Olga & Tom’s Lake Tekapo pre wedding session (actually a post wedding session) was incredible. Recent snow on the mountains, the sun was out and temps were warming up a little from winter. Having recently returned home from their wedding in Russia, we lined up a nice weather window and headed to Lake Tekapo and the surrounding areas. They even bought their fur babies along for the last part of the shoot. Super connected souls, beautiful setting — couldn’t ask for more. 

Phoebe & Kyle’s Terrace Downs wedding was epic. Nestled among the southern alps of Canterbury, and marking the end of winter, these two awesome people organised an absolutely beautiful occasion. Not only that, that did it all from their hometown of Townsville, Australia. The legendary Canterbury nor’ west wind didn’t disappoint, howling straight off the snow and keeping the guests (most of who were acclimatised to 30ºc+) awake and well refreshed. It didn’t deter Phoebe & Kyle though, keenly venturing into some more exposed places along with some more sheltered locations to create some incredible images. Here’s how they turned out…

isiting all the way from Houston, Cindy & Peter’s Pigeon Bay couples session was an amazing excursion, very much reminding me of how incredible those sleepy bays of Banks Peninsula are.

Not going to lie, I love all the couples that engage with me, and Alyce & Ben’s Wanaka Wedding was no exception. These two bought some fresh country air to their wedding, complete with a stunning dress, flat caps and two pair of New Zealand’s legendary Red Bands. The wedding ceremony took place at Wanaka’s Holy Family Catholic church, reception celebrations at The Venue, separated with a helicopter ride and mountain top photos. An incredible story I felt hugely grateful to be part of. 

Connection. That’s the key word I always feel when shooting this type of occasion, and Nikita & Owen’s Queenstown Elopement was no exception. Visiting from the much warmer Queensland, these two were treated with a much cooler but stunning day. There was emotion spread throughout, from the anticipation during preparation, to the first look, to the heart-felt vows on top of the Remarkables. An incredible experience that I felt honoured to document.

Love can be as strong as you want it to be. Imogen & Logan proved this to be true during the lead up to their Wanaka wedding. Studying and working across the globe and organising a wedding is no easy task, but through a supportive family and pure dedication, these two knocked it out of the park! Criffel Station were hosts to the special occasion, there were heart-felt vows, beautiful sunshine and helicopters — all a photographer could ever wish for! Aaron from Amico Films in Sydney even jumped in at super short notice to create an incredible film on the day. Absolutely epic!

Jamie & Andrew’s Cromwell wedding was even more beautiful than I anticipated. Having known these two for a while beforehand made fitting in with a camera to capture their wedding story absolutely seamless. Preparations begun on their family vineyard with the surrounding Pisa Range glistening in the warm sun. There was an abundance of laughter, good vibes and all round an incredible day shared by two incredible people — stoked to be able to be part of it!

Having the chance to photograph Villy & Brandon’s Wanaka honeymoon session was one of the key shoots that made me really appreciate this place to call home. For this connection session, we took upon the adventure of an incredible helicopter flight to Roy’s Peak, followed by the serene lakeside goodness amongst the pines and waters edge. Two awesome relaxed souls visiting from Canada for their honeymoon, switching from the depths of winter to heat of our Central Otago summer. With poor weather on their wedding day back home, these guys had the perfect excuse to line up some sunshine, which we had the freedom to do. Awesome people. Awesome session.

Lex & Rodney’s Moke Lake couples session was unforgettable. Lex being the wedding photographer from Maine USA certainly had more confidence in front of the camera than I ever would! The connection and radiance of these guys had was evident, as well as their tendency for fun and laughter. Surrounded by the setting sun across Moke Lake in Queenstown, we ventured from the lake side up into the mountains. Connection session awesomeness… 

Visiting our lands from Maryland, USA, Heather and Dan's Wanaka couples session was nothing short of epic. In amongst the summer wedding season, we managed to sneak an hour session in right as the sun was setting over Lake Wanaka. These two were connected right from the get go, and had no qualms about getting their feet wet or hiking up to one of my favourite lookouts. My kind of couple! 

