THe new blog is over ...

HERE

See you there.

THe new blog is over ...

HERE

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London calling

Please kindly excuse the lamo title to this blog post. Sure, it's over done, and I'm sure that Joe Stummer would be hating the fact I'm adding to the phrase' overuse (but hey, you write a catchy song you're going to get schelps like me stealing the lines). But you get the gist of the heady pretty plainly right? I'm going to London.

Tomorrow I jet off, wheely suitcase in one hand, backpack full of camera gear over my shoulders. I'm heading to the mother country to photograph a gorgeous wedding (I know, punch me in the head, I'm deliriously lucky). I've written list after list, packed and re-packed and downloaded all manner of England related iphone apps that will ensure I don't get lost on the tube, have someone to talk me through the Tate, and do quick currency conversion calculations when faced with the price of a coffee.

I've got a new camera, of which I will blog about when ! get back, and I'm exited to be taking it out for a spin. I'm thinking Hyde park will do nicely for some shooting, perhaps sunset just to add to the fun.

I'll back in a few weeks in a new incarnation. I've been busy these past few months working on a whole new me. New business name, new look, new website and blog, and a whole lot of new awesomeness. It's been a heady experience, and I'll tell you more about it when I launch it.

For now, this is what I can show you. Just a glimpse, an itty bitty teeny tiny slice of what's on it's way.



So I'll see you all in a few weeks, after my rousing tour of the UK, some fine English country side, a heart melting wedding and a week to myself to tour London. And when you do see me, oh boy hold on to your hats, it's going to be a whole new me (kinda like getting a radical hair cut that you're not sure your mum would approve of.)

See you on the other side.

* Meaghan

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Wedding - Hannah and Ben [Bundalong, VIC]

Hannah was my friend's little sister, who always kinda seemed pretty much the same age as me. I walked past her house every day on my way to school. We used to wear the same maroon checkered school dresses and black t-bar shoes. We both survived our formative years in the same town, then took very different directions away.

Fast forward ten years to an email from Hannah, announcing her engagement. Would I perhaps, maybe, like to photograph my wedding? she asked. Oh Hannah, I would want nothing more.

So introduce the love of her life Ben. Ben with is sharp wit, kind laugh and enough energy to make us all envious. I asked Hannah what was it about Ben that made her fall in love with him. She teared up a little, gave a small laugh. Those actions say it all.

Welcome to their wedding, held on the banks of the Murray River at Hannah's family property in Bundalong. Welcome to the love.





Hannah and Ben are surrounded by so many good people. Both are fiercely loved by their families and bestowed with the friendship of a mighty group of friends. It was the people that truly made this wedding what it was.





Congratulations to you both!

Hannah, thank you for giving me the opportunity to reconnect with you and your family. Thank you for reminding me of the impression I left on you way back in school. Thank you for showing me that love is just the thing we need to make everything else seem possible.

* Meaghan


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Bush getaway

A weekend away. A few clicks out of Beechworth. Turning leaves and an open fire. Friends, very dear friends. Wine glasses filled to the brim. Gumboots and walking trails. Food so good, so robust, so earthly. Peace.and.quiet.



Thank you, to Lara and Paul, for the most wonderful of weekends. We loved every breath of fresh air, every cup of tea, every conversation held as the clocked clicked closer to 3am.

* Meaghan

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Lyndel and John [Steiglitz, VIC]

It was time.

Lyndel and John had been together for many years. They'd loved, laughed, made a home, had children. Their life was blissful, full to the point of overflowing. And now it was time.

This was their day. Despite having so many other things in their lives holding them together this was their day to commit purely for the sake of love.

It was time.



Have you ever been to Steiglitz? It's worth the visit. Not only for the gorgeous chapel where Lyndel and John were married, but for the beautiful view and crisp air. If you slouch down just right in your seat in the chapel, and look out the window, it feels like you're floating on top of the trees.





I overheard people's conversations as they milled around outside the church ( I can take photos and eavesdrop at the same time, tricky). One thing kept being repeated. 'They look so happy'.

John and Lyndel, you really do look so happy.



Back at home, amoung family and friends, in the still of the night, they celebrated.



My love, the whole lot of it, to you both.

