LOV ELINE S S FOR THE STYLISH BRIDE WHO WANTS MORE FROM LIFE
BY ANGELA HIGGINS
TALKING POINTS VIDEOGRAPHERS YOUR ONLINE GALLERY WEDDING ALBUMS
BEST NEW TRENDS SOMETHING BLUE THE JAZZ AGE MONOCHROME
REAL WEDDINGS AUTUMN IN THE VALLEY COME AWAY WITH ME RIVERSIDE ROMANCE
PLUS ANGELA HIGGINS WORKSHOP & MORE
AUTUMN/WINTER 2013 angelahiggins.com
“You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how.” ~ Gone with the Wind ~
“I miss you most of all my darling, when autumn leaves start to fall� ~ Frank Sinatra ~
PHOTO BY LEO PATRONE
Angela Higgins is a wedding and lifestyle photographer based in Perth, Western Australia and is available for commissions internationally. She lives with her husband, two teenage step children and their two dogs Lily and Lulu. When she is not photographing weddings she can be found continuing her search for the perfect red nail polish and she hopes to one day build up the courage to successfully attempt Julia’s Boeuf Bourguignon. This magazine is dedicated to all of the Brides and Grooms who have generously welcomed Angela into their lives and allowed her to follow her heart and pursue her dreams of bringing just a little more beauty into the world. angelahiggins.com facebook.com/angelahigginsphotography twitter.com/angela_higgins
CONTENTS
Loveliness by Angela Higgins
IN THIS ISSUE 101 COVER STORY Elizabeth & Willis
Photographed on location at Wills Domain, Yallingup Western Australia. Elizabeth wears Monique L’huillier with makeup by Samantha Olsen and hair by Naomi Vanhaeften.
78 KATE & LUKE
78 Autumn in the Valley
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CECILY & LUCAS 126 Riverside Romance
AUTUMN/WINTER 2013 36
INSPIRATION 34 Editors Picks 36 Black & White 38 The Jazz Age 40 Something Blue 42 The Workshop
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TALKING POINTS 61 Your online gallery 65 Videographers and Photographers 68 Wedding albums
REGULARS 18 From the Editor 21 On the web 23 Letters
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FROM THE EDITOR
A NOTE FROM ANGELA
I
SIMPLY ADORE THIS TIME of year. It usually involves lots of hot, milky drinks, lots of thick and warm scarfs, chilly walks with the dogs, end of financial year sales and spending more time with my family over long, slow cooked meals. As a photographer the cooler months are also a time when I get to spend a little more time tending to elements of my business that might have been overlooked over the busy summer months. Its a time to be inspired and think big about the future and last winter in fact was when I conceptualised this magazine. This autumn has already seen me host my first workshop for photographers in June and in the coming months while I take a closer look at my business and my photography we are also doing a little travelling which I am so looking forward to. If there is one thing that inspires my soul it is travelling and over the next few months we will be travelling to Bali, France and Queensland for a much needed dose of soul nurturing. Of course, my camera will be coming with me so I will have plenty to share with you. In the meantime, I hope this Autumn/Winter issue of Loveliness finds you well and warm and hopefully with a warm, frothy beverage in hand. In the words of F.Scott Fitzgerald’s Jay Gatsby, “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.”
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ON THE WEB
ON THE WEB Just in case you missed it, here are some of the top stories on the blog over the past few months
ENGAGEMENTS Tarina and Shaun Anika and Mitch Suzie and Chris
WEDDINGS Alex and Craig - Lamont’s Bishop House Danika and Tim - Frasers Restaurant Bec and Matt - Upper Reach Winery
IN MY LIFE Two years 5 things you don’t know about me Crying to AC/DC
PHOTOGRAPHY What’s in my camera bag Limiting your distractions
WANT MORE? READ THE BLOG angelahiggins.com/blog FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER twitter.com/angela_higgins FIND ME ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/angelahigginsphotography SEE ME ON INSTAGRAM instagram.com/angelahiggins EMAIL ANGELA angela@angelahiggins.com
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LETTERS
JASON AND I and I would like to Thank You a million for capturing the beautiful moments of our wedding day. We could not have asked for anything more... the photos are absolutely stunning, bright, natural and capture everything we wanted. Thank you for all the love and care you put into our photos and album. The fondest memories will always be held every time we view our album.
