We posted a few picks on Facebook but of course, we had to post more here!   They bought there cute as dog along and he was so funny …as you’ll see by the images…as he tried to pose for the camera and be the centre of attention…..all while being a Dog (sniff, run, sniff).

Total blast with these guys and gorgeous, sexy couple!    When we suggested going INTO the water, they both said “yep”,  then we said “how about lying down?”….and it was cold!…..Nick you are a trooper!

So excited to be working with so many amazing couples this wedding season…..and on that note…..here’s some Sneaks from the Weekend Wedding with Amanda and Gaurav…..

….. the weather turned out PERFECT! and so were they!  FULL Post coming soon!

Having just stepped off a plane the night (or should I say early hours of the morning!!!) before…then a full day of wedding meetings/final planning, etc…..by the time these two got to us that evening, I can’t even begin to imagine how tired they must have been!    After going over the details of their upcoming day (Sunday!!!!) we headed out, with their friends along for the ride too and shot their Engagement Session.     As soon as I asked them to do something crazy in a hotel….and they looked at each other, and did it!…I knew that we were in for a great time and an even better day on Sunday!

I love that not only is their Day a chance for them to get married in New Zealand (they already had an INDIAN Ceremony!..yes amazing, colorful and complete with henna hands, LOL…my dream to photograph), but it’s also going to be a celebration of friendship, with many of those involved not having seen each other for some time.  For me that spells laughter, tears, memories and fun….the perfect mix for a Bridal party.

As you can see…..the bride is STUNNING! and the Groom…..aarghhh that jaw line!  Magazines pay big money for guys with that jaw line! LOL    Their friends just got married too!  So we had to shoot a few frames of them as well….but I love how they were up for bringing in the “native bush, Kiwi outdoors” feel on this Shoot, and in the coming weeks you’ll see why as we post the other Shoots that are planned with this fantastic couple.

Stay tuned……………..

Originally the session was planned for what turned out to be a very windy day, so we bumped it 48 hours, and so glad we did!  The light was beautiful, golden and rich, and it was the perfect evening for a couple to be able to relax and just enjoy being together….something that Bri & Derek are good at, and it really shows.   Love it when a couple just relaxes and has fun, hangs out together and forgets that we are there…..Enjoy your Sneak Peeks guys!!!   Gallery up at the end of the week…then the Wedding!  Can’t wait, it’s going to be fantastic!…and of course we can’t sign off without saying “GO THE MIGHTY ALL BLACKS….YOU BLOODY BEAUTIES!!!”….(thanks for the cool quote Dobbo!)….WOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Now that isn’t a bad thing, in fact its’ been pretty amazing, flattering and beyond our wildest dreams if I’m being really honest!  It still blows me away when I put a Gallery up and get the email telling me how they cried, laughed and loved their photos….I still get nervous before a Shoot, I still vomit before I leave for a wedding, then drink two coffees on the way, and shoot the details at the start…because I need to shoot them anyhow but I NEED to shoot them to calm myself, to find my eye, to still my head-voice so I can hear my heart one…the one that finds the emotion, joy, beauty in a couple’s Day.  The downside was that I got so worried about how clients would perceive me, that I stopped saying anything at all…..what if I disagreed with some political viewpoint and a Mom didn’t book me because of it?

Last week I woke up.   I realised that I had to just be ME……. and that in finding an acceptance about who I am, I could pursue a passion I’ve long had to help other woman find that same acceptance of themselves….through my lens…more to come on this   but to say I’m excited is an understatement.

So yes…July the 12th stares me in the face…okay it’s actually spitting me in the eye…..it’s the date below this one…the last time I blogged…but in my head I’ve blogged everyday…driving the motorway, driving home from a Session, driving to a session, during a Shoot, speaking to a friend, holding my kids in the middle of the night after the Ground has shook yet again….while I edit.

Last week I finally was able to say to myself…..YES I do take awhile to edit a session, I AM slower than a number of my colleagues BUT …and here’s the kicker….I GIVE A FLYING FIG.   I care that they have a pimple on their cheek, that their eye has  a red vein that is not flattering, that their is a tiny bit of “back fat” under the arm of the Bride that couldn’t be hidden because that shot of her with her head back laughing was captured without her knowing…so No I didn’t want to go over and have her move her shoulder back…..I wanted the truth of that moment, but I also got that tiny bit of unflattering skin…and yes I am going to fix it in Photoshop and never tell her….and yes, that does take extra time….and clients that book us know that, and love us for it.

