Nikkah/Wedding: A+L <3 (Holland Park Mosque)

September 26, 2026 Emily McDonald

Lovely Aliyah & Leo.

We received an email from a couple asking if we were available to capture their nikkah (wedding) at Holland Park Mosque. We responded that we were available and I (Em) offered to meet in person to chat about the specifics/nuances of the day as it would be our first Muslim ceremony. I met up with Aliyah and we chatted and chatted and I think we ended up chatting for well over an hour - possibly up to 2 hours? - from memory.

I learned that we shared much in common. We both held similar values as we navigated challenging topics, such as genocide. It was a wonderful, memorable meeting, as Aliyah radiated kindness and thoughtfulness as she walked me through their priorities for the day. I felt grateful to have crossed paths! We locked in the date and counted down to A+L’s nikkah.

As our calendar reminds us of upcoming events, I usually find my anxiety builds due to how much I care about ensuring that the day is captured perfectly, etc. However, I felt an incredible sense of calm in the lead-up to A+L’s day - including on the day. Of course I wanted to give the day everything we had, but I felt so aligned with A+L that I knew it would all work out.

A+L’s nikkah was beautiful and heartfelt. In line with their spirit of inclusivity, A+L invited Chloe, our daughter, too. In the process, they unintentionally ended up with a third photographer, so we credit Chloe McDonald with some of the images below. I had asked Aliyah if it was okay to share their special occasion. Aliyah provided an enthusiastic yes; in fact, A+L were keen to share their day and values with as many people as were interested. Therefore, with that as the context, please enjoy A+L’s love-filled day with family and friends.

For more information related to the Holland Park Mosque, refer to the ABC’s ‘You Can’t Ask That – Muslims’ (S01E07) and/or SBS Australia’s ‘The Mosque Next Door’ to learn more.

Thank you, Aliyah & Leo, for sharing some of your life with us! May you both enjoy a blessed and meaningful life together. <3

Everything was curated so carefully. We were curious to learn about Zam Zam water, and noted the reference to the children in Gaza:

One final one - a cheeky mid-ceremony glance from Leo to Aliyah:

Wedding: S+T <3 (Brisbane Registry Office, Howard Smith Wharves & Rosmarino Italian Restaurant)

May 19, 2025 Emily McDonald

It was a sweet day for lovely Stephanie and Thomas! For them, family and loved ones mean everything. S+T are not about public displays of affection but are all about meaningful, thoughtful interactions. That’s what they wanted captured from their day. It was easy to be the proverbial ‘fly on the wall’. Also, S+T’s little ones were a delight to immortalise. When you make little ones feel like they are an important part of the day (because they are), it’s amazing how much more invested they become. We want to wish Stephanie, Thomas, and their beautiful family a lifetime of contentment and joy. <3 Enjoy 65 of our favourite moments!

Top Tips for a Perfect Wedding Day

January 24, 2022 Emily McDonald

Do weddings need to be perfect?

Well, a lot depends on who you ask.

If it is us, we say no.

However, photographers are an investment. We thought that, with that in mind, you might like to hear from us on how to make the day run as smoothly as possible - with as little regret as possible. The simple idea behind these tips is to be useful as background information. We felt that our experience and inside knowledge might help some couples so feel free to take any advice (not rules) as intended - definitely not to add stress or overwhelm you.

Just be yourself. Honestly. We are almost certain that the images you will most enjoy looking back on for years to come are the ones that captured the organic, natural version of you as a couple and with your loved ones.
Just be present. What will happen will happen. At the end of the day, you have done everything you can in the lead-up and the story of your day will now unfold. Enjoy it! Lean into it! Lean into all of it - the fun, the nerves, the day. Your enjoyment will shine through in your photographs - trust us.
Relax. We will work around everything. It is your day. You do not need to meet anyone else’s expectations. We walk in with no expectations and every intention of capturing your day as photojournalists - documenting your story. For the record, we embrace chaos. It is our privilege to document your day and, by the time the day itself comes around, it is time to roll with it.
It is never too early to start planning. Take your time. Most vendors will take bookings around 18 months from your wedding date.
Make as many lists as needed.
Choose your style: boho, classic, elegant, modern, rustic, timeless, vibrant… Allow that style to determine your direction (consistency is key).
Outsource as much as possible. This will allow both you and your loved ones to focus on the day itself. Let your valued vendors run around and work up a sweat for you.
Hope for the best; be prepared for the worst. People can be full of all kinds of surprises.
Stick to your priorities as a couple. Treat all the “advice” you receive as white noise - some will be useful and some won’t. Feel free to keep some advice and quietly discard the rest.
Embrace open communication. If guest dress codes, for example, are important to you, make this clear. If you want everyone to wear neutral clothing, put it clearly on the invitations. Most people are accommodating. They just need to know what your priorities are if it impacts on them.
Have something nice (meal/drink) in the fridge at whatever location you are going to be staying the night. Future you will be very grateful for past you! Trust us on this!
Have your engagement ring cleaned in the week prior.
Lay everything out the night before. Remove all tags. Press your dress. So much less stress on the day.
Factor in breakfast on the day. No matter how nervous, just aim to have something (even if it is just some protein or complex carbohydrates).
Keep your timeline as manageable as possible. The day will go fast enough as it is without cramming things in.
Turn off your phone. Put it somewhere other than your pocket. Very often, the couple will provide us with the numbers of friends or family to contact, if needed. Perhaps designate someone to look after your phone (and keys & wallet, too!).
Break in your shoes.
Natural light (as far as possible) is everything (we have addressed this previously).
Please do not get a tan. Your natural skin tone will photograph so.much.better. It just will. This applies to absolutely everyone. Please let me know if you ever come across a photographer who recommends tanning in the lead-up to your wedding. ;)
Anything you want included in detail shots (including stationery), pop in a box. Super simple for everyone (we are all about consolidation!).
If nice dress/suit shots are important to you, get a nice hanger. It is a simple way to elevate & complement your dress/suit.
Have a corner to put things that you do not want in your photographs - water bottles, plastic bags, towels, hair spray, snacks, empty boxes, and so on.
Things to have in a preparation kit: tissues, blotting paper, water, snacks, double-sided tape, water, needle and thread, stain remover pen, water, safety pins, band-aids, water and jackets (better to have one that you want to wear than end up with a kind-hearted soul donating their jacket to the cause - it happens and, don’t get us wrong, is lovely in its own village kind of way. If you have a particular jacket in mind, though, make sure it is included). Yes, water really is that important. As for the lipstick, including a straw in your preparation kit is perfect. (Hydralyte, too, if it is a really hot day.)
If you wear a watch regularly and you have a resulting tan-line, perhaps wear a bracelet. Otherwise, keeping it off for a month or so before the wedding should even out the skin colouration. Same goes for strapless dresses; another thing to keep in mind in the lead-up.
On the topic of wrists, remove all hair ties.
If mum is helping to dress, make sure that mum has her makeup completed first. Otherwise, the bride can be ready but mum still has to have her makeup applied; this can push the timeline back.
Wear robes or dress shirts so that you can unbutton or untie when you remove them. You will not ruin your hair or makeup when you take it off.
Make sure someone knows how to do up ties (otherwise Pete is happy to help!) and that someone knows how to put on a boutonniere (again, we can help but we will not be able to take interactive shots at the same time; we usually include these in our galleries).
Do a first look. They really are amazing! We did one and it is one of our favourite memories from the day.
Write a letter to each other. It takes the pressure off having to know what to say to each other in the moment. It is still from your heart but penned when you had a chance to sit down and really think about what you wanted to say on the day.
Invite guests to arrive around 15 minutes before the actual ceremony start time. There will nearly always be someone running “late” so you can build this into the schedule.
<awkward alert> Not everyone looks happy as they walk down the aisle (wedding party, we are looking at you!). If you feel comfortable, perhaps mention in a playful way that you would like the walk down the aisle to be a, well, happy affair. Very often, everyone is happy to be there… they just don’t always look it. A serious face does not always translate well in the world of photography!
It can be a good idea to wait till the aisle is clear of the wedding party before walking down yourself. It makes for bold, clean aisle shots.
Walk slowly down the aisle. Really soak up the little moments along the way. Same goes for the journey back after the ceremony. Also, no one will stop you kissing again at the end.
Hold the bouquet at your waistline/belly button (less karaoke). Not only is this position flattering but it will show off the bodice of your dress, too.
If your ceremony space has a focal point (altar, floral installation, backdrop, and so on), try not to stand off-center. Sometimes, a small x marked out in gaffer tape on the floor, or some other marker can be super useful to nail symmetry in the resulting images.
If the lighting conditions are not diffuse (one of you is in the shade and one is in the sun), this will impact on your photography. If you have, for example, an umbrella or marquee or gazebo, make sure that you are both standing in the shade or both standing in the sun. We can work with both (ideally shade, though!): it is just best for it to be consistent.
Hold hands during the ceremony. Less 1.5 m and more connection.
Please hold rings from the bottom; if not, the hands cover the rings, and the resulting images are not as impactful. Put the rings on slowly.
Have a chat with the celebrant about the kiss. Most celebrants move out of the way just before announcing the kiss but best to be sure!
Hold the kiss (3-5 seconds) - no one cares how long you kiss for so go for it and get fabulous images!
If you have a confetti toss, look up (a lot of people instinctively look down when something is being tossed toward them).
Drink more water. Seriously, we are simple creatures and hydration is everything.
Think about whether you are comfortable with spectators during your portraits or not. We have seen heckling go both ways. They can result in fun, relaxed images… however, depending on the couple, they can also result in the couple clamming up and feeling insecure. If you want to avoid the peanut gallery, we recommend finding a location close by for portraits.
Make 15/20 minutes of private time just for yourselves. Guests respect that. Make sure that you have something to eat. Take off your heels and change into flats. Just check in with each other. No one else is allowed - including us. We’ll circle the guests and make sure that everyone is captured/take reception detail shots.
Enter your reception to your first dance. It is a natural progression and can free up the timeline. Instead of interjecting a first dance later, you can sneak away for golden hour portraits or night-time shots around the venue. Another option is to catch up on any group shots that were not able to be completed earlier in the day. Pete & I use this time to check in with your VIPs and ask them what shots they would like, too. They can result in some of the sweetest moments from the day! For example, at a recent wedding, the youngest granddaughter of the bride took a shot of the bride herself (with a teeny, tiny bit of help) and it is one that I am sure will be treasured very closely. It is beautiful when the new in-laws specifically request a shot with their new family addition, too - just them and their new son or daughter.
Cut the cake before dinner. The cake can be cut up during dinner and then served for dessert. (Make sure you are happy with the location for the cake cutting, too - you do not want to be positioned under an exit sign!).
Practice holding a knife and cutting together before your big day. There is an art to it and most people discover that in the moment.
Sparkler exit: in an ideal, non-pandemic world, this works best when everyone is shoulder to shoulder and not spread out (definitely not 1.5 m so this might be more useful information when we are on the other side of the pandemic!). You want to light the sparklers when you are at the head of the tunnel. Stop halfway down for the kiss and you will now have light both in the foreground and background of the images. Stunning opportunity!
Have someone in charge of calling for a taxi or sorting transportation.
Have someone in charge of collecting your gifts.
If you want a handful of super cute images as part of the send-off, let us know. We will use a technique that is guaranteed to result in some emotive images - no matter how tired and over the day you might be. We build that in. <3
Do not forget your phone! ;)
Preserve your bouquet. Frame it.
Do you want more guidance? You will find it here. :)

