I am really looking forward to photographing Ari and Rachel’s wedding.  They are so in love, yet the very first time they will kiss each other will be on their wedding day after they say I do.  Their devotion to their faith and each other is inspiring. 

For those that may think romance is dead and there are no longer any gentlemen in the world, you need to read Rachel’s account below of the day Ari proposed.  I was not there to photograph this day for them but I wanted them to have some great images to remember this wonderful occasssion.  Below are two self portraits Ari and Rachel took with their point and shoot camera that I worked some photoshop magic on, to bring out the best in them. (give yourself some bonus points if you noticed I even went as far to clone out the reflection of Ari’s arm in his glasses)

 Self Portraits by Ari & Rachel

 

 Then on Friday, Corinne text me and asked me if I wanted to come to her house the next morning for breakfast and pampering! Of course I said yes, how special did I feel! Corinne’s a hairdresser, so I thought she might give me a pre-wedding makeover or wax my eyebrows or something. So on Saturday (7th March) she picked me up and took me to her place and cooked me a huge brekky and washed, cut a blow-dried my hair. After she was done, I noticed that she was kinda rushing me out, she said she would drive me to my mum’s place (I had planned to go to mum’s). So she basically pushed me out of her place about 9am and I remember touching my silky soft hair and saying to her “Wow, with hair like this, Ari better propose today!” Next thing I know, we walk out her gate and there is a white stretch limo there. Corinne giggles and calls out “have fun!” and runs back inside, leaving me there, in shock with a limo-driver who asks if I am Rachel, then tells me to hop in the limo because we are going on a mystery tour!

 I was so nervous and excited all at once…there was non-alcoholic wine in the limo… it was very special. I knew that today was the day Ari would propose! Wow! I’ve waited my whole life for this romantic and special event… Finally the day has arrived.

 So we sat back and enjoyed the drive, all the way to The Rocks, at Sydney Harbour, where the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge is. We had a beautiful lunch at the Oyster Bar (Seafood restaurant) right on the water. After lunch, we decided to go for a walk. (Mind you, I was just so amazed at the fact that I was in Sydney so suddenly, and distracted by the romantic sights and sounds all around, I completely forgot about the ring, or when or how he might pop the question!). Ari suggested we walk up to the Opera House and have a look, so we began to walk up the steps, and as we did, we noticed two brides coming down the steps nearby, a very nice coincidence… next thing I know, we have stopped half-way up the steps and Ari has taken my two hands and begins to tell me how much he loves me and how he doesn’t want to live a single moment of his life without me. (He said a lot more nice stuff, but I honestly can’t remember it all because I was on the biggest high ever! It’s really happening!!!)

Then he got down on one knee and pulled a box out of his pocket, and said, “Rachel, will you marry me?”, I said the biggest “ABSOLUTELY!!!!” in the world, and then actually got down on my knees too, to be eye level! We hugged and he slipped on my manicured finger the most beautiful white-gold diamond ring I have ever seen in my life. 

 No, we still haven’t kissed on the lips- we are waiting for our wedding day. And yes- it was HARD not to kiss right there and then, but we just cuddled and cuddled and kissed on our cheeks! (Haha…I’m so over kissing his cheek- it’s been 20 months now!!)

 It took me about five minutes of being engaged, and then I cried the most joyful tears… “I’m REALLY getting married!!!!!” YAY!!!

 We flew back to the Gold Coast, and then Ari drove me home, telling me that it’s not over yet! He told me that there was something hanging on my bedroom door and I was to put it on with some black heels! He dropped me home, and there was a gorgeous little black dress on my door. So with some heels and red lippy, I got ready, Ari got changed and off we headed AGAIN on a mystery!

 We ended up at the Q1 in Surfers Paradise, and Ari took me into the Absynthe French Restaurant. The chef there is friends with Gordon Ramsay from TV. He is one of the best in the world. The chef came and congratulated us (everyone at the restaurant knew we had just gotten engaged), and then we sat down to a 7 course meal with the most unusual and delightful food we’ve ever eaten.

 The night ended about 11:45pm when I flopped into bed so amazed, I am in love with the most amazing man in the world. Thank you Ari, I love you!!! 67 sleeps and I am Mrs. Dannenberger!!! 

My favourite is below. I love how Charlie is naturally framed by the trees. The full moon visible this early in the day peaking through the clouds is the finishing touch.

There is no photoshop manipulation of these images. All it took was a clever camera angle and a couple of brave talented stunt performers to make it look like they were leaping tall buildings in a single bound.

Pillion Passenger Wheelies

Wheelies on Fire

 And this is possibly the craziest thing I have ever done.

The stunt co-oridinator, Ron, walks up to me and says we are going to film a scene where you get shot off a motorcycle. To make it look realistic we need to jerk you off the bike.

“Hmmm ok, how do we do that?”

“Simple, we attach attach one end of a rope to you, and tie the other end round that lampost there. You just have to start riding and let physics do its job!”

“ahhh….. right-o-then… sounds simple enough”

(that is Ron in the background looking real calm and relaxed)

Many years ago I did the Tony Robins “firewalk” on hot coals, but my latest adventure took playing with fire to a whole new level.

I have spent the last three weeks on assignment photographing and participating with the Australian Stunt Academy’s first class of 2009. Founded, owned and operated by international actor and stuntman Colin Hendley, the course is an action packed introduction to the world of Hollywood stunts. 

The course places a premium on preparation, teamwork, and technique. When you combine these three elements, the visually stunning stunts you can perform safely are incredible.  We were thrown down flights of stairs, fell from high buildings, got hit by cars, and dragged behind boats, choreographed fights scenes and were set on fire in a stunt called the human torch, these were just a few highlights from an intentsive course.

I managed to complete all elements of the course except the final graduation stunt - Stuntman Tequila Shots.  I figure it just means I will have to repeat the course…. hehehhehe

A big thank you goes out to Stevie Sadek Roushani for taking the pictures of me below doing my best impression of a human tourch. 

For more information on Australian Stunt Academy please click on their logo above and review their website for more details and course information.

Jim and Amanda held their reception at Oskars Resteraunt in Burleigh. It is a great location overlooking the ocean and the beach. Victoria and her staff made sure the evening ran smoothly and the food was delicious.

The cake was my personal favourite style of wedding cake right now, a cupcake tower, from Simply Cup Cakes. mmmmm tasted so good!!!

Tomorrows pictures are of the cutest little flower girl. Be sure to check back….

 Jim and Amanda’s first dance was to “This will be an everlasting love” by Natalie Cole

Jim & Amanda got married in a beautiful church in Tellebudgera. Amanda was fashionably late but looked stunning when she arrived. Pastor Dave Thomas performed the ceremony with just the right mix of poingant moments and touches of humour,  friends and family packed the quaint little church, it really was a lovely occasion.

The photos below are all from the ceremony. My favourites are when Jim can’t resist turning around to see his beautiful bride and the very next shot when they lock eyes for the first time on their wedding day.

Check back tomorrow to see images of the bridal party shot on the lookout point at Burleigh Heads.

I shot these images on behalf of WildByNature Photography.

Just a super quick post this morning as I am off to Brisbane to pick up my new Drobo. I am paranoid about losing data. My Drobo is going to help me sleep easier, knowing that all my wedding pictures are being continuosly backed up.

I was sitting on the deck yesterday afternoon when a late afternoon rain storm came through, followed by the most amazing rainbow I have seen in a long time.

Have a great weekend everyone and I will catch you all next week.

Click on the image to check it out… We are on brideonline.com