Information :: Five Questions to Ask Before Booking Your Wedding Photographer

July 9, 2018 Emily McDonald

It can be challenging navigating the world of wedding planning - to say the least. This is especially true when you are looking for specialists in fields that are a) very often foreign to your own and b) over-saturated. At Poppy & Sage Photography, we try to make life a little easier for everyone; we would like to share some thoughts and tips on how to go about narrowing down the right photographer for you individually (we find that often one partner takes greater responsibility for aspects of planning, such as choosing a photographer) and as a couple, too, of course.

Choosing a photographer is a huge commitment. So many styles to navigate. Do you want documentary? Fine art? Edgy, bold, colourful? A great photographer will make an "average" wedding look stunning. A bad photographer will make a stunning wedding look average... or worse. More than that, though, some (definitely not all!) of the most popular wedding photographers do not necessarily have strong, well-composed, thoughtfully executed portfolios but have wonderful, easy-going personalities that make everyone feel comfortable and relaxed - an essential ingredient for the recipe of wedding photography you want to look back on for a lifetime. What if you want it all, though? Photographers who mesh well with your personalities and create images that you will treasure?

Here is a deductive process we recommend helping you to hopefully hit the jackpot:

1) Is this a business or a hobby?

One key indicator is whether the business has an ABN or not. Sometimes you will find this information on the business website and sometimes you need to ask for it. Another indicator is whether they have liability or not. (You will find details for both our ABN and liability on our FAQ page.) Having associated paperwork (such as the above) tells you that the owner(s) is invested & takes their business more seriously than a hobby (just one piece of the puzzle but a very important one).

While on the topic of paperwork, do they offer you a written contract? Very often clients think of the contract as having a sole purpose: to protect the business. However, the contract is there to protect you, too. The business is legally bound to follow through on their end of the bargain. Do they clearly articulate the deliverables to you (minimum number of total images? Or how many images will be delivered per hour? Or turnaround for said images? Et cetera...).

2) Does this business genuinely care about our needs & wants?

How would you even know? It can be almost standard to feel like a number in business and you are as time-poor as everyone else so where do you even start? Unfortunately, a lot of it has to do with gut feelings. For example: if you feel as though you are being rushed to close the sale and things are not progressing at your own rate, this can be a key indicator that you are simply $$$ to the business. Another example: we all have insecurities we want to be able to work around and angles we prefer to be avoided. If you don't feel comfortable discussing these kinds of details with your photographer, they are probably not the best fit for you.

However, there are some tangible indicators, too. For example, how happy are they to catch up and have a chat with you? A wedding photographer should have excellent communication skills; good listening is non-negotiable. You will only be able to determine this by having a chat. If your location is outside a reasonable travel zone, are they happy to jump on skype? Make time for you over the phone? There is not much point falling in love with a photographer's work but then not really getting each other in person. We welcome whatever form of communication you prefer, and we are very happy to meet in person within a 10 km radius of Brisbane CBD. We especially appreciate the opportunity as it breaks the ice. Furthermore, if you do choose to book with us, the wedding day itself will be so much more relaxed. We are another familiar and friendly face on the day. :)

Another key area to focus on is how well they get to know you and your wants and needs. We recently read through a comment thread on Facebook. One bride mentioned that her photographer took ~50 detail shots of her dress and that she did not particularly care for that many. We love a good detail shot (could easily take 50 ourselves!) but we wouldn't if we knew that was low priority for the couple concerned. For example, we provide our couples with a detailed questionnaire upon initial contact. We do this to get a feel for your priorities and vision. Completing the questionnaire gives us an insight into your style and taste, too. Frequently, the questionnaire is handed back to us with unanswered questions. This is totally fine, too! If the question is asking for an answer that is not a big deal for you, that is still valid information for us. We try to tailor our product to suit both of you as closely as we possibly can.

Tips for planning a wedding

3) Does the business interact with other related businesses or attend industry events, such as wedding fairs?

In other words, you're looking for social accountability. Is this business known to other businesses and do they seem to have some sort of rapport? The more you find a vendor sitting on the fringes of their industry, the more likely they are to be either complacent or unreliable... and sometimes both. We work with other businesses regularly. Feel free to check out our vendor’s portfolio here.

4) Do I LOVE the photographer's portfolio or am I just okay with it?

