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

Joe + Bianca

When I first met Joe and Bianca and we discussed their wedding day, I quietly shuddered at the prospect of my first Italian wedding. My 'holy cow!  thought bubble'  was visable. I pictured the over the top wedding party and lots of white marble (not sure where the marble came in, but you understand that I had my concerns)  Turns out Joe and Bianca's wedding was better than I could have even imagined.. take all the good things like the food, the wine, the coffee, the festivities and the amazing families.  Minus the cliche's  and throw in a contagiously fun bridal party, a fashionable early morning ceremony at 10.30am, a seriously awesome Mexican inspired photoshoot, and one of the best parties ever at the beautiful Westend Winery just on the outskirts of Griffith NSW

I could go on and on about Joe and Bianca's day, the story of the how they met, the proposal at Abbey Road, the love story was infectious. This celebration was purely and simply full of love, with so many friends and family sharing this day and making it so special. FAMILIES, will just say that word again, because by the end of this amazing day I honestly felt like this WAS how an Italian wedding was meant to be. And by the time I had said my goodbyes, I felt I could have loved them like my own.  Thank you Mum, yes, I will take an extra plate of Biscotti gladwrapped and home.

Hope you enjoy these images from this very fine day. xt

Griffith Wedding Photographer 
@Westend Estate Winery Griffith NSW