23 From '23 | A Snapshot of 2023 {Avon Valley, Wheatbelt & Perth Wedding, Family, Event & Commercial Photographer}

With Christmas approaching and 2023 coming to a close, it's time to reflect on another lap around the sun, with a random selection of some of my favourite images from the past 12 months.

23 memorable moments from 2023, in no particular order.  An eclectic mix of images taken during some of the incredible shoots I've been privileged to work on throughout the year, plus a few from my own collection too, because, well, personal work is good for the soul!

So a huge thank you to all who have made 2023 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 beautiful images.

Have a fabulous Christmas and New Year, and I'll see you all again in 2024!

 

21 From ’21 | A Snapshot of 2021 {Avon Valley, Wheatbelt & Perth Wedding, Family, Event & Commercial Photographer}

As the year draws to a close, I’d like to thank all the amazing couples, families, businesses and government organisations that have supported my business, and helped make 2021 so enjoyable and successful for me.

As we plough through our second year of a worldwide pandemic, it’s interesting to reflect on the changes it has brought to both our everyday lives, and our livelihoods.  As a photographer, I’ve seen wedding bookings slow, with couples remaining cautious about planning a big event which could be cancelled at the last minute.  The same goes for events, although many of the smaller ones have gone ahead, and I did shoot the GWN Dowerin Machinery Field Days in August, which was the biggest event I’ve covered to date, and besides being completely exhausting, a huge success!

But family shoots remain popular, and the wedding gaps have been filled nicely with commercial and tourism based work, most of which tends to fall during the week, leaving many of my weekends free, which has been a nice change!

So I’ve spent a large part of the year working with businesses, and travelling through the regions shooting our amazing Wheatbelt towns and communities, to promote local tourism within WA.  And given my background in agriculture and love of the Wheatbelt and farming communities, it’s pretty much been a dream come true for me, and definitely something I hope to do more of in the future.  

So following are 21 images that I feel best represent both my style, and the people and places I’ve worked with throughout 2021. Just a random mix of weddings, families, events, commercial and tourism work, which I feel incredibly honored to have been part of – and all thanks to you, my fabulous clients! 

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, and I’ll see you all again in 2022!

 

Dan + Kacey | Buckland Estate, Northam WA | 9 January 2021 {Perth, Avon Valley & Wheatbelt Wedding Photographer}

Dan and Kacey waited an additional nine months to tie the knot, after postponing their original plans for an Easter wedding when Covid hit early in 2020. And as Murphy’s Law would have it, their cool, Autumn wedding day was replaced with one of the hottest days we’ve had out here this Summer, at a cracking hot and slightly stormy 43 degrees!

High temps are tough enough for those of us who live in the Wheatbelt and are acclimatised to the conditions, so I can only imagine how this predominantly Perth based couple and their guests felt as the temperature soared on the 9th January! But being true legends, they forged ahead, without dropping any of our plans to march through paddocks or dance on sunset in the name of epic images. And it was totally worth it - after a relatively dark, overcast afternoon, the temperature dropped to a ‘mild’ 39 degrees, and the sun peeked through with just enough time left to nail the stunning images you see below!

Special mention to the following suppliers for battling through the heat and making Dan and Kacey’s day one to remember. Buckland Estate (venue), Three Seventy Hair Salon (hair & makeup), Lotus Floristry (flowers), Jonte Designs (gown), Totem Glamping (safari tents), and Base Woodfired Pizza (catering).

And of course, a huge thankyou to Dan and Kacey for entrusting their wedding day to me, and for the sweet little note of thanks I received below - you guys rock!

“We just got our prints! They are stunning! We are so happy with all the photos - they are perfect, and exactly what we had hoped for. Thankyou so much for nailing our vision Angie!”

 

20 From '20 | A Snapshot of 2020 {Avon Valley, Wheatbelt & Perth Wedding, Family, Event & Commercial Photographer}

It goes without saying that 2020 has been different for most of us, but just how different will depend on where you are based. Those of us in WA were lucky enough to continue working after an initial shutdown back in March, and as a result, I finished the year on par with 2019.

But I had to implement some changes, and do things a little differently to get there. On the day the first image below was shot, I had 40K worth of bookings either postponed indefinately or cancelled outright. Most of these bookings were weddings and large events, which are core business for me, and for the first time in 25 years I was facing a year of neither.

So I spent the time at home restoring our ‘78 caravan and revamping my website with the help of Jo from Joanne Tapodi Creative. And I had a new computer built by Colin at Avon Computech, to give me greater storage capacity and allow me to work faster, and to introduce videography to my services. I also learnt the basics of filmmaking (mostly by shooting little clips of my family as we worked on the caravan!), and I started offering Mini Clips to those I was shooting commercial and event work for. All of these things had been on my ‘to do’ list for the last 5 years or so, but I just hadn’t been able to find the time for them while working fulltime.

Then as WA began to open up again, the bookings started coming in - cautiously. Not for weddings or big events, but for family, commercial and business based shoots. The time at home had inspired a shift in thinking. The importance of family became more apparent, and many businesses had more time on their hands to spend ‘on’ the business, instead of ‘in’ the business. In addition, an online presence had become increasingly important for business owners, which saw many updating websites and social media pages, and in turn, their imagery. At the same time, the Shire of Northam introduced a Small Business Support Grant Scheme to assist those who had suffered a downturn due to Covid-19, and much of it was spent on doing the above.

And so I found myself filling the gaps with families and businesses, rather than couples and events. I worked closely with Anna from Creative IQ to produce images for her website builds, and I partnered with the Northam Race Club to cover their social evenings throughout Spring. At the same time, I was out and about in the Wheatbelt shooting my usual array of agricultural work for growers, plant breeders and researchers. The result was that Spring 2020 was both busier and more profitable than it has ever been for me, and I am truly thankful for that, when I know it hasn’t been the case for so many.

So following are 20 images that I love, and which I feel are reflective of 2020 for me. It’s mostly a mix of family, commercial and agricultural work, with a bit of travel thrown in - mainly because I feel so lucky to have been able to squeeze both trips in while the borders were open and it was considered safe to do so! My shooting and editing style remain similar to last year, with a rich warm vibe, and golden, brown and green tones throughout, which I don’t see changing in 2021 - it is, after all, a big part of what my clients love about my work!

So thanks 2020, you can go now - bring on 2021!

 

19 From '19 | A Snapshot of 2019 {Avon Valley, Wheatbelt & Perth Wedding, Family, Event & Commercial Photographer}

It’s hard to believe 2019 is coming to an end, but as it does, it’s time to reflect on the amazing couples and families that I’ve met, and the awesome events and commercial projects that I’ve been asked to capture over the last 12 months.

As a photographer, it’s always interesting to look back over your work, and to take a moment to reflect on how you’ve evolved, and what you love (or don’t love!) about it. Then if you go one step further, and narrow it down to just a handful of your favourite images, selected from the thousands produced over the course of a year, you start to get a feel for what you truly love shooting, and for how you like to shoot it. Plus it’s a great way for clients and prospective clients to get a quick feel for your current work, without trawling through your website or socials. So yeah, writing a ‘best of’ blog and choosing the images for it is time consuming, but it’s oh so worth it!

For me, the past year has seen a slight shift towards shooting later in the day, on sunset and at twilight. I’m loving those darker, moodier tones, and enjoying not doing battle with the sun at every shoot! I’ve also been swinging my subjects back towards the sun, instead of back-lighting every shot. But if you’re a lover of my use of mid afternoon light and sun flare, don’t fret, there’s still plenty of it to be found - it’s my signature look, after all!

My editing process remains much the same. It’s no secret, I’m a VSCO preset user (namely Fuji 800Z), and have been since presets became a thing. I love the warm golden tones, and the slightly matte, or film quality appearance it gives to my work. So given all the images I’ve selected below have been processed with it, I see no editing changes for 2020.

Finally, and perhaps the most obvious thing about this set of images, is their rural feel. Clearly, I like shooting rural subjects in a rural setting! And come to think of it, when faced with a city based venue or location, I will still try to find a grassy paddock or rusty tin fence to shoot against. But don’t let this deceive you into thinking I’m ‘just a country photographer’, as a third of my work actually takes place in the city, and I’m just as comfortable shooting at Frasers Restaurant or the QV1 building, as I am in a shearing shed on-farm. In fact, it makes a lovely change, and a nice break from the dust and flies!

So there you have it, a summary of my work for 2019, and a hint of what’s to come, complete with supporting pictures! Have a fabulous Christmas and New Year, and I'll see you all again in 2020!

 

Harvest 2019 | A B&W Film Project | November 2019 {Perth, Avon Valley & Wheatbelt Documentary Photographer}

With harvest now done and dusted for another year, it’s time to share a little personal project I’ve been working on over the last month or so. As many of you know, I drive a truck for my brother during harvest each year, carting grain to CBH (Co-Operative Bulk Handling) in Northam, WA.

It’s hot, dusty, and a little relentless, but it gets me out of the office, back into the agricultural industry, and amongst the farmers and industry personnel I once worked with as an Agronomist. These connections are still an important part of my network, and lead to much of the agricultural photography that I do, whether it be for farming families, grains research companies or local machinery dealerships. Plus it’s just nice to help my bro out during a busy time, so even though it’s an extremely busy period for me (I still shoot weddings each weekend!), it’s totally worth it!

But I do need something to break the monotony, especially on days when the trucks are banked up in long lines at the bin, waiting to dump their loads. Most drivers will kick back in their cab reading the newspaper or Farm Weekly, or stand under the shade of the sample hut gossiping, but yep, you guessed it, I carry a camera! And as long as I’m in my high-vis, I can go pretty much anywhere on site, so it’s a great opportunity for both photography and meeting new people.

So this year, I decided to shoot it on black and white film. Why? Because I didn’t want any additional editing to do (4 weddings were enough!), and I found 3 rolls of expired Kodak BW400CN film in my stash. Plus I love my old Pentax K1000 film camera, and feel it really doesn’t get used enough these days. But mostly I just thought harvesters and paddocks and grain silos and trucks would look cool on B&W film.

What I didn’t count on though, was how difficult it would be to shoot from the truck using a fully manual camera (including manual focus!). It just can’t be done one-handed while the other hand is on the steering wheel, so the opportunities for quick captures of impromptu moments were limited. Which is why most of the following images were shot while I was parked up - because old school film photography just takes time!

So here it is, my portrait of harvest in black and white…

 

Scott + Rebecca | Laurelville Manor, York WA | 26 October 2019 {Perth, Avon Valley & Wheatbelt Photographer}

Scott and Bec were blessed with a glorious Summer day for their stunning wedding, held at historic Laurelville Manor in York, Western Australia recently.

This wedding was packed with all the elements that get me excited, from the location, just 20 minutes down the road from me in the beautiful Avon Valley region, to the venue (one of our best loved local properties) and the couples families, a bunch of lovely farming folk, some of whom I know from my days in the agricultural industry. Not to mention the dusty paddocks on the outskirts of town that Scott and Bec chose for their bridal portraits - what more could a country based photographer with a background in agriculture ask for?!

A huge thanks to the following vendors for helping create such a stunningly elegant day for this gorgeous young couple. Laurelville Manor (venue), Kay hair & Co (hair), Mint Makeup Artist (makeup), Flowers By Elli Paige (florals), Ryan Clune (celebrant), Heyder & Shears Catering (catering), Audrey Davies (cake), Madi Lane Bridal (gown) and Joondalup Marquees (marquee).

And of course, a big thankyou to Scott and Bec for inviting me to cover your special day for you - it was such a delight to be there with you all!

 

The Wheatbelt Collective | Classic Elegant Winter Styled Shoot | Buckland Estate, WA | 16 June 2019 {Perth, Avon Valley & Wheatbelt Wedding Photographer}

The Wheatbelt Collective was founded by myself and the ladies from Confetti & Co and Petallica Flower Co, as a collaboration between like minded wedding and event specialists based in the Avon Valley and Wheatbelt regions, just east of Perth in WA.  

Our aim as a collective has always been to provide a space for talented locals in the wedding and events industry to get creative, share ideas, and work together, towards the common goal of providing both city and country folk with a host of quality suppliers to choose from, when planning a wedding or event in a rural area. 

So when we heard that one of our most loved and historic homesteads, Buckland Estate, was being renovated as a new wedding and event venue, we joined forces with the new owners, keen to showcase the endless possibilities this incredible property has to offer.

And I had a personal incentive for being involved too. It was my fourth great grandparents, Charles Pratt and Ann Solomon, who upon arrival from England in 1830, began building on their newly allocated land holding, 120km east of the Swan River Colony, near the fledgling town of Northam. Their daughter Ann Ellen Pratt went on to marry one of Charles’ employees, a Seaman named James McLean Dempster, and together they produced the long line of Dempsters that are well known to both Buckland Estate and the local Northam area, to this day.

And what better way to explore the options, and to get word out about this fabulous new venue, than with an elegantly styled shoot full of classic feels, and warm, Wintery tones? A huge thanks to the following vendors and suppliers for contributing their wares and talents on the day, and for doing us proud in the country once again!

