Joe  & Bec were married in a creek bed in the National Park near Alice Springs, one of the fun-nest events of 2011 by a long shot!!

Joe & Bec styling!

Grassy hangouts.

More pics of the happy kids.

Family pic

A couple of requests from prospective clients to see some more wedding pics from the vault have prompted this post. Below is the first of several weddings I shot over the summer season.

Ben & Sarah had a beautiful simple ceremony with family at the Mt Lofty botanic garden. The ceremony was held on a beautifully temperate autumn day.

Proud father with stunning daughter

Taking the vows.

Ben’s parents flew from London to witness their sons marriage to Sarah, with Sarah’s immediate family helping bring the day to life.

A very happy mum.

I’m always stoked to capture the more candid moments of a wedding day. The times where the camera is forgotten and the picture is all about a small significant moment are always my favourite.

Newly weds.

Ben, Sarah and family shortly after tying the knot.

The wedding party.

and than…. a couple of moments for just the bride and groom : )

Waiting for the bus.

This was my favorite

Good story Ben.

Up close and personal.

And than the brothers hanging out.

Brothers not so in arms.

In March… with the assistance of some beautiful end-of-summer weather, I shot some pics for the Gia London Weekend Wardrobe Photoshoot- Spring Summer 2011 working with the uber talented and amazingly gifted designer Elise White and her two models Rosie and George we battled with some slightly sore heads and came up with this lovely shoot at Grange beach in Adelaide.

Rosie on Grange jetty.

Models for the day – both Rosie and George were on holidays in oz – over from London. Usually both have more of a behind the scenes, hands on role in the fashion industry back in their homeland.  Rosie, a fashion Buyer - is not famous for being on this side of the lens, however more than adept at making the GIA London brand look hot!

In the dunes.

One of the best thing about Grange beach was the diversity in locations close in proximity we could use to help give individuality to all of the outfits, but all in keeping with the summer feel.

ladies

At home in London, Georgie is a fashion stylist – she had such an easy natural grace in front of the camera – making it super fun and easy to work with her on the shoot.

George on-top of the sand dunes.

George back on Grange Jetty.

Challenges that spring to mind whilst doing this shoot include: Massive clothing suitcase Elise lugged around whilst moving to different locations.  Rather large group of males playing beach cricket… who may or may not have been more interested in the models than the cricket! Youngsters hiding under the jetty to try and look up models dresses. Same youngsters starting to look a little too interested in certain personal possessions of all involved with shoot. Grose!

Rosie working the boardwalk.

Positives that far outweighed the challenges involved include: Amazing weather and beautiful location.  Down to earth girls to work with, super relaxed attitudes – combined with DIY know how to create great results. Multitude of fashion knowlege coming from 3 bright and sparkly ladies : ).

At the beach.

If you likey like the clothing head to www.gia-london.com for more info!!

Some of my favorite images from Pete & Genie’s wedding a couple of weeks ago.

Genie's dress and getting ready.

Genie

Genie on her way out the door!

Ladies sizing up the fence they have to jump to get back out of the paddock.

Finishing touches.

The boys getting ready.

The boys again.

Ceremony

signing off!

Celebrations

Bridal party on their way to location shoot.

Deep conversation.

More bridal party pics.

Models inc!

Take us to your happy place.

The beach walk.

bit of rock climbing!

Love

Party.

View from the top of Kala Patthar, 5550m above sea level. Mt Everest is the mountain with the beam of light slicing up its side - far left of the picture.

It’s 5:00am as I roll over in wistful sleep. The persistent noise of an alarmshakes me from the subconscious of my warm and comfortable dream. My breathing is somewhat laboured at this altitude… I groan as I feel the aches and pains in my body from yesterdays enduring trek up to Everest Base Camp. This morning is our final assault upwards to Kala Patthar, the 5550 meter view-point, which by sunrise should have us looking up to the highest mountain in the world. It’s taken us a week to reach our lodge in Gorak Shep, we are lying at a cool 5140m above sea level. The last four days have seen us ascend at a slow but carefully measured 300 meters a day as our bodies adjust to the high altitude of the region. I lie quietly and think about my friend Chelsea who just yesterday was escorted down from the village of Lobuche by a donkey, feeling the very real effects of altitude sickness. Hopefully we will meet up with her tomorrow?

