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Belair Train Station Engagement Shoot – Emma & Stephen

Emma and Stephen wanted to show off their love for one another with a Belair Train Station Engagement Shoot before their big day at Mt Barker’s Auchendarroch House.

With Stephen travelling half away across the world from the US to see Emma after several long years apart due to the dastardly effects of the COVID pandemic, they were finally able to be together so they wanted to celebrate as soon as possible!

Emma was in two minds throughout the day about whether or not to head out that night for their engagement shoot due to the weather in the morning being less than spectacular. Thankfully the weather cleared up during the day and we all head out for what turned out to be a beautiful evening.

Belair Train Station Engagement Shoot

We began Emma and Stephen’s Belair Train Station Engagement shoot in amongst the station’s historic platform and waiting shelter where we made use of the beautiful ‘Belair’ writing on the wooden structure and the delightful parallel lines leading all over the place makeing for some lovely scenes.

As Emma had explained before heading out, she had not seen Stephen for several years prior to their engagement shoot, so these two were full of lovey-dovey hugs and kisses all evening, which made my job that much easier!

Smiles in amongst the train station
Walking in front of the Belair Train Station
Belair Train station engagement shoot
Belair Train station engagement photo
Hugs on the Belair Train station platform

As we set out during golden hour, we wanted to make the most of the golden hues of the sun streaming in through the majestic gum trees that make up the Belair National Park. We went for a little walk just behind the Belair Train Station to make use of this amazing setting!

Hugs under the sunlight
In amongst the belair national park gums
Look over there
Belair National Park engagement photo
Two standing together inbetween gum trees
Emma standing out front
Couple standing together under gum tree walkway
Dancing under the gum trees
Engagement shoot in Belair
Leaning on his shoulder
Sitting on fallen tree
Engagement ring with purple gemstone
Dancing in between the gums
Walking toegther in the Belair national park

Just as we were wrapping up, and having a chat with a group of joggers who had just finished their excersises, a freight train thundered past the Belair Train Station platform, so we quickly jumped in front of it for a bit of a photo! The train operator obviously had a bit of a ssense of humour and made sure to be seen throughout. 🙂

Belair Train Station engagement shoot with train
Belair Train Station engagement shoot kiss

Looking forward to being your wedding photographer in March Emma and Stephen! Hopefully these photos will tide you over until then!

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AuchendarrochHouse Wedding – Elyssa & Ziad

Elyssa and Ziad held their AuchendarrochHouse wedding ceremony on the pristine lawns nearby the heritage listed mansion in Mt Barker. The day’s weather was amazing, and the people involved even more so!

Their day was delightful to be a part of, beginning with Elyssa’s preparation in the city before a first look at the Auchenarroch House’s lawns before their Bahai wedding ceremony!

Preparation

Elyssa and a few friends were being prepared in a hotel room in the city. It was a fairly cramped space so I was tip toeing around the makeup and hairdressers that were also making use of the small space – but it all turned out great!

The atmosphere was very laid back with Elyssa showing great excitiement for the day to come!

Red wedding dress hanging in window
Engagement ring in pink flower
Red gem in necklace
Photo of bridesmaid getting ready
bride looking in mirror after makeup is done
Lacing up back of red bridal dress
Smiling bride in red wedding dress
Bride standing alone in red wedding dress
Bride looking smiling out window

First Look Photoshoot

Elyssa and Ziad opted for a first look prior to their AuchendarrochHouse wedding ceremony within the nearby gardens and the house itself. In order to do so, both Elyssa and Ziad arrived well before their guests started arriving so we had the run of the delightful gardens and of course unique architecture of the house itself to take some lovely, intimate photos of just the two of them.

Bride in red dress approaching groom
First look at Auchendarrochhouse wedding
Bride placing flower on groom
Bride placing flower on groom under trees
bride and groom headbutting under tree in garden
Sharing a moment under a tree together
Smiles all round at Auchendarrochhouse wedding
Bridal portrait next to tree
bride and groom through the foliage at Auchendarrochhouse wedding
bride and groom on bench together
Groom looking at his bride on the patio
AuchendarrochHouse Wedding Photo
AuchendarrochHouse Wedding Photography
Photo at AuchendarrochHouse Wedding
Bride in window sill
Groom sitting in chair next to window
Close up of groom’s watch
Smiling hugs
bride and groom under the sun at Auchendarrochhouse wedding

AuchendarrochHouse Wedding Ceremony

Elyssa and Ziad’s wedding ceremony took place under the beautiful huge, green tree on the grassy area next to the main building of Auchendorrach house. Their congragation made use of it’s shade to avoid the harsh sun throughout the ceremony which incorporated a small chior, and speeches from a number of different family members and friends.

Elyssa and Ziad made use of my livestream service to include gusts that could not attend the ceremony itself – and according to the number of people watching in, it was a huge hit!

Directly after the ceremony, we made use of the open grassy area to take a drone photo of all the guests in attendance before rushing back into the shade for smaller family photos.

bride and groom approaching wedding ceremony together
bride and groom from behind
bride and groom sitting together during ceremony
Bahai chior
Holding hands closeup
bride and groom listening to ceremony
Bride and groom with congregation behind
Closeup of rings exchanging
Hugs after first kiss
bride and groom leaving Auchendarrochhouse wedding ceremony

AuchendarrochHouse Wedding Reception

Elyssa and Ziad’s AuchendarrochHouse wedding reception was an early dinner that took place in the lovely private function section of the establishment. The space draws on the aesthetic of the elegant 19th-century house that’s attached, which quite different to the modern tavern thats right next door. SImply walking through the entire place takes you through quite a few time zones!

The highlight of Elyssa and Ziad’s reception were the heartfelt speeches made by a number of different important people in their life, while they also had a fun little guest-driven game going throughout where a quiz on Elyssa and Ziad’s relationship were given to all their guests.

Wedding cake on display during lunch reception
Speech givers at auchendarrochhouse wedding
Speech givers at lunch time reception
Groom hugging speech giver
Speech giver giving speech
Reception wedding tree
Bride and groom cutting their wedding cake

I’d like to thank Elyssa and Ziad for having me as their wedding phtoographer as their wimple, but delightful wedding!

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5 Tips on Choosing The Best Wedding Photographer in Adelaide

What is that one thing that lasts longer than your wedding day? Your wedding photographs! So here are some tips on choosing the best wedding photographer in Adelaide!

Long story short, just have SvenStudios be your Adelaide wedding photographer! 🙂

Reliving those beautiful moments of your wedding day can be overwhelming and nostalgic. Your kids – even grandkids – would want to experience the beauty of this once-in-a-lifetime day by flipping through your wedding photo album or videos. Wedding photographs hold a special place in everyone’s heart and allow you and your partner to reminisce about good times together.

To be able to relive such beautiful moments, you need to choose a professional and experienced wedding photographer in Adelaide that can capture every raw emotion of your once-in-a-lifetime day. When you choose the best wedding photographers for your special day, you get quality, candid shots that make a beautiful wedding album. However, choosing ideal wedding photography in Adelaide can be a stressful job.

5 Tips on Choosing The Best Wedding Photographer in Adelaide

If you are contemplating choosing the right wedding photographer, let us help you! We have listed below five tips that will help you choose a reputable wedding photographer for your special day.

  1. Start Your Search Early

As you are just a few days away from your wedding date, things will start to get challenging and stressful. You have to juggle between hundreds of tasks to ensure your once-in-a-lifetime day remains special. Amidst the beautiful chaos, you don’t want to add stress to your wedding plans by booking a wedding photographer last minute. Give your mind a break and start your search early.

Searching for a wedding photographer early allows you to avoid any last-minute disappointments. Ask your family and friends to provide recommendations. Meanwhile, you can also check out online for reputed and professional wedding photographers in your area.

Semaphore Beach Sunset

  1. Know Your Style

As the famous saying goes – “Teamwork makes the dream work”. Involve your partner in this process and discuss the type of photographer you want. For instance, do you want traditional style wedding photography or dramatic style wedding photography? Upon deciding the suitable look and feel of your wedding photos, choose the wedding photographer that matches your style. Go through their portfolio and check out their photography style. The more diverse their portfolio, the more you can trust them for delivering quality, candid shots.

Smiling bride and groom through foliage

  1. Check Their Personality

You and your partner will be spending lots and lots of time with your wedding photographer to discuss wedding plans and styles. Therefore, you might want to choose a wedding photographer that involves you in the process and discuss plans with you. Some wedding photographers can be simply demanding, which may put everyone off during your special day.

Avoid this by meeting your wedding photographer in person. Meeting them in person allows you to check their personality and communication and you an gage if they would be any good at capturing candid moments. Discuss your plans and queries with them to check how well they can communicate and answer your questions.

Bride leaning into her groom

  1. Discuss Your Budget

Budget can often be the ultimate deciding factor for most couples. Create a list of wedding photographers and check their wedding photography packages. It is imperative to understand that a higher price does not guarantee high-quality photographs, however remember that your wedding photography costs are an investment in your future memories, so budget accordingly.

You might want to meet them in person and discuss your wedding photography budget with them. Besides, it will help the photographer to pitch for different services accordingly.

Santorini destination wedding

  1. Look for an Experienced Wedding Photographer in Adelaide

Your wedding holds beautiful memories, including the bride walking down the aisle, exchanging vows, the first dance, and more. You would want a professional and experienced photographer to capture every moment of this beautiful day. Experienced wedding photographers have a proven track record and can be trusted to make your special day memorable for a lifetime.

Make sure you check a porfolio of a wedding photographer in Adelaide and make sure they know what they are doing – preferably at the wedding venue you’re planning on using. Check their creativity and style of shooting as it will help you finalise your decision.

Adelaide Botanic Gardens wedding photo in the elms

If you are planning on choosing the best wedding photographer in Adelaide to capture every single moment of your special day, call us on +61 401403080 or get in touch via email today!

 

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Big Easy Radio Wedding – Leanne & Evan

Leanne and Evan’s Big Easy Radio wedding is the type of wedding you look forward to for weeks as a wedding photographer! Here was a couple who value entertainment, are not afraid to get a bit risky with photo locations and certainly had a flair for the dramatic!

Their wedding, just out of Aldinga at the delightfully rustic wedding venue, Big Easy Radio had it all! From cliff side photoshoot, to helicopter rides, even circus performers and a doughnut and milkshake stand! Absolutely brilliant!

Preparation

This amazing day started out at a bed and breakfast overlooking the Port Willunga Bay where Leanne and her entourage were being prepared. Leanne did not have any formal ‘bridal party’ but some friends and family were all there to see her through the morning.

Wedding dress hanging in room
Wedding rings on glossy table
bride looking into mirror for makeup
Bridal affects in flowers
Smiling bride as her hair is done
Bride standing alone in beach house
Bride smiling at the camera

First Look

One of my favourite modern wedding traditions is what’s known as the ‘first look‘ where wither the father of the bride, or the groom – or in this case both – sees the bride for the first time in all of her bridal finery. Some of the reactions you can apture is absolutely priceless!

Leanne’s fathe rwas first to see her walk out of the bed and breakfast, before hopping into their delightful bridal car to head over to Blanche Point for a first look with Evan.

bride walking towards father
Dad hugs bride for first look
Bride and Father in car together
Bride walking toward groom for first look
Bridal first look
Smiling bride looking at her groom

Beach Photoshoot

After Leanne and Evan’s first look, we made use of the stunning beach nearby whilst bathed with the incredible weather we were blessed with all throughout the day!

bride and groom walking on cliffs
Bride and groom overlooking the horizon
Bride and groom looking at the beach
Bride and groom in the beach grass
bride and groom walking along the sand
Bride and groom practicing their dance on the beach
bride standing alone with groom watching
Bride and groom with beach in background
Bride and groom waling along the cliff face
Bridal car
Bridal car from the air
bride and groom in photo window
Smiling bride looking at camera under tree

Before heading directly to their Big Easy Radio wedding ceremony, Leanne and Evan wanted to make a bit of an entrance where they decided to splash out on a bit of a helicopter ride with Helivista. No one but their closest family knew they were going to arrive via helicopter, so it was a fun surprise for their guests!

Bride looking back as she enteres helicopter
Bride and groom entering helicopter
Bride looking out window of helicopter
Helicopter arriving at Big Easy Radio wedding
Bride and groom getting out of helicopter
Bride and groom walking towards their wedding ceremony from the helicopter

Big Easy Radio Wedding Ceremony

After flying low over their guests, waiting for the bride and groom to arrive, Leanne and Evan’s Big Easy Radio wedding ceremony took palce on the small grassy area surrounded by the homestead. Their ceremony was a nice simple affair, with short speeches made by friends and family before signing the certificate.

it was slightly unfortunate that the weather had really heated up by the time their ceremony had fninished meaning that Leanne and Evan, along with their guests had been sitting in the sun for quite a bit. Unfortunately my livestream that I had set up for them malfunctioned due to the heat – sorry about that guests that couldn’t attend!

Big Easy Radio Wedding Ceremony
Bride and groom listening to their celebrant
Happy speech giver
Bride looking at her guests
Bride sharing vows
bride and groom exiting their Big Easy Radio wedding
bride and groom exiting their Big Easy Radio wedding ceremony

Lunchtime Reception

In between the ceremony and their Big Easy Radio wedding reception, Leanne and Evan’s guests were kept entertained with lawn games, live music, astonishing food platters with doughnuts and milkshakes(!) galore – and even silk dancers!