Russell, of Buckland Estate (venue) for all his hard work landscaping and renovating in the months leading up to the shoot, which provided us with a perfect backdrop on the day.  Sarah and Holly at Confetti & Co (planning & styling) for providing the brief and organising the shoot, and for their delightful table setting on the day. Sarah from Petallica Flower Co (floristry) for all the beautiful blooms you see, and Jamine Fowler (HMUA) for her incredible hair and makeup work with our fabulous model, Molly.  And finally, Yvette from Yvette’s Cakes (cake) for the delicious cake you see nestled amongst the candles and fruit on that delectable Winter table setting.

So if you’re in the process of planning a wedding or event, and you are yet to nail the perfect location, get in touch with Sarah and Holly at Confetti & Co to arrange a viewing of this beautiful venue. Otherwise, make your way out to Buckland Estate on Sunday 11th August 2019 between 11am and 3pm for the Wedding Open Day, being co-hosted by Confetti & Co. You’'ll have an opportunity to look over the venue, and to speak to a select team of fabulous vendors (both local and Perth based) who will be on-hand to answer any wedding related questions you might have. Plus there’ll be food trucks and a drinks van, so why not make a day of it, and we’ll see you there!

 

Glenn + Jess | Rustic Farm Wedding | Northam WA | 22 September 2018 {Perth, Avon Valley & Wheatbelt Wedding Photographer}

I love a good farm wedding, and this one was certainly no exception! Held on the family farm at Southern Brook just east of Northam, surrounded by their family and friends, and blessed with a superb Spring day, Glenn and Jess really did have the makings of a perfect wedding day.

But farm weddings can be hard work too, with much of the labor required the day before, and on the morning of the wedding. Everything has to be accounted for, and set up without the help of a venue or experienced staff to share the load. Furniture, seating, flowers and decorations need to be brought in, drinks, food, and portaloos sorted, and the ever present flies and mozzies dealt with.

So early in the planning stages, Glenn and Jess decided to engage the help of local wedding planners and stylists Holly and Sarah from Confetti & Co Events. These girls rock at what they do - seriously, they take all the stress out of the day! They organise the hire of furniture and equipment, which they collect, set up, and then drop back to the suppliers when it’s all over. They help plan the schedule and timetable for the day, then keep vendors updated and running on time as everything unfolds, and they deal with the little problems that can arise on a wedding day. Plus they’re super creative too, adding the finishing touches to everything from ceremony areas to table settings, to take your wedding to the next level.

So I was stoked when they announced that Glenn and Jess wanted me on board as their photographer, along with Sarah from Petallica Flower Co on flowers, making it a Wheatbelt Collective collaboration. Formed just over 18 months ago by myself, Confetti & Co Events and Petallica Flower Co, The Wheatbelt Collective encompasses a group of local wedding and event suppliers who aim to provide a high level of service and quality to people who wish to host their wedding or event in the country. Our goal is to encourage people to ‘keep it local’ by providing the kind of service previously perceived to only be found in the city.

But our ability to provide great service relies to an extent on the fabulous suppliers we work alongside on the day. And we were blessed to have the following team on board for Glenn and Jess’s wedding. Julie Chesson A Love Story (celebrant), Jasmine Fowler (hair & makeup), Yvette’s Cakes (cake), Lala Design (stationary), Little Miss Vintage, Grandscene Wedding & Event Hire and HA Hire Events & Weddings (furniture & tableware hire), Complete DJ (DJ), Avon Valley Hospitality (catering) and The Northam Country Club (reception venue).

A huge thanks to all of you for creating such a beautiful and well run wedding for our couple, and for showcasing the possibilities for events held out here in the Avon Valley and Wheatbelt. I think the results below speak for themselves. Seriously, why would you want to get married anywhere else, people?

Congrats Glenn and Jess, and thank you so much for having me share your day with you, it really was fabulous!

 

The Grand Ball | Northam Women in Business Fundraiser | The Grand, Northam WA | 24 February 2018 {Perth, Avon Valley & Wheatbelt Event Photographer}

Last Saturday night the Northam Women in Business hosted their second annual Grand Ball, at The Grand, Northam, and what an evening of glitz and glamour it was!

 The proceeds of this gala event are awarded in the form of a Business Scholarship, to a local woman looking to open and/or continue to run her own business in the Avon Valley. The process for applying includes a written application and interview with a panel of representatives from the Bendigo Bank, The Northam Chamber of Commerce, and the wider business community. 

Applicants are required to demonstrate their desire, ability and readiness to either start or continue a career, venture or vocation that will bring wide ranging benefits to the Northam business and social community.

