Hi everyone,
Just a quick note to let you know, I have only just been advised by a client that I have no voicemail on my mobile! I had no idea. This is the second time this year it's happened for no reason. I'm sorry if you've tried to call and couldn't leave a message!
It's all working now.
Erica xx
I’ve got the best clients. Nikki and Raj (aka Sura) picked up their wedding album and frames several weeks ago and brought me this gorgeous bunch of flowers and the most beautiful card. I’m very lucky to have such thoughtful people around me. I couldn’t have said it better myself, but everything they have written, just highlights once again why I feel wedding albums are SO IMPORTANT.
Thank you so much guys! What a privilege it’s been sharing your wedding day with you! I am so, so grateful.
xox Erica xox
“To Dear Erica,
Now that our magical day has been and gone, and we are here to pick up our amazing memories, we wanted to tell you how truly grateful we are that it was you who shared in, and photographed our special day.
And it wasn’t just our wedding day that we wanted to thank you for, we also want to thank you for all the advice you offered before the big day – sharing your professional knowledge and experience. You really helped make the day as perfect as it could be in every way – not just in capturing the perfect memories that we now have.
On the day you were so calm and organized, everything went like clockwork. We didn’t have to worry about a thing and instead we were able to relax and enjoy our day, safe in your capable hands.
Perhaps most importantly, everything that you have done is timeless. No tacky ‘jump in the air’ shots, or Groomsmen with their Raybans on. That’s why we picked you – because now we have classic, elegant memories of the most amazing day of our lives, memories that will last many, many lifetimes.
Erica, you have captured the magic, emotion, laughter and joy of our day perfectly. You have a true gift and we are forever grateful that you shared it with us.
Love always Nikki and Sura”
Introducing………..Beloved
Have you ever tried to put into words an amazing experience you had? It’s really hard to describe, isn’t it? So is beloved, but I’ll try!
Over the past 18 months or so, I have drastically, yet gradually changed the way I shoot and meet with clients. It has been an ongoing change for the better, and I feel I have only jut started to scratch the surface at what can be possible. Both from a photographic perspective, as well as how I connect with my clients.
A beloved shoot is quite different to a typical engagement or pre-wedding shoot. It’s all about the experience, and how you feel during and after the shoot, with the photographs being the icing on the cake. I have been dabbling in Beloved for a few months now, trying to slowly get used to it and intergrading it into my engagement sessions with couples. Recently I photographed a full beloved shoot. I am absolutely over the moon happy with how it went and as a bonus, how the images turned out. So I am posting it here to finally and formally introduce Beloved as part of my services offered.
When is the last time you and your partner had the chance to just simply enjoy each other? To be in that kind of space that is serene, intimate, warm, fun, comfortable, loving, grateful, and precious….. The kind of space where everything else around you (including all of life’s little problems) just disappears for a while…. A time and place where you feel utterly relaxed and head over heels in love? Beloved, (when done right! – I’m still practicing!) allows for couples to just ‘be’. Just be together, be yourself, and celebrate your love for each other. The photographs taken during this session will awaken your senses so that each time you look at them, you will feel what you were feeling during the shoot. You will easily be reminded and they will take you back to that wonderful feeling and space. That is what Beloved is. I hope I explained it well enough….
I urge every single one of my upcoming wedding clients to invest in this special experience. Beloved is different to a typical engagement shoot, and I would absolutely adore it if you would all contact me to book in a session before your wedding. Being my first few sessions, if you are a wedding client of mine, you will receive a special gift to thank you for trusting me with this exciting change in my business. I promise you, you will feel so much more relaxed for the photos on your wedding day, amongst other benefits.
Beloved is for anyone, any age. I will be expanding into family and solo Beloved over the coming months, but in the meantime, I'm starting with couples. Whether you've been together for 6 months, or married 30 years, it makes no difference. Love should be celebrated, and I'd love to hear from you regardless of your age!
Enough from me, here’s my first official Beloved of my wonderful friends Aana and Paul. They’ve been together for so many years, and it was so special to be able to do this for them. Please scroll all the way down to the bottom to see what they had to say about the experience.
Laughing so hard their cheeks hurt! I'm glad this shot made it into their album! Too funny!
“The beloved shoot was an extremely enjoyable and touching experience. What started out as a few nervous laughs and jokes between us, quickly became something very intimate and touching. We were both surprised at how deeply we re-connected with each other, with Erica giving gentle guidance and suggestions. At moments it was as if she disappeared altogether and it was just Paul and I sharing these moments. It was very easy to forget we were having our photo taken. All of the insecurities about how I looked or held myself were quickly forgotten. In the process we had some of our most beautiful moments captured in the most lovely photos we have seen of us to date.
I recommend the Beloved shoot to every couple, not only for the amazing photographs, but also for the experience of re-connecting with your partner on a very real and intimate level with this wonderful technique that Erica uses. Congrats Erica, you've really found the heart and soul in your photography. Thank you for the experience. Aana”
“The shoot was a great experience! It was fun and for the most part, didn't feel like there was a camera around. It was very unimposing, very laid back and enjoyable. A great way to re-connect with your loved one and the bonus is that you get some great natural pictures as a result. Thanks Erica. Paul”
I just want to add one thing that I remember Paul saying to me after the session ended. He said he felt so completely an utterly relaxed, that it felt like he had just finished meditating. Being in a very private location, preferably that is meaningful to the couple is a must. In Aana and Paul’s case, we went to a special spot where after having been apart for a few years, they reignited their love and got back together.
I hope to hear from many of you soon to arrange a session! Winter is the perfect time. It’s so beautiful and the colours are amazing xxx
It's that time of year again guys! The National awards are on as I type! I didn't make it to Sydney this year, however, the AIPP has done an amazing job at having live online access for us to view from the comfort of our own homes! It's been fantastic still being able to view all the categories and all the images being judged live. I'm hoping they will make this available to the public next year. That would be amazing exposure and give the general public a true sense of the standard of PROFESSIONAL photography. There has been some truly amazing images judged so far.
This year, I've entered 1 image in the wedding open category, and my other 3 images in the wedding photojournalistic category.
See them below and their scores. Unfortunately I only received 1 award this year, but in saying that, it's the highest score I've received, so I'm very happy with that!
Erica
My Silver with Distinction at 85!!!!!!!!!
Scored 77
Scored 76
Scored 74 Booooo!!!!!!!!!
So, it's been a while since I blogged a full wedding. It's been a little insane lately at my place. Both work and home.
Anyway, it was well overdue to finally blog Niky and Dave! One of the most funniest couples I've ever had the pleasure of photographing! They have cracked me up at every single meeting we've had, and their wedding day was no exception - even with the horrific weather. Yes, it was 41.5 degrees and the most humid day I have ever experienced. Whatever the maximum % humidity is before it rains, that's how humid it was! Absolutely repulsive.
On the other hand, Niky and Dave, and the entire Bridal Party were well equipped to handle it with their care free attitude. It was so refreshing seeing a couple and Bridal Party still having so much fun and sharing laughs even with the weather the way it was. We bumped in to a lot of not so happy Brides that day! Niky, however wasn't one of them! She wasn't fussed that her dress would get completely muddy, nor that it was raining just as soon as she pulled up for the ceremony. She was happy to get rained on.
We had such a great day. What troopers!
Enjoy!
Can you SEE the humidity? Never experienced anything like it!
Niky's gorgeous Pallas gown covered in mud. She didn't seem too bothered! I apologise in advance to anyone from Pallas seeing this and causing you distress ;-)
We started off the location photos with a celebratory dirt, sweat and bruise photo (Dave's bruise from his buck's night)
Fans were well used that day!
A bit inappropriate, but way too funny not to post!
Another stunning winter wedding in Perth yesterday. I would love to shoot more weddings in winter than summer!
Just a sneak peek for now. Enjoy your honeymoon in Hawaii guys!
Erica xox
Just a sneak peek for now from Michael and Melanie's traditional winter wedding held last weekend in King's Park and Bluewater Grill.
I really wish more couples would get married in winter. I'm sad to say I only had two winter weddings this year. Hoping for more next year (or even this year!!!). The light and colours (and temperature!) are just so beautiful!!!
Enjoy!
Erica xox
Michael chopped off his long hair (Melanie had no idea and was completely shocked when she saw him walking down the aisle!) and couldn't stop running her hands through his short hair all day. It was very cute!
