Belair Train Station Engagement shoot – Melody & Chris

Melody and Chris had an unforgettable engagement shoot at the picturesque Belair Train Station, nestled in the heart of the mesmerizing Adelaide Hills. With the sun just starting to rise, casting a golden glow on everything it touched, the couple was ready to capture their love story in the most dreamy and picturesque way possible.

Belair Train Station Engagement shoot

Picture this: a crisp, golden sunrise casting its magic over the serene Adelaide Hills, and a couple so in love, they couldn’t stop beaming! Melody and Chris were all set to capture their love story in the most dreamy and picturesque way possible. I had suggested either the soft, romantic light just before sunset or the breathtaking glow of sunrise, and to my delight, Melody chose the latter! And let me tell you, it was the perfect decision!

As the first rays of the sun painted the sky in shades of pink and orange, we found ourselves at the Belair Train Station, and the scene was straight out of a fairytale! There was a group of passionate volunteers gathering to restore a piece of history, and their presence added a touch of rustic charm to the backdrop. We couldn’t resist taking a few shots in front of the station, with the old-world architecture adding a vintage vibe to the photos.

Couple smiling at camera

Couple walking together on rail platform

Couple walking hand in hand on rail platform

Couple walknig in front of Belair Train Station

Belair Train Station Engagement shoot

Couple standing in front of Belair Train Station

Belair National Park

But wait, the adventure didn’t stop there! Just a stone’s throw away from the station lies the enchanting Belair National Park, and it’s a little-known hidden gem entrance to the national park that I love heading into. The misty morning in the park created an almost ethereal atmosphere, with sunlight filtering through the majestic gum trees. It felt like stepping into a magical wonderland!

Amongst the gum trees, Melody and Chris shared heartfelt moments, their love shining brighter than the sun itself. The beauty of nature seemed to mirror their connection, and every snapshot we took was filled with pure joy and affection. With each click of the camera, their love story unfolded beautifully, leaving us all in awe.

Couple together in early morning gum trees

Leaning on gum trees together

Leading through the gums

Couple deep in forest with sunlight

Lifting her in amongst the gum trees

Couple hugs on a log

Couple deep in Belair National Park

Couple walking together in gum teres

Couple in the sunlight and gum trees

Laughing couple with sun in background

Couple sharing a head butt

Engagement ring in wood

Sunrise during Belair Train Station Engagement shoot

Early morning sunrise engagement photo

Couple walking through gum trees in the Belair National Park

Hugs in the Belair National Park

Closeup of engagement ring on shoulder

Swirling around together

Hugging in the sunlight

Hugging next to gum tree

playful couple

Couple walking through belair national park

Unexpected Adventures

As we were wrapping up our shoot and bidding farewell to the restoration volunteers, one of them extended a warm invitation to explore the old train station’s control room. And that was quite exciting! The control room was like a time machine, filled with fascinating knobs and levers, preserving the heritage of the railways.

Sunlight streaming throguh window as couple share a moment

Couple near window int he control room

Couple inside the railway control room

Out the front og Belair Train Station’s control room

As the shoot came to a close, Melody and Chris were radiant with happiness. Their engagement shoot at the Belair Train Station and Belair National Park had been an adventure of love, laughter, and unexpected surprises. The couple’s decision to embrace the sunrise light had paid off big time, as the photos radiated with a golden glow that matched their love-filled spirits.

Love is a beautiful journey, and this engagement shoot was a perfect reminder of that. It’s about finding joy in the little things, the unexpected moments, and the unbreakable bond that two souls share. Melody and Chris had embarked on a wonderful journey together, and we were lucky enough to capture a glimpse of their everlasting love.

Good luck to Melody and Chris for their marriage in Hong Kong! and thankyou for having me shoot your Belair Train Station Engagement shoot! I’d me more than willing to put my hand up and come along as your destination wedding photographer! Just let me know and I’ll be there!

July 25, 2023

Wedding preview, Wedding

Ten22 Wedding – Julia & Daniel

It was a day filled with love, laughter, and some unexpected twists and turns. My wife and I had the privilege of capturing the beautiful union of Julia and Daniel on their wedding day.

They had planned to exchange vows in the picturesque Adelaide Botanic Gardens, but Mother Nature had different plans. With bad weather rolling in, they had to make a last-minute decision to move their ceremony to Ten22, which was also the venue for their reception, which was certainly convenient!

Preparation

Daniel was getting ready at a house in Reynella East, which was conveniently close to Malbeck Drive Park. We took advantage of the nearby park for a few photos before heading to the ceremony. It was a great spot with plenty of greenery and a relaxed vibe.

