LK Photography Blog

Dreamy Engagement by the Lake - Winners of Love Story 2 Win Comp Part 1

2011-10-08T23:30:00.000+11:00

Ahhh... young love. This dreamy couple were the winners of the Love Story 2 Win Wedding Photography Competition I held a while back. Part of their prize was an Engagement photography session. Their obvious adoration of each other shows through in their photos and Jessie wanted to use the opportunity to get some photos of their new family which includes the amazing Shanelle who stole my heart. Jessie and Shanelle were naturals in front of the camera but Sione told me during his wedding photography session that he was very happy to have had a practice go at their engagement photography session as it made him more relaxed in front of the camera and able to enjoy it more.

Keep tuned for their wedding photos coming soon.

If you are wondering how this couple won their wedding photography, it was by keeping up to date with the latest LK Photography news by reading my Blog, Facebook or Twitter.

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Classic Vintage Style Wedding in the Hunter

2011-09-10T20:49:00.000+10:00

A gorgeous classic vintage style wedding in the Hunter Valley was the choice of Katherine and Peter who tied the knot in front of their kids, family and friends at the Mecure Resort Hunter Valley. The nervous groom and bride were led into marraige by the confident and caring celebrant Maree Callaghan who performed their ceremony. Once the formalities were completed, their faces shone with such a lovely relaxed happiness. I love their vintage style so for Katherine and Peter's classic photos, black and white photo editing was my preferred choice. Thanks Katherine and Peter for choosing LK Photography. I wish you many happy years together.

To book LK Photography for your romantic wedding photography, email or call Laura on 0413144603.

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Family Portraits on a Yacht

2011-08-22T11:51:00.000+10:00

This lovely family needed some updated photos and took advantage to book a family photography session with LK Photography while their 3 stunning girls were home for the holidays, before they again went off their separate ways to follow their careers. Their yacht provided the perfect prop and made for relaxed portraits and a fun afternoon.

To book your family portrait photography session anywhere, contact LK Photography.

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Marriage Ceremony at home - Madonna and Ramin

2011-08-17T21:44:00.000+10:00

Madonna and Ramin's wedding was a union of two cultures, celebrated by a marriage ceremony performed by Sylvia Wilson and reception at home with their romantic wedding photos on a nearby beach. Something that stuck in my mind about this couple was the sincere kindness of the bride and groom and of all their family and guests. I wish them many years of happiness together.

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Business Portraits

2011-08-16T10:38:00.000+10:00

A presence on the web is more important now days than ever with nearly every home having access to the internet. I know I search first on the web when searching for a business service. A few months ago I completed business portraits for Richard Ophel who after many years of experience has started his own financial services business Lake Financial Group and also for Phil Evans who is planning his sailing school website. Both gentlemen are Morisset locals who understand the need for decent portraits to use not only on their website but also on their business cards, brochures and advertisements. Part of my role in taking their portraits to to gain an understanding of their different styles of business and the image they want to portray. Here are a few of their final shots. Keep and eye out for their businesses, using my photos of course!

If you need portraits to portray your business image, call LK Photography to book your portraits on 0413144603.

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Kirsten and Bradley Elopement in the Hunter Valley

2011-07-31T22:39:00.001+10:00

Kirsten and Bradley came to the Hunter Valley in secret with only their good friends, to elope. Easily arranged by staying at Thistle Hill Lodge with Val Haydon as their celebrant, and LK Photography as their photographer, it was as easy as that! Photos are their record of their wedding day and they become so much more important when eloping so that they can share their special day with their family and friends.

Thanks to Kirsten and Bradley for letting me be part of their intimate elopement. Many happy years!

Laura from LK Photography loves being part of elopements especially in the Hunter Valley, so call her to book your wedding photography.

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Angela and Ben - Wedding at Caves Beach

2011-07-16T23:52:00.000+10:00

Angela and Ben were married on Caves Beach on an overcast day. Blue skies are nice but I love the dramatic effect clouds can offer photos, especially in shades of black and white.

Angela and Ben were of course accompanied by their beautiful children.

Their family and best friends made up their happy bridal party dressed in a classic black style.

The ceremony on the beach was followed by a reception at the Toronto Motor Yacht Club. I wish this lovely family much happiness and thanks for allowing me to be part of their wedding day.

Please contact LK Photography for a wedding photography pricelist.

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Our Wedding

2011-05-03T10:27:00.000+10:00

By popular demand, here are a few photos from my own wedding. My favourite is the first photo where we kiss as husband and wife for the first time and our son comes running to join in the love! We held the ceremony close to our home where we take regular walks. Our ceremony was performed by Brian and Sheila from Idoby2celebrants who with our suggestions created the ceremony of our dreams and we thank them for their professionalism and attention to detail. We incorporated a ring warming and a blessing of the hands into our ceremony. and there were emotional tears all round. My dress was a bargain from Chermel Fashions in Morisset and we all had some professional help completing our outfits from Shazzam at Toronto. My gorgeous and perfect flowers were from Bella Floral Boutique in Morisset and the hire for the reception held at our home which made it look so elegant was from At Call Hire in Morisset. I can truly highly recommend all these wedding suppliers for the professionalism and help. Everything else was done by ourselves with help of family and friends whom we thank endlessly. Keeping true to my belief a happy wedding stems from a relaxed bride, I was definitely (well mostly) that. We all had the time of our lives and the feedback from our 20 family and friends who travelled from far and wide to be with us, was that they had never been to a wedding that lasted 10 days!

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Nelson Bay Wedding Photos - Jade and Simon - The Romantics - Part 2

2011-05-02T18:31:00.000+10:00

At last, Part 2 - The Romantics - of the wedding photos of Jade and Simon who held their wedding at Nelson Bay. The Romantics are what I call the period of time that a newly wed bride and groom allow for a photographic session from which they will most likely choose their printed englargements to hang in their home. These shots show what can be achieved on a beautiful day, with a relaxed couple and a schedule that allows a photographer plenty of time to capture the beauty of their wedding day.

Please allow plenty of time for your wedding romantics if you would like LK Photography to take ideal shots just like Jade and Simon's photos. To see more of their wedding photos, see Nelson Bay Wedding Photos - Jade and Simon - The Details - Part 1. (http://www.lkphotography.com.au , Ph: 0413144603)

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Nelson Bay Wedding Photos - Jade and Simon - The Details - Part 1

2011-04-11T09:41:00.000+10:00

Beautiful couple, Beautiful day, Beautiful wedding, Beautiful family - just perfect! That's how I would describe the wedding of Jade and Simon. It was such a beautiful wedding that I have to share so many photos with you all in 2 posts, The Details Part 1, and later, The Romantics Part 2

The Bride wore a figure hugging detailed dress with an amazingly gorgeous train, which if I remember correctly was similar to her grandmother's wedding train. Her flowers were perfect white roses along with sentimental family jewellery attached and the bridesmaids had electric blue dresses with singapore orchids to match.

The Groom's caring hands hold their gorgeous wedding rings as symbols of their love which started as childhood sweethearts. I call them 'caring' hands because as you will see later in this post and in The Romantics - Part 2, they are constantly holding and caressing his bride. Doesn't he make such a dashing tall figure in his suit?!

The Ceremony was held in Nelson Bay, although this couple comes from Newcastle, because Nelson Bay was where their love blossomed. Also lovely was that they were married by Jade's uncle who came from the US especially to wed them.

The Celebrations included all Jade and Simon's loved ones at their wedding reception held at The Catch Restaurant at Shoal Bay Resort, overlooking the crystal blue waters of Nelson Bay in NSW. I love the surprised look on Jade's face during her father's speech when he reveals to her a funny secret kept from her for many years. How cute is Simon's adoring look towards a teary Jade while he makes his speech?

I think you will agree they make a lovely couple and anyone who knows them knows they are even lovelier in their hearts and minds. I wish them the best of luck in the start of their married life together.

Watch this blog for 'Nelson Bay Wedding Photos - Jade and Simon - The Romantics - Part 2.
If you would like LK Photography to photograph your beautiful wedding, contact Laura on 0413144603.

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Wangi Workers Engagement Photography - Renee and Jarryd

2011-02-16T21:47:00.000+11:00

Renee and Jarryd had a lovely big engagement party at Wangi Workers Club. The views from inside the Wangi Workers Club is fabulous overlooking Lake Macquarie which is where I took the engagement photos.

Engagement photos are a great idea for any clients who feels awkward in front of the camera. LK Photography will give you some tips so that on your wedding day, you will know what to expect, how to look your best without trying too hard, and you'll and feel so much more comfortable having your photos taken which will definitely show in your wedding photos. It will also give you the chance to let me know what photos you like best so that I can recreate for your wedding photos if appropriate.

I wish this lovely couple a happy engagement!

Was this past Valentine's Day a good one for you? Are you now engaged? Contact LK Photography for your engagement photography on 0413144603.

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Romantic Hunter Valley Wedding Photography

2011-02-06T13:21:00.000+11:00

This intimate wedding in the Hunter Valley was so romantic. Phoebe and Guillame rented an amazingly beautiful big blue house for their family and themselves for a weekend and had their ceremony and photos all at the same location. It was classy and very relaxed but oh so beautiful.

This gorgeous house is called Wilderness Grove at Lovedale (how appropriate) in the Hunter Valley in NSW Australia.

Their celebrant was Julia Denny who performed a flawless ceremony. Check out the backdrop!
Apart from being very good looking and French, Guillame was funny and even wrote their amazingly beautiful vows. Needless to say he's a good match for Phoebe who is intelligent, beautiful, classy and has the most amazing cheekbones which Guillame just adores.

I'm so glad I caught this very touching and personal moment when Phoebe's mum gives the bride some special words of love. You can see it in their eyes, which got teary very fast and which I also captured.

We were chasing the light on this perfect day but it worked to our advantage in the photos.

I love everything about this stylish and romantic Hunter Valley wedding. The beautiful bride in her stylish gown, the handsome groom with his accent and personal vows, and of course I love the location at Wilderness Grove, perfect for taking wedding photos.

If you are considering marrying in the Hunter Valley, please call Laura from LK Photography - Hunter Valley Wedding Photographer on 0413144603 and I would be happy to help you choose a location as beautiful as I've seen some hidden gems of locations in the Hunter wine country.

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Caves Beach Hotel Wedding Photography on a Rainy Day

2011-01-20T21:46:00.000+11:00

What do you do if it rains on your wedding day and you had planned a ceremony outdoors? Not a problem if you booked your wedding at The Caves Beach Hotel at Caves Beach in beautiful Lake Macquarie. They just move everything for you indoors into their huge function room and give you a view of the beach from the huge glass windows. Luckily, Eileen and Neville had booked their wedding there and Caves Beach Hotel took care of everything for them - the ceremony location, their celebration reception, their accommodation as well as allow them use of all the hotel to have their wedding photography done. With a little perfect timing though, we did get a few shots on their spacious decking overlooking the beach.