Jasmine and Jason, 21st October 2012
THE RESULTS WERE AMAZING! But you could tell the photos would be great because Ange would get so excited after taking a set of photos that she had to show us how they were looking. In terms of working with Ange on the day of our wedding, I would say our experience was ‘fun’. We had two weddings, one of which felt like mild chaos and another which was mildly less chaotic – at least that was how it felt. Throughout these two events we had Ange as a constant reassurance, calmly moving around and taking advantage of the opportunities provided by a setting and different lighting. Our wedding was in the country and there was no prior opportunity for Ange to see the venue, so it was a great relief that she adapted so well and just did what she did best. This allowed us to have a relaxed experience and just get on with everything. It’s also the little things that make working with Ange great. From the small card expressing gratitude for choosing her as a photographer to a surprise gift after the event, it all demonstrates how passionate Ange is about delivering for her clients. If you want a photographer who is an excellent communicator, very organised and proficient and, above all else, is going to get on with the job and produce fantastic photos, don’t look any further.
Andrew and Bhavia, 29th September 2012
WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM!! The photos were exactly what we wanted and we know that we’re going to struggle to short list photos for an album as they’re so many we’d love to include so thank you for all the beautiful images you captured for us to remember our day!! Once again, we really can’t say thank you enough for the beautiful images we’ll always have to remember our special day!!
Rebecca and Matthew, 23rd March 2013
FROM THE WEB Thank you so much Angela for capturing so many wonderful memories on this very special day. Kate and Luke will be able to treasure these photos forever!! Jenny, via the blog Angela, you are good! Even made the parents scrub up alright. Truly a fantastic representation of a special memory event! Proud Mum & Dad, via the blog I’ve been reading your blog since I first met you in 2009 and feel like I’ve been able to re-live my own wedding through the beautiful pictures you take. It’s been amazing to see the journey you have been on and how much your images have grown over that time. Amanda, via the blog
Follow Angela Higgins on Facebook for the latest news, Instagram pictures and more! https://www.facebook.com/angelahigginsphotography
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“He stepped down, trying not to look long at her, as if she were the sun, yet he saw her, like the sun, even without looking.� ~ Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy ~
“It is not time or opportunity that is to determine intimacy; - it is disposition alone. Seven years would be insufficient to make some people acquainted with each other, and seven days are more than enough for others.� ~ Sense and Sensibility ~
“He was my North, my South, my East and West, My working week and my Sunday rest.” ~ Stop all the Clocks by W.H. Auden ~
LOV ELINE S S BY ANGELA HIGGINS
Inspiration
Winter Comforts
The season’s hottest trends with glamour and modern minimalism and a sneak peek into the first Angela Higgins Workshop
WISH LIST
Editor’s Picks
COLOUR MY WORLD I always thought I’d be a barely pink kind of girl when I finally stopped biting my nails and could wear polish. Lately I’ve been colouring my world with reds and this one from OPI called My Chihuahua Bites has been my favourite all autumn. (OPI, $29.95)
Baby its cold outside. Winter is one of my favourite seasons and this winter I’ve found a few things to brighten my day, and hopefully yours.
