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Another Year Gone, 2011 Review with my Top 40 Favourite Wedding Photos

marcel — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:05:58 +0000

Its that time of year again where you have get used to writing the correct year again on forms, New Year resolutions are tried and tested and the credit card hangover kicks in for some. I hope everyone has had a great Christmas and a safe New Years. 2011 has been a great year for my business; I have met some truly amazing people and been there on the best day of their lives, I have risen immensely in my photographic technique, getting more and more pleased as I watch the photos download from my memory cards after each day and each wedding seems to flow really well when it comes to the photos by having more confidence and higher quality gear. I now have actually started to see a repeat in venues from wedding to wedding too, which is not a bad thing, its great in fact; it challenges me to make each wedding look different, I get to know the staff of the venue, but above all gives you, the client, better photographs as I know the venue from a photographic sense. With so many photographers out there it is now getting rarer than ever that they see a photographer more than once at some venues.

In 2011 I have also gathered a great bunch of friends in the wedding photography industry, having photographed as a second shooter for a handful of great operators, met up with some awesome people at our group meets and shared and received some advice on all things photographic and business. This year will see my first proper venture into fashion (i’ll tell you more about it in a coming post) as well as some weddings in gorgeous locations. This year will also focus on getting me more industry training, some website massaging including a new gallery system, an improved contact page as well a products section and maybe some new and exciting printed products being added to the already fantastic range I offer.

What I want to share with you today is my 40 favourite images of 2011 that I hand picked myself for no particular reason other than I just liked them. Each one has its own story to tell so I won’t bore you with caption after caption; they all were picked, not to sum up my portfolio or to show you my best work, just to show you the amazing moments I froze in time with the press of a button. These photographs show me either an unrepeatable slice of time that got unnoticed by 99% of the people at the wedding, they show some very emotive moments that were captured and remind the couple of the feelings they felt when they get the pictures, photos I may have captured by pure fluke or by chance, photos that pushed my creativity, photos that may have taken a long time to setup or the light was just perfect and it was the star of the show.

I also chose some photographs that I remember I was having a great time myself, either by laughing my butt off when the boys were running amuck during their shoot or when the moment was so perfect I fired off so many frames my camera’s buffer filled up before the memory card could write them. Luckily I don’t use film anymore!

Keep an eye out for long overdue blog post for last few weddings of the last quarter of 2011, I just have been so busy and I have put my client’s product delivery first. Also a big thanks to my previous clients and the Flickr group for your support, it means a lot. Now off to do the last adjustments of the last wedding of the year so I have a clean slate for 2012!

Shari and Cameron’s Wedding Sneak Peek – Alowyn Gardens, Yarra Valley

marcel — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:45:16 +0000

When the weather forecast says your wedding day has thunderstorms due to occur at the same time as your ceremony, you tend to worry a bit as a couple getting married. Hey, I even worry too as not all of my gear if water proof! But the gloomy forecast didn’t worry Shari and Cameron; they just wanted to have the most amazing day possible, and that they got. The rain held out until everyone was snug at the reception courtesy of the ultra cool Treble Cleff Jazz Lounge in the hills of Chirnside Park luckily, but I got a soaking when taking the final few images of the night outside. The wedding ceremony venue Alowyn Gardens is simply spectacular; I’d recommend them to anyone and you’ll love the accommodating hosts Prue and her husband John. Prue was happy to show me around and organise what I needed. The garden has scores of little spots that greet you at every turn and the most precisely trimmed hedges I’ve ever seen. Shari’s two boys Shane and Cameron (I had to call him little Cam as not to confuse him with big Cam) had a ball and were excellent sports for the photo sessions. The beautiful setting suited Shari and Cameron to the ground as they are very grounded and a fun loving couple. With a laugh shared and tear shed by all during their beautiful ceremony; it made for an excellent day.

Melanie & Ryan’s Wedding Sneak Peek – Potters Warrandyte

marcel — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 12:42:14 +0000

I knew from the first moment I met these guys, that the wedding day was going to be a hell of a lot of fun to shoot, and I wasn’t wrong. The laughter on this day was contagious, so I had trouble keeping the camera steady. Even when I’m sorting through the images on the computer I had to giggle to myself, especially when the boys were goofing around for the camera early on in the day. Melanie and Ryan are truly meant for each other, their gaze never left each other since Ryan’s first sighting in the chapel of Potters in Warrandyte. The weather forecast really was looking gloomy the day before, but the sun shone all day since events started in the afternoon, perfectly fitting for these two bright personalities.

Pictures From Malaysia

marcel — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 21:05:58 +0000

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Malaysia and here are the some of the images I captured along the way. First was Kuala Lumpur for two days (which was mostly spent shopping) and then nine days on Penang Island off the west coast of Malaysia. I would definitely recommend Malaysia as a holiday destination; with warm temperatures all year round, friendly people with amazing hospitality, many things for site seeing and shopping like you wouldn’t believe.

Just click on the thumbnail to enlarge each image and press the back button to return to the main page. Enjoy, and if you are interested in purchasing any of images for your wall at home, let me know via email.

2011 Better Photography Magazine, Photo of the Year Awards

marcel — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 13:36:40 +0000

I’m proud to announce I have recieved a Silver Award in the 2011 Better Photography Magazine, Photo of the Year Awards. Better Photography is one of my favourite Australian photography magazines and occasionally I’ll give the competitions a go, just to see how I go. Not a category winner, but I’m happy to get a score of over 80 which is better than I have done before.

The photo I entered is of the peak of Mt Cook amongst the Southern Alps on the South Island of New Zealand I took from a Helicopter ride up to 3800meters above sea level. This sight is the greatest I have ever seen and I was high enough to see both the east and west coasts of New Zealand at the same time. This stunning image is now one of the many fine art prints I offer for sale with a limit to 10 editions only. Be the first to get edition one with any of the prices listed below.

