I was so excited when Miss Polka, who runs one of my favourite inspiration blogs for weddings Polka Dot Bride, decided to feature James & Christine’s engagement photos. The features on Polka Dot Bride have always been inspiring to me, so to be a part of the blog and that inspiration is truly amazing. I’m so happy and so incredibly honoured to be featured on it.
So, head on over to Polka Dot Bride and leave some love.
I was asked to do an interview for the amazing Ms. Penelope RED’s blog and newsletter. She is an amazingly talented fashion designer, and I’ve had the pleasure of working with her and her lovely garments on more than one occasion (more like three or four, but who’s counting) and she got me thinking about inspiration and what my inspirations are. It’s funny to say this, but I’ve always found that a difficult question to answer. I mean, you think about it, and it is anything and everything that’s inspiring, and most of the time it’s something very strange and almost completely unrelated to what you’re actually doing or thinking about.
What I realised was that the only way could answer the question of what inspires me without answering “everything!” is to tell you all that I love stories. Stories have a way of weaving themselves into your being. Everyone has a story; whether it is good, bad, funny, indifferent, filled with silliness; everyone has a story. My job as a photographer is to capture that story, and I am grateful for it every day. Sometimes I get to create my own story and other times I get to be a part of other people’s; to document intimate moments that are only really shared with closest family and friends. To be let into other people’s lives and their stories and see them unfold, really, how could you not be inspired?
I’m thankful for being able to share in people’s stories and to document them. It really is an awesome job.
by Len
show 1 comment
I love your Blog headerFebruary 21, 2010 – 8:58 am
I posted this engagement on my old blog just before I decided to make my site and my blog a part of each other. I sort of feel like it’s been a little lost in the transition and wanted to share it with everyone and have it properly a part of the blog. Christine & James are possibly the sweetest couple that I have ever met and are even more crazy about each other than they were when they met 5 years ago.
Here is their story.
James & Christine both worked for OzEmail back in the day (and by back in the day, I mean a few years ago, which in the world of technology really is back in the day). James had a thing for Christine, but she insisted that she didn’t want to be involved in a relationship. He knew better, refused to take no for an answer and very slyly convinced Christine to go get drinks after work without her really realising that she’d just agreed to it. A few drinks and a work harbour cruise later and they were officially dating.
It’s now 5 years later and next November James & Christine will be tying the knot and I’ll be there to capture all those moments. I really can’t wait!
Love you both!
by Len
show 10 comments
Milena, slike su ti preljepe! Keep up the good work!February 3, 2010 – 5:34 pm
Great set. The couple looks so real and happy. These are the sort of images that put a smile on your face.February 3, 2010 – 6:34 pm
Nice style. I think your processing really conplements the photos.February 3, 2010 – 7:46 pm
This is truly a great set. The second photo is my fave.February 4, 2010 – 12:36 am
Very cute couple. I love how you’ve captured their feelings towards each other.February 4, 2010 – 3:34 pm
Great photos and I love their story too.February 4, 2010 – 8:50 pm
Wow these are seriously awesome photos! I really love how you capture their true emotions and how in love they are 
February 9, 2010 – 1:13 pm
Your stuff is so real. So good. So simple. It’s perfect. You stand above the crowd… seriously. Great job.February 12, 2010 – 12:56 am
I just love your blog. Great work.February 15, 2010 – 6:20 am
[...] who runs one of my favourite inspiration blogs for weddings Polka Dot Bride, decided to feature James & Christine’s engagement photos. The features on Polka Dot Bride have always been inspiring to me, so to be a [...]February 15, 2010 – 9:59 am
I posted a little preview of this shoot last week and finally we have the full shoot. It was a tricky shoot to cull down to just a few favourites. My first cull (and I promised myself to be ruthless) was 150 images, not much of a cull to be honest. But here’s a selection of my favourites that, to me, tell the story of the day and tell the story of the inspiration behind this shoot, Pocahontas.
