13 years in the wedding industry has taught wedding photographer, Emma Nayler, an awful lot and she has developed some seriously beautiful and grounded feelings about what some may see as a superficial industry. It’s her wholehearted approach and calming nature that people are drawn to – that is after they’re first attracted by her stunning work. 

I first met Emma well before the birth of The Bride’s Tree. She was one of my first connections to the wedding industry, so when I came up with the idea for The Bride’s Tree, Emma was one of the very first people I sought out as a sounding board. Her support and positivity was a huge encouragement, so needless to say she’s a much adored member of our Bride’s Tree family. 

Emma was kind enough to share her wisdom, her fave spots on the Sunshine Coast to walk her two sausage dogs, and her surprising hobby interest that was almost her very different career! 

Scroll for a peek at some of Emma’s impressive work, and a special offer she has kindly extended to readers of The Bride’s Tree. 

Emma, do you work with a team or are you a one-woman show? 

It’s all me baby! I’m behind the screen emailing and doing all my own admin, editing, image selection, social media and marketing and on your wedding day I will be the one there snapping away! It’s hard and a lot more work than I think most people think it is, but I love all the different elements of running my business and would rather take less bookings and put my all into each one than to outsource things and lose the personal touch I like to think I give to each little thing in my business.

What is one unique service or offering or element that makes your business stand out from the crowd?

This is a hard one! Something I do hear from my couples time and time again is that I make people comfortable. They might come to me because they love the photos I take, but they stay and book because they feel good about working with me, and that it feels like they’re just hanging out with a friend.

In more practical terms, something that is a bit unique to me is that I don’t only just offer set hourly packages, because I don’t want my couples to try and cram their day into 4 or 6 or 8 hours. I allow a time frame for pre-ceremony photos and from there, depending on your chosen package, I’ll be along for the ride until either the start of the reception or the dance floor is pumping. I don’t want my couples watching the clock or worrying about me leaving before the first dance because things are running behind.

You have a completely free day to hang out on the Sunshine Coast. Get out about! Where are you going, what are you doing and who are you with?

There are so many ways to spend a day on the Sunshine Coast, but if it’s a sunny weekday I’m likely spending the day at the beach getting some sunshine with my girlfriends and a cheese platter. If it’s a magical work free weekend, I’m walking my dogs at Golden Beach or Point Cartwright (both spots chosen for the high volume of doggos) with my husband and then going on a date night with him to Copperhead Brewery or il Vento for some incredible wood-fired scampi pizza.

EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER JUST FOR THE BRIDE’S TREE READERS

The next three couples to book 2020 weddings before the end of August 2019 will receive a free upgrade to full day coverage for the price of my essentials package! That’s an $1100 saving on your wedding photography! Mention this article to secure your upgrade. See the packages. 

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Gazing over Bonnie Jenkins‘ wedding photography work, I’m aglow with the knowledge that the Sunshine Coast seems to have a knack for attracting the best of the best.

Having been trained as a fine art photographer in Edinburgh, and later completing her masters in Cornwall UK, Bonnie’s work still has a fine art element, which is very much inspired by nature. Back here in Australia, Bonnie taught photography at college for many years before coming back to her true passion – being creative behind a camera. These days she is highly sought after in fine art photography not only in weddings, but travel and fashion. This allows her to dive into her other great love – travel, which sees her jetsetting all over the world.

Bonnie’s favourite countries to visit all start with the letter ‘I’ – Iceland, Ireland and Italy. She loves hiking and exploring, cooking, music and she’s a massive animal lover. Bonnie and her partner Dave took their love of nature and made it their home, which is currently being built on a sprawling 20 acres.

It’s time to hear from the woman herself. Meet Bonnie Jenkins…

Bonnie, what does your process involve on a wedding day?

It varies depending on how long they have booked me for but i really just aim to fit in, capturing the candid elements and important moments throughout the day. During the photo session, i keep it very relaxed and candid but also guide the couple as needed and to fit their personalities. I find the in-between moments are usually my favourites.

What do your clients say about you?

That I made the process so easy and fun, they felt so comfortable with me and that the couple photoshoot was their favourite part of the day.

Tell us about your journey in photography and how you ended up photographing weddings…

When I left high school I knew I wanted to study something creative. I decided on photography, as I wanted to explore my interests in nature and music. During my photography studies I was fortunate enough to train at several different institutes, starting on a practical level at Tafe then onto a more theoretical level at Queensland College of Art and Edinburgh College of Art, eventually going on to complete my masters in Falmouth, Cornwall.

After graduating I prepared for my first solo fine art exhibition, which was an underwater series of portraits. Shortly after this I was offered a position as a Photography teacher at Sunshine Coast Tafe. While teaching was rewarding in many ways, it left me creatively wanting. Since leaving teaching I can honestly say I simply love what I do, weddings allow me to express my creativity, see the world and meet amazing people.

