Thank so much for your fantastic response to our Treatme sale. We had a lot of fun talking with everyone at the Wedding show on Sunday and met some amazing couples and booked in some spectacular-sounding weddings!

The sale has now finished, but keep an eye out in September, we may have something in store for you then

But it was worth it. Standing there photographing Danielle and Johnny in front of this 5 minute window of sunlight was simply heaven.

People who know me know I love to spend a lot of time in Photoshop. But in this case, this rare example, it was easy to let the sunlight do the job for me. Other than a slight tweaking of curves and some care on skin tones with dodging and burning, these are pretty much straight out of camera.

I’m a big believer in letting the couple gauge the weather on the day of their engagement photos and decide what to do, since it’s really their last chance to choose the weather before they get married, and it so paid off here. Emma and James must have had some insider trading knowledge because although it was a windy cloudy day in the city, by the time we got to the waterfront at sunset it was like paradise.

Quintessentially one of the most breathtakingly beautiful, cinematic, real moments of any wedding day.

The catch is, it’s actually easy to make things awfully tricky for your photographer, but by the same token, just as easy to make sure he/she can capture that kiss in all its show-stopping glory.

In the movies, that first kiss is in slow motion; there’s a lead up, the camera is straight in front of the couple at eye level, and it goes according to plan (and according to script!).

What happens at a real wedding is one of three things:

1.) The officiant says ‘you may now kiss the bride’ and the couple give each other a knowing look. About 120% of the guests hold up cellphones/iPads/cameras and start snapping away. The bride and groom lean in for a picture perfect moment. This is the photographer’s dream: it gives us a clear cue to get into the right position so we can capture the very best angle, and allows us the time we need (just a second’s warning is enough) to get the focus bang on.

2.) The officiant delays for a sec, usually looking for his/her place in the program/glasses. The couple suddenly think ‘oh, this is the part… where we kiss, right?’ and to the surprise, and amusement, of the crowd, they lean in. Lightning fast, they kiss. (When I say lightning, I’m talking time stamps on the photos that show the kiss lasted less than a quarter of a second). This is of course so sweet to watch, but not as easy to shoot. It’s sort of like shooting a fast moving news event: we’re on our toes, and we’ll capture it, but it might not give us the chance to get that cinematic picture perfect moment.

3.) The officiant says ‘you may kiss the bride’, we get into position, and then the bride or groom swing their partner around and briefly away from the lens. In this split second they kiss, and after we’ve hightailed it over that gorgeous metre long train of lace, that kiss is just ending. Again, beautiful moment, but we can’t quite get it as well as we’d love to.

Ultimately we just want to capture your day the way it happened. To do that, we’ll need to be in the right place at the right split second. If the first kiss is an important shot to you (and understandably it is to most) remember these three things:

a) Wait for the officiant’s signal that it’s time to lock lips

b) Give the photographer a chance to jump past the three bridesmaids and around the flower girl currently sitting on the floor diligently putting the petals back into the basket

c) Try not to spin around so that you or your new spouse suddenly has their back to the camera.

So easy right? Now go practice kissing, you know you want to

Ok, sneaky tip #1: How to look like your-gorgeous-self

I spent a lot of time over the last few days watching the Queen of portraits, Sue Bryce, talk about how to show off someone’s best angle. I got to thinking about how often I ask for ‘chin out and down’ each wedding day, like she does during portrait sessions.

You see, when we relax, or when we’re nervous or giggling, we often bring our head back into our neck, creating a (completely false!) double chin. The camera, unscrupulous, unfeeling and mechanical, sometimes picks these up.

But, there’s a nifty trick to ensuring this doesn’t catch you out. And it’s so simple: ‘chin out and down’.

All you have to do is gently let your shoulders relax, push your chin out a touch, and let it drop so we see those incredible eyes of yours. Let’s face it (pun!) the eyes are where it’s at, and your chin shouldn’t be stealing the show.

When you drop your chin, your eyes automatically take the stage. Beautiful!

Check it out below, it doesn’t matter which angle you try this from, it works every time.

None of these gorgeous women are professional models, but just between you and me, don’t you think they should be?

That said, it’s sometimes cool for people to be able to get behind the creative process, especially when they’re looking at working with someone. For photographers, and others working in the visual design medium, a big part of that creative process is about space.

This is my work space. Simple, neutral tones. Lots of light. A dog. That’s really all I need, which is lucky because I spend A LOT of time at this desk. The one piece of flair is the print by James Jean, which was bought for me by my husband Sam.

The dog, little delight that she is, is named Meadow. She thinks she is my boss.