Doing what I love...

Hi there...my name is Shayla. I live breath and get super excited about life! I love to meet new people, see new places, spend time with family and friends and love the feeling of being motivated about anything...but mainly photography. I love listening to gushy romantic ballads and blasting "teeny bopper" pop tunes in the car. I love anything that sparkles, my favourite colour is blue, I love walking along the beach, I've lived in Germany and caught the travel bug for life. I love to collect scrapbooking paper...but I don't scrapbook. I love chunky fashion rings and I LOVE weddings!!!! I'm currently working with children with disabilities as an Occupational Therapist and am married to a wonderful man called Cameron. We are expecting our first child this year and naturally freaking out...just a little :-)

Why am I telling you this? Because I believe that if you are going to stand in front of someone with a camera, and they want you to stand in a paddock with a donkey, or lie in your wedding dress on the ground, on a golf course (yes I have done this but dang it looks great!), you want to know who they are! If you're going to feel awkward, you may as well have fun while you're at it!

I don't have a flashy website with all the trimmings...yet. But I am 110% passionate about what I do and would love to get excited about your big day with you. I have a bride-to-be friend who I accompanied to a bridal expo say to me once "gee you're more into this than I am!". Yup, it's true...needless to say I think it wore off on her too!

So, enjoy the photos and feel free to drop by for my regular blogging entries about my journey of becoming a professional wedding photographer....

Friday, September 18, 2009

Yum...good enough to eat!

If you want to try the most delicious cupcakes ever then Fiona Baker is the woman to call! She is so talented at what she does! But don't take my word for it, here are some picci's I took so you can judge for yourself!









Monday, September 14, 2009

Dedicated to my man...


Emma and James continued....
























Oh...just popped this one in at the end for you Tani :-)


Sorry these aren't in order, but I really wanted to put some more up. I had such a fantastic day with James and Emma...so much fun! Thanks guys! xoxo

Malinda and Mark cont...


More photos from Malinda and Marks Wedding...


The reception was held at WatersEdge at the Rocks and had a beautiful view of Luna Park and some great photo-taking spots of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House close by!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Pretty Pink...

My inspiration...

These are a few of my current favourite wedding photographers who I look at often and who I think depict the kind of style I hope to work towards...

http://www.jasminestarblog.com/index.cfm?catID=2

http://www.susanstriplingblog.com/

http://www.orangeturtlephotography.com/

http://www.beckyearlphotography.com/

http://jonaspeterson.com/

All of them are so unique, but so amazing! They are all American too! There are so many more but I think I better leave it there. :-)

My new look...



Lately I have been brainstorming for ideas for the name of my website, and so far nothing has clicked. And so, it is with great pleasure (and after much anguish) that I provide the above image which represents my new name! :-) Simple is often best....


This is another example, feel free to leave a comment on which you think is best, or what might look better :-) I'm very open to feedback!

Monday, September 7, 2009

My random shots for August...beautiful things

Above...beautiful decorations done by the team at Legacy Brides. Available for engagements, weddings etc. Take it from me, they look fantastic!


Beautiful baby feet!


Beautiful sky...

Another beautiful little person...

Beautiful bride...


The gardens in the Hunter Valley....see...beautiful :-)

Friday, September 4, 2009

New skill of the month...


Having fun learning at TAFE!!

Sunday, August 2, 2009

James and Emma Wedding Day 11/07/09






Emma and James were married in the LDS temple in Carlingford followed by a beautiful reception at Linton Gardens in Somersby. I got a little lost on my way trying to find the reception venue to do the table shots. Fortunately for me I had time up my sleeve for this and I enjoyed a nice scenic drive through the country instead (never trust the GPS). Emma, her sisters and cousin all looked beautiful in their dresses and faced the weather bravely (thanks to the Groomsmen for lending their jackets :-). The boys loved the bridal car and it seemed to be the perfect distraction while the girls were madly getting ready :-) It was a busy day for everyone but you could tell by the end of the day it was time to let their hair down at the reception and relax!! Thank you to James and Emma for letting me be a part of your day. You looked so happy together and it was a pleasure to be there!

I thought I'd add a few of those moments that you might not remember now but they bring the day together when you reflect (I have photos as proof!)...Emma drying last minute toe nail polish with a hair dryer, during the family photos extended family suggest the father of the bride wear a different tie so it looks better for "scrapbooking", the boys and their Macca's (got to eat on your wedding day!), groomsmen doing interesting poses as entertainment during our "creative" shots, and to top it off, having trouble getting those wedding bands onto each others fingers...don't worry it happens to all of us! :-)


Congratulations again to you both!!!