A taste of what's been keeping my trigger-finger busy of late - even if recent events have this page WAY behind the times. Prepare ye for a year-end catchup or see my travel blog for recent adventures abroad!

A sourcy night in the city
Photographed 8 June, 2010 (link)

The TPI Sourcing Industry Awards (SIA) have been established to celebrate and promote organisations and teams within the sourcing community that have demonstrated high performance leadership and best practices in the sourcing and service management fields.

The inaugural 2010 TPI Sourcing Industry Awards (SIA) dinner was held at est. and the winners on the night were Ruwani Balalla, AMP, for Best Young Sourcing Talent; Unisys for Service Provider Excellence for its engagement with the Australian National Audit Office, and AMP & CSC for Best Sourcing Relationship.

Kicking a goal for the kiddies
Photographed 22 May, 2010 (link)

Redkite ran their annual celebrity AFL match at the Sydney Cricket Ground as the curtain-raiser for the Sydney Swans v Fremantle Dockers match.

Thanks to the generous support of the Sydney Swans, the match with Fremantle is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for Redkite and the families they support. The day kicked off with the Redkite family lunch followed by the keenly awaited celebrity match.

Two teams, captained by the ABC's Adam Spencer and Nova's Merrick Watts played a hard, fast and entertaining game in front of thousands of fans!

All aboard the Redkite Express!
Photographed 1 May, 2010 (link)

Thanks to the generosity of the staff at the Sydney Live Steam Locomotive Society, families were able to enjoy a lovely day out riding the steam trains, face painting, games & activities and a show by the loved Humphrey B Bear.

Thanks to all the families supported by Redkite for coming along and making the day so special!

Party in the park
Photographed 16 January, 2010 (link)

Hyde Park shook with the arrival of Stella & Emmanuel's bridal party, not just because of the small fleet of accompanying vehicles! Car-show polish added extra shine to the classic attire and smouldering looks.

From high-octane horsepower to the rustic charm of St Mary's Cathedral, the location shoot set the stage for a riotous night of dancing at the Venus reception lounge.

The bride and the prancing stallion
Photographed 3 January, 2010 (link)

It was a pedal-to-the-metal start to 2010 when Con raced to the church to wed Maria before driving away in Enzo Ferrari's finest steed.

The classical elegance prevailed throughout the day, with a location shoot at St Mary's Cathedral and along Sydney's high-end fashion strip before a reception that was decorated with the bride's finest homewares range. Pure class beginning to end!

The only way is up!
Photographed 7 December, 2009 (link)

This year's MLC employee roadshow, Imagine, had a particular focus on the Aviva integration, highlighted by performances from the Aviva band (in Sydney & Melbourne) and some special guest back-up singers.

After a year that featured the fallout of the GFC, the newly-christened "golden eggs" put a song in the hearts of the people who attended, finishing the show with a bang!

Advice Solutions Excellence Awards
Photographed 25 November, 2009 (link)

Another excellent evening awaited the MLC Advice Solutions team after a year they might otherwise prefer to forget! Despite the effects of the Global Financial Crisis, the team chose to show their true colours by supporting adviser businesses and adding value to their client relationships.

General Manager Greg Miller and our irrepressable hosts entertained the group and presented awards for team achievements and sales outcomes for the year, setting the scene for an enthusiastic after-party at the Firehouse!

The Boys in Blue
Photographed 7 November, 2009 (link)

Clear Spring skies greeted the wedding of Shawn & Stacey, matching the apparel of the gregarious bridal party. From the clifftop chapel overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the weather teased us down to the water for photos on the sand and amidst the adjacent rockpools.

A breakdown on the way to the reception had us worried we'd miss the grand arrival, but a lift from some of the guests averted a crisis and propelled us headlong in a raucous night capped by a rendition of Cold Chisel's Khe San - an archetypal and moving Aussie wedding!

Redkite Corporate Quiz
Photographed 30 October, 2009 (link)

A mis-scheduling almost had me miss this latest installment in the great work that Redkite does for families impacted by childhood cancer. Fortunately, my friend Chris Giovannis got this fundraising spectacular off to a great start so I could join him after my flight back to Sydney from Melbourne.

Presented by Redkite ambassadors Adam Spencer, Tony Squires and Brad McEwan with a host of celebrities and high-profile business teams filling the room, the night was a resounding success, mixing intellect with hilarity to raise funds to support almost 100 oncology families for a year.

Melbourne sundowner
Photographed 28 October, 2009 (link)

My schedule in Melbourne has been pretty gruelling these past months, and the lead-up to the end of October made no exception! Twice this week I found myself napping (or distracted) on the tram home, requiring a mid-town alight and walk back to my hotel by the day's last light.

One problem with an intended brisk walk 'home' is when you're treated to a spectacular dusk skyscape amongst the glistening Yarra and reflecting surfaces of the surrounding city towers. Distracting if you're heading home to your favourite program on the tv, but most rewarding if you can recognise the grandeur of an urban landscape basking in nature's daily glory.