I spent a little time with Eileen and Neville chatting about their caring relationship and how they came to be together while we were planning their wedding photography. So when Brian from Idoby2celebrants performed their lovely ceremony, and when Eileen and Neville said their vows, I was blubbering like a baby. It was difficult to see through my tears but I hope I did their beautiful ceremony justice through my wedding photography. Brian and Sheila from Idoby2celebrants certainly did a wonderful and thorough job helping the bride and groom plan their wedding ceremony. Not a surprise then that I have chosen Idoby2celebrants to perform my own wedding ceremony in March.

Thankyou to Eileen and Neville for letting me be part of their love story by allowing me to take their wedding photography. Best of luck to you both forever!

If you would like to touch my heart too while I take your wedding photography, please call LK Photography on 0413144603 or send me a note.

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Small Wedding in the Hunter Valley - Stacie and Jeremy

2010-12-30T22:39:00.000+11:00

Recently I shared photos of a rainy day wedding at the Mecure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens in Pokolbin NSW. Today I am excited to be able to share with you the photography album of the small wedding of Stacie and Jeremy, held at the same hotel but on a glorious, sunny and windy day.

This stylish couple chose to come home to Australia, from working overseas, so they could have their family help them celebrate their intimate wedding day. They had a small ceremony performed by wordsmith celebrant Maree Callaghan followed by photos by myself, LK Photography, on the Mecure Resort's beautiful grounds and then a gorgeous reception meal held in one of their smaller rooms complete with fireplace and chandeliers.

Thankyou to Jerry and Stacie for trusting me from afar with something as special as their wedding photos and thanks also to Stacie's parents who helped their photography booking with LK Photography become a reality. To see all of Stacie and Jeremy's photos visit their online album here.

To book me for photography of your small wedding, please call Laura on 0413144603 or visit my website at www.lkphotography.com.au

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Rainy Wedding at the Grand Mecure Hotel

2010-12-16T21:26:00.000+11:00

It seems like forever since I posted a blog for you all. So sorry but when its wedding season, I feel like I barely have time to recharge the batteries, literally! Today I share with you the story of the little wedding of Sharon and Jorim. They let nothing spoil their day and really did have a memorable intimate and relaxed wedding. Their special day was raining but the Grand Mecure Hotel in Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley had the perfect solution in their inviting warm library, complete with fireplace and perfect service. As a special touch, the couple had booked a string quartet to provide ambience with elegant music. If you are out there reading this, write a comment with your contact details as I lost your card and cannot remember your name to recommend you.

A bonus to all there was Maree Callaghan, THE Hunter Marriage Celebrant, to officiate in her professional and warm style as usual.

Check out the killer shoes and there is a great story to them. The wedding shoes were left behind at home and this wasn't discovered until the very, very last moment. In her relaxed style, Sharon, the bride was quite happy to walk down the aisle barefoot but her mother raced out to the rescue and somehow found a new pair of shiny gold sexy shoes that fit perfectly and came back with them in time for the wedding. Talk about resourceful!

Beautiful mirror, right? It won't surprise anybody who knows me that I had all the hotel staff running over to save everything I knocked from this table, just before this shot was taken. Then the rain stopped long enough for us to go outside and get some shots including this beautiful fountain.

The moral of this story? No matter what nuisances happen on your wedding day, if you stay relaxed and smile, your wedding will be absolutely perfect. See more photos of Sharon and Jorim's wedding.

To book a smiling wedding photographer for your small wedding, call Laura from LK Photography on 0413144603.

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World Photography Day Competition 2010

2010-08-18T17:00:00.000+10:00

Thursday 18th August 2010 is World Photography Day. To celebrate the powerful emotions that a photo can capture and also the emotions it can create, I am going to give away a photography session to someone who shares the photo most dear to them.

It does not even need to be a good photo. Just tell me why it is special to you. I'm running this competition via Facebook so you can easily upload or share a photo. If you don't have a Facebook account join up and then go to the LK Photography page on Facebook and 'Like' so that you can enter. Then make your comment on the LK Photography page on Facebook and click on the tiny orange photo icon below it to add your photo. The competition is open now and you have until midnight this Sunday 22nd August 2010 to enter. The winner will receive a free 1 hour photography session and a DVD of their images in fully edited in high resolution. You can use the session for anything you like: business photography, family photos , engagement photos etc. You can have photos taken of yourself or anyone else you would like photos of. This competition is not open to previous winners. Photography will take place within Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Lake Macquarie or Central Coast regions. Areas outside this will be required to pay travel expenses.

What's your special photo? Enter the competition now.

And what is the photo most dear to me? The first photo I took of the love of my life with the little life full of love that we made. Even then, it showed the caring nature my 'rough around the edges'tatooed' man has and what an excellent father he was and still is. It shows my tiny fragile premature son the week he finally came out of hospital and I am reminded of how far we have come. He is now so strong and healthy and I am thankful for that everytime I see this photo. In summary, this photo fills my heart with love for both Rik and Jonah and admiration for Rik as a father and relief and happiness at the strong boy my son has become.

If you get stuck and need some help, don't hesitate to contact me on 0413144603 or send me a message from the LK Photography website.

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Which Photos should you Print?

2010-08-18T14:51:00.000+10:00

Even when clients are given a small number of photos, if they are happy with their photos, they are often overwhelmed with their choice when it comes to choosing which photos to get printed. What I like, will be different to what they like, so giving my preferences would be of little use. After all, I won't be looking at these prints every day. Each person has their own tastes in photos, and this will vary according to what type of photos they are viewing too. A few questions however will help you choose. Here are some tips to help you decide which photos to get printed:

What size are they? Where will they go?

Often these two questions go together. For example, in most of LK Photography packages, 3(8"x12") professional prints are included. Therefore you don't need to choose your size, you just need to decide where is the best place in your home to hang them. If you don't have a size in mind, then ask yourself the reverse question. Where would you like to hang them? The size of your wall space will help you decide the smallest or largest size that you will need.

Which are your favourites?

An obvious question, but narrowing your choices down will help. If you are viewing from the LK Photography website in the 'View Your Pictures' page, when you click on a picture to enlarge it, at the left hand side of the screen, click on 'Add to Favourites' to help you. After you done adding all your favourites, you can then click on 'View Favourites' to scroll through the ones you have chosen. You can then zoom, compare and remove any that are no longer needed as you get closer to choosing the images you will be printing.

Your image should be chosen to suit the size at which it will be printed.

I am not talking about resolution but that is important to ensure quality when printing. As a photographer, sometimes I take a photo during a photography session that I know would look amazing as a huge wall print, but which would lose its appeal as a little 6"x4" print. Keep this in mind and try not to choose photos for small prints in which the subjects are further away and include beautiful scenery. Likewise you may not like a really close up photo printed as a huge print as faces may seem too big.

Are your photos going to be placed together?
LK Photography clients are often given all their photos in normal colour but for some photos, I include extra copies of the same image but edited in a different manner. If you intend on mixing your new prints on your wall with other photos, choosing the same editing effect should not really matter. If however your prints are to be a stand alone feature, you may want to consider choosing the same editing effect for all of the set. ie. choose all black and white photos, or all normal colour photos, or all washed out colour effect photos.

Do your photos need to be portrait or landscape?
The positioning of photos will help you determine if you need to choose portrait or landscape images. If choosing the same size prints, choosing one portrait and 2 horizontal images may leave you with little choice in positioning when the time comes to place them on your wall. Keep in mind that most photos can be cropped into the opposite orientation. ie. a landscape photo can be cropped to be printed as a portrait photo.

Do you want a variety or an artistic set?
Choosing 3 similar photos to place together on a wall gives a striking effect that is sure to turn heads. However, if variety is your thing, choose a close up, and 2 photos taken from further away.

What will you be printing on?

Printing the same image on regular photo paper as opposed to metallic paper, cloth, acrylics, or canvas materials, will give you different effects. Some images will look better or worse, depending on the material you choose. Ask LK Photography for advice when you have a few images in mind or when you have a special photo you like but are unsure what material to get it printed upon. Most photos will print well on regular photo paper.

Who are the prints for?

Everybody's preferences are different but 9 out of 10 times, more mature generations like photos that are taken closer up, where faces are looking into the camera, and where everybody is smiling. The more artistic the person you are giving to is, the more likely they would prefer an image with something a little different ie. special effect, taken from a different angle etc. And if the image is for a child, smiles, more smiles and some crazy facial expressions are sure to please them.

Do you want any more printed?

LK Photography packages include some prints for yourself but perhaps you have your heart set on a huge 20"x30" print to fill up that living room wall. Or maybe you have parents, grandparents, aunties, godparents etc that you would like to give a little gift to. This can range from a few 6"x4" prints to a large wall print. Sometimes an album is more cost effective than getting 100-200 photos printed. So if all the prints are for you only, have a look at the range of albums LK Photography offers.

Test them out.

A special tip I give my clients is that if you are stuck on deciding between 2 or 3 photos, print a rough copy of it from your regular home printer. Stick it on the wall where you intend it to go. Leave it there for a few days and look at it each time you go past. You will soon either love it or know that you need to choose another image to replace it.

Choose something that will make you smile

Either because its a fond memory or a funny memory or an endearing photo of someone you love, choosing an image that will make you smile every time you pass that photo in your home is money well spent.

Still need more advice? Call Laura from LK Photography while you are in front of your photo choices and I will try to talk you through making your choices. Do you get this type of service from your local photo printer mini-lab? Of course not! Apart from excellent service, ordering your prints from LK Photography ensures you get the best quality prints available.

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Wedding Myths

2010-08-06T12:59:00.000+10:00

Maybe because weddings carry such significance in a person's life, alot of energy goes into hoping that the wedding goes off without a hitch. Some cultures more than others, have many myths and traditions surrounding many aspects of a wedding. While thinking about my own wedding accessories for our wedding next year, I thought I would check whether pearls were bad luck. What I found changed my mind about paying attention to myths. I found a wealth of myths which I have put together below. This doesn't even cover traditions which are different in many ways. I thank USQ Artsworx, Wedding Dresses and Cakes, Life123 and Your Wedding 101.com from where I gathered all the following myths.

Proposing and Engagement

A woman should only propose to a man during a leap year, otherwise it endangers the marriage.

Engagement and wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was once thought that a vein in that finger led directly to the heart.

It is bad luck for the bride to remove her engagement ring before the day of her wedding.

