Blog
- Category: Weddings
10 reasons to choose a Winter Wedding
So you just got engaged - cue WOOHOO! CONGRATULATIONS, excitement and elation!
What now?
You've got some big decisions to make about when, where, who and how?
Most couples start by thinking about a summer wedding. But think outside the square and ask 'is a summer wedding right for you?' Take a fresh look. Any of these reasons below could lead you to just what you're looking for. You might surprise yourself!
1. All that White Fluffy Stuff - Yes Snow!
That lovely fluffy white stuff that makes us all playful and happy and feel like kids again. There's nothing like a wedding in the snow.
Everyone has fun.
And you get to wear boots, fur shawl, bright colours and all those wonderful dazzling warm winter things.
You'd be amazed at what Queenstown and Wanaka Wedding Hire can offer you to keep you snug and warm and stylish. 
GET INFO & PRICES FOR WINTER WEDDINGS
2. A lot more of your special people might be more available to attend in Winter
In summer there's Christmas, school holidays, pressure to get work done before you go on holiday and lots of other weddings!
You may find that some (or a lot) of your special people have other commitments and find it hard to get to your big day in summer.
Whereas in Winter they don't have the same pressures. A Winter Wedding is a novelty and your guests are delighted to combine your wedding with a ski trip or mid winter get away.
GET INFO & PRICES FOR WINTER WEDDINGS
3. Your Pick of Wedding Venues & Vendors
Did I say everyone wants a summer wedding?
You'll be amazed how quickly popular wedding venues, photographers, celebrants and caterers get booked up. Especially for the 8 - 10 key Saturdays in summer. I can usually book the middle Saturday in January out several times over!
Unless you're booking 18 months to 2 years ahead you may have to ring around lots of venues, photographers, celebrants and caterers and go back and forth many time to line them up on the same day.
Try booking a Winter wedding. It's much easier to get your choice of venue, photographer, celebrant and caterer. 
GET PRICES FOR WINTER WEDDINGS
4. Winter Weddings can be done on short notice
Whereas the average lead time for summer weddings can be 12 - 24 months, you can often organise and book your Winter Wedding within a couple of months or even a few weeks.
I've even booked Winter Weddings within 4 weeks! 
GET PRICES FOR WINTER WEDDINGS
5. Crowds - what crowds?
Unless you plan to get married on the ski slopes (unlikely) you won't be bumping into lots of other wedding parties having their photos taken by the lake and on the favourite mountain spots.
And except for school holidays you can not only get easier bookings for accommodation but might even get a winter special! 
GET PRICES FOR WINTER WEDDINGS
6. Ideal for Elopements & smaller, low key, 2nd time & relaxed weddings
Does the idea of a big wedding freak you or your partner out? All that planning, all that money, all those speeches in front of loads of people?
Well you're not alone. You'd be amazed how many people feel the same.
Winter and Spring Weddings are ideal for special intimate weddings.
The expectations are often different for Winter Weddings, both from you and your guests.
Why not make it an intimate affair, with just a few close family and friends? You'll actually be able to talk to all of them.
GET PRICES FOR WINTER WEDDINGS
7. Don't think it would be special without 80 people there?
Winter weddings can be large or small.
Don't get me wrong. I love a big wedding - they're exciting, fun and wonderful to have everyone there.
But they're also a lot of work and not for everyone.
If you're thinking about a smaller wedding a Winter Wedding can be ideal. Let's face it - if you want to 'go remote' or fly away to a mountain top to get married in the snow you can't take 80 people with you. 
GET PRICES FOR WINTER WEDDINGS
8. Fly Away Weddings
Winter is the perfect time to Fly Away in a helicopter to a stunning, remote mountain location. No one else there, no noise, no onlookers, no traffic, just nature and you.
I offer Fly Away Wedding Elopement packages for 2 - 18 people including helicopter, photography, celebrant and bubbles
GET PRICES FOR FLY AWAY WEDDINGS
9. Stunning Photos
The light is different in winter to summer. It's crisp and clear. None of that heat haze that you get in summer. So, on a beaut winter day your photos come out fresh, crisp and clear with sparkling colours.
