Sometimes life just all comes to a head and you need to take time out.  That was me last week.  I had worked numerous (over 20) days straight, shooting and editing and the day job, and my back which has never been great since an accident a few years ago finally had enough and went into spasms every time I sat down.  Not good for editing at a desk.  So after trips to the physio, I decided to take a day off,  and also hang out with my friend Rach (who I have travelled extensively with since working together in the UK) who was over for the weekend for a family function so we had one day to catch up on one years worth of gossip (there was a lot to catch up on, she is pregnant and moving states but unfortunately not to WA…)

Anyway I met her and her partner in Freo and showed them a little bit of my town (hee hee).  Then we headed to Cottesloe for lunch then a walk on the beach.  I am so glad I thought to bring the camera at the last minute (mainly to try and get an impromptu maternity session) because I totally forgot that the sculptures on the sea exhibition was being held at Cott.  So here are a few images from my day off:

More images can be found on my flickr site here: http://bit.ly/djbcBl

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Posted by emma on March 9th, 2010 :: Filed under Weddings
Tags :: Cottesloe Beach, Perth Photography, Sculptures by the sea

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I took this tonight at the costume hire place.  I used to be the queen of homemade costumes!  A grey nurse shark (grey dress, nurses hat & apron with a shark fin at the back made of paper mache) for an under-the-sea party, a very bright lion for a circus party made from an orange dress (don’t ask me why I owned an orange minidress… I used to have a lot of op-shop clothes) orange tights, mane made from Mum’s wool stash and another orange set of tights stuffed for the tail.  And there were many other, cheap, homemade outfits.  I don’t seem to have the time anymore (ummm that might be the job, business to run etc) so we cheated and went to the costume shop today to hire costumes for a Nautical themed party tomorrow.  I am not going to ruin the surprise, you will have to watch the flickr site for a self-portrait maybe… but I took this and took a break from editing wedding photos to do a quick edit on this shot!  I wish I could go to a masquerade ball in Venice one day, these are pretty cool!

Happy Thursday!

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Posted by emma on February 25th, 2010 :: Filed under Weddings

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Casey wanted bright wedding photo, ones that pop off the page.  She was hoping for blue skys but on Saturday it wasn’t looking good for her.  I love clouds on a wedding day (sorry brides) as there is no squinting eyes, or harsh shadows across faces.  Even as Casey was motoring towards the venue it was spitting, as she walked down the jetty towards Mark, the clouds parted and Casey got her blue skies but there was still enough cloud cover to make me happy too!

I loved the details at this wedding, there were parasols and fans for guests incase it got too hot, the marque was lit by lanterns (I love lanterns!), even the wishing well had some cute photos of what Casey & Mark were wishing for.  Casey arrived via the family boat, with her father the Captain ensuring she arrived on time and dry!  The Mounts Bay Sailing Club provided the perfect location for the outdoor wedding with a beautiful view of the Swan River and Perth city.  After the ceremony guests were able to mingle on the grass eating the wonderful food that was served up and playing the giant jenga and connect four games while the bridal party and family had some photos.

Casey & Mark had a wedding to have a big party and not to be away from their guests for hours having photos, so we had a few shots on the beach and at the jetty then they went back to join in the fun while the sun went down producing a spectacular Perth sunset (we managed to convince Mark to have another few minutes of photos).   The main course arrived via Nunzio’s Mobile Pizza to satisfy the hungry hoards of guests and there were a lot of (very yummy-I managed to sneak a slice, I may have discovered the reason I gain weight during wedding season) slices going around.  When I left after the speeches and first dance, everyone was dancing the night away with the twinkling lights of the city in the background.

It was an amazing wedding and the evening ran very smoothly thanks to Michelle from Weddings by Michelle.  Casey planned most of the details, but hired Michelle to take control of the planning for the day, the set up and making everything perfect with the “I do” package.

Casey’s arrival:

Heading down to the beach for the “location” shots!

Casey looked gorgeous and so happy all day!

And look, we got some beautiful blue sky!

