Travis +Clare, Narrikup {engagement}

Looking forward to the wedding of these "country kids" this weekend. 

Kylie + Russ {engagement}

Its really one of the best parts of being for someone's wedding - getting to know them.  I LOVE hearing how the couple met, how long they have been an "item", when they knew that their fiance was "the one" & all the other stories that I get to hear about as part of the process.

I also LOVE catching the expressions on their faces when they share these stories with me. There's a certain sparkle in their eyes that is just not possible to fake.

And the sparkle from these two was blinding!

Here's some more from our evening at the Albany Wind Farm;

Winter Sun...{engagement sneak peek}

It was well worth postponing this engagement session for a day - the light was truly magical.  More to come...

Turning him around... {engagement}

I can read body language as well as the next bloke... and the message from Bevan was loud and clear! He didn't really want to be there.  And he didn't want his photo taken.

Well, I totally get that.  I also dread the lens being pointed in my direction. For me, its on par with a visit to the dentist (apologies Bruce & Barry).  So we were on the same wave length from the very beginning. 

And, as you can see, it didn't take long to crack that tough exterior - Rikki turned him to marshmallow. I even got a "well, that wasn't really too bad after all" or something along those lines, when it was all done and dusted.

This is the main reason why I offer engagement sessions as part of every wedding collection (the photos are just a bonus).  It allows you, as a couple, to get comfortable with being in front of the camera before your big day.  It also shows those of us who are "camera-shy" that it doesn't hurt one little bit - it is actually fun!  So see it as a treat  for you both as a couple - a treasured little moment in time when you get to think about nothing but your partner, and the reasons you are together.  

There is no doubt that a wedding is a HUGE event to organise, and as the chaos unfolds around you, it can be easy to forget the reason you are doing it in the first place.  Let me remind you....

Jayne + Boots {engagement}

Once again, we beat the rain. 

We grabbed a window between torrential downpours to explore this avocado farm just outside of Albany.  The trees were just dripping with fruit - but we resisted the temptation to fill our bags... promise! 
 

It was such fun Jayne + Boots - I look forward to your big day when we can do it again.

Ian + Conny {engagement}

So, there was rain on the way.  

I'd been watching the BOM radar intermittently all day.  And I was watching out over the town as the grey clouds rolling in from the ocean.  I just needed the rain to hold off for one more hour - and it did! 

Not only did the rain hold, but our nerves were rewarded with that magic light that only comes with storms and sunsets combined.  Let's hope we get exactly the same conditions in May when this lovely couple tie the knot! 

Justine + Ian {engagement}

I am a little nutty about dogs... & so are this couple so we bonded immediately!  

On Friday, we got together an engagement portrait session.   I always encourage my wedding clients to have an engagement shoot because it's the perfect opportunity for us to get to know each other, to warm up in front of the camera, & get some great shots to use on a save-the-date card or a wedding day guest-book which I can design.

Next stop for these two is Busselton for their wedding in April.  Looking forward to it!

Goodbye 2010...

Traditionally a time for reflecting, this year-end is a prompt for me to take a look through my files & relive some of the stories I've told through photos.  

Overwhelmingly, this has brought such  a strong feeling of gratitude to my clients & business cohorts.  I'm so incredibly lucky that they have had such faith in my ability (even when I, myself had doubts). They've made it possible for me LIVE THE DREAM! Thank you thank you thank you!

I invite you to relive some of these moments with me - not necessarily the most perfect photos - just ones that represent precious, significant & hilarious moments for me in 2010.

It doesn't get more significant than this! Being part of the first few days of a little person's life.

And then they get active.  I had to have my skates on to keep up with these little cuties!

There weren't too many beetroots left in the garden after I left this house after taking some photos for The West's 'Dream Homes" lift-out due out early next year.

They say you should never work with kids or animals. How boring life would be!

The look on the little man's face sums it up... "what's that doing here?"

 

I've said it before & I'll definitely say it  again, dogs make me smile!

And weddings make me cry (especially father-of-the-brides when they first see their little girl)!

Its been great to still be involved in marketing / publicity. First there was Mercedes Benz Magazine.

Then Scoop Magazine... twice.

And then my favourite - the Albany Traveller magazine

I'm especially grateful to Sandy from Alkoomi, and Annette Davis for encouraging me to step out of of my comfort-zone & exhibit as part of the Southern Art & Craft Trail.  And it was nice of the agency to put my billboard where I would see it everyday!

 

And I've been thrilled to be working with some of Albany's very talented women producing the Ella Rae knitting books.

 

Events!

Sharing the big moments!

2011 has lots of exciting things in-store for me!  Whilst I feel I've made leaps & bounds this year,  I certainly aim to make loads more improvements to my photography & other aspects of my business.  Ooooo... so many ideas!!

My year kicks off on 1.1.11 with my the first wedding of the year in Perth - for a couple who I know will be LOADS of fun - can't wait to share.  (I'm especially excited about the venue for the wedding photos  - an incredible home in Mosman Park - stay tuned!)

Hope you are also planning an awesome year!  

Krysta

Emma + Ray In Love...

You can imagine how excited I was when Emma + Ray told me they had two props to bring along on their engagement session - the first being "Gilbert", the Golden Retriever, and the second, Ray's brother's recent acquisition - a very cool vintage ute. Don't you just LOVE the colour?

That's about as Australian as it gets - a man, his ute, his dog &the love-of-his-life. (I thongs are a nice touch too!)

We had the most prefect evening for this shoot on Tuesday - here's hoping their wedding evening will be just as still & warm!

It was still divine at six so we headed from the bush to the beach to escape the mozzies.  Everyone else in Albany must have been finishing off the race-day champagne, because we had the place to ourselves - just the way we wanted it!

What a stunning bride and groom you two will be in February - I look forward to seeing you then!