just enjoy the day without feeling the usual pressure, not that I gave it less focus or attention!

This wedding was nothing short of a fairytale: Stunning bride, love and laughter, topped with rain and wind to add a bit of drama for memorable photos. I loved it all! The couple was so in love that it was impossible to take a bad photo of them two. There were constant smiles, kisses and twinkles in their eyes.

Kirribilli Wedding: Adriana + Mark

2011-03-02T19:43:00.002+11:00

When I first met Adriana, it was a cold and rainy day. I was coming by boat, so we decided that Max Brenner Cafe at the Manly ferry terminal and its hot chocolate was the ideal choice. And it was. Because I don't actually recall we talked about photography at all. We spent the hour just talking about our lives like long lost friends in front of a fireplace warming our hands with hot mugs. We exchanged stories and family photos, and by the end of it I felt I had known Adriana for years.

While having her bridal make-up done, Adriana confessed that getting married to Mark was extra special, because they had been together for 11years. It means a lot, she said. After all these years, here she was, and here he was, still wanting to spend the rest of their lives together.

Nielsen Park Engagement: Anastasia + Angelo

2011-02-23T10:54:00.000+11:00

Julia Roberts move over, because Anastasia is kicking your butt in the smile department. No wonder Angelo has chosen to spend the rest of his life with THAT smile (and the rest of it).

Speaking of Angelo and Anastasia, with names like these I just could not not photograph them. I swear if I ever have twins that's how I'm going to call them. Yes, even if they are both girls.

Without any further ado (love this expression, and thought it was a very appropriate moment to use it), let me introduce you to Anastasia and Angelo. We are so looking forward to photograph their Greek wedding in May, from what I've heard it's going to be full of awesomeness!

Doltone House Wedding: Lan + Tom

2011-02-16T12:36:00.001+11:00

I cannot believe how long it's been since I last blogged. My new year resolution is definitely to blog more, blog fast, blog hard. Think wit and humour, spirited content, mesmerizing photos, inspiring writing.
Or maybe just blog more for now. The genius within will have to wait just a little bit longer.

So here is my first wedding of the year, the one of Lan and Tom, the union of Asian and Croatian cultures. This meant a big, ritual-filled wedding, with lots of dancing, laughter and good food!

Jervis Bay Wedding: Desiree & Dhany

2010-12-03T19:21:00.002+11:00

I'm probably the only person who doesn't mind crying at work. My advantage is that I usually have a camera in front of my eyes, which comes in quite handy.
One would think that attending many weddings would make us photographers less sensitive to emotions. But this is not the case! If anything, it's emotions that make us love our job more and keep us going. We are on the lookout for them all the time. Just like love makes the world go round, love is our inspiration. We need to feel in order to produce images that breathe those feelings.

This brings me to Desiree and Dhany's wedding (some of you might remember their engagement session). This was one of the most love-filled weddings I had the honour to witness. Love between the Bride and Groom, love between the couple and their parents, love between their friends - all of them. So, of course, lots of hugs and I love you's were exchanged, and tears were running down cheeks. Emotional highlights included tributes to Desiree's mum who passed away a while ago. Myra from My Violet, as a true wedding florist superstar, included a photo of Desiree's mum in the Bridal bouquet. This especially resonated with me as I lost my father a few years ago and my Godfather walked me down the aisle instead.

Dhany and Desiree are truly beautiful people inside and out, and are so respected and loved by everyone around them. They treated us like friends from the start and even invited us as guests at the reception. We had the most wonderful time.

Desiree and Dhany, thank you for being who you are, for being our new friends, and for bringing so much joy to your loved ones. Have a fantastic time on your honeymoon in Mauritius! x

Sydney Engagement: Michelle & John

2010-12-03T12:52:00.001+11:00

I love Michelle and John, and not just because they booked me on the spot at our first meeting! :))
If I had a list of what would make the ideal client, they'd tick off all the boxes: Happy, friendly, down to earth and anti-bridezilla.

Before their engagement session, Michelle sent me an e-mail explaining that she was nervous because she's usually uncomfortable in front of a camera and she's not photogenic. YEAH RIGHT! As you'll see, Michelle is particularly photogenic, and she kept laughing during the whole shoot which is a photographer's dream! John also played the part really well and didn't shy away from showing his love and affection for Michelle.

Michelle and John, I'm so grateful you chose to go with me to document your wedding and I can't wait for next October!

Bride getting ready: Katie

2010-12-03T12:14:00.002+11:00

Oh my I'm soo behind with my blog posts, so I'll keep this one short and sweet.

This one is a bit special as I only covered the bride getting ready. Katie had already booked her wedding photographer when she got to know about me, but she still could book me for the preparation part of the day. I'm very thankful for this as it's my favourite part to photograph, so it's a bit like going straight to dessert :)

Also, it's the only wedding where I never got to meet the groom!!

Sydney Engagement: Pom and Seng

2010-10-05T12:05:00.002+11:00

This engagement session kind of fell on my head out of nowhere. My friend Louise had been asked by her friend Pom to take engagement photos of her and her fiance Seng. The only problem was, Louise had never done an engagement session before... When I received an e-mail last week asking for help ("to come along" more precisely), I was more than happy to oblige. I love engagement sessions! They are definitely less stressful than weddings, much shorter and the creative possibilities are endless.
When I saw how gorgeous Pom was, I immediately knew we were in for something very pretty...

Boudoir Photography - Angela

2010-09-05T14:29:00.006+10:00

Now for something totally new for me: Boudoir Photography.

For those interested, a boudoir is a lady's private bedroom, sitting or dressing room. The term derives from the French verb bouder, meaning "to pout" (thanks Wikipedia for this short, precise, concise explanation). I find this term very cute and, mainly, it prevents a lot of embarrassment. After all, it's much easier to request a "Boudoir" session that request a, "you know, something a bit erotic but not too much". It's also much easier to justify it (or even show it) to friends: "Look at my Boudoir session" sounds much better than "would you like to see pics of me with my clothes off?".

So here you go internet, a sneek peek into my first session. I say sneek peek because for privacy reasons not all pictures can be featured on the blog. The picture below was approved by Angela who played the game beautifully. And beauty she had plenty...

I think this would be my favourite of the session. Gorgeous face and matching shoes!