Veale Gardens Family Shoot – Kennedy Family

January 7, 2021/0 Comments/in Family, New Born, PhotoShoot /by Steven Duncan

Veale Gardens Family Shoot

Erin and Phil were the bridal couple at one of the first ever weddings I covered as a wedding photographer all the way back in 2011, so it’s always nice to see how families are progressing when they ask me to come out again and produce some updated family portraits! I’ve also known Erin and her family since I was very little so it’s doubly nice to reconnect and have a bit of a chat. 🙂

We head out to the lovely Veale Gardens on South terrace in the city early in the morning so that we avoided the majority of walkers and have the gardens to ourselves. The sun is also at a nice height in the sky at this time in the morning so as to avoid most of the harsh shadows that can otherwise creep across faces in an unflattering way.

We began in the carpark behind the Pavillian restaurant and made use of the gum trees behind Veale gardens to create a bit of diversity in the colours of the final photos – as otherewise every photo has the emerald green colours of the curated grass within the gardens. it’s good to have some variety! We then walked up the rolling grassy hills towards the last rock pool, then looped back via the man made river meandering through the space.

As a result, I think The Kennedy’s Veale Gardens Family Shoot produced some lovely keepsake moments and nice family portraits for them to treasure forever more! helps a bunch when the kids are as well behaved as these were! Turned out to be a lovely morning.

Family walking through gum trees

Veale Gardens Family Photo

Children sitting together in Veale Gardens

Girl chasing duck

Family photography in Veale Gardens on bridge

Family looking through the bushes

Girl climbing tree

Family sitting together on rock

Girl on top of hill

Rolly Poly

Baby sitting on grass

Family photo in Veale Gardens

Children walking together in Veale Gardens

Veale Gardens Wedding – Jacqui & Dion

December 14, 2020/0 Comments/in Wedding preview, Wedding /by Steven Duncan

Jacqui & Dion
Veale Gardens Wedding

Jacqui and Dion’s Veale Gardens Wedding on South Terrace in the Adelaide CBD was an epic affair, full of fun, dancing, fireworks and lovely people! The COVID Pandemic had unfortunately threw Jacqui and Dion’s plans a little bit but they made very good use of the (then) lesser restrictions in place that allowed for dancing and ‘vertical’ drinking!

Preparation

Preparation in the morning was a jovial affair with dancing, making alot of nose and plenty of proud parents looking on at their sons and daughters! We were tasked with producing some videography along with the photography for the day so my wife also came along to help out with producing some footage.

I started out the day with Jacqui’s house of preparation to begin the documentation, before heaing over to Dion’s place of preparation while my wife stayed at Jacqui’s house for the dancing and merry making.

Engagement ring in flowers

Wedding bands on wood

Putting on makeup surrounded

Fur Baby in dress

Pinching Dads cheek

Mum helping out with jewellery

Bride putting on wedding shoes

Bride looking pretty in front room

Macedonian wedding dance

Posing with Macedonian flag

Macedonian wedding dancing

Dion and his family were being prepared in a more subdued mannor, with not so much dancing, but still making a bit of noise with the suped up cars they had parked out the front! There were smiles all round as everyone was helping each other get ready by tieing ties and fitting flowers to suits.

Suit jacket hanging in window

Groom getting ready in natural light

Fluffing up the hair

Best man helping with tie

Putting on ties

Mum looking on as Dad puts on tie

Groomsman putting on flower

Flower being put on suit

groomsmen ready

Hugs from Mum

Veale Gardens Wedding Ceremony

it was a bit of a running joke with Dion and his family that 2020 kept throwing a few curve balls Jacqui and Dion’s way right up to the beginning of their ceremony! Unfortunately their celebrant had a bit of a family emergency just prior to their wedding so ended up being a little late for the party – but it all worked out in the end! In fact the entire day worked out very well.

Jacqui and Dion’s veale Gardens wedding ceremony was held at rock pool 7, which is perfectly suited for cars to drive in to the nearby carpark for the pavilion restaurant and then walk through the lovely manicured gardens and grass to reach it.

Their ceremony was highlighted by two readings while their wedding rings were held by a member of the family which was a nice way to include as many people as possible.

Wedding sign at ceremony

Guests waiting in Veale Gardens

Bridal motorcade arriving

Smiling bride in veale Gardens

Smiling groom in veale Gardens

Bridal and Dad approaching

Grooms first lok as bride walks down aisle

Smiling bride looking at groom

Speech giver

Veale Gardens wedding ceremony

Veale Gardens wedding ceremony 2

Smiling Mum handing rings

Smiling groom looking at his bride

Exchanging wedding bands 3

Veale Gardens wedding ceremony under trees

Veale Gardens wedding ceremony near pavilion

Bridal exit 2

Veale Gardens Wedding Photos

We did not linger long for Veale Gardens wedding photos, but rather zoomed off for a few after ceremony drinks in a small cocktail bar in Peel St. However i did manage to convince Jacqui and Dion to walk about in the nearby Gums trees for a bit of variety in their wedding photos!

Bridal party in front of motorcade

Walking through trees together

Smiling hugs

Veale Gardens wedding photo in trees

Veale Gardens wedding photo looking at camera

Afternoon tea

In peel st we made use of the older architecture for some more photos before heading into the cocktail bar for a few drinks with family. During what is usually a hectic time of a wedding day, Jacui and Dion opted to take it easy and spend the time with family and friends rather than spending their entire day taking photos – which I totally understand and respect!

Peel st wedding photo

Peel st wedding photo in archway

Peel st Adelaide wedding photo in archway

Guests having a drink on peel st

Bridal couple overlooking peel st

Cheers 2

bridal party leaning in on bridal couple

Last supper mock wedding photo

JDF Function Center Wedding Reception

The main event – sos to speak was Jacui and Dion’s epic party they had planned at the JDF Reception center in Windsor Gardens. Their reception was decked out with almost everything you could imagine at a wedding party – from my Photobooth to dry ice and indoor fireworks! It certainly was a party to remember, and it was midnight before anyone knew it! The night was just such a blast that the time flew.

Head table at JDF Reception center

Wedding place holder

Wedding cake on display

Bridal entrance at JDF Receptions

Bridal entrance at JDF Reception Center

Cutting of the wedding cake

First dance at JDF Function cernter

First dance at JDF reception cernter

JDF Reception Center Wedding Photo

JDF Function Center Wedding Photo

JDF Reception Center

Bride and groom dancing on dry ice

Parents having fun

bride tearing up the dance floor

Macedonian dance at JDF

Nutbush dancers

Best man speech at head table

Groom’s speech at head table

Son Mum dance

Bouquet toss went too far

Confettii cannon

Thankyou Jacqui and Dion for having myself and my wife photography and produce the videography for your Veale Gardens wedding day!

Veale & Himeji Gardens Family Shoot

November 23, 2020/1 Comment/in Family, Photoshoot /by Steven Duncan

Veale & Himeji Gardens Family Shoot

On a beautiful, sunny day, just prior to the recent CIVID-19 related full lockdown we’ve endured in South Australia, I was asked by Nadia to head out with her family for a bit of a family shoot!

Nadia and her husband were in Adelaide, from Perth and decided to make the most of their time with their family while here, considering the recent troubles in the world, times like this are precious and what better idea is there than to refresh their family portraits?

Himeji Gardens Family Shoot

We began our little family shoot by heading to the lovely, manicured surrounds you can find within the Adelaide Himeji Gardens. Giften to Adelaide by our Japanese sister city, Himeji the gardens provide a stunning backdrop to photography all year round.

And the best thing is that the gardens are free to roam about in, and they cannot be booked as a wedding venue, or for other such private events, meaning they are always available during opening hours.

The lovely light shining through the leaves of the beautiful weeping willows at this time of day are always the biggest drawcard of the Himeji Gardens – they make for the best background for any Himeji gardens family shoot.