The silk dancers had set up their performance platform on the open grassy area nearby where thehelicopter had landed – this made for quite a unique wedding experience!

Food platter on display
Bride and groom walking their dogs
bride and groom with their dogs
Silk performers setup
Silk performer
Slik dancing
Bride on silks
Pizza
Big Easy radio Wedding Venue
Big Easy radio Wedding
Bridal selfy with guests

Golden Hour Photoshoot

As the weather was hot and dry all day, the golden hour period of the day emitted some spectacular orange light which I was keen to make use of in the grounds surrounding Big Easy Radio. First we head over to the old wagon ruin, then went off road a bit to use the long grass bearby, then finally making use of the vine yards on site.

Once we arrived back for the reception, I noticed that the full moon was quite low in the sky and after having Leanne and Evan stand on top of a small raised garden bed, I was able to make full use of it!

Bridal shoot under the sun
Bride and groom under the golden sun
Bride and groom under the golden sun headbutting
bride leaning into her groom
Golden hour wedding photo
Bride and groom in amngst the Big Easy Radio vineyards
Bride and groom in amngst the Big Easy Radio vineyard
Sun shining through vines on bride and groom
Bridal hugs in the vineyard
Bride and groom hugs under pink sky
Bridal photo under full moon
Groom lifting his bride under full moon
Bride lifting groom under full moon

Big Easy Radio Wedding Reception

Finally, as a cherry on the top of such a spectacular day, Leanne and Evan’s reception was full of fun dancing, drinking and making merry with some absolutely wonderful people in attendance!

Again leanne and Evan’s guests were entertained by another unique addition to their wedding – some fire twirlers! I certainly think this whole concept of entertainers attending weddings like this should be more common.

First dance at Big Easy Radio wedding
First dance at Big Easy Radio wedding illuminated
Bride and groom first dance at Big Easy Radio wedding
Fire dancers at wedding
Fire dancer
Bridal speeches
Dancing bride
Big Easy Radio wedding photo
Macarena at Big Easy Radio Wedding

I’d like to thank Leanne and Evan for having me at their most amazing day!

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8 Wedding Dress Photography Tips and Ideas for Your Big Day

The whole point of having a professional photographer at your wedding day is so that you don;t have to worry about not remembering all the little details that you may otherwise be overly stressed or too emotional to really sit back and have a think about all the beautiful things around you.

Take for example your wedding dress hanging there, it’s a representation of your life before being married, before putting it on and seeing your future spouse for the first time on your big day.

As a symbol of a modern wedding, the white dress has become the staple and point of interest in much of the wedding photography I take, so here are some wedding dress photography tips I’ve thought of and hopefully it can help!

Wedding Dress Photography Tips

  1. Wedding Dress On a Hanger

One of the classic wedding dress photos is getting a shot of the dress in its full glory before you put it on. It’s a perfect summary of all the preparations you had to go through for so many months! 

You can set up this shot in many different ways. You can use an elaborate wood cabinet for your background, or you can set the dress on a mannequin up against natural light. You can have a special hanger engraved or personalised with your name for a gorgeous personal touch. Consult with your wedding photographers for creative ideas that fit your theme and your personality.

My personal favourite is having it hung in the center of an elaborate window in a place like Al-Ru Farm where it’s pretty much set up for wedding photography!

Wedding dress hanging at Alru Farm

  1. Wedding Dress From All Sides

Fire on all cylinders! Do not hesitate to get as many shots as you want during the wedding dress shoot, and make sure that all angles are showcased. The front, back, and all sides should be captured for posterity! You also need shots that include the train, if you have one. And, of course, your hair and other accessories will complete the look.  

Maximise your wedding location and find a beautiful background for full-length shots, and you’ll surely love the photos that come out of the shoot!

Bride walking out doorway

  1. Wedding Dress with Your Bouquet

Your list of shots should definitely include photos of you in your wedding dress with your beautiful bouquet, be it full length or close-up. The bouquet serves as an important symbol of the occasion, together with your rings and veil. The wedding bouquet takes your overall look to another level, with a natural touch coupled with the bride’s smile!

Close up of bridal bouquet in hand

  1. Wedding Dress with the Veil 

Wedding photographers love highlighting the white veil. If you have fantastic weather on your wedding day, ask for some help to stretch the veil fully by laying it on the ground or lifting the ends. This is one of the best photos you’ll love!