* Meaghan

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Wedding - Natalie and Stephen [Geelong, VIC]

I pulled over to the side of the road to take Natalie's call. She was in a bind. It was just weeks out from her wedding. Mere weeks. Due to circumstances beyond anybody's control, she and Steve were without a photographer. I could hear the stress in her voice as I sat on a quiet road somewhere between Geelong and Echuca. All I kept thinking was 'I've got to help this girl'. No one needs to be that stressed in the lead up to their wedding. 'I've got to help this girl'. I looked up my calendar, 'yes, I'm free!' (helps to have a wedding on a Friday sometimes), and I could hear an audible sigh of relief from Natalie. The show would go on!



Natalie and Steve know what they like when it comes to style, design and aesthetics. And I must say, they have amazing taste. If there current careers ever grow stale for them, wedding design should definitely be there next step. Just check out the dots, the yellow, the cufflinks, and that chair!



Our second location was almost as magical as the first. As the sun went down, it truly became all about the love.



It didn't matter that I hadn't known them long, Natalie and Steve still treated me like an old friend. It was so easy to see their effortless love for one and other, and the love they have for their family and friends. These are two very blessed people. I adore it when good things come to good people.




* Meaghan

Wedding - Matt and Emma [Queenscliff, VIC]

Rounding the corner of her 30th birthday, Emma made a list. She put pen to paper, and with the help of a friend, she wrote down all the traits she felt were important to be in a man. Warmth, intelligence, sense of humour, sense of family. She folded the note, put it away, and gave it little thought. Well, that was until Matt walked into her life and swept her off her feet. Not only did he possess all the qualities Emma had on her list, he exceeded them.

And so it was, Emma and Matt got married.





Umbrellas were mandatory on Emma and Matt's wedding day. Stepping out of the church proved difficult due to the heavy rain. But we pushed on! There were puddles, lots of dashing in and out of shelter and trying to avoid getting too wet, but it was all worth it.



There were so many gorgeous touches at Matt and Emma's wedding reception at The Queenscliff Hotel, a result of Emma's creativity and being a dab hand with the sewing machine. There was so much love in this room, and I was so privileged to be a part of it.



Congratulations Matt and Emma. You did not in anyway let the rain ruin your glorious parade.

* Meaghan

Wedding - Nicole and Paul [Wye River, VIC]

Driving the Great Ocean Road on my way to Nicole and Paul's wedding, I recounted a conversation we'd had earlier in the week. They were both, as so many couples are just days out before their wedding, kinda stressed. But I could here than talking to each other in the background. One was assuring the other, and vice versa, that it was all going to be a.o.k. In that one conversation which was full of boring nitty gritty wedding day details, I could hear the essence of their relationship. The way they each was able to effortlessly placate the other, bring a smile, conjure a laugh. They had each other's backs. As simple and as beautiful as that.



The ceremony location, an inlet at Wye river, was especially meaningful to Nicole and Paul. Nicole's family has holidayed here since she was just a tiny dot. And as Paul was introduced into the family, he too joined them for their holidays here. Just around the bend is the spot Paul proposed to Nicole. So yeah, special.



I feel blessed to now call Nicole and Paul my friends, which made taking these photographs of them very special for me. I poured my heart into them, just as they poured their hearts into each other. I got goose bumps, and it wasn't from the biting tasman wind that whipped up over the ocean.





Nic and Paul, no greater gift could you give the world than to stay exactly as you are.

* Meaghan

Giving my gift to my children

Sitting at the computer, cup of tea to my left and a jam jar of flowers from my garden to my right. Ryan crawled onto my lap, fresh from the bath with damp hair smelling of strawberries.

"Where's me?" he said, looking up at me with those blue eyes they all say he got from me.

"Can I see pictures of me?"

I flicked through my files, scanning the faces of smiling brides, for a photograph of Ryan. And I kept looking, and looking. Eventually I came across one. From Christmas. Four months ago! While Ryan was happy to see photographs of himself testing out his new scooter, I was aghast. I'd not taken the time to photograph him in like, ages. Shame on me, a photographer after all, who hadn't taken the time to properly photograph her children. Shame Meaghan, shame.

So as I tucked Ryan into bed, kissed him gently on the head and breathed in more of the strawberry goodness, the idea for this shoot was formed. To photograph my children with full intent and purpose. To focus my camera on these little beans, capturing this moment in time. To do what I do for my couples everyday. To give my children the gift of beautiful photos.