What an absolutely awesome wedding! I know I say that a lot, but it’s the truth! And I’m so, so lucky to have the coolest clients! Amanda & Kallon’s wedding was such an eclectic event. From the cars, to Amanda’s dress, to the ceremony location and décor, the wedding invitations, and of course not to mention the reception venue and décor`. I think I feel a sample album coming!!! Thank you to one of my favourite all time couples, Marie and Gino (Amanda’s Brother) whose wedding I photographed back in April 2007. They never stop referring couples my way. I feel like a member of their family! Thanks for referring Amanda & Kallon to me. And a special mention also to Gino for designing the wedding invitations, order of service, name cards and the awesome prop cards we used throughout the day! What a talented guy....
As Amanda was getting ready at her Parent’s house, the tears were flowing. Amanda, Tania, Diana (Amanda’s Sisters), Mum and just about Dad too! It was so incredible being there and feeling all that love oozing out. So, so beautiful.
Gino co-conducted the ceremony with the celebrant. What a great personal touch! We got some super cool and different shots on location and stayed at the reception until 10pm. The room looked just stunning!
Thank you Amanda & Kallon! I hope Polka Dot Bride will feature your wedding! It was just too cool for words!
Enjoy xxx
What an absolutely special, special pair!!! My blog stalkers would have heard this story before, but for those who haven’t, Nikki and I used to work at Woollies together for several years ‘back in the day’. We had lost touch for a while, but early last year she contacted me to tell me she was getting married. It was so good to see her and meet the man of her dreams!
Well, their stunning, moving, happy, and gorgeous day has now come and gone. About 800 photos later…. Yes, 800, (Narelle and I shot for 12 hours right till midnight!) their album has been designed. Yet another massive one at 70 pages. I can’t even begin to tell you in words just how cute and oh-so in love these guys are!!! You’ll see for yourselves in a minute. I shed more than a few tears at this one. I really had to hold them back when Nikki’s Mum asked me something along these lines… “So, I bet when you were still at Woollies you never would have thought that you would be here today photographing Nikki’s wedding huh?”. I’m not sure why, but that really got to me. My job, or should I say my passion, really is something special. I thank my lucky stars every day that I get to bring so much joy in people’s lives in a form that will last longer than you or me. It really is the gift that keeps on giving.
Nikki and Raj opted for a special surprise for their guests. I put together a slideshow of 60 or so images from the wedding day during dessert at the reception. The response from the guests and especially immediate family is so worth the stress of making sure it’s done on time with no ‘technical difficulties’! I’ve done a few of the slideshows now, and as stressful as they are, they are absolutely worth it! Certainly something worth considering if you are having me stay throughout the reception.
Nikki looked absolutely gorgeous in her Pallas gown. Nikki’s Mum works at Linneys and was able to ‘borrow’ the stunning jewellery she was wearing. Yes girls, that bracelet was ALL diamonds!!!! Raj looked so nice in his Zegna suit. That gleaming smile of his… even better than the suit.
I was so moved after the ceremony finished when Nikki & Raj were congratulating their immediate families. You could without a doubt feel the love between them. Especially on Raj’s side when they were all welcoming Nikki into their family. There were some of the most powerful hugs I have ever seen being shared, along with many, many happy tears. I really struggled keeping mine in! Such a special part of the day… I will never forget it! It was just so powerful!
The photoshoot was a breeze. Nikki even had a ladybird on her dress at one point. That’s good luck! Not that they need it!
Thank you Nikki & Raj. I am so blessed to call you my friends. You guys are just so sweet. Thank you for choosing me to photograph your wedding! I am proud to say I wouldn’t have wanted to shoot anybody else’s wedding that day! It was just perfect!
Nikki’s Mum said: (via Facebook) “A beautiful image from THE best day, you've captured their love perfectly Erica. Thank you so very much for recording their day. The slideshow was wonderful, can't wait to see the remainder :) x”
Nikki (via Facebook) said: "had the wedding album planning session yesterday and cried all the way through viewing the album that the amazing Erica put together for us.... Her work is simply stunning. I cannot wait to see the final product! Soooo happy that our memories are just as perfect as our day! :-) xx"
Thanks again guys! Love you lots!!! xxx
Erica