Himeji Gardens Family Shoot 2

Couple in Himeji Gardens

Couple under weeping willow tree

Family finding fish

Touching fingers under a tree

Couple portrait in Himeji Gardens

Couple portrait in Adelaide Himeji Garden

Family portrait

Sitting on the bench together in Himeji Gardens

Family portrait under tree

Veale Gardens Family Shoot

Whenever I head to south Terrace for a photoshoot, I tend to use both Himeji gardens and Veale Gardens to provide a bit of variety in the colours of the images I provide. Himeji Gardens – at this time of year – is lush and green, and well manicured, while Veale gardens just up the road also provides this, but also a bit of an Australian twist with a small Gum tree forest behind.

This allowsfor a bit more yellow and warmth in photos, while also having different trees in the background.

While walking about we made sure to take photos of both the full family together, and also couples shots, and individual portraits alklowing me to provide a huge amount of photos for Nadia’s family to use in many different ways – hopefully to fill their walls with beautiful physical prints!

family shot under veale Gardens Gum Trees

Family portrait under gum trees

Couple photo on log

Veale Gardens photo

Adelaide Veale Gardens Photography

I’d like to thank nadia for having me photograph her beautiful family, and I’m super glad she and her husband were able to get back into Perth before the big Adelaide shutdown!

South Terrace Engagement – Chloe & Alex

June 22, 2017/0 Comments/in Engagement, Wedding /by Steven Duncan

1 2 3

Chloe & Alex

South Terrace Engagement

It was a lovely sunny afternoon when Chloe, Alex and I headed out to South Terrace for a little engagement shoot before their wedding in July. I really wanted to make use of the wonderful winter sun shining through some foliage, so I suggested heading to South Terrace to make use of the stunning Himeji gardens, and Veal gardens. Chloe and Alex also wanted to head to a beach for some sunset shots, so towards the end of the engagement shoot we headed down to Brighton beach.

I offer my wedding couples the option of having an engagement shoot before their wedding day for a few different reasons. In Chloe and Alex’s case they wanted some nice photos to use on their thank you cards directly after their wedding so they didn’t have to wait too long before they were sent out. But other reasons would be to use on your ‘save the date’ cards or your invitations, they could also even be used on your wedding’s website if you choose to have one made. They also look fantastic printed and put on display at your wedding reception.

South Terrace Engagement shoot

Himeji Gardens

We started out at the picturesque Himeji Gardens, and despite the chilly weather, the gardens were quite busy so we had to be careful on which direction we were shooting. The beautiful foliage in the gardens combined with the setting sun made for some wonderful scenery.

Sunset in Himeji gardens

Laughing together

Smiling at one another

Holding one another

Embrace

Sitting in Himeji Gardens

Veal Gardens

Just down the road, on South Terrace is Veal gardens, a popular wedding venue close to the city that boasts a lovely meandering man-made stream and small ponds, dotted along the walking path. The well manicured gardens always provides for a lovely backdrop for a photoshoot!

South Terrace Engagement

Walking through Veal Gardens

Veal gardens bridge

Under a tree

Veal Gardens Engagement

Brighton Beach

As the sun was setting at an alarming rate, we jetted off to Brighton beach where Alex and Chloe staged a bit of an engagement scene. It was quite entertaining as many passing onlookers congratulated them thinking he had just proposed, despite them already being engaged 🙂

Sunset

Walking along Brighton beach

Sunset proposal

Brighton Jetty

The entire shoot was over in around 90 minutes and was a tonne of fun! I’m looking forward to their wedding even more now!

St Laurences Church High Mass Wedding – Alison & Josh

December 24, 2019/1 Comment/in Wedding preview, Wedding /by Steven Duncan

Alison & Josh
St Laurence’s Church High Mass Wedding

I was priviledged to witness the St Laurences Church High Mass Wedding of Alison and Josh in mid November as their wedding photographer. it was quite the spectical with no less than 3 priests and a multitude of altar boys conducting the very traditional latin high mass at the fore of the stunning church that is St Laurence’s. While the ceremony was wonderful, it was also fantastic to cover the first wedding reception that has been held at the new venue of Tatachilla estate!