Lighting is key

Only you can answer this question satisfactorily. We all have strengths and weaknesses. We all have signature shots that we gravitate toward. We all have our own unique "eye" or bias or perspective. We all have our own secret editing sauce. It is so important that you find the portfolio that resonates with you. While you are going through the process of narrowing down a photographer, pick their portfolio apart. For example, if your wedding is in the middle of the day, you want to look for images shot in full sun. Do their indoor and outdoor images differ greatly? Perhaps their outdoor images are not that great, but your wedding is indoors in a cathedral, and they rock those particular shots in their portfolio?! Better yet, ask to see a full wedding and decide for yourself if they capture all the moments that matter to you and your significant other. (Below you will find a backyard wedding, a barn wedding, a garden wedding, a homestead wedding, a church wedding and a manor wedding - we love to work with the spectrum!)

A & F

You will find 100+ images below of our work under a range of different lighting/weather conditions (stay till the end for our favourite example under rainy conditions):

Night-time photography is a unique challenge: how about we start there? (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

We love colour and, during colour correction, we do not desaturate any colours. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.) — We **love** colour and, during colour correction, we do not desaturate any colours. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Indoor lighting is another unique challenge. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

A spectrum of colour at this beautiful Hamptons style wedding. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

More night-time. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

We love to chat all things lighting and timelines. Ultimately, we want to pick out the best times of the day for the parts that are important to you. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

This is our philosophy regarding wedding photography: we aim to capture an image in such a way that the subjects feel something for the rest of time. This is at the heart and soul of wedding photography. The image above was taken during speeches at … — This is our philosophy regarding wedding photography: we aim to capture an image in such a way that the subjects *feel* something for the rest of time. This is at the heart and soul of wedding photography. The image above was taken during speeches at Michael & Anne-Maree’s beautiful wedding. Whenever we look at it, it transports us to Anne-Maree’s daughter’s heartfelt speech welcoming Michael to the family. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

There are some moments that seem to sum up each wedding; Michael & Anne-Maree’s wedding embraced every member of their family - from the elderly to the babies - with the effortlessness that comes with years of selfless dedication and investment.… — There are some moments that seem to sum up each wedding; Michael & Anne-Maree’s wedding embraced every member of their family - from the elderly to the babies - with the effortlessness that comes with years of selfless dedication and investment. It was truly an honour to be on the sidelines of their wedding day. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Anne-Maree & Michael’s wedding. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

There are so many in-between moments and we keep our eye on those. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.) — There are so many in-between moments, and we keep our eye on those. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

We take plenty of standard composition shots but we do not overlook these unique moments along the way! (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.) — We take plenty of standard composition shots, but we do not overlook these unique moments along the way! (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Those moments after walking back down the aisle are chaotic - in the best kind of way and we live for them. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Some moments you cannot relive: Michael with his mum. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Anne-Maree with her dad. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

If you have chosen a lush green venue, we will not desaturate the greens; true-to-life is an important aspect of our brand. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

We enjoy doing our research on your venue and challenging ourselves to take some unique shots for you - ones that “work” but are different to the usual obvious angles. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

When the sun dips and we want some soft backlight, we can make it happen one way or another. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

We love an enchanting outdoor wedding. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Golden hour. The end. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

We don’t want any of your photographs from your wedding day to be ‘boring’ - including the reception ones. We will work with whatever light is available and create some magic. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Capturing the emotion at Greg & Claudine’s vow renewal. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

A cloudy afternoon across the road from the Brisbane Registry Office. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

**The Moment**. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Another example of working with available light at a wedding reception. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Another example of a non-boring reception shot. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

You do not have to have preparation/pre-ceremony shots if you do not want to - of course. However, if you do, we would be delighted to capture the pre-ceremony details - and emotions! (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

A cursory glance at our portfolio will let you know how much we love details. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Never work with children or animals? We missed that memo. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

We love unique framing that contribute to the story of your day. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Details, details, details. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

We will chase you (sometimes) to get the best angle! (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Funny moments that you cannot stage. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Out of the two of us, Pete takes the most beautiful non-facial emotive shots: one of his many fortes. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

