debs ivelja photography blog

My blog has moved!

2012-01-31T03:40:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much for stopping by, I wanted to let you know that my blog has now moved to a new Blogfolio and you can find me on www.debsivelja.com

I am really excited about my new site as it will give me so much opportunity to share my work in a way that I really want it presented. Slideshows, larger, clearer images and I can share a lot more of my personal work.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Debs x

www.debsivelja.com

A Very Vintage Wedding Fair... in Australia!!

2012-01-10T14:36:00.000-08:00

A huge big Happy New Year to you all! I have a heap of blog posts I want to get posted, one of which being a round up of 2011... but as ever, days slip by and before you know it another week has passed and I am still saying the same thing! Next week I will blog! Well I promise, next week I will :)

But there is an incredible reason for all this delay. That being some very exciting planning going on over here in Australia. Yes, Australia... I am here at the moment (home to the UK in May again for the season).
I am so excited to tell you all this but myself and my friend Bec from Weddingesque have finally been able to pull together Australia's first ever vintage wedding fair!

That's right lovely people, A Very Vintage Wedding Fair will take place in Brisbane on the 24 & 25 March 2012 at the Bleeding Heart Gallery in the centre of town. We are beyond ecstatic about this and we would love for you to help us spread the word.

You see, vintage wedding fairs are pretty popular throughout the UK. They are all over the place and they are amazing. If you are looking for something a little different for your day, they are where the cool kids go. From the Designer Vintage Fair in Brum to The Vintage Wedding Fair's all around the country and many more, they are amazing.

Australia however has none!

Oh there are expos. But they are created for the masses and not for everyone. There have been only a couple of amazing boutique fairs here and there but with Australia so big, this makes it hard for those who don't live in Melbourne or Sydney.

So we are bringing Australia its first ever vintage wedding fair! And more than anything we hope to see this be the start of something beautiful! Vintage is a way of life. Its a look and an essence that carries through to every part of a person and if vintage is you, then you want a wedding that reflects that.
As a bride who looked to have her wedding here and also as a supplier with brides who are designing their day, I know for a fact that likeminded couples are crying out for local, Australian suppliers to help them create their ideal wedding.

Bec and I have done months of research, met amazing people, made new friends and connections and we now have a raft of incredible people joining us for the fair. Exhibitors that we know are exactly what couples have been searching for.

Heres something exciting... we will be showcasing Queensland's largest range of authentic vintage dress! If that is not a draw I don't know what is. Vintage dresses are like gold dust in Australia... gold dust I tell you!

So from era-chic blooms and vintage dresses to retro styling and beautiful photography.... the fair is going to have it covered.

We would love for you to help us spread the news, even if you are in the UK or somewhere else, please feel free to grab our button and help us let our lost Aussie brides know that the solution is on its way!

Our website is www.averyvintageweddingfair.com and tickets are on pre sale now!

Stacy and Jez, a sneak peek.

2011-11-26T14:57:00.000-08:00

You may remember this gorgeous pair and Charlie the dog from their Gold Coast engagement shoot? Well I just delivered their wedding to them last night.... I can't wait to share it!

Caro and Simon... A day full of Brollies, Suitcases and Sunshine

2011-11-14T21:30:00.000-08:00

I always feel so privileged to be asked to capture a couples wedding day for them and when one of the couple is a wedding photographer themselves, it can feel quite daunting and very, very flattering at the same time!

I had been following Caro on Twitter and Facebook, admiring her work for some time when she got in touch saying the exact same about me! We soon met and since then the boundaries between 'colleagues' and friends and bride and photographer have blurred so many times. Not only did I get to photograph Caro and Simon's day, but Caro was my sisters photographer a month later!

Caro and Simon had the most gorgeous wedding. Full of personal elements the whole day was a pure DIY affair that the whole family got involved in. From friends designing the invites and buying the table pieced and Caro making the beautiful fabric backdrop that hung behind the top table, every detail was hand made, designed, donated or created by themselves or someone they knew.

As the Friday morning of heir wedding rolled around, the weather pulled out all the stops for them and the day got progressively more sunny as Caro and her bridesmaids got ready at her family home in Marlow. Caro's dad drove her to the church in his vintage white Porsche which had been lovingly polished and was absolutely gleaming as they pulled up. Her bridesmaids followed in a gorgeous VW Bay in the most amazing yellow colour I have ever seen on a dub.

Caro wore a stunning lace dress that oozed vintage charm. Her keen eye nabbed her a bargain as she was lucky enough to find the perfect dress, 'the one', from the Phase Eight bridal range. She was then able to splurge a little more on two pairs of shoes and a stunning mantilla veil from. The jewel colours Caro and Simon chose were perfect for their summer wedding and their bridal party looked awesome in electric blue, yellow, greys and purples. Simons blue suit from Ben Sherman was the perfect colour for him and he looked so handsome and proud!

After the ceremony, guests were lead to the river where they were treated to a wonderful Henley and Marlow tradition, making their way from the church to Monks Barn on a canal boat on the Thames! After a fair few canapes and drinks later, they moored up just passed Temple Lock and they crossed a little bridge to arrive at Monks Barn to enjoy their afternoon and evening.

