Jimmy + Ash | Slater Homestead Goomalling | 12 August 2017 {Avon Valley & Wheatbelt Wedding Photographer}

It was a dark and overcast Winter day for Jimmy and Ash's wedding, held at the beautifully restored Slater Homestead in Goomalling, WA.  

Built in 1856, this delightfully refurbished set of stone buildings, which is owned and operated by the Shire of Goomalling, offers a unique and romantic wedding venue, right here in our beautiful Avon Valley region.  And Ash was quick to spot its potential, driving past it each week, as she commuted from Wyalkatchem to Perth for work!  

So, surrounded by a small and intimate group of their closest family and friends, many of whom had flown in from Victoria, Jimmy and Ash tied the knot under the direction of celebrant Nola Chamberlain, and the cover of the homestead verandah, as the showers rolled through.

Wearing a stunning Aurelio Costarella gown, with hair and makeup by Wild Licorice Hair & Beauty, and Emma Denman, Ash looked radiant throughout both ceremony and the bridal party photo shoot that followed.  Using the landscaped grounds of Slater Homestead, and ducking for cover when necessary, we were then blessed with some beautiful rays of light when the sun broke through the clouds briefly, right on sunset.

Then it was into the barn for a warm and intimate dinner, to toast the newlyweds, and celebrate into the evening.  Congratulations Jimmy and Ash, and thank you so much for having me cover your special day.  It was an absolute pleasure to be a part of it with you all!

The Wheatbelt Collective | Launch | The Grand Northam | 26 July 2017 {Avon Valley & Perth Wedding & Event Photographer}

Recently, I teamed up with the lovely ladies from Confetti & Co and Petallica Flower Co, to form The Wheatbelt Collective, a collaboration between like minded wedding and event specialists, based in the Avon Valley, just east of Perth in WA.  

A stylist (Sarah & Holly), a photographer (Angie), and a florist (Sarah), we aim to provide an innovative and fresh approach to weddings and events held in both rural and urban areas, but with a particular focus on events held in the country.  The Avon Valley and Wheatbelt offer a stunning backdrop to any style of wedding or event, and being local to these regions, we have an intimate knowledge of rural venues and suppliers, which means that together, we can help you plan a unique and exciting day that runs smoothly, is loaded with personality, and most importantly, reflects you and your event.

So in preparation for our launch, we put our heads together to produce our first styled shoot, which was held at The Grand Northam, an incredible old hotel, currently undergoing renovation as a wedding and event venue, right here in our beautiful Avon Valley. 

The aim of this shoot was to showcase what we can offer you in the country, should you choose to keep it local.  We wanted it to be fresh, creative and unique, and to incorporate some local product, which might not be found easily in the city. Hence the amazing venue, and the golden wheat heads and lustrous macrocarpal that Sarah used in her floral creations! 

Sarah and Holly (Confetti & Co) provided a brief for a bold, wintery, bohemian look, full of golds, blues and a hint of blush, and Sarah (Petallica Flower Co) began sourcing rich velvety roses, cascading eucalyptus, sea holly, andromeda scabiosa, banksias, queen proteas, the macrocarpal and wheat, and some super moody black and burgundy calla lilies, for the floral arrangements.

We then cleared an area amongst the renovations at The Grand, in front of the majestic dining room fireplace (under that amazing print of Napoleon Bonaparte!), and set up our table, complete with gorgeous gold chairs supplied by Event Artillery, and some stunning tableware by Orielle.  In addition, Sarah and Holly created an incredible rustic grazing table outside on the deck, to showcase the idea of picnic style dining, which is of course, so well suited to many country events.

And voila!  This is the result, and we couldn't be happier with it!  Now you know what's possible out here in the country.  Plus we had a heap of fun creating (and then eating!) beautiful things, so we can't wait until it's off-season again, so we can do it all again!

Josh + Nicole | Lamont's Bishops House | 8 April 2017 {Perth Wedding Photographer}

Josh and Nicole, childhood sweethearts together since high school, finally tied the knot in a heartfelt ceremony at the ever stunning Lamont's Bishops House, in the City of Perth recently. 

Surrounded by family and friends, many who had flown in for the weekend, these two lovebirds shared their vows in a testament of true love, which has quite obviously stood the test of time. 

Wearing a beautiful gown by Anna Winato, with styling and flowers by Bits and Blooms, HMUA by The Look By Us, and a suit from MJ Bale, Josh and Nicole set the scene for their classic feel wedding with a rustic garden vibe. The theme was further enhanced by their team of fabulous vendors, which included Lamont's Bishops House (venue and catering), Barb Howard (celebrant), Jo Reid (piano entertainer), Vintage Letters & Co (light up letters), and Brooke and Jean Henderson, Nicole's clever mum and sister, who made the incredible wedding cake. 

So backed by these creative peeps, I set myself loose on the grounds of Lamont's, to document the day as it unfolded around me.  Built for the first Anglican Archbishop of Perth in the 1850's, and nestled in amongst the city skyscrapers, Lamont's is a stunning venue for a wedding, and a photographers dream, with its rustic colours, soft light and and sweeping gardens.

And of course, it's always a pleasure to work with couples like Josh and Nicole. So congratulations to you both, and thankyou again from the bottom of my heart for inviting me to be part of your special day with you...

Wayne + Rachel | Darlington Estate Winery | 10 February 2017 {Perth Wedding Photographer}

It was a dark and rainy day for Wayne and Rachel's gorgeous rustic wedding at Darlington Estate Winery in the Perth Hills recently - and in the middle of February too - who would have thought?!  But that didn't deter these two, or their family and friends, from celebrating the love that they so obviously share, with a beautiful and unforgettable ceremony and reception, as the rain came down around them.  

But even though the weather misbehaved, it was actually a blessing for me, because the light was soft, even, and really quite beautiful, resulting in wonderfully moody images shot at high ISO's and wide open apertures.    

Wayne and Rachel first contacted me on a recommendation from Rachel's Dad, who I worked with in the agricultural industry for many years.  It's always just that little bit extra special to be asked to shoot such an important event for someone I have a connection with, and I felt blessed to be given the opportunity to both capture and share their day with them, and many others I know through the industry.

And so many beautiful details too!  All credit to the amazing vendors they chose to work with, including Darlington Estate Winery (venue), David Cohen (celebrant), Beans & Bunches (florist), Lailee Taj (HMUA), Desiree (cake), Delish Ice (icecreams), Luv Bridal (bridal gown) and Taro Cash (suits and menswear), who came together to create this couples dream day.

Congratulations to you both, and thankyou, I feel privileged to have been a part of it with you...

Gerry + Sarah | Matilda Bay Restaurant | 31 December 2016 {Perth Wedding Photographer}

New Years Eve 2016 found me here, under the gum trees and paper lanterns at Matilda Bay, with little boats bobbing on the river, and the lights of our city twinkling in the background, providing the perfect backdrop for an awesome end of year party.

It was my little sisters wedding, and she was marrying her super groovy man Gerry.  And I had the priviledge of attending as both guest and photographer, which always makes a wedding just a teeny bit more special for me.  So, surrounded by our family and friends, I set about documenting it all as it unfolded (and chatting a lot in between shots!).

Opting for a laid back, summery beach feel for their special day, Gerry and Sarah enlisted the expertise of awesome vendors Matilda Bay Restaurant (ceremony & reception venue), Bride and Groom Events (outdoor furniture & styling), The Look By Us Perth (bridal hair & makeup), Theressa Designs Bridal (bridal gown), Poppys Flowers (flowers), Wild Strawberry Catering (cake), Jodi Bavin (celebrant) and The Print Fairy (invitations) who all helped create the perfect vibe for a summer celebration.

And Matilda Bay itself should get a special mention too, not only for providing such a stunning backdrop for a wedding, but because it's a little special to our family, as it was named after our ancestral grandmother Matilda Roe, the wife of Perths first Surveyor General, John Septimus Roe.  So I always feel a sense of place as I arrive at this venue and then pass by the photographs of John and Matilda, and the fledgling Swan River Colony, hanging on the walls of the restaurant building.  And I take a moment to picture the scene as they must have seen it when they gazed out over the river almost 200 years ago...

So congratulations Gerry and Sarah, it was a fabulous day, and an awesome way to see the new year in.  And a week down the track, I can finally say I have nearly recovered!

A Snapshot of 2016 | A Year in Review {Avon Valley & Perth Wedding, Family, Event & Commercial Photographer}

2016 has been a fabulous year for me and my business - I've met and worked with some amazing folk in some super cool locations, but now, with the exception of my little sisters wedding on New Years Eve, I'm done shooting for the year! 

