Ariana & Tim || Dunedin, New Zealand

“She is free in her wildness, she is a wanderess, a drop of free water. She knows nothing of borders and cares nothing for rules or customs. 'Time' for her isn’t something to fight against. Her life flows clean, with passion, like fresh water.” -- Roman Payne

It's strange how friendships can form across borders and across oceans. It's amazing to me how the internet, although criticised for turning society into an anti-social mess, can still bring two strangers together and form life long friendships. 

Ariana & Tim's blog caught my eye about three years ago now. Ariana and I were about the same age and were both attempting to figure out what having a blog meant and how photography could be used to tell stories and perhaps create a business we had always dreamed of owning. We bonded over instagram filters, travel daydreams and our faith. We chatted constantly about our relationships, and our dreams and our goals for ourselves. We were living identical lives in different countries and, although there was an ocean between us, it was like we had known each other our whole lives.

Late last year, Tim did the most beautiful and wonderful thing and got down on one knee and asked Ari to be his forever and not long after that I got a message from the two of them asking if they could fly me over to shoot their wedding. Happy dances ensued and a few months later I was on a plane, crossing the ditch, to Dunedin, New Zealand.

I can't begin to describe the days that followed. I was adopted into Tim & Ari's family without a thought and I immediately felt at home. We adventured together to the local beaches, cliffs and rolling hills and we laughed about the slight differences in our accents and slang (seriously...what is trim milk!). We took photos together and enjoyed a beautiful engagement session a few days before the wedding. I became friends with their friends, we drank cider and ate buckets of food and at the end of the day I would come home to the apartment and watch the sun set over the beautiful country side. I had always loved my job, but it was in that moment that I fell in love with it.

Their wedding day was nothing but happiness and joy. The sun came out just as my dear friends said their vows. The soft clouds came back over during the portrait session creating the most beautiful light I've ever worked with and the reception was full of laughs, tears and kick-ass dancing which meant I couldn't feel my feet by the time I got home.

I'll never forget my time with Ari & Tim during their wedding week. I'm so grateful for photography and the opportunities and friendships it has given me. I love telling stories and I love the people these stories are about. It's so amazing that I am able to capture these moments for Ari & Tim to treasure in their home for every year that will pass from here on out. I feel very blessed xxx