2018 // A Year In Summary

2018 // A Year In Summary

So many wedding photographers do a 'best of' every single year.  What even is a 'best of?!'

Don't be disappointed, but let me preface this by saying, these aren't necessarily 'the greatest wedding photos' I took in 2018.

But what they are, is a solid representation of what I do, and what I love doing - nearly every single weekend.  And I hope these 200 or so images below give you a sense of that.

2018 was my fourth full year of being a full time wedding photographer.  It's still pretty mind blowing stuff, that four years on, this is my only source of income.  And I get to do something that I legitimately really love and am still so passionate about - every single day for a living.

There was probably a more efficient way to do this, but the 'selection criteria' for these images simply involved me opening the gallery of each of the 76 individual weddings I photographed in 2018, and quickly choosing a couple of images from each wedding.  These aren't images that represented that particular wedding as a whole, but these are images that represent work that I love making. Yeah, sometimes that's the epic couple portraits in perfect light at sunset time.  And sometimes, it's a more simple and more organic moment.

2018 took me to many weddings in my backyard of the Yarra Valley, to warehouses & elaborately styled venues in the inner city of Melbourne. I also travelled up to Byron Bay twice for weddings, The Blue Mountains, Airlie Beach in QLD, Country VIC numerous times, Country NSW and more. Wowsers, what a rad adventure !

An infinite amount of love and thank yous, go out to all of my couples who book me, trust me and let me into their worlds, even if it is for just one day.  It's an absolute privilege every single time.

Another massive thanks, goes to all of the amazing venues and wedding vendors I get to work with.  Once the actual 'wedding part' of the job is done and dusted, this can actually be a pretty isolating job.  But with the amazing community we have built, not so much anymore.  Some of my best friends now, are also my 'competition', other wedding photographers.  I love you all.

So here's what I do.  And here's how I did it in 2018....