Heading to the jetty the clouds came over again and the light started to fade…

The bridal party and the classic “boy” shot.  Tough, very tough…

The time difference between these two shots is around an hour…  Look at how the sky changed!  And the pink another reason why I like clouds, something to do with refraction of light with moisture as the sun goes down…

More pink light!  So pretty!

Ok.  I couldn’t figure out my favourite 2 from these 4 images.  So I put them all in!  Sorry if you have a slow internet browser

Some of the details of the wedding

Now on to giant Jenga!  This is so cool but made a racket when it came tumbling down!

The pizza mobile - such a great idea at a cocktail wedding to ensure guests are well fed (and the alcohol can be soaked up…)

The cupcakes looked SOOOO yummy!  They were from the Cake Factory.

And the first dance with the sparkly lights of Perth…

Casey & Mark I hope you had an amazing night and an even better time on your honeymoon!  See you when you get back!!

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Posted by emma on February 22nd, 2010 :: Filed under Wedding Photography, Weddings
Tags :: Boat Entrance, Candid Wedding Photography, City Lights, Cocktail Wedding, Lanterns, Marquee, Mounts Bay Sailing Club, Outdoor Wedding, Parasols, Perth City, Perth Wedding Photographer, Perth Wedding Photography, Swan River

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Tina & Peter booked me for their wedding in October of this year, but then couldn’t wait and brought the date forward by 8 months!   After a few telephone calls rearranging dates with the reception venue, they chose Joondalup Resort for their venue to hold the ceremony and reception.

The day was not the typical early February day as the sun was not blasting down and there were clouds in the sky!  In Perth clouds are a good thing for weddings in Summer, no harsh sun beating down on your face, no shadows across faces, yup, I really do like clouds.

After the short ceremony in a very bush environment, the bridal party hopped on golf carts (and we photographers were driven which is why there are photos of the carts - no shooting and driving for us!) and headed out on the golf course for some photos.  Avoiding a few golfers who were taking advantage of the cooler summers day, there are a few little spots that are great for bridal portraits.  My favourite, Moon Crater, we could only visit for a couple of minutes as there were some enthusiastic golfers teeing off at the top of the hole as we arrived so while they were finding a lost ball in the rough (how good are my golfing terms? huh? huh?) we stole a few moments in the crater!

The first dance…

The partying then started in the reception, where the guests took to the dance floor and danced the Macarena, the chicken dance as well as some air guitar to November rain!  There was some serious conversation and what looks to be a case of ‘photobombing’, or a very enthusiastic group photo participant at the very least.  I like a bit of enthusiasm for photos at the reception, because most the time this is when guests start to hate the photographer…

A big thank-you to Dani from Wheatbelt Photography for second shooting for me and for her help in downloading and choosing images for the same-day slideshow I showed at the reception.

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Posted by emma on February 13th, 2010 :: Filed under Wedding Photography, Weddings
Tags :: Bridal Portraits, Golf Carts, Joondalup Resort, Perth Wedding Photographer, Perth Wedding Photography

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I started my 365 Day Project on the 1^st January this year. A 365 day project is where you commit to taking one photo a day (at least) for a year. For me, this project is about documenting my year in photos (I can never keep a diary), spending more time taking photos away from weddings and trying some more experimental photography.

So I have got to the end of January and I haven’t really tried anything new! Half the time it is a rush at the end of the day to think of something to photographer, that isn’t Lola (although I failed one day when it got to 11.30pm and I hadn’t taken any photos and she was sitting there just waiting for me to photograph). So my collage has food from various parties and bbq’s (well January is the month for socialising), organisation of various items (no more box room YAY), flora both native and random flowers in the garden, some from various portrait sessions and weddings and a couple of random batteries from my other work (don’t ask why I needed images of batteries!).

Ok I really promise to try to make February a little more visually interesting for you… now what to take for today, Lola?  Where are you girl???

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Posted by emma on February 5th, 2010 :: Filed under Weddings

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After I have downloaded all the images from a wedding and backed them up (several times… I am a little paranoid) I go through and pick out a few of my very favourite images.  I knew I was in trouble when I picked out over 150 favourites from the wedding, so suffice to say this will be a rather large blog post, I apologise to you internet download limits in advance

Azar and Jason have been together for six years, have built a beautiful home together and are the proud parents of Jamie (the dog) who you met here.  Their love of the Margaret River wine region meant it was the perfect choice for their wedding.  The ceremony was held at the beautiful Incognito and the reception at Clairault Winery.  In between we headed to Canal Rocks and Yallingup for a few photos.