PUNK OUT The minute I heard Get Lucky on the radio I have been obsessed with Daft Punk’s new album. My favourite song? A toss up between Get Lucky and Fragments of Time. (iTunes, $16.99)
ITS ALL GOOD Anyone who knows me, knows I love a good cookbook. This new one from GP herself is amazingly simple and so wholesome. Its not all vegan and has a great mix of everyday meals for the whole family. (Dymocks, $29.99)
BOHO CHIC A recent treat for myself was a splurge on my first Samantha Wills product. While I am not a big jewellery wearer outside of a pair of stud earrings and my wedding rings, this necklace is my homage to boho chich. (Samantha Wills, $130)
EUCALYPT Now I have an idea of our direction with decorating our home, all of the blue and white pottery from Eucalypt Homewares are just perfect for our scheme. I love seeing a mix of bowls and plates on our kitchen bench holding every day foods like fruit and eggs. (Eucalypt Homewares)
WASH YOUR HANDS I’ve always loved Aesops products and since they moved from glass bottles their price seems to have dropped which make them even more appealing. I have one permanently in our kitchen to absorb those garlic and onion smells from my hands (Aesop, $39)
TRENCH ME With a trip to Europe coming in September, I’m on the look out for an awesome autumn coat as we stroll in the brisk air. I can’t go past a good trench and noone does it better than Burberry. A girl can dream right? (Burberry $1,281)
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TRENDS 1 2 2
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1. Umbrella, (Oroton, $30), 2. Cobi Cushion, (Country Road, $49.95), 3. Stripe Oversize Cardigan, (Seed Heritage, $149), 4. Olsen Foldover Clutch, (Forever New, $29.99), 5. Cassie Enamel Section Bangle, (Forever New, $14.99), 6. Wedding Stationery, (Mitchell & Dent), 7. Saint Laurent Leather pumps, (Net-a-Porter, $487), 8. The Grand Scene dress, (Sass & Bide, $290), 9. Delia Slipper, (Country Road, $129), 10. Houndstooth Knit (Trenery, $129),
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BLACK&WHITE 8 7
One of the hottest trends off the award season red carpet is monochrome. This is definately a trend I can see coming into weddings as brides look for a classic backdrop of black and white accented with a hit of colour with pinks, blues and greens. Keep it modern with bold prints and pair it with gold jewellery for just the right amount of edge. Mix in other trends with animal prints in black and white or with geometric prints. n
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TRENDS
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THE JAZZ AGE It’s official! The world is caught up in the fever of the roaring 20’s all thanks to Baz Lurhman’s retelling of F.Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. While there are specific pieces that were made to celebrate the release of the movie such as Tiffany & Co’s Jazz Age Glamour, the Jazz Age itself will definately inspire brides and guests to invest in fashion items that are art deco influenced and ultimately heirloom pieces rather than simply seasonal. The jazz age trend has retintroduced pearls, diamonds, rose gold, feathers, crystal and pastel tones that bring a refinement to fashion and parties. Add a touch of glam to your outfit with a strand of pearls or sparkly shoes and look for feminine dresses with drop waists. For the ladies it is all about ladylike style but the gentlemen are not left out at all with a focus on tailored jackets, fashion inspired by sportswear, suspenders and their own statement jewellery in cufflinks and sygnet rings. n
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1. Alberta Ferretti Lace Dress, (Net-a-Porter, $779), 2. Ziegfield Collection Pearl Earrings, (Tiffany & Co, $610), 3. Joan Metal Hardcase Clutch, (Witchery, $99.95), 4. Kenneth Jay Lane Multi Strand Faux Pearl Necklace, (Net-a-Porter, $165), 5. Dorset Champagne Coupe, (Williams-Sonoma, $34), 6. Jimmy Choo Nova Glittered Leather Slingbacks, (Net-a-Porter, $531), 7. Drop Waist Tulip Dress in Silver, (Witchery, $149.95), 8. The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald hardback (Coralie Bickford Smith), 9. Ziegfield Collection Daisy Sygnet ring, (Tiffany & Co, $885) 10. Jacinta Stone Stretch Bracelet, (Forever New, $19.99), angelahiggins.com | 39
TRENDS
Something Blue One of the stand out colours this winter is blue. Not baby blue or duck egg blue but big, bold cobolt blue that is best when offset with a hit of gold in accessories. Take advantage and invest in good quality items because cobolt can easily be paired with white and gold pieces for spring and summer reminiscent of dreamy holidays in Santorini.
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For now pair a cobolt blue blouse with leather pants and booties or studded accessories for an edge and replace your powder toned something blue for a bold statement in cobolt in shoes or your jewellery on your wedding day. n
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1. Enchanted Night Bird Ring in Lapis, (Samantha Wills, $149), 2. Ballet Silk Ruched Panel Dress in Sapphire, (Jigsaw, $349), 3. Malli Cushion, (Country Road, $37.46), 4. Oscar de la Renta Gold Plated Lapis Lazuli earrings, (Net-a-Porter, $359), 5. Paloma’s Groove cuff links, (Tiffany & Co, $580), 6. Issa Cutout Crepe Gown (Net-a-Porter, $266), 7. Tory Burch Reva Leather Ballet Flats in Royal Blue, (Net-a-Porter, $118), 8. Alphabet Trays, (West Elm, $1.99), 9. Double Layer Top in Cobolt, (Cue, $111.30), 10. Gucci Bright Bit patent-leather shoulder bag, (Net-a-Porter, $890)
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THE WORKSHOP “As with most things in business and in life, if you feel you AREN’T ready then you probably ARE.”
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STYLE SHOOT
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sually it is during a period of quiet such as the beginning winter months that my mind is allowed to wander and think of new paths and avenues for my business to travel on. Last year saw the idea of this incredible magazine Loveliness come to fruition and the year before was a complete redesign of my virtual store front, angelahiggins.com. This year, as I was allowed to be quiet with my thoughts for a moment, it hit me like a brick that it was time to look at hosting a workshop for new and established photographers. Of course the minute I had this thought, another thought entered telling me that this was a crazy idea and I wasn’t ready for it. I mean, who the heck did I think I was? I’m only in my 4th year of business and I never studied photography outside of my high school and I have broken so many rules that I’ve lost count. However as with most things in life, if you feel you aren’t ready for it you probably are so I forged ahead and started to really think about what it was that was unique about me and how I do what I do. Photography found me as a career by complete accident but it felt so natural. While I always had my hand in the creative pot, I didn’t know what I could actually call my “gift”. There is a quote from Charles Bukowski that says, “Take the writer away from his typewriter and all you’re left with is the disease that made him write in the first place.” This quote spoke volumes to me as I feel I have an instinctual need to document life but to document life and people and things in their best light in a slight fantasy world. However, since I first picked up my camera I knew that being a professional photographer is only about 20% shooting and the rest is business. With my background in branding and marketing, it seemed natural for me to begin to teach others what I know so they too can build a business that attracts their ideal client and spend less time pursuing brides that are not. The fact is that there are more than 300 weddings in Australia each day and we need to be selective and book the weddings that fit into our speciality – not just our price range and availability. With a solid brand and marketing strategy, this is easily done for you before your bride even sends you her first enquiry so you can prequalify your client and I focus heavily on this in the workshop.
“I walked away with such a great respect for everything you do and how simple it can be... being organised with work and taking time out to enjoy life and family in the process�
Amy Ovans
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“I feel very blessed to have been a part of your first workshop...It was the height of loveliness!�
Katie Fassom
A huge part of any photography workshop is the chance to actually pick up the camera and experiment and we had a beautifully styled bride and groom in the afternoon for me to demonstrate how I pose and shoot and how to look for good light first and backgrounds second. Following on from this shoot, I was then able to show the attendees how I edit photographs in the “digital darkroom” to arrive at my signature style of photograph and how it takes me seconds rather than minutes to do so. At the end of the day, I wanted people to leave feeling inspired and confident in knowing that there are tools available that will allow them to run successful businesses without having to sacrifice their personal life or compromise their quality of work. The workshop held in June was an incredible moment in my personal and professional life. Hearing the words from the first attendees of how much they got from the workshop allowed me to breath deeply, relax my shoulders and realise that it was time for this new challenge and I can’t wait to see where the workshops go in 2014. n
If you’d like a spot at the next workshop, sign up to my mailing list to be notified when seats are available. www.angelahigginsworkshop.com
STYLE SHOOT TEAM GOWN Loui Col Designs, HAIR & MAKEUP Milla Makeup, JEWELLERY Bride’s own, SUIT Groom’s own, FLORALS Fox & Rabbit, MODELS Priya and Scott, VENUE The Bluewater Grill
“It has made me better loving you ... it has made me wiser, and easier, and brighter.� ~ Portrait of a Lady ~
“Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be.� ~ Robert Browning ~
LOV ELINE S S BY ANGELA HIGGINS
Talking Points
HOT TOPICS
Tips on how to choose your photography team of photographers and videographers, how my clients receive their photographs and a look into wedding albums.
“Where is the future taking photography and the way we share our memories?”
share the
LOVE!
TALKING POINTS
W
e are living in the future. In fact it is almost 2015, which is the year Marty McFly travels to a world of hover boards, holograms and a whole lot of whacky fashion. While we’re not quite in Marty McFly’s future, our own present of advanced technology just keeps making things easier for us in terms of how we share information and this has seen us gradually changing how we share our photographs with family and friends in the long and short term. Gone are the days of inviting over your closest friends for a slideshow of your last trip to Bali. Instead we want to share our memories instantly and directly with our circle of friends through social media including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. It’s amazing to think that it’s only been about 8 years since the general public have been able to access Facebook and now it’s the largest online photo host. So with this much happening in such a short time, where is the future taking photography and the way we share our memories? There are a number of ways that photographers deliver images to their clients with some only providing hard copies such as proof books and albums while others deliver high or low resolution files through a DVD/CD or a thumb drive. For my business, it’s online. From my first wedding back in 2009, I offered an online gallery as a means for my clients to view their proofs and share their photographs online with family and friends while I would deliver CD’s of images of high resolution files for my clients safe keeping. Giving a CD to my clients always had my stomach in knots. These were their most precious memories and I was handing them over on a $2
CD, albeit in a beautiful folio keepsake. I thought about the alternative storage methods but there was a common factor with any method including CD’s and flash drives; they all had a life expectancy and certain limitations. Enter PASS. The philosophy is simple and all about sharing images fast and painlessly online. PASS allows me to upload my client’s images in high resolution to their gallery as soon as it’s edited and share it with them immediately. They receive an invitation with a link to the gallery where they can view their photographs online from their computer or any mobile device 24/7. Within minutes they can have an image as their phone screen saver or my bride can email a portrait of her with her mother direct from the gallery. The photographs are edited, beautiful and perfect for sharing digitally and small prints. The gallery is available for one year (which can be extended indefinately) but there is now a back up in the cloud for 10 years! If anything were to happen to the files on their computer or heaven forbid their home, wedding photos are stored safely online and a long way away from natural disaster. In addition to the ability to download all the images, gallery VIP’s can also mark images as their favourites. My client can then share that favourites folder to Facebook which creates a new album in Facebook which they can then tag themselves and their friends and share instantaneously with their circle of friends online. The feedback from my clients over the past year is that they love the ease and accessibility of PASS as much as I do and I can’t wait to see how we continue to share our memories online in the future. n
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Expands left menu
With VIP Access, login here to download ALL the photos in high resolution
Here is a sneak into my clients galleries and what they can do within to share their photos easily and beautifully.
Click on a photo to enlarge and expand the sharing menu to the right
Star your favorite photos and share on social media sites
Leave a message in the guest book
View your photos online at any time, anywhere in the world
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YOUR WEDDING DAY
Derek Ho from Urban Light Films on location at Poachers Ridge Vineyard, Denmark WA for Andrew and Bhavia’s wedding
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TALKING POINTS
LIGHTS, CAMERA,
ACTION!
If you choose to have a videographer and photographer document your wedding, there are a few ways to ensure you create a photography team that are on the same page.
S
ometimes when you begin a conversation about Photographers and Videographers it can be a lot like Holdens vs Fords. Depending on who you talk to, everyone will have an opinion on which is better or more relevant when in the context of documenting your wedding day. It is important to consider the fact that if you want both, you are essentially hiring two individual artists and businesses to do almost the same task on your wedding day side by side. Imagine if you had two celebrants or two makeup artists from different companies. There is a good chance that they have different business practices and approach their work in different ways so for this reason it’s important that when you bring together your creative team for your wedding day, you do think of it as building a team. Just as you would choose a hair stylist to compliment your makeup artist’s work, choosing a videographer to compliment your photographer or vice versa will ensure your photographs and video also compliment each other and you’ll have a great day too. Generally when you have a videographer and a photographer, it is the photographer that will take the lead in terms of posing. With this in mind is that it is important to make sure that your Photographer and Videographer are on the same page creatively so they can do the job you have asked them to do. Some artists are more “fly on the wall-ish” and photojournalistic while others may be more interactive and direct you throughout the day. When choosing your team, ensuring your photographer and videographer have a similar style means there is less chance they’d be pulling in opposite directions to achieve their own individual goals. You can determine the style of any of your team from their past work so be sure to see as much as you can before making a decision. angelahiggins.com | 65
My approach if I have a couple mention they are sourcing a Videographer on their wedding day is that I will suggest a number of companies that are a great fit for me and by extension, for them. It allows me to give my own recommendations for videographers I know first hand suit my style and we work well together as a team. While my client may not want to book those recommendations, I know these artists approach a wedding and produce work in a style that she would like as she’s already told me her style in booking me for her wedding. Your workmate’s cousins boyfriend may have recommended their Videographer who was all kinds of awesome in their book, but their tastes may be very different to yours so its important to shortlist and talk with your possibilities and ask your photographer whom they’d recommend, as their recommendation will always be a compliment to their photography. If you take the time to build your photography team, it ultimately means you have more fun while on location than having your photographer and videographer fight each other creatively and will have photographs that compliment your video and vice versa creating an even more amazing record of your wedding day. n
FINAL TIPS 1. Ask your photographer for personal recommendations 2. Look for a videographer with a similar style to your photographer (or vice versa), both in their approach on the day and the final product 3. Make your decision based on creating a photography team rather than price
WEDDING ALBUMS W
HEN YOU FIRST think of the words “wedding album” there is a good chance it conjurs images of a black leather book with vellum-lined pages in a rather hefty form. Those albums that make you wish you did more bicep curls and had washed your hands before you even attempted to touch it. But times are a changing and there are so many options out there now for wedding albums to forever hold your most precious memories. From the traditional bevel edges of a matted album to a true magazine style, there is an album option for everyone. About 5 years ago when I was looking for albums to offer my clients, I immediately fell in love with Cypress Albums range of products. I felt that my images were so light and fresh that none of the albums I had physically seen really created that experience that I wanted my clients to feel when they picked up their album. As a result I have offered Cypress Albums exclusively to my clients since my first year of business and am pleased to say I have never looked back. The workmanship of a Cypress Album is quite exquisite. Each of the albums are made by hand by a group of very talented artisans. The goal for each album is to preserve each couples photographs as heirlooms for generations to enjoy for years
ALBUM FACTS • The most commonly ordered album is a 10x10” 20 page album for $2,310
to come. With a consideration for minimal environmental impact, all album pages are tree and acid-free and papers are chosen from recyclable materials or renewable plants and the binder’s board that becomes the cover to encase each album and presentation box is also made from recycled materials. My clients choose my services because they appreciate quality and value. It is for this reason that I believe the partnership between Cypress and myself is ideal for my client as they handcraft high quality, long lasting heirloom products with a rich, classic finish and timeless stylings that are the perfect home for my clients wedding photographs. A couple of months ago I made a switch to a more lightweight and portable album within the Cypress range that makes you want to spend even more quality time with it. While it is still a flushmount album it is just a little more accessible through its modern design while still remaining timeless. Every album comes with a presentation box to house the album and a choice of some 20 fabric and ribbon options for their album and the presentation box. From deep reds, chocolates and blues to light baroque silk or ice blue there is a fabric choice for every couple and to suit every wedding palette. While you may not think its a priority now, consider your 5th, 10th or 25th wedding anniversary when you can sit down with your wife or husband and read the book of your story in the most beautiful way. After all this is your first family heirloom to pass down to your children and their children. n
TALKING POINTS
Your first family heirloom... not just a means to an end
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So he waited, listening for a moment longer to the tuning fork that had been struck upon a star. Then he kissed her. At his lips’ touch she blossomed like a flower and the incarnation was complete. ~ The Great Gatsby ~
“I’ve never had a moment’s doubt. I love you. I believe in you completely. You are my dearest one. My reason for life.” ~ Atonement by Ian McEwan ~
LOV ELINE S S BY ANGELA HIGGINS
Real Weddings
REAL WEDDINGS
AUTUMN IN THE VALLEY “A day of meaningful details with friends pulling together to help and a never ending supply of hugs and kisses.”
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ome people are just meant to come together to be a part of a great love story. Kate and Luke met in high school but it wasn’t until Luke’s 21st birthday that he officially asked Kate out. They had been friends for such a long time that by this time came it was a completely natural decision to become romantic and now they don’t feel whole without the other one nearby and can let their walls tumble down in the comfort of each others arms. So when it came to Luke proposing to Kate it was again, a natural decision that they both knew would happen eventually it was just a matter of when. Luke chose a holiday to Thailand to officially pop the question just as they were getting ready for dinner one night and of course, Kate said “Yes!”. They followed the good news with a quick call to their families and a night swim in the tropical waters.
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Kate and Luke both are not ones to do with a lot of fanfare. Their wedding was always going to be a celebration of their two families coming together and although they had over 100 guests it was managed to be intimate and casual. In order to spend as much time as possible with their guests after the ceremony, Kate and Luke decided to see each other before the ceremony for their portraits which was an amazing moment. Having done this for my own wedding 2 years ago, I know first hand how amazing a First Look can be and how it can add to the day in such a unique way. So it was on a beautiful early autumn day in April, that Kate and Luke tied the knot at the very popular Sittella Winery in the Swan Valley. It was a day of meaningful details with friends pulling together to help and a never ending supply of hugs and kisses. n
Kate had a locket attached to her bouquet with photographs of her grandparents who had passed away to have them with her all day.
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Kate wedding gown was custom made by her friend and brought such an understated elegance with a beaded overlay on a white satin gown.
Allocate about 15-20 minutes to getting dressed to savor the moment rather than rush through it.
Regardless of the month you are getting married, choose a room that has a fan or air conditioner. Even if its a cool day, the room can warm up quickly with many people and of course the excitement building. angelahiggins.com | 83
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Kate and Luke decided to see each other privately before the ceremony for their portraits. It is always amazing to watch the emotions unfold before the lens.
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Name cards made from wine corks paid homage to the wedding venue.
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SOURCES BRIDE’S GOWN Custom made by Tash Capelli, HEADPIECE Powder Blue Bijoux, MAKEUP ARTIST Natalie Way, BRIDESMAID’S GOWNS Dessy, CELEBRANT Chris McCafferty, VENUE Sittella Winery, FLORIST Annie Farrell for Pepperberry Weddings and Events, PHOTOGRAPHER Angela Higgins
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REAL WEDDINGS
“Her heart leapt and butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she made her way through the apartment past the glowing candles and petals...”
