Brisbane Wedding Photography

QLD Australian Professional Photography Awards

Leanne — Sun, 19 May 2013 06:11:48 +0000

So today I went to the judging for the portrait category in the QLD Australian Professional Photography Awards. I entered two images into the awards – one in the wedding category and one in the portrait category. I have to admit, my emotional investment was tied up in the one I entered into the portrait category as I felt that it was one of the strongest images I’d ever taken, but I wasn’t sure if it was award winning. Well thanks to a lot of encouragement and support from my beautiful friend Luisa, I plucked up the courage to enter. Luisa suggested I go and see Darren Jew from Foto Frenzy in Brisbane for help with my printing and matting. I have to tell you a bit about Darren here … Darren won 2012, 2010, 2009, 2007 Canon/AIPP Australian Science, Environment and Nature Photographer of the Year, and he also offers the best personalised printing and matting service to photographers (check out his personal work here and Foto Frenzy here). Darren was very helpful and kind in his approach to offering me advice on which type of paper to print it on. I had heard from other award winners that the actual print itself can make or break a photo, so I’m really grateful for his advice.

Soooo … Luisa and I arrived nice and early this morning with coffees in hand, ready to face whatever was coming our way. I had never been to the judging before, so it was really fascinating to see what it was like. The judging was held in two rooms adjacent to each other (separated by dividers) at the Metropolitan South Institute of Tafe in Mt Gravatt. The prints were rotated on a panel in front of the five judges, and the image was also shown on a larger screen for the whole room to see. The qualified judges then gave a score out of 100 and then it was averaged out to give a total. Points received for winning print entries to the AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards can earn honours within the Institute. The number of points received for each print depends on the score:

Certificate of attainment – 78-79 - half point

Silver - 80-84 – 1 point

Silver with distinction – 85-89 – 1 point

Gold – 90-94 – 2 points

Gold with distinction – 95-100 – 2 points

There’s more info here if you want to read about how you can accrue points towards earning honours.

Ok, I’ll get to the point now … I won my first award! (: This is a picture of Libby that I took at her graduation session at the start of the year. I love this photo, and if I was going to be emotionally invested in any image, this one was it. Anyway, I sat in one room and Luisa in the other so we could keep an eye out for our prints. Luisa sent me a quick text to tell me it was out, so I got to see it being judged. The image won a Silver award with a score of 84 (just shy of a distinction!). I heard one of the judges say something along the lines of ’when you can photograph this well, you don’t need to overwork the image’, which is why it didn’t score higher. I take that to mean it would have been better in it’s natural state without a lot of the post processing. This was great constructive criticism as I know where I can improve on this photo now. Anyway, I’ve babbled long enough, and I hope you haven’t nodded off yet. Here’s the winning image … (:

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John + Jen … engaged

Leanne — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 05:02:35 +0000

Yesterday I met the sweetest couple, John & Jen. (: I received an email from Jen about a month ago, asking if they could have an engagement session done before their wedding in South Africa next year. It was lovely chatting via email, but even better meeting in person. I loved the story of how they met (when they were living in Papua New Guinea!) and how affectionate and loving they were with one another. Jen & John recently bought a house close to the city that they are renovating, so we got some images in their gorgeous little backyard and around their home. We then took their cute wee scooter down the road for a few shots, and then ended our session at a local park (with some gorgeous light). All in all, a lovely afternoon with lots of laughs and great company.

John & Jen, I hope you enjoy your sneak peek! (:

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Brenden, Amanda & Travis …

Leanne — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:26:28 +0000

Meet Trav, Amanda & Brenden’s gorgeous little boy. I was really looking forward to this afternoon because it was quite some time ago since I’d caught up with them, and I really had to have a cuddle in person. (: It’s so lovely to reconnect with my wedding clients (and friends), especially when I get to capture their growing family. But the best part about today? Seeing the below photo on the back of my camera and instantly loving it. What a gorgeous, happy little guy he is. (: Enjoy the pics!