Two brides kissing in a sunlit field with white flowers. Black-and-white photograph of a bride raising both arms on a crowded dance floor. Couple walking hand in hand between vineyard rows. Black-and-white photograph of a groom dipping and kissing the bride on a dance floor. Four children smiling while sitting on a lawn. Three women in white dresses chatting beside a sunny field. Bride hugging a man in glasses beneath reception string lights. Black-and-white photograph of women smiling at the bride during preparations. Couple embracing beside water in a dark forest. Woman embracing a man in a blue suit among gathered guests. Man leaning back and dancing among cheering reception guests. Couple holding hands beneath a wide cloudy sky beside grapevines. Two men raising their joined hands before applauding guests indoors. Couple kissing among forest trees with pink haze behind them. Couple walking together along a vineyard path at dusk. Wedding party and guests gathered at an outdoor ceremony beneath a tree. Bride laughing while holding hands with the groom beside grapevines. Black-and-white photograph of a groom holding the bride's hand on a dance floor. Close portrait of a smiling bride beside the groom in dim light. Guests laughing together around the bride outside. Guests dancing beneath a shower of colourful confetti. Young girl hugging a man and smiling over his shoulder. Bride and groom dancing before guests in a bright reception room. Men in dinner jackets walking playfully along a footpath. Bride smiling at companions during preparations in a bedroom. Couple sitting together inside a vintage van with a colourful bouquet. Guests applauding and laughing beside a garden ceremony. Bride and groom walking hand in hand through tall grass at sunset. Bride standing beside a window in a strapless wedding dress. Couple embracing beside an ivy-covered brick wall. Man in a grey suit smiling and leaning close to an older woman in a garden. Man seated at an outdoor table covering his face with one hand. Couple kissing while sitting in tall golden grass at sunset. Black-and-white photograph of two children seated at a table, one drinking from a bottle. Bride and groom posing with a group of casually dressed men in woodland. Couple embracing beneath tall yellow-leaved forest trees. Groom turning the bride beneath a cloudy sky and a rainbow. Bride and groom embracing in warm sunlight beneath leafy trees. Silhouetted men gathered beside wide windows beneath storm clouds. Couple smiling as guests throw red petals over them. Decorated plate with gold cutlery and a handwritten place card on a wooden table. Couple sitting on a rocky ledge overlooking a sunlit valley. Black-and-white photograph of guests laughing and chatting at a reception. Wedding party throwing bouquets and hats above vineyard rows. Bride and groom walking through a golden field at sunset. Wide view of guests gathered at a seaside wedding ceremony. Black-and-white portrait of a couple standing together in a grassy field. Couple holding hands while watching fireworks at night. Bride and groom laughing beneath a shower of colourful confetti. Black-and-white photograph of a wedding party walking through a city street. Couple holding hands in silhouette beneath a glowing wall sign. Couple silhouetted against a golden seaside sunset. Black-and-white photograph of an older couple laughing among guests. Bride and groom smiling on a grassy hillside at dusk. Guitarist singing into a microphone outside a glass reception building. Couple embracing beside a waterfront railing. Bride and groom sitting together on a lawn with a colourful bouquet. Wide view of a couple embracing on a sunlit clearing beside dense trees. Bride hugging an older woman wearing a red jacket. Black-and-white photograph of men laughing during preparations indoors. Groom covering his mouth with both hands beside the ceremony flowers. Black-and-white photograph of speech pages scattered on the floor beside a speaker's feet. Bride holding a colourful bouquet and wearing a decorated jacket overlooking hills. Black-and-white photograph of a woman touching a smiling groom's cheek. Bride and groom holding hands before watching guests inside a rustic reception room. Black-and-white photograph of a man embracing two children outside. Guests gathered at a park ceremony with a city skyline beyond. Black-and-white photograph of a man embracing a woman from behind beneath lights. Couple holding hands beneath trees and hanging white decorations. Bride hugging a man as guests watch inside the reception. Guests gathered outside a long brick building beneath a broad tree. Bride and groom each wiping their face with a tissue outdoors. Bride and groom smiling among guests holding sparklers at night. Two women laughing beside a large floor fan. Guests gathered outside a reception building in low evening sunlight. Black-and-white photograph of seated guests, including an older man touching his face. Wide view of a woodland ceremony beneath draped fabric and tall trees. Black-and-white photograph of a groom sitting and smiling with two older guests. Women in pink dresses reacting to the bride inside a bedroom. Wedding party arranged beside a pool beneath an autumn-covered pergola. Black-and-white photograph of a couple kissing inside a crowded vehicle. Guests laughing around an outdoor reception table. Black-and-white photograph of a woman spraying sparkling wine outside. Clear marquee on a green lawn beneath a cloudy sky. Couple standing beneath a tall lone palm tree at sunset. Close portrait of the bride's softly lit smiling face against a dark background. Bride and groom standing together on a quiet road through tall trees. Couple walking through a grassy field at sunset. Black-and-white photograph of couples dancing beneath string lights. Bride and three women holding green and white bouquets and laughing together. Men posing arm in arm near the sea at sunset. Black-and-white photograph of a suited man covering his face with both hands. Couple walking away along a road lined with tall trees. Black-and-white photograph of wedding party members seated in an ornate room. Couple embracing on a hillside overlooking distant countryside. Couple embracing beside a forest stream beneath tall sunlit trees. Black-and-white photograph of a groom hugging a man beside the bride at a woodland ceremony. Bride walking arm in arm with a man between garden ceremony guests. Two children sitting on a sofa as a girl holds a small instant camera. Five men in white shirts and underwear laughing during preparations. Bride and groom sitting among fallen leaves beside vineyard rows. Man walking under a clear umbrella on a wet gravel path. Couple posing with two guests and a small dog outside a stone building. Man laughing while holding two small curly-haired dogs indoors. Woman in a red dress walking hand in hand with a man through tall forest trees. Bride smiling and dancing with guests beneath reception lights. Groom lifting the bride across his arms on the dance floor. Two brides smiling at each other in golden sunset light. Black-and-white photograph of seated guests, including a woman wiping her eyes. Couple wearing broad-brimmed hats and holding hands in tall grass. Black-and-white photograph of a suited man smiling across a kitchen island. Couple walking through red petals outside a small chapel. Black-and-white photograph of a woman in sunglasses hugging the bride. Two brides embracing on a tree-lined country road. Bride and guests posing together with arms around each other inside a reception. Woman raising an arm while cheering guests sit around her. Groom spreading his arms as the bride approaches across a field. Guests chatting and smiling together outdoors. Couple walking across a sunlit hillside toward the setting sun. Bride leaning toward an older woman seated in a wheelchair. Couple kissing beneath sparklers held by guests at night. Bride and groom reacting beneath a burst of confetti at the reception. Bride and groom crouching beside a large black dog on the lawn. Black-and-white portrait of a couple embracing on a beach. Groom and companions laughing together at a woodland ceremony. Black-and-white photograph of a couple smiling at a baby held between them. Two figures silhouetted against a colourful dusk sky. Black-and-white close-up of a man kissing a smiling woman's forehead. Couple embracing on a lawn beneath distant sunset-lit mountains. Bride greeting an older woman outside the reception building. Two suited men standing beside horses in a paddock. Black-and-white photograph of a woman embracing a guest in bright backlighting. Bride and guests standing together in warm sunset light. Black-and-white photograph of the bride fastening a shoe while seated on a bed. Bride and groom walking together across a dry golden field. Black-and-white photograph of a bride looking down beside the groom and her bouquet. Groom lifting the bride beside an ivy-covered garden doorway. Men helping a laughing guest rise from the dance floor. Groom laughing with companions beneath garden trees. Bride and groom walking through colourful petals at a forest ceremony. Wedding party laughing while a bottle sprays sparkling wine over the lawn. Black-and-white photograph of men laughing while seated together on a sofa. Couple exchanging rings beside a celebrant in woodland. Black-and-white photograph of guests laughing and cheering at the reception. Men sharing an embrace and a cheek kiss beside the bride outdoors. Wedding party posing with bouquets beneath autumn trees. Wedding party laughing beneath a spray of sparkling wine on a lawn. Bride and groom kissing among tall forest trees. Bride dancing closely with a man beneath red reception lights. Bride and groom kissing at the front of a rustic indoor ceremony. Black-and-white photograph of a couple turning together on the dance floor. Bride in a robe tossing flower petals while sitting on a bed. Black-and-white photograph of a guitarist performing beside a brick pillar. Man holding a small figure and sign while smiling inside a chapel. Bride smiling and adjusting an earring in a bright doorway. Man embracing a woman holding a young child after a woodland ceremony. Black-and-white photograph of an older man kissing a laughing woman's cheek. Silhouetted men adjusting each other's clothing beside wide windows. Man dancing with his arms spread among reception guests. Couple laughing while leaving a chapel through their guests. Groom reaching toward the bride's face during an outdoor ceremony. Couple smiling beside the sea while wind blows the bride's hair. Black-and-white photograph of a couple dancing inside a brick reception room. Couple holding hands on shoreline rocks with hills across the water. Couple embracing beside the sea in warm sunset light. Man singing into a microphone with one arm raised beside the band. Wedding party standing among rows of tall forest trees. Small boy in a bow tie sitting on the floor and looking at a tablet. Wedding party walking together