Kathryn Wilson Photography

Welcome to the Kathryn Wilson Photography website. We are lifestyle photographers from Wellington, New Zealand who capture love & laughter with our signature fresh & modern style. To find out more about us and see our work, browse through our blog posts below or use the menu above to view our galleries and information. Thanks for stopping by!

Mar17

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Retro adorable

Posted in: Inspiration, Projects, {life}

I purchased some film this week for my vintage Polaroid camera, before the stocks of film run out. Apparently new film will be produced at some point, but best not to risk it right?! So, to embrace the little retro hipster inside me, I ummed and erred about what to shoot, especially since at these prices every frame is $3.50

And of course, in the end, it was the little guy that won – shoot what you love, right? Here’s Baxter, vintage-style:

We are having a weekend off this weekend, so fingers crossed for a wonderful weekend, especially as it feels this week a bit like the warm weather is at an end. Hope you all have a delicious time!
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Mar15

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Tour de Wellington – Lifestyle Couples Portraiture

Posted in: {couples}, {portraits}

This was a fabulous idea if ever there was one – you are living overseas in a wonderful city (can’t beat Wellington on a good day & all that!) and so, while the sun is still shining and the beach still looks gorgeous, why not have a few photos to remember your time there. That’s what these guys decided to do anyway, and it was great! We spend Sunday afternoon taking a little tour around Wellington to get a variety of cool portraits.

We hope you guys get to take away wonderful memories of New Zealand!

We started out with an adventure exploration of the Botanical Gardens – I am ashamed to admit I hadn’t been there in a very long time myself, so it was a good reminder how cool it is there!

Then we headed to the Wellington waterfront for a different look:

We finished up at the train station, and I’m glad we did, because these are some of my favourites.

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Mar15

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Family & Baby Session in Karori

Posted in: {babies}, {families}, {portraits}

Yesterday we headed to Karori to photograph this gorgeous little bundle of joy. Photographing babies is all about patience, and as poor Holly wasn’t feeling so good, we had to wait a little while until she was comfy enough to have a few pictures done. However, once she got going she was perfect & the pictures look gorgeous. That, and her two fabulous big brothers were similarly adorable and happily played outside in front of the camera.

Onto some great shots of a lovely family!

I love little sequences like this of kids playing

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Mar7

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Wendy & Duncan – 06.03.2010

Posted in: {couples}, {portraits}

Yesterday morning I awoke to the sound of rain and some ominous clouds outside the window. We left home for Wendy & Duncan’s wedding feeling a little apprehensive about where we would have their photos given the weather. But all day, the weather did whatever we needed it to. They were married on the grass outside the wonderful Gear Homestead, under perfect cloud cover and without a drop of rain until the very end of the ceremony. Later, when we reached Whitireia Park for photos, the light was more perfect than I could have imagined. And, by the time we arrived back to the reception, the setting sun was a perfect backdrop.

The details of their day were perfect too – from the gorgeous garter Wendy was given which contained pieces of her mother’s and grandmothers’ dresses dating back to 1901, to the amazing guard of honour that Duncan’s friends from the fire service formed at the end of their ceremony. We had a lot of fun and have a heap of pictures to prove it!

Wendy loves red, so it was included perfectly in their wedding:

Getting ready :

Getting married!

Whitireia Park, where we were able to explore heaps of options with the amazing setting:

Couldn’t resist a little drama!

Back to Gear Homestead for more amazing light!

And time to celebrate

There you have it! Thanks so much for letting us be there on your amazing wedding day Wendy & Duncan!

I’m trying something a little different here with the blog posts, so if you’d like to see more photos, here’s a little slideshow:

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Feb27

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Nick & Niki – 27.02.10

Posted in: {couples}, {portraits}

Yesterday was scorching hot in the Wairarapa, with just the tiniest of breezes making it comfortable in the shade. With hills all around us, and birds flying amongst the vines, Nick & Niki were married under the umbrellas at Coney Wines. Surrounded by their family friends, it was easy to see how true the sentiments Nick’s father expressed in his speech were – this was about two amazing families coming together. Nick & Niki had a perfect day – sweet, relaxed, and full of laughter. We learned about Nick’s Central Park proposal in New York, about Nick’s budding talent as a poet, and got a strong sense of how good these guys are together.

On to the images! We arrived a little bit early to make sure we could capture some of the details.

Niki’s Dad was so proud and so sweet:

I love these moments as the new husband and wife walk away together.

The wonderful people at Coney Wines gave the bridal party a little hamper to take away with them to help them out a little on the photoshoot, and it was such a nice way for everyone to chill out and relax a little bit – there were loads of really gorgeous natural moments.

Of course, we’d never say no to a group wanting to go running through the vines…

Niki’s dress was amazing, and I love how elegant they look in these images.

Seriously. Check out the gorgeous bride! As I was shooting these Nick was saying she looked like a fashion model, and I have to agree.

This little location was only a minute’s drive from their wedding venue, and it was absolutely quirky & gorgeous!

It was around 6pm by this point, and the light was amazing:

After dinner & speeches, the dancing began, and everyone got involved in some pretty rowdy Greek dancing – it was fabulous!

At the same time, people were having a blast outside at the photobooth – we even got the bride & groom and some huge family groups involved!

Nick & Niki – your day was such a lot of fun – thanks so much for letting us be there and we hope you have an amazing time on your honeymoon in the Whitsundays!
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Feb20

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Island Bay Lifestyle Engagement Session

Posted in: {couples}, {portraits}

Janine & Ryan are getting married this December at Erskine, and when we went there to be shown around, we decided to have their lifestyle engagement session around the property and nearby at the beach in Island Bay.

After being wowed by the property and all the cool things we’ll be able to do there come their wedding day, we went on a little photoshoot. Every corner holds something new and cool, so it wasn’t hard to do!

These two both swear that they’re not good with having their photo taken, though I’m sure you’ll all disagree…

I absolutely love it when couples just naturally make each other smile like this – what a happy bride-to-be!

If this is what’s to come, I can’t wait for Janine & Ryan’s wedding!
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Feb20

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Jen & Dean – 19.02.10

Posted in: {couples}

Yesterday was bathed in sunshine, yet not too hot. We wandered along the Wellington waterfront, and Jen’s veil blew behind her in the wind. People swimming and rollerblading and walking stopped to congratulate them and cheer and clap for them. We had spoken earlier about how sometimes it just feels like Wellington needs to rain until its out of its system, and it obviously had, because the weather & atmosphere in Wellington for Jen & Dean’s wedding was fabulous!

Their day was very sweet, and it was a fabulous choice to base themselves around the waterfront. As they chose to have a First Look and get photos beforehand, we had plenty of time to roam around in the area, which was great for photos. The bride & groom found quiet moments together amidst the craziness around us and it was easy to see how good they are together.

We started off at the Museum Hotel, which was gorgeous as always. Jen & her bridesmaids looked amazing, and so did the wedding details. Their fabulous flowers were provided by The Florist:

We headed off to Waitangi Park to start our waterfront photo adventure, and it was fabulous from the beginning:

Jen looked absolutely stunning.

These guys were total naturals at having their photo taken too, though I know they didn’t think so!

One of my favourite bridesmaids’ photos ever. It has this really cool feel to it.

Not to be outdone though, the boys had already had their awesome photo done by Michael earlier. Dean is pretty keen on a bit of skateboarding, so, needless to say, this is pretty epic.

After the ceremony, we had time for a couple more pictures as the light started to get really pretty:

We also had time for a group photo, and I’m posting this mostly because I’ll probably go down in their family history as being far braver than I really am by standing in the water in front of The Boatshed to take this while stingrays swam around me:

Jen & Dean’s first dance was super cute:

And we had a little photobooth action going again, which was fairly well received!

Thanks so much to Jen, Dean & their families for having us, we had a great time. Congratulations on your beautiful wedding and we wish you so much happiness in the future
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Feb11

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Q&A – Boudoir Photography

Posted in: Inspiration, {portraits}

Over the next month or so, I’ve decided to do a series of posts with some more information about a few things. Photography trends, words you’ll hear when researching photography & on my site, and how we do what we do. This is partly a way for me to explain a little more eloquently the answers to a few of the questions I get asked frequently.

First up is boudoir photography. Boudoir is a growing trend which, like most of them, has emerged from the US photographic scene. I think it probably has roots in the ‘glamour’ photography of the 80′s, but WOW has it grown up from there. First & foremost, I’ll come out and say it – yes, boudoir photography is about sexy pictures. Think kick-ass heels, uber-glam lingerie, and a fabulous location. But if that makes you cringe, think again – it might be something you don’t imagine it to be. Any boudoir photographer will tell you that it’s not about sleaze, or models, or fashion, or even about sex, it’s about beauty. Boudoir is a chance for a woman to go all out – feel beautiful, feel sexy, feel glamourous, and have the pics to prove it!