Sungi Sherpa (senior) heading into the fog as we walk out to lake Amphulapcha Tsho

As I reluctantly leave the warm comfort of my bed it is a mad scramble to cover my body with as many warm layers as I can muster. My drink bottle, which has been very useful as a hot water bottle, has fallen from my bed and lies on the lodge floor… frozen solid. Padding quietly down the corridor to the lodge kitchen, my breath hangs in the air in white clouds of condensation. I am greeted by the smiling eyes of our sherpa, Sungi and our guide Goko – who quietly hands me a cup of lemon tea. Breakfast comes only after our decent from the vantage point of Kala Patthar.

Dave at Everest base camp

By 5:30am myself, my friend Dave along with our team of trusted leaders are heading out of the lodge door. The night sky is luminous with a three quarter moon and vast amounts of brightly lit stars sprinkling from horizon to horizon. The highest peaks of the Himalayas glow eerily white well above our heads. The first 20 minutes of the walk pass in concentrated silence, my head torch slices through the eerie darkness. The terrain, suffice to say, is Steep! It is the middle of February and we are in the heart of the Himalayan winter. I have never been this cold. I have two pairs of gloves on and they are shoved far into my jacket pockets. I am having trouble remembering where my feet end and my toes begin. It’s hard to talk and concentration lies solely on one foot in front of the other. As I look up the mountain I can see our sherpa, Sungi, silhouetted on a rock 200 meters ahead waiting patiently for us to catch up. When we reach him the first rays of the morning sun spill over one of the lower mountains. I stop for a photo, my SLR slung on my shoulder is cold too. Both my camera and myself are having trouble functioning at this temperature.

On the way up to the top of Kala Patthar

It takes us an hour and twenty minutes to reach the top. It’s a fast time – I’m guessing the cold has something to do with it. Our view however is breathtaking. From this height we can look back on the week long journey we have taken through the lower mountains from the village of Lukla. Above us Mt Everest pokes its head unobtrusively out from behind a closer mountain, Nuptse. The morning light is beaming up one side of Everest like someone is holding a floodlight to her side.

Dave and Chelsea heading up to Thokla

I celebrate reaching the top with a Mars bar I payed a handsome price for earlier this morning, chocolate tastes a lot better when you’re standing above 5000 meters. We stay for a few photos hoping the sun will rise sooner, but the temperature won’t let us linger long and very soon we are moving quickly down the mountain. On our decent, we catch up with another group we have run into several times along the trek. They are heading up as we cross paths it’s 7:30am. They let us know it is minus 18 degrees and I wonder what temperature it was at 5:30am? I’m more than glad to be heading in the opposite direction.

Sungi Sherpa (senior) takes a rest at a small shop in Chahatyung

Descending back to the end destination of Lukla is enjoyable. My body feels amazing. My ‘match fitness’ has reached a new level and breathing becomes easier the further down we travel. The time frame we had for the trek has held us in good stead. I have been told by our guide that the October season brings a throng of tourism to the area, lodges are packed to capacity and the somewhat remote experience give or take 5 or 6 other organized expeditions we have witnessed – holds out to groups of twenty en-mass along the track.

Sungi Sherpa in front of the village of Pheriche

Girl soaking up the morning sun in Dingboche

The locals in this region are often slightly resigned to the sight of yet another tourist. My acquisition of a photo with the Nepalese has respectfully been rejected on more than one occasion during our walk. The Buddhist nature of the people however has been warm, friendly and more than generous during our time in the Himalayas.

Lodge owner Cheten Doma Sherpa and son Khumjung Sherpa at their lodge Ama Doulam in Pheriche

Sungi Sherpa, Gokul Thaba, a friendly dog and a donkey crossing a bridge near Monjo

I’ve enjoyed meeting a variety of others trekkers of all ages, I’m especiallyimpressed by the over 45 year olds I have seen in large quantity along the way. We pass the last of the lodges before Lukla. The lavish display of Mars bars and coke are not half as tempting as they were at higher altitude. My thoughts are instead racing ahead to the idea of a hot shower and some clean attire. Two weeks without a wash is a long time and I am definitely looking forward to a tasty meal, a massage and a well earned rest when we get back to Kathmandu.