So rather than beat myself up about it anymore, I actually decided the other day, to pat myself on the back and remind myself that BECAUSE I care, my clients love their images, and I hope that their children and children’s children will too.   I lost my mom at the age of 5, I have three photos of her…one is just of her arm!    I had just had my tonsils out, I had just started school….I have three photos….and too few memories.   I don’t want other’s to be able to write this…I want them to have images and memories of their families and lives, but I want those images to be the very best they can be…

I am Amanda Haynes, I am a Professional Photographer but I’m also a Wife, a Mom, a Business Woman, a Business Owner, a Friend…and so much more…. and I think I finally realised that it is okay to be all those things in this one place, and if there are people/clients that don’t like or understand me or my point of view, that is actually okay…..it’s better to Say something and be heard, than to be silent for fear of being misunderstood…..

Oh so sweet and yes, yummy!   I know that isn’t quite the correct term for a baby, but the one’s that have been coming through the Studio lately are all so gorgeous that I really could just gobble them up!  Several I’ve wished that the parents would have forgotten to take them home!  Those gorgeous big eyes, the soft soft skin, the innocent smiles, dimples, rolls and that baby smell….only a Mom would know how that smell can make you all dreamy and gooey.

Having four kids of my own that are now 10 and older, I personallly just adore the winter months when Tummies and Newborns come flowing in the door….Erick always knows when I’ve done baby sessions during the day, he says I have a glow and look about me that spells “Danger!”….LOL, I’ve yet to ask him exactly what he means by that!  My baby-producing days are over, but oh gosh I adore the trip down memory lane everytime a bundle of sweetness comes through the door.  Sighs.

Yep sitting here feeling all gooey again….and in case you thought I was exaggerating somewhat….you’re wrong….See???!!!………….

Sweet Sylvie is first up….more to come!

SIGHS…………….

Newborn Professional Photographer Christchurch

It’s a Guy Thing!

Weddings and Newborn sessions to be blogged this coming week!….and let’s hope no more shaking!!!  but in light of so many changes in our lives right now, both forced and by choice…..I love this song and feel like it’s an anthem for our City right now.  Enjoy!

The Day started off threatening rain but whilst we are certainly no “Met Service”….we have got pretty good at predicting the height of cloud and knowing if the amount of light filtering through means we’ll finish our job before the Rain Man starts his!   So whilst it started cool and overcast, it didn’t rain….in fact not until Erick and I were on our way home and then the wipers went on full, but by that time K & K were dancing inside the Kaikoura Community Hall – which had been turned into the most amazing and elegant setup we have ever seen in a hall.   Kate and her crew totally outdid themselves…..it was absolutely beautiful (pics attached as proof!).

I arrived and Trine Woods from Cedar Heights Hairdressers and Paula were already well underway with the girls hair and makeup, laughter and wine was flowing and it already had the relaxed feel of a Country Beach Wedding.   The girls got ready at the Kaikoura Dairy, and then Kate simply jumped into her Carriage, drove around the corner and got married on the lawn right next to the building that they had got dressed in…..which meant for pre-photos we couldn’t go outside and had the curtains closed, but inside the Dairy is so stunning that I didn’t want too anyhow!

Kaleb was slightly nervous ….that is right up until the point he saw Kate…..and then we couldn’t get the smile off his face for the rest of the Day, everytime he looked at her his face lit up.   This is a guy that knows he just caught a really really good thing! LOL

Guys what did you put in that glass???? LOL!

Kaleb was slightly nervous ….that is right up until the point he saw Kate…..and then we couldn’t get the smile off his face for the rest of the Day, everytime he looked at her his face lit up.   This is a guy that knows he just caught a really really good thing! LOL

Kate’s stunning dress was by Elizabeth Wenborn Designs, based out here in Rangiora not far from our Studio.   Pictures were done on the Black Sand Beach and the seafog coming in was perfect for the ideas we had, then we just shoot around Kaikoura and of course, we had to go to Nin’s Bin!~~    I remember that from when I was a child…it is so iconicly Kaikoura.     I also remember as a child that everytime we would drive through the tunnels  my father would toot the car horn, so it is something of a tradition, and even though we didn’t have the kids with us, I did toot the horn….okay I did it several times….as we passed through the road tunnels along the cost.  This of course got the reaction from Erick of at first laughter and a shake of the head, then a “you do realise we have no kids with us right?”…..at which point I just grinned at him…..”Oh, just the big kid driving then”, he remarks.  Way to insult the wife!

