I’ll begin with some of Jessica’s details. I’m so in love with that perfume bottle. Just amazing, and one I’d never seen before. The divine bouquet of Australian native flowers was from The Eternal Vase in Bendigo. Oh my they do beautiful work!

Jessica looked positively divine in her satin and chiffon gown. So very simple and classy!


I love the warm gold light that radiated from the earth walls in the main bedroom of the Homestead. The setting had a colonial yet very elegant feel.





Jessica looking up to a skylight in the ceiling… a great opportunity to use natural light in a dramatic way.

Jessica with her two beautiful bridesmaids… who also happen to be her sisters.

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Now some images of Shane, who also got ready in the Homestead. Shane said he found being photographed to be a very surreal experience, though you would not know it looking at these images! He looks extremely relaxed and confident, and very handsome.





Jessica and Shane had decided to have some of their photographs taken before their ceremony, and happily wandered around the homestead with me looking for locations. There always seems to be an air of excitement and anticipation between the couple when we shoot before the ceremony. I think in many cases it actually calms the nerves a little as well. I suppose I just keep them too busy to be nervous!


A couple of images of the bridal party. Or, to put it another way…. Shane surrounded by beautiful ladies!


The ceremony was truly the most unique I have ever witnessed. Unique AND wonderful! It had been very hot and humid all day, then at 10 minutes to 4.00, JUST before the ceremony was to commence great big black rain clouds rolled in. The rain held off just long enough for everyone to gather in the covered chapel… thank goodness. But once the ceremony began, so did the rain and thunder.  It was dramatic and thrilling. Wow. What a ceremony!

Just married and very happy. I LOVE this photograph. Oh yeah… the rain stopped just as quickly as it had started. I guess they only booked rain for the ceremony!


After the ceremony and formal family photographs we headed into the forest with the bride, the groom and a chair. I ALWAYS take a chair with me into the bush….. don’t you? Ha ha ha.



Oh my. Jess looks like an angel! How beautiful.



I really want to say what a champion Jess was to perform my request of standing on a chair, in the bush, while looking like a statue of a Goddess. Really… it can’t have been easy!

I just love Shane’s hat. Very, very cool.

If you know me at all you know I just LOVE the sky. I am a self confessed sky gazer, and the more dramatic the better. I was a VERY happy girl on this afternoon with this great big beautiful sky. The amazing colour pallette of the Australian lanscape is something I never fail to marvel at, OR take for granted. *sigh*

This is ALL about romance.




The last images of the day, just before the reception started. This gorgeous old French style sofa made me go a little weak at the knees, so I just HAD to take a few images of Jessica and Shane on the red ‘LOVE’ seat! (which is what we decided to call it!)

What an amazing, relaxed and wonderful day this was! Jessica and Shane…. I am so grateful to have met you and shared your wedding day with you both. I love photographing weddings for many reasons, but I think the best part of my job is the sheer variety of people and events that I have the privilege of experiencing. Your wedding was a truly memorable experience for me, and I loved every minute of it. I think the venue you chose was absolutely brilliant, and I share your love and enthusiasm for the quiet beauty of the Australian bush. I could not have asked for a more lovely, easy going couple to work with, or more magnificent surroundings! I wish you a lifetime of love and happiness together.

(By the way Shane… Perry says ‘Hello’ and wants to know when you’re coming over to play again. Dear little man!)

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Caz and Brad were married in November 2008 here in Bendigo, with a touching ceremony held in their own back yard. They are the sweetest couple, and despite some pretty extreme November weather, they had an absolutely fantastic day with their wedding party, family and friends. They had worked very hard to get their back yard looking fantastic for their big day at home, and it really paid off. It looked so beautiful, and I love the idea that every time they step out their own back door they will have a reminder of the promises and heartfelt words they exchanged that day. Maybe they can even do an occasional re-enactment on the weekend! I suspect they would just jump straight forward to the kissing part though! Ha ha ha.

Brad is a also real car enthusiast, and worked very hard on his baby, an early model Celica, to have her ready in time for the wedding. The car was indeed ready in time, and looked amazing… along with 3 other friends cars which made up the ‘fleet’ for the day. So it was always going to be a priority to get some great images of the cars. I scouted around and found an ideal location here in Bendigo, and made sure to schedule some time there. I wouldn’t normally classify myself as a ‘car person’ but I thought the cars look so COOL, and really appreciate the amount of work, pride and love that goes into making cars look like this. Here is my favorite shot. Of course there are more like this one later in the post.

Going back to the start of the day, with Caz and her bridesmaid’s preparations. I loved all of Caz’s accessories, and was lucky enough to have a glass topped table to photograph them on. Even her shoes sparkled, and you just can’t beat the magnificent rose bouquets.

Time to get Caz into her beautiful wedding gown. Lacing up the dress always makes a lovely photograph.


Caz with her gorgeous bridesmaids.The same shot from a different perspective, taken by my assistant, Sue.

Caz looked absolutely amazing! Once again I used video light mixed with ambient light and lamps to create some dreamy, glamorous bridal portraits.


Wow. What a beautiful bride. Those dreamy eyes are divine.

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Brad getting ready with his best man & groomsmen.

A very handsome line up! The guys looked fantastic.



The ceremony in Caz and Brad’s own backyard was so personal, and very emotional. (Tissues on standby…)

Just as the ceremony ended, the big black rain clouds rolled in overhead. We managed to photograph the signing of their register, and a big group shot of everyone before the heavens opened up. If it absolutely HAD to rain, at least the timing was perfect. Nothing could remove the smile from the newlywed’s faces from that point on. Not even the November rain!

After the ceremony we went to some nearby bush land with the bridal party. I love this gorgeous image of the entire group in among the gumtrees. The blueish green colouring of the Autralian bush when it’s actually had some rain is simply amazing.


A tender moment between Caz and Brad. Even though they had me in their immediate vicinity with my camera, you can see that Brad is deeply lost in this kiss. It’s SO romantic I decided to give this image a soft and vintage feel with added texture and faded colours.

More rain! Another downpour actually… this time complete with hail. Thankfully it only lasted a short while though, and Caz and Brad were completely unfazed. In fact they never even stopped smiling.

After leaving the bush, we moved into the city, staying close to shelter just in case it rained again. This bridal party sure did know how to have fun. They shared lots of laughs, and even occassional kisses! I actually said “can you kiss please,” meaning the bride and groom. But they ALL kissed! What a gorgeous group. FEEL the love baby!

Brad clings tightly to the greatest love of his life, standing in front of his pride and joy. Now that’s one happy man!


A great image of all the guys in the bridal party and the owners (and drivers) of the cars to the left of Brad’s Celica. This was just after our third downpour and second hailstorm of the day. Then it just stopped. THEN the sun came out! Crazy November weather!

Some playful fun and awesome shadows!




Caz and Brad had a reception at Quills in Bendigo, which is just accross the road from Lake Weeroona. We actually snuck out just after the first course of their meal, and raced accross the road to take these images in front of the lake at sunset. I was very quick, and had them back to their guests within 15 minutes, probably before they were even missed. Of course I had discussed this plan with Caz & Brad before the wedding, and they had decided if that’s what was required to get some images of sunset over the water, they were prepared to do it. I’m very pleased that they did. The view was gorgeous!


Is that the bluebird of happiness? Well maybe not. More likely to be the seagull of greediness…. ha ha ha. I think it’s a very beautiful image, and it makes me feel peaceful.

I wish all the happiness that life can possibly bring you Caz and Brad. You struck me as such calm and caring people, and truly a perfect match. It was a joy witnessing the adoration and tenderness that you share with one another, and an honour to photograph your wedding day. Oh…. and those cars really were very cool!!!