Pip and the happy chickens!

  The Howe/Faulkner family

 Tom is a farmer in the making

 Gorgeous Pip and baby Lochie

 Cait, Lochie and Tom...I couldn't resist a blank wall!

 Chickens and kids!

Tom and the most peaceful lab I've ever met!

It was so great to do a photoshoot in the weekend where not only I was taking photos of some truely beautiful people in the fresh country air and 'spring on it's way' sunshine, but we were also surrounded by lots of lots of rescue chickens!
Rescue chickens, if you're unaware are those that are taken from the cruelty of caged battery farms - usually in an unrecognisable state, without feathers and pecked, moulting and rubbed from the stress of caged living - and brought back to life by the kindness of people, like my friend Pip's parents who have had many of these chickens you see for over a year. In that time the chickens have been able to range around freely, exercising and eating in the sunshine and enjoy relaxed living. Their feather's have grown back, and they have started laying again! And beautiful eggs too I can add. I was given a dozen as I left and Ali and I had them scrambled the next day - bright yellowy orange yolks. Definitely happy chickens had made them!
Thanks Pip and co for making us so happy! And I hope you love these photos as much as I loved taking them!
x Cat

Annika and the boys, NZ ... the video!

What do give a visiting doctor from Sweden who's been living with her family in Gisborne, New Zealand for a year and is now going home to the Northern hemisphere again? A photoshoot of course ...!
I think this was one of the kindest gift's ever ... how to nice to be given a gift that will mean so much for the rest of your life.
It might sound like cheesey cheese - but photos really are one of those gift's that keep on giving and that will evoke really amazing memories forever. Good on you Sari and the rest of the crew at Gisborne Hospital for choosing something so special for Annika and her lovely family. I had a blast shooting them and I know they'll have a blast remembering the good times here in Gisborne during the very special year they had in New Zealand with you all.
x Cat
 
See the video:

All my favourites in one little good vibes package

.... If you haven't seen it already, this is my new collection of a whole bunch of weddings we've shot over the last year and a bit.

I don't know why but there is just something about watching two minutes of smiles and laughing that just makes you feel so good!
I'm super proud of all these piccies and I love all the brides and grooms who Ali and I have worked with since setting up cat brown photography.
If you feel good watching this please share it - maybe you'll give someone else a smile by passing it on :)

x Cat

Weight-lifting advice

I hardly slept last night because I was feeling a tad overwhelmed!


I have just moved into my new office digs, and from the outside it looks very professional ... but on the inside (and definitely inside me at the moment!) it's feeling totally the opposite...painting to be done, stuff everywhere and mostly a pile of photo work to do. Where are my one hundred oopa loompas to help me when I need them!


Ordering coffee early this morning, James (who owns the fabulous cafe 1874 downstairs), made the mistake of asking me how I was...


CAT:: (In a high pitched slightly desperate voice)
'James. I am sooo busy, too busy, I have albums, photoshoots, editing and requests for more work and hellloooooo my office is only half set up with boxes and half painted chairs and $@%$ EVERYWHERE! I'm feeling swallowed up!'


James listened and didn't say anything.
Then he served the next customer.
In about a minute as he was running a pile of fresh muffins and coffee to someone sitting outside he stopped by me and whispered in my ear:


JAMES:: (whispery and kind of Yoda-ish)
'Cat, just write absolutely everything you need to do down and then start with ONE thing.
Do that ONE thing then cross it off. Then do the next ONE things. That's all'.


Such simple advice - but such perfect advice!


I find it such a strange irony that the MORE we have to do, sometimes the LESS we manage to do because we're trying to do everything at the same time.


Ever since bumping into James this morning, I've felt so much better.  My work load and the unfinished space hasn't actually changed thaaaaat much (I have written the list and have managed to knock off two items so far) but his one tip has made me feel like actually it's do-able.
A weight has lifted off my shoulders.


My coffee was good too ;) Total double rainbow. Thanks buddy you rock!


cat brown photography upstairs @ the PBC .... work in progress!

a pile of mags which pretty much sums up how I was feeling this morning!

work chaos!

the only tidy area in the entire room!

me looking strangely like Justin Bieber (shame) and the super cool retro magazine holder that my clever mum restored for me and gave me as a happy new office present! Awwwww thanks mum :)

Lead interior stylist Rustyroo ::  hard at work checking out the carpet...

Box Brownie Love

I love getting a little bit obsessed about things....and my new obsession is the box brownie camera.
So boxie, so perfect!
I have TWO so far..... so it's a very very small collection so far, but I want to build an entire wall of them!
This one is my beautiful 1956 Brownie Flash II.....oh little boxie I love you!
I promise to let you all know how my wall is growing!

x Cat

my first box brownie.....little flashie I love you!

Only one bird went down

Apparently it was all because of Rachel...

Eight years ago Jen and Rachel were flatting together and, well let's just say it; 

Jen was single.

Being a great friend, and to kill two birds with one stone, Rachel decided to organise a little party, schmoozing time with a flat of boys....a flat which contained a very eligible Mr Nick Jones and ANOTHER eligible young fella that Rach might have liked a little too.

A hot steamy night at a dodgy K-Rd bar and it was all on.

Well, for Jen and Nick that was - dang that plan Rach.

Jen and Nick became inseparable, that was, until Nick headed over to Europe had a stint in Holland without Jen. In the country of clogs and cheese he decided that if the pair lasted this trying time then he would buy a ring and propose.

Which he did.

With a bottle of wine.

On a beach.

In Italy.

Swooooooon.

Nick and Jen are two of the loveliest people ever, and I was so lucky to get to shoot them on their very special day at Milton Vineyard last weekend. (that's the 26th of Feb for those who like to keep track)

A double pass to Gisborne's Dome cinema to the first person who correctly identify's Rachel. (Just point out which one you think she is in the wine barrel stack photo and write your answer on my facebook page and it's all yours).

CLICK on the photos to make them BIGGER :)

Introducing Mr and Mrs Jones.....aren't they lovely....I want to keep them in a little bottle beside my telly they are sooo cute

All I'm saying is that the balloons play a significant part throughout the whole day!

I just LOVE this shot...just natural and fun, which kind of incapsulates Nick and Jen perfectly!

The people, wine barrel stack: It took a while to organise - but I think it was worth it!

Oh stop it you guys! Tooooo gorgeous!

This is the loose caboose wedding party .... I'm going to say it: probably the loosest and caboosest I've ever had the pleasure of hanging out with. Thanks guys, I had a B.L.A.S.T! 

Not at all planned... a little getaways the guys had found while I was off shooting the girls....and when I saw it I thought - that is THE perfect spot for a little smooching!

 Gorgeous Jen

Beautiful flowers...the girls wore these on their wrists :)

A Valentine's day story

Happy Valetine's day everyone!
Here's the story of this weekend's wedding for you .... a story that I think sinks the seven year itch myth forever.
Seven years ago they met. It took seven hours of travel each way when distance separated them, and even after all this time they still talked on the phone every night like teenagers.
Fred and Alisa really are soul mates and their wedding this weekend was absolutely beautiful; filled with soulful singing,  colour, style and family. LOTS of family.
Alisa's dad, the larger than life Rev Uili Aukuso of St Davids Presbyterian married the couple in a service that was part celebration, part comedy routine and all love.
When you see Fred and Alisa together you can see why they are such a good match.
It's in the way he pulls out her chair and makes sure she can make the steps without tangling her flowing white gown. It's the way she squeezes his knee in the back of the car and laughs at his jokes.
Tears were shed, love was shared and I know Fereti's dad was watching over the whole day and smiling.

Click images for a larger view.

My favourite photo!  Jumping to the sky with Alisa and Fred in the middle.

Handsome Fred 

Couple cuddle awwwww

Hot wedding party

Alisa's girls were such a laugh all day

The boys looking sharp