Cottesloe Civic centre pre wedding session

September 8, 2023

I have been a wedding photographer in Perth for over a decade now and Cottesloe civic centre is still one of my favourite venues in Perth for wedding portraits or engagement photos. Just scroll and you will see why, every inch is beautiful.

I get asked all the time, when is the best time to photograph the portraits on your wedding day or engagement session? The answer is simple, golden hour. I bet you can guess why it got the name, golden hour is the hour before sunset when the light is the softest, skin tones look the best and all the trees are glowing in the lovely soft light. Around an hour before sunset or as close to that as possible. If you cant do this then try set some time aside during your wedding reception to step out for ten minutes at sunset, it will be well worth it.

E+M- Fremantle wedding on Film and Digital

April 19, 2023

I have been photographing film at weddings in Perth and worldwide for about 5 years now and every time that email with the film scans hits my inbox I still get butterflies!

If you have wanted to try photography using film here’s a few little tips:

1- Start on an automatic film camera.

My favourite 35 mm camera is the Manolta Mac-tele. This camera is a beast, I recently dropped mine at a wedding and completely smashed it (it was such a sad moment) but the camera still works, incredible! If you have been shooting film for a while and your up for more or a challenge then the Pentax k-1000 is my favourite manual camera. They have inbuilt light metres inside so you wont need to carry around a light metre as long as it is working.

2- Don’t worry about buying expensive film.

When shooting 35mm film I usually shoot on Kodak portra 400 or Fuji 400h (which is now discontinued so I won’t be for long) but I have recently found that Kodak Ultra max is just as beautiful and is half the price. You can get this from Big W so you wont need to worry about getting slogged with massive shipping costs.

3- Send your film to the right lab!

The lab who scans your images makes 1000% of the difference to the look of the images. I love PhotoVision in the US but in Australia a few favourite’s are Lazarus lab or Atkins pro lab.

4- Think about your image before you take it. Composition, lighting and the subject.

Whether you’re using an iPhone, camera or film camera you can take a really great image if you consider these three things. Film works best with lots of light or if its dark you’ll need a flash. Take your time, sometimes counting down before taking the image can help with less eyes closed as every image costs money.

For Marco and Emmelie’s wedding at their home in Fremantle, Perth I photographed using 120mm film, 35mm film and digital. Every wedding I photograph I use both film and digital to capture the day. I use 120mm film because its professional grade and is high quality but I shoot 35mm for filler shots or for every day photos of my little one at home as its cheaper, you get more photos from the roll and you can use an auto film camera so you can take photos without thinking too hard.

Em and Marco’s day was so perfect, here’s Ems sweet words after receiving her full gallery- “Hi lovely Amelia, Wow wow wow, thank you so much for your beautiful photos. We have just shared them with our families and we are all absolutely in awe! You captured the day and the happiness so perfectly! So special to have the filmies too, thank you. We have been recommending you to friends - so glad we chose you.”

Planner: @popupplanningco
Celebrant: @caitlinthecelebrant
Gown: @lola.varma
Veil: @harriettegordon
Mua: @tessdegrauw__beauty
Hair: @salonjaimmelee
Florals: @rose.and.bud
Catering: @saltbush_dining
Music: @dolceensembles @ningaloorecords
Rings: @faust_workshop
Invites: @peterkinpaper
Private venue: @arched.window

Four ways to make sure your family session is a success

March 16, 2023

I photographed Ash and Georgia’s wedding a few years ago in this very field in Perth so it was so lovely to be back at Yellagonga National park in Perth meeting their two little ones photographing their new family. What a beautiful family, they were relaxed and seemed to just be enjoying the new season together while I snapped away in the background taking photos.

Family photography sessions can seem overwhelming and stressful sometimes I know! You have to get the whole family there, work around nap times, make sure everyone is fed, happy and clean! It’s a big deal! So here are a few little tips to make your family session less stressful and fun so you can get those natural beautiful candid shots where everyone is truly having fun and you will have beautiful memories to look back on for ever.

1. Go with the flow and be present with your loves.

Sometimes there will be tears, sometimes tantrums, but most of the time that will pass and the kids will get on with having a great time in nature. Let them explore, let them be free and we will get beautiful candid photo’s to remember this crazy beautiful time in your lives.

2. Choose a location where the kids can be themselves and have fun.

Choose a location that you enjoy, that’s fits you guys as a family. If you love the beach please choose the beach and watch everyone come to life, running and getting their toes wet. A field or park are also great options with lots to explore and space to run and be free.

3. Choose colours and outfits that dont date.

Bring your outfits with you and change once you get to the location. Neutrals are great for this. Dont match but choose complimentary colours and patterns. Youll be more likely to look back on these in ten years and still love them.

4. Make sure everyone is well fed.

We all get hangry when we are hungry right! Well fed bubba’s (even if they are tired) will make things a lot easier.

At the end of the day, being present and enjoying the time with your loves is what is most important and ill be in the background snapping away and capturing memories for you to treasure for a lifetime.

Perth family at Yellagonga national park

The kids are wearing outfits by Marlow and Mae and Soll the label.

A+D Coast Port beach wedding

September 13, 2022

Alysha and David’s wedding was on the most stunning winters day, not a lick of wind, sunny and warm and located right on the beach at Coast Port in Fremantle. What more could these lovers want? They met at work on an offshore rig and now the rest is history. Alysha wore a beautiful Pronovias gown from Brides by Design and then surprised us all at the reception by changing in a lovely Rosa Clará Couture Wedding slip dress. These guys wanted a relaxed but super fun day, choosing that as your vibe is a big part of your day being relaxed and fun but also choosing vendors like that will go a long way. If your looking for a fun lively celebrant then look no further, The Tilers Wife officiated the ceremony and there were plenty of laughs!

I get asked all the time what this difference is between full video coverage and a highlight reel, this is Alysha and David’s highlight wedding film videoed along side photography. I love capturing video and photography together.

Perth wedding photographer and Highlight reel videography: Amelia Claire Photography
Ceremony and Reception venue: Coast port beach restaurant located in Fremantle, Perth.

Celebrant: The tilers wife

Gown: Pronovias stocked by Perth bridal store- Brides by Design

Reception gown: Rosa Clará Couture Wedding slip dress

Hair and Makeup: MUSE Studio

Florist: Matthew Landers

Jeweller: Stelios Jewellers

Band: Dolce Ensembles String Quartet

Hire: Pretty Willow Hire table decorations

Invitations: Cricket Printing

L+K - Sandalford Winery wedding

June 8, 2022

SANDALFORD WINERY WEDDING IN THE SWAN VALLEY, PERTH.

This Sandalford wedding in the swan valley was such a dream to photograph! It was forecast to rain all day but true to Perth weather it was sunny from the ceremony until reception! We were seriously counting our blessings. A wedding like this couldn’t be possible without the wonderful vendors who are so good at what they do, Katie Cooper made every inch of this wedding extravagantly beautiful with her florals everywhere, Noda luxury events, Heart string hire, Edison event lighting stylists al made this reception one to remember.

These guys got through lockdowns and restrictions just weeks before the wedding date with a smile on their face, and then finally on the day so glad to have made it to the date when they could get married and start their lives together as husband and wife.