Alana + Matt // Destination wedding in New Zealand

Sometimes I feel like this whole being a photographer thing is just totally weird and I sit there over-analysing all the things. I feel like that sometimes as I people watch, everyone has their own life, their own stories, every single person is the lead in their own little lifetime of a movie. I know that sounds random, but really we, photographers, get to be a part of such an intimate moment in people’s lives, we’re the memories, the reflection of that awesome day, the mood and the moment. The stories that couples will tell their future children are accompanied by the images from their wedding days. It feels like we get to delve into this little slice of life and shine the light on that little lifetime movie. I don’t know whether that makes sense, and my better half says that I’m an over-thinker, but I feel rather lucky to get to become a part of these days.

For Alana & Matt’s day it was a rather international affair and all these thoughts swirled through my mind at the airport as I people watched. I flew in from Sydney for their New Zealand wedding; Alana & Matt were flying in from Melbourne; Matt’s family flying in from the UK; and Alana’s family live in New Zealand, but they all congregated along the Kapiti Coast for their wedding at Greenmantle. Wedding days are a day when people do fly in from half-way around the world to celebrate with you, so it’s a double whammy of excitement to see each other after a while and wedding day excitement! And excitement there was!

xx

Emma & Enzo // Centennial Park Pine Forest Wedding

I really do love when people get ready in their family homes, I love the little details of their family histories and lives. Emma & Enzo’s wedding was one really rooted in that family love and history (along with their love of wine and music!). Their wedding was a true reflection of who they are, everything had such beautiful and personal touches, from having a wine ceremony as part of their wedding including a bottle of their favourite Pinot Noir and love letters they wrote to each other the night before the big day, which are to be kept safe and sealed until their 10th wedding anniversary, to Emma’s dress, which was designed to showcase her tattoos, one of which is one of my favourite quotes from Milan Kundera:

The brain appears to possess a special area which we might call poetic memory and which records everything that charms or touches us, that makes our lives beautiful.

I feel like the phrase “poetic memory” really encapsulates their day, it was such a touching, laughter filled day that I’m so happy to have been able to document. Thank you Emzo (their amazing nickname) for having me be a part of your day and for having your wedding day your way, exactly how weddings should be! xx

The fine people that contributed to making Emzo’s day special:

Cinematographer: La Lune Cinema
Wedding Planner & Stylist: Love 2 Love – Wedding & Event Planner
Bride’s Dress: George Wu
Bride’s Shoes: Tony Bianco
Bride’s Jewelry: Earrings – Vintage 60’s sapphires
Hairstylist: Anna Tran
Makeup Artist: Laura Anne Orlowski & Camila Alves – Stanley & Co
Bridesmaid Dresses:Zimmermann
Bridesmaid Dresses: White Runway
Bridesmaid Shoes: Tony Bianco
Groom’s Attire: MJ Bale
Groom’s Shirt & Shoes: Calibre
Groom’s Cufflinks: Zedelle Jewellery
Barber/Grooming: Joe Orlowski – Stanley & Co
Groomsmen suits: Peppers Double Bay
Personalised Cufflinks: Cuffed
Flowergirl Dresses: Gilly Gray
Flowers: Clara’s Flower Studio
Invitations & Stationery: Libby Young
Ceremony Venue: Centennial Parklands Pine Grove
Ceremony Officiant: Jessica Murdoch
Rental Furniture:Harbourside Decorators
Reception Venue: Centennial Parklands Dining
Cake: Buttercream Bakery
Band: Rhythm Republic
Wedding Rings: Carat Jewellery – Minto Market Place
Transport: Openair Wedding Cars & White Ribbon Harley Escorts

A Life Well Lived // I Love Wednesdays 2015

I always struggle with what to write to wrap up an entire year. I think I’ve taken a bit of a website sabbatical for most of the last year, so it feels like a much more daunting process than it has in years prior.

So, here goes (and apologies for the naughty words in advance). 2015 was a kickass year that totally kicked my ass! I freaking love that we as humans can go from having the highest of peaks to the lowest of lows and keep on going, we are all kinds of amazing and resilient and 2015 tested some of that in the loss of my last grandparent. I know this is probably rather silly, but I don’t think I ever thought of my grandmother as being a mere mortal. She had this effervescent life quality about her, that I always just assumed would be around, so experiencing her loss left me a little bit unmoored. Doing this job, getting to document people’s lives, preserving them and showcasing their significance… it’s been the salve to that loss.

Looking at these photos and thinking about the crazy roller coaster of a year that 2015 was, it reminds me that the hard times, no matter how hard are always tempered by the joys of a life well lived.

So to anyone reading this, live your life; love as fiercely as is humanly possible; do things, make art that gives your soul happiness and I hope that 2016 is a year filled with much more of the peaks and less of the troughs for all of us.

xx Len