GET PRICES FOR WINTER WEDDINGS
10. Starry Night Photo
OK so you may not have thought of this but you're talking to a photographer here! If you want a romantic starry night sky wedding photo not only are your chances of a clear sky higher in winter than in summer but you also also don't need to wait until midnight to get it! We can head out at 6 or 7pm and the stars are up and shining brightly.
GET PRICES FOR WINTER WEDDINGS
11. Bonus reason... Oh! and did I mention fun? 
12. Extra bonus reason... It's not too late for this Winter and in good time for next Winter
GET PRICES FOR WINTER WEDDINGS
Spring Weddings
A lot of the benefits of Winter Weddings also apply to early Spring Weddings, particularly up to around mid October.
And of course in Spring you've still got snow and stunning spring blossom. 
GET PRICES FOR SPRING WEDDINGS
Got a question about Winter or early Spring Weddings?
Get info & prices for Winter and Spring Weddings?
Please fill in the form below with what you're interested in and I'll be in touch....
- Category: Photography Workshops
Everyone's a Photographer until Manual!
Photography Workshop Weekend
Saturday 20 August 2022 (Level 1) 10am – 5pm
and /or
Sunday 21 August 2022 (Level 2) 10am – 5pm
Bannockburn, Central Otago
Attend the weekend or one 1 day
Scroll for contents
With pro photographer, Celia Walmsley
DO YOU?
Own a fancy camera but don't use it?
Want to take stunning photos of your kids, artistic portraits, dramatic landscapes, distant wildlife?
Use your phone because you can't use your camera yet?
Only use your camera in Auto?
Want to get pin-sharp focus & blurred backgrounds?
Then this Photography Workshop is for you!
THIS WORKSHOP IS ABOUT
Stepping up your photography
Using your camera's semi-auto & manual controls to create stunning images
Let’s get that camera out and get you humming!
After all Everyone's a Photographer until Manual!
WHO THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR
Beginner & intermediate photography enthusiasts
People with a DSLR, mirrorless or camera with manual controls
NB: This workshop is not about cell phone cameras or cameras with no manual features
WORKSHOP INVESTMENT
$295 per person for the 2-day weekend workshop (Level 1 & 2)
or $160 per person per day
(Yes student discount available)
Register through Lil Regie secure ticketing portal below
SMALL GOUP LEARNING SO BOOK EARLY
WHAT YOU'LL ACHIEVE
Get your camera out of auto
Use your camera's manual creative tools
Create more powerful images
Learn instant tricks that the pros use
An immediate change in the quality and impact of your images
You, rather than your camera, will create the story
WHAT WE COVER Sat 20 August 22 - Level 1
- Semi auto controls on your camera
- Light, light, light
- ISO settings - how much light do you need
- Aperture Priority settings - most useful setting on your camera
- How to create focus on your subject & blurred backgrounds
- Tricks for when you're in a hurry and need to get the photo quick!
- Time Priority settings - 2nd most useful setting
- How to freeze action & create blurred movement
- Practical hands-on exercises
- Depth of field - deciding what the story is about
- Getting pin sharp focus
- Composition & rule of thirds
- Analysing photographs to understand light and controls used
- Review
WHAT WE COVER Sun 21 August 22 - Level 2
- Manual settings
- Tips for different genre using manual settings to create stunning photos e.g.
portrait, landscape, sport, movement, family, events, indoors, night sky, street, flora & fauna - Photo critiques - give, receive & use feedback
- Focus and focal points - getting pin-sharp focus
- Lenses - what to use & when focal
- Flash - natural, no red eye, glare or shadows
- Demo of editing - for up coming Editing workshop.
Note: to attend Level 2 on Sun 21 August you need to have attended Level 1 or have a good understanding of ISO, Aperture & Time Priority settings on your camera
“This workshop was the confidence booster I needed to take my photography skill to the next level.
The skills I learned today will help me at work and at home”.
Brad (participant)
YOU RECEIVE
Full-day (6.5 hour) workshop each day
Practical exercises
Comprehensive workbook(s)
Experienced tuition from professional photographer, Celia Walmsley
Learning in a small group (usually 8-10 people)
Personal attention
Loads of fun and laughs
"If you love taking photos but you don't quite know what you're doing this is the workshop for you.
Thank you for a great day and lot's of fun :-)"
Mandy (participant)
Hi I'm Celia
I'm a full time professional photographer specialising in dance, performing arts, portraiture, weddings, headshots and branding - all about people.
