A fiddle plays as the dusk falls, behind us the dust kicking up behind the car and in front the flat plains of Texas. The colours around swirl with warmth and glow like they’re being painted just for us. There is an amazing and deep peace in this moment, this moment is why we exist on this earth, a perfect mix of sound and wonder. We create such beauty, such moving art. Sometimes I wonder what we’re all arguing about when moments like this exist. This is how I define the divine. The moments that transcend the mundane and become perfect in their simplicity. Driving towards the artists oasis of Marfa at dusk. I may have cried. My heart full from the beauty and experiencing this moment with my love.

The previous week had already been the perfect storm of love, catching up with old friends for the wedding of two of my favourite people, Brit & Sam. They met through an online forum that a trusty cohort of my fellow wedding photographers had met on. Living on all different sides of the globe, we rarely get to see each other. Experiencing the love and joy of seeing everyone, combined with witnessing two of our friends get married, there were many happy tears on this trip. I took one camera, my Contax RX, one lens, a Zeiss 50mm f1.4 (for the camera nerds out there). Two film stocks, a Portra 160, and an Across 100 (full disclosure I ran out of film about halfway through and forgot to buy some before we left so some of this is shot on a random roll from Walmart – and a shoutout to Walmart having film even in their store in the middle of nowhere Texas).

Shooting film has been such a beautiful way to experience the joy of travel without thinking about the work, the photos, whether something’s absolutely perfect, should I take another shot just in case? Maybe someone blinked and I won’t have gotten it. Was it slightly crooked? Without thinking about all of those things, without dwelling on the image itself, but rather thinking about the experience. My goal, what I had wanted from this trip was a kind of photographic reset, to think about the trip that Nick and I were taking, seeing friends and just documenting the things we saw and the moments that struck me.

There’s a joy found in wandering, not having a plan and for the first time in 6 years, we traveled without one. These images are just a touch of our journey, from the mountains to the valleys, to the laundromats. I hope you enjoy them.

The post A trip around the US // Travel Photographer appeared first on I Love Wednesdays.

The post Vicky + Jeff // The Loved Up Sessions appeared first on I Love Wednesdays.

One of Heather  & James’ first emails said they were getting married at Valleyfields Farm in an Olive Grove that they were putting some tents in, along the way there may have been mention of some bagpipers too… then fireworks… scotch, eightsome reel first dances, and really just as Heather & James kept revealing more details of their wedding, it was so evident that a lot of care and love had gone into reflecting their spirits and that of their families.

Did you know that you can tune bagpipes? I’d always assumed that bagpipes were like… recorders attached to a bag, like if you combined a recorder and an accordion in some sort of crazy science experiment. I had also, wrongly, assumed that the tuning of said bagpipes was done during the making process, I don’t know why I thought that, in retrospect it seems silly, but I found out that you can tune bagpipes! If you already knew this, please feel free to laugh at said silliness, but otherwise enjoy a new factoid for your day! But I can honestly say that I’ve never seen something as impressive as Heather, James, and their families being played into and out of the ceremony and reception by an armada of bagpipes (P.S. I just googled it and the collective known for a group of bagpipers is a Poverty of Pipers!).

Anywho, back to their wedding, one of the things that I loved so much about their entire day was just the collective sense of love, and that comes through not only in the nod to their Scottish heritage in the bagpipers, kilts, and scotch, but also in the care they took in putting together the favours for all their guests in the form of bookmarks with a favourite quote for each guest. I wish I could have photographed each and every one because they reflected Heather, James and their family and friends.

Thank you so much to Heather & James for having me along to document their insanely joy-filled day.

These are some of the fine people that contributed to making Heather & James’ day special:

Bride’s Dress: Karen Willis Holmes
Flowers: Kindred Floral
Bands: Half Nelson and Bagpipers
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Valleyfield in Wollombi
Catering: Matt Dillow from Twine
Chair & Tent Hire: Beavis Party

The post Heather + James // Wollombi Farm Wedding appeared first on I Love Wednesdays.

Kate & Ben’s wedding was a day was full of just the most awesome moments of joy and anticipation. Kate is a wonderful journalist and cook, and it definitely runs in the genes coming from her grandmother Margaret Fulton (I won’t lie, I’m a massive foodie and I may have gotten a touch star struck at meeting Margaret! I mean who wouldn’t?!). I really, truly don’t have enough good things to say about Kate & Ben, from our first meeting I know that they were just kindred spirits and even just the way they spoke about each other and their day, I knew it was going to be something special.

I know I talk to people a lot about unplugged ceremonies and unplugged weddings, and it’s definitely been a talking point amongst photographers and I can tell you, for me, the reason isn’t someone getting in my way or blocking a photo. I can understand how excited people are to be a part of their friends day, but I don’t think you enjoy it as much if you’re focused at looking at the back of the screen, and so much of the joy is taking photos of people during the ceremony and reception where you can see their faces, tears, and smiles.

What drives me more than anything are those little moments. That connection, when everyone is together enjoying and celebrating their two friends and the lifelong commitment they’re making.

Looking at Kate & Ben’s wedding, I can feel that intimacy and connection so much throughout the whole day, and now that I’ve rambled on, I hope you enjoy their wedding day.

