The night is yours alone

When you’re sure you’ve had enough of this life, well hang on

Don’t let yourself go

Everybody cries and everybody hurts sometimes “

- R.E.M

Every year at Christmas time I do a “Pay it Forward” campaign on Facebook where I ask all the likers to nominate someone they know who deserves to be treated to something special.  Once again, it was a very, very difficult decision.   Tracy’s story stood out to me.

Two years ago Jason Palmer was cruelly taken from his wife Tracy and his beautiful children Riley and Abbey.  He was a prison officer at Spring Hill Prison when he was assaulted and killed by a prisoner.

In March this year, I went up to Whangarei and photographed Tracy, Riley and Abbey.  Let me tell you this woman – is incredibly brave, strong and inspiring woman and even in the midst of pain and grief she manages to be the most wonderful mother to her children.   Tracy blogs about her life and loves here.

Tracy, Riley and Abbey – I have no words of comfort or solace, but you have touched me so deeply and I shall carry your story in my heart forever. IMG_6195 IMG_6197 IMG_6201 IMG_6203 IMG_6204 IMG_6205 IMG_6206 IMG_6207 IMG_6216 IMG_6230 IMG_6231 IMG_6241 IMG_6242 IMG_6243 IMG_6245 IMG_6249 IMG_6267 IMG_6271 IMG_6275 IMG_6304 IMG_6305 IMG_6321 IMG_6325 IMG_6326 IMG_6327 IMG_6331 IMG_6332 IMG_6356 IMG_6391 IMG_6400 IMG_6402 IMG_6431

Hope y’all enjoying this wildly wet day!

What an incredible experience it was to be a part of their special, intimate ceremony where there were less than 20 people there – I was very humbled to be a part of it.

Mark and Kate – thank you, thank you for inviting me to join you on this beautiful journey! I hope you do open up that bottle of wine in 5 years time and remember what a wonderful day it was, and how the last 5 years couldn’t have been any better!

XXXX

This is my beautiful princess-esque cousin Tania, and her wonderful husband Steve.

What a pleasure it was to photograph them and be there on the biggest day of their lives. It was a hot hot day in Hahei on the Coromandel in a beautiful setting at a family friend’s place, and the whole bridal party was just so lovely and sweet. All round it was just the most beautiful day..

Does is bring back memories of summer for anyone..?

On another note, I am booking weddings for the 2012/2013 summer so if you are thinking about getting in touch, please do so now! As the dates are filling up!

Shawn and Vicki live in Sydney, and I hadn’t officially met them until a day before their wedding. Their wedding, had seriously some of the most sweetest little touches I have seen at a wedding, from the floral bunting flags, to the hydrangeas in tins, and the little butterfly shaped “love” cutouts scattered on barrels. They were all so gorgeous. Wellington turned out a stunning day for the couple and the wind even died down – which was fantastic!

Shawn and Vicki, may you have a life filled with love, laughter, and much much joy! It was so wonderful being a part of your day and I feel so blessed to have been there.

I try to write honestly and openly about all my photographic experiences on here.  I know that kind of honesty is not for everyone, and it can be rather confronting at times.  I also know I can be a little “sappy” and over sensitive.  But I want people who invite me to be a part of their wedding day to know that is who I am, and what I do, I do from my heart.  If that means I appeal to a lot less people, that doesn’t matter to me at all, because I know the people who do want to work with me, get it.  They get me.

This wedding was held at the beautiful Bracu Restaurant nestled in the Bombay Hills.  It was such a touching wedding for me.  And I mean I was moved to tears more than once in the day.  And again as I was editing the photos, I was quite overcome as I came across the speeches from the wedding.  In particular Jo’s very moving speech, and the way she so lovingly spoke about her mother.  I know Jo’s mum too.  She was one of my favourite teachers I have ever had.  It was so lovely to see her so many years later, and she is just as wonderful and gentle as how I remember her.  Rob’s mother, whom I briefly met in the midst of the busy day, was such a beautiful woman, and she looked just so proud of her son, holding his hand and her huge smile beaming up at him.

I think you can tell from all the photos below, that Jo and Rob really enjoyed their wedding day.  I mean, really enjoyed it.  Anyone who has ever had a wedding day before, knows what a huge day it is, and how there is so much going on, it’s so hard to take it all in, and remember what you have to do, and make sure you talk to everyone there.  This beautiful couple, I felt were truly present on their day.  And incredibly happy. The awe you see emanating from each other is something rather wonderful.  And they were high school sweethearts, so have been together for over 10 years already!

This is turning into a mammoth post, so I’ll stop here.

Mr and Mrs Smith – it was truly my honour and pleasure to share this day with you.  Thank you!

P.s play the music as you scroll, the song gets me everytime.

So yes, I make resolutions.  And I admit, I only stick to one or two maximum.  Yet, I still I make them.  I’ll share one of them here.  Domesticity.  I will become more domestic and actually enjoy it.  I am a homely person, but I am not a home maker kind of girl.  I am lot better than I was 5 years ago, but there is definitely room for improvement

I am getting organised for the weddings I have in the upcoming months, and I’ll be shooting in some new places, I haven’t ever been to before so it’s going to be wonderful.  I am also taking bookings for the 2012/13 Summer, and this year I have decided to REALLY limit the weddings I am going to do.  So, if you are thinking about getting in touch – please do, I so hate having to turn couples away!

In December I had lunch with some special girlfriends, whom I seldom see these days.  Next week, I am going to be shooting a wedding at the gorgeous venue, Bracu, where this image was taken.