Warning: I've got my mushy, nostalgic, personal hat on today. Don't read this blog if you aren't prepared to hear from my gushy little love heart!

No truly... *back away quietly* now if you're not into that... :) ...

You're still here... ok then, don't say I didn't warn you...

A year ago today... I was a bride.

It was something I had dreamed of forever. Even long before I met Liam, marriage had fascinated me and I wanted it so much. It wasn't necessarily the dress, the shoes, the jewellery and the flowers... yep, those things were fun and important, but I was never one to frantically rip out pictures from magazines and glue them in countless wedding scrapbooks. But marriage is something I have always valued hugely, and a lifetime with my best friend... what could be sweeter?! I desired to be cherished and loved forever by one man. When I fell in love with Liam, I knew it was him who I wanted to treasure... 'till forever and back.

I have always been quite intrigued by the reality of marriage too. It is fun and exciting, and you can achieve more with two than you can with one (this is definitely true for me... this business wouldn't exist to the same capacity without Liam!). And I think one of things I love the most about being married, is that you have to keep working on your love. It's an adventure, a challenge, a daily choice... and while this can be a bit scary, this actually excites me so much. I know, I know....  I am only one year down, and life has all been pretty darn sweet so far... so it's all very easy for me to say now! We are hugely blessed to have so many great friends, incredibly loving and supportive families, and to be doing something so rewarding and special as a job. And I loooooooove being a wife! But I am also aware that it's most definitely not always going to be a easy peasy ride, and I want to have the will to love always.

If you haven't heard 'May Waltz' by Brooke Fraser before, have a listen below... I love it so much, and it was one of our wedding songs. The lyrics capture my heart and I think there is so much truth in it.

Marriage is a beautiful thing. And honestly it just fills my heart to the brim knowing that I get to be a small part of it for other people too. If I can help to give others the feelings that I get when I look at my wedding photos... I am overwhelmed by what a privilege that is.

I have shared this before on my facebook page, and it isn't the best quality for the website sorry, but there is something about this that makes me grin from ear to ear every single time I watch it. And let's be honest, sometimes I watch it quite a few times over! I'm not sure if you can tell or not, but my poor little heart doesn't know how to cope with how happy I am right at this moment...

Liam said to me the other night, "I wonder when the 'paper anniversary' will become the 'electronic anniversary'. So here is an electronic reminder that marriage can be truly awesome. This year has been the happiest, most content year of my life... and I've had a lot of very happy years, so that really says something! Liam treats me so beautifully and he cherishes me totally. Well that, and he teases me constantly!! My heart is full and I feel hugely blessed to be married to the best husband in the world. Happy 1 year anniversary to my gorgeous hubster - I love you heapsies XOXO

(The two wedding photos on here are thanks to Callander Girl Photography!)

My friends are a massive blessing to my life and I am so, so grateful for each and every one of them! Some I have known for many years... we have a rich history together and memories galore! We know each other deeply and nothing could ever change that friendship. My old friends are always there, and I love them to absolute pieces! Old friends are incredibly wonderful to have in your life.

Then occasionally you meet someone new, who you just click with instantly. They understand you, you understand them. You have far too much in common for it to be normal, and you could talk for hours on end with them, about lots or nothing in particular, and it's all good. You laugh lots, do crazy things, and inspire each other to be better.

Heather is one of those friends for me. I can't believe we have only known each other for just over a year. She definitely slots into the 'fit to make an old friend out of' category, and is one of my closest friends. Heather is an AMAZING photographer in Christchurch (I am addicted to her work!). Our friendship has grown from an online, photography based friendship, to an awesome, deep, crazy friendship that goes well beyond our work. I love her to bits!

We both enjoy being a little random and sporadic, which is why this is a 'part one' blog. This was very spontaneous trip to find a yellow field to do flaunt the dress photos in... which was a BIG EPIC FAIL. Turned out the yellow field near Palmerston that Heather travelled from Christchurch to, and I travelled from Dunedin to, wasn't in bloom this year. Typical!

So we found another location out near Karitane, and made stop motions for each other instead. Or attempted to, as the case may be for me! Mine is still to come (I'm just learning, ok?!)... so I thought I would share just a few photos from our one-location wonder in the mean time! I loooove this green blossom!!! And when you add Heather in amongst it, there is natural beauty all around.

Heather is absolutely gorgeous, inside and out. I can't get too gushy on her, or she will resort to calling me names to compensate. But trust me, she is a good friend to have!

