It was a year that had the highest highs and the lowest lows and everything in between.
January was an extremely busy month for us 5 weddings, an expo and a trip to Margaret River. Our trip to Margaret River was definitely a highlight, we booked into Losari Retreat for 3 days, we sampled the fine wine, relaxed in the spa on the deck overlooking the valley. My mum and Terry came across from Albany for the weekend to look after Bella whilst we worked.
February was a relatively quiet month with only 3 weddings, however I did get to attend the Jerry Ghionis workshop held in Perth. I wasn't sure whether to attend or not and I remember Greg driving me into The Chifley, I think I almost was sick with nerves, I mean this was a multi award winning photographer I was about to sit with for 4 days with photographers from not only Perth but around the country and overseas. I am happy to say Jerry and his team (Georgie and Sally) make you feel completely at ease. I can honestly say doing the workshop with these guys changed my life. I look at things differently now.
One of the best parts of the workshop was getting to meet all the other photographers. Your in a room with 16 other passionate photographers, it is almost like "oh they get me". I got to meet Carol Darby who I had heard so much about, Carol is just lovely I mean she was the only photographer to get one of the male models shirts off for which we were eternally grateful for.
I also got to meet CM Leung and his assistant Florence, these guys blew my mind with what they do for a photoshoot, I am also glad that we have kept in contact via facebook.
Ok back to Jerry. I will never look at King Street the same way again or complain about locations. Jerry is about turning the " ordinary into extraordinary " and he certainly achieved
demonstrating that. I will get back to Jerry in August...
March was extremely flat out with 7 weddings, plus meetings and engagement shoots.
I had my first wedding on the Paddle Steamer Decoy it was a little challenging for the ceremony with the amount of space, Justine & Ryan made a gorgeous couple and we stopped off for photo's. I also had my first wedding at Guildford Grammer, I had been wanting to do a wedding there for years I finally got my wish, it is just as beautiful inside as it is outside.
April had 4 weddings, however we celebrated Bella's first birthday with a big party and naming ceremony at Chapel Farm, it is hard to believe how quickly she has grown. We celebrated with family and friends, her godparents Rose & Bernie, Dan, unfortunately Tanya couldn't be with us as she was eagerly awaiting the arrival of her first child. I also got to experience something I don't see very often and that was LOVE. Ok I know I shoot weddings but I can honestly say Rebecca & Rob's wedding was something I had never seen before, it wasn't just Rebecca & Rob but the whole family, these guys were so close it was amazing. I was supposed to leave after about an hour of the reception but ended up leaving at the end. I also got to work with John from Launch and DJ Matt R, these guys surpass their reputations they are both fantastic to work with.
Back to Rebecca & Rob I am proud to say they are featured in the upcoming Cosmo Bride edition (out in Feb) but Rebecca is also a finalist in the True Bride competition, voting starts in March so please vote.
May - July was quiet with weddings, which was probably a good thing given I was sick for most of that time and became a pin cushion for blood tests and even had my head examined with a CT scan (yes there is brain there), and while I can joke about it all now, going thru it all was rather scary, with not knowing what was going on or what the cause was. Thankfully in our family when ever someone gets sick they go home (Albany) so Greg packed Isabella and I off to Nanna's for a week of pampering, which funnily enough ended up with another trip to hospital and more blood tests. You know you must look bad when even Terry says I think we should take you to hospital.
May 14th also saw the long awaited arrival of Shaynel Lance, she is just adorable.
August was hectic with 4 weddings, still recovering from been sick and a trip to Melbourne.
I had originally booked Greg to do the Jerry workshop in Melbourne but due to a change in plans I ended up spending another week with Jerry and the team. I think I got more out of the 2nd workshop because I knew what to expect, so I was able to absorb it more. Greg and Isabella went to stay with his mum for a few days whilst I stayed at Docklands. The workshop was great for networking again and several of us stay in touch via facebook, we also got to meet Nick & Sharifa Ghionis who were our models for a few days, these guys were hot. Nick is a talented photographer in his own right so it was interesting to get his perspective aswell.
Jerry exceeded my expectations again.
September was quiet 3 weddings and a Grand Final. AFL Grand Final Day is one day I like to take off and sit back and watch the game with family and friends, even if my team hasn't made it to one yet.
October-December what can I say 16 weddings and another workshop plus some annual leave to recharge the batteries and do some shooting just for the fun of it.
