…in many, many, MANY stadiums across the world, go like this?

well, its these 5 guys ….

One Direction of course!

For those of you over 25, without children, they are the latest boy band to take the world by storm, straight from UK X-Factor to you! Simon Cowell is truly an evil genius, and he has done it again with these guys. I have never seen such teenage hysteria, it even eclipsed Bieber Fever.

I dont know where to start with these two beautiful people… I met Adrian and Lissie when we shot their engagement photos and I had so much fun with them that day I knew their wedding would be RAD. And it was in so many ways.

A destination wedding. Bye bye cold and grey Melbourne. HELLO Queensland. Adrian had spent many family holidays in Currumbin and it held a special place in his heart, so close friends and family joined Adrian and Lissie for a mini holiday and one hell of a wedding. I was in heaven within the first five minutes of arrival when I was surrounded by sunshine, a million rainbow lorrikeets and a text message from Adrian, “We’re going to Wet’n'Wild tomorrow, do you want to come?”, ah ha. I DO! Could you guys be any more welcoming?

Now, I know a  day at Wet’n'Wild with your bride and groom and 6 of their close mates is not really the norm in a wedding photographer’s work life, and it is definitely a perk in the job, but I wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity like this. There is nothing that bonds people faster than facing fears together and while the rest of the crew seemed quite fearless, there were a couple of water slides that terrified me. ( I was the last to go down a new tube slide that loops the loop – I think the whole park could hear my screams as I came down!). I have never felt more welcomed, encouraged or supported by a group of strangers, and they were all so much FUN! Lissie and Adrian are going to have one hell of a marriage with friends like these guys.

Not only did Lissie have gorgeous blue heels on that many would struggle to walk in, she also practiced walking on the sand and she gets a gold star for tenacity and style in my book.

Stunning girl!

Lissie’s dress was made for her by a dear friend of theirs John Gates. There is NOTHING like a bespoke dress, Lissie looks stunning (and a wee bit cheeky).

Having already had a legal wedding in Melbourne, the ceremony in Currumbin was extra special with their good friend acting as Celebrant and their siblings reading passages from Harry Potter.

So many giggles with Lissie and Adrian. I asked them to slow down a little, they were walking too fast, and I suddenly got slow-mo Adrian and Lissie!! ha!

Seven little hotties standing in a row.

Earlier during the photos we discovered that we shared a love of a very infantile game that involves saying a sort of rude word louder and louder in public (it is usually a word to describe a boys bits….) So the bridal party and I indulged in a round or two, and got ourselves giggling. A little later Adrian had romantically (ahem!) drawn it in the sand for Lissie. too too funny!

And more giggles. They are like cheeky little peas in a pod. MADE. FOR. EACH. OTHER. Lissie and Adrian make each other so happy it definitely rubs off on those around them. I had such a fun time at their wedding, which was  full of love and a few tears from Adrian’s “emotionally challenged” family, as his dad put it.

Make up by the ever amazing Justine Olalia

Perfect face provided by Lydia

Make up wizardry by Justine Olalia

Marvellous flowers by Cara and Luke Foxglove Botanicals / 0417388861

Fabulous models: Steph and Ren (Steph is a personal Trainer, if you want a hot bod like hers – why not go trainging with her?  2motiv8 personal training 0434110187), Anadele and Andrea

Thanks so very much to the team involved.

Justine hard at work, and her AMAZING tool belt!

Get in touch with Justine to have your make up done, and you can look as beautiful as these gals (oh and she does hair too!)

Steph you are soooooooooo gorgeous! (Ren you’re pretty hot too!)

Flowers! Flowers! Flowers! by Cara and Luke Foxglove Botanicals / 0417388861

1 x buttonhole three ways! Luke and Cara are great florists. :) I mean, check out the boquet!

Sueli’s nephew walked her down the ailse and proudly gave her away.

Sueli with her beautiful daughters.

I love the way a Bride and Groom look at each other. Deep into each others eyes. LOVE.

Norbert’s (big) kids.

On possibly the most perfect summers day I have ever seen in Victoria, Emma and Benny tied the knot then celebrated at Emma’s parents place in Gippsland.

I knew they’d have an interesting wedding when I first clocked Emma’s engagement ring. And check out Benny’s wedding ring. AMAZING!

Beautiful lady.

well, until you get your special face out for me…

Directly after the ceremony when we were all standing out the front of the church a small plane flew over (reeeeaaaaalllllyyyy low) and dipped its wings. It was amazing, one of the locals was giving Emma and Benny the nod.

Emma you are STUNNING!

Photobombed by the bride!

Like a TIGER!

Oh be-haaaaaaave!

When I shoot I sometimes stuggle to get across what I mean, but I’ve hit on a few reference points. I asked Emma and Benny to channel Frankie Magazine, think “hipster”, if nothing else it made them laugh!

Confetti Tsunami!

There is a story in Benny’s family about a dowry of goats, a theme that Emma and Benny took and RAN with. Emma grew up in potato farming country, so her dad Geoff was offering a dowry of spuds to the same value of the goats.

so so so so so so cute!

The test?  Shoot glass, on white with silver jewellery dangling from it. I was shooting some great pieces made by Jess Bojczuk prior to her taking them off to be exhibited in Adelaide, and I got this crazy idea to shoot them on glass. Why? I don’t know. Have I done it before? No. Did that stop me? No.

Did I learn to swear creatively at the top of my lungs at inanimate objects? YES!

Did I learn anything else? Loads and loads and loads. Patience, lighting, swearing, dropping things, breaking things, composing shots, what I am good at and what I am terrible at. How dirty my sensor and lenses are. While the shots are not perfect I am pretty happy with my progress.

So next time Jess comes a calling I will be armed with a whole lot more knowledge and do an even better job, Although I might hire a stylist so that they can swear at the objects!

Melbourne duo Brightly (Charlie Gleason and Nic Lam) and I have worked together before. When I first heard their band name I immediately asked, “Can I throw fluorescent pink paint at you?”. I hadn’t even heard their music, nor had any idea of what they are like as people. And to my astonishment, Charlie replied immediately, “Oh my god YES!”. HELLO. These are people I want to work with! And so it came to pass…

…it was a blazing hot Sunday. White Shirts were beautifully pressed. They boys were neat and tidy. The paint purchased in large quantities and ready to roll, Balloons filled with glitter or powder paint, crying out to be popped. It was time to blow some shit up! Well, get messy anyways.

MAGIC

Having never really done this before, and not being given any artistic restraints (these guys are no Divas) I didn’t really know how far I could push this friendship. So I supplied some safety goggles for the lads, but I forgot to give them to the boys until after this shot…. Sorry Nic. This is one of my faves though, you kinda look likeyou are playing the invisible keys….

So, goggles donned, we proceeded. Much safer, much more scientific…

Almost a little Dr Bunsen Honey Dew and Beaker….

Then I got out the big guns. Enter Polly and Ian. They had the BEST job all day. “Please throw this paint at Brightly. Yes, aim for their heads…”

And they were both pretty good shots! Nic was cheeky enough to tell Polly she had missed him, I don’t think he really thought that through.

Oh and the paint was pretty cold.

Apocalyptic.

At this stage of the day it was time for a hose down in the alley way, another beer and a paddlepop. PHEW!

You should check out Brightly boys, they are AMAZING. And more to the point, you should buy their recently released DOUBLE A side (Thats right folks DOUBLE), “We Were in Tokyo & Then We Woke Up”. You can buy it here which is super exciting, and if you missed out on the actual CD release, fear not, the download comes with the liner notes featuring these pics. OH YEAH….

Damn! I wish I had thought of this!!!!