The details throughout their wedding were fantastic, right from the K&K Co-op Sign at the Ceremony….to much laughter….to the beautiful cake (and that incredibly long cake cutting ‘knife’)…. the vintage details and lighting…perfection.   The bejewelled dress matched with all the other gorgeous “sparkly” bits ….earrings, shoes, the wee girls shoes that glittered, Kate’s stunning ring and Kaleb’s sparkly smile for her

With the end of Daylight Savings,  light disappeared fast and we raced to the Cemetry to pay respects to Kate’s dad who had passed away not long after Tim (Kate’s brother) & Trine’s wedding….which we also photographed.   I was really touched that Kate left a bouquet with her father, incorporating him in their special day and letting him know that he’d been missed.

Erick couldn’t resist showing Kate what Kaleb got up to on his “Boys Night”……unmentionable.   LMBO

Thank you again for your kind words you two!!!

Thanks for the awesome job you and Erick did on our wedding day.  It was such a pleasure having you both around, Kaleb and I really enjoyed your company you were just great!  It must be so exhausting for you being on the go the whole day, coming up with creative ideas on the spot, constantly thinking ahead for the next shot, and not to mention being good company and pleasant throughout all of that.  We think you were just fantastic.  Thanks

We loved being able to hang out with you too!  Enjoy your Slideshow!

The Day started out with guys playing Golf while the girls got ready with glasses of wine, snacks and much laughter.

Emily and her best friends then WALKED to the church….first time we’ve ever seen that, and it was so fantastic!   They just wandered a couple of minutes down the road, with neighbours calling out well wishes to them and coming out to look at the stunning bride (and isn’t she STUNNING!!!)…..then in to the church…and married!

We had a wonderful time with their Wedding Party!  Heaps of fun and it felt like a group of fantastic friends just hanging out in great clothes, exactly what we believe every wedding should be like.

At Braemar Lodge we had picked out areas we knew great light would make for awesome shots, and from there we headed back to the Heritage Hanmer Springs for a beautiful reception in the main Banquet Room.

Erick and I left the Party when it was starting to hummmmm…….and imagine these guys had a very late night, but what a fantastic place to wake up the next morning!   Hope you enjoyed a Spa with that gorgeous mountain view you two!!!  Hugs and thanks again for letting us be part of your Day and your kind words…

Thank-you for doing such a fantastic job on Saturday and for all you help with other things. Daniel and I (and I know the rest of the bridal party) felt very at ease and really enjoyed your guys style of photography.

Enjoy your Slideshow!

Baby Corin arrived to such an awesome family!  It was a real privilege to not only get to photograph his  “home” from the last 9 months, but then to meet such a sweet angel!~   He was perfect right through the session, only crying near the end ….which was completely understandable!….but as soon as Mom picked him up and cuddled him, even though he was tired and hungry, he smiled up at her and cuddled right in…..truly just a honey of a baby.

As you can see his Big Sister was so proud…and one thing I adored about this family was the artwork displayed throughout their home, both “Kindergarten Monets”, through to personal art pieces……as soon as I walked in I knew that they would appreciate what we do, and that images would be hung in pride of place on walls.  Their beautiful Canvas has arrived, and I can’t wait for them to see it!

It’s been interesting for us to hear that not only did New Zealander’s vote their “photos” as their No. 1 most important asset via the Insurance Bureau but that in the Earthquake, many grabbed family albums and then fled their homes…..leaving behind all the things we think matter – big screen TV’s, expensive cars, furniture, appliances, etc…..it was People, and the memories of those people (photos & video) that people understood was irreplaceable.

As a photographer who adores what I do for the very reason that I understand how precious the images are and how their value increases as the years go by, I admit that I did feel proud to think that when push comes to shove (or in this case incessant rocking!),  the value of our work is recognised in a unique way.

Next Blog Post…the Royal Wedding!!!   (couldnt’ be a Wedding Photographer and NOT mention it!

