Chris and Nicole's Wedding

Last week I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Nicole and Chris, a beautiful young kiwi couple who are very much in love, they have a gorgeous daughter with another baby due in 2 months. 

Chris was one of ‘my boys’. I use a labour hire company at work and usually get the same group of guys each time, he is one of the nicest good natured people I know, he is a great worker with a very layback personality.  

The ceremony was at the Brisbane Registry Office 110 George Street., I was pleasantly surprised by the venue and the helpfulness of the staff, I am not sure if I had a preconceived idea or if I stereotyped   government employees, the Justice of the Peace who performed the service went beyond just doing his job. The music for the ceremony was on an iPhone that refused to connect to the stereo system, so the JP downloaded the song the bride wanted on to his own phone because he knew his would work – it was an Adele song so I guess there was a charge from itunes, this was not even mentioned or considered.

I was very happy to be able to share this special day with one of ‘My Boys’ and his beautiful bride and I am flattered that they asked me.

Gorgeous Family

Simply stunning

Brothers

Given away by her brother

There was tears

Kiss the bride

It's official

An Uncle's love

Beautiful family

Quick peak

My Boys

The beautiful Korah

WINNER.....

Yeah  ME....my self portrait photo won the monthly challenge for our Flickr group. Not only did it win, it won convincingly 29 points to second place 13 points.

It was judged by my peers so it may not be technically a good photo, I know a bit of my PS work is sloppy ***this is coz I am so new to it and basically lazy*** 

I am going to take nice photos of my girls and try very hard to get one of HWMBO and create the same photo with photos of the girls hanging up to dry, I will then print and give to Mum and the Monster in Law (MIL) for Christmas 
       ( Side comment -  gave MIL a photo last year of the Glasshouse Mountains, she asked my niece who studied photography if it was a good photo - then complained that it was not of her grandchildren like she expected. If she is not happy this year she can go to HELL)

Yesterday #3 and I went to Australia Zoo, I had asked a few other people to come with us, but as it was school holidays it put most people off. As I have been there a few times in the last 2 years it wasn't that exciting, I much prefer to have visitors to show around. Still #3 and I had a nice day together and she worked on her camera skills.

I really missed having my Chilean students with us as they were always so excited to see the Australia animals. There were a few baby koalas, I will post my photos on Facebook and tag the girls to ensure the see them.

baby wanted to play Mum wanted to sleep - considering koalas sleep 18 hours a day this is not uncommon

Taken though a thick glass wall - luckily relatively clean of finger and face prints

Tonight the girls and I are going to Riverfire - fireworks and music added to the laser lights, the finale of Brisbane Festival. I bought #3 a tripod and was pleasantly surprised at getting $15.00 discount (on a $40.00 tripod) I also printed my 'award' winning photo. to show the family who are coming tomorrow.

I am playing in PS at the moment to see if I can make some boring animal photos interesting..(not gunna get anything finished today - may revisit this post next week.

  

Whale Watching

Sick or not I went whale watching with a group of my photography friends. What an awesome experience, I have never seen anything so big and majestic. 
Two members of our Flickr group live at Burrum Heads - about 20mins away from Hervey Bay, the home of the Humpback. Every year the humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to the warmth of the Great Barrier Reef for breeding. We saw a few mothers and babies on their way back south. It was amazing to watch Mum show baby how to call for help by slapping is tail on the water. Apparently whales have incredible hearing and eye sight. (Although I think  it was totally possible the crew on the boat wanted to see us yell and wave at the whales to get them to come close. There was a lot of running from side to side on the boat with everyone jostling to get the best spot. With 7 photographers in our group with all wanted to get the best spot....the whales of course did what ever they like. Once when I was up front right a whale was no the left, but when I looked into the water I could see the tail and about 3 meters of body, he then turned around and showed me his head and the front of his body. I was so awe stuck I didn't even try for a photo. I had another one on one with a whale when I just wanted a break from all the pushing, I was on my own (totally as there were whales on the other side of the boat) when a male popped his head up right next to the boat where I was standing, I was so close I couldn't get him all in frame when I took the photos....when he had gone everyone was crowded around me again and I was shaking with excitement.

Right close to me

Mum teaching baby to tail slap

Mum, Bub and an escort

tail slap

Baby trying to flip

After a full day on the boat we had a few - lots of cheese and bicies before heading down to the beach at Burrum Heads for sunset shots over the water, not a lot of clouds but beautiful color in the sky, I had the wrong lens for a good 'landscape' photo, still happy with what I got. 

After a dinner of leftover, we went in search of RQQZY's tawny frog mouths, walking along the beach paths making enough noise to scare even the bravest bird away, RaRa finally spotted movement in a tree and yeah it was a tawny...we lite the poor thing with a torch for 20 mins or so to get photos.

An early night was had by all, after a glass of red for me baileys and birthday chocolate of JA and her non photographer friend - *side note 4 of the eight of us are Virgo's*. 

We were up early for a walk along the beach again stopping for coffee and a chat with RQQY's local friends at the seat of knowledge. I got a shot of a Whistling Kite, I think I was the only one with the focal length to get a clear shot.  Back at RQQY's we got the bonus shots of the weekend, bee eaters, these are the most amazing colored birds, they catch bees bash the stinger out then eat the bee. A pair are nesting in the sand in the vacant lot next to R&B's. 

I struggled to work yesterday, but only made it until midday before I had to leave or sleep in the office, I feel much better for staying home today. I will go into work tomorrow and Friday....then I have 4 weeks holiday. YAH

Photo picked from RQQY's Blog....if she ever reads this I am sure she will forgive me.