In the days leading up to the wedding, Caro, Simon and their family and friends had spent hours decorating the barn and it looked sublime! Monks Barn is a beautiful, very rustic barn that you literally hire as a 'shell' to decorate and fill your own way. It lacks the perfectly new and polished feel of so many pretty yet not-so-rustic-any-more barns that are out there and has all the charm and quirks of a proper English country barn. It is dark inside which becomes welcomingly candle lit in the evening. Its textured walls are beautiful and high beams and ceiling were perfect for hanging heaps of umbrellas from, to bring together their theme of suitcases and brollies. It's a fabulous space and has a pretty garden area out front that means with the barn doors wide open, you can bring a bit of the outdoors in.

From the many umbrellas dotted around the barn, the vintage suitcases all borrowed from her grandparents, the cameras lying about and a personalised bar just for Simon, their whole wedding oozed personality. Caro and Simon also set up the most amazing sweetie table that practically had to have a marquee built around it! Garden games, fuse ball, family photos and lots of fun and laughter kept guests entertained all afternoon... no detail was forgotten!

Caro and Simon, it was such a treat to be a part of your day and I look forward to catching up when I am next in town to talk and reminisce with you!

Caro's Dress: Phase Eight design (Eve)

Simon's Suit: Ben Sherman

Ushers Suits: Marks and Spencers

Bridesmaid Dresses: Matthew Williamson for Debenhams

Illustrations: Jenni Desmond

Venue: Monks Barn

Flowers: Pick your Own via Green and Gorgeous

Catering: Simon at ACS Catering

Miriam and Joe get Married!

2011-11-01T14:57:00.000-07:00

Oh where to start!? Well, I guess, when Miriam got in contact me last year to see if I would be available for their gorgeous, mid week wedding in September. They were planning an intimate family and friend orientated day that would be a true reflection of their relationship as a couple. Having met at university, Miriam and Joe had been together for a long time and their marriage was to be a very special occasion.

I met Joe and Miriam a few months later and knew immediately that this wedding was going so be so very special. Their kind, gentle manner and absolute adoration for each other was just beautiful to watch and they did nothing but support and encourage each other at every moment . You know how sometimes you have a bit of a bad day, get snappy and wish that you could be a little nicer to your other half? Well Miriam and Joe have so much love and respect for each other, I can't imagine they ever have those days. The way they talk to each other, look at each other and support each other is truly beautiful to witness.

Their day started beautifully and the sun shone for them all day. Miriam and Joe had decided on Bradley House as the perfect place for their wedding, and I could not imagine anywhere more perfect. The home of the Duke and Duchess of Somerset, Bradley House is filled with an eclectic mix of Royal family life. Beautiful paintings, countless books and even some family photos! But weirdly, whilst you feel the warmth of being in someone home, you feel nothing but the presence of the couple who's day it is.

As Miriam got ready in the master bedroom, surrounded by family pictures, calming bridesmaids and a doting Mum, Joe bustled away getting the last bits ready and welcoming the guests as they started to arrive. As Miriam dressed into her beautiful August Jones wedding dress, the moment she caught sight of herself in the mirror was such a pleasure to watch! She looked absolutely divine an her dad could not have looked any prouder as he walked her down the stairs to her give her away.

It really was all the little genuine details that surrounded Miriam and Joe that gave everyone such a feel for their life together as a couple. Nothing was themed and everything was personal and a genuine reflection on them.
A keen photographer himself, Joe had brought his vintage cameras along, filled with film that guests were encouraged to play and use. Miriam's sister and friends sang beautifully through the ceremony giving me goosebumps as their gorgeous voices sang her down the aisle. Lots of family photos were dotted around the place giving Bradley House a sense of being their home for the day. Invitations and stationary designed by the very talented Miriam, tea inspired table names and tea favours (Joe's favourite) and Miriam's beautiful hair piece designed and made by her bridesmaid. And the sound of the piano being played by a friend was the perfect background to their day and complimented the musical feel of the day which was ended with Joe surprising his wife with a beautiful song he played to her on the ukulele. Not a dry eye was left in the house!

So I will leave you with the images from Miriam and Joe's day... and to say I got goosebumps during their photo session is an understatement! Thank you so much Miriam and Joe for letting me share your gorgeous day with you. Its was such an honour and a privilege.

Miriam and Joe's fabulous suppliers!

Flowers: Ted Martin

Catering: Jump Events

Wine and Prosecco: Great Western Wine

Hair and Make up - Tanya Jane Bridal

Miriam's Dress: Augusta Jones (Parker)

Miriam's Shoes: Rachel Simpson

Joe's Suit: Paul Smith

Miriam's head piece: Designed and Made by her bridesmaid, Jackie

Stationary Design: Miriam and printed by Ripe Digital

Piano Music: Tom Lindsay

Choir: Mini Lifted... Miriams sister and friends

Bridesmaid Dresses: Monsoon

A Sandy Sneak Peek - Jen and Paul

2011-10-11T17:14:00.000-07:00

Well, yesterday I arrived in Australia. The start of our adventure here and I am so excited! Today I am headed of to the Sunshine Coast to check out a few apartments for Dean and I to possibly live in and I can't wait to live near the sea for a bit. The Sunshine Coast kind of says it all... although last year when were here was the start of the tragic flooding and it rained more than I have ever seen rain in my life. Pretty much the entire 2 and a half months we were here.

Anyhow, today is beautiful and bright, perfect for a picnic on the beach. Which is exactly what I have planned with one of my oldest and dearest friends and her two gorgeous children.

But thinking about beaches I wanted to share a little sneak peek with you all... of a wedding I did in September down in charming Camber Sands. The most beautiful beach in the whole of the South East of England in my opinion!

Jen and Paul were married at the Gallivant Hotel. Their wedding was sheer beach heaven and not even the stormy skies managed to dampen their beautiful day. The full wedding will follow of course, soon as I get on top of my wedding edits but for now, here are a few of this gorgeous couple!

A Beautiful French Wedding - Sophie and Julien

2011-09-15T17:20:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, where to start with Sophie and Julien’s beautiful wedding?! I guess by saying to grab a cup of tea and settle in. This is going to be a long one!

Right at the beginning of August I headed off to France to capture a wedding I knew was going to be something very special. Even though we had only spoken on Skype, on meeting Sophie and Julien, I felt like we had known each other for years! Sophie and Julien live in Canada and with family all over the world, they were planning their wedding in a gorgeous little hamlet in the Cote d’Or region of Burgandy. Home to only 208 people and a place close to Sophie and Julien’s hearts, it is where Sophie’s grandparents built a beautiful home many years ago and where they have spent many a wonderful holiday.

The wedding Sophie and Julien planned was one of homespun magic. The most important element of their day was not just their marriage but the celebration of family and friends. The whole wedding was created by their wonderful families and it was one of the most original, family centred days. From the preparation in the months leading to the big day to the days before the wedding itself, every element had friends and family playing a part and a part that was done with so much love. Flowers created by a friend, dresses customised to personal taste, tables laid out by family and friends, hand made bunting, hand crocheted shawls. And walking into Sophie’s grandmothers house was like walking into an Aladdin’s cave of history and intrigue. Every part had a story to tell. Every item as important to the family as the next.

Sophie chose to get ready in her grandmothers room. Filled with precious items her grandmother had cherished, she was helped by her mum and sisters to get ready for the ceremony surrounded by memories. Childhood paintings, family pictures and a beautiful image of her grandmother that looked on over the proceedings, beautifully and proudly. Whilst her mum did her hair, sophies sisters made sure she was calm and ready for her wedding.

In France the legal binding of a marriage takes place at 'La Mairie' - the town hall. It is here that Julien saw Sophie for the first time, greeting her in a quite spot and then leading his bride indoors to be married. He was such a proud groom and the absolute adoration between Sophie and Julien was a joy to capture!

After the ceremony, well wishers joined the couple outside and after the most incredible confetti shower ever, we then all headed back to the house to be joined by the rest of their guests for a garden ceremony under a huge pear tree that had been beautifully decorated by Sophie’s sisters. The garden ceremony was led by Sophies cousin Jaques and Juliens sister Camille and family members each gave a little story and speech . After the couple toasted their new marriage with their guests the rest of the afternoon was spent socialising and then moving into the gorgeous marquee for their meal. French meals do take quite some time and I have to say the food was sublime! The party then went on until the very early hours of the next morning and the day after saw the family invite all guests back for a stunning brunch for a relaxed afternoon of catching up and reminiscing over the day before.

I can honestly say that Sophie and Julien’s day touched my heart in so many ways! Such a gorgeous couple with such an amazing family their whole day was so uniquely personal and special. It was such an honour to share it with you both and I really home we get to meet again soon! I’ll be sure to visit you in Canada soon! Here is a mere snippet of your beautiful day for you to enjoy some more!

Every part of Sophie and Juliens day was personal and they worked with some very unique suppliers they knew personally or were well loved... from Sophies custom made dress by her favourite Canadian designer to their beautiful flowers created by their close friend and Parisian florist. Here's a little list of the details!

Sophie’s Wedding Dress: Custom Designed with Canadian Designer Véronique Miljkovitch
Julien's suit: Etro Milano

Julien's tie: Lanvin
Flowers: Michel LeBreton (Paris)
Dominique’s Bridesmaid Dress (beige) customized French Connection Dress
Chloe’s Bridesmaid Dress (pink) Vintage Aleksandra Wisniewska
Earrings and bracelet: Sophie's sister Dominique
Shoes: Mine de Rien
Vintage lace shawl: Purchased at "The Little Shop" in Montreal
Crochet Shawl: Hand made by Sophie's mum
Hair flower: Twigs and Honey

A big little sneak peek - Caro and Simon's beautiful day.

2011-08-24T04:49:00.000-07:00

Ladybugs, wild flowers, umbrellas and lace. Perfection!

A sneak peak full of prettiness on the blog this afternoon.... Katie and Gareth are wed!