by Len
show 16 comments
It was worth the wait to see these extra photos! Great shoot.January 29, 2010 – 5:17 pm
What incredible shots, and what a fantastic location too! Great job all around.January 30, 2010 – 1:31 am
Um, these are incredible. Why do I not subscribe to your blog? That’s about to change. I am completely in love with this set of photos. Stunning!January 30, 2010 – 4:38 am
These are really cool. I especially love the lighting and tones in the final shot– great work!!January 30, 2010 – 5:05 am
Great set! Love the lighting on the last one January 30, 2010 – 8:54 am
Len, this is a gorgeous set. I love the lighting in the black and white one when she’s looking off to the right.January 30, 2010 – 7:20 pm
great lighting, love the first one.January 30, 2010 – 7:26 pm
One word! AMAZING! Milena where are you from? Name sounds Bosnian, Croatian or Serbian? Anyways – Keep up the great work!January 31, 2010 – 2:49 am
Wonderful photo shoot! These are beautiful.January 31, 2010 – 6:55 am
Thanks for all the love everyone. This was a fun shoot to do, and that location is just sublime, It’s got so many great places to photograph.
Alen, I was born in the former Yugoslavia, so you’d be correct in your guess, though my family moved to Australia when I was 5, so I’m really more of an Aussie than anything else. January 31, 2010 – 11:58 am
What a stunning concept! You did it beautifully; I can see why you’re so proud of these images!February 1, 2010 – 3:46 am
Wonderful photographs. Very nicely lit!February 1, 2010 – 5:02 am
Stunning subject, awesome location and images are amazing. The last one is my Fav, and I love the lighting!!February 1, 2010 – 10:17 am
1) I love the idea of a styled shoot in this manner! And you REALLY rocked it. 2) The location is soo perfect. It seems like an area of land untouched since the real Pocahontas walked the land. *Very nicely done!!*February 1, 2010 – 11:21 am
Crazy-love it! Gorgeous.February 2, 2010 – 2:11 am
These photos are gorgeous! LOVE THEM!February 4, 2010 – 4:58 am
Yesterday I was part of a pretty amazing shoot. My friend and make-up artist extraordinaire Natalie Biller & I had been planning on doing a Pocahontas themed shoot for about the last 6 months. To say that I’m happy that we finally got to shoot it is an understatement.
The model was the lovely Amy Lyn Cage who I worked with on what was my first solo fashion shoot and it was lovely collaborating with her again. The stylist was Jess Bellef, who from the very first time I spoke to her was so enthusiastic and created these amazing looks, including making a headpiece for Amy and the hair stylist was Milli Jaksic, who created a look for Amy that was absolutely perfect ‘do and looked flawless the entire day.
I took my instax so I could get a photo of everyone involved and add them to the ever increasing wall of photos we have at home.
I’m still going through all of the photos from yesterday, but I just had to share my favourite from the day.
Hope everyone has a good weekend.
by Len
show 14 comments
Fantastic work! I love the warm light on the model against the darkness around her. Nicely done.January 22, 2010 – 1:51 pm
ohhhh neat! I like the lighting. Looks like it was a fun shoot.January 22, 2010 – 4:48 pm
Looks like it was a blast. Great final shot.January 22, 2010 – 5:39 pm
absolutely beautiful image!January 23, 2010 – 10:04 am
Aww, I love it 
Wish I could have hung around a little longer! I was wondering how you were going to use the ‘location’ I am strangely… a little excited about seeing more! Will we get too see more? 
January 24, 2010 – 1:21 am
The last shot is perfection.January 24, 2010 – 6:49 am
That’s a sexy photo! Nicely shot. No wonder it’s your favourite. January 24, 2010 – 12:12 pm
Thanks everyone. It really was a fun shoot, and I can’t wait to post the rest of them. I’m just wading through them at the moment and picking my faves to edit. So, Nick, there will be plenty more, hopefully in the next few days. Also, thanks dude for suggesting that location, it was perfection!January 24, 2010 – 12:21 pm
wow! what fun, and your lighting is great, really nailed it!January 24, 2010 – 3:14 pm
Excellent concept. And execution. And beautiful model, great lighting, great makeup, great everything. Can’t wait to see more of this!
Do you mind telling us what kind of lighting you used?January 24, 2010 – 3:58 pm
Oh wow! That shot is fantastic. The pose, the costumin, the location, the lighting.January 25, 2010 – 8:42 am
Wonderful shot! I looks like a photo from an ultra hip magazine.January 25, 2010 – 1:11 pm
So great!I am waiting with baited breath for the rest of the shots…I know there are a million more amazing ones to come!January 25, 2010 – 2:48 pm
YOWZER!!! I’m in love with the last Pocahontas pic…ps I want an instax, the colours are amazing…I want one NOW!!! =)January 29, 2010 – 6:46 pm
by Len
no comments