Leithfield Beach | Christchurch Wedding Photography

Kuryan Family

Posted February 23, 2012

When I started taking peoples portraits. I seemed to have started in the hardest way possible. Going up to people and asking for their photo in a language I don’t speak. It’s a scary thing. But I think I definitely grew some nads while travelling. ‘Can I take your photo please’ is the largest sentence I can remember in Spanish. And it did me well… foooor the most part ;-)
But that was just a snap snap here and there. I had yet to direct a shoot where the beautiful people I’m photographing only understand my little hand signals. And lets face it, I’m pretty crud with those lol.

The Kuryan Family have come alllll the way from Russia. RUSSIA. My oh my is that an intriguing land. They’ve travelled the best spots in the South Island (yip that’s A LOT) over the last month. And with this being their last week in pretty little NZ, we had to do a shoot in a place that has it all. Mountains, Ocean and Forestry. I call upon my favourite spot. Leithfield Beach!

Denis and Yulia are a gorgeous couple, together 10 years, married for 6 and they haven’t had any pro photos done since their wedding. They’ve had young wee Vlad in that time. So its only appropriate to rectify that by having a shoot in our beautiful NZ lands.

You’re not surprised… are you?? hehe.

The ALMIGHTY Vlad! (Kind of like Hurcules, yes?)

He is such a cool wee chap. He gave me all the goods. Future male model, don’t cha think?!

With friend and translator at our sides. The gorgeous GORGEOUS blue skies and sunny day and not to mention the perfect ingredients of a gorgeous family. We had a lot of fun!
Enjoy the rest of your stay in New Zealand Denis, Yulia and Vlad and safe travels back to the homeland! :)

Lianne & Sam {Maternity}

Posted December 24, 2011

Meet NZ born Sam and Dutch born Lianne.
They met in Kuala Lumper, fell in love and before you know it, they are one month off becoming parents for the first time.
And they couldn’t be more excited if they tried!

Now beware. The will be a lot of ‘Awwww-ing’ and ‘Arrrrrr-ing’ through out this wee blog post. Because let’s face it, we have a gorgeous couple on our hands that just bought the bacon through and through.

Leithfield Beach has come through for me time and time again. I love this more than words can express.

But then it got better. As if it could.

They soon discovered how bitterly cold the North Canterbury Beach water is! But boy did they have fun with it.

Sam is one proud parent to be. It’s written all over his face.

After only being in Christchurch a short 5 weeks. Sam is an engineer to help with the rebuild of Christchurch. I’m sorry you had to experience those little madam tantrums from yesterday.

But just shy of a month from now, your little one will be born into this weird and wonderful world and I can tell already how lucky your wee one is to have you both as parents. You will be amazing!

A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you both! :)

Claire & Shaun {Engaged}

Posted November 22, 2011

Living, loving and taking life by the horns. Claire and Shaun are on a lifelong adventure, an ever lasting rollar coaster ride. People look at them and say to themselves (well I can only assume)…
‘Wow… So that’s what it is like to live with all your might and love with all your heart!’

I’ve known Shaun a long long time. Back before we turned double digits, we used to beat each other up on the Judo mat. Well, Shaun used to kick my butt more like it. I’ve been lucky enough to know Claire a little bit through their relationship as well.
They’ve been off adventuring the world the last couple of years. A year in Korea. Some time on a turtle programme in the Maldives… and get this…. ready to drop your jaw?… Shaun, a man of epic proportions… proposed to Claire at The Great Wall of China. … Ya… I know… Epic eh!
Shaun didn’t know he was going to propose. He strolled the streets of China one day, saw a ring and that was that. The next trick was to retrieve the ring from the jeweler the following day while Claire was around. Good thing he likes fruit, so that was his diversion. But where on earth was your fruit when you returned Shaun?… :)

That’s not even touching on their adventures. And it’s not about to stop there. They came home a couple of months ago and thought “Right!… Let’s get married before our next adventure!” (at the time, it was back to the Maldives to run the Turtle programme). With 3 months to plan the wedding, its been all go go go for Shaun and Claire.

What was to come next… hmmmm…. how about a job offer in Melbourne and 1 week to pack and move? Yip, Shaun casually applied for a job, got it and so their next adventure begins. I caught them for their engagement shoot the night before they left. The weather pulled out all the stops and Claire and Shaun didn’t even neeed to try and bring the love. It’s there allll afternoon long! Which made my job all too easy!

Enageged North Canterbury, New Zealand

The smiles started… and they just did not stop. There is a lot to smile about in their lives!

Enageged North Canterbury, New Zealand

Claire is beautiful and sweet and styley. 3 warddrobe changes…. I wanted every single outfit!

Enageged North Canterbury, New Zealand

They both just ooze style!

Engaged Couple North Canterbury, New Zealand

We had some cool locations to play with. We started at The Brick Mill Cafe in Waikuku.

Engaged Couple North Canterbury, New Zealand

Seriously… I get goose bumps when I see love like this. It makes me want to jump up and down!

Engaged Couple North Canterbury, New Zealand

I think this will be about the only time you’ll catch Shaun sitting down. If he’s not playing touch, he’s rock climbing, surfing, running… anything physical. You name it he’s does it, or at least has tried it! Claire’s not too far behind him either.