It is that time of the year again when I get to slow down for a moment, look back through my photographs and remember all the beautiful people, stories and moments I have been lucky enough to photograph over the past season.

And, as always, choosing the favourites is not easy!

There are so many photographs that bring back a particular memory — a wedding day filled with laughter, a quiet moment between two people in love, children running along the beach, a beautiful sunset, or a split second on the ice when everything comes together.

This season has been another wonderful mix of weddings, engagements and couples, family sessions and figure skating competitions.

Weddings

Every wedding is different, and this is one of the things I love most about photographing them.

Some days are big and spectacular, surrounded by lots of family and friends. Others are intimate and relaxed. Some involve beautiful locations and dramatic landscapes, while the most memorable photographs can happen in the simplest moments — a look between newlyweds, a parent wiping away a tear, friends laughing together or someone dancing when they thought nobody was watching.

I love photographing all of it.

My approach is still very much about looking for the moments that happen naturally while also creating beautiful portraits and photographs with a sense of place.

Because years from now, I hope you won't just remember how your wedding looked.

I hope you remember how it felt.

Couples & Engagements & proposals

There is something particularly special about photographing two people who are simply enjoying being together.

Engagement and couples sessions give us the opportunity to slow down, explore somewhere beautiful and create photographs without the time pressure of a wedding day.

I love searching for beautiful light, interesting landscapes and those little interactions that show the connection between two people — the way they look at each other, laugh together, walk hand in hand or simply feel comfortable being themselves.

Sometimes the most beautiful photographs are the ones where nobody is looking at the camera.

Families

Family photography is another reminder of how quickly time passes.

The little people in your photographs won't stay little forever, and I love creating images that preserve not only what they looked like, but who they were at that particular moment in their lives.

The laughter, the cuddles, the running around, the slightly chaotic moments and all those little expressions that make each family unique.

These are the photographs that become even more meaningful with time.

Figure Skating

This season also brought many incredible moments on the ice.

Figure skating has become a very special part of my photography work. As a photographer, I love the challenge of capturing movement, emotion, expression and those tiny moments when technique and artistry come together.

Over the season I have been fortunate to photograph skating competitions around New Zealand, including major events with skaters of all ages and levels.

There is something incredibly exciting about standing beside the ice, watching a skater prepare, listening to the music start and knowing that within the next few minutes there will be hundreds of fleeting moments — and only a few fractions of a second that tell the whole story.

In many ways, photographing skating isn't so different from photographing a wedding.

Both are about emotion, connection, movement and anticipation.

You wait, you watch, and then suddenly — there it is.

That moment.

Looking Back

When I look through this collection, I don't just see photographs.

I see people.

I remember conversations, locations, weather, laughter, nervous excitement, happy tears, beautiful sunsets, long wedding days, early mornings at the rink and all the little unexpected moments in between.

I feel incredibly grateful to everyone who trusted me to document a small part of their story this season.

Thank you to all my amazing couples, families, skaters, parents, friends and fellow photographers who made this season so memorable.

Thank you for inviting me into your lives and allowing me to capture these moments.

Here are just some of my favourites from the season — a little collection of love, light, laughter, movement and memories.

Enjoy!

And if you are planning a wedding, engagement session, family photoshoot or skating competition and would love me to tell your story through photographs, I would love to hear from you.

Let the adventure begin.

There are wedding venues, and then there are places that feel like they belong in a fairytale. A wedding at Hobbiton is exactly that - a truly magical experience and one of the most unique places to get married in New Zealand.

When Steve and Desiree travelled all the way from Michigan, USA, to celebrate their wedding in Hobbiton, they turned their dream into reality. Surrounded by their closest family and friends, they exchanged vows in one of the most iconic and enchanting locations in the world. It was an honour to be their photographer and to be part of such a special celebration.

For many people, visiting Hobbiton is a dream come true. Rolling green hills, charming Hobbit Holes, beautiful gardens, and the unforgettable atmosphere make it feel as though you've stepped into another world. As a wedding venue, it offers something truly extraordinary, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Steve and Desiree's journey together began in 2011 when they met through a mutual friend while in high school. Although they attended college together, life took them in different directions before they reconnected in 2021 when Desiree moved back to Michigan and they were both living in Grand Rapids. Since then, their relationship has continued to grow, leading to an engagement and ultimately this incredible wedding day in New Zealand.

Their proposal was just as memorable as their wedding location. Knowing Desiree had always dreamed of being proposed to in front of a waterfall, Steve planned a special trip to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. After a short hike, he proposed at the base of a beautiful waterfall - creating a moment they would never forget.

When asked what they were most excited about on their wedding day, the couple shared:

"To start the beginning of the rest of our lives together while enjoying it with family and a wonderful venue."

And that is exactly what their day was about - celebrating love, family, friendship, and the exciting future ahead.

From heartfelt moments with loved ones to exploring the magical landscapes of Hobbiton as newlyweds, every part of the day was filled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable memories.

Congratulations to Steve and Desiree! Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness, adventure, and love together.

Enjoy the highlights from this magical Hobbiton wedding in New Zealand.