Hitched

I have to confess I have a guilty pleasure called 'the magazine syndrome'  that is when all else fails/ I feel ugly/ I am not going to be taken out for dinner/ I don't have a live in housecleaner* or all of the above, the brand new glossy (or in this case fine art paper) mag comes to my sweet rescue. Its a guilty pleasure. I am not talking about the mags you read at the supermarket checkout, don't get me wrong, I like knowing what  Brittany has been up to.. but  the sweet beautiful fresh 'I shouldn't be spending over ten dollars on a magazine' Magazine is the answer. The likes of  the beautiful Hitched Magazine, White Magazine, Frankie, Hello May, etc.  I get lost in those beautiful clean pages.

Needless to say I was just a bit excited  to have one of the  gorgeous couples I've had the pleasure of photographing end up on the pages of  Hitched Magazine this month.  Hitched,  the 'non bridal' bridal magazine,  The Frankie of the wedding set, features some amazing real weddings from around the globe..that is the 'real bits, not just the fancy stuff that you put on your wall.  Hello  New York..Ibiza...  Griffith . Yep, thats right bring that Griffith NSW!

Joe and Bianca firstly I want to say thank you for letting me share your wedding with the world, and for being awesome (five star awesome).. It makes me proud to look at these images, takes me back to just one special day, it transports me.  Just like a good magazine should.  And for those who haven't picked up Issue #3 of Hitched Magazine here is ..
Hitched BABY! enjoy

Wagga Wagga Wedding Photographer 

Jess and Trav

I just love where each wedding takes me. My first wedding for the season seems like so long ago now, but looking back on Jess and Travs wedding day it reminds me of what an honour it is to be given the task of documenting such an amazing time in peoples lives.  I try mostly just to be the fly on the wall watching it all unravel, but its hard not to laugh, and not to cry..  Here is a beautiful snippet, bringing the first mini-blog post of the season, and a little taste of Morocco.

Wagga Wagga Wedding Photographer

Gold.. always believing

I know some days having a glamour job (talking about being a photographer) aint all as grand as what it would seem. Yes, there are little things like editing, and admin, and lying in sheep poo, and editing, and watching people drink beer, and tax, and editing.. you get my drift... but some days are diamonds. I mean literally GOLDEN. Lets just say I am now officially the luckiest Emerging Member of the AIPP (that is the Australian Institute of Professional Photographers) that they have ever seen.
For the last few years it has been a highlight of mine to choof off to the big smoke and watch the Annual print awards, where the countries most amazing talent put up their wares for everyone to see, they then mingle and party and inspire and support each other, I've watched (and quietly stalked) the likes of Todd Hunter McGaw, Dan O'Day and Jonas Peterson to the point that their people tell me to stop calling. My superstars are women like Charmaine Otto, and Samantha Lishman, and Vicky Papas Vergara who do it all and then go home and be good mothers with sensible hair cuts who pack school lunchboxes (except not the haircuts) I am in awe of them. So when I was finally convinced by my good friend and mentor Mercury Megaloudis, Grand Master yada yada ,  (a hundred years ago apparently he won everything there was to win at APPA) I thought OK, that will be my goal.

I will enter the awards.  So the daunting process of picking three images began, closely followed by the printing process *thank you Lydia at Megagraphics for your patience and understanding. Then of course the judging held at the  Melbourne "i'm not in Kansas anymore" Convention Centre.

To give you some idea, over 3000 images are judged, you would be very hard pressed to see a 'bad' image, I was just proud to be amongst it. Out of all those images  33.3% were awarded Silver Awards, 7% Silver with Distinction, and then the thing every photographer there dreams of.. Gold *heavens part and angels sing  2.83% of images received Gold Awards.

So to cut along story short, below are my three images.
#1  Silver Award in Wedding Category
#2  Gold  Award in Family Category
#3 Zero Award, but entered it in the Wedding category

Thank you again to those who supported me.  Thank you to my husband who did several loads of washing, that is a gold award right there.  Thank you  Gran for parenting for me when I am off shooting a wedding, thanks Willsy, Eliza and  thanks Claudie for including me in school news * my Mum is the BEST.  Lastly thank you Mercury, Understatement: Boy I have learnt a lot in the 12months I have known you!  Thank you to my clients who let me into their lives.  I want to give you  the best I can do,  I want you to love your wedding images and I want you to put that family portrait on the wall. This is just an award ....Oxygen, breathe  (thank you x)

Wagga Wagga Wedding and 
Wagga Wagga Family Portrait Photographer
Gold Award at AIPP 2013

the wagga wagga bride book

Finally the launch of a new project I have been working on with fellow wedding guru Miss Ali. Oh how we have had fun! .. and yes, in case you are wondering its a blog, not a book..yes, I know .. I know, but you never know??? If you haven't already checked it out, it is here at waggawaggabridebook.blogspot.com.au

meantime, back to doing what I do..wagga wagga wedding season hello to you! 

Wagga Wagga Wedding Photographer 

for the Wagga Wagga Bride Book

you and I

Today is my daughters thirteenth birthday. It was only yesterday I held her in my arms, all wrapped up and kissed her face, I know it has been ever so gradual, a slow process of letting go, but it has also been like a speeding train, to this moment.  How did I get here?  Just like how did Taylor Swift get on my Ipod? How did I get so 'uncool' overnight, and who is this beautiful girl/ woman I see in front of me? A million things have changed , just one thing the same.
Love like your heart aches x

Here is a little family that remind me .. rewind, back to the start and enjoy those cuddles today, they will be a little different in years to come,  but still the same.

Wagga Wagga Wedding and Portrait Photographer
@ Narrandera NSW

little birdy

I had this conversation a while ago .. to style or not to style? Recently I've had the pleasure of working along side some fab Wagga chicks who Style for a living, Oh what a lovely affair!.. but more about that soon. Meanwhile todays gorgeous distraction is  Ms Katie with those lovely locks.
Thank you Jacqui who is responsible in part for Kates 'do'  and for  Ali at Gypsy Girl for makeup.
Thanks for letting me slip this extra shot into your big day out x

Wagga Wagga Wedding and Portrait Photographer

I adore

no secret, I adore engagement sessions. I love it when a couple take time out to simply enjoy life before the crazy haziness of wedding day sets in. Yes..yes, wedding days are special too, but lets face it, we have much more time for truly relaxing, I mean actually sitting and watching the world go by, get cosy, ..and oooh my goodness how pretty does the lake look?  before you know it, its almost (almost?) like the photographer isn't even there.

Combine that with a very cute couple ..and one of my other fave things, the winter photo sesh.

Bliss. Rug up, snuggle up and enjoy this special time Carly and Ben. will see you again soon x enjoy

Wagga Wagga Wedding Photographer 
@ Temora NSW