come away with me
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lizabeth and Willis’ love story spans a decade. Their love has seen their families come together, they have travelled the world together and for the past couple of years have live in Boston and have now hopped over the pond to London. One morning as I began my work day, I met Elizabeth and Willis for the first time over Skype. I was in my office in Perth and they were in their living room in Boston having just finished their work day. For a person who continually wears their heart on their sleeve, it is hard to not get my hopes up with every enquiry that comes my way and I say quietly to myself, “I have to be a part of their day.� Sometimes there is a feeling that just feels right and I was overjoyed when they booked me. When I finally met with Elizabeth and Willis in person some 6 months later for lunch over looking the Western Australian coastline, it was like we were old friends as we spoke of their wedding that was just over a month away. Willis began their journey to the alter with romance and style. Elizabeth returned home one unsuspecting Thursday evening
to their brownstone apartment in Boston and as she walked through the door she was surprised with tealight candles and rose petals leading a path through their apartment and out onto their rooftop deck. Her heart leapt and butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she made her way through the apartment past the glowing candles and petals and as she stepped onto the deck she saw Willis dressed in a suit with a smile on his face. He swiftly knelt before her and asked her to marry him and had an open bottle of champagne waiting nearby. While it may have been presumptuous, there was only one answer that Elizabeth was going to give and he was ready with a romantic evening to celebrate their engagement with a picnic on a floating jetty on the river. As they ate and drank and laughed, they made big plans for their future that seemed to be limitless. Elizabeth and Willis chose to marry in Yallingup in at Wills Domain. With their family and friends looking on having come from every corner of the globe, they promised each other they would continue to support each others dreams as they became husband and wife. n
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Bring a copy of your wedding stationery to have it photographed along with your details. These elements are great in your album layout to help set the tone for your wedding day.
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I always suggest to my clients that I arrive 30 minutes before the bride to the ceremony to capture the details and guests arriving.
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SOURCES BRIDE’S GOWN Monique L’huillier, MAKEUP ARTIST Samantha Olsen, HAIR ARTIST Naomi Vanhaeften, FLORAL DESIGN Flower Poetry, BRIDESMAID’S GOWNS J.Crew, STATIONERY William Arthur and Papyrus, CEREMONY VENUE Yallingup Galleries, RECEPTION VENUE Wills Domain, PHOTOGRAPHER Angela Higgins
REAL WEDDINGS
Riverside Romance L
ucas and Cecily ran in similar circles for several years before they started dating. While Lucas lived in Sydney and occasionally visited his family in Perth, Cecily would babysit Lucas’s nieces and nephews and they would bump into each other on occasion. Then eventually Lucas finally broke the ice and asked a friend for Cecily’s number and finally asked her out. Eventually they started dating and Cecily saw something in Lucas, and him in her. She was the toast to his butter and while their first year of dating was long distance as Lucas was still living in Sydney, he soon found himself a job in Perth and as he came to Perth more and more frequently, everyone knew that their relationship was getting serious. Lucas’s proposal to Cecily however was much more thought out and is what fairy tales are made of. They were holidaying in the US and as they were riding the “It’s a Small World” ride at Disneyland, Lucas managed to kneel his tall frame in the small boat onto one knee and ask Cecily to be his wife. By the time the ride
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was over and she had said yes to his proposal, Cecily wanted to do it all over again and relive the experience. The second time they got off the ride, the staff coincidentally gave the newly engaged couple badges that read “Happily Ever After”. It was the icing on the cake. Lucas had proposed with a Georg Jensen ring Cecily had been coveting but with the promise that the next week when they visited New York, she could choose her engagement ring at Tiffany’s. And then in another turn of coincidence, Cecily chose the same engagement ring that Lucas had quietly thought to himself would be perfect for her. It was the cherry on top. Cecily and Lucas were hoping for a classicly, romantic day with an overall relaxed feeling and they couldn’t have asked for anything better. They were finally married on a perfect summers day at Christ Church Grammar School Chapel just two days before Christmas. It could not have been a better way to see out the year than with a wedding and all the promise that it brings for the future. n
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Ask your bridesmaids to be dressed 10 minutes before you plan on getting dressed to make your photos even more elegant.
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SOURCES BRIDE’S GOWN Pallas Couture, BRIDE’S SHOES Jimmy Choo, BRIDESMAIDS GOWNS Zimmermann, HAIR AND MAKEUP Living Dolls, FLORAL DESIGN AND STYLING Natural Art Flowers by Rebecca Grace, CEREMONY VENUE Christchurch Grammar School Chapel, RECEPTION VENUE Mosman’s Restaurant, CAKE ARTIST Rochelle Adonis, STATIONERY Lala Design, PHOTOGRAPHER Angela Higgins
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“Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love.” ~ Hamlet ~
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