Information :: Can We Shoot at Any Venue?

March 22, 2021 Emily McDonald

We like to chat about topics we think are relevant for our couples.

One question that pops up from time to time in client consultations is this:

~ Have you shot at our venue previously? ~

It is a fair question and, as it has come up a few times now, we figured we would address it.

Does it matter (or not) if your photographer has shot at your preferred venue previously?

Here is our open response:

Very often, each photographer has their own algorithm/s to approach their photography.

The most important variable in any photography setting (beyond capturing emotion, storytelling, and so on; if we could only choose one variable, in other words) is the light and we have addressed this previously (here).

Some photographers prefer natural light.

Some prefer artificial.

Some prefer studio.

Some prefer outdoors.

Some prefer the beach.

Some prefer mountains.

It is quite a spectrum.

One hallmark of a professional photographer is that they should be able to shoot anywhere.

First, we should address some pros and cons.

Pros of having shot at a venue previously:

You are familiar with all of the spaces available

Cons to having shot at a venue previously:

The location may become tedious or boring over time

Pros of not having shot at a venue previously:

You have fresh eyes and can identify unique, creative perspectives

Cons of not having shot at a venue previously:

You might be unfamiliar with all of the spaces available

How do we circumnavigate scoping out a venue we have not seen in person previously?

Stripping it all back:

Quite simply, the best time to view any venue is in the hour to 30 minutes prior to the shoot.

Lighting can change at any moment.

The photographer’s individual style and quality most likely will not.

Even if you have shot at a venue before on one particular sunny day at 2 pm, it could be rainy on another and you are shooting there at 5 pm. Same venue. Very different circumstances that require adaptation that is intuitive to a professional.

Next, we have so many available resources just at our fingertips.

We look up the website and social media for the venue.

We specifically look at the images that they have been tagged in, too, to get a more holistic feel for the specific location.

We can generally get a very good feel for the venue and surrounds between Google maps and sites like realestate.com.au.

Finally, we look at how the venue is positioned (north-facing, and so on), the weather forecast, time of sunset, time of your ceremony (and location if outdoors, in particular), and other factors.

We are able to piece together a game plan for shooting at your venue that does not require showing up in person previously.

Sometimes we have visited new venues in the lead-up to the wedding, but we personally have not found this to make a significant difference to our primary objective focus: chasing the right light.

We would recommend spending more time looking at the photographer’s portfolio and providing them with as much information as possible (such as a timeline) so that they can work with as much knowledge as possible.

Just because someone has shot at a venue previously does not necessarily make them a better photographer than someone who has not (specific experience does not equate to mastery).

Remember: a good photographer is a good photographer (no matter the location, light or weather). Good photographers can find/create beautiful light anywhere. Trust your connection and their portfolio (hopefully extensive!) and experience.

Pete & Em :: Checking In

March 15, 2020 Emily McDonald

They tell us it is a good idea to keep the people behind the brand to the forefront. With this in mind, we thought that it is about time we checked in.

For your information, we consolidate all posts about us in this one:

All about us

In short, it has been an exciting start to 2020 for us.

We have captured this beautiful wedding with more to be released in due course:

Euan & Asha

We have had the following features released during January & February with another one (exclusive content) lined up for release next month:

We have shot two new editorial shoots so far. One celebrates one year since a shoot we did at Fort Lytton. We teamed up with our friends at Emunah Events again and created some magic with a fun team of vendors. We are looking forward to sharing it soon! The other one, alongside an epic team of vendors including lovely Magnolia Studios, was a niche project; we’re pretty tight-lipped about that one and will share as soon as possible! <3

We have been working hard.

We have been chasing dreams.

We have been creating beautiful memories with outstanding vendors, clients & friends.

(The images below were taken during backpacking adventures around Belgium.)

Feel free to reach out - We would love to hear from you