Kristian Anderson....

This is a pretty hard post to write, & to be honest I dont even have the words.
Kristian Anderson passed away this week on the 2nd of Jan. An incredible Fighter, Husband to Rachel, Father to Cody & Jakob, Brother, Son & Friend. Kris asked me to take photos of his family, just after he found out that he had months to live.

I cried for a week...

I dont really understand why, apart from the obvious to learn that he didn't have the time he thought & longed for, but I learnt so much about why I do what I do as a photographer & why photography is so important to me. I'm someone that feels like I become part of that family for that hour when we are together. And editing the photos for hours staring at priceless faces, is something I love. Photography is the ability to create & freeze moments that every time you look at the photograph, the emotion, the colour, the family bond is felt, Love.

This was truely an afternoon I will never forget. The courageousness & strength that Kris showed, doing this session with his family was unspeakable. The pain he was in, but never complained, just said "sure", & smiled, looking & watching Rach & the boys.

Kris you will never know how many lives you truly touched, changed & inspired. You were a man of incredible faith & I loved how you were unashamed at being so real.
Thankyou

Rachel. You are a true & real example of Love, Christs love. There are no words.... You are beautiful.

Rachel gave some of the photos from our session together to the Daily Telegraph which was published on the 4th of Jan 2012 from that shoot. There are also ones from the Daily Telegraph website gallery.

Phil & Lucy's Engagement Party!

You might remember this gorgeous couple from their engagement session a couple of months back..
The Big Party arrived, & what an afternoon it was. Just a warning.... THIS IS SOME SERIOUS EYE CANDY!! You will see why...
There was a massive 20 seat dining table that was filled with of all sorts of sweets. Lets just say I was a happy gal! Lucy's mum is an extraordinary cook, & the dessert table was once again filled with all kinds of desserts. The decorations were very indie chic & were stunning. The weather was warm & sunny, I was loving the gorgeous afternoon light, & ocean below. Such a special afternoon & evening with all of Phil & Lucy's friends celebrating with them.
Enjoy!

The Gerreyn Family

Such a beautiful family! Glen & Belinda run Oxygen Factory. They run seminars in schools, as well as provide resources for high school students, parents, & teachers. I have been to a few of Glens seminars, they are outstanding at equiping young poeple to make great choices as well as reaching their full potential. Glen speaks to more than 100,000 people each year!
So as you can see this is one incredible family! Grace, Eden, their latest edition Willow...
Enjoy!

Just an update...

Lately I have had a lot of people commenting on my lack of posts.. Its not that I havent been working, just lacking the time to blog. Mid December I got my tonsils out as well, as they were VERY much needing to come out due to my 7 bouts of Tonsillitis last year as well as 7 bouts this year...

I think I totally underestimated the Recovery from this operation, to say the least, it has been very brutal, painful and LONG....

But Im on the mend! So never fear there will be some posts to come in the next couple of days as I ease myself back into working... 

I cant wait to share with you what has been happening in the life of Stacie_Petra Photography.

Stacie x

Dan & Bonnie's Wedding 15th October

You might remember Dan & Bonnie's engagement session not that long ago.. you can see it here.

The 15th of October was definitely a special day as it was not only Dan & Bonnie's wedding, but it was also my 6th Wedding Anniversary. It was absolutely pouring the days leading up to the wedding... and thank God, it was boiling on the day of the wedding.

Firstly it was getting ready at the hotel in the city, where I dont think I have met a calmer bride.. the morning was such a delight. The little flower girls were such a treat.. and were just toooo much fun to photograph, they were little balls of energy!
Then it was to the ceremony.. where Bonnie was greeted by her dad, which was a beautiful moment.
Seeing Dan's face as he saw Bonnie, well lets just say the photo says it all.
I have just loved meeting Dan & Bonnie, they were honestly one of the easiest and most fun-loving couples I have shot. Such a beautiful couple & I felt so blessed so have been apart of their day, even having photographed this day with a 41 degree temp, as I was battling tonsilitis...they made it a dream to do!
Thankyou guys!

Enjoy! :)