If there is a bokeh opportunity, we’ll find (or make) it. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Portraits during peak-hour at popular landmarks and there are people everywhere? First you see them. Now you don’t. Feel free to check out the SOOC (straight out of camera) version of this image in this blog post. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photogra… — Portraits during peak-hour at popular landmarks and there are people everywhere? First you see them. Now you don’t. Feel free to check out the SOOC (straight out of camera) version of this image in this blog post. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Late-afternoon light. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Mid-morning light. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Reception lighting with fluorescent tubes. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Using trees to frame the subjects; every single property has endless possibilities. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

From a shoot shot between 1:30 and 3 during Brisbane spring. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Dramatic & stormy evening sky? No where else we would rather be. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Afternoon lighting; this series of images was shot from 2:30-6 pm. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

We worked in the rain during this shoot; we actually love rainy days as the cloud cover usually results in gorgeous soft, diffuse light. This black & white version highlights the rain droplets on the lens. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

From the same shoot as the image directly above. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Any chance to work with bokeh and we will take it. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Ensuring that your loved ones are valued and not overlooked is important to us. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Moments of pure unbridled joy? You can enjoy those for a lifetime. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

We enjoy working with you to maximise best lighting on the day. We had had some in-detail lighting discussions with this beautiful couple during the lead-up to their wedding and it all came together on their day. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photograp… — We enjoy working with you to maximise best lighting on the day. We had had some in-detail lighting discussions with this beautiful couple during the lead-up to their wedding and it all came together on their day. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Same lighting as above but different perspective. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

If you have taken the time to choose the details for your day, we enjoy taking the time to make sure that they are captured beautifully. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Ceremony Room 1, Brisbane Registry Office. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Mid-afternoon spring wedding. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

This one was taken outdoors in a fern garden. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Taken at dust… I mean, dusk! Well, a bit of both actually. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Outdoor shoot. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

We love playing with light, of course! (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

This image was taken outdoors. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Same object as shown above but photographed indoors with no natural light. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

In a temple (Kerala, India). (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Late afternoon sunlight on a mostly overcast day. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Having fun with chandelier lighting. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

We can honestly say that we have fun at work! (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Outdoors in afternoon sun. We love embracing colour in our processing. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Catching the last rays of sun for the day. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Dark enough for the sparklers to pop. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

From the same shoot as above but outdoors between 10 & 12. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.) — We are all about a clean, crisp edit: one that is not too warm and not too cool but true-to-life. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Reception shots can be a bit of a differentiator between photographers. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Another example from working with animals. :) We love it when we see pets involved, too! (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

One question that has popped up in client consultations is, “Can you capture the greenery outside of our reception venue from the inside?” Yes, we can. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.) — One specific question that has popped up in client consultations is, “Can you capture the greenery outside of our reception venue from the inside?” Yes, we can. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Yes, we mean it when we say that receptions do not have to be flat - or boring. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Cathedral lighting. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

That afternoon light. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Making fairy lights dance. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Working with the afternoon light. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Also in hospital; not usually known for the best photography-friendly lighting. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

In hospital; not usually known for the best photography-friendly lighting. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Understanding lighting is crucial. (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

Finally, beautiful Hannah embracing rainy weather. Honestly, any weather can look amazing when you have the right spirit about it! | — Finally, beautiful Hannah embracing rainy weather. Honestly, any weather can look amazing when you have the right spirit about it! (Image by Poppy & Sage Photography.)

5) Does this business support a cause bigger than themselves?

People seem to be much savvier these days when it comes to choosing a business to support. We all want to be part of something that makes a positive difference. Something that makes this world a better place to be in. The reality is this: the fact that we all need to put food on the table for our families and pay our bills is not necessarily reason enough to support a business. However, when you see a business doing their bit to not only support themselves but contribute to society as well, it is so much easier to get behind that. Find one that supports a cause you care about, too. That's our personal challenge for you! :)

When you are booking, feel free to check with us if we are supporting a local organisation at that time. We regularly run campaigns supporting local charity organisations. You will find information for them during that period. If we are supporting at the time you book, we will pass on their specific details and we will donate 10% of the total amount of money you spend on our service.

All the best for your search and may it be as smooth as possible!

Meet Wedding Celebrant, Fiona!