through a grassy field in sunset light. Bride and groom embracing outside a public hall. Black-and-white close portrait of a couple kissing in a field. Bride and groom laughing among guests inside the reception. Bride and groom sitting close together on stone steps. Couple kissing and embracing on a grassy hillside. Couple walking together with the setting sun behind them. Black-and-white photograph of men laughing together among forest trees. Bride raising a drink while holding the groom's hand among cheering guests. Wedding party walking between buildings beneath string lights at night. Couple and companions laughing outside a brick building with a draped ceremony arch. Man crouching and holding the hands of an older woman in a wheelchair. Bride and groom laughing together while sitting in tall green grass. Children walking down an outdoor aisle as a boy carries a chalkboard sign. Couple kissing beneath falling colourful confetti in a garden. Bride smiling while holding a small card beside a bed. Black-and-white photograph of a woman helping the bride dress in a loft room. Close portrait of a suited man in dim golden light. Three women in white dresses reacting to the bride on a veranda. Couple embracing beside a seaside wall as the bride lifts one leg. Bride and groom smiling under a shower of white petals. Black-and-white photograph of a man hugging a woman among guests outdoors. Couple walking through a shower of colourful confetti in woodland. People walking along a seaside boardwalk beside rocks and calm water. Couple and a suited man standing on a sunlit hillside. Close portrait of a couple embracing in soft dim light. Bride and groom raising glasses together at the reception. Woman holding a glass with a small cross-shaped decoration while wearing a robe. Groom climbing over a farm gate as the bride raises her bouquet beside him. Two grooms embracing on a beach in golden sunset light. Bride and groom holding hands and smiling beneath a large tree. Bride and groom laughing beside their signing table as he raises a thumb. Groom raising the bride's hand as guests applaud in a barrel-lined ceremony room. Aerial view of vineyard rows and a small couple near their edge at dusk. Black-and-white photograph of a groom dipping and kissing the bride outdoors. Bride kissing the groom's cheek while seated at a reception table. Guests laughing and posing through a decorative wooden frame. Black-and-white portrait of a couple embracing beneath sunlit forest trees. Bride touching the groom's face on a woodland path. Bride and groom laughing as guests throw white petals over them. Couple sitting on a grassy hill beneath mountains and a pink sunset sky. Couple smiling at each other beside a timber fence in evening light. Bride and four women holding white bouquets on a sunny lawn. Guests laughing together at a flower-decorated reception table. Men chatting on a terrace beneath a grey sky. Groom dipping the bride on a lawn below the reception terrace. Bride hugging a man in a blue suit beside a garden pond. Couple walking through colourful petals beneath a large tree. Bride holding a bottle toward a laughing man's mouth on the dance floor. Black-and-white photograph of a groom kissing the bride's forehead in a field. Groom and companions reacting with smiles beside the ceremony doorway. Couple standing beneath dark dramatic clouds above a waterfront town. Groom lifting the bride's dress skirt as they laugh on a lawn. Bride smiling while embracing the groom beside coastal cliffs. Couple posing beneath a broad leafy tree beside a quiet road. Man touching his eye as he sees the bride during preparations. Couple embracing beside a small seaside shed. Guests in shirts and underwear laughing and holding drinks at a reception. Black-and-white photograph of women walking beside a brick building with drinks. Man speaking while holding a long strip of speech notes beneath warm lights. Black-and-white photograph of the bride hugging a man indoors. Men laughing together in pale suits at a reception table. Bride and groom embracing beside stacked logs beneath tall trees. Two men clinking glasses at an outdoor wooden table. Bride hugging a man in a dark suit in a sunlit field. Couple raising their joined hands beneath a shower of white petals. Groom embracing the smiling bride from behind beside a coastal cliff. Couple standing close together in warm evening light in a field. Bride and groom smiling at each other among forest trees. Black-and-white photograph of guests cheering with raised glasses around a reception table. Group of guests walking through tall forest trees. Black-and-white photograph of the smiling bride embracing the groom indoors. Groom leaning beside a timber railing overlooking vineyard rows beneath storm clouds. Golden dog walking between two rows of standing wedding guests. Bride and groom smiling together beneath a tree with her colourful bouquet.

And last but not least, out of the tens of thousands of photos I took in 2018, here's my absolute favourite.  But I didn't take it at a wedding...

The moment I became a Dad.

Our daughter Quinn, about 2 seconds old.  October 8th, 2018.

Medical staff lifting a newborn baby above blue surgical drapes.

What an amazing year !

Thank you so much if you actually viewed the whole thing.  Drop us some love on my socials if you actually did, it would mean a lot to me. And that is part of what enables me to keep doing this for a living.

Thanks again.

Related Posts

Blue confetti scattered in a burst