And she reeeeally knows how to work the camera, both in front of it and behind it!

You will be seeing more of the fabulous Heather in the next few weeks on my blog... because we are plotting wondorous things! Mwahaha...

But thank you Heather for being crazy with me, communicating constantly with me through our days of sitting editing at a computer, jumping with me, hating potatoes with me, giving me colourful M&M tattoos, and taking a real interest in my life. I can't wait to see you next week!!! XOXO

If you want to see some of Heather's incredible stop motion work, have a look at 'Flaunt that Dress' one of me! She is super creative, full of ideas, and came very prepared with a whole story board for this video. What a talented chick she is! (And she makes me look ok in a fast moving film, so I like her for that!). All credit to Miss Heather Ellis Photography for this stop motion (go check out her other ones here):

The best bit of that, was eating hundreds of M&M's off the grass afterwards... I mean, ah, just kidding... :S

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

In May I had the opportunity to head to Queenstown for a seminar run by one of the worlds leading wedding and fashion photographers - New York's Heather Waraksa! It was an amazing and inspiring day, run by The Image College. They do a fantastic job of helping little old South Island photographers like me keep up with what is happening in the big wide world of wedding photography!

It was definitely worth the very early morning drive over there. I left at 5am, and sung really loudly to keep myself awake. I was met there by my very good friend from Heather Ellis Photography, and we became friends with the other handful of photographers there too!

The afternoon allowed us some time for a model shoot, which was awesome, and very, very different. I have only just managed to have a peek at what I shot, so thought I would share a few, because they are unique and fun. Please note that I take absolutely no credit for the ideas, or the setting up of these shots! We all stood back and watched while she taught us some tips and tricks, and then we photographed them! Enjoy xx

Model: Kimberley (Queenstown)
Location: Copthorne Hotel, Queenstown
Dresses: Provided by The Image College
Photo Set-up: Heather Waraksa

This is a bit strange, I know. A wedding photographer blogging photos of her own wedding day. But, a few people have asked me to blog some of my own images, and I do have some I want to share with you! I realise this is nearly three months later too, but please forgive me - I have been faaaar too busy going on numerous honeymoons with my lovely new husband, and also taking and editing other people's wedding photos! Mostly these are little details that were special to us - things that I just couldn't help but photograph, and also the preparation of my beautiful girls in the morning. So, this is just a tiny snippet of a small part of our day, captured by both Liam and me. If you do want to see some of our fabulous professional photos from the rest of the day (where I put my camera down!), you can check them out at Callander Girl Photography! Rach was our wonderful photographer and we had the best time ever with her!

January 22nd, 2011 - Liam and I had been preparing for this day for the past 9 months, and we had an absolute ball. I thought the whole 'it was the best day of my life!' thing was a bit of a cliche... but in all honesty, that's what it was. Marrying my best friend, getting pampered, being surrounded by so many family and friends, who were there for us... it was all a bit special. And not to mention a wicked photo shoot, a super fun bridal party, incredible food, some serious dancing, hilarious speeches, tears, laughter... I am not going to say too much. It WAS the best day of our lives to date. We still can't stop talking about it. Photos were obviously a massive part of my day... and so much of our planning was focused around them! I loved getting out and snapping up some of our little details.

So like every good wedding, it began a few months back with the invitations...

Something else I looove doing is cupcake decorating! I had imagined these in my head for so long before the wedding, and my beautiful bridesmaids spent hours on them the day before. Aren't they beautiful?! I adored them.

These were our little wedding favours for the reception guests...

I was very lucky to have my two amazing sisters (Sarah and Kirsten), and two of my dearest friends (Kristy and Kenzie) as my bridesmaids. These girls all mean so much to me, so it was awesome having them by my side all day. I have known Kristy and Kenzie since we were about four and they are pretty much sisters to me, and Kirsten and Sarah I have loved since, well, since I was born. They are all beautiful, beautiful girls xx.

This was the bridemaid's jewellery and shoes...

Our hair and make-up was done at S'cape - thank you Gay and Rhonda!! You both did suuuch a wonderful job. And Kristy's beautiful mum brought us fancy nibbles for brunch! I love how happy everyone is in this photo!

This picture makes me laugh everytime! These are two of my cheeky uncles and two of my cheeky cousins! My uncles were our drivers for the day, and they snuck along to peek in the windows of the salon!