I come from a family of professional photographers and have photographed all my life. I'm honoured to have photographed many of the worlds greats dance companies and am one of the approved photographers for the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
I have a Master of Fine Arts and my artwork centres on collaborations with dancers and choreographers and the relationship between still and moving images.
My work is represented by the Eade Gallery in Clyde and I exhibit at the Across the Bridge Arts Festival exhibition each year.
See more of my work at www.stagebox.co.nz
WHAT TO BRING
- Your camera, lenses, batteries and cards (check your batteries are charged)
- Your camera’s MANUAL. If you can’t find it you can download it from the internet before the workshop
- Flash if you have one
- Laptop and cable, if you have one
- A means of downloading your photos to laptop or tablet e.g. cable, blu tooth or card reader
- A couple of examples of your own favourite photographs. These can be on your phone, other device or on paper. It doesn’t matter how recent or old they are
- A couple of examples of photographs that you have not taken but that you aspire to, by your favourite photographers or unknown
- Pen and paper
- Lunch
- Jacket & sun block (in summer months) as we will also work outside, weather permitting
LUNCH
We will take a half hour break for lunch – PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH.
This saves time for more practice and means you can cater for your dietary requirements.
Tea, coffee, water and cookies provided.
“Really worth the time especially if you have a camera that you aren’t taking advantage of.
You’ll discover a new world to explore”.
Ash (participant)
QUESTIONS?
What about NZ Government Covid Alert Level
In the event of a change in NZ government COVID alert levels, where the workshop is not able to go ahead as planned, an alternative date will be arranged. If you are unable to make the alternative date a full refund would be given.
What about social distancing and masks?
The Hall is big and the group is small so there is plenty of room. We will also work outside. If there are active cases in the area at the time of the workshop I recommend that we all wear masks inside or when working close together. The venue is booked for exclusive use so it is not mandatory but we will make the decision about mask wearing based on circumstances at the time.
What if I get Covid at the time of the workshop?
If you show symptoms or test positive for Covid 19 or flu or any other similar nasty please do not attend the workshop. Please contact me directly and we can arrange to transfer your registration to the next appropriate workshop.
Do I get a workbook?
Yes you receive a comprehensive workbook with information and exercises to complete through the workshop
Not sure if this is for you?
Please call or text me on 021 583 124 and we can chat
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
VENUE
The workshop will be held at the spacious Coronation Hall, Hall Road, Bannockburn, Central Otago 9384
Bannockburn is 5 mins drive from Cromwell, 50 mins drive from Wanaka and Queenstown. Full details on registration.
- Category: Photography Workshops
Everyone's a Photographer until Manual!
LANDSCAPE Photography Workshop Weekend
Sat 10 Sept 2022 - 12pm to 6.30pm
and
Sun 11 Sept 2022 - 7am – 2.30pm
Bannockburn, Central Otago
Weekend Workshop
Scroll for contents
With pro photographer, Celia Walmsley
DO YOU?
Seem to take the same landscape photos again and again?
Want to know how to make your landscapes more memorable and dramatic?
Want to move your Landscape photography up a level or 2?
Want to create share worthy, wall worthy art work?
Then this Landscape Photography Workshop is for you!
THIS WEEKEND WORKSHOP IS ABOUT
Stepping up your Landscape photography
Creating dramatic Landscape images you're proud of
Editing your landscape photos to make them pop
So that you are proud to share your images and put them on the wall!
After all Everyone's a Photographer until Manual!
"If you love taking photos but you don't quite know what you're doing this is the workshop for you.
Thank you for a great day and lot's of fun :-)"
Mandy (participant)
WORKSHOP INVESTMENT
$295 per person for the 2-day weekend workshop
(Yes student discount available)
Register through Lil Regie secure ticketing portal below
SMALL GOUP LEARNING SO BOOK EARLY
LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY WEEKEND
This is a combo of class learning and field trip over the weekend
Saturday 12pm to 6.30 (or 7pm)
- We start in the afternoon at the Bannockburn Hall with examining landscape photos, learning technique and tips for landscape photography
- We practice settings, composition and other key tips
- We then head out in the afternoon to a couple of magnificent locations such as the Sluicings to catch the afternoon light and golden hour (1 hour before sunset) to create images. Sunset 6.23pm
Sunday 7am to 2.30pm
- We start early in the morning at a stunning location ready to catch the sunrise and morning light. Sunrise 7am.