When it comes to wedding dress photogrpahy, this can be some of the most fun you have during your day with your bridal aprty running about, getting stuck in your veil!

  1. Wedding Dress with Shoes

Brides love taking their time choosing the best shoes that will match their wedding gowns. While most brides would prefer high heels, there would also be others who’d go for flat shoes. Whichever is yours, make sure to flaunt it during your creative shoot.

Putting on bridal shoes

  1. Family Moments

As you get ready to get married, it’s important to capture memories of enjoying special moments with your loved ones. Have a good time as they help you with your dress and with your look for the day. Of course, enjoy being the focus of everyone’s attention, including the camera!

Bridal crew

  1. Candid Shots

Won’t you smile when you see a photo of a bride laughing her heart out? Candid photos look so natural and touching. Your wedding is one of the happiest days of your life, and you’ll surely overflow with genuine smiles throughout the day. Professional photographers know to be in the right place and the right time to capture your joy. You can also be a little bit playful during this creative shoot. Bottom line: be true to yourself, and everything else will follow.

Jumping bridal party

  1. Bride-turned-Model

In contrast to natural and candid shots, this wedding dress photography style is your time to look elegant, regal, and sexy. You can also opt for a fairytale theme or create a mysterious look with different props like ancient candlesticks and other decorations. Add them up, and your dress will surely give off a magical vibe as you model for your shoot.

Alru Farm wedding bride

You’ll never have dull photos as you try these wedding dress photography ideas, alongside working with the best wedding photographers. 

 

Choosing a Wedding Dress that Looks Good in Photographs

Found that wedding dress yet?  Perhaps you are spending so much time choosing your wedding dress as you consider several factors such as price, wedding theme, preferred style, design, and many others. But be sure to think about how the dress will look while taking pictures to have an instant glow in your wedding photos.

For the best photos on your big day, the best thing you can possibly do is feel great while wearing it, so the best wedding dress photography tip i can possibly give is to choose a wedding dress that you feell most comfortable in!

Here are some of the things you can consider when looking for a photogenic wedding dress.

Design

For sure, this is your primary consideration when you choose your dress. Of course, you should be very particular with the beading, lace, and embroidery. These details on your gown make you shine and look lovely. Photographers highlight these details during close-up shots to show off the intricate design of the dress.

Look for any detail that will give more life to your dress, like ribbons, buttons, or nice curves. They make for good photos, too! Consider the neckline and sleeves, where you can opt to add more details to make it look even better. Let your photographer know which detail on your dress is your favourite to highlight during the shoot so you won’t miss a classic photo.

Buttoning up wedding dress back

Fabric

Yes, some fabrics look better in photographs. Flowy and light fabrics can do you extra wonders as they can be utilised to capture beautiful photos. You can also look for wedding dresses with long trains or airy sleeves and match them with lightweight veils.

They also provide an additional benefit during shoots as you can play with the dress, twirl around and hold them comfortably to pose for a feel-good photo.

Unfortunately, as with many things in life, you kind of get what you pay for when it comes to fabric – which is something I often mention when advising brides on wedding dress photography. A common example I give is the difference in veil fabric – the cheaper it is, the more like fly screen it becomes!

Hanging Thorngrove Manor wedding dress

Fit

Having a tailor-fit wedding dress gives you an instant charm. It effortlessly shows your curves and highlights your body shape. During your fitting, address what you don’t like, especially when you don’t like its fit. You wouldn’t want to spend your wedding day adjusting your dress to achieve a specific fit. Leave that stress behind and make all necessary adjustments during your fitting.

After all, when you wear something that fits you well, you will ooze with confidence which will help you become even more photogenic. Your photographers will also have a field day capturing your wedding dress in style. That’s why you should invest your time and effort in choosing a wedding gown that will bring out the best in you. 

Wedding dress

Along with someone to make the most of all the work you put into selecting your dream wedding dress, wear your most beautiful smile as they capture the most beautiful moments that you will treasure for a lifetime and your wedding photography is guaranteed to turn out amazing.

Your big day should be relished forever. With quality photos, you’ll surely remember your wedding day memories all too well for the rest of time! From Wedding Dress Photography to your first dance later in the day.

If you are in need of wedding photography in Adelaide, Darwin, or Hobart we can cover you all the way, all day long! SvenStudios offers professional wedding photographer solutions that capture your moments in a fun and relaxed way. Contact us for photography packages for your big day!