2011-08-10T05:23:00.000-07:00

A Stunning 1920's Wedding in London - Claire and Darren

2011-08-08T10:27:00.000-07:00

Claire and Darren were married in London in May of this year and what a wedding they had! Filled with personal touches their day was inspired by the 1920's and their guests were treated to a heart warming wedding that was filled with era-chic nostalgia and personal touches that really brought family and friends closer together.

Claire wore a stunning Pronovias lace dress called Ronda. She wanted something vintage, something that felt ‘old Hollywood’ and her gorgeous dress was perfect for her. She completed her look with 40's style dancing shoes and a beautiful crystal comb and bag from www.vintageheaddresses.com. No detail was forgotten and as a cute shout out to her groom, Claire even painted Darren’s initials on her toenails the morning of the wedding in blue polish... her something blue.

Claire is from a gorgeous big family and her 5 sisters all wore gorgeous navy dresses that perfectly compliment her two bridesmaid's dresses that were purchased from J Crew. Darren wore a smart Spencer Hart of Saville Row suit, purchased from Liberty and his groomsmen wore their own navy suits, including his best man in a kilt!

Originally Claire and Darren’s day was due to take place at the Bloomsbury Ballrooms but a few months before their day the venue went out of business... something that could have felt like a disaster for some but not to Claire and Darren. They quickly set out to find a new venue that would have the same beauty and impressive grandeur and came across the magnificent Old Finsbury Town Hall. One of my favourites! The Old Finsbury Town Hall is a stunning venue with the most impressive grand hall. It suited their day perfectly and complimented every detail giving everything a feeling of 1920's ritzy glamour with a touch of Hollywood, and musical charm.

Every detail of the day was considered, from the dessert table of cakes made by friends to the table numbers crafted from a book of historical animal illustrations by another friend. From the CD favours of songs the couple love to the a 40's typewriter for friends and family to leave special messages for the couple. I have to say that one of the many things I loved about their day was the music. Throughout the day the Panama Cafe Orchestra played gorgeous period music which really made you feel like you had stepped back in time. But it was the personal music touches that really tugged the heart strings.... starting with a surprise to Darren as Claire got up and sang to him three beautiful songs which you can see and listen to one of them here. How talented and beautiful is Claire!

Then, as a surprise to Claire her 5 sisters got up during the speeches to sing her favourite song ‘Moon River’, accompanied by ukuleles,which had everyone in floods of tears and grandparents and parents feeling incredibly proud. A little video of it can be seen here and I love watching it and re livign the goosebumps I got on the night.

Then finally, as a last surprise of the day and to really get the evening celebrations going, Claire and Darren coordinated a first dance that was done flashmob style with friends to 'You Give a Little Love' from the movie Bugsy Malone. It was incredible to see people slowly join in in perfect unison and got the whole crowd on their feet clapping and cheering!

Claire and Darren you had such an incredible day, it was an honour to be there to capture it, thank you xx

A huge big shout out to the ever wonderful Lisa Jane who second shot with me on the day... you were amazing as ever!

And finally, some of the lovely suppliers that made the day so fabulous!

Dress: Pronovias, Ronda
Shoes: Upper Street ... customise your own shoes!
Haircomb and clutch: Vintage Head Dress
Hair and Makeup: Lan Nguyen
Bridesmaids dresses: J Crew
Bridesmaid headbands from Etsy
Bridesmaids shoes: Dune:
Darren's suit: Spencer Hart of Saville Row purchased from Liberty.
Darren's shoes: Office and his tie is from Reiss.
Flowers: Gail Smith
Venue: The Old Finsbury Town Hall
Catering: Boulevard Catering
Registrar: Cynthia Green from The Wedding House!
Graphic Design: Cosima Dinkel and Marc Marazzi
Music: Panama Cafe Orchestra

A Shropshire Wedding - Maura and Kevin

2011-07-31T15:29:00.000-07:00

At long last I am back and blogging! I have 4 amazing weddings to share with you, weddings I photographed in the Spring before we went away and I have been desperate to share them!

When Maura and Kevin first got in touch with me to enquire about photographing their day, her bubbly emails won me over and when she told me that they were planning a day that would "a bit rustic vintagey and a little shabby chic.... if you get me?", I totally did!
A few weeks later we met up in person and not only were Maura and Kevin a pleasure to spend time with, the more they chatted the more excited I got by the idea of shooting their day and was thrilled when they asked!

Driving to Shropshire on the evening of another certain wedding (that big old royal one... remember it now!?) I was super excited to see what was to be in store and WOW! What a wedding!

Maura looked absolutely stunning in her Ian Stuart dress with a beautiful 20's style veil that was divine on her dark hair and Kevin looked uber smart in his Ermenegildo Zegna suit from Browns in Dublin and was the smiliest groom I have ever seen!

Their day was filled with personal touched that were a real treat for their guests. From the CD favours on the tables to the old school gramophone DJ. From the beautiful gardens where Maura's mum spent hours perfecting it and growing the most stunning flowers to the occasional appearance of the family cats. From the beautiful wedding cake that Maura's mum made to the awesome Kate and Wills masks that they wore for their entrance to the marque, resulting in the rowdiest welcome ever!