- We return to the Hall to review your photos from both days
- Review all that you've learnt
- Then you choose your favourite image of the weekend and we practice editing your photos to really make them pop!
What We Cover
- composition - the golden rules and how to break them
- crop & framing
- light - what makes your landscapes eye catching
- camera settings - using semi auto and manual controls
- creating the focal point & leading lines
- what makes a landscape image stand out from the rest
- contrast - putting punch in your images
- lenses & gear for landscape photography
- dealing with challenging situations
- creative landscape photography tips
- practice through field trips to different locations in different lights
- Editing your favourite landscape of the weekend
LANDSCAPE WORKSHOP - WHO IS IT FOR
Beyond-beginner and intermediate photography enthusiasts with a DSLR, mirrorless camera or camera with manual & semi auto controls who want to take their photography up a level
Those who have attended the Everyone's a Photographer Level 1 & 2 workshops
Photography enthusiasts who can use their camera in semi auto (Aperture Priority & Shutter Priority) or manual mode
NB: This workshop is not about cell phone photos or cameras with no manual features
LANDSCAPE WORKSHOP - TIME
Saturday 12pm to 6.30 or 7pm to catch the golden hour before sunset (6.23pm)
Sunday 7am to 2.30pm to catch the blue hour after sunrise (7am)
with half hour break for lunch and some travel time to locations
This is a full weekend workshop
COST
$295 per person for weekend
LANDSCAPE WORKSHOP - WHAT YOU'LL ACHIEVE
- Move your landscape photography up a level or 2!
- A boost in confidence in your photography
- Eye catching landscapes you'll be proud of
- Photos you'll want to share and and put on the wall
“This workshop was the confidence booster I needed to take my photography skill to the next level.
The skills I learned today will help me at work and at home”.
Brad (participant)
YOU RECEIVE
Full-2 day weekend workshop
Practical exercises
Comprehensive workbook
Experienced tuition from professional photographer, Celia Walmsley
Learning in a small group (usually 8-10 people)
Personal attention
Loads of fun and laughs
Hi I'm Celia
I'm a full time professional photographer specialising in dance, performing arts, portraiture, weddings, headshots and branding - all about people.
I come from a family of professional photographers and have photographed all my life. I'm honoured to have photographed many of the worlds greats dance companies and am one of the approved photographers for the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
I have a Master of Fine Arts and my artwork centres on collaborations with dancers and choreographers and the relationship between still and moving images.
My work is represented by the Eade Gallery in Clyde and I exhibit at the Across the Bridge Arts Festival exhibition each year.
See more of my work at www.stagebox.co.nz
WHAT TO BRING TO LANDSCAPE WORKSHOP
- Your camera, lenses, batteries and cards (check your batteries are charged)
- Tripod if you have one
- Cable, blu tooth or card reader to download your photos
- Your camera’s MANUAL. If you can’t find it, download it from the internet
- Examples of your favourite landscape photographs (on phone, device or print)
- Pen and paper
-
- Warm jacket, gloves, boots, scarf, hat, weather proof bag for camera as we will work outside
- Warm jacket, gloves, boots, scarf, hat, weather proof bag for camera as we will work outside
- Laptop or tablet with your choice of photo editing software e.g. trial version of Lightroom and Photoshop or any free editing software of your choice
- If you have no experience in editing or have no editing software I will edit your favourite photo of the weekend for you
- Lunch for both days
LUNCH
We will take breaks for lunch & snacks – PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH & SNACKS
This saves time for more practice and means you can cater for your dietary requirements.
Tea, coffee, water and cookies provided.
“Really worth the time especially if you have a camera that you aren’t taking advantage of.
You’ll discover a new world to explore”.
Ash (participant)
QUESTIONS?
What about NZ Government Covid Alert Level
In the event of a change in NZ government COVID regulations, where the workshop is not able to go ahead as planned, an alternative date will be arranged. If you are unable to make the alternative date a full refund would be given.
What about social distancing and masks?
The Hall is big and the group is small so there is plenty of room.
