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They say it’s good luck if you have your wedding day in the rain, and if that’s anything to go by, this couple have lots of good luck coming their way and will be sitting in their rocking chairs when they’re old and grey, holding hands and staring into each others eyes.
Alicia and Danny met at work in the gourmet food industry and were soon inseparable. They’re love of beautiful things was shown in their wedding with an abundance of gorgeous flowers and of course luxurious take home gifts for their guests.
The bridal party and family all got ready at the Jephson Hotel in Toowong which was lovely and roomy for everyone to get ready and the girls had their hair and makeup done by the amazing team from Velbella.
Alicia and Danny were married by Eve at Bundaleer Rainforest Gardens on the gumnut deck after being moved from the sprawling jacaranda tree due to torrential rain. Their vintage theme was setup beautifully complete with paper lanterns and an old bicycle. The ceremony was held in the marquee which completed the look with lots of burning candles and fairy lights.
After the ceremony, we all donned our umbrellas and raincoats and I wrapped my camera and flashes in plastic bags and condoms (yes it actually works!), and we ventured out into the weather for some bridal party shots. Everyone was a trooper! Not only did we all get drenched, but water was creeping up our legs, making it colder every minute. Not to mention the camera lens fogging up due to the humidity and the plastic bags!
I soon sent the bridal party back to the marquee to dry off in front of the industrial heater (you know the ones you get from the building hire places that look like jet engines), and the bride and groom had a little private time for a few very special photos.
Even though it was pouring rain the atmosphere was fun and loving, and I even managed to steal the newlyweds for a secret dance in the rain during the reception 🙂
Just goes to show, nothing can ruin your big day if you don’t let it! Let it rain on your wedding day I say!
Best photographs of 2014 by Leoni Bolt Photography.
Wow! That’s it! The year of 2014 has come to an end!
And what a wonderful and busy year it’s been! I myself had my second (and last) child in April. Two baby girls who for better or worse are smart and boisterous and keep my hands full, especially when I’m running a business and trying to edit hundreds of photos at any one time!
My sister also had a baby girl and of course many of my previous wedding clients have come back when they’ve started their families, which is what I love! Growing with people as you share the most important parts of their lives, and help them cherish those memories.
So on that note why don’t we start on the journey of life in 2014 through my eyes, and start with the maternity and newborn shoots….
And of course don’t forget the first birthday cake smash!!
Weddings, weddings and more weddings!!
I decided I needed to do some more boudoir shoots just for some fun! Hopefully there will be a lot more of this next year!
And of course there’s is always lots of family photos. I love when families want to do something a bit out of the ordinary and just plain fun!
2015 is already gearing up to be crazy busy. So much to look forward to!!
I hope you all have an amazing New Year and that 2015 will bring adventure, new beginnings and most importantly you spend some of it with the ones you love!
Leoni xx
Mickel & Violet had a beautiful intimate Mt Tamborine wedding, which they made perfect just for them! Despite a multitude of last minute hiccups, they didn’t let them ruin their day, and how could they? These two are so much in love they just couldn’t stop laughing all day! It was such a wonderful pleasure to be involved in such a gorgeous day!
Both the bride and groom had private houses rented on the mountain, so there was plenty of room for all of their bridal party to get ready. Not to mention spectacular mountain views!
Mickel and his groomsmen are all barbers and the boys had to make sure he was clean shaven with a cutthroat razor before seeing his beautiful bride.
Violet is a master of hair and makeup and managed to be the calm and collected bride and super mum all at the same time, getting her bridesmaids and kids ready for the day.
The groom waiting for the arrival of his beautiful bride
The intimate ceremony and reception was held at The Old Church in Mt Tamborine. It’s a gorgeous little chapel situated at the top of Mt Tamborine and their little restaurant is perfect for a small wedding of close friends and family.
The bridal party were a lot of fun during our ‘formal shoot’.
We took the bride and groom to the lookout on Mt Tamborine to take advantage of the spectacular backdrop.
The cake was made from local cheeses. Such a fantastic idea! And the bride told me she was eating cheese for weeks afterwards!