Where is home for you?

We brought our dream property a short time ago, and now we are building our dream home. Its 20-acres of stunning bushland, rainforest, views, meadows and creeks. Having grown up nearby I used to play on it as a kid and (my husband) Dave and I have always dreamed of owning it, we really never thought it would come true so we are pinching ourselves. We are building beside a creek which you can hear trickling away all year round and the house has stunning 180 views overlooking a gully and meadow, I find it the most relaxing place to be.

You have a completely free day on the Sunshine Coast – who are you with and what are you doing?

Oh that’s tough one. Well, I love food so at some stage there would be a yummy cafe ideally with friends followed by some exploring or walking with Dave followed by a chill dinner with friends. However at the moment we are building our first home, so my answer would be doing things on our house or yard work on our 20-acre hinterland property.

Wedding trends you’re predicting for 2019/2020?

I feel elopements are only going to get more popular due to the lack of stress and the intimacy. It also frees up where you can get married, so people are being more adventurous with their plans.

What does the future have in store for Bonnie Jenkins?

I am finding each year I am booking more destination weddings, next year is going to be one full of travel which is great as I love exploring.

No matter where in the world you’re planning to be married, today is the day you should find out if international wedding photographer, Bonnie Jenkins, can be there to capture the day. Click here to make your enquiry.

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Chloe and Julian will soon be sharing their carefully planned wedding at Eumundi’s Imperial Hotel. Before the big day, they opted to have a test run with their wedding photographer, Graeme Passmore. 

Graeme says he can’t wait to shoot the couple’s wedding day in Eumundi since having a such great afternoon with them. 

“Chloe and Julian met me in the pineapple fields on the Sunshine Coast to play with that gorgeous afternoon light. They also brought along their big pup, Diego.

“Engagement sessions are just about my favourite type of photo shoot. It’s casual, we have no time limits and we can include dogs! Their chemistry and love is so evident. It shines through in every eye contact, smile and their silent complicity. It shines through when she laughs at Julian’s jokes and the way he looks after Chloe with so much care and tenderness.” 

Aw..! I’m not crying, you’re crying! 

 Images by Graeme Passmore Photography & Films

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Theirs is a tale as old as time. Oh okay, as old as pubs at least. The pair met at a bar in 2008, and followed it up with a first date at the movies. After dating for several years, Kristy moved out to Clay’s cattle farm as theirs was a love built to last and before long it was time to save the date.

Clay proved his commitment when he proposed in a personal, sweet manner with the couple’s two beloved dogs in tow. In the lead up to their wedding, Kristy and Clay took some time to celebrate their engagement with a photo shoot. After discovering Carissa from Capture the Moment Photography‘s natural photographic style, the pair fell in love once again – this time with the gorgeous imagery before them.

To make good use of their engagement photos, they decided to give them a proper purpose and utilise the images for their save the date card design. Resourceful, ain’t it?  

Playfulness is so photogenic, which is why it’s important to work with a photographer, like Carissa, who will make you feel relaxed and able to be yourselves in front of the camera.  When choosing your outfits for your engagement shoot – or save the date shoot, as it were – it’s best to choose something you’re comfortable in. This could be casual weekend attire, like Kristy and Clay, or full glam. It’s really up to you and your fiancé to come up with something you feel speaks to you as a couple. 

 The best times of day to capture you in the best light is either early in the morning before the brightness of the day comes into play, or the later afternoon in the softened flattering twilight. The added benefit of a PM shoot for your engagement or save the date photo shoot is making use of the magical sunset. Your photographer will know of the best locations for capturing you best. 

Thank you for supporting our A-list Vendors… 

Learn more about Capture the Moment Photography

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It’s Friday, and it’s time to take a moment to ogle at some amazing wedding photography, of course. Here at The Bride’s Tree, we are huge fans of Alan Hughes Photography, and hold his work up as the highest standard. I’m sure you can see why when you take a stroll through this pin board gallery full of his incredible work. You’re welcome. 

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Gorgeous loved-up couple, Emily and James, got together with their Sunshine Coast wedding photographer, Chloe, of White Images to create some beautiful memories and get in some all-important practice in front of the camera before their big day. It really is difficult to go past our beautiful local beaches, and these photos show exactly why this is a great spot to have a cosy stroll with your betrothed before your Big Day. It warms the heart, doesn’t it? 

Photography by White Images.

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The sheer happiness this couple had in marrying one another is beautifully evident. The groom, Jared, will absolutely melt your heart as he is filled with unbridled emotion during their ceremony. Bride, Natalie, is clearly smitten with her new husband as they embrace after their vows at their Maroochydore waterfront wedding.

