See, while this photo isn’t a brilliant work of art – just a quick snap and there’s a bit of silliness going on up the back, it means a lot to me.

Along with Katie and Ben (the bride and groom), in this photo, we have… Josh and Sarah, James and Roz, Adam and Kate, Jonno and Lyndal, Sam and Ellen, Andrew and Jess, Geoff and Fiona, Andrew and Miriam, Dave and Allison.

What do they have in common?

I photographed all their weddings starting in January 2007… which if you’re counting is exactly five years ago. Seeing them all at this one wedding reminded me of the absolute best part of this job… it’s a real privilege to be chosen to document such an important day of celebration in people’s lives.

Perhaps you’d like me to be a part of your wedding day?

A week before Christmas I had the pleasure of photographing Jane and Joe’s wedding down on the shores of Lake Macquarie. They met while Jane was travelling over in the UK, and somehow Joe was pretty keen to follow her back to Australia.

Here’s a little preview of some photos that jumped out at me.

• Ceremony and reception: Awaba House, Lake Macquarie
• Celebrant: the amazing Kez from Wed By Kez (check out the brand-new website)

ps. Rachael, one of the bridesmaids, is the world karate champion. I took extra care to make sure Jane was happy… can’t imagine why.

Here’s the first photo that jumped out at me.

Mel & Justin love the beach, with their wedding on the coast just a bit further south, so it seemed like a good idea to get some practice in. So after catching up on the wedding details (there’s a car being restored… better hurry up Justin), we went into the foreshore and spent some time running around. There was a bit of silliness and splashing (not that I provoked them or anything), but also some great moments that convey how much these guys love each other.

Enjoy…

After a few photos on the shore we headed up to party on, where there was more beer and bubbly. Anna & Andrew, you sure know how to party!

Can you tell these guys might like a spot or two of fishing? (Check out that cake!)

Kylie and Dean got married this last Saturday at St Peter’s at East Maitland. Such a gorgeous church (in fact Giuls and I considered it for our wedding), and Kylie only made Dean a little bit nervous in her ‘fashionably’ lateness. She rocked it in the stunning dress you’ll see below, and there was just a comparison or two to some well-known movie stars.

We had some photos inside the church out of the wind, and then headed over to the old train station at East Maitland, and then into Newcastle. Once we arrived into town and headed for the baths, it was just a little surprising to see enormous waves crashing right over the top and overflowing, but it made for quite enjoyable watching (and worrying about a few photographers set up out in the middle of it).

Then it was just over the road to Noah’s, where there was plenty of time for the girls to warm their feet up again before party time! I’m not quite sure I understood the panda, but there you have it.

Hope you enjoy the photos, and we wish you, Kylie and Dean, a great honeymoon.

The ceremony was held at the cute little Lovedale Chapel and after going for a little drive in the countryside for some photos, we ended up at the Sebel Kirkton Park in time for an exquisite sunset before heading in for the reception.

Hope you enjoy the photos.

I feel I’m allowed to describe day as epic, with a road-trip all the way across Sydney (yes, I’m from Newcastle, so I can call travelling the width of Sydney a road trip , starting with the guys and girls getting ready in the Blue Mountains, then to the lovely Hillsong Chapel in Baulkham Hills and then across to the stunning Manly Golf Club for the reception.

Sarah and Richard have a long love story together, and even though Richard’s advances were rejected in primary school (and then chocolate was required to get through the speeches) they did end up together! Congratulations guys, it was a fantastic day and I hope your married life together is amazing.

But Carly and Brendan were prepared to brave it, but after a warming coffee at Baristaba (recommended!) it just meant we had the whole Honeysuckle foreshore area to ourselves, without another soul in sight.