Happy New Year, everyone!
January has me reflecting on the last year, which is a great way to appreciate the journey and growth my business has taken, so let's take a trip down memory lane and relive the wild ride that was 2023 for Bianca-Rae Photography. From diving into the new Kapiti wedding expo, to capturing the glitz of the UAE Embassy's national day, it's been a year of love, laughter, and some very humbling wins.
The Kapiti Wedding Expo
Kicking off the year with a bang, The Kapiti wedding expo made its first debut in Paraparaumu, and I couldn't resist jumping on board. The response was overwhelming, and meeting so many amazing couples set the tone for a year filled with beautiful love stories. Little did I know, this expo was just the beginning of some unforgettable weddings and engagement sessions I would be lucky enough to capture.
Just like this beautiful wedding of Susan and Chris, a lifetime spent together already. Now living in Scotland, they returned home in December to celebrate and cement their love with family at Waikanae Beach. It was an incredibly intimate and emotional wedding and such a joy to capture their connection and the enveloping love of their close family and friends.
The Kapiti Women's Expo
Venturing into new territory, I decided to spice things up by joining the Kapiti Women's Expo. A special giveaway got families buzzing, and the shoots that followed were nothing short of magic. Connecting with these incredible families became one of the unexpected highlights of the year. I can't share the images from these families just yet, but let's just say there are some gorgeous children, gorgeous pets, farm life and horses!! The expo has so many incredible local businesses so add it to your 'worth checking out list' for 2024!
UAE Embassy's National Day
One of the coolest gigs of 2023 was capturing the UAE Embassy's national day at Black and Gold Events in Wellington. The decor, the lighting and the food were ALLL incredible! It was so lovely to catch up with the Ambassador H.E. Rashed Matar Alsiri Alqemzi and his family again. This event every year makes me a little nostalgic for my time spent in Dubai, maybe one day I will go back! The presence of Hon. Todd McClay added an extra layer of excitement to the evening and coincided with the recently elected National Party's announcement of Ministerial positions.
The Kapiti Food Fair and NEW Night Gig
It was a complete honor to share the role as official photographer for the Kapiti Food Fair and Night Gig again this year. I soaked up the local vibes, talent and food. The real showstopper was photographing Tami Neilson on stage—what a powerhouse! Her voice, the energy, and that personal connection with the audience were pure magic.
NZIPP Iris Awards 2023
The icing on the cake for 2023 came in the form of three bronze medals at the NZIPP Iris Awards. Winning in both the 'Wedding in Camera' and 'Travel' categories. Entering the awards is always a slightly stressful and nerve-wracking experience. I find the selection of images and the self-critique extremely challenging, but the knowledge and experience gained from each year is invaluable. The awards are judged by New Zealand and Internationally renowned photographers, the best of the best in the industry, so it is a real honor to be awarded!
And.... all of that on top of Orinoco's Spring/Summer Catwalk fundraiser for the Cancer Society, The Pink Ribbon Fundraiser Brunch hosted by Talitha Lowis from Harcourts, Otaki Players Society's outstanding show Sweeney Todd, beautiful newborn baby sessions, goddess like maternity sessions, professional portraits and fun family sessions; it has been quite the year!!!
As we usher in 2024, I'm filled with excitement for what this year brings. With a multitude of interesting projects in the pipeline, I can't wait to share the unfolding chapters of Bianca-Rae Photography's journey. Here's to another year of capturing timeless stories and creating visual legacies. Stay tuned for the adventures that lie ahead!
Bianca xx
