Several months ago we went to Mataranka for a week of camping. I got so busy sharing posts about some 20 year old whipcracker who put me on the cold pavement beneath him and did Guinness World record whip cracking over me, that I never actually posted anything of substance. I also categorically painted myself as a desperate housewife of Karama.
Vic + Rury: An Alice Springs wedding
I was gifted with a wedding in Alice Springs. All that red dirt, rugged green, and wide open space has a mesmerising beauty. There is a special kind of magic in the air; a magic often infused with dust, flies and heat. In short, it’s complex, but what we have is definitely true love.
daniel + caitie
I'm about 6 months late blogging this beauty....
I met Caitie, Mia and Leah for a coffee one morning. I could immediately tell it was going to be a riot of a wedding. Mostly because Caitie and Leah were tag teaming being their beautiful selves, whilst chasing gorgeous Mia around. A month or so later, I bumped into them at the wedding of Merrin and Cameron, where Caitie and her father Graham tore up the dance floor in a way I have never seen, not even on youtube.
sal + josh in waiting
Our great friends Sal and Josh are expecting a small version. I am thrilled. Sal tried so many tricks to get out of having a baby; including a knee operation, a bone infection, and an emergency evacuation to a hospital down south to avoid a leg amputation, and more antibiotics than one human body should have to swallow.
Jemma, Dylan and Flynn
A couple of hours in the life of Jemma, Dylan and little Flynn.
Dylan is a carpenter by trade, if my really terrible memory serves me correctly. Yet in between 60 hour work weeks, he somehow manages to transform this house into a photography paradise. Even when I dropped their photos off one evening, like late on a Sunday type of evening, he was making a walk in robe for their bedroom!! I know a few people that would be scratching their heads reading this, wondering if he is a real carpenter. My husband is one, and he insists that he can't finish renovating our house because people won't take him seriously as a builder. He has solidly proved that point. It's been 2.5 years for our bathroom.
family of legends
One of the guys in this family is Tom, and he was my husbands best mate when they were little and living in country Victoria. I found my husbands school books and laughed to see ‘Favourite activity: building cubbies with Tom.” They took this next level by becoming builders for the same company in Darwin. In fact, it gets weirder. They even had daughters three days apart, who both have blonde, curly hair. And both have been known to mistake their father for the other father which they can be forgiven for given that both guys are blonde, tanned, wear matching work issued hard-yakka clothing and drive the same branded work utes.
laura + adam: darwin botanical gardens wedding
Laura and Adam contacted me last year for this wedding. I felt pretty cool getting booked in almost 12 months in advance - I mean, that means they would have had other choices and they weren't standing on the corner of desperate street.
tom + bron: an NT wedding
One afternoon, I was musing to my mate that I really wanted a surf club wedding and a church ceremony. These two things rarely collide in Darwin, and I was already at my self imposed cap for the year so I resigned myself to target these goals in 2018. A few days later I received an email from Tom and lo and behold, this is exactly what was in order. So, despite my cap, I was in. If the universe listens, you can't turn around and reject it.
kylie, nick + james: in home documentary
Last month I had the pleasure of being invited to document a few hours in the life of this gorgeous family. Little James took me on a tour of the house pointing out his favourite things and activities. I predict he will become a future air guitar world champion, sprinter, gardener, or hat collector.
wigg adventure: maternity session
know Lizzie because I have taken photos of her and Mycool before, and they go to the weddings that I photograph as a guest or bridal party member. When she hit me up for some maternity photos, I seized the chance to take them on an adventure. They consented by letting me know they had a 4WD.
Music NT Legends launch
I was invited to attend the Music NT Legends launch. Music NT is a brilliant organisation, and the backbone of the NT music industry. They have launched a philanthropic program to raise funds for their activity, and in doing so, are offering people the opportunity to become a legend for the annual fee of only $500! That is the cheapest right to legendary status I have ever heard of.... So get amongst it.
Mr + Mrs Proctor
I met Merrin and Cameron last year. I could tell right off the bat they were legends. They pulled together a food van, street party wedding on the road of Cameron's family home. It does happen to have one of, if not the best, view in Darwin.
Megan, Ruben + Zeph
Megan and Ruben live on this yacht. When I found out, I was prettttttty excited to do some "in home documentary" of this life. They were temporarily living in a house during the later part of Megan's pregnancy, and the first few months of Zeph's life. But as soon as they started going 'camping' on the yacht on their weekends, I put my hand up to join them on the tender out.
Bex + Tom: The elopement
A few months ago I received an enquiry though my website with the subject "secret squirrel." Some Darwin friends were wanting to split their wedding into three parts; a romantic elopement on the Darwin harbour, and two massive parties in their home towns of Australia and Ireland.
Emily + Liam
The wedding of Emily and Liam.
The day started off with beaming rays of sunshine, but Melbourne lived up to its reputation by rolling in a massive storm when we were meant to leave to the gardens for the bridal shoot. So we made do in the foyer of the spectacular warehouse apartment block that they were getting ready in, and then drowned the remaining sorrows at the pub over the road. That's a joke. No one was sad. Nothing could wipe the smiles off the faces of these two. They didn't even care that it was bucketing down. Liam just thought a quick beer on the way to the ceremony wouldn't go astray, it wasn't like the wedding could start without them. I may have been the one to point that out...
It was a treat to photograph these two. The love and respect they have for each other is second to none, and it's inspiring. The entire crowd was stoked to be celebrating their official union, and these photographs tell the story. So much fun.
is Lisa good at making play dough?
Happy Birthday Lisa. You are many amazing things, and play dough maker is one of them. And these days, that is a critical thing. Also, Sarah Wilson has got nothing on your skills and good looks in the kitchen. She is a mole, and you are a legend.
The baptism of Despina
I was invited to document the Baptism of Despina. This is up there with one of my favourite photographic opportunities to date. I love documentary photography of people, culture and emotion. This was all of those things and much more. Stepping inside the Greek Orthodox Church in Darwin blew my mind. It feels like you have been transported halfway across the world. My family (and work colleagues) also appreciated the massive trays of Greek baklava and other treats that I brought home for them to eat.
amy + josh
Amy Bowen is a great friend of mine, so it was a total win to be her unofficial fourth bridesmaid and document the wedding of her and Josh Davis. Amy is one of the most hilarious, gorgeous and interesting people in the world. Josh is suitably a legend and her total match. They also have two amazing little children who almost succeeded in stealing the wedding show. Almost.
irah quinn
My beautiful friend brought home her third son, Irah. I stole a few moments to get some photos of the two of them whilst the older brothers were out burning off some energy. I can't wait to get the three boys together in a few weeks. In the meantime, here are some quieter moments....
sophie + scotty: mount bundy
A decade ago my sister made friends with this legend of a woman, who soon found this legend of a man. Their wedding took place at Mt Bundy Station; a nexus of deadly Territory outback and station charm, including a bull that likes to be patted, and join you by the campfire. The outback life brought on an insatiable thirst in the guests, and the wedding of the century ensued....