December saw the realisation of a long-time dream to visit and tour New Zealand. We rented a car and drove from Auckland in the North Island, down to Christchurch in the South Island, over a period of two weeks.

Along the way we visited friends and relatives in Auckland, stayed in beautiful campsites, went beer tasting, and generally met an amazing bunch of people, both locals and other tourists. The scenery was incredible and New Zealanders are the warmest, most welcoming people you’re ever likely to meet.

For the record, two weeks is not enough. There is so much of the country that we didn’t get to see. Next time! :)

Have I mentioned how much I love film? :) Last week I got two rolls of film processed and scanned. One black and white (Ilford HP5) and the other colour (Kodak Portra 400NC). Here’s a few of my faves, the first one is my daughter.

This has been an amazing year for me. At the beginning of the year I was discovering how much I enjoyed wedding photography, and over the course of the year I’ve shot nine weddings, five as a 2nd shooter/assistant, and four for my own clients.

I also got to shoot several family and couple portrait sessions, shot some model tests, a band and a motocross team. I’ve had some fantastic clients and I’ve created many images I’m proud of.

2011 will be a year to build my wedding photography business, and also expand my portrait work. In particular I hope to shoot more editorial and corporate portraits. Wedding work is very seasonal and I need to build a business that is sustainable the whole year round.

I’ve made a short selection of some favourite images from the year…

First family shoot for the year was with my cousin’s family. Young Murray has a twinkle in his eye.

Next was the tremendously energetic Aaron.

Heinrich & Rene, my first wedding clients. Great wedding too!

An engagement shoot for Friends Zoe & Jarrod. They used the images from the shoot in the guest book at their wedding.

Two-week old Austen with a very proud dad.

In winter I attended a wedding photography workshop with the Cape Town School of Photography. Despite dark rainy weather, I managed to capture some great images, and learnt a few things along the way.

The New Mustangs, my first band shoot. I really enjoyed this and am dying to shoot more bands.

September 15 saw the birth of my own daughter. Since then I have taken thousands of images of young Brooke.

An awesome relaxed engagement shoot with Cathy and Hagen on the beach.

Groom Werner gets some advice from his brother before tying the knot with Jasmin on the beach at Yzerfontein.

Calvin Vlaanderen, one of the Pelotrain-managed motocross riders that I shot on the windiest day of the year. Expect to see some shots from this shoot in the local mags.

Dutch dancer and model Tresor joined me for a studio session in November, to get images to expand his portfolio.

Model Alethea was my subject in a shoot for a final year fashion student.

Chris and Jayne were the happy couple in my first wedding that I shot for Mitch from I Do Photography. An amazing wedding out in Worcester.

After shooting the beach engagement session, I got to cover Cathy & Hagen’s wedding too. Here is Cathy during the first dance at their reception at Silvermist.

An emotional wedding with many teary moments, during the ceremony and the reception, Denzil and Karin.