The sweet shot - photographs by Cat Brown

Shoot manual: tip #2: Aperture ... don't be afraid!

2012-01-24T17:23:00.001+13:00

Aperture... it's one of those words that gives everyone learning to shoot manual the heeeeeby jeeeeebies. Why?! Let's just call them f-stops. They really don't make a lot of sense. I'm just being honest. But, because we doing this the super simple Cat way, I'm not even going to go into that right now. Just for now, all you need to know about aperture is that it's all about controlling the way

Shooting manual tip #1: THINK LIKE A CAMERA

2012-01-19T12:32:00.001+13:00

If you haven't done it before, sometimes the very thought of shooting manual can give even the most experienced photographer the willies! And i say experienced, because the fact is that with all the bells and whistles on them, dslrs (the big cameras with lenses you can change around), micro 4/3's (the smaller mirrorless cameras that are VERY popular at the mo), and even point and shoot cameras

The Christmas rescue package...

2011-12-17T13:14:00.001+13:00

When Charlie boy called he said, "what's the best Chrissy pressie for people who have everything??" It was the least I could do to help him out with special gift voucher package that he could use to spoil his nearest and dearest this holiday season. And now, I'd like to offer the same deal to you. For one week only you can purchase a cat brown photography Gift Voucher to spoil your friends and

Wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle - latest photos!

2011-12-14T12:33:00.003+13:00

I just love summer! Bang it's here - the waves are more crystal, the bbq's are crackling and there's a buzz in the city! On the photo front it's been biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiizzzzzzzzy! Want to see what I've been up too? Well, it's been DIFFERENT. That's the only way to put it...one day it's marketing pix for a retirement village (let's just call it RymanHealthcare - is anyone NOT working there at

Mo' Billboards Mo' Music!

2011-10-06T12:31:00.003+13:00

Labour MP Moana Mackey is the only person I've actually sung with while photographing (ok, well I did sing 'I'm a Rhinestone Piglet' to Camille and Stuie French's kids but I'm not counting that!).THE TROLLEY SONG 'from Meet me in St Louis' and performed originally by Judy Garland isn't the obvious choice of song for a photoshoot, but then again if you're going to sing a song with your client you

From the streets of Rio

2011-09-12T16:02:00.001+12:00

catbrownphotography.co.nz Just fresh back from a month soaking up the sun and family goodtimes in Rio, my buddies from Brazilbeat Soundsystem caught up with me on Friday for a photoshoot prior to their long hot session of music and touring which will be coming up for them this summer 2011/2012. I've known DJ Mara and MC Nego Beto ever since they started coming to NZ back in the late 90s. Back

SOULIMAGES:: photographs of beautiful brides and babes!

2011-09-05T19:16:00.003+12:00

www.catbrownphotography.co.nzSome of my beautiful brides and babes are currently on display at the most fabulously re-invigorated and rockingest cafe/restaurant/bar/all-round fabulous hang-out - Villaggio.The poster stars one of my favourite ever brides, the gorgeous Allanah, who wore the most spectacular daisy yellow 50s inspired wedding dress. I love a girl with individual flair - and couples

Pip and the happy chickens!

2011-08-22T17:00:00.000+12:00

The Howe/Faulkner family Tom is a farmer in the making Gorgeous Pip and baby Lochie Cait, Lochie and Tom...I couldn't resist a blank wall! Chickens and kids!Tom and the most peaceful lab I've ever met! It was so great to do a photoshoot in the weekend where not only I was taking photos of some truely beautiful people in the fresh country air and 'spring on it's way' sunshine, but we were

Annika and the boys, NZ ... the video!

2011-07-18T10:30:00.002+12:00

What do give a visiting doctor from Sweden who's been living with her family in Gisborne, New Zealand for a year and is now going home to the Northern hemisphere again? A photoshoot of course ...! I think this was one of the kindest gift's ever ... how to nice to be given a gift that will mean so much for the rest of your life. It might sound like cheesey cheese - but photos really are one of

All my favourites in one little good vibes package

2011-04-19T11:29:00.003+12:00

.... If you haven't seen it already, this is my new collection of a whole bunch of weddings we've shot over the last year and a bit. I don't know why but there is just something about watching two minutes of smiles and laughing that just makes you feel so good! I'm super proud of all these piccies and I love all the brides and grooms who Ali and I have worked with since setting up cat brown

Weight-lifting advice

2011-04-13T15:34:00.002+12:00

I hardly slept last night because I was feeling a tad overwhelmed! I have just moved into my new office digs, and from the outside it looks very professional ... but on the inside (and definitely inside me at the moment!) it's feeling totally the opposite...painting to be done, stuff everywhere and mostly a pile of photo work to do. Where are my one hundred oopa loompas to help me when I need

Box Brownie Love

2011-04-11T17:01:00.001+12:00

I love getting a little bit obsessed about things....and my new obsession is the box brownie camera. So boxie, so perfect! I have TWO so far..... so it's a very very small collection so far, but I want to build an entire wall of them! This one is my beautiful 1956 Brownie Flash II.....oh little boxie I love you! I promise to let you all know how my wall is growing! x Cat my first box brownie..