Stag parties were first held by ancient Spartan soldiers, who kissed their bachelor days goodbye with a raucous party.

"A change of name and not of letter is a change for the worse and not the better." It is considered unlucky for the bride if she marries a man having a surname that begins with the same first letter as hers.

Sign your married name before the wedding: it is considered bad luck for the bride to sign her married name before the wedding as it tempts fate.

It is unlucky to marry someone born in the same month as you.

It will bring bad luck to marry on your birthday.

It is good luck for a bride to dream of her wedding day.

The Bridal Shower

The first gift the bride opens should be the first gift she uses.

The person who gives the third gift to be opened will soon have a baby.

The Wedding Day

The bride should always be happy if she wears or carries a bit of salt.

The bridegroom should carry a horseshoe in his pocket for good luck.

Postponing a wedding is very bad luck.

It is bad luck for a bride to read the marriage service on the day before her wedding. It brings more luck if the groom arrives at the church before the bride.

It is bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the actual ceremony. At the wedding, the bride should make sure she sees the groom before he sees her.

It's bad luck for the bride to start down the aisle on time. The bride should step into and out of the church with her right foot first. When stepping away from the altar she should also put the right foot first. At the altar, the bride should keep her right foot ahead of the groom's.

Saying your vows when the hour hand on the clock is going upwards makes you work together in your married life. It is also said to bring blessings upon the couple as the minute hand is "ascending towards heaven." If you say your wedding vows when the hand is going down, it is bad luck.

If the bride cries on her wedding day, those shall be the last tears she ever sheds over her marriage.

Here's another wedding myth that has both good and bad luck attached to it. As the superstition goes, dropping the wedding ring or rings, is believed to shake off evil spirits, therefore being lucky for the bride and groom. However, others believed that whoever drops the wedding ring or rings shall be the first person to die among the people who attended the wedding, making it a very bad luck. If the groom drops the wedding band during the ceremony, the marriage is doomed.

It is considered bad luck for the bride to see a pig, hare or lizard running across the road, an open grave or to meet a nun or monk on her wedding day.

Flower girls drop petals as they walk down the aisle is to ensure the new couple will have many chances to have children.

Carrying a horseshoe or a bouquet in the shape of one is considered lucky for the bride, but only if the horseshoe is carried with the open end up so the luck does not ‘fall out'.

Certain days are better than others for a wedding. The Victorians believed that it was lucky to marry on a day during the week that the groom was born. The luckiest day to marry was on the groom's actual birthday. And, oddly enough, Saturday was the unluckiest day of all for a wedding!

If it rains on the wedding day, some says that it is good luck because it represents a fertile crop or the coming of children to the marriage. In contrast, some people believe that if it rains on the wedding day, it represents the tears the bride will shed throughout her married life.

The father of the bride should pass on one of the bride's shoe to the groom which signifies that the father is giving his daughter away in marriage.

Feed a cat out of an old shoe and your wedding day will be a happy one. If a cat sneezes in front of a bride on the day before her wedding, it is a sign of very good luck.

Wedding Attire

The loan of a wedding dress means good luck to the borrower and bad luck for the lender.

The bride should avoid wearing her entire bridal outfit (wedding dress, bridal veil, shoes and jewellery) prior to her wedding day.

A veil disguises the bride from evil spirits.

A bride should have her hair dressed and veil put on by a happily married woman.

Good luck will come to a bride if her veil is accidentally torn, especially if torn at the altar.

Bad luck comes to the bride who shows her veil to anyone other than family before the wedding.

Dressing the bridesmaids is to fool the evil spirits, so they will not know who the bride is.

If the bride helps to make her own wedding dress, it will bring her bad luck. The bride should not make her own wedding dress, according to the wedding myth, every stitch the bride sews she will shed one tear during her marriage. Wearing the entire wedding outfit (dress, veil, shoe and jewellery) before the day of the marriage is forbidden as it will bring bad luck for the bride. If she rips her wedding dress on the day, it means that the marriage will end in death.

It is considered good luck if the bride finds a spider in her wedding gown.

Many believed that the wearing of pearls represents future tears, thus if the bride wears them, she'll shed tears in her entire marriage. On the other hand, since pearls represent future tears, other people believe that by wearing them, the pearl takes the place of the bride's real tears, so she'll be living a happy, tear-free marriage.

It is bad luck for the bride to eat anything while she is adorning for her marriage. Wait until after the ceremony.

After the bride is completely dressed and ready for the ceremony, she must not look into a mirror again until she is wed. The bride may dress before a mirror but should leave something off until after she walks away, like a necklace or earring.

Wear earrings when you are married and you will always be happy.

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue and A Silver Sixpence in her Shoe! - This wedding myth is probably still the one that most brides-to-be do at their wedding day. The "something old" is a thing that represents the bride's past or her family, wearing a jewellery of her grandmother or mother is usually chosen as something old; The "something new" represents the bride's adulthood, and it is the wedding dress that is usually chosen as something new; The "something borrowed," believed by many, is borrowing something from a happy married couple (usually a family member) so that good luck will be bestowed upon the wedding day; The "something blue," has been in use since Victorian times, the colour blue symbolized purity, constancy and fidelity; Lastly, the "Silver Sixpence in her Shoe" represents wealth and financial security. Nowadays, sixpence is no longer common, so most brides would either purchase a symbol of this item from bridal shops or place a penny in their shoe instead.

The Wedding Cake

The bride and groom cut the first slice of cake together to ensure that they will conceive.

The chief bridesmaid should keep a piece of cake in her pocket for the duration of the couple's honeymoon, if she hopes to marry soon.

Single female guests should take home a piece of wedding cake and place it under the pillow to dream of the man they will marry.

After the Wedding

Throwing rice (or birdseed, petals, confetti or blowing bubbles) as the couple leaves the church dates back to ancient times and is meant to bestow fertility and fruitfulness on the couple.

It is considered good luck for the mother of the groom to throw a shoe at the bride as the newlyweds leave the reception. That way, the mother-in-law and the bride would forever be the best of friends.

The new bride must enter her home by the main door, and must not trip or fall, as it is a bad omen if the bride should stumble. Hence the custom of the groom carrying the bride over the threshold.

It is bad luck for the bride to put bare feet on the floor on her wedding night. Keep slippers on or have the groom carry you to bed.

The spouse who goes to sleep first on the wedding day will be the first to die.

The wedding ring is considered sacred for the bride and groom, therefore, it must not be lent to others as is may bring bad luck to the marriage, and worse, the possibility of unfaithfulness.

If the bride removes her wedding ring, it is believed that the groom must be the one to return it to her finger to continue the good luck.

An old wives' tale is that if the younger of two sisters marries first, the older sister must dance barefoot at the wedding or risk never landing a husband.

It is unlucky to give away a wedding present.

The bride should drink a glass of water after the wedding ceremony.

Give the clergy an odd sum of money for good luck.

and the most important one.....

You will shed tears during your wedding preparations, be stressed throughout your wedding, and have bad memories of your wedding day if....you try and conform to all the above myths. I say, do it your way. Some traditions are nice but the above are only myths. At the end of your wedding day the only thing that really matters is that you both love each other, show up and get married.

So will I be wearing pearls? Probably. Will I adhere to any other myths? Maybe just the 'Something borrowed.." After all, I am a little old fashioned too.

Did you notice there are no myths about wedding photography? Give it 100 years and there will be. For myth-free wedding photography, call Laura from LK Photography on 0413144603.

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Elopement at Hunter Valley in Blue Dress

2010-08-04T08:22:00.000+10:00

Her dog ran away, he brought it back. That's how this author and assistant school principal's love started. Merryn and Clement's simple elopement was held at Willow Tree Estate in the beautiful Hunter Valley and performed by celebrant Maree Callaghan. Tears/Witnesses were courtesy of Raylee from Willow Tree Estate and me, Laura from LK Photography. The bride wore a classic blue velvet fitted knee-length dress with shiny red shoes and held a single long stem red rose to match. The groom brought gifts for the three of us in the form of an autographed copy of his book 'Of Dust and Dreams' by Clem Sweeney. I can highly recommend this story of pre-war love and life in Lithgow. I've never received a gift from the bride and groom and it really touched my heart. Thankyou Merryn and Clem for involving me in your elopement for your photography. I've given you memories of your wedding day through photos, but you've given me memories in my mind through seeing how sweet you both were to each other, and to Maree, Raylee and me.

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Father's Day Photography Gift Special

2010-07-27T06:40:00.000+10:00

Father's Day Photography Gift Special 2010

Photography Session ONLY $100

(save $150)

1 hour photography of the kids or family

1 DVD of 25 high-res images

1 (11"x14") large print

Sunday 8th August 2010

Shingle Splitters Point, Queen Street, Balcolyn, Lake Macquarie, NSW (Map)

(In case of bad weather, date will be transferred.)

Prints will be back in time for Father's Day which is on Sunday 5th September.

You must book to secure your hour.
Email or Call Laura from LK Photography now on 0413144603.

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Metallic Prints on Special

2010-07-24T08:50:00.000+10:00

20"x30" Metallic Prints are now on Special for only $80 (normally $120, you save $40)

Metallic Prints have a beautiful shimmery shine that shows up best on photos with alot of scenery in the image.
eg. blue skies, water like lake or ocean, green grass or other rich colours like brown or red.
Here are some sample images that would look good printed in this special metallic paper.

You can order as many as you like.
Print must be ordered and paid to LK Photography by Saturday 31st July 2010.
Contact Laura from LK Photography with any questions on 0413144603.

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Pretty Wedding Details I Love

2010-07-22T10:53:00.000+10:00

These are pretty wedding ideas and details I love from some of my favourite bridal blogs.

These Forage bow ties were featured recently on The Inspired Bride Blog. I love the fabric prints. So cute!

The Ritzy Bee Blog recently collected a range of 'tie the knot' theme ideas. What a clever theme!

The diybridalfiles always posts such creative beautiful things you can make yourself. Check out recent posts Free Printable Wedding Templates and A Little Bit Crafty.

Last but not least Grant Riley Weddings has inspired me with these vintage deco wedding invites.

There are so many great wedding blogs and websites out there and LK Photography loves the inspiration it gives to me and my wedding couples. Thankyou!

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Fun Child Portrait Session for Charity

2010-07-12T21:12:00.000+10:00

A while back I was touched by the story of Team Ivy. Team Ivy was created by a mother with an ill child who decided to raise money for John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, NSW for more cot beds so that parents of ill children had somewhere comfortable to sleep at a time when a tiny bit of comfort can go a long way.

