State Side

Just a little note to let my lovely clients know that my son Sam and I are on a Stateside adventure.  We haven't been back to the States in 9 years and our family was about to come and extradite us so we figured it was time for a visit.  We will be back on the 21st of January.  In the mean time Debs is sorting everything out for me and has my cellphone.  We will be closed the two weeks around Christmas.  The trip has been great so far for artistic inspiration.  Looking forward to seeing you in the New Year.  In the mean time enjoy this picture of my gorgeous Goddaughter whom I have just met for the first time.  Isn't she amazing!  I am so in love!

Little Noah is Not so Little | Wellington Newborn Photographer

Georgia, Manaia, and Noah came to visit me following a Boobs in the Berries Class.  Oh my goodness Noah is huge.  Only 8 Weeks old and gynormous.  Look out All Blacks I have your next prop right here.  What a gorgeous moppet!!!

Lily, Lily, Lily | Wellington Baby Photographer

Lily, Lily, Lily I pick Lily.  Look at those sparkling eyes isn't she just scrummy!!!Nibbleable, just nibbleable.

Delicious Holly | Wellington Baby Photographer

Sarah and Lindon are the Proud Parents of Holly one of the most gorgeous little girls in the world.  Oh isn't she just delicious?

The Gorgeous Graniers | Wellington Family Photographer

Happiness and love just come out of the pores of this tribe.  I loved every minute of shooting with them.

Super Dad Competition

      Is your Dad often the one behind the camera and rarely can you find a good portrait of him?  Do you wish you had some images that really captured the coolness, ruggedness, playfulness, or occasional doofiness of your very special Dad.  Well now is your chance to shout out and let us know what makes your Dad so incredibly amazing and you could win a $525.00 voucher to have his portrait taken by a multi award winning photographer with your adoring family.  Our portraits are not take in a studio (we do have one though and use it on occasion) but most of our work is usually done outdoors where Dad's shine in all their natural glory.  We go to the places that you love and show you guys having fun together in the ways that are natural for you.  All you have to do is tell us why he is the coolest Dad ever.    To be in to win simply fill in the details below and tell us why your Dad is the bomb.  We will publish our favorite 3 answers on our blog and leave the voting up to the public.  Entries will close on 1 December so make sure you get writing. 

To enter your Dad in the competition simply go to this form and register and put Super Dad Competition on the voucher code.  You don't have to be a poet just tell us from your heart why he is the best ever.  Good luck.  Can't wait to here about all of your amazing Dads.

The GORGEOUS Leongs

What a fantastic family!  I met them through my friend Vivianna the owner of Basquesse, and how lucky am I.  Sam and I had a great time on this shoot!    The are so incredibly gorgeous and fun!!!!

Island Bay Beauties | Wellington Lifestyle Photographer

Bernard and Rebecca I am so sorry.  You are going to have one heck of a time picking out your favourite
from the ones I got of you guys.  You were so much fun to photograph and had such obvious love abounding that I had a fieldday!  So here are some teasers for you before the viewing.  Debs will call you soon to arrange a time.  Cheers,
Mandi

Textures Trainee at Weta Digital

The Universe is smiling down brightly on me this month.  After a shift into a lovely new home and great neighborhood for my boy, I was invited to work as a Textures Trainee at Weta Digital.  It is a dream I have had since I came to New Zealand, watched Lord of the Rings and learned about the work that Weta does. I still cannot get my head around the fact that they are actually paying me to learn from them.  I feel like I should be forking over money to them instead of the other way around. This just shows you that despite our best attempts to control life....sometimes it just has other even more amazing ideas for what you should be doing.   Who knew that by working in a hospital as a lactation consultant that I would get so frustrated with the illustrations available that I would  decide to be a photographer,  then photograph the family of the head of the Textures department at Weta, who would then offer me a trainee position?  Weird how life works.  Now the internship is only for one month and we will see how I go....exciting eh?  My favorite part though is the fact that it is a position that combines my painting and photography background and extends both of them.  Whoo Hoo!!!  But don't worry the photography will go on,  I am only a small part of our wonderful team here at "a la mode".  But oh the things I am learning.  I can't wait to apply them to my shoots, and paintings.  Yeah!!!!

Our new Brand!!!!

Brand Happy

For several years I have been planting the seeds of the brand I wanted for my photography business and finally I am happy.  So now we are officially launching "a la mode | Photographic Boutique".

  I struggled for so long to find a brand that would fit my vision, would be fresh and fun, and could equally represent commercial, weddings, lifestyle, fashion, and pin up.  I think we finally have it!  Yeah!  

Right what is with a la mode? The dictionary states that it refers to "of the fashion" or "with icecream on top".  As my photography business started out of the dreamings that came while running and managing the Blueberry farm dessert cafe I think this is quite fitting and we certainly have our own unique fashion of celebrating love.  Love....love....love the new brand!