The year of anticipation.

49 weddings, 38 portraits, ~42000 photos delivered.

I was shooting a wedding in April when Liv called to tell me she was pregnant. Luckily I was driving, so I could even take the call. It became a year of planning, of discussion, of doctor’s appointments. Rearranging our lives to make space for a new Howland. Working harder than I ever have before. We tried our best to savour all the things that are easier with just two of us – eating out, travel, sleeping. We squished in visits to Tassie and NZ which were gorgeous as always.

Those numbers above made 2018 my busiest year yet. I got to photograph my first legally-binding same-sex marriages, which was fucking incredible. I was there on the very first day it was possible, as Prue & Celeste legalised their existing marriage. Stu & Phil got engaged the day the plebiscite result was returned, but before hearing the news. After being together for 26 years, they married in March and there was not a dry eye. Hearing the new words ‘between two people’ makes me immeasurably happy every time. I had weddings with alpacas, horses, snakes, cows and corgis. With miniature trains, with shots of tequila, with the best sunset I have ever seen. Every year I am blown away with the trust that my couples put in me. Thank you so much for always obliging when I ask for one more photo, and another one after that. Even if it’s in the rain or up a hill or past a whole lot of cow shit. I owe everything I have to you fine people.

I also want to thank the amazing family of vendors who I work alongside. I’ve been doing this gig a while now and it’s very rare to not see at least one familiar face each weekend. Having a solid team makes each day perfect for our couples. Your passion and creativity push my photos even further.

I had this post prepped a week or two ago, but was waiting for one final image to add. On December 27th, 11 days overdue, Hazel joined our family and changed our lives forever.

I’m sure 2019 will be a whirlwind of change. I can’t wait.