I know this is going to be hot and potentially heated topic among wedding suppliers and vendors, but it has to be said.
Have wedding expo’s had their day? This year in particular it has been noted across the board that numbers at wedding expo’s are down, and not just by a few brides, but by hundreds in some cases.
Why is this? Are we becoming a society totally reliant on the internet. Do we not feel the need to meet those people that are going to make your dream wedding day come true, and see the products they supply up close and personal? Are we solely relying on the referrals of our friends (or Facebook friends?). Isn’t it important that we meet and get along with those people like your celebrant or your photographer, that will make or break your day?
The expo’s I have attended recently, that most wedding vendors spend a fortune to set up and promote themselves, have definitely been on the verge of why bother? I especially feel sorry for the florists that bring along so many fresh flowers, and the cake decorators that spend days baking beforehand. Not to mention the person that just let a dozen doves fly into the air for all of 3 spectators!
Being a photographer I know I am in a totally saturated market. Every person with a good camera is a photographer these days, and everyone always has a friend or a cousin that can do it for them. If you’re on a tight budget, I understand – I’ve been there myself. But more and more I’m hearing of people finding businesses on Facebook and then finding out they are not legitimate businesses or that they are using photos of other peoples work to get noticed, which is not only immoral but completely illegal. Who do you trust? How much research do you actually do?
My question is, where is the market taking us? Is there a need for something new and exciting? Where do you go to get your information and find the wedding vendors that are a perfect fit for you? Because even though that person was recommended on Facebook or some other social media site doesn’t mean they are the right fit for you and your partner. It just means they probably sit on Facebook all day.
Is anyone else reading this in Carrie Bradshaw’s voice? Thanks for reading my Sex in the City style rant! lol.
I would love to hear your thoughts!
Leoni
Fort Lytton Family Shoot
I love when people come to me with great ideas for their photos! When this cute little family asked if we could go out to Fort Lytton, I was very excited on what we might get.
Although access can be quite restrictive and it was a really windy day, we had lots of fun and got some great family photos.
Fort Lytton is an old military defence facility on the Brisbane River out near the Port Of Brisbane, dating back to the 1800’s. It’s a great place to explore the underground bunkers and feels a bit like your stepping into the Lord of the Rings. Fort Lytton is open to the public on Sundays and is free admission.
Visit the website for more fun family photos
Family portraits can be done in the studio or out on location in your favourite place. If you would like me to capture your family memories I would love to meet you!
Please contact me for more information on bookings.
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Ladies, Ladies, Ladies – come and join me and my all female team for a weekend full of sexy Boudoir Photography shoots. With dates set in January, just in time to get your loved one something sexy and beautiful (and all about you!).
This is available to girls of all sizes as there are so many ways to get sexy and seductive and still cover up those bits you don’t like.
Location is still to be confirmed, but we are looking at several luxury apartments in Brisbane City.
To book or for more details email mail@leoniboltphotography.com or fill out the contact form below.
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Newborn and Maternity Photography Sessions by Leoni Bolt Photography
Bringing another life into this world is one of life’s amazing miracles, full of wonder and excitement. Creating a new life inside of your growing baby belly you emanate a glow that only a pregnant woman can enjoy. As you embark on the journey of becoming a parent let us help you to capture those memories so that you may cherish them for the rest of your lives.
We have designed a couple of specialised packages to celebrate these special moments. Of course you are welcome to design your own package from our Al a Carte price list or add additional items to your package.
BLOSSOM COLLECTION
The first year of a child’s life involves so many milestones as they grow from a little bump in mum’s belly through to a little person of their own. This first year flies by so quickly we often wonder where our baby has gone! Let us capture some of these amazing moments for you to keep and share.
The Blossom Collection consists of sessions:
Maternity Session
As your excitement grows from the anticipation of the arrival of your little bundle of joy, so does your gorgeous belly! It’s an emotional time for parents, and a time to bathe in the glow of pregnancy and the love of becoming a parent. You can share this session with your partner and if you have other children they are welcome also.