The whole bridal party seem like a whole lot of fun as they frolic on the beach for their photo session with Sunshine Coast photographer, Emma Nayler Photographer. After their beach fun, they all went back to the reception venue for canapés and mingling with the guests, then right on twilight the couple and Emma managed to sneak back down to the jetty for a few last shots. This meant they were able to sneak in extra time with their guests with compromising on getting  those highly coveted perfect dreamy last light of the day photos. 

Photography: Emma Nayler Photographer | Venue: Ebb Waterfront Restaurant | Decorators: Splash Events | Hair Stylist: Hair by Nicola | Makeup Artist: Natalie Hunter Makeup Artist | Florist: A Sculpted Leaf | Wedding dress: Augusta Jones ordered via Eve Boutique | Bridesmaids’ dresses: Review | Groom & Groomsmens’ attire: Myer | Photobooth: Behind the Curtains | Cake: Cupcake TeaHouse

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Today’s crazy beautiful engagement shoot is brought to you by the lovely folks at Emma Nayler Photographer. Actually just the one folk – one person. It’s Emma. It’s Emma Nayler, she’s the person. 

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Emma photographed gorgeous Lorina and Brenden at Bli Bli, the place to be if it’s dreamy long grass and a perfect sunset. Well, why wouldn’t you? 

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Brisbane couple, Madeleine and Sam, carefully chose Sunshine Coast hinterland wedding venue, Flaxton Gardens, for the spot to say their vows and celebrate their holy matrimony with 80 of their closest family and friends. 

A huge part of the appeal of have a destination wedding – albeit a fairly close destination wedding – was to revel in the planning process with weekend wedding planning mini-breaks in the 12 months leading up to the big day. Looking at venues and meeting suppliers was shuffled in-between soaking up the sun and cafe hangs at Cotton Tree. I can’t say I blame them, Cotton Tree is one of my fave local spots, too. 

Their wedding turned out absolutely beautifully. You can certainly tell all the little details were planned with love. Matt Rowe Photography was there to capture all the special moments. 

“Once we had our theme, the next most important thing was our florist, bridal gown, hair and makeup.”

“Being positive in all things you do really helped for stress free organising, and a stress free day!“

“We added the special touch of a vase of sunflowers to represent Sam’s Pa, who loved to grow sunflowers – it was very special for him and his family.”

“People say the wedding day itself fly’s by – that is definitely true! We found ourselves just standing back for a few moments throughout the day, to reflect on everything around us, and enjoy every second! It is definitely an amazing chapter in people’s lives, one we will never forget!”

“The planning stage brought so much joy and excitement. Travelling up to the Sunshine Coast, meeting with suppliers, and gathering ideas – we would camp at Cotton Tree and make a weekend of it!“

“After booking at Flaxton Gardens, we fell in love with a simple rustic theme.”

“Photography was the first priority after booking our venue. Flaxton Gardens served tempura prawns and gnocchi for entrée, chicken and beef for main, and wedding cake for dessert.”

Wedding Secrets 

Biggest splurge: “More like who was the most spoilt? The Bridesmaids had three different pairs of shoes! Rain, Hail or Shine basically!”

Best bargain: “The Groomsmen’s belts – $5 from Kmart!”

Bridal gown: Judy Copley Bridal

Accessories: Judy Copley Bridal veil; hair clip, The Silver Shop

Shoes: Myer & Bett’s For Her

Bridesmaid dresses: When Freddie Met Lilly

Bridesmaids’ accessories: Toowoomba Pearl’s

Groom’s and groomsmens’ suit and shoes: When Freddie Met Lilly & YD

Rings: Michael Hill

Number of guests: 80

A-List Vendors

Photographer: Matt Rowe Photography

Florist: Ginger Lily & Rose Floral Studio

Caterer: Flaxton Gardens

Makeup Artist: Natalie Hunter Makeup Artist

Hair Stylist: Evalyn Parsons Hair

Entertainment: Cut a Rug DJ

Wedding Night Accommodation: Flaxton Gardens

Videographer: Luke Bickley / Cake: Bespoke Cake’s by Anna / Bombonieres: Personalised Favours / Transport: Oakcorp Limousines / Stationery Supplier: Sarah Alison Boutique Stationary / Gift registry: Myer / Officiary: Pastor Peter Millican 

Do yourself a favour, lovely Sunshine Coast brides, and take a peek at the rest of Maddie and Sam’s wedding album.

The post Real Wedding: Maddie + Sam at Flaxton Gardens appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

How freakin’ adorable are these two! Elise and Jared commissioned Kirk and Treens Wedding Photography to shoot their engagement shoot at their Mooloolah Valley property for a sweet intimate feel that is very personal. 

Now we don’t all have a serene, idyllic 2.5 acre property to have our engagement shoot held at, but we genuinely have so many gorgeous spots on the Sunshine Coast where you can have this same intimate feel. Maleny Botanic Gardens, I’m looking at you. 

You definitely want to see the rest of this shoot with these cutie pahtooties, and so luckily it’s all in this link. 

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