Last Saturday, Amber, Holly, and myself headed out to Woodlands in Gordonton, to photograph Jess & Mark’s beautiful wedding.

Our first stop was around at the boys’ place, where we caught up with Mark & his groomsmen as they donned their suits, ties, and various other accoutrements. Luckily for them, the day – although warm – wasn’t overly hot due to a cool breeze… a breeze which would prove somewhat problematic, later on!

We then headed out to Woodlands, and with the girls still en route from the salon, we began with some of the details photos – like the gorgeous bouquets from ‘Wedding Flowers by Karen‘…

Jess arrived, and headed down to check out the awesome setup in the reception room…

And a bit of veil placement practice..

It was an emotional time for Mum & Dad as they watched Jess coming down the stairs, all ready to head off and get married.

The ceremony took place at St Mary’s Church in Gordonton – only 5 minutes down the road. It’s a gorgeous little brick church, quaint & just the right size for their guestlist

That wind that we mentioned earlier…. was getting pretty strong! No sooner did Jess get out of the church than her veil was whisked away. Lucky she had awesomely attentive & quick thinking bridesmaids, to the rescue!

St. Mary’s church in Gordonton has a fantastic big window at the back – with just the right amount of light spilling through for some nice dramatic shots…

The guests down to Woodlands – where they were able to relax in the afternoon sunshine for some nibble & drinks – it seemed very summery!

We arrived back, and made for the sheltered areas around Woodlands – for a respite from the wind..

Jess & Mark – thank you both for having us along to share a part in your beautiful wedding day! We had a great time with you all
Enjoy the photos, enjoy warm Hawaii, and there are plenty more images like this to follow!!

Isaac, Amber, and Holly.

Last Saturday, we had the privilege of photographing Iain & Kayleigh’s wedding at the Auckland Zoo.

For those who remember them – they were the runners up in the 2010 Life FM ‘Wedding Season’ competition… and we just couldn’t bear to see them gutted at not winning the final vote.
So – we offered to shoot their wedding free, too. And we’re so stoked we did!

Our day began around at the boys’ hotel, where Iain & groomsmen were getting ready.

Around at the girls place, Amber & Holly were in shoe heaven – Kayleigh & her bridesmaids all wore yellow shoes, and Kayleigh had 3 pairs of her own for various stages of the day

Meanwhile, I was sneaking photos through the doorway at a lovely moment between Kayleigh & her dad..

We headed down to the zoo, as a few showers began to drift across the previously sunny morning.
The boys watched the wedding cars arrive with anticipation written all over their faces..

Iain seeing Kayleigh getting out of the car.

These guys paused here, because the little page boy decided that all the petals needed to be tipped out of the basket NOW. In the background of all the following sequence of photos, you can see a little white blur off in the distance – the pile of rose petals!

Having a little rain on your wedding day is never something that should stop you from getting great photos!

Then… it was off to play with the animals!!
This is what we most look forward to when shooting weddings at the zoo – it’s so much fun to have close up animal encounters!
First up – feeding the ring-tailed lemurs.

We all piled onto the zoo-mobiles (I don’t know if they’re called zoo-mobiles or just big golf carts.. but it’s a cool sounding name so we’ll claim it) – and off to visit the white rhino.

His skin was crazy – it felt like touching the bark of a tree or something – so tough!

Back onto our zoomobile – and off to the Pridelands, to feed the giraffe.

Apparently – they’re a bit slobbery!!

The bridal party were keen for some shots where each person portrays a different animal. I think there’s a turtle. An elephant. A monkey. A T-Rex?. And a couple of animals that could go either way!!
Plus a whole line of meerkats. Epic!

The bridal party headed back to the reception, and we finished up with a few more shots of Iain & Kayleigh around the zoo. They practised their first dance (and if you can do it in heels on a boardwalk with cracks, you can do it anywhere!!)

Finally, we headed across to the outside of the newly opened Te Wao Nui area – unfortunately it was after hours and already locked up so we couldn’t get inside… but the outside did us just fine.

Back outside the Elephant House – with their wedding car…

Then it was inside the Elephant House, which was beautifully set up for their reception.

Kayleigh & Iain had organized a little game for their guests… they were each assigned an animal, and had to find the one other guest in the room who was their animal match… and then get a picture in the photo booth with their partner. It made for some hilarious shots as people tried to act out what animals they were…

And a perfect day, rounded out by some beautiful speeches.

We also caught up with Iain & Kayleigh a few days after the wedding, for a super fun (and windy, and cold!) Trash the Dress shoot down at the beach… stay tuned for some pics from that soon.

Kayleigh & Iain – thanks so much for having us along to share a part in your wedding! We had a fantastic time with you, your friends, and family!

Isaac, Amber, and Holly.

On the 11/11/11 – we headed out to photograph Jono & Sarah’s beautiful wedding at Kumeu Valley Estate.
The day was absolutely stunning – warm, sunny, and not a cloud in the sky.

Our morning kicked off around at the boys’ place…

JB and his groomsmen are all into their cars – but weren’t allowed to use their Holden’s as official ‘wedding cars’ So we made sure we got a few shots beforehand to show them off..

Then we were off to the girls place – where Sarah had just finished doing all the bridesmaids’ hair & makeup herself, and was in the final stages of her own! Amazing!

Down at Kumeu Valley Estate, the guests were gathered on the lawn, and awaited the arrival of the cars. I love that you can drive right down to almost the ceremony area, so the guests can actually see the wedding cars arrive – so often we see these beautiful cars that drop the bride off outside the church & no-one ever gets to see them!

The ceremony was officiated by Peta Hardley – who is our most favourite Auckland celebrant! (and also Amber’s mum).

Jono & Sarah had a sand ceremony to signify their two parts coming together – and providing a really cool keepsake with the layered sands.

After the ceremony, we headed out for some photos. As it was so bright & sunny, we stuck to the shade for the first part…

Sarah & Jono were keen to get a photo with the cars… so we needed to find a nice big space to park them in. As we were only just down the road from the Waimauku park n ride train station, we thought we’d swing in there for the space to get this shot. This meant we had to drive past Settler’s Manor, which also had a wedding on… and must have been just about to begin. Because – when we drove down the road, the staff started madly motioning our wedding cars to pull into their driveway.. and the photographer waiting outside began snapping away for the arrival of the ‘bride’…. they looked a bit confused when we instead pulled into the carpark across the road & all jumped out to begin photos with the cars!!

On our way back to Kumeu Valley Estate, we stopped in at an awesome field we’d discovered earlier in the day…

Back at the reception, everything looked perfect – I love the rustic wood feel inside the room.

We wanted to get a shot incorporating all the fairy lights up inside the bell tower… cue the trusty fisheye lens to fit everything in!

We moved through into the dancefloor room, for the first dance, and ensuing dancefloor mayhem…

Just before we headed away, the boys came outside and finished off smoking their cigars – we played around with some lighting to catch the smoke midair.. love this shot of Jono.

It was a fantastic wedding – thank you both so much for inviting us along to share a part in it!
Enjoy the photos – there are MANY more to come

Isaac & Amber.

Another belated engagement shoot post – this time, we’re sharing a few images from Shane & Teresa’s awesome shoot over on the East Coast.

We had some great weather – a few showers of rain, moody clouds, and the odd burst of sunshine.

As it was in the middle of the World Cup – they also incorporated some All Blacks supporting into the theme

Here are a few of their favourites from the shoot. Shane & Teresa are also in our competition to win a $5200 wedding photography package – click here to vote for them to be the winners!

I & A.

A few weeks ago, we caught up with Lanson & Melody. They are getting married in Taiwan next year, and had flown out to New Zealand to do their pre-wedding photographs.

The brief for us was to create some amazing images that not only captured their love for each other – but also the stunning scenery that Auckland has to offer.

Over the space of 10 hours, we traveled from the East Coast, to the city, to the West Coast, back to the city – it was a fantastic shoot.

Here are just a few of the many, many images we captured.

These are a mixture of shots by Isaac, Amber, and our fantastic assistant Mat Nimmo – who got some really cool angles.

If you know someone that is looking to have pre-wedding photos done in Auckland – show them this blog post – and tell them to get in touch with us for a chat about what we can provide.

Enjoy!!

I love the shots where the dress is dragging a trail through the sand!! Hopefully the people back in Taiwan at the dress-hire shop love black West Coast sand as much as we do!!

To keep up to date with all our latest creations – head along and ‘like’ our Perspectives Facebook Page.

On Saturday, we had the pleasure of photographing Garth & Laura’s wedding out at Markovina, in Kumeu.

When we woke up, it was pouring with rain – and things looked pretty dismal. Garth & Laura were a little stressed about the weather too – but it was for nothing, as by the afternoon, things had cleared up perfectly – and we had just the right balance of dramatic clouds, bits of sunshine, and no rain!

Garth & Laura decided to meet up with each other before the wedding ceremony, and do the majority of their photos.
So the boys arrived over at the girls’ house… and Laura headed downstairs.

We headed out to get some cool shots with them & their bridal party… remember that rain from earlier… and the resulting dramatic clouds?? They looked like this.

Changing locations – we headed to a slightly more ‘grungy’ urban setting…

”

Next stop – Markovina vineyard in Kumeu – where they had a beautiful ceremony. Garth & Laura decided that they’d like to keep their ceremony simple, and intimate – and as such, they just had their family members there… and afterwards, we headed back out for a few more photos, while the rest of the guests arrived to mix & mingle, and await their return. It was a unique & cool way to structure things.

Laura said to us that she envisaged a field of flowers being an amazing location… so we hunted far & wide – and eventually stumbled across this perfect spot…

The sun peeked out from behind the clouds – making for some lovely, romantic backlight…

I love the way the sunlight has created some lens flare here … I keep thinking of the tv ad with ‘woooahhh…. double rainbow…..’

We weren’t actually scheduled to shoot the reception… but the combination of a multi-piece big band, and a first dance that was choreographed using 5 different tracks mashed together… it was too tempting to resist!!

Garth & Laura – thanks so much for having us along to share a part in your beautiful wedding day!
We hope you’re having an amazing time over in the USA – and we’ll have plenty more images to share with you guys soon.

If you’ve enjoyed these images – head along and ‘like’ our Perspectives Facebook Page – where you can stay up to date with all our latest creations.

Until next time,

Ciao!

Isaac & Amber.

Another of our engagement photo competition couples – we had Luke, Tracey, and their dog Diesel come up from Hamilton, to meet us out at the beach near our studio.

We are photographing their wedding at Sarnia Park, in Cambridge, next year … and we’re really looking forward to it – even more so after having the chance to photograph them

They were an easy going, relaxed, and fun couple – and we had an awesome time out in the late afternoon light.

A while ago we caught up with them for their viewing session… and here are a few of the resulting favs.

You can vote Luke & Tracey to be the winners of a $5200 wedding photography package – head to our Facebook Page and vote now!

Enjoy.

I & A.

On Friday, we headed North. Waaaayyy north.
Up past Kerikeri, just about to Mangonui… and then down to John & Karen’s gorgeous property in the bush.

90-odd acres, which they affectionately title ‘camp run-a-muck’… because that’s what the kids do there!

This beautiful Northland bush backdrop was the setting for their relaxed, intimate wedding on Saturday.

In the morning, we headed down to the campsite – where we found Karen & the girls preparing the daisies they had gathered. Apparently, the daisies are a bit late this year… and what should have been a simple snatch & grab from any given paddock turned into a huge mission, with much trekking, until enough flowers were found!

Throughout the whole day, it was awesome to see everyone pitching in & helping set things up. From blowing up balloons, to pouring huge amounts of lollies into the lolly bar…. (I don’t think that proved too difficult for the girs!)

Eventually, John had to resign to the fact that it was time to change from steelcaps & work clothes into his wedding attire… and we were waiting to pounce!!

John is also quite fond of his bulldozer – they had a custom cake topper fashioned in the USA, which arrived just in time for the wedding!

Meanwhile… the finer details were falling into place…

And the girls were getting ready – I love the makeup chair, just out in the trees!

Karen had John’s 2 daughters, and her daughter, as bridesmaids – and they all looked beautiful!

Karen looked amazing in her beautiful dress, custom made by Nicola Dawson. The pastel colours & the weave pattern just looked stunning against the green of the bush backdrop.

A proud father

It was a short walk from the campsite, down to the grove of pine trees where they had the ceremony.
To the sound of ukelele being played by a nephew, Karen came down through the trees…

And John saw her for the first time.

They were surprised with some unexpected confetti at the end of the ceremony…

After which, we took a few photos of them with their kids…

And then we went bush – Karen donned her pink gumboots – although luckily the ground was fairly dry, due to the beautiful weather over the last few days.

Up near the camp, we took a few shots using the farm gate, and the side of John’s workshed…

Nearby, is the waterhole where (in the summer) there is great swimming – one of their favourite spots on the property.
I love the way the light naturally vignettes them in a little ‘spotlight’ – just the perfect amount of sun coming through the trees

I did test the water… COLD!

Our final spot was the ford on the driveway, where the stream feeding the waterhole runs through. That piece of driveway now wears a little bit of silver Mazda Atenza, courtesy of us scraping the bottom as we drove up… plus a few other makes & models, I’ll wager!

There were some beautiful rocks on the far side of the stream, complete with ferns & moss… but as it meant crossing over, we hadn’t really considered it as an option.
Lucky for us, Karen got down to the waterside & waded straight over!

Back at the reception – which was in the digger shed, and looked amazing – people were relaxing with a few drinks & a bonfire… games of touch rugby were happening on the grass… and marshmallows being toasted over the fire.

Just before sitting down to their dinner, there were a few speeches – I just love this little moment, captured as John talked about how amazing Karen is.

It was such a beautiful wedding to capture. So much love. So personal & intimate. So relaxed. Just an expression of two people’s love, and two families coming together. About all the right things. Sigh.

John & Karen – thank you both so much for sharing your day with us. We are privileged to have been a part of it.

Enjoy this little sneak peek of photos – there are many more to follow. Head along and ‘like’ our Perspectives Facebook Page to stay up to date with our latest creations.

Isaac & Amber.

Belatedly, we’re sharing a few more of our recent engagement shoots

A while back, we caught up with Daniel & Renee down in our old stomping ground – Hamilton.

We headed out for some cool shots in the late afternoon light, and then caught sunset as well.

Daniel & Renee are also in the running to win a $5200 wedding photography package in our engagement shoot competition – you can vote for them here!

A couple of weeks ago, we flew over to Rarotonga to photograph Michael & Chanelle’s beautiful wedding at the Rarotongan Resort.

They were there with plenty of their whanau, and their gorgeous little daughter Omaio.

We floated around in the morning, as we captured each of their separate preparations…

The same moment… captured almost exactly… and two totally different angles. This is why we love shooting together!

This image was captured just moments before Chanelle walked out the door, across the sand, and up the aisle.

The ceremony was beautiful – very intimate & personal. There weren’t many dry eyes at this wedding!

After the ceremony, they planted their very own coconut tree on the beach – to forever grow & mark the spot where they were married.

At this stage, the plan was to head down for some photos on the beach.
After about 5 minutes, the gale force winds put an end to that!!

Instead, we headed for some shelter in the trees..

We then headed a bit further inland – Rarotonga is an amazing place, and off the beaten track you can discover some really beautiful spots… like this little orchard!

A back country road…

And a coconut grove…

Back at the Rarotongan, the reception was getting underway – followed by some heartfelt speeches…

Many of the guests were also members of a kapa haka group – which made the waiata after each speech even more beautiful – getting into the actions too!

Even the little ones got into the haka..

Michael & Chanelle surprised their guests with a first dance – for which they had secretly been receiving dancing lessons. Very cool!

If you’ve enjoyed these images, head along and ‘like’ our Perspectives Facebook page – where you can stay up to date with all our latest creations.

Michael & Chanelle – thank you both so much for having us along to share a part in your special day – we had such a good time with you all

Enjoy this little taster of what’s to come!

Kia Manuia,
Isaac & Amber.