Photography by Petti Anastasi

One of my favourite photo opportunities was photographing  ”Jimbo” on his own. How handsome is he!!!!

Animal portraits are becoming more popular…

They say ” never work with animal’s or children….Every animal lover and owner should have an Art Portrait of their animal as part of their collection of images…..

His oner Rebecca & Tom Lois absolutely adore him - Can’t you tel!!!!

Sam and Debbie were married at the Greek Orthodox Church in Skelton street Hamilton, followed by a reception with 200 plus guests!!!!

Their day was perfect weather and one of their locations was utilising the grand old tree’s of Laman Street Newcastle where we had space for the Hummer’s which were their bridal cars.

Thanks to Corina an Michael from H2 Hunter Hummers for making the day run so smoothly and for all your co-operation.

Rebecca and Tom are being married mid August at beautiful Wandin Valley Estate in the Hunter Valley NSW infront of 80 family and friends.

What’s great about this pre-wedding shoot was Jimbo the dog was part of the day and the photographs are full of character!! It really show Rebecca and Tom’s fun style!!!

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A pre- wedding shoot is a fantastic way for you to get some images of the two of you in the lead up to your wedding day.

It also allows you to get a glimpse of how your photogreapher will work on your wedding day and to get to know your photographer…

Sam and Debbie are getting married at the end of August 2009 and had their pre-wedding shoot down in the Honeysuckle area in Newcastle NSW.

They have some stunning images of the two of them enjoying each others company!!

 What a busy start to 2009 Petti Anastasi had in regards to wedding photography portfolio’s and it doesn’t stop there…flying out to Fiji in June for a bit of R & R and to recharge the batteries Petti will have some time for a little personal photography and to maybe offer her services to as a photographer at The Sheraton Fiji and for any couple’s getting married…..

If you are planning a wedding for the Spring, summer 2009/2010 now is the time to get stuck into planning your big day! One of the most important things to book early is your wedding photography. Petti Anastasi says ” dates book fast especially the early and late part of the year so if you find that you like a photographer and their work, make sure you secure your booking with a deposit….”

Planning is crucial in getting who you want to photograph your big day. Especially in the Newcastle and Hunter Valley regions as their are loads of weddings that happen every weekend and if you are looking at having a photographer like Petti Anastasi who is a local Newcastle / Hunter Valley photographer who works on her own then booking in advance is a must!!!

On the 2nd May 2009 I was fortunate enough to photograph Natasha and Corey McHatton in the Hunter Valley Winery area…..we had perferct weather and we visited 5 different locations in the Pokolbin area.

Natasha and Corey were married at the Lovedale Wedding Chapel in front of their family and friends…from there they all moved onto Peterson’s Champagne House for the Reception.

I spent 1.5 hours photographing their location shoot and their images have come up absolutely amazing….we utilised Wilderness Road for this shot in particular and it is amongst my favourite’s!!!

Congratulations to Corey & Natasha!!

Every bride wants to look glamorous in her wedding photographs. A professional photogarpher knows how to place you to look your best and what sort of poses are more appealing!! But what gives brides that flawless look….well….Makeup!!!

Always have your wedding makeup applied heavier than what you would normally wear. The camera needs heavier makeup to be able to pick up definition of the cheeks and eyes. Your lips also need to have colour on them……the nude lips look which is popular only works in the right lighting situations. Weddings are bsutling events which happen in all different lighting so having makeup on and colour is always going to bring out the best in you.

Here is Kristy on the morning of her wedding….Kristy’s make-up was heavy and striking and the camera loved her. Kristy & Dan were married at Treachery in Seals Rocks in a beautiful ceremony out amongst the cabins at Treachery….

After 10 year’s in the business of photography and 450+ wedding’s later I (Petti Anastasi) know which images become couple’s favourite’s…..they are always the one’s which I shoot when the couple are taking no notice…..It is like I steal a moment out of the day!!! Really I like to think of my images as many moments from the day creating a story which lasts a lifetime!!

It is important for me to get to know my client’s before the wedding day….If the bride and groom are relaxed with me then their wedding images will show more intimacy and emotion. I always am prepared for the unexpected as that is when the couple let their guard down and that’s when I start shooting!!!!

5 Thing’s Petti Anastasi say’s you should remember on your wedding day to help create candid images:

• Always have a smile on your face ( even a half smile ). Be aware that you are being followed all day by a photogarpher and you can be captured at any moment.
• Allow yourself to forget that their is a photographer snapping away ( but like Petti say’s be aware!)
• Relax into your location shoot and go with the flow so to speak….do what come’s naturally to you.
• Interact with your partner and don’t be shy to show your feelings.
• Don’t always look at the photographer…..the best wedding images are always when the couple are looking away from the lense!

Selecting a photographer can be a daunting task. So many couple’s are confused as to whether to go with a big photographic studio with multiple photographers or whether to seek a professional photographer who works for themselves. Couples ask “what is the difference”….

Well - there are pro’s and con’s for both sides…..big photographic studio’s can offer you a photographer at short notice due to the amount of photographers they have on their books but you are taking a gamble as to what your wedding photographs will look like as it depends on the photographer who turns up on the day.  Some studio’s show you alot of great work from various photographers, but they will not guaruntee you will get the photographer whose work you like best.

A wedding photgrapher who works for themselves is more flexible with what they can offer you…..also, when you visit to view their work you know you are looking at wedding photographs they personally took not a collection which was taken for the studio.

It all depends on what you want from your wedding photographs. Big wedding studio’s also have high expenses and they struggle to offer wedding photography to couple’s who have a budget to stick to…….that’s where a professional who works of their own may suit you better.

At the end of the day the most important thing to remember is that most good wedding photographers and wedding studio’s will provide you with a stunning wedding photographs. Ask yourself is it important for me to know my photographer and deal with them personally. Do you as a couple want a photographer with a more intimate approach to your wedding day? Do I like that particular photographer’s work…..am I viewing  wedding photographs they have taken? A wedding photographer who works for themselves has a reputation to uphold and has to be consistent with their work so they will usually offer you a more personlised service and will always work a little harder to make sure that your wedding photographs will be glamorous!

One last thing…..As a working professional photographer, Newcastle photographer Petti Anastasi has a little tip!!…..” always look for a professional who is part of an industry group….Being part of the Australian Institute of Professoinal Photography ( AIPP )  assures you as the customer that you are dealing with a proffesional studio and with a photographer whose ethics and standards are watched…..”