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Lachlan + Leah … Engaged

Leanne — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 14:34:46 +0000

Yesterday I took a drive to Toowoomba to photograph Lachlan, Leah & Perry for their engagement session. We were pretty lucky with the weather considering it’s been nothing but rain lately. So we ended up doing a little shoot in the Japanese Gardens (I could never tire of photographing in there!) and then it was back to Lachlan and Leah’s beautiful home to pick up Perry for another shoot at Queens Park. Perry of course had to have his own little photo shoot – how gorgeous does he look in his fetching red jacket?! All in all it was a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon. I hope you enjoy these pics as much as I enjoyed taking them! (:

Lachlan & Leah, thanks for a great afternoon! It was wonderful seeing you both again (and meeting Perry too!) – I can’t wait to see you both on your wedding day. (:

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Mark + Caragh … Engaged

Leanne — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 11:01:23 +0000

Today I FINALLY caught up with Caragh & Mark for their long overdue engagement session. (: We’ve had to postpone it a number of times because of the weather, so today was the day we were going to do them regardless of the rain. :D We headed off to the great court at St Lucia UQ and whilst there, ran into several other photographers (all of us vying for the best spots!). Caragh & Mark took it in their stride though and had me in fits of giggles often. Was a great way to spend a stormy looking afternoon!

Caragh & Mark – I hope you love this sneak peek! Gallery coming very soon. (: ♥

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Caitlyn + Finley … Married

Leanne — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 08:07:25 +0000

On Friday, Jenny and I drove to Hervey Bay to photograph Caitlyn and Finley’s beautiful wedding day (thank you Jen for putting up my with my driving!). When we woke on Saturday we were greeted with the most glorious Queensland weather. :) The day then kicked off with some gift swapping between the two families, which was lovely to photograph and watch. We then eased into photographing the details, many of which Caitlyn and her mum and mum in law created themselves. These ladies are incredibly talented – Jenny and I were gobsmacked at their handmade efforts. Tracey (Caitlyn’s mum in law) also made her bridal book. I see this book as Caitlyn’s bridal bible – it has absolutely everything in it; from fabric swatches to the story of how they met along with invitations and save the date cards (a tiny fraction of the book really!). I can only imagine how special this will be to keep over the years. The day rolled on smoothly, and before we knew it, it was time to leave for for their ceremony at St Mary’s Church in Maryborough. (I love everything traditional about weddings, and this church was stunning in its history and grandeur.) After the ceremony was finished, we then drove back to the Botanical Gardens in Hervey Bay where we created their portraits. The light in the gardens was beautiful and we made the most of the setting sun. It was then back to the Mantra for the evenings celebrations where we got to watch the night unfold. All in all it was a beautiful wedding day, with a vintage inspired theme steeped in tradition. I love the pictures Jenny and I created together, and I hope you enjoy viewing them! ♥

Caitlyn and Finley, have a wonderful honeymoon and enjoy your sneak peek!

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Sam + Chris … Married

Leanne — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:27:38 +0000

So last weekend I assisted Jenny at Sam and Chris’ wedding at the Mantra Legends on the Gold Coast. Jenny photographed Sam when she was pregnant a few years ago, so it was really lovely to meet her clients. We had a super fun day with them and their bridal party (high fives to the sweet flower girls too!) and I’m thrilled with what we captured for them on their day. (:

Sam & Chris, it was so nice to meet you both. I hope you love this sneak peek of mine! ♥

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Geoff + Laura … Engaged

Leanne — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:52:59 +0000

Meet Geoff & Laura! We got some super cute images for their five year anniversary on the Gold Coast this afternoon. As you can see, they’re getting married this time next year. I’m in ♥ with their pics – check them out below!

Geoff & Laura – I hope you love your wee sneak peek! Enjoy that celebratory wine. :D

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Libby’s Formal …

Leanne — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 03:07:16 +0000

I love it when I am invited to photograph families whom I’ve made connections with at weddings, and this family is no exception. Ann asked me quite a while ago if I would come to Toowoomba and photograph Libby on the day of her formal, and of course I jumped at the chance. They are an incredibly warm, down to earth, hospitable and giving family, and I’m thankful to call them friends.

Libby, I hope you love your sneak peek. You look absolutely drop-dead gorgeous. What a pleasure it was to photograph you (even if it was a bit torturous in our heels - hehe!). I hope you had a great night! ♥

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Sarah …

Leanne — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:09:42 +0000

Today I met up with Sarah again, 3.5 years after Mario and I photographed their wedding. :) It was so lovely to see them about to become a family of three and to capture the very last stage of Sarah’s pregnancy. Sarah is due next week, so I’m looking forward to some good news soon!

Sarah I love these photos of you – you look amazing. I hope you enjoy your sneak peek! ♥

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