Preparation

I began the day as I usually do at the place where Josh and his groomsmen were being prepared. The morning was quite laid back with some funny moments where someone had given Josh some booklets titled ‘don’ts for weddings, and husbands‘ while also reminicing about other weddings the groomsmen had been a part of.

groom affects

cufflinks detail shot

putting on shirt

helping out with tie

Putting on jacket

Groom Putting on jacket

smiles on the groom

Groom and groomsmen standing about

Groom and groomsmen standing under tree

I arrived at the house were Alison was being prepared just as their make-up was being completed, which is great as I’m then able to flit about taking detail shots of the dress, shoes, etc. The bridal party all had matching kimonos on during the morning, and two little girls were running about causing havok – which was kind of a good thing as it distracted from any nerves Alison may have been feeling. 🙂

engagement ring in bouquet

Bridal shoes

whispering flower girls

bride putting on makeup

girls looking up at wedding dress

bridesmaid smiles

looking in mirror while getting ready

bridesmaids in kimonos

Dad’s first look of bride

Bride with dress on

Bride standing with bouquet

bridesmaids looking on

St Laurences Church High Mass Wedding Ceremony

As some of you may know, I worked at a Catholic primary school for almost a decade as a Japanese teacher, so I was fairly knowledgeable of the procession of mass, and wedding masses. However, Alison and Josh’s High Mass wedding was something I had yet to witness. The entire procession was quite awe inspiring, with no less than 3 priests and several altar boys conducting the service, all while a 4-strong gregorian chior chanted in the background. The High Mass itself took around 90 minutes to complete, as it followed a strict procession, concluding whith all the guests joining in with communion. The stunning surrounds of St Laurences Church made for a stunning backdrop for the entire ceremony, and it was certainly a ceremony to remember!

St Laurences Church

priest getting ready

High Mass wedding procession

grooms first look

Bridal entrance

inside st laurences church

Together at the altar

exchanging wedding rings

wedding ceremony in st laurences church

inside st laurences church landscape

sitting together catholic high mass wedding

catholic high mass wedding

Priest holding the bible

catholic mass wedding

bridal party kneeling

crucifix at St Laurences church

Bridal exit

Glamour Photos

For glamour photos, we first utilised the wonderful interior of St Laurences, after having the group photo done out the front of the church. We then went for a short drive to South Terrace to Veale Gardens where we made use of the lovely diversity available there. From Australian gum trees out the back, to highly manicured rose gardens, it’s a nice spot to capture a variety of wedding photos. We then head towards Mclaren Vale as a short stop off before heading to Tatachilla Estate for the reception. We usued the wonderful olive tree grove located right off the main street to get a few shots in amongst the trees. Our final spot for glamour photos was the vineyards located out the front of Tatachilla estate. We used the dying light as the sun went down for a few nice shots of just Alison and Josh together amongst the vines.

bridal couple inside st laurences church

Wedding bands on hands

bridal couple kissing in St Laurences church

bride and groom in bridal car

bride and groom under gum trees

bride and groom under gum trees in veale gardens

bridal party in veale gardens

bride and groom above pool in veale gardens

Veale Gardens pool

walking along the bridge in veale gardens

bride and groom amongst roses

closeup of bridal bouquet

bride and groom under olive trees

Holding one another

bride and groom in Mclaren vale’s olive trees

smiles all round

bride and groom at Tatachilla estate

bride and groom amongst the vineyards

looking through the vineyards

behind the bride amongst vineyards

holding one another in vines

Tatachilla Estate Wedding Reception

I was told that Alison and Josh’s wedding reception was the first that has been held at the new venue at Tatachilla Estate. Apparently the venue had been recently purchased from the nearby Tatachilla Lutheran School in order to ransform it into a new, large wedding and event venue, and I must say it certainly has potential! It’s a huge space, suitable for gigantic functions, but as it is right now it’s fairly rustic as it had been used as a school camp space for decades.

Alison and Josh’s reception was punctuated by loving speeches, plenty of dancing and scores of people all having a great time!