I was super lucky to have had the opportunity to head over to Canada for a bit of photo shooting in amongst the incredible scenery on offer in Canmore and Banff! But on the way home I spent a few days in and around North Vancouver with Clancy and Rob!
Clancy and Rob’s Capilano River Couple Shoot began at the top of the canyon area, where we walked over the huge Cleveland Dam. The water was quite low in the gorge below, so we were not only able to make the most of the incredible pine trees on display along the paths, but also the rocky outcrops that would otherwise be under water if it were to be flowing more heavily.
It was a rather hot day for Canada – well from my experience anyway! and as we began at the top,and walked down to the water level – we had to walk all the way to the top again, which was pretty hard going! once we had our fill of photos we head to a local Sushi shop for lunch 🙂
The last few photos in this collection were taken the day after on a short trip up to Whistler, but the majority are from the Capilano River Couple Shoot!
Couple in Vancouver forest
Couple hugs in Vancouver
Capilano river couple choot
COuple standing between pine trees in Capilano river
Couple lift in forest
Capilano river park couple shoot
Couple by Capilao river
Lift by Capilao river
Couple in Capilano river vancouverCouple in Capilano river vancouver
Malith certainly timed his proposal to Melissa perfectly with an incredible sunset on the famed Pt Willunga beach.
His secretive Pt Willunga Proposal was maticulously planned by Malith leading up to the big moment, and oh my goodness, some of the scenes were just incredible!
Pt Willunga Proposal
The biggest concern for any of us leading up to the big moment was the weather – as both leading up to and beyond the day Malith planned his big Pt Willunga Proposal, the weather was pretty bad, and the tides during the winter is often so high that there isn’t much beach to stand on at Pt Willunga. But all that worrying was for nothing as the evening could not have gone any better.
Despite a bit of a hiccup having Melissa and Malith arrive a bit later than expected due to being served a rather late lunch in nearby Mclaren Vale, Malith proposed in front of a delightful little arbour set up put together by a small company sepcialising in this sort of thing – Fox Meets Charlie.
The fun part of the whole set up was trying to keep Melissa in the dark as they walked towards the arbour set up, with the group of us standing nearby ready to pounce and start taking photos/video as the big moment happened. Surpisingly Melissa had no idea until Malith presented the ring and everyone was all smiles :).
After the big moment, then we went off for a lbit of a walk along the beach to take some pretty photos in front of the amazing sunset and what many consider to be the most photographed beach in South Australia!
Congratulations go out to Melissa and Malith!
pt willunga proposal set up
pt willunga proposal
pt willunga proposal putting on ring
Holding her up
Kiss under will you marry me sign
Newly engaged couple
Newly engaged couple walking along beach
Engagement ring in sand
Couple standing on rock
Newly engaged jump
Newly engaged couple in fromt of Pt willunga jetty
Holding her up in front of ocean
Kiss at sunset in front of Pt Willunga Jetty
Kiss at sunset in front of Pt Willunga Jetty ruins
The amazing autumn colours of the Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens were the backdrop of Maryam & Scott’s engagement shoot, and I must say it was a fantastic choice. We walked around the Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens for around an hour, dodging the hundreds of tourists that also had the same idea and took advantage of the wonderful yellows and oranges that mother nature had provided. Once the gardens closed at 5pm, we headed to Veale gardens on south terrace for a couple more shots and a bit of a dance! Maryam & Scott had some friends with them, along with family members so we had a bit of fun with the situation 🙂
Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens
The Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens are a marvellous site in the Adelaide Hills, opened to the public in 1959 after having been in development since 1911, the gardens sprawl an incredible 97 hectares with a huge diversity of native and imported plants and trees, it’s a beautiful place to visit and take it all in.
Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens
Kissing under a tree
Walking by the gazebo
Engagement ring in flowers
Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens Proposal
Amongst the green
Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens
Lovey dovey shot
Autumn colours
Group shot
After, Maryam & Scott asked be for suggestions for a second location to take photos in between Mt Lofty and their house in Mawson Lakes, so I suggested the Veale Gardens. I knew from multiple previous weddings I’ve covered as a wedding photographer here always turn out great, so we headed down there 🙂 While there, we got out a small handheld stereo and had a bit of a dance! Was a lot of fun 🙂
Since expanding my operations to the Northern Territory, in particular Darwin through my website https://svenstudios.com/darwin-wedding-photography/, I’ve been super keen on heading up to the Northern End of Australia to shoot again. So when Jane contacted me via my instagram feed, I jumped at the chance on shooting in the most remote area of Australia I have yet visited.
Jane and David were awesome hosts for a 2 night stay on the islands, where they both work in the local community, and in exchange for their wonderful hospitality I was to shoot a bit of an engagement shoot while galavanting around the island!
The first day
After having spent a few days in Darwin – taking photos of the lovely beaches and the amazing sunsets Darwin has to offer, I head out to the Tiwi Islands on a ferry to meet Jane and David whom were both working, so once I arrived I was picked up by David, then had a bit of time to explore the community before they both knocked off work. It was rather surreal witnessing the Liberal coup where former Prime Minister Turnbull was ousted for Scott Morrison in such a remote part of Australia, from within an Aboriginal community – it felt quite distant an unimportant.
It’s this remoteness I think appeals to both Jane and David who both hail from Sydney originally that makes them love this place. The culture and sense of community surrounding them where they live is obvious in that everyone knows one another, when driving about, everyone waved and one another and the entire town felt very laid back.
Once Jane and david had finished their work, we went on a shot expedition to a small wood with lovely tall trees, through which the sun was beating down in typical Northern Territory fashion, so I made use of it!
