The 2nd of December marked the 40th National Day for the United Arab Emirates. The National Day is a huge affair for members of the UAE, and this year was a particularly huge celebration!

I photographed Reem (a very patriotic ambassador!), for the UAE embassy magazine in Canberra. Reem is a stunning model and I thoroughly enjoyed working with her on this project!

Melissa Reed is the beautiful face behind the camera over at Artifex Photography! She is passionate and talented and has a great eye for photography! She is a busy girl... when she is not photographing families, children and stunning models, she is studying Classics at Otago Uni. I am photographing her graduation in December when she finishes that too! Eeep, fun!

Mel is hilarious. I actually laughed so much with her. She has a flippin' awesome sense of humour and the cutest way of saying what she wants to say.

She originally booked a siblings shoot for her and her brother, but being a typical teenage boy, he decided it would be a better idea to go away for the weekend instead of having a photoshoot. So it was me, Mel, and a couple of cameras. I was really looking forward to meeting Mel... we had been in cyber-contact for far too long, without being able to put a face to the name!

She had been pumped about the shoot for ages... but when it came to a couple days before she started emailing me freakin' out with nerves! But being a photographer herself, she knew exactly what she needed to do, she completely relaxed into her amazing self after about 2 minutes...and she looked amazing!!

Mel is currently completing her 'Radical Self Love Bible'... a book of thoughts, things, and vows... reminders to love and accept herself as she is. This Radical Self Love concept is becoming a world-wide phenomena... it is a month of personal challenges to create a radical romance with yourself, beginning with a small book to jot down anything you think and feel during that time. Part of this was getting some beautiful photos of herself. So that is what we did!

And we found some pretty rad walls along the way...

Mel, you are beautiful!! I hope you see that in yourself.

After some urban goodness, we set out to a pretty field of feminine and gorgeous flowers... (which left us smelling like garlic and onions... but that is beside the point...)

Ohhh I love vines!! So pretty.

Mel... look at you!! You look totally awesome in these pics... I hope you enjoyed your photo shoot that was all about YOU!! I loved getting to know you better (in person!), and having the opportunity to get stunning photos of you. I hope this helps you along your journey of loving yourself and seeing how beautiful you really are! XOXO

Just over a week ago, I was lucky enough to be part of a charity event for Bellyful Dunedin. Bellyful is a not-for-profit organisation that does an amazing job at supporting mothers with newborns, and mothers with sick children... by supplying meals and filling the plates on the table! This is a bunch of willing and caring mums who know what it feels like to suddenly have your life turned around with a new baby... and they want to help other mums wherever they can.

Bellyful Dunedin was launched with a fundraising evening called 'Be Beautiful with Bellyful"! This was a FANTASTIC event for ladies of all ages! We were treated to talks by fashion adviser, Fiona Jenkin, from 'True Expression Personal Image Coaching' and Christal from 'Christal Allpress Make-Up'. Fiona spoke about how to buy clothes that suit your body and personality, and how to mix and match all those clothes that sit in your wardrobe gathering dust with this seasons fashions. And Christal gave us all hot tips on applying natural and evening make-up! There were also heaps of stalls, auctions and prizes of all things good and girlie... like jewellery, chocolate, beauty therapies etc!

Part of my job on the night was to do a mini photo shoot for the two beautiful ladies who won the personal make-over to reveal on the night!! Cassandra and her mum, Veronica, were the fabulously deserving winners, and WOW did they look great on the night!

This is Veronica and Cassandra the week before the event... thanks Fiona for supplying this image!

Fiona and Christal did such a great job at re-doing Cassandra and Veronica's looks with beautiful colours to suit their skin tones, and clothes to flatter and make them look gorgeous! And hairdresser Jolene White, cut and coloured their hair! Don't they look AMAZING?!?! I highly recommend you go see these girls if you feel your look and style needs a bit of a spruce up! I am pretty tempted!

