A Sydney Wedding

I often say to people that distance isn’t a problem as far as photographing a wedding. Wedding here is the same as a wedding 1000km away – I just need a bed!

I recently photographed a wedding for relatives of the family in Sydney – and although the wedding took place in the middle of western Sydney – the wonderfully laid out Nerringingy Reserve was a beautiful natural backdrop for Rob and Cathy.

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the pics!

Style and Substance

Wedding photography is all about moments. Moments you’ll never see again, or for that matter, moments you won’t remember until you see them captured.

Most wedding photographers will get you these moments, if they don’t – they aren’t doing their job.

What we like to do though, is give you style WITH the substance. We don’t just accept the fact that the emotion is on show is all there is to a picture.

We make it look cool. We make the people who are in the photo wonder how we did it. We make the photos you’ll remember. Style AND substance.

Here’s a quick flick through a selection of weddings we’ve done over the last few months. We hope you can understand the moments as they were for the couple, and enjoy the difference we bring in our wedding photography. Be warned. There’s LOTS of photos. We wouldn’t have it any other way

Adam & Carla | Gold Coast Wedding Photographer

I haven’t been up the Gold Coast for a while, but Adam & Carla’s beautiful wedding at Cedar Creek Estate near Mount Tamborine was a great reintroduction to the area.

I’ll digress for a second though. This first photo I love to bits, because not only is it a stunning image of the bride and groom, but it’s an example of the picture being something that can’t be seen by normal eyes.

The photo is not taken in the middle of the night – it’s actually taken in glorious golden light late afternoon – where the naked eye can only see brilliant, bright golden hues and warm tones. By specifically exposing for the highlights in the trees, and making the tone darker, and then lighting the couple with flash lighting, we now get this image that has mystery, it has intrigue and is something that you couldn’t possibly get from looking at the scene normally. Furthermore, there’s very very little Photoshop here, the base for the shot is all done in camera. Natural light photography has its place, and we love to use the beautiful afternoon light, as you’ll see later on – but there’s so much more that can be done by going an extra step.

Enough with the rambling though – you guys probably want to see some more pics. Here they are

2010 Australian Institute of Professional Photographers Awards | Wedding Photographer

I’ve just returned from Melbourne to attend the annual Australian Professional Photography Awards. These are an annual awards where professionals from all over the country to compete in their respective classes to gain qualifications in the AIPP, as well as have their work judged by the best photographers in the country and the world.

The standard as always is immense – and we are DELIGHTED to say we won two silver awards for our work in Wedding Open. A silver award means the photograph has scored 80 or above points, and in general the judges find it goes beyond what is considered to be standard professional practice, and shows originality or creativity. It was a rare beast this year, with many fine photographers and photographs not awarded – so we’re absolutely delighted to have scored with these two prints.

The first was taken at the Southport wedding of Holly and Josh. I got them to run and embrace each other on the boardwalk, which I shot from across the street to keep the simple composition and strong line in the photo. The boardwalk is VERY busy though, and the photo is made by the beautiful symmetry of people walking into the frame on their Saturday walk – with almost nonchalance to the wonderful moment going on between Josh and Holly on their special day.

The second image was taken at the end of last year at Jamie and Michelle’s Lismore wedding. The image is of their page boy, and whether he’s not happy to be carrying the ring, or just not happy to see me – the expression is priceless – all he has is Michelle’s guiding hands to help him along.

I’m waiting to hear whether or not I’m eligible for my first level of attainment – the Associate, or AAIPP designation – which is gotten for reaching 5 points within 4 years. I have the points necessary – just waiting on the whether it’s all official. Fingers crossed.

Enjoy the pics – the awards push all professional photographers to strive for excellence in their work, and these awards are a great recognition for the quality we put into each and every wedding. We’re great honoured.

Tim & Amy | Grafton wedding photographer

A quick look at a lovely Sunday wedding today, and with the weekend weather being anything less than predictable, beuatiful blue skies greeted Tim & Amy’s wedding held at Arcola B&B.

People often say to me that I must LOVE cloudy days as it makes weddings easier to photograph. Certainly, if you’re only using natural light, days without the harsh shadows of direct sunlight can make it easier to create nice looking photos. However, I love the colour that a full sunshine day gives, and it’s our job to control those shadows. What I like doing, is shooting the bright sunlight underexposed, to even further enrich the colour, and control nasty shadows with flash lighting, which gives a beautiful controlled and angular look to the lighting on the people. You enhance the colour, define the shape and create interest – all in camera without the need to find shade, or fix the troublesome lighting in Photoshop.

Like here!

So where do I like using pure natural light? I like the diffuse quality it has, creating beautiful soft lights through windows, or doors, and giving a soft, reflective look to people.

Or brides about to walk out to their wedding

Enjoy