Top 10 blog posts of 2020, Lucalia Photography, Wairarapa
Better late than never: here are my 10 most popular blog posts of 2020! I hope you enjoy the recap.
10 How do I find my wedding dress? From Wellington, Wairarapa to Palmerston North
Oh the excitement! You're engaged and looking for a wedding dress in Wellington, Wairarapa or Palmerston North for reals! There seem to be so many options out there, where do you start? I've put together some resources from my favourite brides and wedding dress designers, boutiques and surprises to help you find the perfect wedding dress for you. In addition to drawing on my own experiences finding my dream wedding dress. Plus a bonus tip to avoid.
9 Wairarapa family photographer: Waiohine Gorge
Kasey, AJ and their children Indyanna and Macauley are true outdoorsy types! They were the lucky winners of the Wairarapa Lucalia Photography Father's Day competition last year. They won a mini break for the family including accommodation at Mount Bruce Lodge, a day out at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre with lunch at Kākā Café, a family photography session with me and an heirloom book of their photos to keep.
8 Henley Lake Engagement Photos: the aroha of Shari and Mikey
When Mikey saw Shari he knew there and then, "just wow I need her in my life." Through close friends and the reputation that had been built up in the community he said he pretty much made it his mission to make Shari his wahine. That was going on five years ago...
7 Home family farm engagement photos, Wairarapa
"Home is where the heart is" is a cliché but for Barb and Simon, it rings true.
This bubbly couple booked me for their wedding in November 2020 and had their engagement session the month before. Not everyone enjoys having their photo taken and an engagement photo shoot prior to your wedding really helps couples become more comfortable. With me there aren't any awkward poses. I might ask you to stand in that pool of light and tell me about how you met. I might ask you to steal a kiss. For me, it's often the moments before and after these 'poses' that make the best natural and relaxed photos.
6 Mt Holdsworth Wairarapa Engagement Photos: Eliza and Catlin
Eliza and Catlin are a self-proclaimed #tinderromance couple who met in Boston. They now live in Wellington and were planning on being married in the Tararua Forest Park. Thanks to Covid they downscaled and were married on the South Island. That's quite the journey!
I photographed this energetic engaged couple as part of my Wairarapa Lovebirds book project, supporting Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre. In the book, real-life couples share their top Wairarapa wedding planning tips.
For their engagement portraits, Eliza and Cat chose Mount Holdsworth in the Taraura Ranges.
5 Wairarapa maternity and newborn photographer
Being a mum or a dad is quite possibly the most amazing thing in the world. I heard friends say that before but never really understood. Until now!
4 The forest wedding photos of Pip and Josh: Kiriwhakapapa, Wairarapa
Pip and Josh are an animal-loving, truly international real-life couple, who live in Masterton, Wairarapa. They were excited to be part of my outdoorsy forest styled shoot.
When Pip saw the wedding photography model call from me, she tried on her wedding dress again (phew!), then immediately applied. A massive thank you to Pip and Josh for being a part of my creative vision. The resulting photos really are a collaboration. I wanted to create an outdoorsy wedding scene in the earthy Redwood grove at Kiriwhakapapa forest. Pip then asked if she could bring her dogs. Of course! Another message came through (in CAPITALS) can she bring her horse?! ABSOLUTELY!
3 Mt Holdsworth Engagement Portraits, Wairarapa Wedding Photographer
Shannon and Stephen like to do everything all at once. They're planning their wedding, run a successful bespoke joinery business in Masterton (Dittmer Joinery) and have a gorgeous young son. They managed to take some time to relax at Mt Holdsworth just the two of them, and have some engagement photos taken.
2 Festival of family: Queen Elizabeth Park family photos, Masterton Wairarapa
"Great relaxing REAL photos." -Shelley, September 2020
"There will be 3 families (us, sis and brother in law and the in laws). It's my mother in laws mothers day prezzie. Just a tad over due!" We had a fun-filled afternoon capturing Shelley and her extended family portraits.
Shelley suggested Queen Elizabeth Park in Masterton as the location for their outdoor family photos, as it was a special place for her in laws growing up.
1 Favourite outdoor Wairarapa wedding venues
Here are some of my favourite outdoor wedding venues in the Wairarapa, Aotearoa New Zealand.
Some are well established, some are new and some are hidden forest reserves waiting for you to be married there! All are magical. I hope you find some inspiration for your own outdoor wedding in the gorgeous Wairarapa.
I'm Sarah and I provide outdoorsy couples who hate awkward poses, getting married in the Wairarapa and Tararua regions, with documentary-style photography by a new best friend, so you will feel relaxed, and your photos will be an authentic memory of your day.