Tania Eastlake Photography

Auckland Photographer; The PWC Love Boat

2011-08-22T01:17:00.000-07:00

On Saturday night I climbed aboard the PWC Love Boat and cruised away into the sunset with a bunch of very good looking people.
The ship set sail at the brand new, and very fancy, Viaduct Events Centre down at Wynard Quarter. After plenty of champagne, a 3 course meal (well for me it was 3 pieces of pizza but it was damn good) and a few wise words from the captain it was time for the entertainment to begin.
I was so impressed with the Event Centre and the team from Orange Productions, who did an amazing job at bringing the love boat to life, that I thought I would share a few of my favorite shots with you so you could see how impressive it all looked!.
Love x

Auckland Photographer; Something new

2011-08-19T19:04:00.000-07:00

Oh I am excited!!! I got my new 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 lens today...it is delicious! I took a couple of little snaps on my doorstep and thought I would share them with you all just so you can see how amazing this new lens is.
I now have a new best friend.
Off to shoot the PWC Mid Winter Christmas party tonight so I will share more with you tomorrow
Love x

Auckland Photographer; Summer loving

2011-08-13T20:50:00.000-07:00

You may remember a few months back I did a maternity shoot for Carolyn and Ryan?. Well on July 8th they welcomed gorgeous Summer Lily Koppens into the world and last weekend I popped round for a cuddle, ok a cuddle and to stick my camera in her face.
Carolyn is a very special friend of mine and we know each other pretty well. We are similar in a lot of ways and I didn't feel the same apprehension for this shoot that I do for most others, especially babies, I felt worse! Ha
C, like me, is very particular. She knows what she wants, she does things her way and she does them bloody well. She is an impressive wee thing and I have always had an admiration for her determination and passion. Our portrait session was the first time I had seen C since Summer was born. I walked in to an immaculate home, a calm and collected aura and a glowing C who looked like she was born to be Summers mum.
Summer was an absolute dream, besides pooing on the pink organza but that's what babies do. I am so happy with the photographs we got, I hope you enjoy them too!
Love x

Auckland Photographer; Charlie-Jane's first photoshoot

2011-08-13T20:31:00.000-07:00

There's always a little apprehension before a baby shoot, will baby be awake, will they be content, let me move them around, what's mum like, what's dad like, what's the space like..it's hard to visualize a shoot when things are so unpredictable.
9 times out of 10 I have the exact shots played out in my mind and 10 times out of 10 I never take one of those shots.
I think it's this unpredictability that makes me apprehensive, I'm a planner, I think I've told you all this before, so when I go into a shoot not knowing what's going to come out of it it's fair to say it makes me feel a little sick.
First babies are always even more nerve wracking, mainly because most of the time I have handled babies more than mum and dad have. Moving a wee baby around for a photo shoot is very different to calling in for coffee and having a cuddle with a new born. To get the kinds of shots everyone oohhs and aahhhs about you often need to get these tiny things into slightly uncomfortable positions. Imagine how you would feel being made to lie on your tummy when you can't hold your own head up?
So a couple if weeks ago when I offered to take photos of a friends new baby I wasn't exactly thinking about the lack of sleep I always have before a shoot, the ache in the pit of my stomach or the nausea that ensues as I pull in the driveway. I was thinking about how gorgeous this little girl would be and that I knew I needed to have her in my portfolio! Selfish I know haha
I needn't have worried, as soon as I was greeted at the door all the apprehension waned, the nausea turned to nostalgia and I couldn't wait to meet Charlie-Jane. Her mum and dad are the most laid back, accommodating people I have met. They were more worried about getting the right shots for me and making sure I was happy which as you will see from my favorites below made for a somewhat romantic photo shoot that oozed love, appreciation, adoration and complete contentment.
I am so grateful to people like Phil, Jane and Charlie-Jane, without them there would be no time to stop and take it all in, for there would be nothing to stop for or everything would fly by so fast and we would simply miss the joy in living.
Love x

Auckland Photographer; One night at Mollies

2011-08-13T20:11:00.000-07:00

One night at Mollies
Where do I begin, champagne? All good nights begin with champagne, right? Well especially this one, it was a very special occasion and I was lucky enough to be a part of it.
On the day of their 20 year anniversary this gorgeous couple sealed their commitment with an intimate civil union ceremony and a gorgeous dinner at Auckland's boutique hotel Mollies.
I walked in to an intimately lit foyer with a stunning Victorian chaise and equally stunning Georgian painting and rounded the corner into the lounge bar where I was greeted with a very charming, wildly happy couple and a glass of Veuve Clicquot. This is my kind of photo shoot!
Gary and Peter were treated to a portrait session by their dear friends, crazy English couple Emma and Peter, and Mollies was the destination.
I haven't shot at Mollies before so I was so excited. Ok, excited is really code for extremely bloody nervous! It was an evening shoot and I knew how beautiful Mollies was outside and kept visualizing all these amazing shots I could get but given it is July, miserable and dark I was challenged with how to do an entire portrait session in one room and a lobby.
I needn't have worried, Gary and Peter filled each space with a contagious laugh and outwardly open love for each other that I didn't really need to work the space to hard.
I laughed, I wanted to cry at how happy they were and I hope I have given them the joy in their photos that they gave me for an hour at Mollies.
I want to go back there and explore, it's beautiful. No actually I want to go back there and live, do you think they would notice?
Love x

Auckland Photographer; Maternity yummyness

2011-08-13T19:54:00.000-07:00

It's fair to say Maternity shoots aren't necessarily my thing, or my strong suit but when a gorgeous girl like Rahana asks you to capture such a special time in her life, its hard to say no and not get a little excited about it.
Rahana is such a gorgeous girl and pregnancy suits her to a tee, not that she agrees, so I knew we would undoubtedly get some amazing photographs.
Her equally handsome partner played along and the outcome was a sweet mix of traditional maternal beauty and edgy anticipation.
Love x

Auckland Photographer; Doing it all

2011-07-11T03:44:00.000-07:00

So I'm sitting here trying to write a blog, it's been so long so I want to make sure it's a good one but I've typed and deleted, typed and deleted so many times and nothing seems to sound right when I read it out loud. Right now I'm answering and sending text messages, watching Brothers & Sisters, checking Facebook and editing shots from the weekend's shoots and I realize I am doing so many things but actually achieving nothing at all.

I'll admit I have been feeling guilty about my lack of blogging lately and I thought my lack of sharing was due to my lack of having anything to share but I now have a slight suspicion it's because I have been running around like a crazy person for the past few months trying to get a whole lot of stuff done.
I am one of those slightly frustrating people who takes on too much, who thinks being busy and being seen to be busy is a measure of success, like it's an attribute that makes everyone say nice things about you in the lunchroom, but I guess the reality is that it means you put aside the things you love to do in order to tick all the boxes and get the 'important' things done.

I'm a photographer, Brand manager, student, daughter, blogger, facebook status updater, sister, bridesmaid, client, house sitter, friend and counselor and I know they are all important, so how do you distinguish which are the priorities?. I want to do them all but I'm now resigned to the fact that I dont have to do them all perfectly.

So here's me, writing a slightly random and not perfect blog, typing away my guilt and saying it's ok to be a crazy person as long as you tell everyone about it....and as long as every now and then you do something you love. There's a few things I love but for now I'll share 2 of them.....the idea and anticipation of new life and the feeling of being absolutely besotted with something so precious and adorable......

Here is a sneak peak of Charlie-Jane's first photo shoot. There are no words.....I don't blame her dad for shedding a tear.... (but you didn't hear that from me!)

And here is a sneak peak from Rahana's maternity shoot...this is going to be one dam cute baby if his mum and dad are anything to go by..

Auckland Photographer; 365 Day, Mrs Potato Head

2011-06-01T22:43:00.000-07:00

Meet Mrs Potato Head, a friendly reminder that sits on my desk and reminds me that, working every day to survive actually isn't any excuse to be a sad faced sour puss around the office.
She is delightfully cheerful and optimistic and has a refreshing approach to fashion.
I like her and she can stay, as long as she doesn't tell me to smile, I hate when people do that! haha

Find time to play everyday, it's quite enlightening!.
x

Auckland Photographer; Miss Saigon

2011-06-01T22:37:00.000-07:00

Need a little bit of culture? I would highly recommend a night out with Miss Saigon.
I purposely didn't read up about the show prior to going along to ensure I went in without any preconceived ideas, a terrible habit of mine, and I was pleasantly surprised by what I experienced.

It is fair to say that the opening scene is an attention grabber, it's the part of the show that says "I know you were a cynic and only came because of the free tickets, but here's a little ass and controversy to kick things off and keep your attention".
Now before you question my ethics and my sexuality you need to know that the audience was an eclectic mix of young and old, tuxedos and chuck taylor's and straight's and gay's who were all as shocked as me, if not more shocked, by the opening scene set in a Vietnam brothel in 1975.

Miss Saigon is a touching story about a young girl thrown in to a life she did not want nor understand. A life that, to her, was wrong and sinful. It is about love and desire and how to know the difference. About life and death and how far you will go for one or the other. It is about power and greed and how to use them to your advantage and it is about hope. Plain and simple hope.

The story is a clever concoction of sadness, deep feelings, hilarious personalities, unsettling experiences and at times unbelievable actions but the underlying message for me was about struggle and finding a way to turn a bad situation around in order to survive. I laughed out loud, tapped my feet to the music, secretly cried and gasped with my hand to my heart. Miss Saigon is a stunning depiction of a life before mine that I am now very intrigued in learning more about.

Miss Saigon is on at The Civic, Auckland from May 20th until June 11th so go see it!
xxx

Auckland Photographer; Thank you

2011-05-31T02:05:00.000-07:00

Thank you for remembering my name
Thank you for saying yes
Thank you for showing me my life is a better place without you in it
Thank you for calling me back
Thank you for inviting me
Thank you for not raining
Thank you for asking
Thank you for laughing
Thank you for not going
Thank you for understanding
Thank you for saying no
Thank you for being honest
Thank you for believing
Thank you for not texting me back
Thank you for updating your Facebook status...again
Thank you for indicating
Thank you for sharing
Thank you for buying
Thank you for building that there
Thank you for coming
Thank you for listening
Thank you for not talking
Thank you for crying
Thank you for leaving
Thank you for being
Thank you for that

Auckland Photographer; Inspiration

2011-05-31T01:34:00.000-07:00

Since my camera has been unwell I have been doing a lot of Googling, Following and Facebook stalking. Before you call me a weirdo and wonder if I've googled you in the past week I will tell you that it has all been in the name of Inspiration...and yes, it is highly likely that I googled you too :-).
There are a number of photographers who I follow and whose passion and eye for absolute detail inspire me to be a better photographer. There are people, just people not companies, who I follow who inspire me to be a better citizen and there are individuals who inspire me to be nothing like them, they are usually the ones found on Facebook, but the point I am trying to get too is that no matter what you look at, read or screw your nose up at you will always find that in some crazy way, you will be inspired to act.
So since there are no photos for me to share from the past week I thought I would share some of the inspiring things I've found, maybe they will inspire you too, even if it is only to Facebook stalk more....
xx

I follow the extremely talented and hilariously real Jasmine Star
She does a post called Friday randomness which I love and this wee gem was a feature, it makes me all tingly inside.

Symmetry from Everynone on Vimeo.

I would love to shoot for a lifestyle or Home and Garden magazine and I am constantly dreaming about the New York style loft apartment or the Ponsonby villa I am going to vomit my ideas all over one day so I check out blogs like The Design Files, The Denizen, and Nestfully which I love, it's like all my favorite things in one little place. Heres a couple of inspirational ideas I have filed on my desk top in the "iheartyou" folder..

This is such a cool workspace, cluttered but clean...perfect!

The industrial look is so cool at the moment and the juxtaposition between Yellow and Grey is really fresh...throw in concrete floors and it's almost too delicious

It's a crate, I love crates

A wooden plank, simple.

It's yellow with gorgeous wooden feet..thats all.

One day....