I love these photographs of Miles and Ryan. They might just be my most favourite of them ever. They've already chosen their favourites ones and I'm printing them for our walls. I'm looking forward to walking past them everyday.

Happy Easter chickens.

* Meaghan

Wedding - Skye and Blake [Geelong, VIC]

Wow, weddings take a lot of planning. Searching for ideas, setting a vision, going about making that vision happen. Essentially, creating a dream.

So what happens when just hours before your dream unfolds are you standing at your open front door watching the rain crash down?

This was exactly the scenario I found Skye in when I arrived to photograph her getting ready for her wedding to Blake. They had planned a glorious outdoor wedding on the banks of the Barwon River. But the banks were awash with mud, it was a no go. She spoke to Blake on the phone, numerous times. They talked about their options, watched the rain, talked some more. They eventually decided to play it safe, to bypass the mud, and hold their wedding indoors at Truffleduck. Once the decision was made Skye could breathe again, and more forward with her preparations.

A photographers note: when you in a situation such as this, where there are tense moments and big decisions to be made, I have one peice of advice: get the hell out of the way. The last thing a bride needs as she's trying to decide whether to move her wedding location is a snap happy photographer getting up in her face. Exercise restraint, and remember, it's not always about the photography.



And onto their relocated ceremony. The setting, with the gorgeous tree lined backdrop, still felt like it was outside. It was kinda the best of both worlds - inside and dry but with the outside creeping in.



Blake and Skye showed me what it is to stay strong in the face of adversity. They worked together to formulate a new plan, and to make the absolute best of what the day was bringing them. They laughed, so much, and remembered that it was about getting married. Everything else just melted away.



* Meaghan

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ET phones home

Ring, ring.

At least once during every wedding I get on my phone and dial Amba.

"Hello. Everything alright?" he answers.

What comes out of my mouth in answer to that question varies from wedding to wedding. Sometimes it's a simple 'all good, how are you and the boys?". But other times it's more like "I'm stuck on Kings Way, there's a truck on my arse, I'm lost, and I have to be at the hotel in 3 [expletive] minutes!"

Amba cops it all - I dropped my camera bag in a puddle and put it on without realising and now my back is all wet and I smell funny. I'm starving and I forgot to pack any food and it's another 3 hours until the canapes are served. My 80-200 stopped focussing right in the middle of the ceremony and I freaked out! What does [expletive] EE mean and why is it flashing at me on my screen?

He knows not to be more than two steps away from his phone while I'm shooting a wedding, and an unspoken rule that he needs to pick up within the first 3 rings or there is the potential for my head exploding on the other end. Any myriad of things have gone wrong for me on wedding shoots, and Amba has helped me solve every one. Just last week he was checking rain patterns, the week before that my shoe had broken and he reminded me I had a spare pair in the back of my car.

Working on my own 95% of the time means that I don't have anyone to help me when things go wrong, so I need Amba's help. Usually the phone calls take place when I get in the car going between locations, and most them involve a fair amount of cussing at one thing or another that's frustrated me (bad light, traffic, bad choice of uncomfortable underwear).

Amba also knows me well, so knows how to respond to me when I call. "Just take your next left off Kings way, pull over and breathe" "Have the kids left any food in the car that you can eat that isn't too stale or covered in sand?" "EE means you've bumped your focusing ring on your lens you idiot." Amba can talk me through anything, talk me down from anywhere, talk me up off the floor.

So while you guys don't see him much, and he's not officially part of my business, I couldn't run it without him. More importantly, I couldn't get through a wedding day without him.



This shot was taken at Nicole and Paul's recent Wye river wedding which I'll blog more of soon. The phone call to Amba that day was just as I was coming back into phone reception range, to check to see how he went with a visit with the children to my mother (sometimes, it's not just me that needs to debrief!)


* Meaghan

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Wedding - Ashley and Anthony [Mt Eliza, VIC]

Like all great romances, it began in a pub. Anthony wondered who was that girl? That girl with the milky skin and astonishing blue eyes? Shy and a little unsure, Anthony sent his friend over to talk to her. It was the best move he ever made, because a few years later here they were getting married.

I've come to know Ashley over the past few years through her love of photography. She's proven to be a gifted photographer herself, but what's really stood out to me is her warmth. She will wrap you up and fill you up with warmth.



Ashley and Anthony were married amoungst the cloisters at Toorak College in Mt Eliza, complete with sincere and loving words, a few tears in the eye, and completely cute bunting.