Every single detail was thought through and the details of Maura and Kevin's day were sublime. Walking into their marquee took your breath away as the smell of spring flowers by Maura's bridesmaid and florist Annabel hit you and the incredible lining made you feel like you were sitting in a garden filled with exotic birds. Amazing! I hope you enjoy their colour filled, Spring filled images as much as I enjoyed taking them!

Dress: Ian Stuart, Bali
Suit: Ermenegildo Zegna from Browns, Dublin
Shoes: Rainbow
Flowers: Annabel Roberts (07709 430667)
Catering: Golden Goose Events
Marquee: LPM Bohemia

{This is Africa} Life on a Big Yellow Truck

2011-07-28T10:59:00.000-07:00

Sharing a home with 28 people can be quite something. We are up early in the morning, early enough to see the sunrise every day. We have to clean up after one another, cook for each other, put up with snoring, bad habits and faffing about when you have somewhere to go. Your bed has to be put up every night, set down every day and it takes a lot of co-ordination to pack the truck up every day and still be on time for a 6 am departure. Yet when you are overlanding it just works. Every one gets stuck in, has a laugh and a giggle and you eventually get used to going for a 'wee-wee' break in front of your new mates. Some who have only known you a few days before being introduced to the fight for a suitable bush!

But its amazing.

Life overlanding is fab. Truely good fun. I think we are super lucky on this trip, having been joined by a great group of like minded individuals who all have the same thing in mind. Adventure. We are overlanding with Absolute Africa and I have to say that hands down I think they are the best... But I am biased of course! We have seen so many trucks on the road and I think ours are the most comfy. Its amazing how much having a power socket and forward facing seats makes such a huge difference to ones life!

A typical day for us starts at the crack of dawn. We are up early and its dark and with snakes and scorpions in mind we pack up our tents with care before tucking into the breakfast the cooking group has done for us that morning. Some days are cruisy with very little driving, others are a bit longer and we have had a few all-dayers! Lunch is generally in a nearby town or beside the truck on the way to our destination. Arriving at the campsite we set up home for the night and then either head to town, go on a game drive or partake in a bit of chilling. The 'truckies' clean the truck while the cooks get dinner on. Dinners have been awesome and it has to be said that cooking for 28 people is not always straightforward. Once again we are lucky on this trip with no major allergies and no vegetarians! Sorry veggies... its nothing against you it would just make life that bit more complicated when all you want to do is sit by the waterhole watching elephants!
Dinner is eaten around the camp fire followed by a hot drink, often a hot chocolate with a dash of Amarula Cream to warm the toes (you have to try it) then its off to bed or the campsite bar!

I have loved it! I loved the things we have seen, the towns we have been through and the people we have met. I have loved the early starts and the chilly nights, the truck breaking down in the middle of no where whilst we sit waiting on the side of the road while the exhaust was tied back on with wire. A temporary measure until we can get to a garage. I have loved the constant bickering over 'who took my spoon' and the general camaraderie of everyone pulling together to get things done, to get dinner cooked on time and cleaned away so we can get to the bar. Overlanding has been an amazing experience and for what we have seen, the things we have done and the friends we have made, I cannot recommend it more to anyone!

{This is Africa} The Magic Box

2011-07-26T12:42:00.000-07:00

All through the countries we have travelled I have always been super cautious about photographing people. At weddings and in my life outside of work and travel I snap away and love people portraiture but I do know that in some countries, culturally some people do not like to have their pictures taken. In some countries such as Uganda, Oman and Morocco people feel that to have your photo taken is to steal ones soul. I respect that and so I try and stay cautious.

There are however times when having the camera out brings so much pleasure. As my fellow traveller Alice said, the camera is like a 'Magic Box'. Children scream and laugh at the sight of themselves on the back of the camera and demand "another" as they fight to get in the frame. They jostle and bustle each other and fall all over one another having so much fun.

Whilst on our trip we have had a lot of fun with younger kids in the towns we have visited, causing complete commotion and at some times having to restore a little order as the kids bustle dangerously close to fighting each other to get their pictures taken!
I wanted to share with you some of the fun we have had. Some of the beautiful faces we have seen. Hardly and of these are taken with my pro camera... in fact only 3 were. I do carry my camera everywhere but some times it is not always appropriate to bring it out. Mostly I have my little Lumix DMC-TZ8 point and shoot with me which has now seen many fingerprints and lots of dust cake the lens as eager hands reach out to see their photo on the back of the Magic Box. So whilst not technically amazing, these are some of my favourite pictures from our trip! I hope they make you smile as much as they make me.

{This Is Africa} Gorillas in the Mist

2011-07-22T01:40:00.000-07:00

"I am going to teach you how to speak to the Gorilla's" our guide said to us. "You need to be able to respond to them, to talk to them. You need to let them know that you are not there to hurt them". He then went on to show us how to make the right sounds that will gently calm the Silverback and his family as we encroach into their world...."Oggghhh Oggghhh Oggghhh. Its the most important sound. It means we are friends...We are here peacfully... Its OK"

Rwanda is home to a large majority of the worlds 786 Mountain Gorillas that are left. 786. That number makes me so sad. Mad too. And disgusted. How have we let that happen? The devastating Rwandan Genocide in the early 90's had a huge part to play in the dwindling numbers but more than that, poaching still exists on this great continent. Why? And hunting? How is that a sport? What do people want with ivory, Elephant feet, Gorilla hands, Rhino horns? Do they really make good ashtrays, make you more virile or feel like a better person? Why do people really want to destroy a whole species? How can someone look a magnificent animal in they eye just as they pull the trigger in the name of 'sport' and not feel just a slight twinge of guilt? Of sorrow?
How can we make this stop? I dont know the answer but all I do know is that through my life, I will make choices that will enable me to do everything I can to help.

