Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens Engagement Shoot – Olivia & Dimitri

May 31, 2020/0 Comments/in Engagement, PhotoShoot /by Steven Duncan

Olivia & Dimitri
Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens Engagement Shoot

It wasn’t the nicest day to go out and do a photo shoot out and about high in the Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens, but I’m so glad Olivia and Dimitiri were keen to head out anyway as the colours you can get here are just incredible! Also the rising mist from early in the morning just made the feeling of their engagement photos that much more surreal!

Olivia and Dimitri were umming and ering over where to go for their photoshoot, thinking maybe a beach, or the Belair National Park but in the end were very keen on heading to the Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens, mainly due to it was where Dimitri had originally proposed.

As this engagement shoot was happening only a few weeks after when they were supposed to be married, I thought this was quite appropriate! Olivia and Dimitri had had to postpone their wedding due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

Once a location was chosen, I really wanted to make use of the lovely light either in the late afternoon for the golden hour, or early morning.

We ended up getting up early on the freezing morning for the gates to open at 8:30 as the COVID-19 restrictions had just been lifted and we expected the Botanic Gardens to be packed with people trying to get out and about a bit! The early start, coupled with the drizzly weather meant we had the whole Gardens to ourselves.

Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens Engagement Shoot

We began our photoshoot walk at the Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens lower carpark, nearby the dam wall. Our first reaction when arriving was that we were super lucky to still have some colours in the autumn leaves that made these botanic gardens so magical! I was kind of hoping to get a bit of fog into their photos, but it was fast rising.

We quickly hopped up the nearby hill to make use of some trees that were losing their leaves, then head down to the water’s edge as I wanted to use my favourite tree in all of the Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens, but unfortunately it had already lost all it’s leaves 🙁

Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens Autumn colours

Cuddles by the water

Laughing through the red leaves

Holding one another at the Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens

Walking along the Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens dam

Close up of engagement ring

Walking together in the Autumn colours

Olivia and Dimitri certainly made it easy as their carefree attitude was present all throughout the photoshoot and they had plenty of smiles on their faces!

We then head across the dam, which I feel is always an awesome shot to get, making the couple feel as though they are out in the middle of nowhere on ther path way. It’s a very tricky shot to get though as usually the dam walkway is always full of dozens of other people walking across!

Walking along the Mt Lofty Botanic Dam

Couple on the Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens Dam

The big draw of the Botanic Gardens are the wonderfully vivid autumnal colours you can get at this time of year, and thankfully we were able to capture some before they all fell from the trees. The colours, coupled with the misty morning really made for some wonderful scenes!

I had a blast taking photos with Olivia and Dimitri during this weather, but it’s so rare to get a couple to get up this early and head out in bad weather like this! 🙂

Just have a ook at the types of unique scenes you can get in weather like this! from fog, to muted autumnal colours!@ It’s a great time to take photos! Just not so great if you want to stay snug and warm :/

Couple under the yellow leaves

Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens Bridge

Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens in winter

Couple under the orange trees

Laughing and playing

Hugs under the yellow leaves

Walking together with the mist

Hugs under the maple leaves

Looking at the camera under the maple leaves

Looking at a flower

I’d like to thank Olivia’s sister in law Thalia whose engagement shoot had been given to them by her mother for giving Olivia and Dimitri their engagement shoot! It’s always nice to know that people appreciate their photos so much they have their family and friends also have their photos taken with me! 🙂

The Golden Hour: Why Is It The Best Time For Photos?

May 28, 2020/0 Comments/in Wedding, ideas, Interesting /by Steven Duncan

The Golden Hour: Why Is It The Best Time For Photos?

The golden hour! Have you heard of it? If you are planning for your wedding or have spoken with a photographer, then, it should be in your lexicon. But what does it mean, especially with weddings?

Golden hour is that magical hour just before sunset when the atmosphere beams lighting that is perfect for taking photos. Before now, you must have seen some glowing wedding photographs of couples, and you can’t help but imagine when it was taken. No doubt, it’s possibly the golden hour. Finding the perfect time to capture priceless moments during a wedding ceremony can make all the difference.

But you shouldn’t be thinking about this on your wedding day, you have more important things to worry about. That’s why you need a photographer. And not just anyone will do. You need to hire a professional that understands the significance of this “hour” and what it means for your wedding.

