lifestyle

Dexter | Playtime photography session | Waikato children’s photographer

Dexter  |  Playtime photography session  |  Waikato children’s photographer

“Play is not frivolous. It is not a luxury. It is not something to fit in after completing all the important stuff. Play is the important stuff.”

Piopio farm photo shoot | King Country family photographer

Piopio farm photo shoot  |  King Country family photographer

Breathtaking setting. Check.
Stunning spring evening. Check.
Gorgeous family with perfectly coordinating clothing. Check.
Dreamy golden light. Check.
Dogs, lambs, daffodils and guitars. Check, check, check and check.

How to use winter light for beautiful photos

How to use winter light for beautiful photos

There are lots of things to not love about winter. The icy winds, short days, fog that doesn’t lift, and endless dreary rain. One thing to love about winter, though, is beautiful light. Summer daylight tends to be harsh and unflattering if you are outdoors during the day. In winter, whether the days are overcast or bluebird days, the light is usually perfect for taking stunning portraits.

How to make eyes pop

How to make eyes pop

Eyes tell you so much about a person. The cheeky glint, the intense stare, or the kind, gentle look. Curiosity, amusement, mischief, intelligence. There is a world of stories in every gaze.

Do you ever see photos where the eyes are so sparkling that the photo seems alive?

What is it that makes eyes pop like that in a photo?

Zachary | Sticks, Mud and Forts | Waikato Photography Play Session

Zachary | Sticks, Mud and Forts | Waikato Photography Play Session

Sometimes parenting is like that. Brief moments of laughter, fun and complete happiness in between the chaos and craziness. People who tell you to “enjoy every moment” because it will be over so quickly clearly have forgotten the reality of parenting! But the good moments, the ones filled with unrestrained giggles or sleepy cuddles or first smiles, those really are priceless. I love that photographs help you to focus on the happy times and to freeze those memories forever.

Hamilton family photography | Hamilton Inline Hockey Rink

Hamilton family photography  |  Hamilton Inline Hockey Rink

I already knew I liked this family before I even met them. In their pre-session questionnaire, their mum wrote that she wanted to have something that shows the love between them and how special her boys are. Her words were so filled with love for her sons and I could tell straight away how much they adored each other.

Connection and belonging are my favourite things to capture in a family photo shoot, and I could tell this shoot was going to be oozing with them!

Bonnie | Te Awamutu baby photographer

Bonnie  |  Te Awamutu baby photographer

After a huge string of baby boys, I was so excited to be able to photograph sweet little baby Bonnie in her newborn lifestyle and mini studio photography session. I had some new headbands and wraps that I was dying to be able to use, and I was excited about featuring a bit of pink!

Bonnie was just the most perfect little model I could have hoped for. For nearly our whole session, she was quiet, content and sleepy. Whether wrapped up snugly on a sheepskin, curled up on my beanbag, or sprawled out and unposed, she was just the sweetest little girl you could imagine!

Benjamin | Taupiri newborn photography session

Benjamin   |   Taupiri newborn photography session

It was an honour to be able to welcome my friend’s little boy into their family with this combo lifestyle and mini studio session in their Taupiri home. At just a week old, little Benjamin was a total star. He was so sleepy and content, and just loved to be cuddled up with his mummy. He wasn’t always quite so happy being tucked up on my beanbag, but the mummy and baby photos we got are some of my favourites from this session.