You may have read about Jasmine & Enda’s wedding in the Earthquake edition of the New Idea Magazine where it was featured….because this fantastic couple lost their wedding TWICE! ….once in the September Quake and then again in February.   We had had our final planning meeting with them on the Friday and I look back to that meeting now and think about how Jasmine kept feeling like something was going to happen to her dress, asking Enda to go and get it out of the car for her and bring it up to the Studio.   The dress had been collected that morning, and I often wonder what would have happened if she had decided to not collect it until the Tuesday.  Maybe Jas just had a premonition, maybe she was just so in love with her dress, she didn’t want it out of her sight

As of 1pm Tuesday, there wedding was gone…..the Rose Chapel destroyed, Newberry House with no electricity, water, sewerage, etc.   Their original wedding was to have been at the Provincial Chambers…..which is where Erick and I were meant to have been at 12:30 on the Tuesday…..double checking on the parking and the available shooting locations because they had kindly said Jas & Enda could have some photos taken inside the building to make up for losing the location in Sept.

Most of us take months to organise our weddings, and get every detail sorted out just the way we dream of it being……now 72 hours was all that was available to find suits, flowers, reception location and food, ceremony location….and everything else that goes into putting on a wedding.   Erick and I started making calls…..suggested moving the wedding out here, since we were worried that if they tried to do it in the city the constant aftershocks would have people on edge…..and then Jasmine phoned and confirmed they had secured Darjon Vineyard and Millbrook Chapel.  Fantastic!

Suits were next on the list, and after phoning several of our contacts, I was banging on the Farmers door in the hopes they would donate some suits to the couple, when again Jas phoned…..’GOT THEM!’ she yelled down the phone….YAHOOOOoooooo!    The Farmers manager appears at the door while this conversation is going on, so with a red-face I just smiled and waved at him through the glass, LOL…he must have thought “what an idiot standing in the rain and banging on my door when the sign clearly states we are closed”……

Final detail…somewhere for the boys to get ready and the Bride & Groom to stay the night….a BIG thank you to Flaxton Manor! Not only are this couple wonderful to deal with, but their accommodations are truly beautiful and they go out of their way to make your stay amazing.   It is also a great location for photos if the Day ends up being rainy…..highly recommend you book them if you are having a wedding in the North Canterbury area – which many are now since the city areas are not available.

So with everything in place….Jasmine & Enda got married!   …and it was W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L.   Seriously.  No aftershocks, lots of tears, laughter and joy…..people were so happy to have something to think about other than the Disaster,  delighted to have a reason to get dressed up and go party….so not only the wedding but the celebration and dance afterwards was filled with the sound of people.    The Sound of People?  Yes I know that is an odd phrase, but that is how I always think of it when a wedding is awesome…..it is filled with this particular sound….chatter, laughter, hugs (not sure if they actually make a sound! but they do in my head LOL), tears, happiness, sadness, emotion, beauty, movement, clapping, dance….I hear and see all of this as “Sound”….and a wedding day is full of all of  ….but unlike any other day in your life, it is all of these things being done on different levels, at different times by different people.  It’s unique…and I think one of the things I love most about a wedding day (apart from the Fashion and beauty of the Day of course!).   Next time you are at a wedding, sit back and listen………see????  The Sound of People.  Wiki-pedia take note.

The Dance.   FANTASTIC.  Choreographed…..and I don’t even want to think about how much practice went into it! but I see some late nights in several of those moves!  It was awesome! …..check out the slideshow to get a sense of how good it was.  Guests love a unique dance by the couple and I bet it feels amazing to pull it off!  I wouldn’t know, Erick and I did the two-step shuffle…the common name for dancing when you don’t know how to dance……and in the middle of it we had our first fight as Man & Wife….as Erick AGAIN stood on my veil.  Repeatedly.  I finally exploded about it on the Dance Floor, but in that nice way you do when you don’t want anyone else to know that you are actually fuming….the tight smiling face kind of way.  I look back now and realise how stupid it was….I should have just taken the veil off!  but like we tell most couples, it’s the things that go WRONG that you remember and laugh about later, the things that go right seem to just fade into the rest of the Day’s story.   I always try and photograph the little things that go wrong, because in the big scheme of things, they aren’t going to be a big deal, but they sure will make for a good story later! …..Jas & Enda have a GREAT BIG story…..a whole lot of things going massively WRONG….and then one big thing going totally RIGHT……Jasmine & Enda – MARRIED.

Congrats you two!   Enjoy!   (couple of quick Thank YOU’s! with virtual big bouquets ……Jasmine’s Bridesmaids; Ree & Katie …. I can’t begin to tell you how much she raved about you and your organisational skills – and to Linda O’Reilly….for coming to help cover the Day when Erick was so very very ill, mwwwwahhhhhh   )