Thanks to my very good friend Naomi Johnstone for these two photos of me...

Our flowers by the wonderful Gillian Watt at Floral Designers! Don't tell anyone, but I took these photos a whole week after the wedding... they lasted well eh?! Gillian was amazing to work with - she produced exactly what I was after, and was super helpful and creative too.

My amazing wedding dress was made by my wonderful Mother-in-Law, Christine! She spent months sewing it for me, and I looooved it!! It was more perfect than I could have ever imagined. And, the flower detail on the dress was made by my own mother, using bits of lace that used to belong to Liam's Nana! SO, it was all very special.

The perfume and jewellery Mum and Dad gave me for my wedding day...

My shoes and I had a wee field day...

Now for a few details of the boys! Liam gave each of his groomsmen matching shirts, ties and belts as gifts, and they all scrubbed up extremely well.

A few wee reception details...
One of the things I loved the most about our wedding day was that it was very much "homemade"! Most things were either made or created by us, or by someone in our family. That made it all so special. Hundreds of these little wire hearts you see were painstakingly handmade by Liam!

Our rings were privileged enough to get their own wee photo shoot! The reason I am showing you so many is because Liam and I got a bit competitive and had a ring-off. That is a competition to see who can get the best ring photo, if you didn't get that. There is an equal number by Liam and me here... please comment below as to what your favourite one is... and then we shall see who reigns supreme!

Thanks for having a wee squizz through. We have just been away at two weddings this past weekend, and it just made me think again about the joy that weddings bring. I couldn't help but think about the bride and groom, and how they were feeling and what they were doing at each stage throughout the day. I love how weddings are all so personal. They all have the same elements, but each is done differently to reflect the couple. Our wedding day was just what we wanted - full of laughs, full of sincerity, full of emotion, full of family and friends... and full of photos!

I hope you have enjoyed a tiny peek into some details of our day! I have enjoyed sharing it with you xx

She is captivating! We sat all weekend and just watched her as she went about the daily activites of a 5 day old human. She sleeps so peacefully, she breathes tiny wee breaths that make her lip quiver, she wriggles gently, and folds herself into positions only possible when you've spent the past 9 months squished in a tiny ball. She opens her eyes as much as she can to look out and take in the world around her. She cries when she is cold, she cries when she is hungry, she cries when she has pooed. She is helplessly gorgeous. And her parents give everything they possibly can to make her happy, comfortable, and loved. She is their world, and she always will be.

Penelope Jane Truman was born at 11:22am on the 13th of March. I met her on the 18th of March, 5 days old. She is my beautiful niece and I love her with all my heart! Sarah and Nick adore their beautiful little girl. Penelope has been born into a caring, nurturing, awesomely fun family. She didn't have a choice in the matter, but she will be greatly blessed by it!

We had a very special weekend in Invercargill, with lots of family from both sides there to meet the most precious, tiny wee addition to our family. We ohhhed and ahhhhed over everything she did. Apparently babies are just cute whenever they complete any normal bodily function. She is cute when she yawns, cute when she sneezes, cute when she fills her nappy, and especially cute when she pees all over her father.

Introducing Penelope Jane... who has already gathered up a variety of nicknames such as Penny, PJ, Pelle-loppy, Penelly-pod, Poppy, and my personal favourite - PelleNelleLoppyPoppy.

Everything about her is so soft and squishy.

These suitcases are very special. They were 'old, useless suitcases just gathering dust' in my Nana's garage in Ashburton. But they represent so much more than that! Now, they are a very special reminder of Penelope's Great-Nana and Great-Grandad, and the adventures they had together. They are used, worn, broken in places, and still labelled with their names and tickets. They are full of memories of travel, excitement, and love. Penelope has the great honour of meeting this same Great-Nana this weekend, who we all love to pieces. Oh how I wish I was there to photograph four beautiful generations!

Newborns are generally so sleepy all the time... except when you need them to be for photos. There is nothing more comfy than a bucket full of towels though, and the wee poppet fell fast asleep and was so content.

Life is very tiring when you are 5 days old. So just relaxing in Daddy's arms while you gently falling asleep is one of the best things you can do.

Music has always been a very big part of our family, and pianos represent a lot for us. When we were growing up, the piano was always being played - my sisters and I were practicing, Mum was teaching and playing beautifully, or we were all standing around it for a big sing-a-long! A little bit like the Brady Bunch, yes, but special none-the-less. This piano was a gift from Nick to Sarah a couple of years ago, and seemed the perfect place for a newborn.