A tale of two churches
Photographed 24 October, 2009 (link)

Meredith's father was sure to emphasise the plural trips down the aisles in his speech at her and John's reception. With brilliant skies overhead and flanked by their siblings, the happy couple commemorated their union first in the Catholic then the Greek Orthodox church.

The day also presented us with excellent conditions for a spectacular coastal location shoot, where even the fish in the water below were leaping for joy!

Christening smackdown!
Photographed 18 October, 2009 (link)

I'd predicted an animated guest of honour at Katherine's Christening, and this beautiful little toddler didn't disappoint! Her growing displeasure with being held throughout the service reached fever pitch when it was time for her to be anointed.

Her Godfather was glad for his martial arts training as he fought to keep a secure hold of his feisty young charge and her defiant antics caused twitters of laughter throughout the gathering of family and friends. All was forgotten by the luncheon afterwards, when dancing with her cousins and friends was a much more favourable activity!

Under the boardwalk
Photographed 17 October, 2009 (link)

Chris' marriage to Barbara was celebrated in front of their families and attended by their beautiful daughter Mikayla. The location shoot was a rare opportunity for the couple to be alone together, particularly in the shaded seclusion under a beachside boardwalk.

A taste of Tetsuya
Photographed 15 October, 2009 (link)

It was a long time in the making on many fronts; our first visit to the former Restaurant Suntory location in over thirteen years to celebrate an anniversary of even greater proportions!

Despite being able to execute the surprise dinner at Australia's world-famous Tetsuya's, the real delights came in many colours and flavours - culminating in Tetsuya's signature salmon dish - this crusted steak was to die for!

Perhaps that was a little melodramatic: after 15 courses and feeling fit to explode, we merely rolled out of the restaurant with a fond farewell to our hosts and took fresh (satisfied) steps on our long journey together.

Baby's got blue eyes
Photographed 11 October, 2009 (link)

It may have been a chilly early-Spring morning, but that didn't stop a trip to the beach at Brighton-le-Sands for brunch with our friends Michelle andGinny. We were, of course, joined by their respective husbands and children, notably Michelle & Craig's new baby Louise, who has the bluest eyes I think I'd ever seen!

The serene restaurant setting soon gave way to a trip to the beach and some unsanctioned frolicking in the waves lapping at the shoreline - and filling the boots of my god-daughter Lara!

Memoirs of Aviva
Photographed 30 September, 2009 (link)

When Aviva's Australian wealth management business was acquired by the National Australia Bank and became part of MLC & NAB Wealth, the completion of the sale called for an event to mark the end of one era and the beginning of a new one for its employees.

Aviva's Australian CEO Allan Griffiths welcomed the audience to the magnificent 'Memoirs of Aviva' event, sharing his hopes for the business and its people, as well as his own plans for the future.

Michael's Christening
Photographed 20 September, 2009 (link)

We had a brilliant Sydney day for baby Michael's Christening, as well as family that came from as far away as Melbourne and New Zealand! This curious little lad only cried for a short spell while getting changed during the service and was mischievous enough to try a quick 'leak' on his Godfather (avoided thanks to the quick-thinking priest)!

Spiro & Melissa
Photographed 23 August, 2009 (link)

It was a beautiful day that heralded a long voyage. Melissa met Spiro during a holiday to Greece and, as love blossomed, they set upon a future together in their Mediterranean homeland.

But first it was a wedding in Sydney, amongst all of Melissa's family and friends - going as far back as pre-school - that perfectly blended a modern wedding with Hellenic traditions.

Heading for the surf
Photographed 9 August, 2009 (link)

A family portrait session was jeapardised by the prospect of City2Surf street closures blocking access to our planned shoot location. Fortunately, some forward planning and an early start not only allowed us to complete the shoot as planned, but also allowed me to catch some of the fun-run action action, from the front runners to the vast crowd taking a more leisurely pace.

It was a characteristically bright winter's day that greeted a massive field of 75,000, including the little kiddies and some of their favourite characters!

Nick & Eleni
Photographed 25 July, 2009 (link)

A wedding to really get the motor running! With a small platoon in the bridal party, bouquets the size of satellite dishes and some high-octane transportation, it was a spectacular sunset by the sea that still stole the show.

Stress-Down Day
Photographed 24 July, 2009 (link)

MLC's long-term relationship with Lifeline encompasses numerous activities, including support for the annual 'Stress Down Day' activities. At the North Sydney head office, there was a morning tea, iridology sessions, a competition for unusual slippers and even a laughter workshop - that had participants gasping for air, in peals of laughter!

Evelyn's 13th Birthday Party
Photographed 17 July, 2009 (link)

Evelyn's 13th birthday party on an anything-but-black Friday night. Dancing the night away with friends from school (and DJ James) after feasting by candle-light in The Ivory Room at Le Sands Pavilion on the boardwalk at Brighton. A night to remember!

John & Pamela
Photographed 11 July, 2009 (link)

'Tis the season for dramatic sunsets ahead of wild nights - as was the case with John and Pamela's wedding day. As the night approached, the day's last light afforded us some fabulous silhouettes against the reflective bay waters.