10 Editions

8×12” Metallic Print in Gallery Frame $110
12×16” Metallic Print in Gallery Frame $170
8×12” Craftwood Mount (Met. Paper) $110
20×30” Craftwood Mount (Met. Paper) $300
20×30” Metallic Print Only $160
16×24” i-Direct Acrylic Mount $400
20×30” i-Direct Acrylic Mount $470

Print Glossary

I-Direct Acrylic Mounts – A unique and ultra modern mount made from clear Archival Grade Acrylic with the image bonded to the back using a UV curing process. This makes the print impervious to condensation build up and mould attack. Colours are accurate and the detail is brilliant. The mounting method utilises a channel system and a spacer to give a floating appearance on the wall. The image is also completely borderless, so not to distract from it.

Craftwood (MDF) Mounting – A print is bonded to a 10mm Medium Density Fibreboard Panel with black edges and utilises the channel mount system. Not recommended for areas exposed to steam or any moisture. The Craftwood Mount is a well priced alternative to other mount types.

Metallic Paper Prints – This paper is the most striking paper type on the market, which is perfectly suited for landscape photographs. The image takes on an almost 3Dimensional quality with incredible detail and explosive colours. The finish is high gloss and it can be either framed in traditional frames, bonded to Craftwood or Foam Core.

If the print were to be exposed it is laminated in an archival grade lacquer for longevity.

Gallery Frame – This frame is what is known as a traditional black wooden frame with a white matt. This is so the frame is not distracting from the artwork. It comes with a basic rope for hanging.

August Catch Up & Closures

marcel — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 22:21:37 +0000

Boy has it been a busy last few months with me having a few wedding gigs to finish off and meeting some more wonderful couples that will be getting married next year. With all the new weddings to come, there should be mountains of blog material coming your way.

Future bookings: Bookings for 2011 have been closed off to wedding clients, the calendar is simply full and all is booked solid until the end of April 2012. During these times I still will be taking on engagement photography sessions and commercial photography commissions.
MV Photography will be overseas from August 8th until August 19th for some ‘sit by the pool time’ during the wedding off season to relax and spend some time with wife Belinda. During this time I won’t be able to take any phone calls or reply to emails in many cases (i’ll be quite remote), so I’ll endeavour to get back to you as soon as I land back home.
Some new gear has been added to the bag during the last 6 months; a Canon 5D Mk II 21MegaPixel beast for ultra high resolution prints, a Sigma 50mm f1.4 prime lens and for travel purposes I bought a new wide angle zoom, the Tokina 20-35mm f2.8 and a Vanguard Up-Rise 28 Camera Bag, which I’ll talk about in future posts. Still on the cards is a good wide angle prime lens, but I’ll need to give that one some time I think.
In late August I’ll have a fashion shoot for a very exciting up and coming designer based in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne. This shoot will hopefully boost her to stardom, so I’ll keep you posted on that one.
The pricing guide for 2012 is now in development with some new formatting changes, new images and if time allows some new printed products. I am just struggling with time at the moment to organise product samples, so hopefully in time we’ll have some exquisite new coffee table books and new wall hangings.
Look out soon for photos of Zoe and Ryan’s wedding, photographed at Inglewood Estate, Kangaroo Ground.

Yael & Simon’s Coonara Springs, Olinda Wedding Pt2

marcel — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:08:34 +0000

Wedding Vendors:

Celebrant: Barb Hadlow www.barbhadlow-celebrant.com.au

Venue: Coonara Springs, 129 Olinda-Munbulk Rd, Olinda www.coonarasprings.com.au

Music: Alannah Guthrie-Jones, live harpist www.heavenlymoments.com.au

Wedding Gown: Miss Bella, Boronia www.missbella.co.au

Groom’s Suit: Briggins, Croydon www.briggins.com.au

Flowers: Debbie O’Neill www.debbieoneill.com.au

Zoe & Ryan’s Wedding Sneak Peek – Inglewood Estate

marcel — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:13:25 +0000

Last weekend I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Zoe and Ryan at ever beautiful Inglewood Estate in Kangaroo Ground, Victoria. The weather held out and didn’t rain on the parade fortunately, giving us the opportunity to shoot the formal part of the photography outside. It was only when everyone went inside for the party at the restaurant the heavens opened up a little. Lets say I got only a little wet when photographing the exterior of the venue. Enjoy some teaser photos until the full blog post in about five or six weeks. Stay tuned for the rest of Yael and Simon’s Autumn wedding in the coming days.

Yael & Simon’s Beautiful Autumn Wedding Sneak Peek

marcel — Tue, 24 May 2011 12:50:25 +0000

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of photographing the union between two amazing souls, Yael and Simon. The weather was perfect, the trees were full of colour and smiles were everywhere. Here is just a taste of some of the images taken on the day, stay tuned for a full blog post in a few weeks.

Steph & Steve – Summer Sorrento Wedding

marcel — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 02:57:31 +0000

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to work with the ever talented Robb Duncan of Pixxil Photography at the wedding of Steph and Steve in Sorrento Victoria. The day was perfect, the setting was perfect, overall it was a great day for the ceremony at Sorrento Park followed by a party fuelled reception at the Baths Restaurant which was a lot of fun. Working as a second shooter I was taking images a little different from when I work as the primary photographer, it gives a slightly different perspective and more candid images than the main photographer on the day, which gives you that extra something for your photobook or album. MV Photography offers the service of an additional hired professional photographer to any of the packages in the pricing guide.

I hope you enjoy the images.