If you like her gorgeous wee 'Shake Your Booty Booties' and 'Mad Hatter's Hat' outfit, you too can have your own! (For your baby, not you). Check out the fabulous 'Baby - By Emily Kerse' range. Emily is very talented fashion designer in Invercargill, and is recognised internationally. Actually, you will probably find something for you while you are there!

Sarah and Nick are gorgeous parents! They adore Penelope, and everything she does. Nick even gets really excited about changing her nappy. I am not sure how long that will last! Sarah and Nick, you are so perfect for Penny. What a beautiful family you now are!

Penny-Loppy, you are adorable! We all want to just cuddle you up, and snuggle in your warmth and softness. You are so, so treasured.

We can't wait to watch you grow and learn and become a gorgeous wee girl! You are loved beyond measure. Your parents are doing a fantastic job and there are so many people in our big extended family who think you now the most precious thing on earth xoxoxox

I am super excited about sharing this maternity post with you. Pregnancy has to be one of the most extraordinary, intriguing, and miraculous stages of life ever possible. Even as I sift through over a thousand photos of this precious baby bump, I am still in awe of the fact that there is a living person inside there - growing, learning, and being loved and nutured every second of the day. How does that stomach not burst at the seams?!

Sarah and Nick are very special to me - Sarah is one of my two beautiful older sisters, and Nick is my brother-in-law. They are just two weeks away (give or take some!) from becoming first-time parents, and I have not a single doubt in my mind that they will do a fantastic job.

Sarah makes pregnancy look and sound ridiculously easy. Quite often over the past 9 months, I have questioned whether she IS actually pregnant, or if she just has a giant balloon up her top that she blows up a bit more every day. She assures me there is a baby in there, and I don't know of any balloons that can kick and wriggle like that. But still... Sarah is a mere two weeks from her due date, and she is full of energy, healthy as anything, and she is looking incredible. Her bump is AMAZING - from the back she looks tiny, and you would never know she is pregnant! From the front, she is absolutely bursting. She has been teaching, dancing at our wedding, doing housework, hosting guests, and cruising through the preparation for this new precious wee life in our big family.

This is the first time someone so close to me has been pregnant, and it has just struck me how incredible life really is. Now all we do is wait... wait until little Baby Truman is ready to enter this world for good.

Sarah wanted a real mix of images - fun, beautiful, humourous, sincere, natural outdoor images, and more "studio" type images... so we found a range of different locations and props, and spent the entire day shooting her giant belly! Yep, a whole day. That's what you do when you are family! However, Nick was allowed some time off to play on his iPhone, and we set off with just Sarah for the morning to scout out locations!

Yep, did a wee happy dance when I found this beautifully lit spot amongst the trees.

Hot, hot, hot!! You look amaaazing Sarah!

Love this! Mum was on traffic control while we both lay in the middle of the road.

After lunch, we set out again with Nick in tow, and both Liam and Mum sharing the job of second shooting for me! So it was a real family affair - and between our two big Nikon cameras, a wee point-and-shoot camera, and a pocket video camera... Invercargill didn't know what had hit it!

Hide and seek anyone?

Unfortunately Dad was away for the weekend, but we got a few beautiful shots with Sarah and soon-to-be Nana! Photos of family are so, so important. More and more over this past horrific week in New Zealand, I think we have all realised how precious family is, and how photographs of loved ones are clung on to at times like this.

I know Nick and Sarah will be naturally amazing parents. Sarah has been dreaming of being a mother since she was veeeery young, and it has been so awesome to see the way Nick has supported and adored her, and loved their little baby right through her pregnancy. He will be a fantastic father, and Sarah will be an incredible mother. She even told us a few years ago that she couldn't wait to clean up the mess her kids make and bake them truffles all the time!! I have a feeling that desire might fade over time...

We found plenty of ducks and some beautiful geese!!

Even though she was 8 months pregnant, Sarah was keen to try heaps of different things all day, to get some really diverse images. We even had a very quick wee play at a Carnival!

So you may be wondering what the heck Stardust and Watermelons have anything to do with a maternity shoot. And rightly so. So - watermelons? Well, they are just plain fun.

And Stardust? Well, near the beginning of their pregnancy, Sarah was trying to pin Nick down to discuss baby names, and he was obviously not ready for that, because his only suggestion for a long time was... Stardust. Classy, Nick. It caught on though, and the world now knows in-utero baby Truman as "Stardust". I honestly think I am going to have trouble not actually calling the baby that when it is born - it has become so entrenched in my mind.

No, the words are not photoshopped on... Sarah got the stickers out and we had some fun!

Mum knitted these gorgeous wee booties for Stardust... and I will give her all the credit for the cute wee blocks photo she took with them while she assisted me!

Nick is a die-hard Apple fan. He is pretty attached to his iPhone, his iMac, and his iPad. So it is only fitting that Stardust is pictured on the iPad, and that it is packed full of digital picture books to read. I was taking this shot...when suddenly naughty Uncle Liam popped up behind...!

Sarah, Nick, and Stardust - I love you all to bits and I cannot WAIT to be an Aunty!! It is very special being able to document this awesome time in your lives. And as you know, I have so many more photos to give you! Sarah, you are like super-pregnant-lady... you are so beautiful. Stardust is going to be the most treasured and photographed little poppet in the world.

Stardust, we all truly can't wait to meet you, and Liam and I are very much looking forward to being your favourite Aunty and Uncle! Make sure you just hold on in there until we are back from the Coromandel though... xoxoxo

There is a lot of awesomeness in this world. Some of it is superficial, some of it isn't. I began writing this blog about random little things that I found exciting, fun, and great about today. But as I went through, I realised that everything that I thought was awesome was awesome because it signified home for me.

Liam and I have just got married, and moved into our first home together. This is something I have been craving all my life... to have my own place, with my own husband, my own things... and a home to share. On top of that, my wedding day was actually the last real day I spent in the home I grew up in. Mum and Dad are in the process of moving to Dunedin this week, so the house which has ALWAYS been home to me...is no longer ours. It is a time tinged with a little bit of sadness leaving behind all those memories, but a time filled with excitement thinking of the new memories that are going to be created elsewhere! My home now is the house we have just moved into, and even though there are still boxes EVERYWHERE... I am loving making it a place that is ours to share.

So, on that note... here are some very small awesome things about today which made me feel happy, and at home.

• Lolly jars - I love lollies. There, I said it. We did have three very full lolly jars...but after a few days of me working from home, my family coming round for dinner, and a husband who sneaks the jaffas (yep, white jaffas!)...they have depleted quite a bit.

And everyone else out there in my little cyber-world... I hope your day is full of awesomeness too! xoxo

After our engagement shoot with Heather Ellis Photography the other day, Liam and I were talking about how beneficial engagement shoots really are. Let's be honest - before the session Liam was a bit critical about the idea. He knew I really wanted to do it, so he definitely obliged... but I did feel like I was dragging him along! Once we were in front of the camera though, he was sweet. We realised it was actually a huuugely beneficial thing to do before our wedding day...because you can only do that once! While Heather isn't actually shooting our wedding (although I would have absolute confidence in her doing so!), we got used to having cameras in our faces and managed to still have fun and show genuine affection for each other. This is me and Liam... courtesy of Heather! xx

It is all about having fun, showing the photographer how much you loooooove each other, and doing what you do best as a couple. Let me show you just a few behind the scenes shots of our recent engagement shoot! I was lucky enough to have Liam second shooting with me on this - so here are some "during and afters"...

 

 

Liam just doing his thing...

 

 

 

This is when I know I have a shot they will looove... :)

 

If you think an engagement shoot could be a good idea for you, or someone you know, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me! They are super fun shoots.

I hope you are all having a stunner of a day... I am!

Kim xo

I have been searching through older photos, finding photos of me and Liam for wedding bits and pieces (yes... just over 2 months now! Wahoo!), and I found some fun summery photos of the two months I spent working in Australia this time last year. I can't believe how quickly this year has gone... and how much has been packed into the past 12 months for me! It gives me shivers of excitement. Thought I would share just two photos with you, purely so you can get excited that summer is on its way!

Despite my addiction to social networking, I was reluctant to put my business on facebook. I was scared it would mean that people would no longer visit my pretty website. But I figured surely 80% of New Zealanders use facebook, so, I did it... and now I am not only addicted to flicking between my personal home page and profile page to see if anything has changed in the last 2 seconds, I have a third page too!

So... if you would like to follow my photography work on facebook and get updates as to when new blogs have been put up on this site, then please 'like' my page at: