Recently I was asked to head out for a family photoshoot, nearby Mt Compass in Nangkita – but I’m going to put this under Mt Compass Family Photography as I hadn’t heard of Nangkita before being asked to head out here!
The family was enjoying a get together for the Christmas and New Year period, that sounded like a rare occurance considering the last time they had a family photoshoot done was when the ‘kids’ were 6, and now in their mid thirties – and also that some are now living overseas and makes it hard to get together.
Their little family photoshoot took place on a family farm, which was lush with Australian bush and off the beaten track so much that they kept asking if I had any trouble finding the place! All I can say was thank goodness for GPS in cars!
We held most of the shoot under a gnarly old tree on the property which provided ample shade and a neat backdrop for group photos. After the majority of group shots, we then did individual portraits and also some coupley shots in amongst the pretty overgrowth of trees.
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!
Bridal bouquet in tree
Corey putting on tie
Asatru wedding circle
bridal prep
Groom about to get ready
Wedding dress hanging in tree
bridesmaid helping out
Decor
Bridesmaids getting ready
Bride playing with flowers
bride putting on makeup
Bride standing in doorway playing with flowers
Bride standing in doorway
smiling bride while getting ready
Groom getting ready near door
Groomsmen setting up asatru wedding altar
Looking at bear
Wedding rings on box
Bride with Mum
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.
dancing bridal party
laughing together during speeches
dancing guest
groom talking
guests
wedding cake
Dancing lessons
Mead ice sculpture
Dancing pile on
dancing little one
first dance on patio
Fun song to end the night
Cutting the cake with a sword
Enjoying refreshments
Dancing together on their wedding day
Dancing bub
first dance at their Asatru wedding
Farm wedding reception setup
Asatru wedding decor
first dance closeup
groom’s speech
dancing with Mum
Thanks so much for Astrid and Corey for having me as your wedding photographer. It was a lovely day and I hope you enjoy your photos!
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!
