ROCK WHAT YOU'VE GOT workshop

What I've decided I love most about these workshops is that it's a two way learning experience. So while it's my role to teach, to show and to inspire, I always end up learning things and being inspired myself.

We were blessed with one of those fluke warm winter days. It was bright and there was so much glare for our gorgeous apple orchard shoot - all the better for practicing shooting in difficult lighting conditions!



The Morris Minor was lent to us by the owner of the apple orchard. Very generous, and perfect for the shoot.



I *loved* styling this shoot. From the paper bunting, to the bottles hanging in the tree with little flowers in them, to the pink milk, to the cake. I think I had just as much fun putting it together as I did seeing the participants enjoy shooting it all.

















A massive shout out and a whole lot of love goes to my gorgeous models for the day. Steph, Kris, Monique and Pete might be familiar to you. I've been lucky enough to photograph them all before, and it was wonderful to see them all again. They were brave to front a field of photographers, but I'm glad they did because they were not only beautiful but a whole lot of fun.



Thanks to all the girls who came along, for giving me the chance to share what I know and love, for asking questions and being inquisitive, for sharing your light bulb moments with me, and promising to keep me updated as you grow as photographers.

* Meaghan

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4 is the new 14

* Meaghan

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Helen and Pauline on a quite afternoon

When I arrived in France I was tired and overwrought. Not because of the long haul flight, but due to the weeks leading up to my trip being hectic and stressful. And when I say 'weeks' I mean 'months'. Its been such a busy year with Miles starting kinder, Ryan wanting to do more and more, Amba working more and more, and the business taking off into the stratosphere. In the weeks proceeding my trip all of this was catching up with me and I was pale and tired.

When I got to France I was offered the perfect solution. That solution came in the form of a pocket-rocket New Zealander and her family. Helen welcomed me into her home with warmth, and it was exactly what I needed.

Helen and I spent the next week sitting in her back garden in the French summer sun talking. Of this and that, of nothing at all, of everything that's important. She forgave me my life-fatigue and offered my her incredible cooking as sustenance.

Helen's daughter Pauline practiced her extremely good English with me, inquired about my life in Australia and gave me insight into being a 14 year old girl in France.

One such sunny afternoon I grabbed the two of them in a quiet moment and took their photo.





Pauline is now officially the sister I never had. She possessed both a fashion sense and a serenity I didn't know possible in a 14 year old. Goodness knows I didn't have them.



And Helen is the new friend I didn't know I needed, but am now so grateful to have.





Much love to you both. See you in Australia soon?

* Meaghan

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A wedding on the other side of the world

You can't put into words a wedding like this. For me it wasn't just a wedding, it was the whole experience - the trip to France, joining in the lead up preparations, sharing the growing excitement. Sarah and Andrew really opened their hearts to me, so much so that I felt less like a photographer for their wedding, and more like a lucky friend who was celebrating their wedding with them.

The setting was peaceful and stunning. The details were well planned and beautiful. The day was special and warm.

































I really loved the colours of the wedding. Non-traditional, but still extremely classy.













Sarah and Andrew used a champagne sword to open their bottles of genuine champagne (best champagne I've ever tasted). It's a spectacular method, and leave the bottles looking like this.











Radiant Sarah.













The food was Ah-mazing. I helped the wonderful Helen to make some of it. When I say help, I really mean stood in her kitchen sipping wine and chatted to Helen while she did the cooking.











An amazing wedding for a zillion reasons, and thank you Sarah and Andrew for daring to have crazy ideas that actually work!

We also did a photo shoot in Paris (cue photos at the Eiffel Tower), which will appear on the blog soon.



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