What do I love most about being a wedding photographer?
The joy, the intimacy, the emotion.
The connections, the relationships: the stuff that really matters.
The ones that make you smile and the ones that make you cry.
The ones that tell a story.
The ones you print and frame and keep for an eternity.
From the moment I shot my first wedding, I was hooked. The love and emotion that permeated every moment, the energy, the euphoria, the outpouring of human connection – all day long. It’s kind of addictive documenting that much magic. It’s also an absolute privilege to call it my ‘job’.
I grew up in a country town where I was a bit of a tomboy. I always wanted to work for National Geographic as a photographer, perhaps because I knew I was better at communicating with pictures than with words. After studying photography at uni I worked as a photojournalist for major media publications, lived overseas for a while then began shooting weddings on my return home. I haven’t looked back since then. Somewhere in the midst of that adventure I met the love of my life and created my own love story.
I live near the beach with my family and when I’m not shooting weddings, you’ll find me dancing with my kids in the kitchen, going for a run or relaxing at the end of the day with my husband over a glass of red.
Getting to capture the love you share and the love of your family and friends is such a special part of my work – and your day. Recording these moments in time for you and your loved ones to reflect on for years to come is so important to me because really, how often do we get to have all of our favourite people in one place at the same time? Your wedding is the ultimate once-in-your-lifetime, tell-your-grandkids, fantastic-guest-list loved up party.
My style on the day? I want you to feel relaxed, happy, beautiful, calm and assured. I’ll be there to document it all in a way that feels unobtrusive and natural; - the emotions, the surprises, the romance, the magic, the big moments, the little ones and all the in-between-moments that no one else sees (those are my favourites!).
If you’re after a photographer who is just as excited about your wedding as you are and is:
Capable of handling a crowd.
Confident in my craft and highly organised.
The calm in the chaos.
Then I might be the photographer for you. Let’s talk.
Families
As a mother of two I can totally appreciate just how wild this ride is. Absolutely nothing can prepare you for this kind of love ~ or this kind of sleeplessness. The palpable joy and unconditional intimacy and quiet heartache and exquisite anguish, that is parenting and co-piloting and safely shepherding your precious offspring through this messy and fabulously imperfect adventure called life.
If I have learnt anything it’s this…the days are long but the years are short.
And none are shorter than when they are very small. When everything feels new and some weeks you’re only just keeping your head above water. Those chapters (including the days when you don’t feel amazing or put-together or really in control of anything) are actually the ones worth documenting, maybe the most. Because they’re achingly real, and magnificent, and so fleetingly precious. And one day, I promise you will look back on them and see just how special they were.
I’m all about human connection, natural intimacy and ‘blink and you may miss it’ moments. I love quietly immersing myself in your day (from first sleepy kisses if you’ll welcome me into your home that early!) to paint an authentic portrait of your life and love, all your unscripted and beautiful happenings, as they unfold. Simple joys, unexpected moments, honest love. These are real memories of your story and your family, told truthfully & meaningfully.
My ultimate hope? That one day when your kids are grown, these images will serve as the most potent and accurate memory of how it looked & felt. That you can reach for an album as an effortless, unspoken way to share your story (& their story) with them, and maybe even their kids…one day.
If this sounds like your kind of yes - then let’s chat some more. I would love to hear all about your family and the memories you’re in the middle of making, every day.
Tess
xx