Fiona aims to "create great style, inspired by you"... and that is exactly what these ladies all did - they took all Cassandra and Veronica's great features and personalities, to create a style they were going to feel comfortable and amazing in. And it worked!! Check out the beautiful, newly 'made-over' ladies...

Cassandra and Veronica just looked gorgeous, and hopefully felt absolutely beautiful! Cassandra is getting married in a years time, so Veronica's look was inspired by modern 'mother of the bride' styles. They both looked elegant and classy, and we had such a fun wee 15 minute shoot in the middle Southern Cross Hotel.

And just because I think this is such a stunning pic... here is Christal (the fab make-up artist I collaborate with!), with her luscious fake eyelashes for the evening!

Big ups to Bellyful Dunedin (and in particular, Becca Toschi, who organised the whoooole thing!), for an awesome girls night out. Thanks to everyone who supported the evening and came along... please check out Bellyful and the wonderful work they do.

And of course, thank you Veronica and Cass for being stunning models, and for being YOU! Fiona, Christal and Jolene did an amazing job at just simply letting the 'you' shine out of you! XOXO

Gabs and Tash are two absolutely gorgeous sisters. Gabs is 16, and Tash is 19... they are funky, trendy, beautiful girls! I knew they were secretly looking forward to getting photos done... they just needed an opportunity to shine in front of the camera!

When we first met for the shoot, they were quietly giggly and a little unsure about whether or not this was going to be awkward. I assured them it would be pain-free and they were going to totally rock it for the camera. And that they did! We had some fun, they got over any initial embarrassment, and they totally worked it!

Stunning Gabs...

..and gorgeous Tash! 

We even managed to get their mother, Kaylene, into a few photos... despite her being quite adamant she was keeping out of them!

We got some looooovely early evening light! Yummmmm...

See, that didn't hurt a bit! They weren't even very keen to stop, we could have kept going for hours. Thanks to you three wonderful ladies for a very pleasant evening out! xo 

The Batchelor girls are fun-loving, crazy, beautiful girls! I had sooo much fun with them shooting at the beach! Erin and Rachel are gorgeous sisters, who I could tell love each other to bits! They, and their lovely mother Lesley, came along for some photos together, because Erin will be leaving home next year, and Rachel may be leaving Dunedin. 

I could tell as soon as we started that silliness was in the air, and this was going to be no ordinary shoot! Sometimes silliness prevails... and that is never a bad thing! 

We got some beautiful shots of these three lovely ladies just hanging out together. This is why I love my job... I get to hang with fun people, go to the beach in the sun, and capture beautiful family relationships...

Three gorgeous girls!

I won't take credit for this idea... but these guys seemed like the perfect people to do it with...

Thank you soooo much for such a fun shoot! I loved that you all got into it and had so much crazy silly fun together. Hope you like your photos! xx

Ange and Mike don't have much luck when picking days for a photo shoot. I assisted at their wedding last August, annnnd it bucketed down like I have never seen before! The skies opened and the clouds dumped down everything they had. It didn't matter... Ange and Mike got amongst in and got some awesome rainy, wet wedding photos!

This time, we set out towards St. Kilda for some lovely spring light... but alas... the sky again held nothing back. As soon as we arrived at our location... the hail pelted down on us. Running everywhere trying to find shelter and umbrellas... we realised our best option was to just get out there anyway.

Ange and Mike love getting photos taken. Actually, let me re-phrase... Ange loves getting photos taken, and Mike very happily obliges! They were keen to get some more... just cos! I love clients like these guys... they really value their photographs, and don't hesitate to document their lovely lives, even if there is no extra special 'reason' to. Any excuse is a great excuse!

After we had been significantly pelted (hail HURTS!), the rain came. And it stuck around for a good chunk of time. Ah well... rain can be pretty...

... and Ange and Mike are a pretty awesome couple too! They are made for each other.

I told Mike to tell Ange something that would make her smile... turns out it wasn't quite what she expected...

Ange and Mike are fun. I have got to know them over a wee range of shoots we have done together! They love each other heaps... that is the best bit.

The rain slowed, and the sun peeked through the clouds a little... but it was still pretty darn cold!

Isn't it so great that a guy can make a girl smile so genuinely and lovingly, that she just shines? You are totally beautiful Ange!!

Our final shot was back at their house... a quick snuggle on the couch to warm up!

It is ALWAYS a pleasure with you both!! Thank you so much for braving the elements to get some gorgeous photos! You are both awesome XOXO

Laura Lidgard is one of those girls who is so genuinely beautiful inside and out! As you will see, she is an absolute stunner... and she is also always so smiley, bubbly and happy, and SO SO lovely!! She has always been very supportive and encouraging about my work, and I have always wanted to photograph her!

At the moment I am working with a young girl, Tanisha, who is passionate about photography, and is getting some work experience with me! This fashion shoot with Laura was the perfect opportunity for Tanisha to come out shooting, to learn a whole lot, try out her exciting new camera, and to get some experience in portraiture. You will meet Tanisha in another blog later on next month! For the meantime tho... let's get onto the pics of Laura...

Laura works in the Beauty department at Farmers, so she knows a thing or two about looking good. Her make-up looked incredible on the day, and she did it herself! She absolutely loves her job, so go in and visit, and see what she can do for you!

Laura you are so beautiful!

A change of scenery, and a wardrobe change. The next part of the shoot got a little bit sexier, a little sassier, annnnd a little more public too! Let's just say the boys walking past took a double take.

Reeeeoooow!

And let's also meet Tanisha!! I am loving meeting up with her and teaching her as much as I can about being a photographer. She has a really creative eye and I know she will definitely get to where she wants to be. Passion + talent = winning formula.

So completely gorgeous! Thank you SO much Laura, you made an amazing model, Tanisha and I had heaps of fun!! I hope you see how absolutely beautiful you are! XOXO

Every girl deserves to be pampered and treated, and to have permission to feel beautiful!

You probably all remember the competition I ran in conjunction with Christal Allpress Make-up Artist in August, to launch our new make-up, cupcakes and shoot concept - 'Sweet Little Somethings'! These shoots enable you to get together with your besties, your mother, grandmothers, sisters... your brother's friend's cat's great-aunt... anyone!! You get an afternoon of pampering, make-up by the wonderful Christal, cupcakes, drinks, and other treats to eat! When you have all been made-up, you get to head out on a photo shoot with me, at locations of your choice! Be a model for a day, have some fun with your favourite girls, and get some beautiful images to keep!

This shoot is open to absolutely anyone - any ages, any combinations! We are also keen to try a lot of different styles - picnics, boudoir/glamour, high teas, casual shoots, beachy themes, wedding dress shoots, small hen's parties or birthdays, ANYTHING! The world is your oyster, and you can also ask us for ideas!

    We have a super cheap introductory price of $130 each person, based on 4-5 girls... for the first 5 bookings only! If you would like to chat about what Christal and I can do for you, please call me on 0276658177, or email photography@kimberleycheyne.co.nz!

Phew! What a day!! Christal and I ran around like mad things organising things for the girls' day out, and when it finally rolled around, we couldn't have been more excited!

Kathryn Lock was the very lucky winner of the facebook tagging competition! She chose three close friends - Laura, Rachael, and Judy - and we were stoked to hear how deserving these girls were! Three of them are new Mums, with boys about 7 months old, and all of them were very keen for an excuse to get out of the house, feel like a pretty lady, and enjoy some time out with their friends!

There was a whooooole lot of estrogen in one room, and it was hilariously awesome. Let's just say breast-feeding, babies, birth, bras and boobs were common topics of conversation. And there was no shortage of laughter.

I want to share a whole range of montage images, to document the day as it happened! There are a lot, I admit it.

On the treats menu was Lemon/Lime Coconut Meringue Cupcakes, and Strawberry Chocolate Mudcakes... and the best bit was, I didn't even have any major baking fails! Plus cheese and crackers, grapes, dried fruit, chocolate (essential at any girls event!), breads and dips, etc!

A little smattering of pampering...

Part of the competition was a goodie bag for each girl! Christal and I owe a HUGE thank you to the following businesses who supported us by donating vouchers, products and services for these!! We are extremely grateful for their generosity, and the girls loved their packs!

• Beaute Skin Bar & Beauty Therapy Clinic
• Karen of Dr LeWinns Counter at Life Pharmacy
• Clinique Counter at Farmers
• Erin at MASH Cafe in the Octagon
• Christal Allpress Make-up Artist
  

Meet Christal! I didn't know her before I stalked her website in search of a make-up artist. But I think we were made for each other... she is awesome and was totally on board with everything as soon as we started planning these shoots! Annnnd she really knows how to apply make-up. Like, really knows. The girls looked AMAZING when they stepped off the bar stool after being made-over!

And she has a LOT of incredible make-up!! Just quietly quite jealous...

Christal's make-up application for the girls was natural, but very striking and feminine. This is beautiful Kathryn after Christal had done her thing! Sooo pretty!

After they had all eaten enough cupcakes to make them feel sufficiently sick, changed into pretty dresses, and got their faces on... we set out for the photo shoot! We are very grateful to Grandview Gardens, for letting us frolick around their beautiful grounds for the shoot! If you are planning a wedding in Dunedin, definitely go and check them out! And also thanks to my family who let us kick them out of their house so we could do the pampering there!

The gorgeous girls! Judy...

Laura...

Rachael...

...and Kathryn!

There were a lot of giggles through the day...

After a whole lot of faffing about trying not to get Laura's pretty white dress dirty... she ended up with her head in the wrong place...!

Judy and her husband are very close family friends with Kathryn's family!

Rachael, Laura and Kathryn all got to know each other really well after going through anti-natal classes together! And now they have three wee boys the same age... totally awesome to have the support of each other.

Thank you SO much girls for being so fun and so great to work with! We couldn't have asked for a better bunch of friends to do our first 'Sweet Little Somethings' shoot with! We hope you enjoyed being pampered and spoilt for the day!
Huge thanks to Christal for all her hard work, and again for all the businesses that supported us!

If this looks like something you would like to do with your favourite girls, please get in touch to discuss ideas! We can't wait to do more! xoxo

Meet Candice and Robbie! They are young and in love, and so beautiful together!!

I was soooo looking forward to this shoot with them. Candice got in touch with me wanting gorgeous, romantic photos of them together to put up in their new place! They are both studying at Otago Uni, but this will potentially be the last year in Dunedin for both of them. The university campus has become their home over the past few years, and they both totally adore the architecture there. The 1800s style of buildings really just tickles their fancy, so naturally, they wanted a bit of a focus on that.

I shoot around the campus heeeaps, considering most people want their graduation photos taken there. I couldn't wait to take a fresh perspective, and shoot in different areas... combining their love for each other, and their love for architecture.

Candice studies art history, so she knew heaps of interesting stories about different buildings, and kept pointing out things I had never even seen before... like cute little gargoyles around the top of the archway, which each represent a different course you could take at the university when it first opened in 1869. Even one with one of those hilarious Lawyer's wigs on it! You learn something new every day.

The other thing they wanted was "photos of them trying to be cute". I tell you what, there was nothing forced about Candice and Robbie's cute-factor... it came so naturally and easily. I could have photographed them all day!

After much deliberation about what to wear for the shoot, Candice and Robbie looked super stylish in their 'grape plant' outfit... (to use Candice's description!!)... instead of the 'strawberry milkshake' look they were originally going to go for! Ha, love it.

When we were planning the shoot, I asked for them to tell me some things that they love doing together, to spark some ideas for what we could do to make the shoot personal to them. I got the cutest email back from Candice, outlining their 'daily routine'... which basically revolves around about 6 cups of tea each! They like to think they are a little old-fashioned, and that they will keep up their cute little tea routine for years to come. I like to think so too...