Prayer flags attached to a bridge overlooking the stream near Phunki Tenga

Army men with washing at Namche Bazar

In my spare time usually between 9 -5, anywhere between Monday and Friday I have this little thing called  a job… I know crazy right.  I heard some of you other people out there may also have one of these things. That whole working for the man thing can often make getting out of bed hard, especially when winter turns up and offers up its icicles on the car windscreen…. (No i don’t actually live in Norway just Adelaide – but we too get frosts, I think i might be getting off track). Anywho so working for The Messenger community newspaper in Adelaide is as all jobs are trying at times. BUT the best thing about my job is that everyday i get to go to work knowing that I will get to use some of the creative Hels to bring someone’s story to life through the lens of a camera. Obviously some days are better than others but when the bad days suppress, I like to try to remember that getting paid to take pictures is a pretty amazing gig, more so meeting 5+ new people everyday and finding a way to make their story creative and fun in some way is a pretty rewarding way to spend eight hours in one day. Here are just some of my pictures that go with many people’s stories from the Messenger.

Every Generation Festival . Isobel Keegan of Blackwood and Joy Gardiner of Blackwood at the Hills Baptist Church in Blackwood.

Nothing better than getting to a job and seeing something that might work…. and finding wicked subjects that are willing to have a laugh and give anything a go.  These lovely ladies were so much fun.

Successful West Beach Surf Lifesaving Club member Stephanie Ballantine of Brooklyn Park

Chicks that can! Stephanie represented at the nationals in Surf Lifesaving competition. Respect.

Peter and Emma Hooley (17) of Hahndorf made the state under-20 basketball teams.

This is a day when a ladder can come in really handy to get the right angle. It helps if the cleaners are about cause they have keys to cupboards with things that can get u high enough to see through basketball nets.

Actor Erik Thomson

Sometimes we get to take pictures of famous people who are on television.  This pic from last week is the second time I’ve photographed Erik. He remembered me, which made me like and respect him heaps. Super nice guy, 10 minutes late and apologising profusely for his tardiness. He too blames it on the traffic ; ).

lackfriars school kids win water polo competition. L to R Dylan (15) of Walkley Heights, Lachlan (16) of Sefton Park and Liam (13) of Prospect.

A nice arvo at the pool with some boisterous teenage water polo players.

Musician Vorn Doolette of Forestville

St Peters Cathedral (and old cool buildings in general) always make for amazingly attractive location shoots.

Every Generation Festival. The Festival Statesmen Barbershop Chorus.

Isn’t it nice when you get to a job and the funny man in the hat tells you he has a cool car in his garage that would look cool in a shoot.  It’s even nicer when after the shoot, he takes you for a spin around the block.

Charles Sturt Council's Cultural Festival. Preformers Elaine age 9 of Renown Park, Sagarika age 7 of Pennington and Christine age 7 of Renown Park.

Kids can be your worst nightmare or your best friends…. all depending on their willingness to play up for the camera. It also helps if there is some bright colour.

Maria Russo of Croydon has been volunteering with the Carnevale for many years.

Hullo bright colours and sunshine…

Kate of Daw Park and her 8wk old son, Jeremiah.

Cute babies and pretty mums : )

Swimmers of all ages are taking to the water in record numbers for the Brighton Jetty Classic.

Helpful clouds in the sky can sometimes make a ok shot into a super ok shot.

In April my little friend Maxi finally decided that with one kid under the belt it was time to tie the knot.  Herself and Nick had the ceremony in the bushland outside of Max’s parents house in Pearcedale VIC, it was a beautifully laid back relaxed day. Awesome catching up with lots of fun faces that I haven’t seen in a long time.

Max, Kai, the putting the ring on the finger bit and Nick

Observations from the audience on the day are as follows:

Max and Nick's son Kai as he waits with dad for mum to arrive

Renegade Kai!

KISSING!!

Max and Nick agree on the whole lets get married thing.

The formal bit

Then they sign their lives away!

In the mean time, found some likely characters who thought that we were doing a shoot for the Autumn/Winter David Jones clothing catalogue. Sweet ride kids!

Steely, Maz, Brigee and Jimi at the post ceremony shoot

Steely and Molly share a tender moment together.

Molly & Steely

Molly… entertains us with her ‘getting excited about not being in the car and finding a stick game’!

Molly