I wondered what I could do to help and gave away a portrait session including DVD and prints to the first person to donate over a certain amount. Well it was gone in a flash and my only regret is I didn't make the amount much higher. In any case, Team Ivy has raised their goal of the needed $5000 and made life a tiny bit easier for parents with children in hospital. Thanks Team Ivy for allowing me to help. There is still time to donate to Team Ivy.

Here are the winner's fun portraits I did for James and Emily at the beach. I had such fun with these beautiful children and I'm pretty sure the kids did too.

If you would like some fresh fun and different portraits whether for one person, a family or children, (Father's Day is coming up) call Laura from LK Photography on 0413144603 to discuss some ideas.

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Elopement with Horse Stuntbike and Barn at Sunrise Part Two

2010-07-08T20:30:00.000+10:00

These are the other half of my favourite photos from Michelle and Steven's beautiful sunrise elopement in Swan Bay in Nelson Bay NSW that involved, a horse, a stuntbike, and a barn. Missed Part One? See it by clicking on this link.

If you would like to view all of Michelle and Steven's elopement photos, see their whole online album at the LK Photography website.
Thinking you might like to elope? Book LK Photography for your photos and Vows Now for your ceremony.

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Elopement with Horse Stuntbike and Barn at Sunrise Part One

2010-07-08T20:23:00.000+10:00

I've excited to finally show you photos from a beautiful sunrise elopement in Swan Bay in Nelson Bay NSW that involved, a horse, a stuntbike, and a barn. Its not everyday I get a wedding that allows such diversity in their images as this one within only 3 hours photography. I'm ever so grateful to Michelle and Steven for choosing LK Photography for their elopement wedding photography, for choosing an hour of the day that I was available for (I had another wedding later that day), and to Johanna from Vows Now for the referral and for agreeing to change the hour of the elopement meaning a ridiculously early start to our day. I think once you all see the photos, you will think it was well worth it. As I can't seem to choose less than 30 of my favourite photos, I'm posting this elopement as 2 posts - Part 1 and Part 2.

Don't forget to see Part Two of this blog post. If you would like to view all of Michelle and Steven's elopement photos, see their whole online album at the LK Photography website.
Thinking you might like to elope? Book LK Photography for your photos and Vows Now for your ceremony.

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Vendor Spotlight - The Photo Store

2010-07-07T20:29:00.000+10:00

Today's Vendor Spotlight interview is with vibrant Johanna from The Photo Store, who is one of of LK Photography's favourite suppliers for their quality albums and superb customer service. The Photo Store have kindly sponsored the Love Story 2 Win Wedding Photography competition by donating a huge matted wedding album as well as two parent albums to match.

Business Name:

The Photo Store

Tagline/Motto:

Because your image is everything!

Length of time in business:

10+ years

Your role in the business:

Managing Director

Locations you service:

Our office is at Gosford, our customers are worldwide thanks to our Online Store

Your Target Client:

Our target client is the budget conscious Brides and Grooms who want their wedding photos to be displayed in a gorgeous photo album without the price tag of a custom-made album. They have some creative flair and love the idea of sitting together to create their album and relive the wedding day as they use our easy DIY Photo Albums. We find that often it's the Grooms who buy the albums to surprise their new wife with a romantic present. Many times wedding guests buy an album for a wedding gift. We also offer our range of Photo Albums directly to Professional Photographers at discounted wholesale prices.

What makes you different in your field of expertise:

The Photo Store is a family business, run by Paul and Johanna. We pride ourselves on our exceptional customer service and speed of delivery. Our albums are ready-made, so there is no waiting...Order and pahy on a Tuesday and you can be putting your photos into your album on the weekend. We offer handy DIY "How to Guides" on our website http://www.thephotostore.com.au/how/index.shtml for completing your album.

Why you involved your business with this competition:

Paul and Jo from The Photo Store are a couple of mooshy lovebirds. We are living proof of a couple in love, working together side by side in our business everyday. When asked to be involved in the competition we through "Why not celebrate the love of others and make their wedding day super special, knowing they'll win such a wonderful prize?" It's a Karma thing...Share the Mooshy love!

What you love about photos:

Everything! We especially love the difference a Professional Photographer brings to capturing images. Jo has had the pleasure of working with Laura from LK Photography in her "alter ego" as a Marriage Celebrant. Laura's ability to photograph a wedding, be it a quick elopement or an extravaganza is amazing. Despite being in the same place and both taking photos, it is unbelievable the difference that having a Pro Photographer makes. Laura's photos document the day and record details that others miss, leaving the Happy Couple with memories of the wedding day for years to come.

Thanks to Johanna from The Photo Store for her kind words about my work and likewise I return the compliments on her work in both her businesses for being so professional, fun and thoughtful. I've had the fortune of seeing her at work in both her businesses!. If you would like to see what photography packages LK Photography offers using these beautiful albums, ask Laura for the pricelist from the LK Photography website or call 0413144603.

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Vendor Spotlight - DigiGifts Personalised Gifts

2010-06-21T18:17:00.000+10:00

Todays Vendor Spotlight interview is with Nadia from DigiGifts who offer a huge range of products that can be customised with your photos. It was a very hard to choose a prize for the Love Story 2 Win Wedding Photography competition from so many wonderful and innovative products online. LK Photography thanks DigiGifts for their kind sponsorship of this competition by awarding the winner with a Custom Tote Photo Bag.

Business Name:
DigiGifts - Personalised Gifts

Tagline/motto:
"We giuve you that personal touch"

Length of Time in Business:
Over 3 years

Your role in the Business:
Founder, Owner

Locations you service:
Primarily Australia, but also overseas

Your Target Client:
All Ages, young and old families

What makes you different in your field of expertise:
Great customer serivce: DigiGifts prides itself on helping each and every customer throughout the entire order process. We care about you and yuor order. We don't just take your photos and do as we please with them, we work with you to get a design you are happy with so you have a treasured gift for life.
Unique range of giftware: We are constantly looking for new and unique products to add to our range that can be personalised and turned into a gift of a lifetime.
Convenience and ease of use: Shopping online has become second nature for most people these days, so what better way to view our entire range, online of course. See descriptions and detailed photos of each of our products from anywhere you have access to the internet. Your office, library, home or even via your phone while on the train. Our easy to use ordering system makes processing of orders quick and easy with minimal effort. Did ou know DigiGifts also has home parties where you can see samples of products in person?

Why you involved your business with this competition:
We love competitions that revolve around photos, memories, gift, and related products and services to our business. We love how these type of products and services touch the lives of so many people. The reward is not only to the recipient but also to us each day that we make someone's day with a wonderful purchased gift or prize.

What you love about photos:
I love how photos reflect so much about different people and their lives. Photos allow others to share in their special memories as well as the people including being able to relive the captured memories.

There are currently still 9 days to enter the Love Story 2 Win Wedding Photography package worth over $4000. DigiGifts are also currently running a Father's Day competition where you could win a special Dad of your choice a pack worth $200.

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Vendor Spotlight - Prior Engagement

2010-06-19T10:37:00.000+10:00

Today's Vendor Spotlight is on Prior Engagement - OnlineWedding and Events Boutique.

Prior Engagement are sponsors of the Love Story 2 Win Wedding Photography competition run by LK Photography. By entering this competition you can win 100 Mini Photo Frames in gold or silver colour from Prior Engagement that you can use as bonbonniere for your wedding. Total prizes are in excess of $4000. Hurry, there are only 12 days left to enter.

Who are Prior Engagement's target clients?

Our target market is professional women (or men!) who know what they want, and desire a stylish wedding day that is fun and also meaningful. We appeal to the bride who wants to try something unique and different for their special day, or the bride who wants a traditional wedding - but wants it to be modern and stylish at the same time. We service Australia wide as well as Internationally.

How or why did you start your business?

I started Prior Engagement after I realised how little brides in Australia were catered for. There are so many different and interesting ideas out there, and we weren't privy to them. I also found out the hard way how difficult it became to source items for my wedding when I was also trying to plan it and work a full time job. I decided to start Prior Engagment to cater for these brides, and now, 5 years later, we have thousands of products on our online wedding boutique, and I couldn't be prouder.

Apart from your huge range of beautiful products, what else makes you different in your field of expertise?

We have a flat postage rate of $9.95 for orders over $50 Australia Wide. You can shop online, 24 hours a day and have your products delivered to your door.

Why is Prior Engagement involved with this competition?

We love the photographs that LK Photography continually take, so it made perfect sense when this competition started to become a part of it. How could we not?

What do you personally love about photos?

The best thing about pictures, especially wedding pictures, is that they capture the important moments in your life, and you can look back 5 months, 5 years, or 5 decades, to remember exactly how you felt and how you looked at that very moment in time. It gives you something to show family, friends, or even your children when they get older and become inquisitive about how mummy and daddy met. You can sit down, and for a few moments, you are right back where it all began.

Prior Engagement has a website you can spend a very long time on as its filled with all sorts of goodies you would love love LOVE to have at any wedding or event. They also have a great blog showcasing their newest products, often hard to find in Australia. Their website is: www.priorengagement.com.au and blog is priorengagementblog.blogspot.com

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Half Price 20" x 30" Print Special Pricing

2010-06-18T09:51:00.000+10:00

Get a superb quality huge 20"x30" professional print for HALF PRICE.

Order and payment must be received by Tuesday 29th June 2010.

Contact LK Photography to place your order.

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Elopement Photography in Sydney City

2010-06-17T11:26:00.000+10:00

There are many reasons couples choose to elope. The reasons I hear most often are "budget doesn't stretch to a big wedding", "family relationships are strained" or just don't want any fuss". Eloping means you can do whatever you like, whenever you like and for a much smaller budget. Kate and Simon chose the 'no fuss' option and eloped in Sydney city with their two best friends as witnesses. Apart from them and their celebrant at the Marriage Registry in Sydney, I was the only other person there. Although choosing a day of simplicity and fun, they wanted a record of the day they said 'I do' to each other in the form of photos and chose the breathtakingly beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney as their photography location. Having photographed there before, I have my favourite locations but there is always some new opportunity. I had such a hard time reducing my favourites to show you so I decided to post much more than I normally do.

I was at the registry ready to greet them when they arrived in a luxury Hummer.

From Kate Simon

Kate's beautiful smile as they recited their vows to each other. Check out the trendy red registry office wall.

Kate and Simon's first kiss as a married couple. Awwww.

Ever the joker, the second the ceremony was over, Kate turned to Simon and yelled "April Fool's Day!". Yes, they got married on April 1st.

Even their celebrant had a sense of humour giving the all important marriage certificate to the bride and the groom a pen.

I love this shot. I love the bride's laughter. Its also obvious they've just gotten married at the registry.

Celebration drinks weren't far away as we all got into the spacious Hummer to travel to the Botanic Gardens.

As we stepped out of the Hummer, the photo opportunities started immediately against this great fence.

Romantic editing style was appropriate for this full body portrait of the happy couple.

Can you get any more 'Sydney'?

The day was perfect blue skies, the groom dashing, and the bride...laughing all the time. It's lovely to see such joy.

The tourist train riders waved, cheered and even took their own photos of the new Mr and Mrs.

A moment alone.

Trendy Sydney city couple just married.

The gardens are full of amazing old trees.

I couldn't resist laying down on the Botanic Garden's lush green grass.

Green grass, blue skies and a couple in love.

Bride and groom with their witnesses/best friends.

Very romantic, no?

A formal close up portrait. Check out Kate's perfect makeup for photography.

My favourite location at the Royal Botanic Gardens.

This is the photo Kate and Simon ordered for all their wedding announcement cards.

I call this "Rays of sun in a secret garden surrounded by the city".

When two become one.

Friends head out of the gardens in the sun. Obviously a great time had by all including me. Thanks Kate and Simon.

See more photos of Kate and Simon's elopement at their full online album.

See LK Photography's special Elopement Photography package on the website. If you need some advice on elopement specialist wedding suppliers, give LK Photography a call on 0413144603 and Laura will give you recommendations on celebrants, ceremony locations or photography locations, all in return for a smile.

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Marriage Statistics in Australia

2010-06-16T10:53:00.000+10:00

The Australian Bureau of Statistics last released statistics on Marriages in August 2009. The following statistics and graphs were taken from the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.

Marriages are typically increasing since the 2001 low and in 2008 there were 118,756 marriages - the highest since 1989. (Total Marraiges)

However, after you take into account the increasing population of Australia, in 2008 there were only 5.5 marraiges per 1000 people compared to 7.0 marriages per 1000 in 1989. (Crude Marriage Rate)

Its no surprise that people are getting married older than they were in 1989. (Median Age at Marriage)

We are also waiting longer to get married the first time. (Median Age at First Marriage)

In 2008, 78.2% of people getting married had not been married previously. This is typically increasing since 2001. Of marriages in 2008, 69.8% had both partners never previously married, 16.8% had one partner previously married, 13.4% had both partners previously married. (Never Previously Married)

Since 1999, marriages performed by civil celebrants have outnumbers those performed by ministers of religion. And you are also more likely to marry at a civil ceremony if you lived together first. (Type of Celebrant)

In 2008 in Australia, median marraige age for males was 30.8 years and for females was 28.7 years. If are a male or female and born in Italy or Greece, you are more likely to get married later in life. You are more likely to get married earlier if you are a male born in China, or a female born in Lebanon. (Country of Birth)

In 2008, 77% of marriages were of couples who had lived together first. These couples were typically older. (Couples Living Together Prior to Marriage)

The most popular months for marriage were November then March. July was least popular. The most popular date for a Friday marriage was 08/08/08 due to special significance given to that date in the Chinese community and then 29/02/08 most probably as it was a leap year and their anniversary will only come up ever 4 years! The most popular days of the week to get married are Saturday, then Sunday, then Friday. In 2008, most marriages occured on Saturday 4th October. (Day and Month of Marriage)

Its no surprise that since 1989, most marriages occured in NSW, followed by Vic, Qld, WA, SA, Tas., ACT, NT in that order. If you live in Qld, you are more likely to get married. You are less likely to get married if you live in NT. You are more likely to get married by a minister of religion if you live in NSW and less likely if you live in Tas. And if you live together first, you are more likely to get married if you live in Tas. but less likely if you live in NSW. (State and Territory Data)

I'd be interested to see statistics on the amount of hours spent at weddings. eg. Elopements and Mini-Weddings as opposed to typical 8 hour Weddings. My guess is that Elopements are on the rise.

Thanks to me following Complete Wedding Magazine's Facebook page, I found these stats. Are you following LK Photography on Facebook yet? Updates and news are more regular on it.

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Celebrant Special for Central Coast, Hunter Valley and Sydney

2010-06-09T13:48:00.000+10:00

I've just received some vouchers for some lucky people from Patrica Rixon from Trilogy Life Events. Patricia who has over 30 years experience in event management, is offering $50 off Central Coast, Hunter Valley and Sydney wedding service fees if you complete and submit your Notice of Intention to Marry form with her.

Contact LK Photography to post you one of these very special vouchers.

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Organising Your Wedding Day

2010-06-08T13:25:00.000+10:00

Preparing for your wedding day takes careful planning and patience. Once you’ve set your date, there are lots of things to do and most depend on each other to ensure your big day runs smoothly.

One way to tackle this is with the My Wed diary, an organiser designed to help you plan all the details of your wedding from the initial announcement of your engagement through to your departure on honeymoon. Unlike many other wedding organisers on the market, My Wed is tailored specifically for the Australian Bride and covers everything you need to know to make sure you enjoy the planning process, rather than stressing out about it.

My Wed is designed to give you comprehensive support with planning your wedding. Packed with pages of lists, prompts and ideas, you won’t forget a thing! Did you know, for example, that you should book your celebrant at least 12 months in advance? Or that you should pack an emergency kit for the day? How about how much time you need for your wedding photos and the style of the images? And what about a back-up plan for wet weather?

My Wed’s size makes it ideal for popping into your handbag and carrying it with you at all times, so when you get some inspiration or ideas, it’s always at hand.

The organiser features pockets for photos and cards, a budget planner, guest and gift lists, and details on wardrobe decisions, food and drink, music and entertainment, flowers and decorations, photography, transport and much more.

My Wed also comes with a benefits card linked to a list of highly recommended suppliers who can offer not only exceptional service but added benefits when you book their services. Saving you money and helping you select suppliers.

My Wed makes an ideal gift too, and will be appreciated and cherished forever as a sentimental keepsake to be revisited over the years.

You can buy My Wed online at www.mywed.com.au

Recommended Retail price is $49.95 which is a bargain when you consider all the savings from the discounts listed inside this diary, specifically designed for the Australian bride.

Keep up to date with local wedding news at My Wed's Twitter page @mywed

My Wed is a proud sponsor of the Love Story 2 Win Wedding Photography competition. The winner will receive a My Wed Diary in their $4000K package. Entries close 30/6/10. If you purchase a My Wed Diary, you can use your LK Photography voucher for a FREE 1hr Pre-wedding photography session including DVD of high resolution images.

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Vendor Spotlight on me - LK Photography

2010-06-03T11:36:00.000+10:00

What a lovely compliment to be given my own Vendor Spotlight on the Your Special Day blog. Thankyou! Go over and read it plus ask for one of the little LK Photography goodies they have to give away. Be sure to check out their Your Special Day Shop for all things weddings and celebrations.

Be sure to stay tuned to see this elopement from Sydney. Are you eloping? See elopement photography package details at the LK Photography website.

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Photographer's favourites from Alanna and David's wedding

2010-06-02T11:54:00.000+10:00

A little while back I showed some cute engagement photos of Alanna and David. Now I have their wedding photos. The day was perfect and this very smiley couple shined with happiness. Ahhh...true love. Here are my favourites and a little insight as to why a photographer might like these shots.

David's face beams as beautiful Alanna makes her way down the aisle on the arm of her very proud dad. I love the way David's face is just peaking next to his bride's veil.

Beautiful chapel of St Luke's at Wallsend was packed with loving family and friends. I love the light stone walls, stained glass windows and rich tones of the wood.

The newly wedded couple speed out of the church to start their new life together.

All Alanna and David's guests gather for a happy shot in front of the church on a perfect blue sky day.

Lovely sandstone walls of the church make for perfect photo backdrop for a close up portrait of the happy couple.

Sandstone wall and stained glass?! Perfect for a shot to show off Alanna's beautiful dress.

The bridal party had fun all day. It really does make a difference to photos when everyone looks relaxed and happy.

Again, nice relaxed natural bridal party photo. Look at that beautiful rich colour of the bridesmaids dresses! I'll be carrying their colour theme through to their album.

Beautiful blue skies, tranquil water and a couple in love. Sigh.....so romantic.

We'd run out of daylight so used the sunset to full advantage.

Listening to speeches, Alanna laughs and David cringes. Weddings are all about the emotion people.

Secret loving communication. So cute!

Lovely light above provided a nice backdrop for the wedded couple's first dance at Toronto Workers Club.

Is there anything warmer than mum's hug?

Thankyou to Alanna and David for sharing your loving journey from your engagement to your wedding day with me as your photographer. I wish this smiley, good-hearted couple all the blessings life can bring.

See their full wedding album here. (password protected until July 2010 so guests can order prints, albums and DVDs ) Inquire about having LK Photography photograph your perfect wedding day.

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Carolina Herrara's New Wedding Gowns and Amour Amour

2010-05-30T12:26:00.000+10:00

Is there anything from Carolina Herrara's wedding dress collections that I don't absolutely adore? Probably not. I found this beauty at the Amour Amour Australian wedding blog. Bonnie at Amour Amour doesn't miss much beauty so I'm always keen to see what she's spotted recently. Unfortunately this post is from April. I'm a little slow I know but hey, I've been a busy little photographer. See Amour Amour's Carolina Herrara favourites here and see Carolina Herrera's site here.

If you are going to have a gorgeous wedding gown, please call LK Photography on 0413144603 so I can take your photos! :)

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Wooden Invitations now offered in Australia

2010-05-29T08:02:00.000+10:00

Eco-friendly, innovative and natured inspired, The Paper Couturiere now offers wood invitations in Australia. Choose from Maple, Cherry or Birch. I love the Cherry. They're so pretty I'm sure your invited guests will want to frame them, without glass, so that they don't have to fight the irresistible urge to run their fingers along the wood. Read all about these lovelies on the The Paper Couturiere Blog.

Tip: Ensure you have a copy of your invitation on hand so LK Photography can take a photo of it on your special date.

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What the...$250 for this dress?

2010-05-28T08:16:00.000+10:00

This morning I came across Cheap Custom Made Wedding Dresses and Accescories on their Facebook page. I could not believe my eyes when I saw this wedding gown for only US$250.

Or this one for only US$270.

The only catch, they are mail order only. To avoid dissapointment, ensure you read their advice on choosing a dress size and alterations. Happy Shopping!

For photos of you in your beautiful wedding dress, call LK Photography on 0413144603 or make contact via the website.

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Professional Photographer Magazine Entry

2010-05-27T10:37:00.000+10:00

I don't normally enter contests but couldn't resist the chance to win a Canon EOS 5D MarkII camera with lenses from Professional Photographer Magazine. I thought this Trash the Dress image might rock the boat a little after seeing some fairly tame photos entered. Voting doesn't affect my chances as the winners are chosen by a panel of judges but if you would like to vote for LK Photography and maybe win a Canon Powershot G11 camera for yourself go to: http://www.ppmag.com/cover-contest-2010/vote/22311/

If you would like your own Trash The Dress/TTD/Post-Wedding photography session with the look of a fashion shoot, call Laura on 0413144603 or see package details at www.lkphotography.com.au

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Free Honeymoon Bridal Register for LK Photography weddings

2010-05-26T22:19:00.000+10:00

Recently I met Trish from Travel Counsellors who has kindly offered LK Photography wedding photography clients a free bridal register towards their honeymoon. In this way, your wedding guests can chip in towards sending you on your honeymoon. Trish's offers a knowledgeable personal travel planning and booking service with the benefits of being part of the large Travel Counsellors network so if you are having a wedding, call Trish on (02)43928565 and mention LK Photography for your free offer. She's also on Facebook (as is LK Photography) so pop onto her page and say hi too.

Did you know LK Photography offers Gift Vouchers so that your wedding guests can help you make your wedding prints and albums even more affordable? Call Laura on 0413144603 to see how she can help you decide how best to offer Gift Vouchers as an option to your guests.

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Personalised Photo Booth Backdrops from Pink Frosting

2010-05-18T12:33:00.000+10:00

My neighbours are wondering why I am squeeling! I love love love these customised wedding photo backdrops from Pink Frosting. Next person to buy one please call me cause I want to take your photos!

clipped from www.pinkfrosting.com.au

Create everlasting memories on your wedding day with one of our Personalised Photo Booth Backdrops. A favourite among brides, grooms and all their honoured guests, reception photo booths are one of the hottest wedding trends to date! Simply by setting up an area at your reception, you'll not only have a place for super fun photography, but you'll also benefit from all the super fun moments as well! Ideal for the DIY bride, these trendy backgrounds really come to life when you add props for entertainment or a white board for personal messages!

LK Photography can arrange a backdrop for your wedding or party/event and take the photos for you too!

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Lake Macquarie Wedding Expo Photos and Links

2010-05-18T09:56:00.000+10:00

What a great time I had at the Lake Macquarie Wedding Expo this weekend. I met many lovely brides who having a ball shopping for their wedding and I also met many friendly wedding suppliers who kindly let me take photos of them. Big thanks to my sister who let me drag her along as my assistant for the day. Unfortunately I can't show you a photo of my LK Photography stand as I forgot to take one! Typical though, always behind the camera...and never in front.

For those soon to be wedded couples who couldn't attend, here are some photos of the wedding suppliers. Click on their photos for links to their websites/email. Also keep in mind the upcoming Woy Woy Wedding Expo on Sunday 29th August at Woy Woy Bowling Club 10am-3pm.

         Wangi Workers (reception venue)     Your Special Day (wedding coordinators)

          Travel Counsellors Pty Ltd                              Contours (fitness)

      We've Got It Covered (chair cover hire)          Grace Cosmetics & Jewellery

Fiona Jane Romanin (celebrant)    Debian Addison-Jones (celebrant)

            Trilogy Life Events (celebrant)                       Makeup Artistry by Leanne Broadfoot

    Karaoke Hunter (karaoke equipment hire)             Butlers in the Buff (sexy butlers)

          Envy Extensions (hair extensions)                        Keyman (engraving and gifts)

Sweet Perfection (cakes, cookies, cupcakes)                   Ashley Grey (bridal wear)

           Harvey World Travel Morisset                               Harvey World Travel Toronto

   Creative Memories (scrapbooking supplies)       Mary Kay (cosmetics and beauty consultancy)

       All Occassion DJ's (music disc jockey)               Sweet as Cakes (cakes and chocolates)

Lilian May Body Sculpting (personal trainer)         Formalwear Express (mobile suit hire)

       The Art of Intimacy (premarital course)                       Valley Fresh Flowers

             Edward Taylor (celebrant)

If you need more suggested wedding suppliers, see the Resources page of the LK Photography website or call Laura on 0413144603.

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Top 10 Makeup Tricks for your Wedding

2010-05-18T08:35:00.000+10:00

I found this little gem of advice on wedding makeup from the soooo resourceful Wedding Wire Blog who had The Glam Fairy guest blog for them. If you aren't signed up for regular updates from Wedding Wire, you really should be.

My Top Ten Makeup Tricks for your wedding day are as follows:
1. You want a great primer with a silicone base. Silicone fills in fine lines, wrinkles, pock marks, and blocks the sebaceous glands from producing oil so using that as an anchor underneath all the makeup makes sure it stays put all day.
2. Foundation: The biggest mistake that brides make on their special day is using a foundation that is not light responsive, meaning it is not absorbing and deflecting light in a way that makes you look great for photos. You need a foundation that mimics the way light bounces on your regular skin so you always want to make sure your makeup artist or you do a test shot to make sure your foundation doesn’t drop any lighter than your normal skin shade.
3. Neutral shades for eyeshadow. No bright colors because you want your look to be timeless and elegant… so no matter how natural or dramatic you go keep it neutral!
4. Use water resistant mascara paired with fake lashes. Lashes come in all different cuts and styles so don’t think its automatic drag-queen if you wear lashes!
5. Use a little bit more bronzer and blush than you would normally think, because it wears off throughout the day!
6. Make sure your eyeliner is waterproof. I like M·A·C’s Powerpoint Pencil, it’s amazing! You have about 60 seconds of playtime until it sets and then it’s virtually waterproof and budgeproof.
7. Radiant glow… the skin should always have a nice fresh glow. Products like M·A·C Strobe Fluid and M·A·C Mineralize Skin Finish, placed directly on the cheekbone give off a great cheek highlight
8. Prep the skin with a great moisturizer. I like La Mer. Keeping the skin in tip top condition is key.
9. De-puff and cover dark circles. Fast Response Eye Cream from M·A·C is a great product to use the entire morning of your wedding. It is pure caffeine so it immediately de-puffs and has a pigment that deflects light from dark circles so its my personal favorite.
10. Seal it. Get a sealing spray to set everything and make it stay all day long. I love Motives 10 Years Younger Spray, Model in a Bottle, Makeup Forever Mist and Fix, and M·A·C Fix Plus spray. It basically sets all your work and keeps everything from moving.

See more tips from Alexa from this NBC Clip, where she performs a full makeup demo.

Alexa Prisco is the owner of “The Glam Fairy”, an on location bridal glamour service specializing in makeup and hair for brides. Her business and personality have been nationally recognized with her new hit show “Jerseylicious” on the Style Network.

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How to get the best out of your Wedding Photography

2010-05-17T10:21:00.000+10:00

Here are some tips I give all my LK Photography brides for getting the best out of your wedding photography.

CHOOSING A PHOTOGRAPHER

· Ensure you get along with your photographer. They will be with you throughout the day and will be a big part of your memories of the day.

· See samples to ensure you choose according to their style of photography and not just budget. Budget is important but if you don’t like your photos, cheaper with longer hours may not please you as much as a less hours with a more expensive photographer whose work you like.

· Photographers’ pricing ranges according to their popularity experience and expenses.

BUDGETING

· Consider how many hours you would ideally like covered and how you would like to have your memories recorded eg. Albums, prints on walls, gifts for family or bridal party.

· Suggest Gift Vouchers as birthday, wedding etc gifts to obtain your extras from your photographer.

· Think about what is necessary to get printed professionally giving you 100 year UV framed lifespan as opposed to colour cast/scratched paper, fading over few years when you get cheaper prints and albums.

HI-RES FILES

· Do you need to be able to print your photos yourself? If so, check your photographer allows this in your agreement and will include a DVD of your high resolution files set up for printing which is not the same as viewing.

PHOTOGRAPHY AGREEMENTS

· Photographer agreements/contracts are common with professional photographers.

· They protect you and your photographer in all possible circumstances so if an unforeseen event happens, you both know what action to take.

· Ensure you read it and understand it and discuss any questions or concerns with your photographer before signing.

CHOOSING A MAKEUP ARTIST

· Lots of people can apply beautiful makeup. Very few know how and what to apply to get the best out of your photography.

· Look at your makeup artists photos that have not been Photoshopped in some way, if possible. If this is not available, have a makeup trial and take photos of yourself close up and from far away. Photos from close up ensures enough concealer/foundation has been applied. Photos from far away ensures your makeup is strong enough when camera flash is lighting up your face so you don’t look washed out and it ensures that you aren’t getting shine on your forehead, nose and chin.

· Don’t use glitter on your face or body. It looks lovely in person but in photos it looks like little beads of sweat.

· Also consider your hairstyle for the day for the location you will be at. Untied hair will constantly be in your face in the wind and often that is not editable by your photographer.

PRE-WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY SESSIONS

· Having a 1 hr pre-wedding/engagement/e-session is a great way of trialling your photographer to see how you get along, what photography style you prefer, what poses you prefer, as well as what editing style you prefer.

· On your day you will be much more relaxed in front of the camera and this shows in your photos.

· If you get prints, it also allows you to see the quality of wedding prints you will receive plus you can mat one of your prints so your wedding guests can sign it.

LOCATIONS, TIMING, TIDES, DATES

· A less crowded location is a better choice. Do you really want strangers in the background of your wedding photos or have to pay your photographer more to edit them all out?

· Visit your location if possible in the month, day of the week, time of day that you will be having your photos taken.

· Less travel time means more photo time so try to choose the closest possible location between your ceremony and reception. More travel time and more people travelling often means more travel costs if hiring a car.

· More photo time means more relaxed looking photos and more variety in your photos.

· If you have a choice for the time of day your photos will be taken, try choose early morning or at least 2 hours before dusk to avoid harsh midday light that makes shadows under your eyes.

· Try not to have a rushed schedule as this will add to pressure on the day rather than enjoying the day but consider your guests may be waiting around for you, though most expect to be waiting and are happy to do so if they are fed and watered.

· Check if your date is on daylight saving time as having a summer wedding will give you extra light at the end of the day which means you have more time in which to have photos taken. You can check the sunset time for the location you will be at for your wedding day on http://www.ga.gov.au/geodesy/astro/sunrise.jsp

· A location that is sentimental to you both can be a good choice.

· If your location is to be next to water, you may wish to check tide times before choosing your photography time on http://www.bom.gov.au/oceanography/tides /

· Some parks etc charge fees for having your photos taken there so check with the council. Even if there are no fees applicable you may be able to book the park etc so that no other event, picnic, surf carnival, wedding happens there at the same time.

· Optimism is wonderful but please have a back up photography location close by in case the weather turns nasty.

· When choosing your wedding date, consider some reception venues offer discounts on certain days of the week.

· Check if your preferred wedding date falls on school holidays, public holidays as this may effect your number of guests able to attend and it often determines how busy your photo location will be.

SCHEDULING

· Ensure you make a realistic schedule. Remember photographers are often the last to arrive and have much more gear to pack and unpack each time they get in and out of the car so be very generous with your allowed time for them to travel.

· Your Schedule should looks something like this:

· Bride before the ceremony (60min) + Travel + Groom before the ceremony (10-60min) + Travel + Bride’s arrival (10min) + Ceremony including signing time (20-60min) + Congratulations from guests (10-20min) + Big group photo (10min) + Family photos (10-20min) + Travel + Bridal party photos (20-60min) + Bride and Groom with children (20min) + Romantic photos of Bride and Groom alone (30-120min) + Travel + Rest/Makeup touch up/Bathroom break/Drink (15min) + Bridal party entering reception (5-10min) + and then in no particular order add Photos of decorations (5-15min) + Cake cutting (5min) + Speeches (5min per speaker) + Waltz (5-15min) + Entrée (30-40min) + Main meal (40-60min) + Photos with guests (20-30min) + Night photography (15-25min) + Dessert (20min) + Garter and bouquet throw (15min) + Dancing/party photos (20 min) + Special event/performances/gift giving (5-15min) + Farewells (30min).

Need some advice? Call Laura from LK Photography now for a chat on 0413144603.

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Wedding Expo This Sunday 16 May 2010

2010-05-14T22:10:00.000+10:00

A reminder that the Lake Macquarie Wedding Expo is on this Sunday 16th May 2010.

Entry is Free. Workshops are Free. There will be Free Planning kits for 1st 100 brides.

Come see LK Photography there at Wangi Workers Club, 11-19 Market Street, Wangi Wangi NSW Australia 10am-3pm.

Be sure to look around the walls of the club to see more samples of LK Photography's wedding photography done at Wangi Workers Club. See you there!

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Burlesque Baby Retro Clothing perfect for Boudoir or Glamour Photography

2010-05-13T14:45:00.000+10:00

I never tire of seeing Burlesque Baby's gorgeous stock. Here are some of my favourites. I'd love to do a boudoir or glamour photography session using these props.

clipped from www.burlesquebaby.com.au

Burlesque Baby is here to bring you the ultimate in Femme styles reminiscent of 1940’s and 50’s Silver Screen Sirens with a modern edge. We have searched around the globe to bring you all that is Burlesque, Modern Pin-up and Retro Style. With Clothing, Lingerie, Costumes Accessories and much more.

We have a great selection online and even more in store! For the inner Dame, Burlesque Beauty, Diva, Femme Fatale, Retro Beauty and Pin up Queen. Flirty sophisticated styles for the showgirl within.

You can shop online securely with Burlesque Baby. Our shopping cart is secured by SSL, you will notice the padlock icon on your browser when you enter your payment details during checkout. So shop online securely or stop in at our store at 567 Wellington St, Perth, Western Australia. Both of which are packed with Corsets, Ruffles, Satins, Feathers and Killer Heels, High Waisted Skirts, Marilyn Style dresses and Leopard Prints.

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Online Wedding Registry - What We Wish For

2010-05-13T10:28:00.000+10:00

Fabulous Australian Free Online Wedding Registry: What We Wish For, to save you getting 3 toasters.

clipped from www.whatwewishfor.com

What We Wish For is an easy way to create and share your own gift registry website with your friends and family. It's free to setup, fully customisable, simple and FUN!
Start Now

Create your own gift registry website
Add any gifts you want
Invite friends to contribute
Receive money to buy your gifts
Sample wedding registry Learn how to register

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Lace Photo Booth Backdrop

2010-05-11T13:01:00.000+10:00

clipped from www.marthastewartweddings.com

Create your own photo booth with an oversize canvas backdrop. Download this design and take it to a copy center that can print the large file (we went to FedEx Office). Then hang it up at your reception and have your photographer or friends capture candid moments that you can add to your guest book.

Get the Photo Booth Backdrop Clip Art

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NEW WEDDING TV SHOW LOOKING FOR BRIDES

2010-05-11T11:36:00.000+10:00

Brand new weddings TV show casting for weddings taking place May-August 2010
Details:

Granada Media is one of Australia's leading independent television producers. We produce and develop top rating shows for all major Australian networks including COME DINE WITH ME, AUSTRALIA'S NEXT TOP MODEL, TALKIN’ ‘BOUT YOUR GENERATION and THE CONTENDER.

We are appealing to Venues, Suppliers, Caterers, Photographers and anyone involved with the Wedding and Event Industries to help us find weddings taking place between May and August 2010 to feature in an exciting new prime time television series.

We'll be featuring all types of weddings, with a variety of themes, venues and budgets in and around Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

If you know of a wedding taking place or you are getting married please get in touch with Sarah or Rachel on 02 9383 4350 or email us at:
weddings@granadamedia.com.au

Deadline: 14 May 2010 @ 5pm Eastern Daylight Saving Time"

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Hunter Valley Elopement - Real Wedding: Sabrina and Gary

2010-04-26T10:52:00.000+10:00

The Hunter Valley in NSW Australia is the ideal location for a romantic elopement. The rolling lush green hills spotted peppered with vineyards to please all tastes. There are speciality shops that sell all sorts of delicacies from cheese to fudge. And when you would like to stay the night, a romantic luxurious hotel or a quaint bed and breakfast is never far away.

Sydney couple Sabrina and Gary chose the Hunter Valley's picturesque Willow Tree Estate as their elopement destination for its diverse gorgeous gardens complete with a cute gazebo for when the weather turned wet - which it did. As a lovely blessing, the rain stopped the moment they kissed when celebrant Maree Callaghan pronounced them husband and wife. Raleigh, their most obliging host at Willow Tree Estate and myself, Laura from LK Photography were both honoured to be their witnesses. Sabrina wore a simple white dress with her long dark hair out the way Gary likes it. Gary looked handsome as he took his new wife into his arms while holding their adorable 6 month old baby daughter Sienna.

Their wedding ceremony by Maree Callaghan was short, sweet and happy followed by an hour of elopement photography where I photographed their wedding portraits in both a formal and candid style. The diversity of the gardens gave them variety in scenery for each of their portraits and their easy going personalities allowed me to be a little more creative in shooting angles and ideas as well as during the photo editing process.

After their photography was a sumptuous lunch at the Willow Tree Estate with plans to visit more wineries and cheese locations the next day. Fuss free and affordable, an elopement weekend in Pokolbin at the Hunter Valley was the ideal wedding for romantics Sabrina and Gary.

Want to see more of Sabrina and Gary's elopement wedding photos? See their complete photo collection.
Contact Laura from LK Photography to find out more about affordable photography packages for elopement weddings.
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Real Wedding on Lake Macquarie Weddings: Mellissa and Matthew

2010-03-24T17:16:00.000+11:00

Mellisa wore a beautiful red and white Alfred Angelo gown while she married her blue-eyed sweetheart Matthew in front of their adorable children and guests on Toronto foreshore in beautiful Lake Macquarie followed by a reception at Toronto's Royal Motor Yacht Club.

My favourite moment while capturing their photos was their first dance held when they first entered their reception. Their family and guests applauded and Mellissa and Matthew swirled around the dance floor gazing lovingly into each other's eyes while singing to each other. Makes me sigh...

Read Mellissa's story of her day and see some more of my photos on the Lake Macquarie Weddings website who have kindly blogged this Lake Macquarie Wedding in the lead up to Wedding Planning Workshops' Lake Macquarie Wedding Expo to be held at Wangi NSW Australia on Sunday 16th May 2010 10am-3pm.

Planning a Lake Macquarie wedding? Contact Laura on 0413144603 for your wedding photography.

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1st Donation for John Hunter Hospital equipment gets Photoshoot worth $250

2010-03-23T15:06:00.000+11:00

As you know, I'm a supporter of anything to do with children in hospitals. It came to my attention today that John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle NSW Australia is in desperate need of parent beds so that they can sleep reasonable comfortably when staying with their child and a fridge for the nurse's room.

Tiffany Tregenza from the My Three Ring Circus Blog who is a parent of a child receiving treatment at the wonderful John Hunter Hospital thought to help the hospital by asking for the help from those she knows. You can read what Tiffany is going through here: http://www.mythreeringcircus.com/2010/03/helping-hands/ or follow her on Twitter at : http://twitter.com/tiggymooshoo

As John Hunter Hospital is the closest major hospital to my home, I would like to encourage donations. You could donate a new fridge if you own a shop that sells them or you can help by donating cash. The target is $5000 as special parent beds allowed at hospitals are expensive.

Please give generously, especially if you live in the area as we never know if we unfortunately may need to be the tired anxious parent trying to sleep next to our child in the hospital. To encourage donations I am giving away one 1hr photography session including prints and DVD (worth $250) to the first donation over $100.To donate funds straight away, please go to: http://www.everydayhero.com.au/team_ivy Please note I am location near Newcastle/Central Coast so if you live in another state or country I can't take your photos but please give generously anyway.

Spread the love,
Laura

To see what is included in a photography session or what type of photography you would like please go to the LK Photography website.

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Products and Albums available in LK Photography packages

2010-03-16T14:37:00.001+11:00

LK Photography offers many different packages customised to your needs and budget. As such there are a range of album sizes and types to choose from. You can rest assured that everything LK Photography offers in their packages are of the highest quality made to last long after your family has grown up and long after your wedding day is over.

Prints
All prints are professionally calibrated art prints with a UV framed life span of 100 years. Canvas, Acrylic and Metallic Prints and Metallic Acrylics are of an equally high calibre ensuring your memories will last a lifetime. Prints are now sold individually with a minimum purchase amount or in discounted packages.

DVD Case
Stylish black buckram DVD folio.

Gift Vouchers
Great as presents. Give a photography session to someone you would love to have photos of or you can contribute towards purchasing an album or enlargements for newlyweds. If you are planning a wedding, suggest gift vouchers to your guests.

Small Matted Albums
Book bound black matted albums holding included prints of your choice. Great as thank you gifts for parents and bridal party. Available in a 2 sizes and 2 amounts of prints that they can hold.

Matted Album
Book bound leatherette matted album with 20 sides of a mixture of 5 different black Mat openings including prints and a sturdy storage box. Lovely and luxurious 4.2kg.

Coffee Table Albums
30 sides of magazine style pages in 170gsm or 250gsm in a range of covers with a dust jacket. A storage box included for larger sizes. Choose from horizontal, vertical or square in a range of sizes to suit portrait sessions or weddings. Modern and highly customisable. Extra sides available.

Premium Crystal Fusion Albums
20 sides combining 8 flush to edge digital print pages, 6 matted print pages, and a 6 side luxurious flip page. The pages open absolutely flat and you have options to upgrade to supergloss/metallic/canvas-paper prints. This album is covered in designed metallic print under a layer of extremely clear and reflective crystal fusion acrylic all presented in a leather wrap or a hand stitched leather presentation box depending on your size of album. Other covers available. Choose from horizontal, vertical or square and you can add pages if you require. Fabulous quality. Smaller sizes are ideal as parent albums or cute mini-replicas. You won't have seen a more beautiful album with such impact.

To request a pricelist please contact Laura on 0413144603 or fill in the form on the contact details page of the LK Photography website.

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What is a MUST for a wedding?

2010-03-12T12:36:00.000+11:00

Ok, update on my 6 year engagement to the man of my dreams. You may have read our love story I posted in the example for how to enter your Love Story 2 Win Wedding Photography competition I am running. Since then, although it never really dawned on me, I thought..hmmm, maybe we should actually get married. Granted I read ALOT of wedding info to keep up to date with the latest for my clients, but I can't say its ever really made me want a wedding. I'm a low-key kind of gal so I would only want a low-key kind of wedding...if we ever did get around to it. Like alot of my clients, we have a mortgage, credit cards, family overseas and interstate, and a precious child so throwing a party isn't going to be high on our agenda.

So...I was thinking numbers the other night (don't ask me why) and I say to my guy, "Honey, don't freak out but next year it will be 7 years (my lucky number) we will be together, and around Easter (when we got together) there is a 13th (his lucky number) on a weekend, what do you say we try get married once and for all?" (Romantic, huh?) Then a pause of silence and of course I know what he is thinking (money). I say "We'll try and do it the way we want (immediate family only, ceremony down the road at the lake, fabulous photographer, vintage style decorations and clothing, luxurious dining table outdoors under a marquee, with a cool jazzy-type band, fabulous food like lobster and such and an amazing weekend up in the Hunter Valley as our honeymoon) but if we can't, we do it anyway". He says with conviction in his voice, "Yep, lets do it.'

Of course I find myself 2 hours later like a mini-bridezilla already doing the sums. Hmmm. Let's just say it's going to be very very low key. I started making a list then (I'm big on lists) of what, to me, is an absolute must. Celebrant, Rings, Dress, Alcohol ...then it hit me. How do I find a photographer that I am going to be happy with (read perfectionist) for a few measly bucks? Do I forgo a photographer all together? Nope. Do I try shoot my own wedding? Crazy. I'm stuck. I even considered whether we could just do a commitment ceremony instead to save money to have a decent photographer, but then I think what's the point, we are already committed big time.

Anway, please let me know your thoughts on what is a must to you, while I try figure it out and actually commit to the date, and tell the family (yes I'm telling you before them as they would want to help out and I'm not into them paying for it, or having them commit to a date I haven't yet committed to).

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Love Story 2 Win Wedding Photography Competition

2010-02-14T13:00:00.087+11:00

UPDATE: We now have a WINNER! - Details Below

I have a big mooshy heart. Yep, I'm not ashamed to say it. I cry at all the weddings I photograph. I cry when I watch the love of my life and my son hugging and saying that they love each other. I cry when I see or hear that someone deserving receives a gift they really need. It is in this spirit of love, mooshiness and generosity that I am launching the biggest competition LK Photography (NSW, Australia) has ever done. Everyone will be a winner and one deserving couple will have all their photography costs covered for their wedding. With the help of some fellow mooshy sponsors, this Love Story 2 Win Wedding Photography Competition is launched on Valentine's Day February 14th 2010. Entry details are below so go and win yourself some wedding photography or tell someone you know that they should enter. If you are a fellow mooshy too, remember to subscribe to the LK Photography Blog to get your dose of regular mooshy love stories as they are published. Good luck!

All Entrants receive:

From LK Photography (value $100)

1hr Pre-Wedding or Post-Wedding photography session with DVD of high resolution images

Winner receives:

From LK Photography (value $2800)

Up to 12 hours Wedding day photography with DVD of high resolution images
1hr Pre-Wedding or Post-Wedding photography session with DVD of high resolution images
Consultation and Viewing session in the comfort of your home
Online viewing and ordering for family and friends
Black and white, Sepia, Spot-colouring or other Special effect for prints ordered
Album design and assembly

From The Edge Photo Imaging (value $650)

World class digital prints for your albums included in this photography prize package
Prints for your walls in 3(8"x12") and 1(20"x32")
Postage

From The Photo Store (value $350)

Say Bella Matboard Album with 20 sides
Drawstring Bag for album
Storage Box for album
Gloves for handling album
2 x Glamour Folio Albums that hold 20(5"x7") prints

From Prior Engagement (value $160)

100 Mini Photo Frames with Easel Backs in Silver Wedding Favours

From DigiGifts - Personalised Gifts (value $43)

Custom Tote Photo Bag in bucket style with any photo on bag, zipper and multiple interior pockets
Postage

from My WED (value $50)

My WED Organiser is everything you need to plan your wedding with checklists, helpful wedding hints and reminders. Cut and paste ideas that you see in magazines, make notes, diairise appointments, record useful websites, keep your contracts, business cards and wedding information all in one place, move pages and customise it to suit your needs AND you have a special spot to place a photo of your special person to keep you motivated! Your organise will have a stylish green stripe.
The My WED Benefits Card is included with participating wedding suppliers offering incentives upon presentation of your card.
Postage

Total Winner Prizes Value Over $4000

How to Enter

Subscribe to the LK Photography Blog by email
You must remain a subscriber continuously from the day you enter the competition until at least 8/8/10.
Email laura@lkphotography.com.au with (a) description of your love story detailing how you met or finally came to be together with your fiancé in 200 words or less and (b) include a photo you and your partner, no smaller than 400px on the longest side and (c) your full name, postal address, email address and 2 contact phone numbers.
Your entry will be placed on this blog post within 24 hours.
At the end of your competition month, you will be notified via email when you can ask family and friends to vote for you via a voting form that will be placed on this blog page. Voting is open for the whole of the following competition month.
The entrant in each competition month with the most valid votes goes on to be the finalist for their competition month.
After all 4 competition months, the sponsor judges will choose the finalist that most touches their hearts.

Terms and Conditions

By entering this competition you agree that you have read, understood and agree with all the Terms and Conditions.
Competition entry is between 14/2/10 - 30/6/10.

Entrants of all ages, gender, nationalities, cultural background, religion and location are encouraged to enter this competition.
Voters can are allowed one vote per day.
If the judges’ first choice has not entered the competition correctly or has not completed all the competition requirements, or if they cannot be contacted within 3 days, then the 2^nd best entry will win the prizes.
The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence shall be entered into.
Entrants can only enter in one competition month.
Travel fees as listed on the LK Photography Pricelist apply outside the areas of Sydney, Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Maitland and the Hunter Valley, in NSW AUSTRALIA. (travel at cost price (airfare from Newcastle NSW and taxis etc) plus $95 per hour for road travel outside the above listed areas - still way cheaper than a $4000 package!)
Prizes are not transferable or redeemable for cash.
LK Photography reserves the right to cancel the competition in the unlikely situation of an extreme or unforeseen event.
If a prize sponsor is no longer trading at the time of the wedding, there will be no substitute prize.
Entrants must be 18 years or over at the time of entering the competition.
Entries will not be accepted by any sponsor employee, their immediate family (parents, siblings, children etc) or their spouses-to-be.
First names only of the entrants shall be made public but all other contact details shall remain private.
Contact details of entrants shall not be given to any third party.
Entrants agree they may be contacted by LK Photography regarding the possibility of booking LK Photography as their wedding photographer.
Entrants must not have already booked a wedding photographer.
Winner must choose a wedding date within the specified time period where LK Photography is available or they forfeit the LK Photography part of the prize.
Winner agrees to sign a model release allowing LK Photography to use photos from their wedding for advertising purposes as well as sign a photography agreement.
A selection of the winner’s wedding photos and prizes as well as wedding day details will be published on the LK Photography Blog once completed.
Winner must adhere to the following dates.

Competition Dates

14/2/10 - 31/3/10 Entries accepted for Competition Month 1

1/4/10 – 30/4/10 Votes accepted for Competition Month 1

Entries accepted for Competition Month 2

1/5/10 – 31/5/10 Votes accepted for Competition Month 2

Entries accepted for Competition Month 3

1/6/10 – 30/6/10 Votes accepted for Competition Month 3

Entries accepted for Competition Month 4

1/7/10 – 31/7/10 Votes accepted for Competition Month 4

1/8/10 – 3/8/10 Judges make their decision

4/8/10 – 6/8/10 Winner is advised

7/8/10 Winner is published on LK Photography Blog

8/8/10 – 13/2/11 Wedding held and photography prize performed

31/5/11 All other prizes must have been used

COMPETITION WINNER

Jessica and Sione

Six years ago, Sione and I met through mutual friends. We were the third and fourth wheel in their new relationship. Like lost puppies we tagged along for moral support and eventually we became inseparable. Sione is the love of my life and my very best friend. He is a wonderful father and a loving, soft-spoken man who, on the day of my birthday, gave me a surprise I will never forget. Sione arranged a weekend away to SheratonOnThePark for what I thought was my birthday treat. We arrived to a gorgeous suite with a bottle of Moet and chocolates awaiting us on the bed. After a long Deep and Meaningful, a few sips of champagne and some nervous pacing, he bent down on one knee and whispered, "Will you marry me?" In stark contrast, I shouted "YES!" Not five minutes later the concierge phoned to tell us we were required downstairs. Upon entering the lobby I scanned the room for my next surprise. A gentleman guided us outside to a Mercedes that was waiting to escort us to my favourite Argentinian restaurant (I'm Argentinian). That night I learnt that to love and be loved is the greatest happiness of existence!

Congratulations to Jessica and Sione whose love story received 60% of the votes. They win over $4000 in wedding photography prizes and their wedding will be featured on the LK Photography Blog.

Thank you to all our entrants and their family and friends who worked hard to get votes. LK Photography wishes them every happiness in their new lives together and I hope you will still consider LK Photography and our sponsors The Edge Photo Imaging, The Photo Store, Prior Engagement, DigiGifts and My Wed, for your wedding and photography needs.

P.S. - Entrants, don't forget to use your pre-wedding photography session voucher soon.

Last but certainly not least, a massive, mooshy THANKYOU to our wonderful sponsors, without whose support, this massive competition could not have existed.

I hope all readers have enjoyed the love stories, excitement and voting. To be the first to know of the next LK Photography competition or special offer, be sure to subscribe to the LK Photography Blog.

Kisses, Laura.

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