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Bronwyn and Ashwin’s Hindu/Catholic wedding

I think an Indian wedding must surely be every photographer’s dream – so much beautiful colour and texture! Bronwyn’s gorgeous sari, which she brought back from Mumbai, weighed a tonne. :)

The first half of their wedding at Wellington Rowers was a Hindu ceremony led by Mr Malpatek, and then once the smoke had cleared (I was relieved the sprinklers didn’t go off – it was touch and go for a while there!), Father Mateo stepped in and conducted a Catholic ceremony.

Bronwyn and Ashwin nipped off to a relative’s apartment afterwards and got changed into Western wedding outfits, and we took a few quick photos before heading back to the reception at The Boatshed, which had been beautifully decked out with chandeliers and fairy lights – it looked so cosy and welcoming, with the city lights twinkling outside…

My assistant Anna Munro took these shots of Ashwin before the ceremony.

Photo above right by Anna.

Photo above by Anna.

Hair and makeup: Hil Cook

Western wedding dress: Confetti Bridal

Cake: Art ‘n Icing

Venue decorator: Charlotte Wood Events

Caterers: Sarah Searancke Catering

Anna - May 18, 2012 - 5:51 pm

This looks awesome Catherine – love Ashwin’s face when he sees Bronwyn coming out in her western dress! That was such a great day =)

Mothers

I remember reading a few years ago about a study where people were asked to rank different emotionally loaded words. The word ‘mother’ came out a clear global winner, as it was so strongly associated with good feelings. I thought that was pretty cool. Happy Mother’s Day.

Cynthia and Clive.

This is what it’s all about

Yesterday morning wasn’t the easiest. I had woken up tired and cranky, growled at the kids a bit, and then had to stand out in the pouring rain for half an hour doing intersection duty for the school. Seems lately it always rains on Wednesdays! Once I was home and had changed into dry clothes I got stuck into the considerable pile of work that was waiting for me, and it was one of those days where everything takes longer than you bargained for so you end up feeling frustrated that you haven’t achieved enough. Then the email below arrived from my clients Erin and Mark, totally unbidden, and I have to admit I had a wee cry. Wedding photography can be bloody hard work and when you get feedback like this from clients… it just centres you again. It sounds cliched but it really is a huge privilege to be involved in weddings, to be trusted to capture this amazing day in people’s lives. I love my job.

Mark and I want to thank you.

We feel you have gone beyond your job description, taking a lot of time and continued effort for us.

Our financial situation was taken into account and you made things all very manageable and easy from our side.

You were easy to talk to. We were listened to and felt our opinions and suggestions mattered and were taken into consideration.

You showed us how thoughtful you are, you have been a great friend to us, and your expertise has shined through.

And we have no doubt in having chosen you as our photographer we have been in the hands of a true professional and are so pleased in our decision.

We have no problem at all recommending you as a top class wedding photographer, and DVD & album designer.

And feel free to use what ever you want to, to show off your talent :)

We are absolutely over the moon with the finished product.

So again Thank you for all you have done for us.

WE LOVE IT ! Thank you :)

We pray blessings upon both your family life and business.

Kindest Regards

Mark and Erin Schomaker

alicia - May 10, 2012 - 4:11 pm

What a beautiful thank you email you got, fantastic!

Sarah Tullett - May 10, 2012 - 5:10 pm

Totally deserved too my friend… and don’t you ever forget that, even when standing on crossing duty in the pouring rain. Lots of love xxxxx

Catherine - May 11, 2012 - 1:31 pm

Thank you! There’s some poetic potential here I think… something about a downpour at the Great Crossroads of Life :)

15 months and full of beans

It’s always wonderful to photograph kids who I’ve photographed “in utero” – you get quite attached to them really and it’s so cool to meet them at different stages and see how they’re developing. This delightful kid first featured on the blog here, and then again here. So as you can see she’s changed quite a bit. As you would hope.

Sunshine through trees

You can’t beat it.

Rebecca - May 2, 2012 - 8:26 pm

This is pure magic.

Niki Fisher (Bride) - May 3, 2012 - 4:09 pm

Can’t wait to see the rest. It’s exactly what we hoped for with the light in the trees – brilliant, thanks Catherine!