Our trip has allowed us to learn about so many conservational projects and top of our list was to experience Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat. We specifically chose to do our tour with Absolute Africa as they are one of the only overland companies that travel from Nairobi to Cape Town via Ruhengeri in the Rwandan mountainous Parc des Volcans. Home to Dian Fossey who lived and studied these incredible beings for over 18 years. We were going to track the jungle to them and spend a precious hour in their company.

Walking for 1.5 hours through thick, dense jungle is quite an experience in itself and the walk to the spot where the Gorilla family we were going to meet saw us pass a troop of Golden Monkeys and some rather unusual looking jungle creatures. As we fought our way through the thorny thistles and ominous looking undergrowth, every now and again we would stop, adjust to the altitude and look on the hills below us. The lush, green rolling hills of Rwanda are nothing like you would expect and the views from high up the hills of the Par National des Volcans is incredible.

As the bush got thicker and our path disappeared into the undergrowth, our guide had to use a machete to cut our last stretch of the journey through the wild terrain and before we knew it we were in the humbling presence of a family of 11 Mountain Gorillas. The Silverback looked on us from a close distance while a mother and her new baby sat watching us sceptically before moving into the safety of the denser scrub.

We watched in fascination as two babies, toddlers at only a few months old, played in the trees completely oblivious to us! They would chase each other up the branches and then crawl gently along the bamboo like trees until they reached the weaker tops. When the trees could take their weight no more they would bend right down, dropping the babies to the ground.

All the while our guide would gently grunt to the mothers and the Silverback, letting them know that our presence was friendly "oggghhhh oggghhhh oggghhh". Stef, one of our friends on tour with us wanted to converse with the Gorillas herself and she too patiently grunted softly through our our stay. Right towards the end she was rewarded in the most amazing way when the Silverback eventually responded "oggghhh oggghhh oggghhh"! It was truly magical.

One memory I will take with my forever was watching those babies play. At one point a spindly tree had both of them hanging off and before long it bent right down and broke, crashing them gently to the ground in a mound of leaves and gorilla fur... right on top of the sleeping Silverback. We all held our breath, expecting an explosion and all he did was gently grunt to them "oggghhh oggghhh oggghhh". "Its all right" he was saying and you could almost hear the chuckle in his voice!

{This Is Africa} Travels through Kenya

2011-05-30T01:03:00.000-07:00

I really wasn't sure I would get to do this... blog about our trip while still on the road but with Wifi at our current camp I thought I would take the opportunity! I am not writing a travel diary this trip... so I decided to blog where I can. With some pictures of course!

Some of you may know that Dean and I are on a bit of an epic trip. We are travelling through Eastern and Southern Africa... overland on a big yellow bus and so far we are 9 days in we are loving it!

Our trip started in Nairobi where, after a two nights stay at a mini oasis camp that was far enough away from the polluted air of Nairobi to feel like we were already in the bush, we met the crew and our fellow campers and we were introduced to Kifaru (Swahili for rhino) ... our home for the next 72 days. The grinning dude in the picture in the link is Moses, our tour guide to Cape Town on the trip. Such an awesome bloke!

Travelling from Nairobi we headed to our first stop to feed giraffes at a nearby sanctuary and after that particularly touristy experience, we visited the amazing Sheldrick's Elephant Orphanage. Now anyone who knows me will know that I.love.elephants.
Like...LOVE them and to see a herd of babies running towards us like a group of cute toddlers to play and have their morning feed was beyond heaven to me! We watched them wallow in a mud bath, got to briefly touch one if it walked close enough or, as in Dean's case, get splatted with their mud as one went rogue and broke through the particularly useless roped off area.

I am now the proud adoptive parent of Naipoki and you can read her little story here if you like!

After that fab start we started our trip to the north of the Maasai Mara where we spent a night bush camping and seeing what I will forever argue was a leopard prowling our camp, its eyes catching my torch light on a trip back from the bathroom. We enjoyed early morning safaris from our elevated position in Kifaru and were treated to such sights as a family of Cheetah eating a freshly killed Zebra, a pride of 18 lions attempt to hunt a Wildebeest ... not very succesfully I might add as half the pride were cubs and they were not particularly discreet. We have enjoyed mountainbiking through the game reserve of Hells Gate, a walking safari, watching hippos wallow in Lake Naivasha and been entertained by Maasai warriors.

Yesterday we crossed the equator and today we crossed the Kenyan border into Uganda where after a few days in the adventure capital of Jinja we will then look forward to a Gorilla Trek in the mountains of Rawanda.

We can't wait!

A little Holga loving

2011-05-12T05:58:00.000-07:00

In February this year I went on a weekend break to Paris for a friends hen weekend away. We stayed just near the Moulin Rouge at a great hotel (highly recommend it!) and managed to get tickets to see the show which was fab. During the days we walked, explored, spoke sporadic French, ate lots of food, chatted and discovered as many parts of Paris that we could in only a weekend. On our last day we discovered an incredible antiques market which we wandered and browsed and I fell in love with an old Coca Cola print... which to this day I regret not buying. An excuse to go back I guess!

As I always do when I go on a trip, I took my Holga with me and because of the grim, drizzly, grey weather we were given for the weekend I decided to go for atmospheric shots and shot only B&W film. All of these were taken with Ilford HP5 (ISO 400). I still have another roll to develop... I cant wait to see what is on that set!

A Pre Wed Shoot - Hayley and Craig

2011-05-09T14:27:00.000-07:00

On Sunday I met with the lovely Hayley and Craig who's London wedding I have the privilege of photographing this summer.
We decided to meet up at Gabriel's Wharf along South Bank but everywhere was heaving with people so to start our shoot, we took a stroll to a nearby park and once we were all comfy and used to the camera, we then took wander along South Bank. Even in the late afternoon, the whole place was heaving and so we grabbed a few opportunities to absorb the colour and goings on before ending up by the London Eye and Westminster. It was a gorgeous afternoon and I really enjoyed capturing their loveliness and I am really looking forward to their fab wedding in August!

And it has to be said that Craig was pretty darn awesome on Sunday (as was Hayley of course) but not only did he feel the need for some food-fuel mid way, he is a MASSIVE footie fan. I did not realise but Chelsea Man U were playing at the same time as we were walking along South Bank.
hmmmm.
Craig. You are a patient man!

A little sneak peek of Maura and Kevin's colourful day

2011-05-08T05:50:00.000-07:00

The Rhododendron's are blooming early this year...

Emma, Luffy and Bertie: A {Beloved} shoot

2011-05-02T17:40:00.000-07:00

Wow, where to start with this lovely blog post. Today has been amazing. In fact the whole weekend has been amazing! Scrap that. The whole week! With a beautiful wedding on Saturday and a Beloved shoot with a gorgeous couple today in some of my favourite spots along the Cornish coast, and then attending an inspiring, life changing workshop in the week its been one of change and discovery and prettyness.

And today I fell a little (OK maybe a lot) in love with Bertie.

This is Bertie.

Last week I attended a workshop in London that was called 'Life as an Artform' with the amazing Jesh de Rox. Jesh is the creator of a new genre of photography called Beloved and I absolutely love it. Beloved is about expression, connection, communication and almost entering a state of childlike play allowing couples to re-connect in today's crazy world and share genuine emotion and feeling through the portrait session. Amongst other things, its is about giving couples the space to express themselves, have fun and fall a little more in love. I am really excited about incorporating Beloved within my work and cannot wait for the year ahead to have chances such as I had today to connect with those I will be privileged to meet and share time with.

Today I met up with Emma and Luffy who traveled down to Cornwall from their home is Devon to spend a couple hours with me. I had been chatting to Emma lots on emails and her sunny personality and sense of humour had made me laugh out loud so many times when I read her mails that I could not wait to meet them both in person! To top it all off they also brought along Bertie... their 13 week old Labrador puppy. It has to be said that three major things were re-confirmed for me today.

One is that photographing a small puppy, so full of life and energy, is never easy but it is even harder when that little puppy is all black! Your camera literally screams at you trying to find something to focus on.
The second most important realisation that I had today was that I am absolutely, definitely, without a shadow of a doubt getting a Labrador puppy as soon as I possibly can!

Emma and Luffy are getting married next year and planning a gorgeous summertime wedding in Devon. its going to be an amazing day and filled with special touches... as well as lots of colour, Which leads me on the the third realisation. Today Emma and Luffy showed me that life should be filled with lots and lots of colour. Thank you both so much for bringing such sunshine with you today, you sure brightened up my day!

To finish this post with one of fav's from the day...

A little sneaky peek... Lynsey and Dan

2011-04-25T14:11:00.000-07:00

This week I will be blogging this gorgeous wedding and I cannot wait!

A Currumbin Wedding - Kristy and Noah

2011-04-06T23:54:00.000-07:00

Towards the end of last year Dean and I decided to take a trip to Australia to visit family and friends and to start planning our slow move out there. You see we are both able to work pretty internationally and from this year onwards I will be spending time in both the UK and Australia, shooting weddings in both countries and appreciating the lifestyles. There is a little calendar at the bottom of the page if you want to see where I am and when!

So while we were in Australia I got the chance to work with a fab photographer Robin Foster who is not only a great new friend but a huge support to me and someone I hope to work with more. Robin had the fabulous wedding of Kristy and Noah coming up and offered me a chance to second shoot with her. I absolutely LOVE second shooting at weddings and so I jumped at the chance!

Kristy and Noah had a gorgeous day! They planned a beautiful beachside wedding at Currumbin Beach on the Gold Coast followed by a chilled out, canapé style reception at the Beach Shack.