Kerry Murray is a wildly addictive, talented and inspirational wee thing. I had the absolute pleasure of working with this girl onboard the Grand Princess and I have become more and more in awe of her every day since then. Now the stunning half of a husband and wife team Kerry is delivering an array of absolutely stunning images that make me want to fly all the way to Portugal and give her a high five for!. She is too cute and too talented, therefore making her an inspiration.

Well thats all for now, perhaps you could share some of the inspirational things in your life that you tuck away. i would love to hear about them, maybe you could inspire someone with an idea of your own....

Auckland Photographer;365 Day, Aroha

2011-05-16T01:20:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking a lot lately about love, not the "I'm in love with you" kind of love but the eternal, deep love that you don't even know you have for someone or really even know how to explain it. The kind of love that you know you just feel because that person, or people, you feel it for are constantly in your heart and on your mind. You care about them, but more than that you care about their being, you miss them when they are gone and you get sad when you realize you haven't seen them for a while. This is the kind of love you have for your children, your parents, your grandparents. The kind of love that doesn't happen over time but is part of you when you are born. It is Aroha and it is how I feel about my family. x
Oh and before you ask, the boy in the background..it's me! ha

Auckland Photographer; 365 Day, Waiting for baby

2011-05-16T00:56:00.000-07:00

Today I got the chance to capture some special images of a gorgeous friend of mine. Now don't be jealous, but I think this is one of the most beautifully perfect baby bellies I have ever seen! I can't wait to meet this delicious bundle of girly goodness when she arrives next month, we even have her first photo shoot booked in so watch this space! x

Auckland Photographer; 365 day, A walk in the park

2011-05-16T00:51:00.000-07:00

Which path do you follow...the one everyone else does or do you try and find one no-one else has discovered yet?

Auckland Photographer; 365 Day, Happy 125th Birthday Coca-Cola

2011-05-16T00:44:00.000-07:00

After a few days with a very slow internet connection I am finally up and running so please bear with me while I catch up! On Friday Coca-Cola celebrated it's 125th birthday, I know, it's crazy....125 years of Coca-Cola goodness!. In true Coca-Cola style we celebrated so of course there was balloons, helium balloons to be exact, so what does one do with a massive bunch of helium balloons....they give them to the cutest kid they know of course!. Happy Birthday Coca-Cola, you don't look a day over 125! x

Auckland Photographer; 365 Day, These boots were made for walking

2011-05-12T13:05:00.000-07:00

I have done a fair few miles today and I am proud to say that I did it in fine pair of heels, well ok wedges but heels all the same!

I have had more than the usual comments on these shoes today, they are gorgeous don't get me wrong but when it comes to the investment they were are steal! How is it that there's no love for the shirt and jeans, which cost the same as a deposit on a small house, yet the cute pair of wedge boots you got from Glassons, yes that's right Glassons, get all the attention?!

I am sure those fashionable types have been doing it for ages but it just goes to show that if you team the cheap and cheerful with the designer pieces you're on to a winner!

LOVE my gorgeous little boots from Glasson's!

Auckland Photographer; 365 Day, Auckland Cityscape

2011-05-11T01:57:00.000-07:00

Day 18 and what a day, if you're in Auckland like me you would have looked out your window at 10am this morning and thought that the day had flown by without you realizing. It was so dark and gloomy!. I know this same shot has been shot by many a photographer (who shot it better, lets be honest) and amateur before but for me it really sums up what this city is all about; dark gloomy nights, bright lights and loads of traffic....so here it is, Auckland.
x

Auckland Photographer; 365 Day project

2011-05-10T01:21:00.000-07:00

Those of you who have been a friend of my Facebook page for a while, this blog is for you.
You will remember a little while ago I started the 365 day project. I know a few of you have been a little disappointed at my poor attempts at keeping the project going, and believe me I have been too, so I wanted to let you all know that as of tomorrow the 365 project will be alive again!!.
After whats been a crazy few months and a huge learning curve I can now honestly say that I will dedicate a couple of minutes each day to capturing some snippets of my life and sharing them with you again.
For those of you who are new to my blog, or my Facebook page for that matter, here is a taste of some of my favourites from the 365 day project so far...a photo a day for 365 days, I think I mentioned something about it being easy?? haha
Enjoy and be sure to check out tomorrow's blog for the photo of the day! x

Peace, that's all.