The maternity session can be done in the privacy of your own home, on location or in the studio, depending on where you feel most comfortable your preferred style of photo shoot. In the studio (which can also be set up in your own home) we will use studio lighting to accentuate your bumps and curves and can create some really artistic photos. Outside is more of a lifestyle, fashion style session celebrating life!
Ideally your maternity session should be taken in your last trimester and preferably by 38 weeks.
Newborn Session
Newborns are best captured within the first 14 days of their lives, when they are at their sleepiest and most content (most of the time – although not all babies get the memo). Newborn sessions are generally between 2-4 hours in length, as they require feeding, cuddles and attention throughout to keep them happy and sleepy. Be sure to bring along any little outfits, blankets or stuffed toys that you want to include.
6 Month Session
This is generally around the time when bub starts sitting up and getting around and being a little more active. They have started laughing and playing and are turning into little personalities. Feel free to bring their favourite toy and be prepared to be a little silly to make them laugh!
12 Month Session
By now you have a very active little person,that loves to get into things. A cake smash is a great way to give them something tactile and fun to do and to capture their joy and amazement as they explore the tastes and textures.
Pricing
What would you expect to pay for a whole year of memories? Well at just $350 per session, you can get a lifetime of memories!
Each session includes
For those of you who know me, you may or may not know that I’m 38 weeks pregnant and am supposedly sitting around waiting for the arrival of baby number 2. If you know this much you would probably also know that the likeliness of me just sitting back and relaxing and not coming up with some new project that will consume a massive amount of time and energy is close to zero! Well your right I can’t just chill out and watch daytime tv – but instead I am focusing my energy into the newborns and pregnant mums that have come to see me recently.
Photographing baby bumps and babies that are just days old is so rewarding, as it is such a special time and oh so short!
Carrying around that pregnant belly or rocking your baby to sleep can sometimes feel like the longest journey, but once it’s over it’s just a distant memory, making way for all the new and exciting milestones to come. It is a really special part of a photographer’s job (and the reason why we love what we do!) being able to share those incredible moments and memories with you.
I want to share with you some hints and tips for your maternity or newborn photos that will get you prepared before you arrive at the studio.
Initially you may not feel like you want to get semi naked in front of anybody when you are considering maternity photography, and hey you don’t have to if you really don’t want to! There are many ways to show off that gorgeous baby bump and pregnancy glow, and you can always include your partner and/or other kids as well. Photo shoots out on location can be a very relaxed and free spirited way to get in touch with that maternal instinct, and in the studio you can really make magic happen with the help of lighting. We can also do a combination of both and I am happy to travel to you if you are more comfortable in your own home.
On location maternity photography
Ok I’m ready! So what do I need to know?
The best time to get your maternity photos done is generally between 32 & 38 weeks, depending on your personal situation. I have even photographed pregnant ladies at 20 weeks only to find out a few weeks later they have had complications and have been ordered to strict bed rest. 32-38 weeks means you’ll really have a bump to show off and hopefully your hands and feet haven’t started swelling (oh the joys of pregnancy!) Listen to your body and be sure to let your photographer know if you are uncomfortable or need to stop for a minute. Although you won’t be expected to perform any acrobatics, standing around in front of studio lighting can really have an effect on your unbalanced body. If you need to stop and have a break, sit down, have some water or go out for some fresh air. We don’t need you fainting during your photo shoot!
Maternity photography is really quite basic when it comes to what you need to get organised. The general rule is keep it plain. Maternity photography is all about your belly, and your natural glow, not about your fancy accessories or new lippy. If your in the studio plain black and white always works, in fact be sure to take both to give yourself more variety. If you have a white mens button up shirt bring that along too! There are always ways to use the draping of different materials to create different looks and textures and you can bring along any props such as teddy bears or blocks that spell bub’s name to include as well. Unless you’re outside on location you probably won’t need to choose other clothes, but flowing dresses or jeans and white tops are always a good place to start.
maternity tryptich
Of course after the maternity shoot along the comes the newborn, the anticipated bundle of joy that will change your lives forever!
