17 From '17 | A Snapshot of 2017 {Avon Valley & Perth Wedding, Family, Event & Commercial Photographer}

As 2017 draws to a close, it's time to reflect on what an amazing year its been for me, with a random selection of some of my favourite images from the past 12 months.

So here they are, seventeen memorable moments from 2017, in no particular order.  An eclectic mix of 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 self portrait of me towards the end (yep, in my car, of course!).  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 2017 so rewarding for me.  Because without you, my amazing clients, friends and family, I wouldn't have been witness to these moments, or had the opportunity to create these images.

Have a fabulous Christmas and New Year, and I'll see you all again in 2018!

Tim + Bonnie | Backyard Festival Wedding, Toodyay | 21 October 2017 {Perth, Avon Valley & Wheatbelt Wedding Photographer}

It was an overcast and stormy day for Tim and Bonnie's rustic, festival styled wedding held in Toodyay, in Western Australia last month.  With a ceremony on the side of a hill in the bush, and a marquee nestled amongst the trees in the backyard of Bonnie's family home, this wedding had a beautiful, rural Australian feel about it.

Add to that a gorgeous rambling cottage garden (created and lovingly maintained by the brides parents), a host of DIY touches (including the boys belts, who were made by groomsman and saddle maker Simon, the couples daughters dress, which was made by Bonnie's Nanna many years ago, the garden sculptures and signage by Bonnie's dad, and the flowers by her sister Ellen), some amazing food by the clever folk at Kazoomies, and a close circle of family and friends who returned to Toodyay to celebrate, and you have the perfect recipe for an awesome day!

Big shout out to vendors Lynne Lawson (celebrant), Petallica Flower Co (brides bouquet, flower crowns and wine barrel arrangements), Bonnie's sister Ellen Putland (bridesmaids, cake and reception flowers), Bonnie herself (cake), SJW Hairstylist (hair), Daniella Piscopo (makeup), Samantha Wynne (gown), Kazoomies (catering) and Swan Event Hire (marquee & furniture), who all helped make the day such a success. 

Congratulations Tim and Bonnie, and thankyou so much for having me along to cover your beautiful wedding day for you.  It was awesome!

5 Tips For Avoiding Wedding Photos You'd Rather Forget | Polka Dot Wisdom | Polka Dot Bride {Perth, Avon Valley & Wheatbelt Wedding Photographer}

A little article I wrote, published recently by the lovely ladies at Polka Dot Bride...

1. Ask Your Friends and Family For Referrals
 

Despite the rise of social media, and the abundance of wedding photographers that can now be found online, personal referrals are still (and always will be) the best way to find a photographer who will produce amazing images, and gel with you on the day. If your friends were happy with them, there's a good chance you will be too.

Plus you can ask them lots of questions that you might not feel like asking the photographer directly, like whether they were cool and easy going, or loud and overbearing on the day! And if you've found someone whose work you love, but you don't know anyone who has used them previously, try asking around in Facebook group forums, or searching for testimonials online - you'll soon find out what they are like to work with!
 

2. Get To Know Them
 

This doesn't necessarily mean meeting in person - I get it, we're all time poor!  But there are a number of ways you can get to know the photographer you are considering booking, before you part with that hard earned cash. Follow their work on social media. Read the comments and any reviews and testimonials. Give them a call, or Skype them for a chat. Or send them an email - all will give you an idea of what they are like both personally and professionally.  And then if it's possible, arrange to meet up for a coffee and chat in person.
 

3.  View Their Work
 

Most photographers will have a portfolio full of gorgeous images on their website, as well as individual client galleries, which show a larger number of images from recent weddings. Have a good look through their work, and ask yourself if the images look consistent (in both shooting and editing style), if they appear sharp and correctly exposed, and if the colour and overall toning appeals to you.

Then when you contact them, ask to see a couple of full wedding galleries, showing all images which were delivered to the client.  This is the best way to see how they shoot a wedding from start to finish, and to get a feel for the storytelling aspect of their wedding photography.  It's also a good way to get a feel for what 'x' number of images delivered looks like - you'll soon realise that 300 beautifully edited images covering all aspects of the day, is way better than 1000 poorly edited images with parts missing! 

Viewing their images online will often be enough to help you decide whether or not they are for you, but if you do meet in person, ask them to bring some example albums and/or prints along, so you can see what their work looks like in print.
 

4. Check Their Level of Experience
 

A glance at the portfolio on their website should give you an idea of whether or not they've shot many weddings, but if it doesn't, ask them.  Weddings are fast paced, and often throw curveballs, like rain (and sometimes lots of it!).  Wedding photographers need to know their gear, and they need to be able to work quickly and effectively in stressful situations.  They also need to know how to direct and pose non-models like yourselves, so ask them how long they have been shooting weddings for, and roughly how many they've done.
 

5. Check What Equipment They Use
 

This is a great way to start an argument amongst photographers, who generally fall into one of two camps - either Canon vs Nikon, mirrorless vs DSLR, full frame vs cropped sensor, or whatever. I firmly believe that it is the photographer who creates the image, not the camera, so I don't really think this is a big one for you to worry about. Whatever their choice of equipment, they are producing the beautiful images you have just seen on their website.

But what is important, is that they bring a backup of every piece of equipment they'll be using to capture your gorgeous wedding images, on the day.  This means at least two camera bodies (I prefer three), two flashes, or lighting systems if they use lights, multiple lenses, batteries and memory cards. 

And their camera bodies should most definately have dual card slots.  This allows your photographer to write to one card, and backup to the other, so if a card fails, your images will be safely stored on the other card. It also allows them to keep one card in the camera, and one elsewhere once they have finished the job, which reduces the risk of loss through theft or fire.  Which means your images will always be safe - phew!

So there you go, my five tips to get you started on the hunt for the perfect wedding photographer. Have a totally awesome day, and enjoy those photos, both on the day and in years to come!
 

Grant + Fleur | St Pat's Oval Geraldton | 16 September 2017 {Avon Valley, Wheatbelt & Mid West Wedding Photographer}

It was a glorious Spring day for Grant and Fleurs boho inspired, festival feel wedding in Geraldton last month. The sun was shining, and incredibly (for Geraldton!) there was no wind, which made for a perfect outdoor setting under the teepees on St Pat's Oval. 

And I was so excited to be shooting this one.  Both Grant and Fleur have been friends of mine for near on 20 years (we were all in the agricultural industry, way back in the day), so when their paths first crossed a few years ago, I was thrilled for them.  And then even more thrilled when Grant proposed to Fleur, and they asked me to cover their wedding day for them!

As most of you know, I love a good country wedding, and this one had it all, including a fabulous lineup of local vendors and suppliers, a chaotic bridal party full of kids and family, both beach and farming landscapes for formal photos, a bunch of street machines to move everyone around, a sunset second to none, a vintage caravan serving expresso martinis, and of course those incredible teepees at the centre of it all.

And the following selection of images shows how it all came together, in all its eclectic, boho, rustic, DIY glory!  Special thanks to the following vendors and suppliers for providing their professional touch, and for bringing Grant and Fleurs vision to fruition, and making it such a fabulous day. Ceremonies by Charmaine (celebrant), Fred Porter (MC), The Yard Bar (teepees & caravan bar), Amour Flowers (flowers) Anne-Maree Hopkinson (styling), Muteaka Creations & Hire (tables & stools), Daniel Crivelli (videography), Tarts & Co Catering (catering), Sophies Sweet Spot (cake), Hot Locs Hair Body & Soul (hair & makeup), Spell Designs (gown), Tea Princess (bridesmaids and flower girls), Leon Baker Jewellers (rings), and Songbird (entertainment). 

Congrats Grant and Fleur, I'll look forward to sharing another martini with you both soon!

Why I Chose Pentax as My Weapon of Choice | Polka Dot Wisdom | Polka Dot Bride {Perth, Avon Valley & Wheatbelt Wedding Photographer}

A little article I wrote for the lovely ladies at Polka Dot Bride has just been published, and it goes something like this...