LOVE

Did you know that Elephants are the smartest animals in the entire animal kingdom?

A little piece of history, right on my doorstep. I would LOVE to do a wedding shoot here!

Darling Harbour at 6am, just to prove I was up!

Auckland's Big little city

LOVE rainy days!

Contemplation...

Reflections make quite a cool self portrait..can you see it??

Auckland Photographer; A new little project

2011-05-04T02:41:00.000-07:00

Today I made another very exciting little purchase, a gorgeous Oak dresser that has been sitting proudly in the bedroom of a cute Howick couple for the past 30 odd years. I have visions of high gloss black and glass handles in teals and silvers but now that I have it sitting in my lounge I am so intimidated by it and I'm scared to touch it.
I've painted a few pieces of furniture in my lifetime but nothing quite as beautiful as this. It almost seems sad to strip it back but when there's "a look" there's a look and sadly this old Oak just isn't cutting it.
So with that said, here is a tribute to the oak. Out with the Oak in the with sexy high gloss black!
Wish me luck!

Rarotonga Wedding Photographer: Simon and Toni

2011-05-03T00:44:00.000-07:00

On the 25th of March 2011 I had the absolute privilege of photographing Simon and Toni's gorgeous wedding at Moana Sands Resort in Rarotonga. I don't need to mention how stunning the setting was but I do need to mention how stunning Simon and Toni looked on their special day!. I have a confession to make, I am a little biased because Toni is my beautiful cousin but being asked to capture their special day was the biggest compliment I have been given as a photographer so thank you for letting me share in the happiness and joy you two oozed that day! I hope you love your photos as much as I do!!.

Here are some of my favorites, the rest you can see here http://www.taniaeastlakephotography.co.nz/weddings/gallery/3

Gorgeous!

You cant get more picturesque than this...LOVE LOVE LOVE

Favorite shot of the day. xx

The Grand Wedding Show Auckland 2011

2011-05-03T00:31:00.000-07:00

A few months ago after much persuading and encouragement I decided to exhibit at The Grand Wedding Show. It is fair to say that ever since the day I registered and picked my stand this show has consumed my thoughts and dreams. SO much time, energy, passion and love went into this and I was so pleased with how my stand looked yesterday. There were a number of very special people who made this all happen so thank you, thank you, thank you, I could not have pulled this off without your tireless efforts!

Thank you to everyone who came to visit me at my stand and for sharing your stories!. I meet so many beautiful brides and just as many gorgeous husbands to be, to all you boys who came to the show with your fiances instead of going to the Hamilton 400...YOU ARE AMAZING!...and yes there was quite a few of them!. I absolutely think I will do a wedding show again, I loved talking to so many brides about what I can offer and what their exciting plans are.

All set up the day before...I think this really reflects my brand (minus the black velcro walls and zebra carpet of course)

A little thing called Family

2011-05-03T00:04:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow my baby sister turns 21. It's crazy how fast time goes by without you even realizing one day, or night, has turned into another. It's so weird to think that my little sister has been a part of my life for a whole 21 years, I've lost count of the number of times that I have been proud of her but I am sure it's more than the number of times I have thought she's an annoying little brat! HA. 21 whole years, what do you do with all those years, when you think about how many millions of days 21 years actually is, how do you even begin to think about how to fill them?. This week my best friends Granny passed away, peacefully surrounded by her family. She gave 92 years a bloody good thrashing and it's courageous, vivacious women like her who make me excited about filling each and every day that comes next. This week I also heard about a young women whose story made me both sad and inspired. A young women struggling with demons and trying to turn her life around, making things right for her family who support her no end but struggle every day to come to terms with what they are up against. It's women like my baby sister, my best friends Granny and this brave girl who make me want to appreciate things more. Like time and family.

So here's me, making time for the things I love and sharing my gorgeous family with you....don't be shy, take a look x

There's only so much you can do with a tripod and an Argentinian who just pushes the button when he's told too so bear with me on the technical side of things :-)

Happy 21st birthday Jen Jen, you, my gorgeous girl are pretty special. much LOVE xx