I usually avoid thinking of the wedding I’m about to photograph, but driving to Kristy and Steve’s it was different.
On the way through Tewantin I called in on a friend who I hadn’t seen for 30 years. She is the mother of a family I stayed with sometimes on school holidays and our lives were loosely entwined for pretty much all my teenage years. Rose showed me a photo album full of old photographs from the seventies and eighties. Amongst them where ones that were either washed out, contrasty, faded, scratched or out of focus. It’s funny though, they all had the same transporting effect and all bought up palpable feelings of long forgotten times and places.
Afterwards as I headed down to Perigian I thought that’s exactly what I want my wedding photo’s to be about. That humble little photo album packed so much emotional wallop and it reconfirmed with me the choices I make and priorities I have when shooting a wedding (and afterwards during editing). In thirty years I don’t want anyone looking at wedding photo’s I’ve taken and say “wasn’t the photographer clever, look how perfect everything is” or “what beautiful light”. I’d much rather they say affectionately to each other “look at us, that’s how we were”. Don’t get me wrong I value good technique and love stylish portraiture, but if I’m not getting the real stuff too, then it’s a missed opportunity.
Real wedding photography, Noosa, Perigian, Tewantin 2008
(Wednesday, 24 February 2010)
It’s good top have Plan B. Sometimes that is nothing just not Plan A. Luckily Jacob and Kim had one when the sky over the border ranges turned black. The boys carried the Chuppah (Jacob had made) up the beach and across the road to a restaurant.
The storm spent itself by the time of the ceremony shrouding the remains of the day in a dreamy mist that came off the sea.
Gold Coast Wedding Photography, The Boatshed Bar and Cafe, Currumbin Wedding, Non-Flaky Wedding Photography, Wedding Photo-documentary, 2008
(Wednesday, 10 February 2010)
Any photographer doing their work properly is bound to get these type of letters. Here's a few from the last couple of months.
Hi Stephen,
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!
I don't think I can thank you enough for the fantastic photos of our wedding. You are amazing, thank you SO much. They are perfect. I have watched that slideshow nearly a million times and its perfect. Its so much fun being able to relive the day watching it, it makes me feel so happy. Everyone I have shown (there have been lots) loves them. You have such a great eye and capture the most important parts of the day - how happy everyone was.
Thank you again... I could just keep saying it. They are perfect and I love them. It was a pleasure to have you there with us. I hope your family enjoyed their holiday too.
We had a great time in Turkey. Its a beautiful place and I highly recommend Kas.
Thank you, just once more.
Hope all is well. Take care and next time we are down your way maybe we can catch up for a coffee.
Kate & Ricky Megee
Hi Stephen,
Just wanted to let you know that we have recieved the cd of all the photos. We cant express enough how much we love them. Everybodies personality shines through, and we feel like we are re-living the happiness and fun of the day everytime we look at them. And we cant stop! I have no idea how we are ever going to pick photos to put in an album, let alone to frame, we want every single one of them.
I have already showed heaps of friends and family, and everyone that sees them wants to know your website and contact details, as it seems that what you do is what everyone wants. One person, a friend of my cousin, said that they are the most beautiful wedding photos that she has ever seen, and she had worked in the industry!
Honestly, we knew your were good, but we had no idea how blown away we would be (in some photos, literally!).
Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you.
Look forward to hearing from you soon,
All our thanks and best regards for a wonderful new year,
Joel and Meagan
Well hello Stephen!
WOW, the photos are amazing!!! We are sooo happy with them and can't thank you enough! Sorry it has taken a while to reply, we have spent a couple of nights playing with the photos :-)
We will definitely be recommending you to anyone we can! We will take your advice on Friday evening and sit down with a fine wine and enjoy! They really did capture the day so well, especially the special moments! So glad you took Jase and I outside during the reception, those pictures are unreal!
Chat soon
Trace
(Wednesday, 10 February 2010)
I’m off to Singpore in early May to photograph Gracie and Kuns wedding. They flew into Brisbane before xmas and we discussed their plans over dinner.
(Wednesday, 10 February 2010)
Late last year I blogged about Kate and Ricky’s wedding at the Villa Botanica in Airlie Beach. I was talking to Todd Hunter McGaw last week and he mentioned he had a wedding coming up at the same venue. It reminded me there was more to tell than I had previously posted. The groom was Ricky Megee which probably doesn’t ring a bell but it should. His story is staggering.
There is his book “Left for Dead” for the details, but basically he gave a lift to some people in the outback and after sharing a drink with them, wakes up in a shallow rock covered grave.
How he managed to survive being lost for 3 months on the edge of the desert without shoes or hat and nothing to drink or eat except what he can find, makes him a legend!, Yet this feat of brains and will power is virtually unknown .
Bear is good, but Ricky is the real thing!
(Saturday, 06 February 2010)