// LOVE never FAILS

Again, here are more pictures from the wonderful wedding of Nichola and Daniel. Before I go on, I need to mention the wonderful talent and skill of my dear, dear friend Emerald. She is always Vess and my, 'right hand man/gal'. Someone to chat, eat and have adventures with. She's such an amazing person who I can always count on. I mention her, because she helped me shoot this brilliant wedding. It's such a blessing, because she came and spent the whole day with me, even though I only gave her less than a couple of days notice.

To be honest, it was quite a long day, but looking back on the photos, it was totally worth it. Capturing the moments of pure joy on so many people's faces and to be apart of someone else's amazing story leaves me with such passion for people and for God and his creation. Even now, more than two weeks after the wedding, looking back on many of the photos brings me such joy and happiness of the people I met and things I experienced. 

Hopefully through some of these photos you can get a sense of the sincere yet playful love between Daniel and Nichola. Seriously, both their faces, literally lit up by ten times once they saw each other for the first time that day. As the beautiful bride was given away by her proud father, the indescribable happiness on both their faces brought tears to mother's eyes and smiles on everyone's faces. 

The ceremony began once the bride entered the room and the bridal party and the bride and groom simply settled into their places and allowed the magic to happen. Another fab part of the day was that one of my dear friends from uni, Stefan, who is also close friends with Nichola and Daniel, was a massive part of the day, helping drive people everywhere, getting the cake, organising the carpark, setting up for the reception and giving a spongebob inspired speech. (You can see him in the above picture giving the speech!)

We took some shots at the venue of the ceremony, but unfortunately, due to booking reasons we had to vacate the place pretty much immediately after they finished their ceremony. But we were blessed enought to be able to take a couple of lovely group and family shots. I am literally in love with the brides maids and their dresses. The colour red is so striking and the lace gives it such elegance and glamour. (Totally something i would wear again!)

Since we couldn't shoot more at the venue we proceeded to the reception (which was held at Daniel's and Nichola's new house) and proceeded to take some more shot at the park, just behind their house. Despite the overcast weather, I think we got a couple of great shots. Throughout the whole time, Daniel and Nichola were so caring to one another and everyone else around them. Checking if we were okay and if each other was okay, they didn't let the rain or the wind deter them from their special wedding day. 

Home made food, do it yourself icecream and legendary pavlova by the father, made for a perfect and close knit reception dinner. As most of us, were awake since early in the morning, we seemed to have unconsciously skipped lunch and were famished by the time dinner was served. 

It was seriously such a perfect day, and after talking to Nichola later on, I can't believe the number of amazing God provided blessings that occured on the day. For example, their wedding rings were gifted to them, the ceremony venue was hired at such a reasonable price, their wedding photography was provided(we more than happily provided our services free of charge) and each side of the family blessed and encouraged their marriage.

And I have to mention Isaac, another one of our friends, who let Nichola know that I was keen to take photos at her wedding. Truthfully, without his little side comment, I'm not sure if she would have known to approach me, to ask about videography/photography!

God is good!

Included a final picture!

From the left; Emerald, Val (me) Nichola, Daniel, Isaac, Stefan

-keep inspired-

v&v

//WEDDING BLISS

1 John 4:16-19 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.  We love because he first loved us

May I present the first set of photos from the wedding of Daniel and Nichola. Two wonderful people, who my darling friend, Emerald and I were so blessed to meet and take photos for. I have always, always, always wanted to do some wedding photography of some form, may it be pre-wedding photos, couple photos or photos on the actual day. 

Well, by God's amazing blessing and grace, we were able to have a chance at wedding photography. 

This couple were so amazing. And their love for each other and their friends and family is just too infectious. Have you ever gone somewhere, where everyone is so friendly, nice and welcoming and you are left with warm fuzzies in your belly. Or you are hit with a sense of disbelief at the number of amazing people that exist in this world? This was one of those days. 

Even though Emerald and I attended the wedding as 'official photographers' we were blessed, accepted and treated as part of the family. Fed, welcomed, involved and loved, it was like God's kingdom here on earth where his children just accepted and love one another with no strings attached. But honestly the love between Daniel and Nichola, which is just so centred on Christ and his love, brought such peace and joy to my heart when watching them interact with their family, guests and one another.

Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined myself photographing a wedding and making such amazing friends. I can only pray and wish my future wedding can be the same( but don't jump to any assumptions, thats still a very long way for me yet!) where, it's not just about the couple getting married, but people can leave feeling more blessed and encounter the love of Christ at the same time. 

This is just a snippet of some of the pics from the day, 

I'm hoping to make another spread in the next post and include a few more details about the couple and about how the day went! 

-keep inspired-

v&v

//BUBBLES

“If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.” 
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Welcome to our blog post featuring our beautiful little sister Viv.