The thing I love most about being a wedding photographer is venturing to new places and meeting amazing people. I hadn’t been up to the West Coast of the South Island in a while, so when Hayley & Jared booked me in for their Reefton wedding, I was pretty excited. Of course we had a little rain (wouldn’t expect anything less from the West Coast!), but it soon cleared and made way for an awesome celebrations and a wedding I’ll never forget. Venturing about the local forest and the edges of the mighty Inangahua River, the senses were overwhelmed with the happy vibes from the newlyweds, the incredibly fresh air and a few sandflies! Here’s the story of an American groom being welcomed to the Reefton family… 

Heading out of town is always exciting, particularly when it’s to a place I haven’t been to for a long time. Jane & Matt’s Taranaki wedding was one I’d been looking forward to not only for the destination, but more so getting to know the personalities of these two legends well before pointing a camera their way. Having a strong background in the fire service, the ceremony at Tairoa Lodge was dressed for the occasion, and the North Island summer heat certainly didn’t hold back! A good post-ceremony trek up Mt Taranaki served for a great adventure to document which the full bridal party embraced. An incredible day with an incredible party to follow — definitely a day to remember.

Ange & Cam held absolutely beautiful Queenstown wedding at Millbrook Resort. Along with many of their guests travelling over from Australia, they were treated to a cool rainy day with a few Plan B's taking place. Nothing phased these two though, in fact I think they embraced the natural turns of their day more, evident in their persistent smiles.

Shannon & Chris took the time to stop in with me for a Wanaka couples session. It was only for an hour, but that was all we needed to get to a location I'd been wanting to shoot for a while. Visiting from Maryland, USA, I found these two an awesome couple to photograph, constantly drawing closer to each other — perhaps it was partly to do with the howling westerly wind. We hit it off nicely over sunset, capturing the real wild essence that Wanaka has to offer.

Venturing out into the start of the Motutapu Valley and Glendhu Bay amidst New Zealand's freezing winter conditions? No problem for Imogen & Logan. This Wanaka engagement session sums up exactly why my family and I chose to move here, having such rich scenery and raw wilderness right on our doorstep. Bringing couples into these special places gives me a real kick, especially when they're as fun and connected as these two! 

When winter hits Central Otago, getting out and amongst the elements is only for the adventurous. Coryn & Caleb were just that. They held their Queenstown wedding straight after a good snowfall and the temperatures barely got over 3ºC. Their intimate ceremony was tucked away in the historic Thurlby Domain, followed by a venture about the Crown Range with a signature Queenstown sunset, then warming up again at Postmasters in Arrowtown. An incredible day all round!

Parts of Canterbury take my breath away, which explains some of my excitement to photograph Sarah & Rhys’ Kaituna Valley wedding. Tucked away in Banks Peninsula, I had the pleasure of sharing the afternoon with this humble couple, and documenting their intimate wedding. Everything was low key and real, heartfelt and genuine — speaking so much about who Sarah & Rhys are as people. The portrait session to follow included a beaut sunset, getting amongst the nearby forest and hike up into the foothills. Couldn’t ask for more.

A Queenstown pre wedding session is pretty well up there in terms of doing a photo session right. Min Sun & Tae Wan travelled in from Korea, grabbing me for an hour to head up into the Remarkables. I’m glad they had heaps of enthusiasm, we had to contend with a howling southerly wind, but that didn’t seem to phase them. Starting on the sheltered side, we edged our way around into nature’s fury. Lining this up just before the sun just dipped behind the Southern Alps, we then ventured down to dusky pink lakefront to finish off.

Growing up in the country. Something I’ll always be grateful for. Georgie & David’s Canterbury high country wedding took me right back there. Turn off into the Rakaia Gorge, then keep driving until you think you’ve gone too far… then drive a little further. These two come are probably the most down to earth couple I’ve met so far, and not afraid to get their hands dirty (or the wedding dress!) Held at their family home, there was everything we needed right at our fingertips; a decent 4WD track to some spectacular views over the Southern Alps, a working woodshed converted into a cosy reception area, and a well supplied whisky bar. Thanks to Rino Sadha for shooting with me on this one. 

Mountains, helicopters, and a few enjoyable drinks… possibly one of the best combos for a wedding. Kat & Rich nailed it for their Hanmer Springs wedding, held at the Forest Campground. Being an ex local, I thought I knew most of the good spots, until we flew to the mountain top. Still hands down one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand. Pair that with these two amazingly relaxed and honest humans who know how to party, and you’ve got what a wedding is really about.