Hey, guess what?  I shoot Pentax!  Weird, I know?!  I don't think twice about it, of course, but every now and then I get asked why I chose Pentax as my camera system, usually by an observant wedding guest with an interest in photography, and almost always when I'm darting around grabbing shots, with no time to spare for explanations.  Well, it's mid winter now, and I'm buried in my office, with time to finally answer that question for you!

So why did I choose Pentax, when so many photographers have gone down the Canon or Nikon path?

Well, technically, Pentax chose me, when I joined my high school photography club and was handed one of the dozens of Pentax K1000's that the school loaned out to students on weekends, with a roll of film and a few vague instructions on how to use it.  My fate was then sealed in Year 11, when my parents returned from Bali with a K1000 they'd purchased for me Duty Free (thanks Mum and Dad!).

A couple of decades down the track, and I'm still shooting with that K1000, as well as Pentax's latest full-frame DSLR, the Pentax K1 (both pictured below).  And the reason I've stayed with this system is because Pentax make superb cameras and lenses.  They've been around forever, and have stood the test of time.  Their optics are incredible - they even make a medium format camera, the Pentax 645 Z, which just goes to show the level of build quality they are capable of.

They also boast a huge range of lenses, with many of the old manual film lenses being compatible with current digital cameras.  Which is a huge plus for me, because after so many years shooting Pentax, I now have a fabulous set of fast primes I can still use to create beautiful, dreamy images on your wedding day! 

And lastly, Pentax renders the final image with a lovely film-like quality, which goes hand in hand with my style, allowing me to produce images that hark back to the days of film, even when they're shot on the latest digital cameras.  So really, what more could I ask for in a camera system?!  Definately Pentax and proud!

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!

P & F Meet & Greet | St Joseph's Northam | 22 June 2017 {Avon Valley Event Photographer}

On Thursday night, the St Joseph's Northam P&F held their Meet & Greet and Small Business Showcase, in the St Marcellin Performing Arts Centre at the primary campus.

The evening provided parents, teachers and friends of the school community an opportunity to meet, make new friends and connections, and enjoy a night out in a warm, social environment.  It also provided local small business owners with the chance to showcase their products and services, with Confetti & Co (Sarah and Holly) arguably the clear favourite, with their incredibly long grazing table running straight down the centre of the room!

Also on display were Little Hearts Tribe (Lauren), Juice Plus (Christine), Nature Direct (Jayde and Juana), Northam Women in Business (Enrika), Thermomix (Karen), Tupperware (Angela), Wheatbelt Party & Event Hire (Paula), Younique Makeup (Cara), Be The Change Yoga & Wellness (Theresa and Mavis), Celebrate with Bliss (Esther), Northam Holden & Mazda (Brian and Jo), Do Terra (Cherie), Chevy's Fitness, and Angie Roe Photography (me!). 

The night was a great success, and the P&F would like to thank all those who contributed, donated, and who volunteered their time and energy, as well as those who came along to share in the evening and support our local school community.  Communities are what make events like this, and there was certainly a strong sense of it present last night, so thank you again everyone! 

Three Amigos Art Exhibition | Zig Zag Gallery | 10 June 2017 {Perth Event Photographer}

It was a full house for the opening of the Three Amigos art exhibition at the beautiful Zig Zag Cultural Centre in Kalamunda yesterday, with family, friends and art fans alike, gathering to view the work of three of our talented local Perth artists.  

The Three Amigos, otherwise known as Norman Roe (alias my clever Dad!), David Cameron and Alan Pickering, are three compadres who paint together in retirement (Norman and David in watercolour, and Alan in oils).  And for the past couple of years, they have collaborated with the curator of the Zig Zag Gallery, Marilyn Keys, to bring this fabulous exhibition of their work to fruition. 

And what better location than the Perth Hills for such an event, with its inspiring bushland vistas and historic buildings, providing the perfect backdrop to the delicate landscape paintings of these three artists.

The exhibition runs until the 25th June 2017, and I can seriously recommend it, so make a day of it people, and head out to the Perth Hills to see what's on offer!

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!