Q: Why would I do it?

A: I can easily think of two reasons – 1: it would make an AMAZING gift for a bride to get her husband-to-be, and 2: it’s a fabulous way to celebrate your own hotness

Q: So how does it work? I’d be way too embarrassed!

A: Obviously a certain degree of nervousness is relatively unavoidable, but we do everything we can to minimise it. If you want to have a glass of wine first, go right ahead! I recommend hiring a hotel room or having the photo session at your home, so that things can be comfortable, private, and glam. The photoshoot is just the client & me in the room, with the camera and a light, nothing more. The thing to remember is that the photoshoot is purely to show off that you’re beautiful. You are.

Q: Nope. I’m not pretty/thin/confident/sexy enough, am I?

A: Of course you are. Boudoir shoots are about boosting that self-confidence, and everything possible is done to make you feel great about the results – poses, lighting, and photographic editing are all carefully selected to make every client look & feel amazing. You can ask me retouch more or less (or not at all!) depending on your own taste & style.

Q: I’m worried it’s too sleazy – will people think it’s pornographic?

A: It’s not meant to be that way in the least – no nudity or overt sexuality is involved at all. Not to mention that you don’t have to show anyone but people you choose to! I don’t post the images here on the site or blog unless you specifically tell me I can, and your images are there for you and the people close to you to enjoy. Boudoir is for sexy, classy ladies!

So, now that you’ve got some food for thought, here are a few images to ponder:

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Feb8

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Happy Birthday!

Posted in: {life}

We had a birthday celebration at chez Wilson yesterday – our treasured and sweet wonderful little man. That’s right – it was Baxter the puppy’s b-day! I am pretty dog crazy and love my little guy, so I thought a special birthday post might be in order.

Here he is when we first got him, just a little ball of fur, and then just after 11pm last night, looking big and cute and way too hairy.

If you’ve ever thought about getting your own little ball of fur, check out the SPCA’s Second Chance For Love’s Adopt-a-thon’s around the country this weekend.
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Feb7

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Victoria University Lifestyle Engagement Session

Posted in: {couples}, {portraits}

Wendy & Duncan showed us around Victoria University today for their lifestyle engagement session. I don’t know how on earth I’ve managed to go this long living in Wellington and never ever going there, but it was a perfect location.

These two have had some amazing adventures together – the first time I received an email from Wendy they were about to embark on a trip around Africa – and have more ahead of them too, with an island holiday on the horizon and more travel for work in the future. But today, they looked very much at home walking some more familiar streets in Wellington. It was a perfect location for them, because it’s where they met, and where Wendy still works.

They rocked their shoot, and I am looking forward to getting a second helping of the laughing, tongue-poking-out, laid back attitude they had when I shoot their wedding soon!

So, on to the photos. The brick buildings at Victoria were enough on their own to draw me to it, but fire escapes? If I had known they had these I probably would’ve been here years ago. This just looks OH so cool.

See? They’re naturals.

We had a relatively overcast afternoon, so the light was gorgeous:

We didn’t have to go far to find this little mini bush hideaway for a bit of variety and some NZ fern flavour:

Then, I hit the photographer jackpot. In the university quad, I spotted their cute little tables & had to have them in a shot. Turned out these shots are some of my favourites for a long time!

This is the building where Wendy works, and I bet it’s never looked this good.

Never one to pass up a brightly coloured surface, I simply asked these two to work some magic. Despite a little initial hesitation on Duncan’s part – they had no issues doing exactly that.

One of the best things about school & university campuses as photo locations is that they have so many varied possibilities, from kinda industrial, to a little retro. Like so:

I have been promised a repeat of this sequence on their wedding day, something I will definitely hold them to!

Then, before we left, I got one more shot I absolutely LOVE. Every time I’ve driven past these doors I’ve thought ‘hey, those look pretty cool’ but never really gotten further than that. As we walked down Kelburn parade to meet Wendy & Duncan today, I thought about it again. And then, just for a little something to finish the shoot off with, I got to have my shot – grungy garage doors, brick, ivy, and a cute couple. Mmmm.

That’s it – a wonderful end to a crazy wonderful weekend! Well done guys – you did a fabulous job
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