It begins with Robbie making Candice's tea and breakfast in the morning, followed by a packed lunch made by Candice and a couple of rounds of tea at uni. After uni, they have dinner and watch an episode of Glee, followed by some more tea, some study, and then a final round of sleepy-making tea before bed. I love it!

They also love their rugby and were pretty excited about the World Cup!

After a somewhat grey and gloomy day, the sun decided to make a final stretch, and out came the gorgeous golden rays signalling the end of its day. Just as the photographer ordered.

You are so stunning Candice!

You two are toooo gorgeous for words.

At the beginning, Robbie wasn't convinced about this whole idea of getting professional photos. I got an email afterwards saying he had had so much fun and had been converted... and he booked another shoot for later in the year. That's my kind of guy.

Candice and Robbie, you guys were amazing! Thank you sooo much for a fun afternoon in the sun! You are both so naturally good-looking and so easy with each other in front of the camera...

I love that you can now deck out your house with wonderful prints that capture your love for each other and remind you of your time at Otago Uni together  XO

Just over a week ago, the temperatures dropped well below zero, and for the second time this winter, we awoke to a white-out around the city. There is something so magical about snow. Even the most ordinary looking things become serene and stunning when dusted with a few inches of white fluffy water. It is a bizarre concept.... but one that never fails to fill everyone with joy.

A good chunk of New Zealand came to a stand-still. People became more friendly and forgiving, and everyone down the street had something to yarn to you about. Young and old went out to enjoy snowfights, make snowmen, and ride real-estate signs down the steep streets. Some had to trudge to work with plastic bags inside their shoes, and socks outside their shoes (ahem, my husband?!), but even the boss didn't care if they were late. Some got a surprise day off work, and checked facebook every 5 seconds to read yet another status about snow. And some cuddled up beside the fire with a hot chocolate and a good book.

And me? What did I do? Oh, thanks for asking! I couldn't quite justify a snow-day because, let's face it, conditions just weren't that treacherous in the hallway between my lounge and my office. I had plenty of work to keep me busy at my computer, but I had a hankering to get out in the snow with my camera.

I called on trusty facebook to find me a 'liker' who a) had a wedding dress, b) would be willing to get out in the freeeezing conditions in her wedding dress, and c) could actually make it to a location I had in mind (close to my house!!) without compromising her own safety! While I had heeeeaps of interest, the location thing proved to be the limiting condition - especially considering I live up a hill, and most roads around Dunedin were unable to be driven on!

But in true Southern style, out came the 4WD and the chains... and I had a model! The beautiful, up-for-anything, and looovely Rebecca Griffiths met me in her stunning wedding dress... with a puffa jacket, long-johns and gummies to keep her warm in between photos! Rebecca, you are amazing! THANK YOU for putting your life (ok, maybe just your warmth) on the line for me to have some fun! Hope it was worth it for you! xx

We had beautiful, soft, floaty snow for the first half of the shoot. It was thick and amazing! As it slowed down, the wind, rain and hail picked up a little... but we carried on!

Rebecca's lovely husband, James, came along for the ride too! I am not going to give him quite as much credit tho, considering he got to stay in his beanie and puffa jacket! Ok, confession... I was completely rugged up in all my snowboarding gear... annnd I even had the cheek to exclaim how much I was cooking under all my layers. I think Rebecca's ears were too cold to hear that tho...

Rebecca and James are gorgeous together. They got married in 2007, and have been working in Fox Glacier (actually, ON the glacier), and also travelling the world. They moved back to Dunedin to study this year... so we got the pleasure of becoming friends! Yay! They are hard-out snow and adventure bunnies... so I knew I was onto a winner when she offered to do the shoot!

Beautiful. I love this.

You are an absolute champ Rebecca!! Thanks heeeeaps for coming and playing in the snow with me!! And for not complaining when I made you lie in the snow!! Thanks also to James for keeping Rebecca warm and loving her, so I could get beautiful photos... and to Jacqui for holding the jackets and bags and cameras! You all made my snow day waaaay more interesting! xoxo