As you plan for your wedding day, you must consider golden hour wedding photos and find an expert that knows how to leverage on this hour to make your day as memorable as it ought to be.

Semaphore Beach Sunset

Sadly, many wedding photographers fail to take advantage of this hour during a wedding ceremony. The fact is that someone that lacks the intricate photography skills can easily get stuck up in the reception and watch the sunset waste away without taking any photos. Therefore, it takes an expert to know when the sunset is likely going to occur and how to take advantage of it to create images that the couple would be glad to look back on for many years to come.

What Makes The Golden Hour So Unique?

It’s hard to discuss creative wedding photography without mentioning the golden hour. Why is this so?

First of all, during this time, the sunlight is less harsh and softer and usually a golden colour – hence the name. Therefore, your photos will radiate a beautiful soft glow due to the beautiful bright flares that hit the lens of the camera. Photos taken during this time are also devoid of squinty eyes and strong shadows. This makes the job of the photographer a bit easier as he won’t have trouble trying to make the faces of those starring at the camera less awful.

The golden hour helps in creating astonishing images for any wedding. Here are more reasons why you should treasure this precious hour.

It brings out the best look in the couple.
It doesn’t limit the extent of creative photoshoots.
Photo editing is a lot easier (at least for us)
The unique sunset that follows a wedding day is important to capture

Ekhidna wines wedding at sunset

Lighting Can Make or Break Any Wedding Photo

You must have realised how valid these words are if you have ever seen an awful wedding photo that makes you wonder if the photographer threw his skills to the donkeys during the wedding. You might be the most stunning bride in history, and your partner might be looking his best too, but if the lighting is not right, then your photos are not going to be the best.

If you are preparing for your wedding and you desire the best possible photos, there is no other better time to plan for it other than now. The magical imagery created during the golden hour can make your wedding photographysomething to be cherished forever.

The truth is that any experienced photographer must have realised that no matter how hard you force a smile from the faces of guests when taking photos, if the sun is too hot in the sky and the photos are taken outdoors, you might not get the best shot. It’s a big reason to have photos done during this time of day, other than the amzing golden light. Therefore, taking wedding photos during the golden hour does not just help to bring out your best look during your wedding day, it also makes the job of the photographer easier.

But… what if the golden hour is not our best time for photos?

It’s common for me as a photographer to wish we were out taking photos during golden hour, only to be stuck inside for the reception. In adelaide the golden hour tends to be around 7-8pm, and most receptions start at about 6-6:30. have a think about whether or not having sunset photos in the golden hour is worth popping out again during your reception. Often is well worth the effort! In the end, you will love the soft ambiance that this hour creates and the magical light it radiates.

Santorini Sunset

Hire a Professional Photographer For Your Big Day

There is nothing as devastating as hiring someone that can barely tell the difference between sunset and sunrise and how it affects wedding photos. That is why it is paramount to hire the best hands for your wedding. Fortunately, you have an expert photographer at your beck and call. I have worked with many clients all around Australia and the world and help them to take advantage of this precious hour. We can do the same for you. Instead of wondering what time is best to take wedding photos, let us help you plan it out.

We would love to hear from you and discuss your wedding photography needs as well as help you figure out the perfect spots to take advantage of this short time.

Two Bright Lights 2020 Editors Choice Award Winner

May 25, 2020/0 Comments/in Wedding, Awards, News & Events /by Steven Duncan

Two Bright Lights 2020 Editors Choice Award Winner

I like to be in the habit of helping all the wedding vendors involved with the weddings I cover as a wedding photographer, and as such I like to share some of the photos I take with them. Much of the time vendors like makeup artists, or dress designers never get to see the fruits of their labour, as they arent usually on site when the ‘magic happens’ on a wedding day. So I like to share my photos with them! One way I do this is through Two Bright Lights which is a distribution network for wedding photographers to submit and share their work with vendors and wedding blogs worldwide.

I’m happy to announce that I have been awarded a 2020 editors choice award through Two Bright Lights for being consistantly published on wedding blogs aorund the world with my work.

TBL Editors Choice 2020

Some of my published weddings

Kerri & Tony’s wedding in Santorini

Covering Kerri and Tony’s wedding on the Greek Island of Santorini would have to be a highlight of my wedding photography career so far, and the media seem to love it also. Their wedding has been published on multiple online blogs, including Polkadot Bride and Easy Weddings.

Walk ways of Thera, Santorini

Santorini wedding photography

Santorini Wedding

Lucy and Callum’s Uniting Church wedding

Lucy and Callum’s wedding at the Golden Grove Uniting Church has garnered some attention in wedding magazines in the past due to their photos we took in the rather horrible weather they had on their day. Their wedding was published in the Layers of Luxe wedding magazine as a feature last October.

Lightning

Under the jetty

Australiana

Libby and Simon’s Chateau Tanunda Wedding

Libby and Simon’s wedding at Chateau Tanunda was picked up by the Brides and Weddings Magazine, Tacari Weddings and Every Bride due largely in part to the fact they travelled from the United States to have their wedding here in South Australia, and also because their photos turned out gorgeous!

Walking through the trees

Kiss in the vines

Driving toward Chateau Tanunda

Emily and Angel’s Sailing Club Wedding

Emily and Angel held their wedding at the intimate Cruising Yacht Club of SA and has been picked up by the prestigious LTBG wedding blog Equally Wed. Which was really cool as it was the first same sex wedding I had covered since the Australian plebicite on same sex marriages. 🙂 They were also featured in the Gay Weddings Magazine.

Walking together under Grange jetty

brides on the beach together

Brides standing together in sand dunes

Jane and David’s Engagement and Wedding

Jane and David held their wedding at the St Mary’s Cathedral in Darwin and has been published in the Trends Wedding and Lifestyle Magazine, but the really exciting one that was published was their engagement on the Tiwi Islands where there were living. Their engagement shoot was picked up by the How they Asked blog which are curated by the prestigious ‘The knot’ wedding blog.

Darwin wedding sunset

Tiwi Islands Engagement

Tiwi Islands Sunrise

Leah & Jarron’s Wedding at Kuitpo Hall

Leah and Jarron;s Kuitpo Hall wedding was picked up by the rather large wedding blog Rustic Wedding Chic due to the incredible photos we got in the nearby Kuitpo Forrest as the sun was setting.

Holding one another

Amongst the trees

Kelli and Ben’s Ekhidna Winery Wedding

Kelli and Ben’s Ekhidna Winery wedding turned out to be a wonderful wedding, not just for their photos but also due to the number of bridal couples who have cited their wedding as the reason why they’d want me to be their wedding photographer! 🙂 Their wedding has been published on Tacari weddings and Everybride.

Amongst the olive trees

Through the vines

Walking amongst the Ekhidna Winery vines

This list is far from an exhaustive list of weddings I’ve covered being published around the internet, but are the first that comes to mind when thinking of this 2020 Editors Choice Award and where they are 🙂 It’s rather excitingt o have my photos published aorund the world in large wedding blogs like these, and it’s also a bit of fun for my wedding couples to have a little bit of fame out there! 😀 but these are examples of the published weddings that have helped me become a Two Bright Lights 2020 Editors Choice Award Winner!

Mclaren Vale wineries – 8 of my favourite

May 22, 2020/0 Comments/in Interesting, ideas, Travel, Wedding /by Steven Duncan

A list of Mclaren Vale wineries

Being a local to the area, having grown up and still living nearby to Mclaren Vale and also being a wedding photographer that is often asked to cover weddings in Mclaren Vale, I’ve come to really enjoy heading to Mclaren Vale and thought I’d list some of my favourite Mclaren Vale wineries. This list is based on my own personal preferences and is not ranked from most favourite to least favourite – it’s just how lists go, they need to be numbered! 😀 Also most of the photos I’ve featured in the list were photos I’ve taken at weddings I’ve covered at that winery.

Mclaren Vale boasts some of the most world-reknown best vineyards and wineries that create some of the best wine in the world. The scenery available in the region is also sometimes absolutely incredible. The entire town of Mclaren Vale is under strict government ordnance no not develop too much so as to preserve the unique charm the area has developed over it’s long history. I love heading down to Mclaren Vale as it feels like a beautiful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life – and you can enjoy some great wine and food too! I’ll be writing up a short personal description of each winery and also giving my choice of my favourite drink produced at each!

1. Ekhidna Winery

Ekhidna Winery is a small little winery located off a short dirt track, but still pretty much right in the middle of the Mclaren vale wine district. The winery is backdropped by the stunning southern hills and the cellar door itself is surrounded by vineyards that light up spectacularly during sunset. Although it’s a winery my favourite drop from here are the alcoholic ginger beers on offer here – they are just great!

Ekhidna Winery Wedding Ceremony

Ekhidna Wines

Walking amongst the Ekhidna Winery vines

2. Coriole Winery

Coriole was always my own personal choice of winery to host my own wedding at, as the whole set up is nothing short of spectacular. The grassy area where a wedding or event would usually take place overlooks the whole valley of Mclaren Vale, while there is a small intimate courtyard in amongst the garden and heritage building that makes up the establishment. My favourite wine would have to be the 2016 Cabernet Merlot.

Kisses in the Coriole Vineyard

Coriole Winery Wedding

3. Woodstock Winery

Woodstock Winery has one of th enicest settings for an upper class restaurant in the region in my opinion. I always enjoy heading out here for a nice lunch with the family – although it can be a little pricey. As for an event venue, it boasts a large grassy area surrounded by gum trees and vineyards which makes for a beautifully intimate setting. The Woodstock winery ‘Ruby Velvet’ Sparkling red is my choice of wine from here!

Woodstock winery at dusk

Woodstock winery wine bottles

Woodstock winery wedding ceremony

4. SC Pannell Winery

SC Pannell is one of the few Mclaren Vale wineries in this list that faces East to West, rather than North South – this is important when you’re thinking of sunset photos. I’m not entirely sure if they still offer wedding ceremonies or receptions as last time I was here they were changing hands and werent sure on the furtue of weddings at their venue. The winery has a very nifty motif for their logo and their bottles stand out amongst the rest because of it. My favourite wine from here would have to be their 2016 Tanino.

SC Pannell wall

SC Pannell Wedding Reception Hall

Walking down the SC Pannell driveway

5. Maxwell Wines

I feel as though Maxwell wines was never really set up to host large events, but as a venue it can handle smaller gatherings and weddings rather nicely. It’s restaurant isnt huge, nor is there much flat grass to stand on, but there is an awesome maze to venture through and a wonderful aged cellar that is great to take moody photos in. Maxwell may also be a name better attributed to it’s Mead production too as the winery produces one of the most well known brands of Mead around!

Maxwell winery wedding ceremony

Maxwell winery Cellar wedding photo

Winery wedding

6. Paxton Winery

Paxton Winery is a delightful little spot hidden on one of the backstreets leading into Mclaren Vale. I say it’s hidden as it’s located on a little dirt road and can be a little tricky to get to if you’re already in Mclaren Vale itself. Whats great about this little winery is it’s stunning vistas available form it’s cellar door, coupled with the wonderful heritage listed buildings around the place that adds to the charm of this wonderful spot. I’m going to have to go for the Pinot Gris from here.

Paxton Winery Roof

Bride and Groom in Pepper Tree

7. Serafino Winery

Serafino Winery is perhaps one of the most popular spots in Mclaren Vale to host a wedding as it can cater to both high and low budget weddings, while also being able to be set up to reflect the budget. The main event hall is stunning with a domed glass roof, and it’s wide open grassy areas make for some wonderful spots to walk about or host an event. Talking of events, Serafino wines usually hosts some of the bigger music festivals in Mclaren Vale like Hot Dub Wine Machine. My favourite drop from here would be any of their award winning Terremoto Syrahs.

Serafino winery’s reception hall

Serafinos Wedding First Dance

Serafino wedding

8. Olivers White Hill Estate

Olivers is an interesting one to add to this list as the winery itself is not the same as the bed and breakfast I usually visit for weddings – so sorry to say thT i cannot recommed a wine from this particular winery 🙂 The appeal of this spot is the fact that it’s one of the oldest houses in Mclaren vale and the gardens overlook a beautiful little pond surrounded by native gum trees.

Cake in Olivers Chaff Shed reception hall

Olivers Chaff Shed grounds

Olivers Chaff Shed reception area

There are so many more Mclaren Vale wineries so this is by far not a complete list – I will however be adding more to this list as I sample more Mclaren Vale wineries!

Belair National Park Wedding – Ellie & Nick

May 19, 2020/0 Comments/in Wedding preview, Wedding /by Steven Duncan

Ellie & Nick
Belair National Park Wedding

It was a wonderful day that was laid out in front of us for Ellie and Nick’s Belair National Park wedding! The sun was out and everyone involved had a wonderful day celebrating the coming together of these two wonderful people! They turned out to be very lucky with the timing of their wedding being only a week before the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown in South Australia.

Preparation

My day started by shooting photos of Nick and his groomsmen who were being prepared at a house in Ingle Farm. Nick and his groomsmen were having a bunch of trouble tieing their ties before Nick’s best man and father stepped in to help! It was important for Ellie and Nick to get some shots of their dog in some of the shots too, so we had their fur baby model for us occasionally 🙂

Nick was a little distracted while getting ready partly due to nerves, but also because one of this groomsmen had a shirt that was a little too small for him – so they had to rush off and get a new shirt quickly before the ceremony.

Groom looking in mirror

Groom and groomsmen on road

Groom getting ready

Father of the groom

Groomsman helping out

Groom putting on jacket

Groom putting on tie

Ellie and her bridesmaids were being prepared at a lovely bed and breakfast along Waterfall Gully road. We were so close to the waterfalls it pains me to know we diddnt use them for any photos! The girls were all in high spirits all morning, singling songs and making Elllie smile while doing silly things, the atmosphere was quite laid back and fun!

hanging wedding dress

wow a ring!

Bridal party helping bride get ready

Rear of wedding dress

bridal party in mirror

laughing birdesmaids

Bride holding bouquet as she gets ready

bridal jewellery

Smiling bride as she gets ready

bride getting ready smiling

Bride looking pretty in wedding dress

Bridal party in kimonos under tree

bride getting her hair done

smiling bridesmaid as she helps

engagement ring in bouquet

Belair National Park Wedding Ceremony

Ellie and Nick’s Belair National Park Wedding Ceremony took place in the ‘Joseph Fisher‘ picnic grounds which boasts some very tall pine trees surrounding a lovely grassy area, perfectly suited to a wedding ceremony. Theres also a covered area and toilets on site. The only issue I had was that as it was a very sunny day, the sun was very harsh coming in one direction – thankfully the ceremony itself too place under the shade of one of the pine trees.

Part of Ellie and Nick’s wedding ceremony included a creation of a time capsule where they will open it again if they ever find the need to remind themselves why they married one another and read love letters they write each other while drinking the wine inside. It’s a nice addition to a wedding ceremony to do this, or something similar as it breaks up the usual talking and reciting of vows. Another way to incorporate a time capsule is allowig youselves to open it each anniversary.

Bridal motorcade arriving

Bride meeting flower girl

Groom waiting

Bride arriving

Grooms first look of bride

Smiling bride looking at groom

Groom looking at his bride

Belair National park wedding ceremony

holding hands during the ceremony

Wedding ceremony in Belair National Park

Belair National Park wedding in shade

belair National park wedding under tree

Smiles all round

wedding ceremony

Nailing the time capsule

Bride and groom exit

Glamour Photos

For Ellie and Nick’s glamour photos we began on site within the Joseph Fisher picnic area and made use of a love heart someone had engraved into one of the trees. Ellie was quite keen on getting that shot here! We then moved on throughout the national park to the Old Parliament House and then on to behind the Belair Train Station for more Belair National Park wedding photos.

The photos at the Old Parliament House were rushed a bit due to a small mix up of times which the area was booked – turned out the attendant on site expected us a good hour before we turned up for our photos – but she turned out to be a good sport and stuck around for us anyway 🙂

Belair National Park wedding photo 3

Bride and groom dancing

Bride and groom standing together in forest

Bride and groom in an embrace

bride and groom standing in the Belair National park

Belair National Park wedding photo

Belair National Park wedding photo 2

Belair National Park wedding photography

Bridal party photo at old government house

Bride and groom walking together

Walking together in the garden

Leaning against a lamp post

Close up portrait

Standing together under a tree

Wedding photo in the Old Government House garden

Bride and groom standing in the sun

The Summit Cafe and Function Center Wedding Reception

Ellie and Nick’s wedding reception took place at the Summit Cafe and Function Center at the Summit of Mt Lofty. It’s a nifty little spot, perfect for photographing the sunset from the top of the tallest mountain in South Australia and also the city lights during the night – although it was fairly cold and windy!