It was a beautiful wedding and everything about this wedding was a photographer’s dream, the stunning location, the attention to details, the amazing dress and the couple that are so in love.

Do something arty with the rings?  Incognito provided a beautiful ocean themed table decoration!

Azar’s beautiful dress she found in Melbourne.

Charlene from November Images was my second shooter and got this shot of Jason getting ready at the same time I was getting a similar shot of Azar!

The Persian Sofreh (spread) which was laid out for the couple.  All of the items symbolise what is hoped to be in the couple’s future.  Some items laid out include honey, to sweeten the life of the couple, the mirror for light and brightness, candles to symbolise fire and energy and bread for prosperity.

The beautiful ceremony location!

Did I mention the wind?  Azar’s veil flew off just after she walked down the aisle and it didn’t let up all day!

Signing the register and tasting the honey at the Sofreh!

Canal Rocks was the first location for photos

Then the rocks overlooking Yallingup

Then THE shot as you drive over the hill and see Yallingup infront of you.

A few shots among the vines at Clairault then into the reception

Congratulations to Azar and Jason, I hope you had an amazing day and have a great honeymoon to your surprise location.  Thank you for sharing your beautiful wedding day with me!

Also big thanks to Charlene for driving me to, from and around the South West and put up with around 7 hours of me talking in the car…

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Posted by emma on February 2nd, 2010 :: Filed under Weddings
Tags :: Canal Rocks, Clairault Winery, Incognito Escape, Margaret River Wine Region, Perth Wedding Photographer, Perth Wedding Photography, South West Wedding, Yallingup, Yallingup Wedding Photography

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Bicycles and me have not had a very good history.  There was the time I flew over the handlebars and ended up with stitches on my chin. Those were the days before clear stitches so I looked like I had a little black goatee for about three weeks. Then there was the time when I was a lot older but still very foolishly decided to ride to the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland from the little seaside village of Doolin 9 kilometres away. The fact the town is at sea level and the cliffs are 700 feet high should have set alarm bells off in my head. For THREE HOURS I rode my hired bicycle in driving rain and howling wind up one endless hill, while busload after busload of tourists past me (and past me again on their way home to their cosy, warm hotel rooms and Irish coffees –mmm Irish coffee). I finally arrived, soaked through and exhausted only to realised to get the best view, it probably would have been better to take a boat out to see the cliffs. At least it only took me ten minutes to get back to my hostel and that Irish coffee…

So I was in two minds to include in my 101 in 1001 days goals list at the start of the year that I wanted to ride to work one day a week for a month. But after the last 4 months of weddings fuelled by lots and lots of lollies, editing all night with cheese, chocolate and wine as my companions of choice and general silly season excess, it is now time that I hop on my bike.

So tomorrow morning I am going to ride 15 kilometres to work (then home again too) because I want to reduce my carbon footprint. I want to be a fitter version of me. I want to be able to take in the beautiful Swan River on my journey and maybe stop to get some photos on the way. I want a better start to my mornings, without the rush hour traffic or the squish on the train. Lets hope at 6am tomorrow morning, these push me more than the knowledge of how sore I will be tomorrow night…

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Posted by emma on February 1st, 2010 :: Filed under Weddings

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I spent all last week closely watching the weather forecast for Saturday.  First it was going to be 32 degrees then it went up to 40 degrees and finally on Friday it was downgraded to 36 degrees.  Phew!  Ok still really hot but not a ‘oh no, my photographer looks like a tomato and has just melted’ temperature.  I was all prepared for Saturday with 6 bottles of frozen water, staminade and the powder in the car to make more up if necessary, 3 packets of lollies (the Natural ones cause they are healthy for you right?), muesli bars and of course all my camera gear charged and packed.

But Mother Nature was smiling upon Nat & Leon for their day as although hot, by the time we hit the beach at 4pm for the location photos, massive drops of rain plonked down and everything cooled off making for a much more pleasant afternoon!   There was even a lightning show over the water.  I did manage ONE shot with the lightning - I was so amazed!  I am never that lucky!!!

Nat and Leon met after Leon moved here 4 years ago from South Africa and have been inseparable ever since.  They met of RSVP and although Nat first thought Leon’s byline of “you finally found me” was a little cheesy, it obviously worked!  The wedding brought guests together from all over the globe, South Africa, Italy and Sydney and the reception held at AQWA in Hillarys Boat Harbour showcased what I think is one of Perth’s best features, the amazing sunset over the ocean.

Big thanks to Charlene from November Images for her amazing second shooter skills, camera covering skills when I decide to do a lens change in the middle of the windy beach (not my smartest move) and her assistance with the downloading and editing which we did to show a small slideshow on the laptop of 30 images of the day for the couple and guests after the speeches.  Also worked with Lui from Global Video and I am sure he is going to have more video footage of the awesome sky show at the beach!

The beautiful dress which Nat bought off the rack and it fit perfectly, meant to be.

This is the lightning shot!

I haven’t done a jumping shot before but these guys suggested it and after a few tries we managed to get a shot with all of them in the air!

I think it looks pretty cool actually!!!!

We went Joondalup ECU campus to make use of the Chancery building for a couple of shots.  This is the first time I have shot some images here and cannot wait to shoot there again,  I loves these shots.

Hillary’s Boat Harbour, just before they were to enter AQWA

Dancing up a storm!

Nat & Leon: a big thanks for choosing me to share your special day and for making it such a fun day!

I hope you enjoy these photos and the rest will be ready to view within a month.

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Posted by emma on January 26th, 2010 :: Filed under Wedding Photography, Weddings
Tags :: AQWA, Chancery Building, Good Shepherd Church, Hillary's Boat Harbour, Joondalup ECU, Perth Wedding, Perth Wedding Photographer, Perth Wedding Photography, Sorrento beach

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This was my first wedding in the Macedonian Orthodox Church of St Nikola in North Perth, and it has to be one of the most stunning churches in Perth. The light inside was amazing and the details were just beautiful. Definitely a hidden gem in Perth. Tracey informed me that George designed the Church and I was blown away not only with the beauty of the design, but the generosity of George in giving back to his community.

I always feel so clumsy and awkward in Churches, probably steaming from my school days where I accidentally dropped hymn books or tripped over pews sneaking in to chapel late, making too much noise and drawing attention to my tardiness… So it was refreshing to see how comfortable George and Tracey were throughout the ceremony laughing at each other and enjoying the ceremony, which apparently was a long time coming

After the ceremony the bridal party headed to Hyde Park for a short photo session. The light in the afternoon at the church was Perth’s typical harsh, bright light, but under the trees it created this beautiful light and I was so amazed at how the images turned out. I love the creaminess of the images under the trees and to me they feel like film images, not digital (which is what I try and strive for).

Thankyou Tracey & George for inviting me to share your special day, and I hope you enjoy the images from the day!

See isn’t this an amazing church?

I love the last image of George’s mother and family watching over the ceremony.

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Posted by emma on January 22nd, 2010 :: Filed under Weddings
Tags :: Church Wedding, Hyde Park, Macedonian Orthodox Church of St Nikola, Macedonian Wedding, Perth Wedding Photography

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This was my last wedding for 2009 and a short one as well.  But it was so hot and humid with grey clouds above threatening to open up and dump a load of rain down.  The rain stayed away for Sue & Jon’s short ceremony and location shots on site (and for the rest of the night too as it has been months since it has rained in Perth).

The wedding was held at Oakover Winery which was a first for me.  The theme colour yellow really suited the location, with the dramatic clouds, green vines and hills in the background it was a very photogenic location.I love any chance to pop the happy couple into the vines for a few frames before they entered the reception to party with their friends and family and I left for the comfort of my air-conditioned car.

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Posted by emma on January 19th, 2010 :: Filed under Weddings
Tags :: Oakover Winery, Perth Wedding, Perth Wedding Photography, Swan Valley, Vine leaves, Wedding photos in vines, Yellow Wedding

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