Only one bird went down

2011-03-03T20:06:00.002+13:00

Apparently it was all because of Rachel... Eight years ago Jen and Rachel were flatting together and, well let's just say it; Jen was single.Being a great friend, and to kill two birds with one stone, Rachel decided to organise a little party, schmoozing time with a flat of boys....a flat which contained a very eligible Mr Nick Jones and ANOTHER eligible young fella that Rach might have liked a

A Valentine's day story

2011-02-14T10:24:00.005+13:00

Happy Valetine's day everyone! Here's the story of this weekend's wedding for you .... a story that I think sinks the seven year itch myth forever. Seven years ago they met. It took seven hours of travel each way when distance separated them, and even after all this time they still talked on the phone every night like teenagers. Fred and Alisa really are soul mates and their wedding this weekend

Smacked in the kisser....a stag-do stunner! :: Adam and Andrea's wedding sneakypeeks!

2010-11-28T19:37:00.001+13:00

At Adam's stag-do, his mates instigated a game of bullrush. It was fab fun for a while, until Adam found that some of his friends were a little bigger than they had been last time they'd played (at primary) and bang, crash, ouch! found himself in a car on the way to hospital where he need 16 stitches to mend his split lip. Not the best thing to happen just before your wedding day!Luckily the

Gisborne wedding : Bridgette and Grant : sneaky peeks!

2010-11-14T20:29:00.009+13:00

...or Bizza and Grantos as they are so fondly now known to me. I LOVE making new buddies, and I am so happy to say these two lovely peeps - who I had the GREAT honour of photographing on Friday - have firmly found a little nest of love and happiness in my heart. And what a day for a wedding it was on Friday! The sun baked, the bridal party frolicked, the corks popped and the Pacific Ocean

Vamping up your Gisborne twilight this summer... photo special!

2010-11-09T21:04:00.002+13:00

Super Gisborne portrait deal - all summer long! Dusky portraits, low golden light...mmmmm gorgeous! All summer long, on Tuesday's and Wednesday's at the most beautiful time of day - twilight - I will be having portrait sessions for couples, families, kids and pets right here in Gisborne. The sessions will be alfresco in any spot you like from 6-7pm. I'll have just two spaces a week for these

Gisborne Weddings!! Your new place to go online!

2010-10-20T11:05:00.000+13:00

It's the only place to go on facebook for cool wedding advice, photos, goss, and more - JUST for Gisborne woohooo! Finally a Gisborne wedding community site for everyone to use and enjoy! GO Gisborne Weddings! Gisborne WeddingsPromote your Page too

Greetings from Crete

2010-08-04T16:35:00.002+12:00

I popped by to see my mum today because she's been feeling a bit under the weather with a change of season cold. Of course being my mum, she still prepared lunch and a pot of coffee. I swear, even when she's feeling unwell my mother is a complete energiser bunny. A load of wood was delivered while I was there which I offered to help her stack, but even that was turned down, 'I haven't exerted

Learn how to choose a great wedding photographer

2010-08-04T16:08:00.000+12:00

I video I made to help out anyone choosing a wedding photographer x Cat

What's your wish? And the 'family cake'

2010-07-31T23:08:00.003+12:00

Not last night but the night before we had a special birthday dinner for my fantastic, dreamy niece Penelope. When it was time to blow out the candle's and make a wish, Penelope took a really long time. I meant a really, really, REALLY long time. I think she thought so long and hard about what she wanted because when you're little you KNOW what you wish for is going to come true - AND - you only

Just can't say no!

2010-07-28T11:46:00.002+12:00

Lordy, you know you have a problem when you come home with a bag full of paua and kina shells. And I don't mean ones that you've picked up during a romantic stroll along the beach - no, I mean ones someone else is THROWING AWAY. And why? Because I can't say no to free stuff. I think it's part of the same sector of my brain that makes me keep those little bread plastic do-uppy things, which quite

Blue photo

2010-07-27T19:16:00.001+12:00

I just love the blue, and the light catching him while he's floating in air. x Cat

Where the wild things are

2010-07-15T23:08:00.002+12:00

Clearly, they're at the Gisborne Library. Well that's where MY favourite little wild thing aka Max's dog aka Penelope Brown has been performing this week with the teeny tiny Unity Theatre group. Bless! So courageous! I admire anyone who can get up and perform in front of others. It's quite a skill.

Testing times between friends (and family, geese etc...)

2010-06-25T13:09:00.005+12:00

I've got a new camera and like all new toys....errr professional equipment...you've got to make sure you know what all the bells and whistles do. In effect this means I've been carrying it around with me for the last couple of weeks, practicing with it so when I pull it out to use on a job I can use it with my eyes shut (ok, not literally, that would be weird...) So, thanks to my friends and