A huge amount of time and effort goes into creating an event like this, with dozens of sponsors, suppliers and donors contributing to make it second to none. So a big thankyou to all those who donated, especially our Gold Sponsor, the Bendigo Bank, and our Silver Sponsors the Commonwealth Bank, The Grand Northam, SportsPower, West Coast Fireworks, Darren West, Simply Spectacles, and Angie Roe Photography.  

Special thanks also to the following event suppliers, for making it such an awesome evening!  The Grand, Northam, Confetti & Co, Chalk on York, and Studio Luxe Candle Company (venue, styling and decorations), Swift Hound Films (videography), Citrons Catering and Confetti & Co (catering), Rosary Floral Design (flowers), Rhyce Toovey, BellyDance Bombshells Perth and Another Fine Mess (entertainment), WestCoast Fireworks (pyrotechnics), Leeson Digital and Jodie Longmire (marketing and artwork), and Spuds Marquee Hire (marquee).

And although I couldn't possibly list you all (there were more than 70 of you!), a huge thankyou to all the local businesses who donated their wares to both the auction and silent auction which were held on the night, and also to the people who bid on them. Your generosity contributes a significant amount of the funds required to make both The Grand Ball and the Business Scholarship possible, and we simply couldn't do it without you.

And the result of all this hard work and vision?  A fantastic night full of glitz and glamour, which saw guests enjoying the incredible grazing and dessert tables (think sweets with names like pear and almond frangipani flan!), and a host of entertainers, including Rhyce and the band, and our gorgeous belly dancers, who even brought their own snakes along - as you do!   

Now all that remains to see is who wins the scholarship!

 

The Wheatbelt Collective | Rustic Boho Styled Shoot | Faversham House & Mt Brown, York WA | 17 January 2018 {Perth, Avon Valley & Wheatbelt Wedding Photographer}

The Wheatbelt Collective has now been established for just over 6 months, with the aim of seeking out the best of our local Avon Valley and Wheatbelt talent, in order to provide both city and country folk with a host of quality suppliers to choose from, when planning a wedding or event in a rural area. 

Founded by myself and the lovely ladies from Confetti & Co and Petallica Flower Co, the Wheatbelt Collective is a collaboration between like minded wedding and event specialists, based in the Avon Valley, just east of Perth in WA.  

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.

We are not a directory of suppliers as such, but rather, a bunch of creatives who love to work together, and who take our recommendations seriously, which is where our styled shoots come in.  The aim of these shoots is to not only have fun creating something awesome, but to allow us the opportunity to work with local suppliers we may not have worked with before, and in turn, showcase both them, and what we can offer you in the country, should you choose to keep it local.  

So in preparation for our summer shoot, we put our heads together to brainstorm something uniquely suited to our region, and invited an amazing bunch of both new and old businesses to contribute. And not only did they all do an incredible job, but they were also totally lovely to work with, which means we'll definitely be recommending them in the future! 

So a huge thanks to Nola at Faversham House for providing such a perfect backdrop (and a beautiful cool room to get ready in, on a very hot, sticky day!).  And to Jasmine Fowler for her incredible hair and makeup work with our fabulous model, Ash, to create a natural, summery boho look.  And to Kimberley from Blue Silk Design Studio for not only providing a stunning gown, but for tailoring it to Ash on the day. Also to Sue from Birdsnest Gallery of Old and New Things for all her gorgeous rustic knick knacks for our table styling, and to Angela from The Knotty Kiwi for her stunning macrame backdrop, flower wrap, table runner and chair pieces.  

And of course, to Sarah and Holly of Confetti & Co for providing the brief for a rustic, summery, vintage boho look, full of natural tones and pops of pink, peach and copper, and for their fabulous table and arbour styling on the day.  And to Sarah from Petallica Flower Co for all the beautiful blooms you see, and finally, to Lauren and Ben from Swift Hound Films for their incredible film footage, which I really can't begin to describe, so seriously, just watch it, people! 

And following is the result. Which I have no words for.  Except to say that I feel immensely proud (and lucky) to be surrounded by so many wonderful personalities, and such talent, right here where I live.  This is what we are capable of out here, and I think you'll agree, there's really no need to go to Perth, or to source your suppliers from the city, when planning a wedding or event in the Avon Valley or Wheatbelt!    

 

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!

 

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!
 

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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.
 

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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.
 

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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.
 

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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!
 

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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!

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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! 

 

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...

 

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!