One thing you need to be aware of with a newborn is that nothing ever goes to plan! Want to make a booking, but not sure of exact dates? Most photographers are very understanding and flexible when it comes to newborns. If you give them an approximate date they’ll be expecting your call once your baby is born.
Baby girl in a tutu
Newborns are best photographed within the first 2 weeks of their lives, when they are still new and fresh (and sometimes wrinkly and flakey – especially if they’ve been overcooked!). The main reason for this is that they should still be mostly sleeping, which makes it easier to capture their innocent sleeping beauty. To be able to achieve this you need to be patient! Sometimes a photography session with a newborn can take up to 4 hours, although we try not to do this to you as everyone especially the baby can get over it by this point! Depending on your baby, if they are sleeping pretty well through the night, mornings are easiest as they can be a bit more tolerant. We all know about the ‘witching hour’ come afternoon. Don’t know what I’m talking about? I’m sure you’ll find out soon enough lol!
Babies are best started off with a full belly, so feed your baby while the photographer is setting up or as you get there. Don’t worry we can wait – and we’ve all dealt with breastfeeding mums. While your feeding the baby, loosen his nappy to help get rid of excess marks – although any unwanted creases, blemishes and peeling skin can be retouched in Photoshop afterwards. Be sure to give baby a good burp after his feed, to keep them as content as can be. If you can pump breastmilk, of if baby is bottle fed have one on hand as it’s easier to settle a baby once in position with a bottle.
If you are having the photos done at home, don’t stress about the mess! You’ve just had a baby – we don’t care about the state of your house! Ideally if you are having the photos done at home find a spot close to the window as natural lighting tends to work best. Babies can get disturbed by too many flashing lights! The environment should also be reasonably warm as when you start peeling clothes off baby they won’t like it much, especially if it’s cold.
Sometimes the smell of mum can be a distraction too so it’s always good to have another set of hands if they are available.
baby girl holding mum’s ring
I have several packages on offer so that you can combine your Maternity and Newborn photo shoots as well as through the first year of your baby’s life. In the first year your baby will go from a precious little bundle to a crazy toddler – leaving you wondering where your baby has gone? Be sure to capture all of those special moments and finish the year with a bang with our new 1 yr old cake smash!
If you want to check out more of my work with babies and bumps head on over to this gallery: Maternity & Bubs
If you would like more information on my packages for mums & bubs send me an email:[contact-form-7 id=”152890″ title=”Contact form 1″]
The day started with the clouds rolling in low across the mountains and a light tropical drizzle while I ate a hearty breakfast in the main street of Maleny in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast Hinterlands. The wedding ahead was for Steve and Shelby of Caloundra. I spent the night before the wedding meeting friends and family of the couple at Spicers Tamarind Retreat in Maleny and everyone was set for an exciting day ahead!
The green and white colour scheme of the wedding fit in perfectly with the natural rainforest surroundings.
Shelby managed to think of everything for her big day, from the bride slippers and embroidered dressing gown to the engraved rings and chopsticks for dinner! Being super organised meant she could relax while getting ready and enjoy her mimosa….In true male style the boys enjoyed a pie and a beer instead.
It was a small affair with the ceremony held on the grounds of the beautiful resort. A small little arbour was setup under a tree, where close friends and family gathered for the ceremony. After everyone congratulated the couple, guests were treated to drinks and canapes while we disappeared to do more photos.
We found a few beautiful spots nearby including Gardeners Falls, which is just behind the resort and a nice easy walk.
I even managed to get the couple to climb through the dense forest for some gorgeous rainforest shots.
We drove to the famous one tree hill and found a few spots along the way.
On our return gusts were sending off their wishes for the couple using paper lanterns. Unfortunately we only just got there in time to see the last of them floating away, but it was spectacular!
The family stayed for a 5 course degustation with an Asian twist and danced the night away in a private dining room.
Favours for the guests included engraved chopsticks and fortune cookies, and the kids each had a little fun pack to keep them entertained. It was such a great experience to have been invited to dinner with the family!
I feel very privileged to have been able to be a part of this amazing wedding!