June 11, 2018 Emily McDonald

Happy Monday! Hope everyone has had a manageable weekend. Today you will meet Fiona, a wedding celebrant based in Brisbane. We recently did a shoot with Fiona, and we really enjoyed the experience. We found her approachable and professional. It was a tedious shoot (long list of shots we were aiming for), and Fiona came in at a time when everyone was hungry and a bit scrappy. She pulled the situation together effortlessly and with a good dose of humour. We have a feeling Fiona might have seen it all and can certainly handle any situation.

"Tell us about yourself"
My name is Fiona McIntyre and I’m a Brisbane wedding celebrant. I’ve been marrying people for 4 years now and love that I get to be part of people’s biggest life moment. When I’m not marrying, I work in my other business doing social media and website design, and try to juggle raising a 6-month-old and 4-year-old who both have red hair!

Fiona McIntyre Brisbane Wedding Celebrant

"Why did you choose to become a celebrant?"
It had been a dream of mine for 10 years before I finally did it. It was a thought that would constantly pop in and out of my head, so when my daughter was 5 months old, I decided in a split second it needed to be now! I enrolled in my course and performed my first ceremony 3 months later. Part of my reason was wanting to show her that you should always reach for your dreams, no matter how hard they may seem.

"Who in celebrancy inspires you?"
My fellow celebrants. We work together on the belief that we’re a community, not competition. We constantly learn from each other and that makes us better. This means I can offer my couples new ideas and approaches to ensure I deliver them the ceremony they’ve always dreamt of.

"Any misconceptions about your industry that you would like to dispel?"
People often question the price of a celebrant because they think we just turn up and deliver a 30-minute ceremony. They don’t realise the amount of work that’s gone on behind the scenes to deliver those 30 minutes. I do research, meetings, interviewing, writing, drafting, rehearsals, travel and, of course, the ceremony. On top of that, celebrants also have to attend annual professional development to ensure we stay on our game. No celebrant turns up and just wings it on the day – a lot of time and preparation has gone into making those 30 minutes spectacular.

"Do you have any tips for those of us who aren't experts?"
Your wedding ceremony should be all about you. People want to hear the story of how you met, fell in love and came to be standing there together. The past is so important to creating a future together. It can be fun, light-hearted and engaging. The wedding ceremony sets the tone for the whole day so have fun with it. No one wants to sit through a boring ceremony!

"Why should couples choose you for their big day?"
I’m passionate about working with couples to identify what makes them unique. That way, I can deliver their perfect ceremony. I take the time to get to know my couples, explain their options, and work with them to craft a personal ceremony. I also believe in making the process fun and stress-free, so guarantee lots of laughs along the way!

"How do you set yourself apart from competitors?"
I invest a lot of time with my couples depending on their individual needs. I provide a ceremony planning guide to really help couples understand their options and think about what they want to include. I don’t limit numbers of meetings or phone calls because I think the ceremony is so important, couples should feel supported through the whole process. I also bring nearly 20 years’ experience as a professional writer, event manager and presenter so my couples are guaranteed a professional ceremony.

"What is the best advice you ever received?"
Give a man a chance to say no – if you never ask the question, you’ll never know the answer.

"What surprising lessons have you learned along the way?"
Each couple is so different. There are common themes among ceremonies but being able to create a new ceremony every time is something I truly love!

"How do you balance work and family demands?"
I thrive on being busy. Running two businesses and working part-time means my life is crazy! I’m lucky to have a really supportive husband and the ability to live on very little sleep!

Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/fiona_mcintyre_celebrant/

Meet Homewares, Stationery & Giftware Designer, Sophie!

June 4, 2018 Emily McDonald

You will meet the lovely Sophie from Sophia Mulheran Designs today! We recently undertook a project with Sophie that we can't wait to share in the coming months. It was a delight to work with her and we can vouch for the wow factor her products bring. We have enjoyed getting to know the Sophia Mulheran Design brand for a couple of reasons in particular. At a business level, we enjoy supporting local businesses and you will find the Sophia Mulheran Designs brand based here in Brisbane, Australia. On a personal level, Pete has a science degree with an environmental major & Em has honours in environmental microbiology; the Sophia Mulheran Designs brand is passionate about sustainable and ethical business practices, so this (environmentally conscious) aspect resonates with us. We recently noticed on Sophie's Instagram that the team have picked up 10,479 pieces of rubbish so far this year! What an amazing effort! I am sure you would be keen to hear more of the stories behind Sophie's business so I will now hand it over to Sophia to speak for herself:

"Tell us about yourself”

I’m a creative and passionate Brisbanite who is working towards the most sustainable and ethical lifestyle and business. I love drawing so to essentially be able to do it as a job (as well as creating other awesome things) is an absolute dream come true!

"Why did you choose to design homewares, stationery and giftware?”

I’ve always wanted to make a positive difference to our environment and community so when I formulated the idea to turn my passions into a career, I stopped at nothing to get the business up and running. The Sophia. Brand launched in August 2017 and since then, it’s been nothing but a success. I have learnt so much and met so many beautiful and inspiring people.

Sophia Mulheran Designs Brisbane Artist Homewares Stationery Giftware

"How did your interest in design and creativity start?”

I grew up on an acreage property, so I was constantly building, exploring, creating and running free. This has shaped me into the person I am today and has armed me with an intense passion for the environment and everything creative.

"Who in business inspires you?”

There’s too many to count!! I’m inspired by anyone and everyone who has the courage to take the leap of faith and follow their dreams. It’s inspiring to see so many people who have made the decision to quit their day jobs and set out to do exactly what they were born to do.

"Any misconceptions about your industry that you would like to dispel?”

Most people think that I sit down and carefully plan out every tiny detail of my designs, but the truth is that I create all my designs on the spot, and I never know how they are going to turn out.

"Do you have any tips for those of us who aren't experts?”

I know there’s people out there who think they don’t have a creative bone in their body but the truth is that my drawings used to be messy and nothing of great quality. It was only the other day that I found a few drawings that I created not long before I launched my business. If I was still creating those dodgy designs, my business would be an absolute flop! Keep exploring different aspects and don’t forget that nearly anything can be considered art!

"Why should couples choose you for their big day?”

When it comes to weddings, I have a few unique things to offer. The first being custom-designed wedding invitations and menus to suit your flowers, style and wedding layout. I’ve also introduced wedding hire items. These include my hand-crafted copper bowls and plates, which bring a striking colour and texture to the wedding dining

"How do you set yourself apart from competitors?”

I pride myself on being unique and creating things that people have never seen before. What's the point of following the trend when you can create your own?

"What is the best advice you ever received?”

I’ve received lots of awesome advice over the years but one thing I always tell myself is that if you keep going and never give up, you will succeed. Work hard, keep your head down and you’ll get there in the end!

"What surprising lessons have you learned along the way?”

Who knew there was so much to learn about running a business? I thought I’d done the majority of the work when I launched the business, but the truth is that there are always improvements to make. Business is a journey too!

"How do you balance work and family demands?”

I’m definitely guilty of working for 5am until 10pm without so much as a break. I have way too many ideas that I want to follow through on so at this point in time, work never really stops for me. I might find a balance one day!

"Anything else you would like to add?”

If you’d like to follow my sustainable and ethical business journey, feel free to check out my website and social media pages:

Website: http://www.sophiamulheran.com

Meet Custom-Cut Designers, Josh & Suzanne!

May 28, 2018 Emily McDonald

We are thrilled to introduce you to a lovely husband-wife team of custom-cut designers - Josh & Suzanne from Molossi Designs! We have worked with them on a couple of projects to date. They are always so pleasant to email back and forth with and they consistently bring quality, stunning pieces to the table. This is their story as told by Josh & Suzanne:

Molossi Custom Cut Designs Wedding Australia Cake Topper

"Tell us about yourself"
We are a husband-and-wife team with 6 children that keep us on our toes! We recently made a ‘tree’ change from the city, which has given us more freedom and time in life! Best decision we ever made… This decision has also given us more direction with the business to see it grow.

"Why did you choose custom-cut designs as your chosen field?"
The creative desire and a WOW product!

"How did your interest in custom-cut designs start?"
Originally in the papercraft industry, we purchased our first laser to allow us to create our ‘own’ product – our own chipboard line. When we tapped into the MDF and acrylic designs, the papercraft side closed down as the demand for our products in the event industry grew. Three years later, we purchased our second machine. Two years after that, our third machine. We have grown with the industry.

"Who in custom-cut designs inspires you?"
Everyone from the bride that contacts us the week before her wedding (lol it does happen – and that’s cool with us as we manage it!) to the event planner, the venues, the GROOMS (yup - grooms, too!) to the photographers that capture it all. There is not one person that doesn’t inspire us.

"Do you have any tips for those of us who aren't experts?"
The key is to capture the spirit of the client and the essence in life. And outsource what you can!

"Why should couples choose you for their big day?"
We are asked this weekly – and our answer: at Molossi it is quality over quantity here!

"How do you set yourself apart from competitors?"
We will work with you to create what your heart desires. We are a big believer in “you are your only limit”.

"What is the best advice you ever received?"
The Five Ups:
‘Get up, dress up, show up, keep your head up, and never give up’.

"What surprising lessons have you learned along the way?"
Never be afraid to ask!

"What does a day in the life of Molossi look like?"
Our days consist of designing orders to cutting, perfecting and packing. We deal with some amazing vendors, but my favourite part is opening messages filled with love and images of our products in use!

"Anything else you would like to add?"
The Molossi team are your go-to manufacturer, retailer and wholesaler of custom-made and personalised MDF, wooden and acrylic designs. Whilst personalised MDF wooden signs and acrylic cake toppers are just the beginning of Molossi’s product range, we are always ready to assist when a client brings a design to us; Molossi will help recreate the desired product in mind to the best of our ability, whether it be for that unique wedding/event piece, business logo or home decor, we will work with you to create what your heart desires.

Molossi is situated in New South Wales, with our warehouse located at Mandagery. Even though we are Australian based, we do ship internationally. Please contact us at info@molossi.com.au for a freight quote.

Shop with confidence at Molossi and rest assured that we will strive to do what is best by our clients. This is not a job for us - it is our passion!!

You will find Molossi's details here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/molossidesigns/
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/Molossi
Email: info@molossi.com.au

Meet Photographers, Peter & Emily!

February 12, 2018 Emily McDonald

Meet us - Peter & Emily McDonald, the faces and personalities behind Poppy & Sage Photography! One of our goals for 2018 is to share more of our stories. Our ideas. Our priorities. Our goals. All the things that make us tick.

All About Us Posts Are Consolidated Here

Tell us about yourself:

We are Peter & Emily, better known as Pete & Em. Pete is an engineer (BEngHons1/BSc). Pete works in Brisbane CBD and specialises in the water industry. Em is a researcher/policy officer with postgraduate knowledge in policy & governance, domestic & family violence responses, and research. Em has studied at and/or worked for the Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland Eye Institute, Translational Research Institute, and Red Cross Blood Service. However, our proudest achievement and greatest privilege to date is being Dad & Mum to our little girl, Chloe. (All wedding images below were taken by Lady Jayde Photography at Abbey of the Roses, Warwick.)

Why did you choose to become photographers?:

(Emily) For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to photography. As soon as I could afford a camera, I made it a priority. It certainly wasn't a very good one, but it allowed me to express myself and grow. As I saved up more, I purchased a better camera and continued to stretch myself. I dabbled with photoshop and lightroom. I played around with vignettes and mattes and saturated colours. As I experimented, my editing style matured, and I discovered that simple and true-to-reality meets the timeless brief I wanted to achieve. Friends started asking us to capture their events and moments. Poppy & Sage Photography grew organically from these humble beginnings. In some ways, I guess you could say that we fell into the business. In other ways, we have been systematically (but unwittingly) taking steps in this direction over many years.

(Peter) Because I love my wifey.

How did your interest in photography start?:

(Emily) My father is an Art/English high school teacher. I grew up surrounded by literature and art (and National Geographic magazines). One of my passions is travel. My first overseas trip was to Fiji in 2009. I hardly put my camera down for the two weeks I was there. I didn't want to miss a single opportunity to record my travel memories. From there, I undertook more adventures both at home and overseas. Each trip has reinforced how much I enjoy being behind the camera recording the moments that I never want to forget. My interest evolved into a passion. I wanted to be able to provide clients with something tangible so that those fleeting moments become unforgettable memories for them, too.

Still Em's favourite image from the trip (Fiji, 2009)

(Peter) My wifey.

Pete on the hunt for food so spicy he could not eat it... he is still looking (Bengaluru, India, in 2014)

Who inspires you in photography?:

(Emily) I adore Jose Villa’s work. Jose is so well established that his dreamy, thoughtfully composed work speaks for itself. Another significant influence has been KT Merry.

(Peter) My wifey.

Any misconceptions you would like to clear up?:

(Emily) There is a common assumption that if you have a camera, you can take pictures for free (or close to). It's just a camera, right? There are many associated costs with photography. Camera bodies. Different lenses for different purposes (macro, portrait, landscape, to name a few). Travel expenses. Continuing education. Legal paperwork. Software licences. Website host. Website build. Memory cards. Hard drives. Flashes. Batteries. Computer. Insurance. Registration. Marketing. Advertising. Accounting. Tax. And, of course, time. Planning. Emailing. Culling. Emailing. Editing. Emailing. (And this list is not even extensive!)

(Peter) You can pay for wedding photography cheaply. Any person can use money to purchase good equipment, claim to be a remarkable photographer, and just rock up on the day and take photos. Such people may even boast that their work is so good that it doesn't need editing. If you were preparing to drive through the arid inland of Australia where fuel stations and mechanics are few and far between and even to places where most telco companies don't get reception and any mechanical issue with your car could be certain death, would you let your car be serviced by someone down the road who thinks that they can do the job? Or would you get your car serviced with someone who specialises in equipping and servicing your vehicle for Australian outback conditions? Exactly.

Any tips you would be happy to share?:

(Emily) We actually love to help out with your shoot wardrobe. This is not an inconvenience for us at all. We know what colours shoot well. We know what patterns clash. We don't want to take over (it's not about us, after all) - we just enjoy helping to direct or be a sounding board for ideas. Feel free to message us with concepts or pictures. We have also set up a Pinterest board with some suggestions (here).

(Peter) We recommend two photographers for your big day. While it is true to a degree that you can get the job done with one photographer, you can cover so much more territory on the day with two. You also have the ability to capture the unfolding moments from different angles. Different perspectives. Different heights even (6' 5"!). I liken it to composing a nature documentary. If you just send one person with a camouflage tent and a telephoto lens to get all the material you need for a series, you will be there for months - perhaps even several seasons. However, if you send a team with the appropriate equipment, you will be able to capture all of the spring, new cub material you need within a much shorter period of time and you won't risk missing those unrepeatable moments.

Why should couples choose you for their big day?:

(Emily) We get that your wedding day cannot be replayed in real life ever again. That unique magic cannot be recreated. We only get one chance to get it right. We want to deliver a product that you will want to look over in a nursing home one day. One that tells the story of your day. The story that makes you as a couple valued and important.

(Peter) Poppy & Sage Photography sets itself apart by ensuring that each client we take on board experiences what working with a photographer should feel like and receives a premium product to look back on for the rest of your lives. How does Poppy & Sage Photography ensure that this promise is delivered? We cap the number of wedding clients we take on each year. This is really important to us, and we believe it is reflected in the quality of our work. We have more time to plan everything with you. We have more time to learn about your priorities. We have more time to get the resulting product tailored to suit you.

How do you set yourself apart?:

(Emily) We limit the total number of weddings we shoot per year. We cap it at 30. You cannot pay us more to be number 31. Even if it's our dream wedding in a dream location with a dream couple. Why? We want to ensure that every couple we work with has our time and full attention. Guaranteed. We value old-fashioned service and quality. We want to be available in the lead-up to get to know both of you and the things that are important to you as a couple and your story. We want to hear the details. We will actually stop and listen. We are happy to meet up for chai latte or coffee. If you prefer text messages or emails or skype, we certainly accommodate. The last thing we want you to feel like is an inconvenience. Working with Poppy & Sage Photography is a bespoke experience tailored to suit you as no two couples are the same.

(Peter) Your long-term memories will be, to a large degree, determined by the quality or otherwise of the images. When we were on the market for a wedding photographer, the tedious process of searching for the right fit made it clear to us that it's a very mixed bag. You really do get what you pay for; if you want white balance inconsistency, Dutch angles and soft focus, you can easily find someone to do the job. The stronger the portfolio, the exponentially harder the photographer was to find - or from our experience, anyway. We were (and still are) thrilled with our wedding album. If you are looking for quality and consistency and a photojournalistic approach, we are here to deliver. We would love to share the same satisfaction and enjoyment we get from our own wedding album with you and your loved ones.

You will find our Instagram here: www.instagram.com/poppyandsagephotography/. You can book us through admin (at) poppyandsagephotography.com.au or SMS/call on 0424263106.

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