Pic(k) of the Year - A Hawke's Bay photographer's favs!
It may have been yet another year of challenges for anyone planning a large event but love continued to conquer all and despite the difficulties, every one of my Hawke’s Bay couples from this past season created personal history and trusted me to illustrate that for them. Here are my favourite photos taken from each of my 23 weddings this year and a little about the love story behind each of them…
What a way to kick off the year! Tarsh, Blu and their four children led me into the year with their beautiful wedding at Crab Farm winery in Napier. The highlight for me was seeing this awesome, rustic venue play to the outdoors with a reception under the stars in the courtyard. This event became the feature wedding in the Hawke’s Bay Today Wedding Guide - always cool seeing my work in the media.ar
Claire & Matt had an intimate little wedding in January at The River Room in the Tukituki Valley, Hawke’s Bay. Their sunset session will always remain among my favourite set of images I’ve created. All the stars aligned for one very brief moment in time. Check out the main image on my homepage for more from this series.
I love this image because Amelia’s dad was the caretaker at Te Mata Park for many years and his ashes were scattered beneath this iconic tree. I feel like the tree is a strong presence representing him as his daughter is led forward in life by another huge rock in her life, new husband, Murray.
Amelia is a very dear friend and when Covid health risks forced them to invite only close family at very late notice, the responsibility of being not just the photographer but their only friend in attendance felt huge, but was such a privilege.
As a senior reporter for TV3, Alexa is used to being in front of the camera but not like this! Having had her and new hubby Jason in one of my favourite weddings a while back, I was super excited to connect with the Ashley Clinton crew again in Central Hawke’s Bay, and made one of the best calls of my wedding photography career, convincing these two to decide short-notice to have their photos before the ceremony, meaning we got the most beautiful set of Plan A wedding photos before an afternoon of heavy rain joined the party. This is a simple image but I absolutely love the little moment of ‘stokedness’ so evident on their faces.
So much grace and mana in this moment. Richard and Renee got married at Peak House, which made burning up to the top of Te Mata Peak a couple of times when the light was mint super easy. These two got married on the coolest date of the year, 22.2.22.
It’s hard to imagine a more glorious spot to create some romantic drama than the Tom McDonald Cellar at Church Road in Napier. Although rain made this an obvious choice for some of Nicola and Matt’s wedding photography, I always make a bee line for this spot whenever I’m here.
Stevie’s blue shoes and a 50s-inspired ankle-length wedding dress sure gave the iconic landscape near The River House in the Tukituki Valley a run for it’s money when it came to stealing the show.
I don’t think I’ve ever laughed as much at a wedding as I did at Hayley and Sean’s. These guys seriously knew how to throw a good party and the sheep-yards-cum-dance-floor in the woolshed at Harekeke Shooting near Taupo was as good a time as you’ll see anywhere, ever. This is my favourite image because little did we know but there is actually a teeny tiny little baby in Hayley’s tummy where Sean has his hand held protectively. His name is Arthur and I was so chuffed to meet him recently at our newborn session. Way to knock off all the big moments in one year, guys!
There’s nothing like a little bit of lighting drama to spice up one of your first kisses as husband and wife. I first shot this composition at the very first wedding held at The Old Church…at a guess about 12 years ago? I especially love how Patrick and Elizabeth look in this image with their suit and dress keeping the colour palette monotone.
Doug & Rachel were joined by their three children for a stylish celebration at Elephant Hill winery in Te Awanga, Hawke’s Bay. I love the way this image speaks to me about how a wedding may be focused on the bride and groom but for so many in today’s world, it’s also a special commitment that involves a whole family, and a relationship that begins and evolves after children are born has it’s challenges but brings huge rewards.
When we’re all about keeping it local, it doesn’t get better for me than a sunset at Crab Farm Winery, about 200m as the crow flies from my home and studio. I loved how I was able to step right outside the restaurant with Mr. & Mrs. Elmers and be HERE - surely the closest thing to heaven you’ll find Earth-side?
And then came autumn! This season is without doubt my favourite time of year in Hawke’s Bay and Dyan’s unique colouring with her deep auburn hair really made this wedding hum for me. Throw in four madly gorgeous daughters as the bridal party and you have one very happy Hawke’s Bay photographer.
Right on dawn and right on the cliff edge at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, a lone bagpiper called to Pamela and Kim, who exchanged vows in the most emotional and intimate ceremony I can remember being part of. It was literally just them, the piper, the driver (who were also witnesses) and the celebrant. It sure was a moment when I paused to reflect on just how lucky I am to do what I do.
Tiny but mighty….Hannah and Ryan’s little family elopement ceremony was held just as the golden evening sun was falling behind a forest of blazing liquid ambers. I then got to whisk the two newlyweds away to Te Mata Peak at the best time of day…right after the sun drops behind the horizon. Take me back there!!!
This shot with Leonore and Andrew is a favourite setup of mine. I step waaaay back with a zoom lens so the couple has a real sense of privacy, then I suggest the bride tells her new hubby what the plan is for MUCH later that night. There’s always a good laugh to be had and undiluted joy is what weddings are all about for me.
This about sums up life with a blended family - a little bit of crazy and a whole lotta love. Soph and Alex had their spring ceremony in a massive helicopter hangar at Bride Pa Aero Club in Hawke’s Bay and we spent a fast but fun 10 minutes on the runway making memories.
It might sound weird that the light wasn’t the very best thing at Hayden and Natalie’s wedding at Brookefields near Napier. After spending time at home with them shooting both of their babies in their first few weeks of life and having shot Natalie’s older sister’s wedding a decade ago, rolling up for the wedding photos too was a really big deal for me. These guys feel almost like family and deserved their Happier Ever After, after such a long wait.
I walked through these giant doors for my own wedding ceremony at Black Barn Winery a few years back, so Becca and Mark’s photos outside the underground cellar were always going to hold a special spot in my heart. After meeting these two at Mark’s brother’s wedding two seasons ago, it was really cool to reconnect with the family (and eat some Pippi Pizza from the food truck!)
The strap line for my business is a quote from Dr. Seuss: ‘You never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory’. Thank you so much to the newly minted Mrs. Lambess who allowed me to share this special moment with her Mr. Right (and our good mate) from their recent wedding. We’ll remember Kelly for so many cool things but especially for how much it meant to him to marry the woman of his dreams.
Bex and Tom’s wedding in the Ruahine Ranges just last month was a definite highlight for me this year. Yup, there were some challenges that came with this day and lots more prep time to scout out the location beforehand, but the payback for off-the-beaten-track weddings is always massive for me creatively.
A handlebar moustache, a Harley and some badass cowboy boots. Yup, you know I’m gonna tell y’all right now that this was one heck of a fun wedding to be part of. A roadie to Taurureka Estate in the Wairarapa meant some time away from home and some new creative adventures with old friends (I met bride, Nikki, when she was bridesmaid for her big sister many moons ago).
Hot off the press…I shot Abbey and Sam’s wedding only last weekend and am still riding the wave of joy that comes from creating a set of really awesome images with cool people. These two tied the knot on the family farm in the Dartmoor Valley in Hawke’s Bay and although we did some acrobatics to evade the downpours that seem to be defining December, wow we got some groovy images in a short time.
The absolute best thing to come from Covid in the wedding industry is a total reinvention of what a wedding could be. So many of my couples have replaced large gatherings and big parties for intimate but exquisite family weddings and being part of these events always feels intensely personal and special to me. By the time I left Rob and Rachel’s wedding at one of Black Barn’s River Lodges along the Tukituki River, I felt like I was almost part of the family. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again till the day I can’t hold a camera any longer, being a Hawke’s Bay wedding photographer is the best job in the universe.
As always, I have to say the most massive thanks to all of my couples for not just having me along for the ride, but for then letting me share such personal moments with you. And thanks to to the amazing Hawke’s Bay wedding vendors - there’s no way I could create beautiful photography without you all, and have so much fun in the process! See you in 2023!
