So far this year looks to be  a lot quieter than last year, but to be honest I don’t mind, last year was a BIG year for Stella Photography and stepping back from the industry is alway healthy in my opinion.
Looking back on 2011, there are a lot of things I have learnt…. the biggest change Stella Photography is going to make is the following: Limit the number of wedding we do. Why? To gives the bride and groom what they deserve: Our full attention.

I know of wedding photographers that will take on as many weddings as they can – even that means shooting two weddings on the same day, then shooting six weddings in a row. My “record” was last year (2011) where I shot three weddings in a row. Wow by the end of it I was “washed out” I just wanted to sleep! I put so much energy into my photography that by the end of the three days I had almost nothing left in the tank!

So it got me thinking…. If  a bride and groom are choosing Stella Photography to shoot their wedding, do they not deserve the best Stella Photography can give? YES, of course it does. So this is why we are limiting the number of weddings we do.
I’m REALLY looking forward to getting out…. may the 2012 wedding season be a great one

My son Drew was dressed and waiting before I had the chance to open my eyes! (Wouldn’t it be nice if this was what he did on school days??)

GO The REDS!!!!

Before our move from Townsville we had to fit in final goodbyes, last play dates for the kids, packing, cleaning, more cleaning…  Linda and myself were up till 1 am for the last few days to make sure we left our property in ship shape. Once we got to Cairns we stayed at the Lake Placid Caravan Park , which was great as far as temporary accommodation goes, and the guys that look after the park were great

We originally had our kids enrolled in Redlynch State School; as we were’t sure where we’d end up living, and as the school was not zoned (and has a great reputation) we decided it was the way forward! We finally found a suitable property in Whitfield, and it then made sense to enrol them into Whitfield state school as it is 400m up the road, and it also has a great reputation.

(First day of the 2012 school year)

The kids have settled in nicely and so far so good! We still have a few boxes to unpack, but we’re getting there! Since arriving in Cairns my Dad and his wife (Carol) have come to visit, and it was great to have them. I haven’t seen them for almost 9 years, and they came along way (South Africa) – great fun was had by all, and before we knew it they were back off to South Africa.

During there visit we visited Ellis beach (one of my favourite Cairns beaches) before visiting  Mossman gorge, and  then up to Port Douglas.

We also took them to The Cairns Esplanade, and something we’ve wanted to do for a while, was to visit Yarrabah. (This was one of my dads highlights) Apart from this we all took the time to catch up, and fun was had by all with most evenings ending up with everyone ending up in the pool and drinking a glass (or two) of wine. We were originally worried that the weather might be on the dodgy side as they came in February (Cairns wet/cyclone season) but as it turned it we ended having a late wet season this year, and there trip was filled with sunny blue sky’s!

Here are a few images taken:

Mossman Gorge:

Merri Swimming:

Drew Stuck on a rock (had to be rescued due to fas flowing water!)

The family (minus me)

Drew:

My Dad and Carol with Port Douglas Beach in the background

Family Portrait outside St Mary’s by the Sea Chapel, Port Douglas

What a top spot to get married (St Mary’s by the Sea – Port Douglas)

Boat coming back from the Reef

Merri

We decided that it was best to meet up in Cairns as this made the most sense as we could drive up to Cairns, and with two kids your options get limited, but we love Cairns so we were on board. (Oh did I mention the last time I’d seen Mike was almost 9 years ago??)

Mike hired out Gaia Beach house, which was to be our home for the next five days……

Me in action!!

Two loves birds enjoying a quiet meal on Mission beach….

This Sugar Mill is a prominent feature of Tully, strange that it is right next door to a school…

Mike and the kids enjoying the water at Trinity beach, Cairns

Mike and the kids enjoying the water at Trinity beach, Cairns

Mike and my daughter Merri.

Merri having fun in the “surf” at Trinity beach, Cairns

Drew having fun in the “surf” at Trinity beach, Cairns

Mike helping my daughter (Merri) – she always takes things as far as she can!!

Heading back – Trinity beach is on the left (out of image view)

Drew in action!

Merri.

Merri playing with some sort of insect!

Drew playing angry birds…

Darlene looking out at the fish from the semi submersible submarine off Green Island, Cairns.

Lucky enough to catch a picture of this bird of prey (can you see the two fish it has in its talons?)

Helicopter landing in Cairns.

Helicopter landing in Cairns.

OMG, I want one!! (Super yacht in Cairns)

Below are just a few images from Naomi and Andrew’s wedding, the ceremony was at Queens Gardens, with most of the location photos taken at Pallerenda.

When I got there I saw that they had back burned the vegetation, Naomi and Andrew were not impressed to say the least! I’m sure at the end of the day they are still going to love their images!

I also did Naomi and Andrews pregnancy photos, which were also taken at Pallerenda, I’ll put up a post soon….

Some images taken on the day….

CLICK

It was a huge week, but I’m on top of all editing now – just in time too, as I have four weddings this month.

I recognised Simone, but couldn’t quite place her, turns out I shot her friends wedding!

Here are a few from the day….

The reception was at the Watermark…

We’re also gearing up for our trip to Thailand, then our move back to Cairns… so it’s gonna be a busy time! My dad whom I also haven’t seen in almost 8 years (the last time I saw my family was when I was last in Cape Town – almost 8 years ago) is coming to visit in February…

I really want to look at doing things a little differently in 2012, so stay tuned

Expect something to be uploaded tomorrow

Here are a few taken on the night….

“The standard Shot”

“The not so standard shot”

Nice and relaxed…

No one was expecting this one!

Dylan…..

I love how this one of Carlie turned out!

Love this one too…

Other arrived by a cars, we arrived by car and errr a racing boat!!

Side shot of the racing boat:

What a turn out, it felt like I was at the Oscars!!

Here are a few of my favourites:

(Click on the image to take you to the article)

Here are some of my favourites:

This one is my favourite – love the light!

Below are some of faves….

(Ceremony was at Sacred Heart, Photo shoot was at Anzac Park, Reception was at the Mercure Inn)

The lovely Jenna…

Jenna and Dan looking very sexy!

“The girls”

“The Boys”

“The Bridal Party”

Aww…

Below are some images I took of Drew (my son) while Linda was taking pics of my daughter (Merri) I love shooting at this time of day, the “golden hour”

The decision to move back to Cairns was because we just love North Queensland, and Cairns is one of our favorite places. So… Stella will be looking at moving to Cairns around November 2011…

Things we like about Cairns: