Mary Canning Photography

Busy

I have been very busy working with a friend on a book we were commissioned to do on growing vegetables and fruit.  I have spent the past 18 months wandering around gardens belonging to generous friends and taking what I hope are luscious photos of vegetables - but also of garden pests.  Such is the life of a freelance photographer.

Over the summer I found some time to put together this youtube clip of a number of weddings I have photographed in the past year.  It is LONG ! but still brings a tear to my eye when I see it.  So much happiness - such a privilege to document it.

 

http://youtu.be/bMmPeAQLw0c

Kristy and Matt Yarrawonga 25.2.12

 Saturday morning.  Yarrawonga.  A small town on the banks of Lake Mulwala.  A blue day with the promise of temperatures in the high thirties.  I spent the morning with Kristy's family - her mother and father, her three sisters and her brother.  Alexa - Kristy and Matt's gorgeous little girl. And assorted friends and family, the hairdresser and make up artist.  Lots of laughter and a few tears. Kristy had warned me she could be quite emotional and so it proved - she wept with joy throughout the day - walking up the aisle, during the ceremony, during the speeches, during the first dance.  It was so lovely to see a bride being so completely open with her emotions and those who know her so well completely at ease with it.  

The wedding service was held at Sacred Heart Church in Yarrawonga - a wonderful old red brick church. Afterwards the guests cruised the lake on a paddlesteamer whilst we took some photos.  A white marquee had been set up at the Yarrawonga Yacht Club and was filled with the most beautiful, colourful array of flowers - peonies, hydrangeas, dahlias.  (Kristy wept when she saw that too - she is a florist in training and her boss had offered to do the flowers - but did not tell her what they would be). White doily bunting was strung between an old tree and the marquee - so pretty.

I had a long chat with Matt's grandfather who as a young Polish man had been deported to Siberia during World War Two. I was so touched by his story and couldn't help but think that he must have had times when he could not see a future - and here he was today celebrating his grandson's wedding.

A magical day - in a magical setting - with two people who adore each other and their child.  

As ever, thank you Kristy and Matt for allowing me the privilege of being with you on your day.

Wishing you the most joyous of lives together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                         

Zeena and Kayzad Melbourne 3.12.11

Zeena and Kayzad's wedding day was a day of two parts, bound by love.  A silvery grey morning was spent observing the traditional ceremonies of Zoroastrianism, an ancient Iranian monotheist religion followed by Zeena and Kayzad's families in India and now in Australia.

In the morning Zeena was attended by a priest and prayed with him before bathing and changing into a white sari.  

She was dressed by her mother and family friends before travelling to the nearby temple. Whilst not a Zoroastrian temple, Zeena and Kayzad's family and friends were welcomed warmly - this being the first Zoroastrian wedding celebrated here.  Kayzad arrived, also dressed in white, and after ceremoniously being greeted by his own mother and then Zeena's, Zeena and Kayzad were seated opposite each other with a white cloth between them, placed so they could not see each other. Two priests officiated and a fire was kept burning throughout, the scented smoke drifting over the participants.  Their right hands were bound with string and then that string was passed around them seven times, symbolising the strength of the bond between them.

The next part of the ceremony saw the couple seated together, facing east and being strewn with rice and deep red rose petals as the priests prayed over the couple.

After the ceremony Zeena and Kayzad went into the temple proper to pay their respects and to pray. There followed a lunch of delicious Indian food and then a return to Zeena's home to get ready for the civil ceremony.  

Zeena asked that we photograph a "First Look" - across the road from her home is a lovely park and it was a wonderful opportunity for Zeena and Kayzad to have a quiet few moments together before the rest of the day unfolded.

The afternoon's civil ceremony took place at Footscray Park.

The grey morning had transformed into a blue afternoon - with a gentle breeze blowing. Becaues Zeena and Kayzad were already married in the eyes of their faith - and also because we had the time - we were able to take photos of the two of them together before the ceremony.  Then, in a quiet corner of the park by the river, the couple spoke vows they had written especially for each other before exchanging rings.  

A green carpet greeted guests at the reception venue - an old warehouse in Melbourne's Docklands. Inside was dramatically black with a high white ceiling - and long white tables decorated with gorgeous flowers.  Long branches were hung with glass jars filled with peonies and daisies.  Zoroastrian wedding receptions are renowned for their feasting and dancing and the joy that filled the room was palpable. Of course a tear or two were shed during the speeches but then it was time to dance again!

What an extraordinary privilege it was for me to witness this day.

Zeena and Kayzad - thank you so much for allowing me to be part of it - I wish you all the happiness of a long life together.

A little post

When I am not taking photographs I have been paid to take, I am still taking photos. It is a rare day that I am not out and about with a camera.  I also love playing with my lenses and mucking around with post processing.  It is through doing this that I find new ways to improve my photographs for paying clients, plus - I love it with all my heart.

Here are some photos I took of my daughter with the Lensbaby Composer on my Nikon D3S, which were then post processed in Lightroom using the fantastic presets by MCP Quick Clicks (this is not a sponsored post btw!).

Jess and Janek 1.10.11 Adelaide Hills

I arrived at Jess's mother's house in Adelaide to be greeted by a very calm Jess, her bridesmaids and aunt, all looking fresh despite a late night spent finalising floral arrangements! Although the morning was sunny there were dark clouds coming and going but one of the most wonderful things about this particular wedding day was that the sun shone at all the right times!

The wedding ceremony was held at the Church of the Epiphany in Crafers in the Adelaide Hills - an old stone church surrounded by wonderful trees.  Janek and his groomsmen went into a pre wedding huddle whilst the priest and his assistant waited for the bride to arrive.  One little baby slept - unaware of the gathering excitement.  Then we saw Jess's mum Yasmine and Jess and Janek's beautiful girl Maple running up the hill!

The adjective which springs to mind when describing Jess as a bride (and as a person) is serene.

After the ceremony, complete with beautiful singing and timeless vows, was over, the bridal party and I headed further into the hills for some photos.

First stop was the old train station at Balhannah - we had just got up onto the platform when a huge freight train roared past - a narrow escape!

Then we headed to a beautiful farm belonging to the grandmother of one of the bridesmaid's - which came complete with photogenic ruins. The girls put on their gumboots and the boys had their umbrellas.  Yet again though the sun shone...

The reception was held at the historic Bridgewater Mill, the cake with its lego couple summed up the playfulness this couple enjoys.

Beautiful Maple

Yasmine and her mother who had flown out from France especially..

Speeches that made everyone laugh and cry...

And the most important three people together as Janek made a loving speech in tribute to his new bride.

 

Jess, Janek and Maple - thank you so much for letting me be part of your day.

I wish you all the joy in the world.

Rachel and Greg 22.9.11 Orange

I have spent a lot of time in the lovely town of Orange and seen it through all its seasons but even I was blown away by the perfect Spring day Rachel and Greg enjoyed on their wedding day. I spent the morning with Rachel's family as she got ready and enjoyed sharing in the laughter and the tears when Rachel's mother saw Rachel for the first time, as beautiful as any bride could be.

The ceremony ( as well as the reception afterwards) was held at the Highland Heritage Estate Vineyard.  Greg's eyes were filled with tears as he caught his first glimpse of Rachel and the look of sheer love on his face was apparent to any of us who happened to be looking at him as his bride walked up the aisle.

The wedding (and the day) were filled with a mix of vintage and thoroughly modern touches.  From Rachel's handmade bouquet made from old enamel brooches, to her choosing her best friend to be her Man of Honour.  

Rachel, Greg and I drove out to Millthorpe to take photos after the ceremony - the old train station providing a wonderful backdrop as the newlyweds shared their delight in being married.

The reception was a tribute again to Rachel's hard work and her personal touches were everywhere, including hand lettered signs on the back of every seat and a table laden with sweets for dessert.

Earlier in the day I had met and talked with Rachel's beloved Nan who told me that she had always promised Rachel she would dance at her wedding.  Despite a very bad knee Rachel's Nan did indeed dance at the wedding and I might have had a tear in my eye as I photographed that moment.

Rachel and Greg - thank you for the privilege of sharing your day.

May your lives together be filled with many more joyful moments.

Jess and Janek Pre Wedding shoot

On a stunning Spring morning Jess, Janek, their little girl Maple and I gathered at a local Community Garden here in the mountains to do a pre wedding shoot. Jess in her pink vintage dress and Janek in his lemon coloured top were perfectly dressed in Spring colours to match the day.  Add in Maple in her sweet blue and white pinafore and it was perfect. 

I have photographed this gorgeous family before and that made it ridiculously easy to capture the happiness Jess and Janek share in each other and their little girl. 

See you in Adelaide - it is going to be a magical day.

 

 

 

 

Clementine and Jack 27.8.11 Sydney

Clementine and Jack's wedding day dawned with a thick fog blanketing much of Sydney. By the time I arrived to take some preparation photos it had started to lift and a sky of softest blue was revealed.

 

Although Clem (like all brides) was a little nervous, she was in the company of her lovely parents and together they kept her relatively calm and helped her get ready.  

The church service was held at the hundred year old Scots Kirk in Mosman.  It was very intimate - Clem and Jack's family and closest friends were in attendance and whilst Clem and Jack were obviously taking the vows very seriously I could see through the camera lens the looks they shared and their constantly clasped hands.

The wedding reception was held at Balmoral and before the guests arrived we ventured out onto the wharf to get some photos.  The earlier promise of an exceptionally pretty Sydney day had held good and again I was struck by the privilege a photographer enjoys in sharing special time with a (very) newly wed couple.  Clem and Jack were so relaxed and we were able to talk and walk and capture some beautiful photos.

We had thought to move further down the beach to take other photos but decided it was so lovely where we were that we stayed put. This was a fantastic decision as we were spotted by the wedding guests who joined us on the wharf and it became a wonderful opportunity to photograph everyone amidst much laughter and fun.

Clementine and Jack - thank you so much for letting me be part of your day.

I wish you much joy in the years ahead.








 

This and that

May is a good month for me to do lots of reading on photography, checking out other blogs and doing my own studying on things like lighting and composition.  Much of what I do is instinctual but I do like underpinning it with some sound knowledge!

I photograph a debutante ball in June each year and I tell people it is like shooting 25 weddings in one night. Formal portraits of the girls, them with their partners, big group photos, dancing photos - then I process each and every photo individually - time consuming true but worth it to me. I know that once the Ball rolls around I am out of action for a while. It is a wonderful opportunity for me to work with a variety of personalities and there is no doubt that a sixteen year old girl usually knows exactly how she wants to look in her photo.

I am still out most days taking photos.  My broad workbase means that I just don't shoot on weekends.  I love the fact that taking photos of gardens for example feeds into my other work, ensuring I am constantly looking for the detail as well as the big picture.

 


And of course I can always photograph my own models.


 

Rachel and Greg - Pre Wedding Shoot

 

Although Rachel and Greg are not getting married until September we agreed that it would be fantastic to do the pre wedding shoot now whilst the colours of Orange are blazing in all their autumn glory.

Rachel found me through the Polka Dot Bride article and we quickly built an email relationship as we discussed venues in Orange and dates for the wedding.

This week it was fantastic to finally be able to meet her and her husband to be, Greg. Although Greg expressed a little discomfort about having his photo taken, in fact he was wonderful and together he and Rachel showed me just how happy a day they are going to have in September.

We took photos at the Highland Heritage Estate Vineyard where the wedding will take place and then, because the weather was gorgeous and we knew it would look great we took off to Cook Park for a few more photographs.

Rachel shared a few insights into her planning of the wedding and I know already that I better pack a handkerchief in case I shed a few tears myself!  

See you in September Rachel and Greg...