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You have no idea how much it means to me how much positive feedback and support that I have received from the images that I have posted already, it has taken me a bit longer than I intended to post this final part as I wanted to have the time to try and express in words what these images represent to me. You see I am better at taking photos than trying to express in writing how I feel, I wish I was a better writer and be able to express as I type what is in my head, I will try my best, so please bear with me. I mentioned on twitter last week that there was a story associated with this last part, so I think I will start there.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a control freak at times and I will admit it, this shoot was so important to me but there were several things that I felt, lets just say “out of control” about. I was so thankful for all of the wonderful people involved that I tried to, in my husbands words “micro-manage” every last detail. My biggest fear was turning up on the day and letting someone down as I had not though of one crutial element to bring it all together.

This is where the story I guess starts. As I had not been involved in a shoot like this before I had in my head that I would meet with the dress designer the wonderful Melanie Ford and we would have a try on of the dress/ dresses so I knew all of the other elements that I needed prepare. It didn’t happen like that as Melanie was such a professional at what she does that she didn’t need us to come and try on the dress, I just needed to supply her with the height, and size of the model. I knew it would be totally fabulous but also was not wanting to assume she was bringing other things like jewellery etc.

So having not seen the dress I was trying to work out in my head how I could get everything to coordinate, this is where Stacey my friend and neighbour comes into the picture (and Leila the adorable flower girls mum). You see Stacey got married only six weeks before and we had many a long and involved conversations about weddings and her amazing bouquet came to mind, as it was a neutral colour and would match any dress Melanie selected to bring on the day. I guess that didn’t come out quite right, it wasn’t only that it was neutral, I just knew that Louise from WOW Flowers was the lady I needed to contact to see if she wanted to be a part of this opportunity I had been so gratefully given.

When I walked into Louise’s wonderful shop Worn Out Wares where WOW Flowers is also situated, and while I was waiting for her to come and speak to me the two hat boxes were spied out of the corner of my eye, as well as the little purple umberella that I thought would tie in perfectly. Louise was so positive about being involved from the start, even though she had three weddings, Mother’s Day and donating all of the flowers for the Hunter Medical Research Luncheon that week (I volunteered to take photos at that too). I took a deep breath and asked her if I could borrow the hat boxes and the umbrella for the shoot, they were new stock and she knew they would be an in demand item for Mother’s Day but she let me lend them all the same. I promised her with my hand on my heart that if they were damaged in any way I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase them.

Stacey, who had agreed to come and hang out and help me, Danielle the model and I were so careful with these hat boxes, I had taken a picnic rug out and at each set up we all ensured that they were returned to Louise in the condition we received them. Now you may remember from earlier details that I shared about his shoot the idea to bring Miss Leila along came to me only the day before in the shower of all places. We had been shooting for around an hour and a half maybe when Leila’s Grandma brought her out and she really didn’t want any part of it to start off with. Poor Danielle was fantastic with her, even when there was screaming and throwing herself on the ground tantrums.

As both Stacey and I knew if we tried to force Leila it would only make things worse so we all just kept focusing on Danielle and slowly but surely Leila came around and just started playing and having fun with her new pretty princess friend. Two year olds basically have a mind of their own and we just had to go with what happened, did she want to stand in the direction of the nice light – no she did not. Did she want to do anything I asked her to do – no she did not. That is what was so exciting to me was we just let her decide what she wanted to do and we just went with it. I would loosely give Danielle direction and I am so, so pleased with the images we were able to capture.

This brings us to the beautiful brand new hat boxes, Leila decided she didn’t just want to look at them, she wanted to be just like Danielle and carry them too. The reactions from everyone was a gasp and run towards her to take them off her, remembering how careful we had been for the previous two hours. I could see in the viewfinder of my camera that I loved what was unfolding in front of me and I just went with it. Basically I was almost hyperventilating with excitement as I could see how genuine and real the images seemed to be as we just let the two of them play together. I said let her go I’ll buy the bags I love it, so that is what we did. The moments with the bag falling there is no way that I could have set that up and the genuine reaction of Danielle I am just amazed at what can be captured in a photo. By the way, my mum got one for Mother’s Day and the other is in my studio.

I have spent years photographing children and I think that has stood me in good stead as I gently ease my way into wedding photography. I guess what I am trying to say is I have learned so much from shooting children how to capture moments as they happen and I believe I have learned by experience to carry that through to when I work with adults too. I am also touched and honored that Danielle has had a lady come into her shop and genuinely believed the images were from her own wedding day, as my husband Aaron said well that shows you achieved what you wanted to achieve. She said this woman was so persisent that she was a real bride that Danielle held up her hand and said “I’m only 21″!

If you have read all of this I hope that you get a feel for what I am trying to say and to thank each and everyone of you who have supported me thus far. I am in the process of putting together an online slideshow of the images for Melissa to send to all prospective brides and I am off to the annual photography tradeshow in Melbourne to select a new album to design so that all of the potential brides who come to Ironbark can see them. I would like to thank Melissa, David and the team again for giving me this opportunity. Guess what, I am meeting with a bride this Sunday who is getting married at Ironbark Hill in May next year, she wanted to meet with me after seeing these images and I am very chuffed about it!

Kind Regards

Kristin
xxx

I think this image sums up my photography style…I could not set this up even if I tried!

This one cracks me up… Danielle trying to protect the bags and Leila being determined as all hell to get it off her!!!

I am lucky enough to have five nephews and two nieces! Many have featured on my blog before, I have set myself a challenge this year to capture each one of them in their own special shoot – with their input in what they would like to do, those that are old enough for that…I am hoping Jackson wants some with his unicycle. Isaac just started playing the trumpet and as soon as I said what would you like to do he said can I wear my favourite vest and my Michael Jackson hat – I said of course.

