The doubt inside.

Tonight I wanted to share, share about what I know and how I attempt to do it.  I wanted to keep the FAQ posts more frequent, but I have failed at being diligent, or is it that I am afraid?  I am young in this business, really young and what the heck do I know???  I doubt myself daily, and lately a lot more than normal.  How can I share without sounding like I'm all that and a bag of chips cause believe me people I AINT that!!! So maybe rather than me assume what you want to hear, post your questions in the comment box under the photo.  I will do my best to answer them and if I don't know the answer I'll ask someone!!!  We can learn together!!!

And of course I can't write a post without sharing a shot.  This is my princess, the one who keeps me sane the one who told a complete stranger that her Mummy was famous... famous in her eyes and this makes me feel good..... oh and if your wondering what I'm famous for... I'm famous for being her Mummy!

Dreamer

I wasn't good at school..... my parents will high five that comment!!  I think I wanted to be, but it didn't suit.  My mind drifts, dreams, sometimes I live in a... 'little world of my own'....  I cherish my me time when I get to dream lots of great ideas, like how I'm going to become a famous singer.... YUP.  My dreaming is probably a crux if were being honest.  I have a thousand and one ideas in my head and I want to try and test each one, however the focus on the important things gets a little lost. Today is a dreamy day!!! Yesterday was a busy day, and a great day, and a love day.  You know when you meet people and you know instantly that their hearts are huge and they are just GOOD people.  Well Charlotte and Hamish are that a million times over!!!   Salt of the earth, kind, easy, good people.

Thank you for letting me share your day.... THANK YOU!!

Enjoy your sneak peek xx

Big shout outs to Campbell Park Estate... holy guacamole need a wedding destination... look no further, comes complete with a castle!!!!  (ask for Di)

Makeup by the very clever Suzie McIlraith

Hamish (bless is heart) has a nickname of CHEESE.. (so as you can imagine) was the topic of all jokes during the photos!!

Content with being imperfect

I miss blogging.  I truly enjoy, plugging in my music, sipping on my peppermint tea and feeling magic.  However right now I don't feel perfect.  I want it to be perfect and I don't feel it.  I haven't blogged this week because I don't have 'the shot'... the one that gives me goose bumps, the one that I want to share.   But it doesn't have to be perfect.  Who cares if the sky is blown out?  Who cares if the composition is off... it doesn't have to be perfect. Tomorrow however will be perfect.   Hamish and Charlotte, you are both fabulous and I wish you all the best for your big day.  See you at the alter...... (I'll be the one with the goosebumps and yes there is a good chance I will cry!!)

xx

A view from the top.

She hadn't read my blog, she had no idea.... how was she supposed to know?..." It will  just be a quick flight, and if it makes you feel any better I don't like flying either"... so as we climb to  6 THOUSAND feet (yes people you heard me right) she was composed, calm, giggling, and I think at one stage she let out a weeeeeeeee.  Meanwhile I was scared, as in deathly afraid, once again.  Twice in one week.... COME ON PEOPLE... its just a view????  We landed safely, thank you Laurie.  I may have kissed the ground, oh I mean mountain top.  But after some quiet breaths and a thank you jesus, my heart leaped, the view was breathtaking, BREATHTAKING and at that moment I decided I was the luckiest photographer in the world!! Sheila and Steve, thank you for reminding me how beautiful our country is, and thank you for sharing your beautiful day.

I wish you all the best for the future.

Enjoy your sneak peek xx

The beautiful bride!

I love this shot, bless a man who can tie a tie!!!

The shoes, one word, FABULOUS!!

I don't think the smile left Sheila's face all day xx

The adventures of Snap and Sniff/chapter 2

' AN ODE TO MY ASSISTANT '

You carry my shoot sac, you smile and say cheese,

You make sure I am happy and easy to please.

You pick up my sunglasses and all of my stuff,

You never get grumpy, groan, sigh or go huff.

You laugh at my jokes and then laugh some more

You make me laugh back when my feet are so sore.

You are the best person I have and I know

I promise to pay you if you promise to not go!!

Lotsa luff xxx

Ohhh ohhh noted to add these are not edited, just a white balance adjustment in LR.... Straight out of the can babyyyy

My best EVA light meter.  Sometimes she's a little blurry however we get it right once in a while!!!

Helicopters and Dom

When she told me we would be taking a helicopter to the top of Mount Roy, "oh great, how cool" I squeaked.  Getting off the telephone my heart was thumping... ohhh nooooo.   Heights plus me is a bad  combination.  Whilst living in the caribbean Tonni decided to surprise me with a paragliding birthday treat.  Little did he know that 3 mins into our maiden voyage he would be the proud new owner of a tooth bitten arm and permanent hearing loss in his left ear (my cries for help).  So with prior history of fearful flights, I can quite frankly say I was DEATHLY afraid. Forward a few months and some valium later (kidding) I was lifted into mid air with two amazing fabulous people who said I do over the weekend amongst family and friends.  Lou and Mark, what a treat it was to watch and capture the love you have for one another.  Mika is not only TOTALLY and UTTERLY gorgeous, she is also so lucky to have such amazing, vivacious parents to teach her the ways of the world.

And may I add whilst we were leaving Mount Roy, Lou asked Mr helicopter man to do a few stunts.... I think this may have been when I passed out!!

Enjoy your sneak peek xx

The Newly weds!!

Lou's smile never left her face once!!!

YES this was the view!!

YES this is where they dined and drank!!!

Had to sneak a helicopter shot in...

This was Lou in utter disbelief as to how perfect the day was.  BRIGHT sun NO wind, just perfecto!!!

I think my favorite shot of the day.   Total and utter bliss!!!

BEST wedding stationery in the world!!!

I can't go on enough about how much I LOVE and ADORE details, perfect combinations, mismatched items that just scream together.  I have websites that I stalk to get my daily fix of gorgeous bits.  It makes me weak at the knees and I say silent prayers that god will perhaps grant me with detail talent and my house will then be transformed to look like its just walked out of a feature from Martha Stewart magazine! A wee while ago I came across one of these perfect sites that made my heart leap with ohhh's and ahhhh's.  I then think I screamed out loud when I saw that it belonged to a fellow kiwi and was right here on MY shores!!!

The beautiful Kate Holland creator and genius behind Ruby and Willow is not only a design god (self taught may I add) but also an amazing person who I am really excited to be collaborating with.  Her ability to make things beautiful is astounding.  She listens to her clients and loves making everything perfect.   And not only does she cater to future bride and grooms, she also designs personal stationery, for anyone that wants that boutique gorgeous touch... ahem ahem.. that would be me!!!

Available for international orders, I advise you to pop over to her site and very perfect blog for a peek into her world.

If you are from the other part of the world she also has an etsy store where her boutique items can be purchased.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/rubyandwillow

Kate and I have some fun things planned for the future so keep tuned for upcoming yumminess!!!

Here is a snippet of some of her masterpieces.  May I add she is not a bad photographer either!!!!

FAQ Part 1

So I have quite a strict routine in the morning.  I get out of bed (vitally important) I am usually the first one awake... my children like their sleep...  I turn the kettle on... yes I call it a kettle....  I slumber down to what was the playroom and is now my office/guest bedroom/playroom/junk room!!!   Sit on my very comfortable computer chair and check my emails.  Occasionally I get fabulous emails from fabulous people wanting some information about my techniques, camera, lenses etc.  It makes me feel very loved!!!  Just of late I have been getting lots of these emails and as mentioned I feel very humbled and unworthy.  I DO NOT claim to be the best, heck I'm probably not even that good, so having people wanting to know how I create some of the things I create makes me feel very proud (however very humble... did I say that already??) The first thing I will tell people is, its not me..... its the people in front of the camera.  I can push the button, find the light, have the right gear, however its the faces that stand in front of my lens that creates a picture!!!

With that being said I do think to get the clarity and sharpness from my images my 'gear' helps significantly.

So what do I use???

My bag

50 1.2          -     a lens that I love and until recently had it on my camera 24/7.

85 1.2          -     my new best friend.  This lens is at war with my 50mm they have been fighting for my attention and to be honest couldn't tell you who the winner is!!

24 - 70 2.8  -    I love this lens.  Its my story telling lens that I will use to document a moment, bride getting makeup on, group shots etc.

50 1.8           -    This was my first prime, I remember the feeling I had when I first took a shot... It had me at click!!!  Sadly I don't use this anymore as its been replaced by its big brother however will always have a special place in my soul.

85 1.8           -    Another loved lens that has hung its hat up.... sniff

5D                 -     I love you Canon

30D              -     Back up baby, back up!!!!

So that is it, my gear.  I also have a couple of pocket wizards and a 580EX flash for those hard to see moments.  I will definitely be posting more info on my techniques.  If you have any questions please let me know and I will do my absolute best to answer... but don't hate me if I get it wrong... I'm really very sweet!!!

And because I like to post photos, here is a couple from an upcoming session.  Katy you are as beautiful inside as you are outside... Thank you, thank you, thank you.

xx

Adventures of SNAP AND SNIFF/ chapter 1

Like a good cup of tea (strong with a splash of milk), cheese on toast (when someone else makes it), red wine and dark chocolate, size 4 pants that fit perfectly.... cough, cough, splutter, splutter, the list could go on.  These are my comforts, these are my oh oh oh GREATs!!    She is the same, she is my special person who, no matter what, where or how, ALWAYS there for me and I am very proud and excited to announce to the world my bestest EVA best(ie) and assistant....... the one, the only, drum role please.... Holly (do I hear an amen) Tompkins - Tuller. You people don't know whatsa commin!!!  Its wedding season, the birds are chirping, the sky is blue, love is in the air, cue the violins, Snap and Sniff are on the road (much to the horror of other road users!!)

Being as blessed as I am, I have some AMAZING brides who just happen to be  delicately placed, around this fine country we call New Zealand.  Were not a big place however we are very proud of our land and the surroundings.  Holly (aka sniff) and I (aka snap) are on a journey, one that we will take every weekend until the end of March.  And why not share our journey with everyone.  There are going to be many adventures, perhaps a competition or two???  And of course some serious belly laughs!!!

SOOOO here my dear friends,  is chapter one of the Snap and Sniff journals.

Just a few pictures of our roadie to Blenheim, yes we did have to travel in the car for 8 hours, yes we did eat pies along the way, yes I may not spend that much time in a car again.

BIG YO YO HOLLA to our friend and photographer, Mr self timer... he will be making sporadic appearances over the next few weeks!!  Without him we would be lost!!

YES this is where we live... yes its pretty!!!

A quick wee stop for some much loved Crayfish.  Nin's bin was a must do whilst traveling the Kaikoura passageway.