Favourite wedding images from 2010

I thought I would do a little retrospective of last year - it is always a good exercise to look at one's best images from different shoots as a body of work and it is interesting to see if and how one is growing and changing as an artist. I have had my challenges with digital - I feel I spend my life trying to get my images to look like film and not matter how I try, the photos never seem as soft as they did when I shot with film. But I have learned so much from shooting digitally, and what I do love about this modern format is that from the same original image, I can give so many different emotions, just from the different ways I process. I do find I tend to fall into the same preferred styles, but that in itself is important in defining myself as a photographer. So here are some of my favourite wedding images from last year, though having said that, I shot 40 and this only features 20 as some I have nto even gone through yet, and others I want to include but these were picked out earlier in the year for something else so just wanted to get some up - will maybe do another faves post once I complete all the processing from all the events.

A few of these weddings have not even been shared on the blog yet, so stay tuned for more great images and love stories from a few of these couples.

To all my amazing brides and grooms over the last year - thank you for sharing so much love and beauty with me. Thank you for allowing me to capture your incredible weddings, and indeed, thank you thank you for giving me so many reasons to fall more in love with my job. Happy loving and here's to a great 2011. xxx

Best Face of 2010

I Heart Faces is having their retrospective competition for last year and asking we all share our best face photo from 2010. I looked through a few of my images and had narrowed them down to about 15, but most of them were shots of my kids. I couldn't tell if the ones of my children were stirring me because they really were lovely images, or simply because they were my own children. But this image stood out as strongly to me as the others, even though there was not any of my own DNA involved. So that sealed the deal. Of course it helps that Tara is one of the most strikingly beautiful women I have ever met, but this image of her is still different - she has an almost Mona Lisa like smile about her and those tiger's eyes are so knowing. Head on over to the I Heart Faces blog and you can vote for your favourite face this week - we all get to be the judges - fun fun!

Out of beauty comes chaos... and out of chaos, Beauty

This New Year's Eve, we had a few of our dearest friends in the world over for an intimate dinner. There were just 9 of us and it was a magical evening. The house was like a shrine there were so many candles and the fragrance of scented candles and paperwhites wafted through the house and added to the giddiness from all the champagne.

The table was beautiful - elegant and festive and Ben made the most amazing fish pie and I made an apple crumble - it was the perfect meal as it was all done before hand so we were both able to really just enjoy the party rather than running around too much.

I reworked the gorgeous arrangements my sister had brought on Christmas Day, and then my friend and colleague, Nikki Begg, gave me the most delightful bouquet of white tulips and hyacinths. Petals does such an amazing job at all the weddings I shoot and I was so flattered that she honoured us with such a splendid arrangement for our table.

I found these pretty paper poppers at the eleventh hour. They were great as not too detrimental to the environment (given what the other options were) and added to the festivities.

After dinner, we went upstairs to ring in the new year. We woke the children who were dazed at first, but as soon as all the streamers were flung, they were so excited and chased the other kids around the house. Like Christmas, their excitement really brought up the energy of the event and made it all the more festive. We put Oslo and Indigo back to bed at about 1ish and then we went outside and lit a fire. One friend brought her guitar and we sang into the early hours. It really was one of the most beautiful, magical New Year's Eve's we have had, and full of beautiful friends and beautiful visuals. And the next morning, we awoke to the chaos of the day after. It was grey outside and the remnants of the good time were everywhere.

The grass had all burned from overflowing embers and the smell of smoke was strong as soon as we opened the door. It was a rather smokey fire as we were attempting to burn the casurinas that had fallen on the house in during Hurricane Igor so they were still pretty green and not ideal wood at all.

Walking into the living room was hilarious - the streamers were everywhere.

And amidst all this chaos, it was such a heart warming reminder of the wonderful way we had began the new year. So much so, I decided to leave it all as it was for a bit longer. And outside, the clouds lifted to reveal bright blue skies. It was the most magical day, and all the more appreciated given the weather we have been having. It was still, sunny and full of hope. I can't wait to see what 2011 will bring. I have so many hopes and dreams for the year. I long to spend more time with my family, grow as a photographer, do more yoga, grow as a person and most of all, share much love and joy with all those around me. Happy New Year. xxx