Bali + Lembongan | Travel | August 2015 {Avon Valley Documentary & Travel Photographer}

A seemingly endless run of frosty nights and icy days has me dreaming of warmer places, so I'm casting back to a year ago, when I travelled to Bali and Lembongan with my girlfriends from school, for a week of R&R...

No husbands, no kids, just us and a week of lazy days spent by the pool and on the beach, drinking G&T's, laughing till our sides split, and savouring the most amazing array of food this special place has to offer.  Plus a heap of shopping, countless massages, a couple of crazy motorbike rides, and a few random nights out.  And then an ash cloud to keep us there for a few more days! 

So who wants to pack me in a suitcase, take me on their next holiday, and have me document it all in beautiful pictures?

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!

National Tidy Towns Awards | Event | Toodyay 18th March 2016 {Avon Valley Event Photographer}

I was thrilled to be asked to cover the recent Keep Australia Beautiful National Tidy Towns Awards, which were hosted by our very own 2015 winner Toodyay, and held right here in the stunning surrounds of the Avon Valley in WA.

Held in the historic Memorial Hall, which was transformed into a veritable wonderland by Sean from Christmas 360, and members of the wider local community (complete with dripping festoon lights, table settings of native flowers, and moss coloured chairs!), these awards aim to recognise communities who actively undertake to improve the environmental health and well being of their towns and landscapes across Australia.

The awards include categories such as Waste Management Resource Recovery, Environmental Sustainability, Environmental Education, and Community Action and Well Being (to name just a few), with nominations being drawn from across the country.  Category awards were given to towns from as far away as Orange (NSW), Horsham (Vic), Liebig (NT), Roma (QLD), Triabunna (Tas), and as close as Albany, right here in WA (once again, to name just a few!), with the overall winner for 2016 going to Triabunna in Tasmania. 

A beautiful dinner was served as guests listened to inspiring speeches from the Hon. Kerry Sanderson AO, Governor of WA, and the Hon. Albert Jacob MLA, Minister for Environment, as well as guest speaker Rhys Williams and past winner representative Greg Warburton, amongst others.

From a technical viewpoint, it was a challenging event to shoot, due to low lighting inside the venue, contrasty stage lighting, and some heavy colour casting.  But these things help create the lovely dreamy, celebratory mood of an event such as this, so wherever possible, I left my flash off, bumped my ISO up to 3200 - 6400, and opened the lens up to F1.8.

I think the results are just delightful, and I hope that all those who contributed to, and attended this amazing event feel I have done justice to their hard work and vision.  Congratulations rural Australia, you have done it again...

Petallica Flower Co | Commercial & Product | 13 February 2016 {Avon Valley Commercial Photographer}

I recently spent a delightful evening with florist Sarah, from Petallica Flower Co here in the Avon Valley, shooting her beautiful blooms as she assembled them for Valentines Day.

Working from a Pop Up Shop at her dads steel fabrication business in the industrial end of town, these little bunches of prettiness proved to be very popular, selling out quickly to scores of loved up locals on Sunday morning!  But before they were snatched up and taken to their new homes, I got to spend time photographing them with our beautiful model, and friend of Sarah's, Jenna.

All images were shot on my Pentax camera system, and processed to create a lovely moody look and feel for the end product.  And all were shot within walking distance of the shop, literally just across the road, on the grounds of the old town bakery, and the vacant block next door, and in front of one very cute little white picket fence! Yep, we are indeed spoilt for shoot locations and backdrops out here!

Northam Open 2016 | Northam Swimming Club Event | 7 February 2016 {Avon Valley Event Photographer}

The annual Northam Open interclub swimming carnival was held again last week, with clubs from as close as York, and as far away as Perth joining our local swimmers for a successful day of competition, despite the +40 degree heat!

A huge amount of time and energy goes into organising an event like this, with all credit going to the committee, members and parents who volunteer for jobs ranging from setting up, to data recording and time keeping, baking and packing up at the end of the day.

But the kids absolutely love it, and all swam well on the day, with many breaking Personal Best times and being awarded medals for their efforts.

Following are some of the images I shot, in all their bright, warm, glary, +40 degree glory!