Top Tips for Your Wedding - Who Pays for What?

Everyone is different. Who pays for what may be decided by your heritage, family circumstances, as well as your finances.  History may mean your family is willing to pay a certain budget, or for certain items.  If your sister had so much, you may expect the same.  It's very important to plan your budget right from the start.  This way you don't blow the budget before you have decided each element.


If you really want to follow Australian tradition the following is an excerpt from 'The Penguin Book of Etiquette' by Marion Von Adlerstein.

The Valiant

Recently we were at Dalby for Karen and Kevin's Wedding.  They had wanted to make the most of Kevin's Valiant, and had organised four in total, through the help of their car club.  I thought the footage could have come straight from the 1960s so have played a little to take Karen and Kevin back in time.
We were lucky enough to have a gorgeous backdrop thanks to Kevin's boss.  It fits in perfectly.
Hope you enjoy.  I certainly had fun putting together.

Timing Tips for your Wedding Photography

One of the important elements of your Wedding Photography is timing, and not all couples want the same thing. Depending on the number of locations and how far apart your locations are can play a vital role in enjoying your Photo Session, and getting the most out of your day.

Here are some important questions to contemplate:

How long do you want to spend doing your location photographs?
How far away are the ceremony and reception venues?
How much travel time do you need to allow?
Would you like to go to more than one location for your photos?
What time is sunset?
What time are you expected to enter at the reception?

It is really important to discuss your expectations and timings with your photographer.  The more your photographer understands about your day the more satisfied you will be.

Call us to discuss your Wedding Photography and Video requirements.  We love to assist in making your day the best it can be.

Joanne & Luke's Wedding

Here's the first installment of Joanne and Luke's Wedding Day. If you move on through my blog you can see more, with the amazing fireworks display. Yes - I couldn't wait to work on that one.

Getting ready with Joanne, her bridesmaids and mum was great fun. We were very privileged to share this time, and Palazzo Versace was a gorgeous backdrop to the stunning bride.

Check out David's blog for more images of the day.

Hottest Ever Expo Special

Wow.. what a weekend. It was great to meet so many wonderful couples, and find out about their plans. Weddings from now until 2012, lots of gorgeous dresses, great friends and family and amazing locations.

Thanks to all the couples that took advantage of our one time only special. You definitely got an awesome deal. We look forward to sharing your day with you. If you haven't confirmed your date yet, or needed a little time to decide on the best photographer for you make a time to see us in a friendly relaxed atmosphere at our Brisbane or Placid Hills offices.

For those of you getting married in 2010 now is the time to confirm all of your suppliers. Especially for the busy months of May, August, September and October. It really isn't that far away.

Good luck with all of your planning.

Christa & Tim's Wedding in Toowoomba

Christa and Tim enjoyed a wonderful day. The ceremony took place at St Thomas Mores, and we went to the Toowoomba Showgrounds for the photo session, then to Picnic Point for more photos, and the reception.

At our pre-wedding consult the week before the wedding Christa and Tim did scare me a little when they told me they hated their photos being taken. As you can see the camera doesn't agree. They have some absolutely beautiful images, and we all enjoyed the day so much.
















I love this image. It was one of the last of the night, and everyone was ready to start the party. The bridal party were amazing all day.



Congratulations Christa and Tim. Thanks for letting me capture your day. So many of the images are now my all time favourites.

Luke's fireworks surprise for Joanne

Joanne and Luke enjoyed a magical day. Starting with Joanne getting ready at Palazzo Versace, with family and friends, and then to Hope Island Resort for the ceremony and reception. If that wasn't perfect already Luke out did himself by organising a fireworks display as a surprise. We were part of the plan, and all the guests were shepherded outside for a group photo. Once everyone was in place the stunning fireworks display started. As you will see Joanne was definitely surprised, as were all of the couples' family and friends.

Normally I start at the beginning when putting the video together, but I had to fast forward to end for this one. I will be uploading additional footage from the day, but couldn't wait to show this.

Starlite Dancers Concert

Here is just a taste of the Starlite Dancers Concert. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening, and watching all of the performers. Then putting together the video to show the full picture from a distance, but we also love to see each performer doing their best. So we combine a range of full, mid and close up shoots when putting the footage together so we achieve the best of all three.

Event Videography is exciting as things can change at the last minute and we have to capture everything. Multiple angles and camera operators helps make this possible.

Congratulations to all of the Starlite Dancers - a wonderful performance.

Happy Christmas!

To all our clients, old and new, we wish you a very Happy Christmas, and may all your wishes for 2010 come true.

We have had a wonderful year, and enjoyed every moment photographing and videoing so many fabulous couples, weddings and families. We are looking forward to 2010 and all that it offers.

Only four more sleeps

Does Christmas come faster each year?

If you are like me and having problems thinking of last minute gifts for people who have everything consider a Photography Gift Voucher.

Give you parents the chance to get an update portrait of the family, or your girlfriend a gorgeous glamour shoot. Lots of options call us to find out more about we can do.

Starlite Dancers Concert

Wow.. what a night! Congratulations to all of the performers.

Images are now ready to view.

Become a fan of Masterpieces Photography & Video on Facebook, and link through to the images.

Click on our favourite links at the bottom right of this page - Masterpieces Facebook Page

Naomi & John's Wedding

What an amazing day. Naomi and John were fantastic, and we had a great day photographing their Wedding. The ceremony was held at the gorgeous St Mary's Catholic Church in Ipswich. This impressive church was a wonderful backdrop of formality to the wedding vows.

We went on to the River Heart Parkland for the start of the photo session. With great views of the river, and an enormous water feature the options were endless. Then we were off the Queen's Park for a few final shoots before concluding at the Ipswich RSL for the reception.

Thanks to Naomi and John, and all of their bridal party. Their enthusiasm was unbelieveable and we captured some stunning images, and all the fun of the day.

Starlite Dancers Concert

Starlite Dancers Concert is on the 6th of December. Here is a little taste of all of the hard work and preparation that goes into the night.

You can order you DVDs at dance class or on the night.

We will be taking photographs of the performance. If you would like individual photographs of any of the dancers please see Dave before the concert, or at the interval.

Good Luck to all of the performers!

Zoe Reading

Our daughter has just turned another development corner and is starting to read. I really wanted to capture this moment in time, and preserve it forever. Time goes so quickly, and it's so easy to miss these important learning steps. So after much bribery on my part I finally convinced Zoe to read in front of the camera. Although she very quickly became just a little too comfortable, and took over directing the project.



This is going to be the perfect gift for Zoe's grandparents. Dave's parents are in the UK so it a wonderful snippet to show them how she is growing and changing.

Christie & Scott

Christie and Scott had a great day at Spring Bluff Railway Station. The weather was fantastic, and the reception at St Mary's was brilliant. We had a team of three. I was on Photography, David (different to Dave) was doing the video, and Kristy was assisting. Having two Kristys was a bit confusing. Our lovely bride kept thinking I was telling her to sort out her dress, or pick stuff up, but no that's what our wonderful assistance do.

Spring Bluff looked great, just after winning in the Carnival of flowers festival. Here is the video highlights. I will be uploading the images soon.

Thanks for a great day, Christie & Scott

Lauren & Ben's Wedding Video

You may have already seen some of the images from Lauren & Ben's day. Here is the video. As always the music has been changed for copyright reasons. The actual music is much more country, and fits amazingly. This was a gorgeous day, with a fantastic couple.

Thanks Lauren & Ben for letting us share in your very special day

Awesome Slideshow

I love the images that Dave & I took of Michelle and Paul's Wedding.  We had a fantastic day with this couple, and they really committed to our photo session, and the proof is in the imagery. When I started the slideshow I thought there would be about a minute or two, but I really had a cull, and there are some gorgeous images that haven't been included.

Enjoy, and see how their day unfolded in all of it's beauty.

Misha & Pat's Wedding

Misha and Pat's video really shows how photography and video compliment each other, and how at Masterpieces we work together to capture all of your day's precious moments.  By choosing a company that does both you receive the knowledge and experience of people who work together everyday to achieve gorgeous imagery.  Call 1300 55 10 63 to request a DVD sample.

As Shandell, one of our clients, commented on seeing their video - "Amazing.  What a fantastic job! You captured 'Love'."

We are very priviledged to work with couples like Misha and Pat, who let us into their day, and show us the emotions that you feel on your Wedding Day.

Misha and Pat enjoyed a wonderful day full of emotion and beauty. Their ceremony and reception were held at Sails at Redcliffe, and the day although starting a little windy, turn out perfectly. Their images and video were so good it inspired us to combine the two elements for an overall picture of what we do. It was so hard to reduce the footage to a size for the internet, but you can request a copy of the full 15 minute version.  

We had a fantastic time working with this couple, and I think the video and images show the connection. Thanks for letting us play our part in your very special day. Misha and Pat are soon moving to Victoria, and have the wonderful news that they are expecting. We wish you all the very best in your future together.

Lauren & Ben's Wedding

Lauren & Ben had an amazing day.  The weather was perfect, and they were very adventurous with great family and friends who helped in their photo session.

Last year we photographed Lauren's brother's wedding, and it was wonderful to see their family again, and catch up a little on how they were going.

Lauren looked stunning, and was very relaxed and great to work with.  We took the before shots at 

her mum's place, which has amazing views over the valley.

The ceremony was held at the Laidley Lutheran Church.  Then off to Mount Walker for the photography session at the best man's parent's farm.  Friends had bought the couple's horses, and groomed them ready for our photos.  The photos are fantastic with the horses performing beautifully.  

Next it was the Rosewood Show Hall for the reception, where the speeches were very entertaining, including Lauren's fairy tale story of meeting her prince charming.

It was a great pleasure to be part of Lauren and Ben's day.  The video is being worked on, and will be uploaded once complete.  Thanks for letting us be part of your special day, and good luck in your future life together.

What a Weekend - Ideal Bride Wedding Expo

Wow... what a full on weekend. I had a fantastic time talking to brides, some who had just got engaged (the night before for one lucky lady), to others who had been together for years, but are making the preparation for a gorgeous wedding.

I am looking forward to meeting up with so many of you to discuss your day further. The expos are so busy it's had to tell you everything we offer, and show you all of our images in such a short amount of time.

By the Sunday my head was spinning with so many wedding and ideas. I loved some of the dresses in the fashion parade, and am now looking for an event to justify purchasing one or two of them.

Please double check with us about our available dates, as a few more have now been taken. The fast half of our 2010 calendar is now extremely busy.

I look forward to hearing from you, and hearing how you found the expo.