An Ultra night of Violet
Photographed 4 July, 2009 (link)

Revellers painted the town 'Ultra Violet' at this year's Colour Ball, raising a staggering $90,000 for Redkite to support families through childhood cancer. The colour-themed event took place at Harbours Edge in Darling Harbour, Sydney with Seven Network's Tom Williams as MC.

The guests, wearing ultra violet  to great effect, were treated to fabulous canapés and drinks, a silent auction, raffles and door prizes. The band Hit Machine was again a huge crowd pleaser!

The event is organised by the Y4K Committee and since its inception has raised an incredible $860,000. Redkite receives no government funding and relies entirely on the generosity of the community to provide its important services in support of children and young people with cancer, like the night's Redkite speaker Jude Lawrence, and their families.

Join the Y4K Colour Ball Group on Facebook to be the first to know
when next year's Silver Lining  event rolls around!

A rainbow of colour
Photographed 20 June, 2009 (link)

Showers throughout the day couldn't dampen spirits or the colour of Tony & Lee's wedding day! The bridesmaids were boasting a gifted gene pool, but it was the kaleidoscope of colour in the bridal party's dresses and accessories that offset the clouds overhead.

We enjoyed a spirited day and the dancefloor action at the reception nearly blew the roof off!

Golden friendships
Photographed 7 June, 2009 (link)

With two of the group about to move overseas with their parents, I was commissioned to shoot this group of schoolfriends as a memento of their time together in Sydney.

The session was blessed from the start - after a week of rain (and an overcast morning), mother nature gave us a spectacular Sydney winter's day with some rich golden light. And when clouds blew across and delivered a sunshower, we were rewarded for braving the light rain with this magnificent rainbow. A memorable afternoon indeed!

Redkite Celebrity AFL Game
Photographed 24 May, 2009 (link)

Today, the Redkite team presented another Celebrity AFL Game to raise awareness and funds for their amazing work with children and their families facing the ordeal of childhood cancer.

The event brought together identities from TV (including 'Underbelly' & 'Packed to the Rafters') and radio, sporting codes and even a rock and roller to stage a curtain-raiser for the Sydney Swans vs Port Adelaide main event at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The teams, captained by the ABC's Adam Spencer and Nova's Merrick Watts played a hard, fast and entertaining game in front of thousands of fans - and made the day of the dozen of Redkite kiddies taking part in the day!

Eleftheria Arvanitaki at the Sydney Opera House
Photographed 23 May, 2009 (link)

Our friends Judy & John tipped us off to a Sydney Opera House performance we couldn't miss. Eleftheria Arvanitaki is an icon of Greek music who burst into my consciousness with her performance at the closing ceremony of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

After a pause of more than ten years, her return to Australia owed thanks to the Greek Festival of Sydney and her unsurprisingly sold-out opening night was attended by prominent people from across the local Hellenic social fabric.

With a voice that traverses the ages, Eleftheria captivated the audience with songs infused with her current Spanish inspirations and the traditional music of the refugees from Asia Minor. The end result was spellbinding, escalating to her climactic 'Dynata', the lyrics of which I'm determined to not just translate (with much help) but truly interpret.

At this point of the night, virtually every person in the concert hall was on their feet in rapturous applause!

K's 1st Birthday
Photographed 17 May, 2009 (link)

Birthdays are always a special celebration, never more so than when it's your first! A turn of brilliant weather made the celebration an even brighter affair than we expected!

Marie & Chris' Wedding
Photographed 16 May, 2009 (link)

We couldn't wait for Marie & Chris' big day and were determined to celebrate with the newlyweds in enthusiastic style! I only took a camera as an afterthought - a few of the girls from my wife's work were eager for some 'reportage' and I didn't want to disappoint!

In the end, it was a blessing; as the spectacular night wrapped up I captured some exclusives of the couple's farewell rituals and the night's end. Congratulations, guys!

Redkite Train Day
Photographed 2 May, 2009 (link)

Redkite is a leading Australian charity supporting children, young children and their families through the journey of childhood cancer. Their Family Train Day is for families supported by Redkite and is in its 11th year at the Sydney Live Steam Locomotive Park in West Ryde.

The day gives families an opportunity to relax and have fun together - and with the trains, a great lunch and family entertainment, a great day was had by all!

Paul & Victoria's Wedding
Photographed 26 April, 2009 (link)

A chilling Autumn wind was the only blight on an otherwise HOT day's shoot! A great couple, stunning photo spots and a bridal party that loved to play up for the camera!

Christos Anesti!
Photographed 19 April, 2009 (link)

Orthodox Easter is my favourite time of the year - feasting and family making for an engaging mix with the devotional services. The crowds from our local community add to the spectacle of the Easter services, and make the events all the more memorable!

J's 1st Birthday
Photographed 5 April, 2009 (link)

Just weeks after his Christening celebration, our young family cousin was a beaming guest of honour at his first birthday party. We arrived early to get a few family portraits, including the beaming boy showing of his new trick of standing by himself. Happy Birthday!