We changed things up a little bit, doing things a little out of order. After some photos with the bridal party, it was on with the reception - complete with handmade Twister and the best meringues I've ever tasted.



Due to Ashley being a photographer herself, she understand the importance that light plays in a photograph. Knowing this, she also knew the best light for dreamy photographs is just before the sun goes down. So we held our little session with just the two of them after the reception, as the sun went down over Toorak college, and as Ashley and Anthony settled into being married.



All my love to you both. An amazing, amazing day to be a part of. You guys, well, you're just beautiful.

* Meaghan

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Wedding - Courtney and Jason [Lorne, VIC]

There's a little chapel, nestled in the deep green hilside. It has a pointy roof and warm wooden floors. You know the one. You drive past them on your way to somewhere else. A chapel such as this, in the little part of the Victorian world called Pirron Yallock, is where Courtney and Jason were married.

Why Pirron Yallock? Because it means something to Courtney and Jason. it means family. And to Courtney and Jason, family means the world.

I loved being welcomed into their family, even just for a day. Courtney and Jason are magnetic. They are so drawn to each other, and people are drawn to them. I drew my breathe in as Courtney stepped out in her wedding dress, just as her mother did. I laughed as they laughed during their ceremony, just Jason's father did. My heart was warmed as they made heartfelt and humourous speeches to each other before they cut the cake, just as all their guests hearts were warmed.

Courtney and Jason are dynamite, and the world is a better one with them in it together.



Onwards and upwards! You guys light up the world.

* Meaghan

WEDDING DETAILS
Wedding dress: Carla Zampatti (origianally in a different colour and Court had it made in white)
Bride's shoes: Zomp
Hairsylist: Sonia (Maddog) Harris
Make-up: Trish Hay
Bride'smaides dresses: Carla Zampatti
Groom's suit: Eddy Elias
Groomsman's suits: Eddy Elias
Florist: Lyn Armistead
Reception: Lorne Beach Pavillion

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Wedding - Anna and Jon [Woodend, VIC]

Anna was travelling overseas. England. Land of crumpets, the Gallagher brothers, royal weddings and in Anna's case, the land of three-letter Jon. Anna and Jon were guests at a wedding, caught each other's eye during proceedings, shared a boozey pash at the end of the night, and fell in love.

Anna is a friend of mine, so to be there to capture her getting married to Jon was very special. Jon and Anna are the reason they came up with the saying two peas in a pod: they both share a razor sharp wit, beaming intellect, big hearts and penchants for dressing up. They love life, they love each other, and really it is as simple and as wonderful as that.









Anna and Jon's wedding suited them down to the ground. They didn't stick to tradition for tradition's sake. Anna had a bridesmaid and a brides-man. Jon was flanked by a groomsman and a groomsmaid. Everyone wore outfits that suit them and their individual personalities and flair. They sung Roy Orbison and Crowded House during the ceremony. The cake was made by a dear friend. Anna sang to her new husband. They danced to Gloria Estefan. 'Unique' is not the right way to put it because Jon and Anna did not set out with the aim of their wedding being to make it different. Uniquely them' sums it up better.











Hello Lara and Paul! Lara is one of my best friends in the world. She's one of the few that knows me implicitly (and still loves me!). I know Anna because of Lara, she was our link. Lara and Paul are getting married too. Congratulations honeypots!







Lara and I and our best cheesy grins.



Anna and Jon's wedding wasn't just about them. Everyone there was wholeheartedly part of the celebration. And celebrate they did! (Note the smiley smiley faces. Seriously, these guests smiled a lot.)



Hugs all round! Anna, my heart is full knowing that you've found your 'one'. And knowing that he's Jon, amazingly awesome (and just a touch wonderfully silly) Jon makes me even happier. To you both, stay golden.



* Meaghan

WEDDING DETAILS:
Location: Campaspe House, Woodend
Dress: Mathieu Salem
Shoes: Mallouk
Hair: Switch
Make-up - Jess from the Spa
Bride'smaides dresses: Review and Vivien of Holloway
Groomsmen suits: DKNY and Ben Sherman
Groom's suit: Arthur Galan
Groom's FABULOUS shoes: a little ol' shoe maker near where Jon lives.
Flowers: Jon's wonderful mother
Cakemaker: Dean Myers

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