Take care, talk soon.

Kristin
xxx

This morning I woke up and walked into my kitchen to the most beautiful smell filling the room, Stacey and her sister Kylie popped in yesterday and gave me two big bunches of flowers from the wedding to enjoy. It was such a lovely surprise and I was very grateful for them. I took some photos they are so beautiful, I will be sure to share them soon, but this morning I wanted to show a couple of photos that represented the bride and although they don’t showcase the dress as much as I would have liked to share, they do show Stacey as she was on the day, glowing and simply beautiful!

Once again I will repeat that I was not the photographer on the day, I was a guest and I did not get in the way and I let him do his work, I focused on getting some images of the kiddies. But when I saw that Jake had them on the grass I walked alongside to get a bit of a different view and then left him to do his work in peace. I couldn’t decide if I liked these more in colour or black and white. What are your thoughts? I took some Instax Instant Prints outside of the church that I might scan in later if I get a chance.

Chris and Stacey, have an amazing time away, you both deserve to relax and put your feet up after the whirlwind couple of weeks you have had. Thank you for inviting Aaron and I to be a small part of it. Hugs Kristin and Aaron xxx.

I have much pleasure in showing you today’s Daily Delight. Aaron and my great friends Chris and Stacey, who also happen to be our next door neighbours got married yesterday and I took my camera along with no pressure just to have a play with the flowergirls Leila and Hannah. For those of you that don’t know Leila is Chris and Stacey’s daughter and she turned 2 years old the day before the wedding. Along for moral support was Hannah, it was uncanny that both kiddies were identical height, hair colour and even their hair was pretty similar. I only took my little plastic polaroid camera to the ceremony and it wasn’t quick enough to capture them holding hands walking down the isle. I’m sure the wonderful real photographers Jake and his assistant captured those moments perfectly. There had been alot of stress to know if Leila would even allow the dress to be put on so it was just so lovely to see on the day!

I hope you enjoy my take on the images I captured of these two adorable princesses in their Tea Princess Dresses. Can you believe that it is 10.54 am and I was so excited to share these I haven’t had a shower or breakfast yet! We were crazy enough to have around 15 people at the house after the wedding till 3.30am and I am a little slow this morning but knew it would make Stacey and Sarah’s day!

Take care, talk soon.

Kristin
xxx

On Aaron and my first wedding anniversary nearly six years ago we went to Canberra for the first time since we were both in primary school. I took every piece of camera gear I had with the hope that I would take so many photos that I could really document such a special time in our lives. I couldn’t bear the thought of seeing something incredible to photograph and not having the right piece of equipment, so even the tripod came along. So here is the confession, I did not take one single photo the whole time we were there. My sweet, adorable and supportive husband still carried around all of the gear everywhere we went after I complained how heavy it was after about 20 minutes. That backpack came with us to the War Memorial, The Old and New Parliament Houses, The National Portrait Gallery and many, many other places during our three day adventure.

Today is Valentines Day and Aaron is as supportive now as he was back then of my photography, although with a few modifications. I am now warned when we go on a trip to take the bear minimum of equipment as he repeats over and over again that he will not carry it all around like he did on our honeymoon to Hamilton Island and our first anniversary to Canberra. This biggest rule is that I am never to take a tripod again, which I have never used anyway so that is cool with me. We have had many such trips and adventures and each time I have taken a different array of camera equipment with me and Aaron mostly ends up carrying it. The difference now and when we were first married is he now does complain about it, but he still carries it God love him.

I though it would be fun to show you some of my favourite photos from a little holiday we took in October 2009 to Tasmania. They really do reflect greatly what it is like to be the husband of a photographer and how easily I am amused and don’t give up when I am in the mood to experiment and capture my surroundings. Even though some people who see him think he is big and tuff, he is a big softy at heart and that is why I love him so much. He is going to kill me for doing this, but he is at work for 12 hours today and I thought it was a cool Valentine’s Card for him. Our next trip together is to Queensland soon, lets see what I can get there.

Enjoy!

This is so the stance and face that is often pulled when I stop anywhere, anytime to take random pictures. I have a copy of this in a frame on my desk, it makes me smile when I look at it.

This is the “if I pretend I am concentrating and reading she will get the hint and get the bloody camera out of my face”.

This is the bugger she got me look!

This is the first example of how far in front a husband of a photographer often walks when he gets bored of stopping every two minutes to take pictures of random things.

This is the if I pull a grumpy face she will get the message that I am over it!

This is the “Where’s Wally” (aka Aaron) game.

This is the if I walk fast enough she will surely get sick of taking photos of my back!

This is the if I keep pretending to read the same Port Arthur book this time she will not even see me I am so far ahead look.

This is the I am so far ahead look that I don’t even hear my wife let out the most god awful scream when she fell over taking photos of the moss covered steps risking her own safety to protect her $2,500 lense.

This is the if I bust out a dance so quickly that she again won’t be able to be quick enough to capture it as evidence, I forgot she was used to running around after two year olds for a living.

This is the game of hide and seek that ensued when Aaron realised I was not going to put the camera away!

This is the come on I’m bored it is time for lunch point!

This is the I said I’m hungry stop limping and hurry up walk. It can’t have hurt that much!

This is the how cool am I in my little red swift. I hope we don’t run into a Tasmanian Tiger, they look viscious look!

I know, I know I am a child photographer at heart I couldn’t let this moment go by, taken Ninja style so the parents did not think I was a stalker!

Happy Valentine’s Day Bubba, I love you very much!

Kristin
xxx