The Landscape workshop will be a combo of inside and outside work.
At this point, as we still have active cases in the area, I recommend we wear masks inside or while working close together. If the situation changes we can review this. We can take masks off when working outside. The venue is booked for exclusive.
Do I get a workbook?
Yes you receive a comprehensive workbook with information and exercises to complete through the workshop
Not sure if this is for you?
Please call or text me on 021 583 124 and we can chat
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
VENUE
The workshop will be held at the spacious Coronation Hall, Hall Road, Bannockburn, Central Otago 9384
Bannockburn is 5 mins drive from Cromwell, 50 mins drive from Wanaka and Queenstown. Full details on registration.
- Category: Dance & Stage
I'm so honoured to have created these hero images with Turid Revfeim, the Artistic Director of Ballet Collective Aotearoa, choreographer Loughlan Prior and dancers Abigail Boyle and William Fitzgerald for BalletCollective Aotearoa's premiere season, Subtle Dances.
I've known all four artists for many years through their careers with Royal New Zealand Ballet and during my career in theatre as CEO at St James Theatre and the Opera House, Wellington, the home of the RNZB and as Director of Tempo Dance Festival, as well as photographer, which makes it an even richer experience. Turid was both dancer and Ballet Mistress with RNZB for many years. Abigail and William were Principal dancers with RNZB. Abigail is now Ballet Mistress with the New Zealand Youth Ballet Company and William is an independent dance artist and designer. Loughlan was also a dancer with RNZB and is now choreographer in residence at the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Director of Prior Visual and Co Director of Lo|Co Arts with composer Clare Cowen.
Loughlan and I have also collaborated on photography | choreographer art works, which were exhibited at Across the Bridge Arts Festival 2020 and are represented at the Eade Gallery, Clyde - more on that later.
Subtle Dances is premiering at Auckland Arts Festival on 8 and 9 April 2021 and then at Dunedin Arts Festival on 16 April 2021.
https://www.aaf.co.nz/event/subtle-dances
Couldn't be more excited.
Subtle Dances is a programme of new works created by three of New Zealand's leading contemporary ballet choreographers - Cameron McMillan, Loughlan Prior and Sarah Knox.
The BalletCollective Aotearoa is a newly formed project-based dance company and is thrilled to showcase this new choreography by securing some of New Zealand’s leading dancers including Abigail Boyle, William Fitzgerald and Medhi Angot, alongside exciting young and emerging New Zealand trained talent. Harnessing the energy and vivacity of ballet dancers here in Aotearoa, the works show our unique creativity, shaped by the country’s isolation and rugged landscape. These three ballets aim to express our openness to new and immersive ideas through our many cultural influences and the innate curiosity of all New Zealanders
The BalletCollective Aotearoa is thrilled to be collaborating with the prodigious NZTrio - Amalia Hall (violin), Ashley Brown (cello) and Somi Kim (piano) - who will perform live John Psathas’ work Helix, Claire Cowan’s Subtle Dances (commissioned by NZTrio) and music by Rhian Sheehan, arranged for NZTrio by Ryan Youens.
Witness new homegrown contemporary ballet, performed to live New Zealand music, finding new ways to explore our uniqueness and how we fit within our everchanging landscape.
- Category: Weddings
What's Trending in 2021?
Check out the Weddings in Wairarapa trend predictions for 2021 with image by yours truly
- Category: Dance & Stage
Here I am in my happy place - set up ready to photograph the dress rehearsal of Royal New Zealand Ballet's Sleeping Beauty 2020. Alongside photographer, Stephen A'Court and videographer, Jeremy Brick.
Never thought it would seem so unusual and special to be back in my old home of, the Grand 'Ol Dame, the Opera House Wellington, where I worked for 12 years. But this year has taught us to never take anything for granted!
The season of Royal New Zealand Ballet's Sleeping Beauty is now well underway. It's their last night tonight in Wellie and then they're off on tour Aotearoa New Zealand. Counting our blessings that we have live performances in New Zealand now.
BTW this is a cell phone photo not a Canon 5DIII photo. Just needed to clarify that in case of doubt haha..
So how does photographing a dress rehearsal for a ballet work?
Well, you have to be approved by the relevant ballet / dance company and all of your images have to be approved by the Artistic Director before they can be used.