Wild and windy day

Where do I begin, perhaps I will start with an adjective and a couple of nouns, wild, windy, perfection, beauty.  4 words that pretty much sum up an incredible, amazing day.  As I awoke on the 28th of August 2009, I peeped out my bedroom window to check the day... blue sky... birds chirping... generally a perfect day to get married.  Slumbering into the kitchen after my daily bath I peek again... just to make sure.  Hmmm a little windy but shouldn't be a problem.  I then plug the fan heater which is standing in for the hair dryer I mean to buy into the wall, hmmm the wind is getting rather breezy.  Forward a few hours and a vow or two here and there, I am standing in the middle of the road desperately pleading that the winds of wrath would just die down for 30 seconds so I can get the shot.  140km or thereabouts to be exact and whilst being blown from one end of South Canterbury to the other two amazing people are standing in front of my lens totally and utterly in love wearing smiles that gleam.  She doesn't care that her veil has blown away or that her hair has been wind swept, all they see is each other and the amazing people around them celebrating their perfect windy day.   Mr and Mrs Innes, I can't express enough how amazing I think you both are.  I truly, truly wish you all the best for lifetime together, thank you for being such wonderful people.

I couldn't decide which shots I should sneak on for your 'sneak peak' so I put a few up...... enjoy

Kudos to the wonderful venue Terrace Downs and even more kudos to Kylie Raymer from Sensing Style and Jacqui Spice from A Touch of Spice wedding planners  for the design and concept and Kirsty Miller for setting it all up and making it look gorgeous.    If you haven't already been to their sites I highly recommend doing so,  it makes such a difference to a wedding when all the fine details are composed together and having someone like Jacqui and Kylie bringing it together is just magic.

How blue is the interior of that car!!!!!

Whats a wedding without a little sing star.... Not sure who won???

Snowman's are important

Who am I?  A mother, a photographer, a cleaner, a wife?    I get asked more than once a week "how do you balance it all? What's your secret"  There's no secret, actually everyday I ask myself "how do I balance it all?.....do I???"   On Thursday my beautiful children, husband and I took a 2.5 hour drive to visit our favorite ski field.  Waking up at the crack of dawn with ski pants on, bellies full of porridge we headed away on one of the years most stunning days.... stunning not only because of the weather but because we got to spend the day as a family.  Hitting the slopes, loving the snow, I decided that it would be a perfect opportunity to take a few shots.  Grabbing my 3 year old, enticing her with "lets go make a snowman" pure bribery and corruption... with light stand, camera bag in hand, we tramp to what I consider the best spot.  Whilst setting up 'my gear' Ava is trying desperately to roll some snow.... not that easy with mittens on... she yells "come on Mummy"  I respond... "hang on, hang on just getting the flash right"...... forward 10 mins, my beautiful daughter has taken to sitting in the snow head down waiting for her Mum.  I on the other hand am getting more and more frustrated that the DAMN flash wont work.    Angry that I couldn't get the 'shot' I gather Ava and my stuff and we head back to the slopes.   2 hours later driving home my heart drops my eyes well with tears (as they are doing now) and I realize that we never made the SNOWMAN.   My wonderful bright eyed daughter that was promised time alone with her Mummy creating some pretend being was denied the opportunity because I was too BUSY.

Stop what your doing, put down your broom, move away from your computer, hang up the phone, tell your babies you love them, play a game, bounce on a tramp, and always always make a snowman.

Ava I am sorry. 

And Quinn, you don't know about snowmen right now however I am sorry I made you sit in the snow, even if it was for only 10 seconds.

 

Sneak Peaks are always good

A whirlwind of events brought me to the place that I am today, life has gone from 30 km to 100 in a matter of months... or is it years, gosh where does time go??  It was only yesterday that I was kicking around the school yard, awkward and bold, how do the two mix together?  Well I managed it.... I still do... thats just who I am.  This weekend I revisited my past and had a chance to reminisce over my time at high school.  I saw old faces that haven't changed, laughs that were as recognizable from a distance.  Thank you Toni and Mike for sharing your day it was a pleasure to watch two people in love say I do.  It was great to see everyone.   Here is a sneak peak of a GORGEOUS bride and her fairly dapper NEW husband. xxx

JASMINE STAR WORKSHOP, CHRISTCHURCH, NZ "WAHOOOOOOOOOOO"

Yes you may want to read that title again... "really, truly, she's coming to New Zealand??"  The answer to that question is YES!! Jasmine Star, photographer extraordinaire is taking that massive leap over that very large puddle we call the Pacific to grace us with her beautiful presence.

I am very excited  to announce that she will be here to host one of her super fabulous workshops.

Jasmine Star is an international wedding photographer based in Orange County, California and recently voted 2009 Top 10 Wedding Photographer...although she's best known for talking too much, (more than me?????) blogging every day, and her strange obsession with canned tomato sauce.  She'll be visiting New Zealand this January to speak about The Eight Components of Branding and teaching how to brand your business around it's most valuable asset:  YOU.  The fun-filled workshop starts early, so come ready to enjoy a day of jam-packed learning, a fabulous photoshoot to discuss posing and lighting, and the opportunity to build your brand from scratch.

The Workshop fee is $900NZD  per person, which includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

TO REGISTER

http://jasminestarworkshop.com/#/registration-1/

Date?  5th January 2010

Time?  9.30 - 6pm

Where?   Art Centre, Christchurch, New Zealand

What do I bring?   Camera and gear, laptop (optional)

What do I wear?  January is summertime in New Zealand.  Although warm I would still suggest bringing a sweater just in case it gets cool.

Christchurch is a beautiful city and a perfect place to be hosting a workshop.  I have added a couple of sites that may help with booking accommodation and general activities.

http://www.christchurch.org.nz/

http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/

Christchurch Hotels

If ANYONE needs more help with information then PLEASE feel free to email me fio@fionaandersenphotography.com and I will do my best to help.

I personally cannot WAIT till January to meet everyone, its going to be super cool!!!!!

Get ready to roll

Ok another drum roll please.... big announcement to be made on Thursday the 6th of August.... "ohhh ahhhh" you say "what could it be old wise one?"  Well your just gonna have to wait... I think its very cool, rather exciting actually, got you guessing.  Other big news which I will tell, I brought some Nutella today!!!  Me being the organic mother would hussle my babies away from the spread aisle at the supermarket due to the doe eyes Ella would give me whilst passing the Nutella stand.  Well today I got a jar.... for my children you say.... NOPE for me (its under my pillow) my new obsession, Nutella and Crumpets... helllo.....Don't panic I will share with the girls...maybe?????. Impromptu photoshoot today, breaking all rules (child on the road no no no no) 

Lucky Lucky me

Yessss me me me me me.  6 months ago an email arrived at my door (computer door) asking if I would be interested in attending a workshop based on the gorgeous Gold Coast of Australia.   The organizer of this ooober awesome 3 day venture was the incredible Ainslie from Wildspirit Photography.  Of course I decided right there and then that yes, HELLO, of course I'm going.  Now keep in mind I had NO IDEA who would be there, what it would be like, where will I stay... who's gonna feed Quinn??????  Little did I know that she had begged borrowed and convinced 3 of the most AMAZING photographers/people to make the journey to join us in the sunny land of Australia.  I am so so grateful to Ainslie for organizing such an awesome 3 days of good food, photography, nutella, more photography, conversation, nutella and brilliant company.  Thank you my pretty.  My deposit is waiting and ready for next year!!! PLUS a HUGE thank you thank you thank you to the super talented Nicole Van, Zach Arias and Joey the hip hop master Lawrence for sharing their brilliance and dedication to a silly blonde from NZ, I hope our paths cross again.... "oh no its that annoying Fiona girl... quick hide" 

I never got a group shot, so here's a little Joey L action!!!