These are just a few of the lovely people involved with their day:

Cake: Suzanne Gibbs
Choco Cannelle – croquembouche
Band: The Baker Boys
Florist: Flower Drum
Hair & Makeup: Samantha Powell
Wedding Dress: Johanna Johnson

The post Kate + Ben // Palm Beach Boathouse Wedding appeared first on I Love Wednesdays.

For Alana & Matt’s day it was a rather international affair and all these thoughts swirled through my mind at the airport as I people watched. I flew in from Sydney for their New Zealand wedding; Alana & Matt were flying in from Melbourne; Matt’s family flying in from the UK; and Alana’s family live in New Zealand, but they all congregated along the Kapiti Coast for their wedding at Greenmantle. Wedding days are a day when people do fly in from half-way around the world to celebrate with you, so it’s a double whammy of excitement to see each other after a while and wedding day excitement! And excitement there was!

xx

The post Alana + Matt // Destination wedding in New Zealand appeared first on I Love Wednesdays.

The brain appears to possess a special area which we might call poetic memory and which records everything that charms or touches us, that makes our lives beautiful.

I feel like the phrase “poetic memory” really encapsulates their day, it was such a touching, laughter filled day that I’m so happy to have been able to document. Thank you Emzo (their amazing nickname) for having me be a part of your day and for having your wedding day your way, exactly how weddings should be! xx

The fine people that contributed to making Emzo’s day special:

Cinematographer: La Lune Cinema
Wedding Planner & Stylist: Love 2 Love – Wedding & Event Planner
Bride’s Dress: George Wu
Bride’s Shoes: Tony Bianco
Bride’s Jewelry: Earrings – Vintage 60’s sapphires
Hairstylist: Anna Tran
Makeup Artist: Laura Anne Orlowski & Camila Alves – Stanley & Co
Bridesmaid Dresses:Zimmermann
Bridesmaid Dresses: White Runway
Bridesmaid Shoes: Tony Bianco
Groom’s Attire: MJ Bale
Groom’s Shirt & Shoes: Calibre
Groom’s Cufflinks: Zedelle Jewellery
Barber/Grooming: Joe Orlowski – Stanley & Co
Groomsmen suits: Peppers Double Bay
Personalised Cufflinks: Cuffed
Flowergirl Dresses: Gilly Gray
Flowers: Clara’s Flower Studio
Invitations & Stationery: Libby Young
Ceremony Venue: Centennial Parklands Pine Grove
Ceremony Officiant: Jessica Murdoch
Rental Furniture:Harbourside Decorators
Reception Venue: Centennial Parklands Dining
Cake: Buttercream Bakery
Band: Rhythm Republic
Wedding Rings: Carat Jewellery – Minto Market Place
Transport: Openair Wedding Cars & White Ribbon Harley Escorts

The post Emma & Enzo // Centennial Park Pine Forest Wedding appeared first on I Love Wednesdays.

So, here goes (and apologies for the naughty words in advance). 2015 was a kickass year that totally kicked my ass! I freaking love that we as humans can go from having the highest of peaks to the lowest of lows and keep on going, we are all kinds of amazing and resilient and 2015 tested some of that in the loss of my last grandparent. I know this is probably rather silly, but I don’t think I ever thought of my grandmother as being a mere mortal. She had this effervescent life quality about her, that I always just assumed would be around, so experiencing her loss left me a little bit unmoored. Doing this job, getting to document people’s lives, preserving them and showcasing their significance… it’s been the salve to that loss.

Looking at these photos and thinking about the crazy roller coaster of a year that 2015 was, it reminds me that the hard times, no matter how hard are always tempered by the joys of a life well lived.

So to anyone reading this, live your life; love as fiercely as is humanly possible; do things, make art that gives your soul happiness and I hope that 2016 is a year filled with much more of the peaks and less of the troughs for all of us.

xx Len

The post A Life Well Lived // I Love Wednesdays 2015 appeared first on I Love Wednesdays.

When I think about Kara & Mark, I really think of just a warm rainbow of colours, so when I got to the see both of them and their bridal parties and saw everything; the bridesmaids dresses, to the flowers, the boys ninja turtle socks; everything was a pop of warm colour, it really felt completely perfect. Their wedding day was a perfect reflection of them and their love of the outdoors, they married at the top of Minimbah Farm, overlooking the valley, with their marquee gorgeously set up above. I love when everything is happening in the one location, it feels like the party starts right from the ceremony and everyone certainly was in the loved up spirit.

I have to say, it looks like their day was sunny and gorgeous the whole way through, but it started raining RIGHT after the ceremony, stopped long enough for us to grab some gorgeous photos and then started right up again as soon as we got back to the reception. It was almost like it was timed to perfection. They really planned their whole day to make sure everyone had a ball, including having glow sticks for the dancing portion of the evening, seeing how much fun everyone had with them, it’s definitely an awesome addition to any wedding day!

Dress: Neroli of NEZZ
Hairstylist: Jo Groenestyn
Florist: Sian Gough
Music: Dylan Wright
Catering: Duck Duck Goose Catering
Cake : Thea Cubis

The post Kara + Mark // Minimbah Farm Kangaroo Valley Wedding appeared first on I Love Wednesdays.

The post Mary + Olly // Loved Up appeared first on I Love Wednesdays.

The post Michelle + Paul // Phillip Island Penguin Wedding appeared first on I Love Wednesdays.