Walking together in the forest
On the road
Smiles
Dancing
On the road
Hugs
On the road
laughing
Engagement ring
Dancing
Walking through the bush
In the forest
We then head out of town for a bit to a lovely secluded beach beyond the so called ‘international Airport’ of Wurrumiyanga to make use of the fading sun. I found it quite funny that it was classified as a major airport when considering flight paths and ability to launch my drone as the airport consists of only an airstrip – that is apparently sinking into the ground – and a small shed. But anyway, the beach was stunning and out of range from flight limitations anyway.
Tiwi Islands Engagement
On the beach together
Kung Fu!
On the beach together
Walking along the beach
From above
From above
The next morning, the plan was to get up at sparrows to make use of the sun rising over the local bay – while avoiding the giant croc that apparently inhabits the water around the area 🙂
Smiling David
Smiling Jane
Sitting together
Tiwi Islands Sunrise
Shortly after breakfast we were on the road to a delightful little natural spring waterhole were we stopped to have lunch and go for a dip. I was assured there were no crocs around the place here, but the water was so incredibly clear that nothing would be able to sneak up on us anyway. 😛
Waterhole hugs
Waterhole hugs
Waterhole hugs
Jumping in together
Amongst the wattle
By the late afternoon we had reached our campsite for the night, a long white sand beach at the northern tip of the island. We spent some time fishing from the rocks, however caught more rocks than useful fish, then made use of the spectacular red cliffs and sunset for some more photos, all the while dodging the millions of hermit crabs scuttling along the beach, and keeping a wary eye out for crocs.
Sun set
Sun set on the rocks
On a rock
Running together
Twirling
Sun set on the rocks
Sun set on the rocks
Family portrait
On the final day, once we returned home to town, we spent the afternoon waiting for the Darwin-bound ferry fishing on Jane and David’s boat. It was the first time I had experienced fishing on a boat, and Jane managed to land a huge 90cm Barramundi! Which we released, but she also caught herself a smaller one which David filleted up and gave me a fillet for dinner that night 🙂 I also managed to catch quite a few other fish – including some good sized snapper! All in all, my weekend in the Tiwi islands was not one I will soon forget!
Thanks so much to Jane and David for having me photograph them on the Tiwi islands – It’s a place I would never have thought of visiting otherwise, but I’m so glad I had the opportunity!
Last weekend, I found myself with no weddings booked so I figured it would be neat to offer my services at a very cheap rate in what’s known as a ‘minishoot’ or mini session. It was one week prior to mother’s day so I figured it might be a fun way to get some nice photos of the family for Mum!
The best thing about a mini shoot is that it’s really geared for people who aren’t overly keen on being in front of a camera, as the session only lasts for 15 minutes – and if the photos dont turn out as expected – ie the little one was upset, or the dog wasn’t looking, etc – then it’s no big deal as it was not that expensive!
It’s also great for people who want some nice family photos done, but don’t want to spend too long getting them!
The mini shoot was an up front cost of $65, which included the shoot and editing of the photos before being supplied via my online store, and each shoot received a $30 credit to spend – making the whole thing effectively only $35 and you get to go home with either some prints, or digital files – however you’d like to spend that $30 credit!
As a result, the sessions booked up fast, with 12 bookings coming in – the majority being young couples, with little kidlets in tow, but also a few couples and whole families. I held the shoot at the Cherry Garden’s Soldier’s Memorial Gardens with the aim of using the autumnal colours from the falling leaves with the park, while also making use of the impressive memorial trees that cast quite a bit of shade.
Each booking received an average of 54 photos in their album to choose from – which surprised myself, as generally I like to have 100 photos done for an hour photo shoot, let alone 15 minutes – but I guess that’s the benefit of a minishoot, it means that i am familiar with the surrounds and know what will work when for each group coming through. I can then use this knowledge to move quickly and get each shot.
All in all, I think the winter minishoot results speak for themselves – the autumnal colours of the leaves, and the happy smiling faces of each group really made for an awesome experience, that I’d be looking forward to doing again in the future – I’m thinking Christmas? Watch this space.
Southern Adelaide Winter Minishoot Results!
Little Ones
All the little ones who came through were really well behaved and quite enjoyed being in front of the camera! This made things rather easy, as the surrounding autumn leaves did the rest making for some awesome shots!
Bothers hugging in leaves
baby under autumn leaves
baby talking to stuffed elephant
Boy climbing tree
Boys throwing leaves
Boy under autumn tree
Smiling girl under autumn leaves
happy baby sitting on fluffy mat under tree
Smiling baby girl under autumn leaves
Sisters in autumn leaves
Brothers laying in autumn leaves
Baby lying in autumn leaves
Boys climbing tree
Baby boy sitting in autumn leaves
baby girl in autumn leaves
Family
The autumn leaves also made for some nice family portraits. I had the family groups walking through the trees, sitting on the dry leaves and basically treating their time with me as if it were a quick family outing to a nice park.
Family standing under autumn leaves
Family sitting in autumnal leaves
baby getting cheek kisses
baby flying in sky
Family sitting in leaves
Carrying baby through trees
Baby peeking over shoulder
Family sitting on bench
Holding baby girl
Family sitting toegtehr under autumn trees
Holding baby in the sky
Family standing behind long grass
Family hugs for baby
Lifting baby into sky
Family sitting on ground with baby
Couples
I had two sets of couples come through, which was treated as a simple date idea, and they got some nice photos out of it at the end!
Happy couple leaning against tree
Couple standing looking through leaves
Couple sitting in the autumn leaves
Couple walking under autumn leaves
Couple holding one another
Couple walking between trees
As far as winter minishoot results go, I feel as though we got some incredible photos, using the stunning natural light that filtered through the autumn leaves nicely. If there was one thing I would have done differently would be to schedule the last session a biut earlier as the light was fading quite a bit – but we still got some great shots!
