The day after Yoel and Nick's shoot (below), I photographed 8 month old baby Imogen with her parents in St Clair. Can you believe the difference in the weather? It was so sunny and hot I was pleased we picked a super early start time. Imogen is already a beach regular so it was lovely to capture these three in their natural environment. She didn't even cry when her little feet were dipped in the cold sea! Hear that Elmer?

I can barely concentrate on anything today - my parents are arriving in Dunedin this afternoon for 4 weeks!!! I'm so excited. I hope Elmer naps...

I photographed Yoel and Nick last weekend. It was cold and drizzly, but made for very romantic lighting. We started out at their place, a house they are currently renovating. It was Yoel's suggestion and I love it! I think it's great to not only capture portraits of the people you are today, but also your surroundings and your story.

Speaking of stories, we also visited the site of Y and N's first date. Nick didn't pick up Yoel in his car because he thought that might seem too keen. Funny! And then the second date he forgot his wallet so Yoel had to pay. He must have made quite an impression otherwise though because these two are getting married at the start of April. They're great fun, I really like them, so I'm looking forward to the wedding.

Steven is out with Elmer (it's raining) and I feel a sense of urgency to get as much done as possible before they come back. Post-baby, my idea of what can be achieved in two hours has increased considerably. You can almost get a whole week's work done in two hours, surely! Hee hee.

Another wedding for the blog. Kelly and Owen married at East Taieri Church out in Mosgiel. I love the lighting there in the afternoon as it's generally really soft backlighting, and the building itself is simple and cute. Oh and another civil ceremony inside a church, this is all new to me!

I met Kelly a couple of times before the wedding and we got on really well, but I only met Owen on the day. Not that I expected anything otherwise, but he is lovely! A very kind, decent guy. Kelly wasn't originally the wedding type, but then when she decided she did want to get married, she conjoured up an elaborate plan to propose to Owen on the way to a concert. She'd managed to find out which ring size would fit him, and bought him a ring to seal the deal. The communication didn't quite go to plan, and Owen thought the ring was a gift. And he doesn't wear jewellery, which was confusing. It all turned out okay though (as you can see)! I love these awkward romantic stories. Kind of like my engagement story, one that I probably won't share on the blog!

Oh, Kelly and Owen also have two really sweet little boys. Makes me want a brother for Elmer at some point.

A few images from the day:

The photographs below document an unusual day. Unusual because all of these things happened on one day last week;

a) It was sunny and dry
b) It was not blowing a gale
c) Steven wasn't called away to do electrical work
d) I was at home to look after Elmer
e) Reece from next door was available to help lift beams

A day to rejoice! Some of the roof beams could be lifted up into position! Nobody would get blown off the roof in strong winds!

The house probably looks a little different to the last time I blogged. The roof is slowly being built, and once all the framing is done we will get roofers to come in and do the steel work. Otherwise everything you see has been crafted by Steven. On his own! I wonder when the roof will be finished? Soon I hope. But then today was meant to be a building day and of course the weather is disgusting. Nice to see blue skies now and again.

















I tell you what, those beams are HEAVY. There's also a lot of detail work involved in building a post and beam house. Whole days can be spent chiselling out bits of wood that will dovetail together with precision.

When we watch Grand Designs and see someone whinging that the contractor they hired to build their 'self-build house' in it's entirety has taken 3 weeks longer than suggested, I want to travel over to the stylish cottage they are renting, with one of these large beams, and knock some sense into them. This is one of the most stressful and frustrating things we have ever undertaken, given the circumstances. I am so proud of Steven though, and aware that we are lucky to be here in New Zealand, able to enjoy such an incredible project. 

Louise and Simon arranged their entire wedding from London - thank goodness for Skype! The whole day came together beautifully, and despite a cold Dunedin day (no surprise around here recently) the sun came out to warm us up a little. Even their Christchurch guests managed to make it down just a few days after the quake, although Louise's brother was still wiping dust from his recovered shoes during the family portraits!

I love being around during the speeches, because although I get to know people beforehand, it's great to hear the stories and moments that make each relationship unique. Simon and Louise met as students in Dunedin. Louise's best friend and bridesmaid Tomae was in charge of scheduling classes, and Louise instructed her to arrange things so that she NEVER came across that Simon guy since he was so dislikeable and arrogant. Isn't that funny? Now they are married! I really believe opposites attract, and sometimes you need to be forced together (or maybe forced to be students at the same institution) to see that actually, you're the perfect match.

Simon is quiet and reserved, but romantic and a real gentleman. Louise is bright and chatty and lovely. I loved Simon's reaction when he saw her at the top of the aisle. It's the kind of reaction that, if you were in any doubt about these two being completely in love, you'd be reassured in an instant. Lush.

Simon getting some double windsor tie instruction: