Tips and Tricks for Camera Shy Couples

If you and your partner feel shy in front of the camera but would like to capture some beautiful moments together, here are a few tips and tricks to help you prepare for your wedding day …

1. Start with a warm-up: Before your wedding day, book an engagement photoshoot! An engagement session is a fantastic way to get used to having your photo taken by a professional photographer.

2. Choose a comfortable location: Select a setting where you both feel at ease and can be yourselves. It could be a favorite park, your home, or any place that holds sentimental value for both of you. Feeling comfortable in the location will make it easier to relax in front of the camera.

3. Hire a professional photographer - like me! A skilled photographer can make a big difference to how you feel when having your photo taken. My experience working with couples means I know how to create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Let me guide you through the process, offer posing suggestions, and capture your authentic moments.

4. Plan an activity: Engaging in an activity during the photo session can help distract you from feeling self-conscious. For example, you could go for a walk, have a picnic, or do something you both enjoy. This can create a natural and candid environment, allowing me to capture genuine moments.

5. Practice beforehand: Put on some music, crack open a bottle of your favourite tipple and spend some time practicing posing and expressions in front of a mirror. Practicing together will help build your confidence and give you an idea of what to expect during the actual session. It’s also a great way to have fun with your best mate, and biggest cheerleader!

6. Communicate with your photographer: Talk to me about your shyness and any specific concerns you have. I can offer you guidance and reassurance, and use techniques to help you feel more comfortable. Clear communication will ensure that we’re all on the same page and can work together to create beautiful images.

7. Focus on each other: instead of worrying about the camera, focus on your partner. Remember why you love each other and let your genuine emotions shine through. The more you focus on each other, the less you'll be aware of the camera, and your love and connection will be captured naturally.

8. Take breaks: If you're feeling overwhelmed or self-conscious during the session, don't hesitate to take breaks. Step away from the camera for a moment, take a deep breath, and regroup. Give yourselves time to relax and recharge before continuing.

At my engagement sessions I like to keep things fun and relaxed so you feel like you’re just going for a walk or hanging out with a friend. It’s a great way for us all to get to know each other and for you to feel more relaxed when we see each other on your wedding day.

Remember, the goal of a photo session is to capture the love and connection between you as a couple. Embrace your shyness and allow it to be a part of your unique story. The most important thing is to be yourselves and enjoy the experience together.

Wedding Photography for the Goofy Couples

It's great to infuse your wedding photography with fun, laughter, and unique moments that capture your playful personalities. Here are some wedding photography ideas that can add a touch of goofiness to your special day:

1. Silly Poses: As a wedding photographer I am used to lots of different ideas and requests from couples. And while I LOVE to capture those stunning photos fit for the mantlepiece, I always encourage my couples to be themselves and capture some silly poses or outlandish expressions. You can stick out your tongues, make funny faces, or strike exaggerated poses. These playful moments will bring out your goofy side, and have you laughing throughout your wedding portraits.

2. Unexpected Photo-Bombers: You can invite friends and family members to photo-bomb some of your pictures. This adds an element of surprise and laughter to your photos, creating spontaneous and memorable moments.

3. Action Shots: Incorporate dynamic and playful actions into your wedding photography. Piggyback rides, or even running towards the camera can create lively and candid shots.

4. Goofy First Look: Instead of a serious and emotional first look, opt for a goofy version. Surprise each other with silly costumes, disguises, or unexpected dance moves when you see each other for the first time on your wedding day.

5. Fun with Wedding Party: Involve your wedding party in playful group shots. Encourage them to strike funny poses or incorporate props into your wedding party photos. These group photos can be a mix of formal and goofy, capturing the essence of your wedding party. And of course there’s always the fun surprise of a group dance at your wedding reception!

6. Playful Reception Moments: Capture fun and entertaining moments during the reception, such as guests dancing wildly, participating in fun games, or why not run a wedding soul train? These photos will showcase the lively and fun-filled atmosphere of your celebrations, and of course there’s always the option to add in a sparkler exit!

I love it when you communicate your preferences and ideas with me as your wedding photographer so they can understand your vision and capture the perfect mix of fun and romance on your special day.

Black and White Photography

Black and white images have been around since the early days of photography, and this classic aesthetic can make them feel timeless and nostalgic. As a photographer shooting in colour, I will often agonise over an image on my editing screen because I can’t decide if I prefer to keep the colour or move to a classic black and white edit. So why do we love black and white images so much? Here’s a few thoughts I have …

1. Focus on composition: With color removed, black and white images rely more heavily on the composition, contrast, and shapes in the image. This can create a stronger visual impact, and can make it easier to see the important elements in the image.

2. Emotion and mood: Black and white images can evoke a sense of emotion and mood that is different from color images. The lack of color can create a sense of depth and contrast that can be used to highlight the mood of the image, whether it be joy, sadness, or something in between.

3. Simplicity: Removing color from an image can simplify the visual elements, making it easier to focus on the subject or message of the image.

Overall, black and white images can be a powerful way to communicate emotions, tell stories, and create visual impact. They offer a unique aesthetic that can make an image stand out and leave a lasting impression on the viewer.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on black and white images … here’s a few of my favs from this season’s engagement sessions and weddings … enjoy!

Divya and Vijay’s Maternity Session

Roy and I have lived in Auckland for over 10 years now, and one of the reasons why we love our home is because of the other people that live here. People from all over the world have chosen New Zealand as their adopted home and really when you think about it, it's not hard to understand why.

Divya and her husband Vijay moved to New Zealand from India. Far from a traditional arranged marriage, they met in India and asked their parents if they could marry. I can understand why their family agreed that they are a great match. Both down to earth, caring and funny; and now, soon to be parents!

I was so excited to meet Divya and Vijay for their maternity shoot at Bethell's Beach. It's one of the first west coast beaches Roy and I explored when we first got to Auckland, so I always enjoy coming back here for photo sessions.

Originally we had planned to meet in the evening however, this was changed a few days before as a potential house purchase was on the cards, and who am I to stand between someone and their dream family home! So we met at 11am and the first thing I had Divya do was to choose one of my maternity dresses to wear. I have a few different colours to choose from, and  Divya chose one of two white dresses that near enough fit her perfectly.

It was a scorching summer day, with full sun and a strong and blustery warm wind that almost knocked us over a few times (don't you just love Auckland weather!) but we persevered and had some fun capturing this special time in Divya and Vijay's life. 

Divya also wanted to add in some special touches that she could show to family back in India so we had a few outfit changes and of course the all important scan photos. I am always so blown away with how incredible women's bodies are, and getting close ups of Divya's bump with some beautiful henna tattoos was one of my favourite parts of the shoot.

We finished the session in the rock cave to the right of the beach. I love the silhouette of Divya and Vijay together with the bright light of the world behind them, as I feel like it really captures their journey together.

Thanks again to Divya & Vijay for choosing me to capture their growing family together.

Mr and Mrs Williams

It was Valentines Day 2020, and we were officially on count down to Dana and Aaron's summer wedding! I drove out to meet Dana and Aaron for their wedding rehearsal. It was a beautiful day, the sun was out in full force and the sea was glistening with the light on the water. I arrived to find a hive of activity. Family and friends were busy putting the finishing touches to the venue. Dana had been so organised with all her wedding preparations so it was great to see it all pulled together and looking fantastic!

The wedding rehearsal went off without a hitch, and it was great to get meet the rest of the bridal party before the big day. If I can, I always try and be at the wedding rehearsal as it's a great way for me to check in with the bride and groom and make a note of any changes or suggest prime photo spots for on the day.

Dana and Aaron chose the Nocton Woolshed in Clevedon as their wedding venue. This beautiful site is run by a lovely local family and a blank canvas for those who want to add their own personal touch to their big day. The venue has a rustic feel to it which makes for plenty of photo opportunities and it has the bonus of being a short drive from Maraetai Beach. 

The Ladies

Dana and her bridal party stayed at the house next door to the venue. This is a perfect location for the bride to relax and know she is close by to the venue for any last-minute preparations.

On the morning of the wedding, I arrived to find hair and makeup in full swing, and breakfast underway with a glass or two of bubbles to settle any nerves.

One of my favourite parts of any wedding day is capturing the bride and her girls getting ready. Dana had chosen her sister and two best friends to be her bridesmaids, and it was great to witness lots of laughs and banter between them. Clearly Dana had picked the right ladies to be by her side on her big day.

The Fellas

As I spent the morning with the girls, my second shooter Chris was hanging out with the boys at Dana and Aaron's house. Once the boys were ready, they drove down to the beach to trim up the wedding cars before heading to the venue for the first look.

The First Look

Before we knew it, the time had come for Dana to head down for the first look. This is a chance for the bride and groom to see each other before their ceremony so they can really enjoy that moment together without lots of eyes on them. It's always so heartwarming to see the groom's reaction to his bride and of course, there's usually a few tears as all the build-up and preparation finally comes together.

After the first look at the venue, we had some bridal party photos before I whisked Dana and Aaron away for their bridal portraits at the beach. This was a great opportunity for them to spend some time together before their wedding guests arrived and shared in their celebrations.  

The Ceremony

Full of laughter, tears and a whole lot of love, the ceremony was officiated by the lovely Emma Love. It wasn't long before Dana and Aaron were pronounced man and wife and then the real celebrations of the day began!

Reception

After the ceremony and group photos, Dana and Aaron entered their reception to raucous applause before the speeches began. It was a fantastic evening of food, drinks and dancing and I was so very honoured to be asked to capture Dana and Aaron's special day.

Congratulations again to Mr & Mrs Williams!

The Wedding of Lisa and Travis

Lisa and Travis were planning to say "I do" on Saturday 18 April 2020, at an intimate backyard wedding in the beautiful Waikato. Before we had a chance to confirm the details of their wedding photography, the world turned upside and New Zealand was placed into Level 4 lockdown.

Like many New Zealand couples, Lisa and Travis were devastated that their day couldn't go ahead as planned. They had both dreamed of an autumn wedding with their ceremony being held at Travis' parent's bed and breakfast, La Belle Maison and their reception next door at Travis' brother's bistro, Red Cherry Roasters & Co.

So with wedding plans on hold, and my photography business on pause; there was nothing we could do but wait to see what happened next. Thankfully, New Zealand came out of lockdown relatively quickly, and despite a nail-biting few weeks in the lead-up; Travis and Lisa were able to go ahead with their wedding on their newly scheduled date.

On Saturday 30 May, surrounded by their closest family and friends, Lisa and Travis' became the new Mr & Mrs Maclennan.

I arrived at Lisa and Travis' house in Morrinsville to find a buzz of excitement in the air as Lisa and her lovely friends, Jeanna and Dianna were getting ready. I captured Lisa and her family, and the smaller details like her shoes, home-made flower bouquets; and her stunning dress from Astra Bridal Hamilton before heading over to Cambridge to hang out with Travis. 

It was a crisp, autumble day with a beautiful low glow from the sun, and a sprinkle of rain from the sky as the guests took their seats. Lisa's son's Jayden and Tyler played a part in their Mum's big day, with Tyler walking Lisa down the aisle, and Jayden welcoming everyone to the celebrations. Absent grandparents were remembered with a balloon release from the boys, and the ceremony was full of tears, laughter and love.

After the ceremony and group photos, the bridal party wandered onto a neighbouring property for some photos, and as the sun was setting, Travis and Lisa joined me away from their guests so we could capture the two of them together.

Whilst the day may not have been as they'd originally planned, it was somehow even better knowing the waiting was finally over! I absolutely love seeing the joy in these photos as it reminds me of the difficulty in getting to this moment, and the relief when witnessing Lisa and Travis say "I do" - it was certainly a wedding adventure to remember.

I'm so happy that it all worked out in the end, and thankful to Lisa and Travis for trusting me to capture their beautiful wedding day.

Here’s a small collection of photos from the day.