Wedding rings on bark

Grooms flower and tie

Groomsman helping tie tie in front of curtains

Grinning groom as tie is tied

Groom tieing shoes

Dad wathing as groomsmen get ready

Groomsman getting ready to go

Grooms parents getting ready

Groom laughing looking out window

Groom and groomsman in park

Julia was getting ready with her family closer to the city. The entire time spent here was quite relaxed and easy going, with the added bonus of being teared to a delightful lunch put on by Julia’s mother. There was a sense of calm and joy that filled the air. It was the perfect start to a perfect day.

One fun tidbit of trivia is that right at the beginning of my photography career I had met Julia working with Santa Claus at the Myer ‘Santaland’ right when it was a new thing at the Myer center in the city – it was lovely to see her again!

Wedding dress hanging in background

Engagement ring in pink flowers

Engagement ring perrched between flat shoes

Bride having hair done

Bride smiling in handheld mirror

Mother of bride grinning

Father of bride standing

Bride having dress fussed over

Bride having dress fussing

Bride standing in hallway

Ten22 Wedding Ceremony

The Ten22 wedding ceremony was an intimate and heartfelt affair. As Julia arrived through the curtains, you could feel the excitement and anticipation in the air. The space may have been a bit cozier than expected, but it added to the warmth and intimacy of the occasion.

As we were also producing a highlight video, it was a bit of a challenge to navigate the smaller space with our video cameras, but we managed to capture every moment beautifully. The vows that Julia and Daniel exchanged were truly heartwarming, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. It was a beautiful moment that they will cherish for the rest of their lives.

Bridal car arriving at Ten22

grinning bride as she gets out of car

Bride in the front waiting room at Ten22

Grooms first look at Ten22 Wedding Ceremony

Bride walking through curtains

Groom waiting patiently at Ten22 Wedding

Ten22 Wedding ceremony with doors

Groom speaking into microphone

Ten22 Wedding Ceremony

First kiss at Ten22 Wedding ceremony

Glamour Photos

As a professional Adelaide wedding photographer, you have to be prepared for this weird weather we’ve been having recently, and let me tell you, this day was definitely one that threw quite a few hurdles! Changing venues, the rain, smashing my camera – all in good fun!

Despite the rain, we managed to capture some stunning shots at the old rustic Belair Train Station and the nearby Belair National Park. The gum trees and the occasional appearance of the sun made for the perfect backdrop for some truly magical moments. And as soon as we left the park, the heavens opened up, and the rain didn’t stop for the rest of the night. But you know what they say, rain on your wedding day is good luck! And Julia and Daniel certainly had all the luck in the world on their special day.

Bride and groom at Belair Train Station

Bride and groom walking at Belair Train Station

Bride and groom walking through gum forest

bride and groom deep in gum tree forest

Bride and groom with sunlight through gum trees

Bride and groom under sunlight landscape

Newly weds walking throguh forest

Married couple portrait

Bride and groom under canopy of gum trees

Married couple leaning on gum tree

Bride laughing at groom

Grinning couple under bridal veil

Ten 22 Wedding Photography

Ten 22 Wedding Photo in the rain

Ten22 Wedding Reception

The shed interior of Ten22 is rustic, yet elegant. It had a cozy and warm feeling to it, the atmosphere was just perfect for a small, intimate gathering of loved ones, and as for the food, let’s just say that their ‘sit down’ finger food style reception was an absolute hit! The guests were raving about the delicious bites, and everyone had a wonderful time mingling and chatting with one another.

During the reception, we managed to sneak in a few photos in the alleyway behind Ten22. Yes, it was raining, but that didn’t stop us! In fact, it added a unique and moody element to the shots. We even used some lights and smoke to create some dramatic effects, and the results were absolutely stunning. It just goes to show that sometimes, the best photos come from unexpected situations.

Two tiered wedding cake with pink flowers

Ten22 Wedding Reception setup

Bridal entrance to wedding reception

bride and groom cutting their cake

In front of Better Together sign

First dance at Ten22 Wedding reception

First dance with streamers

Boys having fun at reception

This guy stole my hat

Julia and Daniel, thank you for entrusting us to capture the memories of your special day. It was an honor to be a part of your Ten22 wedding celebration and to document your beautiful love story. We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness together!

May 11, 2023

PhotoShoot, Engagement

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

Adelaide Photographer engagement photography

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!

February 26, 2022

Wedding preview, Wedding

Belair National Park Wedding – Ellie & Nick

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 putting on tie

Groomsman helping out

Groom putting on jacket

Father of the groom

Groom and groomsmen on road

Groom getting ready

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!

laughing birdesmaids

Smiling bride as she gets ready

Bridal party in kimonos under tree

wow a ring!