I started the day with Robin as she photographed Kristy, her bridesmaids and her mum get ready and just as the girls were about to get dressed, I hopped in my car and set off to find Noah, his groomsmen and sons in Currumbin who were getting prepared for the ceremony.

I arrived with the boys to a slight bit of uncertainty as the normally very predictable Gold Coast weather had decided that it needed to rain and dark clouds were brewing overhead. The original plans for a beach ceremony on Currumbin Rocks were changed in favour of being guaranteed to keep dry and it was decided the ceremony would take place on the balcony of the Beach Shack instead.

It’s always tough having to make decision such as this on your day, especially when all through your planning you have a very clear vision of each and every part of the day. Kristy dreamed of being a barefoot bride and whilst she still got to walk down the aisle barefoot, it was on petals rather than sand and we could still hear the sound of waves crashing behind us... but this way no one had to worry about rain. The saving grace was that both Kristy and Noah had done well to have a strong back up plan thought through in preparation for bad weather. Any couples planning their day should always ensure they do this!

In the end the weather did hold out and we were able to do their bridal portraits on both the beach and in some stunning Hinterland cane fields. The light was amazing, Kristy and Noah so utterly beautiful and so in love that Robin and I could not stop snapping away! Plenty of time was allowed for the photos and so in the end Kristy and Noah truly relaxed into it and the end result being stunning, fun and very emotional images.

Here are some of my images of Kristy and Noah’s day, from the prep to portraits… I hope you enjoy!

The shot with Kristy and the Boomerang…. No props were brought along! As she was walking through the canefield she found it and picked it up to throw…. I just love it!

As some of you may know, in September last year I left my full time job in marketing to concentrate on my photography full time and to also take a little time out to do some travelling with my husband. I can honestly say I have never been happier! Not only am I seeing amazing parts of the world but I finally feel like I have found what I was meant to do. I know that sounds cliché but I really do.

The last 12 months have been a total whirlwind for me. Whilst I had been actively pursuing photography as a hobby for many years, my love of wedding photography started to really grow when I started looking for my own wedding photographer three years ago and since then it has built into an obsession. I shot my first wedding 13 months ago and I am now staring down the barrel of a fully loaded, very exciting 2011 and 2012 with weddings that I literally cannot wait to photograph. ..and the most amazing thing is that I am going to get to travel the world to work. This year I have weddings throughout the UK, in France, Brazil and my soon to be second home, Australia.

If you are planning your wedding in Australia, the UK or any part of the world feel free to be in touch as I love to travel and may just be headed your way anyway!

A sunny sneak peak

2011-04-05T06:21:00.000-07:00

In November last year I spent a few months in Australia with family and friends and while I was there I got to help out a friend second shooting at a stunning beachside wedding. Canefields, barefeet and a beautiful couple coming soon!

Swallows travel to and fro

2011-03-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

SWALLOWS travel to and fro,

And the great winds come and go,

And the steady breezes blow,

Bearing perfume, bearing love.

Breezes hasten, swallows fly,

Towered clouds forever ply,

And at noonday, you and I

See the same sunshine above.

Dew and rain fall everywhere,

Harvests ripen, flowers are fair,

And the whole round earth is bare

To the moonshine and the sun;

And the live air, fanned with wings,

Bright with breeze and sunshine, brings

Into contact distant things,

And makes all the countries one.

Let us wander where we will,

Something kindred greets us still;

Something seen on vale or hill

Falls familiar on the heart;

So, at scent or sound or sight,

Severed souls by day and night

Tremble with the same delight -

Tremble, half the world apart.

A poem by Robert Louis Stevenson

An image from our travels through California, along the misty magical Big Sur south from San Franciso to LA

A day with friends

2011-03-15T16:05:00.000-07:00

Just before we headed off from the UK for our holidays, I got a chance to stop by and visit some friends and meet their adorable little man, Oliver. Ollie was born in January this year and I feel very lucky to have had the chance to pay him a visit and get some cute shots!
Mum Hannah and Dad Julian are very special friends that I have known for many years now. I moved in with Hannah when I left home (at the grand old age of 21... I loved being at home, what can I say!) and we had the best time. Hannah and Julian first started dating when I was living with Hannah and we all spent many and evening chilling in the flat chatting, eating good food (hmmm, Sunday night takeaway from The Canton Kitchen, the best!) spying on the neighbours and drinking lots of tea!
I have so many fond memories of that time and now they have the most adorable baby boy, I am really looking forward to seeing more of them as a gorgeous family!
So, please meet baby Ollie....

An 'out of office' of sorts

2011-03-13T10:20:00.000-07:00

Anyone who follows me on Facebook or Twitter may know already that I am on a bit of an adventure and now midway through travels through California, Mexico and Belize. We have had the most amazing time so far, seen incredible places and met amazing people and tomorrow we head to Belize for a few days snorkling and general laziness on the beaches.

I am back in the UK early April to start an epic wedding season with some amazing weddings to capture and I am really excited about it! I also have so much to catch up on... blog posts from our travels, a fabulous Australian wedding to share, From Our Hearts projects and my poorly neglected Grateful Project which I hope to catch up on over the next week or so... But until then, here is some beautiful Mexican seaside scenery to share...