So I'm taking some time to reflect on the last 12 months, with a selection of random faves from both my client and personal work.  Images that move and inspire me in some way to continue doing what I do.  It might be the colour, light or composition, the emotion or moment they capture, the personalities involved, or the snapshot they provide of a wider story, which led me to select them.  Sometimes I can't put my finger on it, I just know that an image holds and records something special for me.

So here they are.  In no particular order.  Some digital, some shot on film.  Images from the incredible weddings, families, events and commercial work I've been privileged to shoot throughout the year.  And a few from my own collection too, including a portrait of me right at the end (thanks to my very clever 10 year old!).  Because its important for photographers to make time to document our own lives too.   

So a huge thankyou to all of you who have made 2016 so rewarding for me.  Because without you, my amazing clients, friends and family, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to create these images...

Darren + Jess | WA Ballet Centre & Oakover Grounds | 21 May 2016 {Perth Wedding Photographer}

Earlier this year, Darren and Jess tied the knot with a beautiful ceremony at the incredible WA Ballet Centre in Maylands, Perth. This stunning art deco building, with its porticos, piers and defined plinth features, is a relatively unknown and little used wedding venue in Perth.

But I'm betting that's set to change, because its high ceilings, rustic wooden floors, exposed brick walls and wide, spacious rooms, make it absolutely perfect for weddings, especially if you're after an industrial or classical feel on your special day. 

And what a perfect venue for a wet weather day too!  And we should know, because on the 21st May, the wind blew sideways all day, broken only by intermittent, sleeting rain, and the odd burst of hail.  So we shot almost entirely indoors, from the bridal prep, to the ceremony, family photos and bridal party photos, using a mix of wide open apertures, high ISO's and on-camera flash - something we don't often need to do here in WA, where we are blessed with bright sunny days more often than not. 

 Then it was on to the reception at the rustic Oakover Grounds in the Swan Valley, where we did manage to grab a few outdoors shots, when the skies cleared for all of five minutes!  But despite the weather, and its best efforts against us, it was a fabulous day, and I'm just super glad that Darren and Jess chose me to be a part of it with them...

Jon + Jess | Darlington Estate Winery | 19 March 2016 {Perth Wedding Photographer}

Taking time out from a busy motor racing schedule in the US, Jon and Jess travelled all the way home to WA, to tie the knot in front of their family and old friends, at the ever stunning Darlington Estate Winery, set in the bush in the Perth hills region.

And what a beautiful day it was, and such a beautiful time of year too.  March has always been my favourite month in Western Australia.  It signals the end of Summer with its warm dry days, and cool, crisp Autumn evenings.  Although on this occasion, it rained, and rained and rained, a warm, sticky, tropical kind of rain, which thankfully let up by mid afternoon, just in time for the ceremony and reception!

Featuring a bunch of cool old cars, including the grooms very own bright orange mid 70's Ford, a set of blue hipster hightops for the boys, a very special vintage watch, some fabulous rustic DIY details and styling, and the most beautiful beaded bird and flower arrangement I've ever seen on the back of Jess's dress, this wedding oozed love, style, creativity and charm on all fronts.

Congratulations Jon and Jess, it was an awesome day, and a pleasure to be there to document it for you!

Shaun + Miriam | Quindanning Country Wedding | 27 February 2016 {WA Rural Wedding Photographer}

It was a cracking hot day for Shaun and Miriam's rustic country wedding, held on a beautiful local property in Quindanning WA, in late February 2016.  But that was no deterrent for these two, or for their family and friends, many of whom came all the way from chilly Ireland to celebrate.

Held on-farm in the historic region of Quindanning, this wedding had all the elements of a great Aussie shindig, from the dusty bush setting, to the rustic, purpose built bar, tubs of beer on ice, a rather obliging dog with a go-pro mounted to her collar, and some sweeping sunlit views across a stunning summer landscape.

And the light!  There is nothing quite like the warm, golden, late afternoon light of an Australian summer, so although it was a little hot, harsh and shadowy earlier in the day, it was totally worth waiting for the incredible backlighting we were blessed with during our bridal portraits later in the day.

Congratulations Shaun and Miriam, it was a fabulous day, and I'm so glad I got to be a part of it with you all!