Bride holding bouquet as she gets ready

bride getting ready smiling

bride getting her hair done

Bridal party helping bride get ready

bridal party in mirror

Bride looking pretty in wedding dress

smiling bridesmaid as she helps

engagement ring in bouquet

bridal jewellery

hanging wedding dress

Rear of wedding dress

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 🙂

Bride and groom standing in the sun

Belair National Park wedding photo 2

Bride and groom walking together

Belair National Park wedding photo 3

Bride and groom dancing

bride and groom standing in the Belair National park

Belair National Park wedding photo

Bride and groom standing together in forest

Bride and groom in an embrace

Belair National Park wedding photography

Standing together under a tree

Close up portrait

Bridal party photo at old government house

Leaning against a lamp post

Wedding photo in the Old Government House garden

Walking together in the garden

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!

Wedding cake

Mt Lofty Summit cafe and function center

Mingling

Bride and groom cutting the wedding cake

Bride and groom at sunset

Bride and groom silhouette

guests having fun

Bride and groom on Mt Lofty Summit

Head table

Maid of honour speech

First dance

Smiling bride and groom

Nutbush at wedding

Bouquet toss

I’d like to thank Ellie and Nick for having me as their wedding photographer at their Belair National Park Wedding!

May 19, 2020

Wedding preview, Wedding

Belair National Park Wedding – Justine & Nathan

Justine & Nathan
Belair National Park Wedding

It was a rather overcast day in early December for Justine and Nathan’s wedding at the Belair National Park. Rain was threatening all day, but thankfully only showers for brief periods all day. Good thing too as the ceremony and following picnic-style period in between the ceremony and reception was all out in the open within the park. Turned out to be an awesome day though. I was asked to be their wedding photographer for the entire day and I had an absolute blast!

Preparation

Started off the day with Nathan and his boys getting ready at their home. I arrived to the boys all sitting about playing Super Smash bros on their Nintendo Switch before getting them moving to get dressed. There was a neat empty room off to the side of their living room where there was plenty of room to move about and take some rather atmospheric shots 🙂

getting ready

Groom getting ready

Standing about

Groom

Smiling groom

Blues Bros

Unicorn

Wedding rings

Dad helping

I think the best experience of the morning was at Justine’s place of prep at her parent’s place. The emotion certainly got hold of Justine’s Dad who was holding back tears all morning, it was a delight to see and made the whole morning that much more emotional to witness that kind of fatherly love. Justine was fairly calm and collected through the whole morning though, quite keen on getting her dress on and moving the day forward 🙂

Putting on necklace

Looking pretty

Proud Dad

Flower girl

Engagement ring

Putting on dress

Putting on veil

Helping with the dress

Putting on dress

Smiling bridesmaids

Mum helping

Wedding Dress

Belair National Park Wedding Ceremony

Their wedding ceremony took place in a hireable spot of grass within the Belair National Park in the shadow what I’m told to be the tallest certain type of gum tree in South Australia. Backdropped by native fauna, the place is a lovely setting, nearby some lush greenery ready for photos after.

Little bub

Blushing bride

Bride arrival

Exit

Holding hands

Exchanging rings

Groom glancing sideways

Bridal approach

Flower girl

Groom’s first look

Groom standing out the front

Wedding sign

First kiss

Belair National Park Picnic

The great thing about this spot is that it boasts plenty of room to set up a ceremony, and a picnic while still having plenty of room for lawn games including cricket, chess and marks up. Everyone had a blast, and I got to witness one of the most intense games of giant jenga ever conceived.

Hugs

Playing chess

Playing jenga

Rings on bouquet

Cricket

Playing chess

Bowling

Hugs

Throwing the ball

Hugs

Batting

Playing finska

Glamour Photos

For the glamour photos we wandered around the local area nearby where Justine and Nathan’s ceremony took place using the lovely greenery, and an awesome tree I discovered. before heading to another spot on the other side of the Belair National Park nearby the railway station. It’s always a great shot there with a huge archway of gum trees throwing themselves over the walking trail. Once we were done here we head off to the Glenelg Golf Course for the reception. While waiting to head in we used the scenery there for a few shots too.

Close up of wedding rings

Smiling

Walking about Belair National PArk

Skipping into the sunset

Under the trees

Picking the bride up

Bridal Party

Walking together in the Belair National Park

Under a tree

Amongst the tall grass

Under the trees

Under the veil

Amongst the tall grass

Bouquet

Glenelg Golf Club Wedding Reception

The reception was quite a boisterous affair at the Glenelg Golf Club, with dancing going on all night and everyone having an absolute blast! The girls and boys all got into the bouquet and garter tosses, and everyone from young to old I’m sure were rubbing their feet the next morning from all the dancing they did the night before! It was a lot of fun circling the dance floor with my camera s when I walked by I’d always get someone throwing a funny face or going crazy in front of me!