Then I got a text saying that my good friend Alexis was back in the Bay for a few days R&R with her new wee lad Angus. Cool! I was finally going to meet him, and before he was a year old! I had promised Alexis that I would take photos of him, ‘when’ was never really discussed, it was more that I would – at some point in his lifetime … As it was it was Angus was only 5 weeks old when I turned up to meet him with camera in hand. It was great to spend time with mother and son in such a relaxed atmosphere. Here are a few image of my good friend with her new son.

John and Sarah married on 10 April 2010 at the Iona Chapel. Daylight savings had arrived the weekend before and everyone was still reveling in the last of the summer warmth. The ceremony was at 3pm and I’d been with Sarah and her ladies since 1pm. Everyone was a little anxious but with the hair and make-up done and the dresses on, the day was starting to feel a little more real. Sarah, Kate, Robyn and I headed around the corner to a little oasis on the peripheral of Hastings for a few photos with Sarah’s parents and attendents before heading into Havelock North. By the time we arrived, almost on the dot of 3pm the guest were all seated and John was waiting eagerly at the alter. It was a short ceremony that ran without a hitch. The smile on Sarah’s face as she left the chapel was evidence enough of a perfect day.

We raced through the family and group photos so we could get to the Trig Station before the light began to fade. The bridal party and I left the guests to make their way out to the reception while we raced out to the farm and exchanged the wedding vehicles for two 4WD’s that would take us to the top of the world. The view from the Trig Station is just breath taking! You can see all the way out to Bear Island and along the sandy beaches of Ocean and Waimarama and back toward Napier and along the Marine Parade through to Westshore and along to Bayview and Whirinaki. When we got there and the bridal party piled out of the vehicles you could hear the exhalation of breath from everyone – the ceremony was over and they could all relax! We spent a bit of time at the Trig Station and enjoyed the view before heading back down to the reception. John wanted a few shots with a rusty old lorry that he’d fallen in love with over the years and then back down to the homestead for a few family photos with Mace, their beloved black lab.

It was an amazing day and the bridal party was buzzing – these were people who truely knew how to enjoy themsleves!

The ceremony was beautiful and Aaron and Jane just couldn’t keep their eyes off each other. You could see how much he adored her by the way he would tenderly touch her and whisper in her ear. These guys were made for each other. I wish them all the best for their future together and thank them for the opportunity to see such love.

The wedding dress was hanging in the lounge making an exquisite centrepiece, along with the bridesmaids dresses, ready and waiting for the moment the girls would transform themselves. They were delaying getting changed knowing that the bride wouldn’t be able to sit until the bridal cars arrived for the short commute to the venue. When Lara did finally put on her dress it was as if all the stars had aligned. The dress was perfect, a small amount of detailing and not too much ‘boof’, she looked amazing! I left all the girls to fluff (as only girls can), and made my way to the venue.

Sileni Estate Winery sits at the bottom of a golden hill at Maraekakho and with the marque made a spectacular site. The guests were arriving and being ushered down stairs to the cellar for the service. Its interesting how cool, calm and collected men are until the immenant arrival of their bride, and James was no different, although he played it cool – very cool. The service was short and within 20 minutes James and Lara were man and wife.

While the guests continued to enjoy the Hawkes Bay summer the bridal party and I took off to a farm not far from the venue, and after a glass of bubbles everyone was in a relaxed mood. Some of the simplest things can make the best backdrops – there were a few larger drops of rain we had to hide from in the hay shed and once they’d disappeard we headed out to make the most of the sun burnt grass and dark clouds.

My first encounter with Eloise and Grant was via email from the UK. They were looking for a photographer for their small and intimate wedding that would be held at Elephant Hill Estate & Winery, Te Awanga, on 30 January 2010 – was I available? At that stage I was and after the exchange of a number of emails we were set. I would meet them for the first time a week before the wedding once they had arrived in New Zealand. I really didn’t know what to expect of our first meeting and as it was they were there before me, happily ensconced in the sunken lounge area looking out toward the vineyard and ocean. It was a very relaxed and enjoyable first meeting. I had to ask them though, why choose New Zealand to get married, and in particular – why Elephant Hill? The answer was simple. Grant’s brother Scott was the Assistant Wine Maker at Elephant Hill. Eloise had never been to New Zealand before and Grant wanted to catch up with his brother and see a little more of the country. So they decided to get married in New Zealand, Scott had suggested Elephant Hill, and venue unseen, Grant and Eloise said ‘yes’. Little did they know the beauty in which it was set.

The day of the wedding dawned, a hazy sunrise after all the rain we had had in the week leading up to it. Fingers crossed it stayed that way!

The small gathering of family and close friends was perfect. The weather had been wonderful all day, the intimate setting for the wedding on the upstairs deck was spectacular, and the ceremony went without a hitch! What more could you ask for. A beautiful bride, a relaxed groom and happy guests. I had a great time working with these guys and I’d like to think they had a fun time with the photos – and I suspect the evening would have been a blast!

Finally!!! After three redesigns in the space of two weeks we would like to present our fresh new look!

Still holding on to the flourishes that gave Amor the beauty in the beginning we have refinned things and gone for a clean and simplified look. All the information that a prospective client needs is right there with a simple contact form for enquiries.

Take a look around and let us know what you think www.amor.net.nz

Happy viewing!