Jen and Kit had a few concepts in mind for their engagement session, such as drawing inspiration from Alice in Wonderland, as well as the Chinese fable that everybody is connected to their soul mate by red string. Since the very romantic Kit had proposed to Jen in the secret garden at Abingdon Miniature Village, these ideas tied in strongly with their story and made for a very inspired afternoon!
With the Alice in Wonderland theme, we decided to make a play on size as in the story Alice grows and shrinks by eating special cake and drinking magic potions. It also helped that we were already going to a miniature village! So thinking ‘big’ I was drawn to the grand, very large architecture in Fremantle. Big vines, big doors, even big pot plants. :) We visited the big door on Croke Lane, some giant doorways on High Street, a few alleys, and of course the famous white facade on Cliff St.
When photographers say they don’t like working with kids or animals, (I do!!) well I’ve found something even more temperamental and all my techniques for kids and animals just wouldn’t work. Have you ever tried posing a bunch of balloons when the wind hasn’t decided whether it is gentle or strong, or even what direction it’s coming from? These balloons needed constant supervision as well, when they weren’t require red in the shoot we tied them to a ceramic cup, and even then they kept trying to drift themselves down the street. Going through the photos of the day, many frames had perfect expressions from Jen and Kit, only to have a misbehaving balloon!!
Our next stop was Abingdon, not only was there a maze with beautiful green hedges with the sun skimming the tops, but also miniature buildings, and the secret garden where Kit had proposed to Jen!! If it wasn’t for Jen and Kit, I would not believe this place existed only 59 minutes from Perth! I felt as though I was in England.
Our last location was at the estuary in Mandurah, with a creepy forest, native bush, a long boardwalk into the sunset, Richard and I were in heaven. It’s filled with mosquitoes though, the type that seem oblivious to the spray we’d put all over ourselves.
I’ve taken photos all around the world, at some pretty cool locations. But for me, I’d have to say this was my favourite combination of locations in one photoshoot so far. I think the kid in me just finds mazes, little buildings, big doors, pretty sunsets and creepy trees exciting. The only sad thing about this shoot (besides accidentally eating a mosquito) was that I left my favourite hat in Mandurah, on a rock in the bushes, opposite the jetty. If I’m ever in Mandurah I’m going to check that rock, even though I know that with the tides or winds it’s long gone, you never know…
A big thank you to Jen and Kit for your help with the props, locations and inspiration, it was a fulfilling and creative photoshoot. Your wedding is going to be amazing!
I adore your wedding photography and everytime someone asks if I shoot weddings (I don’t), I recommend you! Gorgeous photos.
Can I ask where this location here is?? http://albedo.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/Jen-and-Kit-Pre-wedding-blog/i-dRS9DZL/0/O/JK-prewedding-251.jpg
You know I love your stuff Richard. But why you have to be so damn good!!?!
Hehe. All jokes aside. Incredible. As to be expected from you.
PS – Jen’s evening gown is badass :D
Just epic mate really digging that :)
Really nice shoot. Love the location and the concept behind.
Thanks everyone for your kind words.
And thank you Bobbi-lee!! :)That is really appreciated! I just checked out your site – love your work too. So if anyone asks us about newborn photography happy to send them your way.
The forest location is near Mandurah. It’s in the wetlands near Darwin Terrace, Dudley Park. The mosquitoes are CRAZY there, I have never experienced anything like it. It’s like we were the first humans that had ever wandered in there after dusk, and they hadn’t eaten for weeks. Even mozzie spray did not stop them… in some of the pics it looks like I have bad sensor dust, until you realise its just another swarm of mosquitoes.
Cheers
Jen
Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These are so sweet!! I love all of the different settings. :)
You two are so dang talented, it makes me sick! jk
Seriously though, fantastic work. Great people, even greater photographers. <3
holy moly.
Beautiful! Love the colours and the locations! It all looks so romantic!
Wonderful use of light and color. Love how fresh the images look. Well done!
Wow. I love every shot and I adore her little red dress. Very cute.
Great work, Richard. Love the light airy colors. All the shots where she’s wearing the brown dress are amazing.
What a beautiful engagement shoot! And what an awesome theme! They really seemed to get into the spirit of things, and still have a fun connection between them. Terrific work!
The second photo down, the one on the right is so cool. Great creative use of shadows!!!
WOW these are all amazing. I really love the silhouette shots.
wow! Love the concept ! You pulled it off brilliantly.
Wow! I really love the work in the maze and the shot of the balloon shadows.
What a fun shoot! Love all the locations and the pops of red!
Stunning! Is all I can think to say :)
The stuff in the maze is awesome! great lighting btw… love how you hid the flash below the hedge.
You have produced some lovely photos, i especially like the maze photos and the rich colours, truly stunning.
Epic session my friend!