I've been photographing Brooke for years — more than a dozen sessions now. Our first shoot was bodybuilding photos for her fitness journey, and since then, I've photographed her, Eddie, and her sister across portraits, a family session, and everything in between. So when she asked me to shoot their wedding, it wasn't a new relationship. It was just the next step.
The day started in the afternoon for me, with both sides getting ready at the family's farm near Rotorua. No one is rushing; they had the whole property to themselves. That kind of space sets the relaxed tone for a day.
Brooke and Eddie did a first look before the ceremony. it was emotional, and that's one of those moments where you just stay quiet, and let it happen. The ceremony itself was at 5:30, outdoors, with a small group of family and friends seated on the grass. They'd included a few Christian elements that reflected where they're at in their faith, which gave the whole thing a grounded, personal feel.
Eddie's family is Romanian, and while they didn't play it up, you could hear them switching between languages amongst themselves throughout the day, one of those details that made the wedding feel theirs distinctly. Brooke's side brought a crew of fitness and photography friends, which meant the energy stayed high from the ceremony right through to the dance floor. The guys threw Eddie in the air. The girls flexed for the camera. Cowboy hats came out at some point. A great day.
This is what I love about working with families over time. You don't just get one session. You get the whole story.
Tony
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