mt compass Archives - SvenStudios

Claire & Aaron
Engagement Shoot

Mt Compass Engagement Shoot

I had an absolute blast shooting Claire and Aaron’s Mt Compass engagement shoot! I mean take a look at all that golden light that was filtering in through the stunning Australian bushland!

Claire and Aaron are lucky enough to have a friend who owns a farm in Mt Compass – just south of Adelaide that features stunning rolling hills, ponds, rugged bush and some incredible trees. They even made it easy on me and decided to head out for their engagement shoot during golden hour which really made things pretty darn awsome! Turned out to be a stunning shoot!

We began at the top of a hill, which had some huge, gnarly gum trees which we stood under for a few shots to warm up, then walked down the other side to find a stunning little pond enveloped with lush gum trees. There was no wind so the water was still and made for some lovely reflections.

We then head back up the hill and made use of the dying light of the sun filtering in throguh the foliage – which was really beatiful! The hill also overlooked the lovely folling hills that make up the majority of Onkaparinga.

To finish up I broke up one of my last smoke bombs to create a little bit of atmosphere with the sun light filtering in through the smoke.

I had a blast! Looking forward to Claire and Aaron’s wedding at Serafino’s Winery early January now! 😀

Standing together in the sunlight

Couples standing under a gum tree

Standing together under a gum tree

Sun shining through gum tree

Walking down the grassy hill together

Reflections in the pond

Admiring the scenery together

Outstanding in their field

Walking together across the field

Sun shining through a tree above

Couples shot through the leaves

Holding one another in the leaves

Engagement photoshoot

Engagement shoot Mt Compass

Couple near dead tree

Lifting her up silhouette

In amongst the trees with smoke

Smoke backdrop for couple

Couple shoot with smoke

Passionate kiss on engagement shoot

Thanks so much Claire and Aaron for having me shoot your Mt COmpass Engagement shoot! Was amazing!

Astrid & Corey
Asatru Wedding on private farm

It was a long time coming for Astrid and Corey’s Asatru wedding on a private farm near Mt Compass. Astrid had booked me a few years prior, but due to some unfortunate events had to postpone their big day until mid November, 2019. Their day was blessed with some amazing weather, beautiful scenery, some fluffy animals and plenty of emotion!

Preparation

Astrid and Corey were being prepared on the same farm, a short walk apart from one another in separate units that were constructed on opposite ends of the property. While Astrid and her bridal party were having their makeup done, Corey and his groomsmen were busy putting finishing touches on the outdoor reception setting, and I was able to take photos of the dress and any details already set up.

The walk between the main house where Astrid was being prepared and the hut that Corey was to get ready in was a great opportunity to plan out where we would take the glamour photos after the ceremony. The whole farm was a beautiful setting, and we were very much looking forward to seeing the sunset!

Corey putting on tie

Groom getting ready near door

Bridesmaids getting ready

Asatru wedding circle

Bride standing in doorway playing with flowers

bridesmaid helping out

Bride playing with flowers

smiling bride while getting ready

Decor

Bride with Mum

Bride standing in doorway

Looking at bear

bridal prep

Groomsmen setting up asatru wedding altar

Groom about to get ready

Wedding rings on box

Wedding dress hanging in tree

Bridal bouquet in tree

bride putting on makeup

Asatru wedding ceremony

In case anyone reading this is wondering, the Asatru faith is a religion which believes in the ancient Germanic spirits and Gods. It was officially recreated in the 1970s in Iceland, but its roots go back many thousands of years. The name comes from two words in a language called Old Norse. It means “faith in the Æsir.” The Æsir are the Germanic gods.

Astrid and Corey’s Asatru wedding involved having the ceremony inside a sacred circle, where each member of the bridal party were to light a flame surrounding an altar while stating pleasantries regarding the bridal couple. Corey had planned on having a Thor’s hammer sigil placed on the altar, but unfortunately it would not stick to the concrete before the ceremony, despite the best efforts of his groomsmen. Their Asatru wedding was presided over by a local Asatru priest, and included the drinking of mead from a communal chalice, the exchanging of swords and a hand fasting ceremony over a hammer.

I’m not overly knowledgeable about the proper names to call each of the aspects of an Asatru wedding ceremony I’ve just described, so I apologise if I have messed anything up. But what I learnt is that the ceremony is very much a family oriented affair, that celebrates the bonds each person involved has with the bridal couple as was wonderful to be a part of!

wedding sign

Groomsmen putting finishing touches on

Groom waiting patiently

Bridesmaids approach

bride and Mum appraoch

Grooms first look of bride

Asatru wedding priest

smiling groom

Lighting the flame during the Asatru wedding ceremony

Groom Lighting the flame during the Asatru wedding ceremony

Bride holding bouquet

Asatru wedding ceremony

laughing bride during wedding ceremony

laughing bride during

bride and groom at altar together

groom looing at bride

hand fasting ceremony

Asatru hand fasting

Holding the wedding swords

Bride holding a wedding sword

Drinking of mead

together getting married

together getting married on the farm

Bride and groom exit

Glamour Photos

Directly after the ceremony and family photos, Astrid had arranged for a native animal display from a local company to have a chat and bring in some cuddly animals. These ranged from an adorable sugar glider through to a large python and a baby croc – much to the delight of Corey who is employed as a snake catcher.

After the animal display, we went for a walk along the farm land to make use of the dying sun filtering through the lovely trees and wide, open cow pastures for some glamour photos. The jovial nature of Astrid and Corey meant that the whole photo shoot was full of smiles, and fun times between the two of them.

owl

wombat

Bride holding wombat

Flying glider

snake

kissing the bride

bride and groom in front of bridal party

all the bridal party

close up of sugar glider

Sugar glider with bride and groom

bride and groom with snake

Tiny danger lizard

Hugs with the wombat

Wedding swords

bride and groom under the sun

Bride and groom amongst the tall grass

laughing bride and groom

hugs on a walk

bright bride and groom

walking together in the farm

Laughing together in the trees

standing together amongst the trees

amongst the trees together

bride and groom amongst foliage

holding hands

kiss behind the bouquet

Farm reception

Out the back of the farm house, on the lawn was where Astrid and Corey held their wedding reception. There were 4 different kinds of mead available on tap, along with a rather speccy ice sculpture where you were to pour your mead inside it to cool it, before recaptureing it pouring out the end. Their wedding cake was also embalzoned by Thor’s hammer. the reception was a fairly casual affair where heartfelt, and emotional speeches were heard, while the house’s decking was used as the dancefloor.