She's probably the unspoken part of v&v (I can anticipate that some of you will say, "so shouldn't it be v&v&v?")  When she has the chance, she'll be running around with us, helping us carry props and being the practical side of our creative endevours.

And yes, our family is full of 'V's. So in order the siblings in our family; Val, Vess and Viv. No boys unfortunately, and I would assume that if we did have a brother he would be named after a V as well. (Victor, Vincent..Valentino..hehe Valerio)

I quite love bubbles, it's such a simple thing, but elicits such joy and happiness to people. Pretty much; water, chemicals (soap?) and a bit of air and you have something so magical and beautiful. Isn't it always that the simple things in life are the most wonderful? 

Nearly the end of the uni semester, which means holidays! And hopefully time for more collaborations with some wonderful friends. 

Following this post will be a few more pics of Viv and our vintage camera collection!

-keep inspired/ keep smiling-

v&v

//Mali at VIC

Some very wonderful and exciting news! 

Mali, our 'Pink elephant' has been placed into it's (I like to conisder it) rightful home, the Queen Victoria market where it will reside till the end of September, after which all the elephants will be brought back to the zoo, to be auctioned off to raise funds for zoo conservation. 

Mali in the city, is a melbourne zoo and melbourne city initiative, supported by sponsors and friend's of the Melbourne zoo, which involved the painting of 50 elephants by 50 differnet artists. Each fibre glass elephant is the same size as Baby Mali, the first elephant to be born in captivity in the Melbourne zoo, amd will be placed around the city in key locations in order to celebrate the zoo's 150th birthday!

Vess and I were lucky enough and so blessed to have been chosen by Queen Vic Market as the design for their elephant! It was a real joy and pleasure painting it, and even greater joy seeing so many visitors admire and appreciate it! 

As you can see below! 

It was so great to see so many Melbournians/people, admire and interact with the elephant, to see something unusual, or unique in the typical landscape, seemed to brighten up people's day. 

Thinking back on it now, it's such a strange concept that there are probably hundredsd of people out there with pictures of our pink elephant on their phones, cameras, holiday albums, etc. ( And I wouldn't even know it!)

Check out below, even Vess' "the artist" took some family shots for people. 

Wow. 

There's so much I want to share, but I think you guys appreciate photos more, 

so more photos coming soon!

-keep inspired-

v&v

//GRANDMA DRESSES

Vess had a uni project last semester which required the need to do a fashion photo shoot for a self designed magazine. Our amazing friend Eva allowed us to shoot some photos of her in these beautiful dresses of hers, which we like to call her 'grandma dresses'. 

Due simply to the fact that they are all passed down to her wonderful Grandma who resides in Kuching Malaysia. 

Each dress and each piece were so beautiful, handmade by tailors and self designed by her grandma. There was something so unique and special about each dress, and each peice was so timeless. I personally just love how enduring these dresses were. how the quality of the dress could reach across generations, allowing it to be reworn and appreciated despite the years that passed.

We shot three to four dresses which will feature in the next three to four posts, all done in her garage with the use of the fleeting natural lighting seeping through the garage door.  

I contemplated editing some of these photos, but Vess said they were better without them.

So here are the unedited, pure, raw photos, in their simplicity. 

Enjoy!

Also wanted to do a quick shout out to our amazing new followers. You guys are amazing. Thankyou for following and looking, its so encouraging and makes me feel like the hours used up on photoshop are all worth it.

-keep inspired-

v&v

//MALI in the CITY

 Hello lovely friends. I've had so many people come up and ask me about Mali and the whole process and what it's about. Which is GREAT and really really exciting. Basically, the zoo is turning 150 years old and to celebrate, the zoo in colaboration with 50 artists have installed 50 life sized (baby sized) elephants around the city in specific places as an act of public art and to ad some colour and awareness in the city. 

These elephants will be on display until the end of the month, where they will then be auctioned off, in order to raise funds for the zoo and it's conservation work. 

As our elephant is sponsored by the Queen Victoria Market, our 'Pink Elephant' is residing at the front of the food court in the Market. We're hoping as a family to visit Mali on Sunday, to take some pictures and to see her interacting with fellow Melbournians. 

Within all the hype of painted elephants appearing around the city, thought it would be nice to provide you guys with some more 'behind the scenes' shots. Of our dear friends, Emily, Thu, Emerald and Meiling helping out to make Vess' design into a reality. 

I sort of feel a bit like Andy Warhol's factory workers. 

Making a genuis' dream into reality.

More pictures (depending on my internet) will be up soon of other elephants and the Mali in the City launch night which was held at the zoo. 

Hope you guys enjoyed the pics!

-keep inspired-

v&v

//MALI in the CITY

Hello dear friends! As promised, many of you have requested updates on what has been going on in our/my busy life. Well, something which has occupied ALOT of my time in this current uni break is, creating and painting this fibreglass lifesized elephant for my beloved sister. This holidays, I have been very occopied with this exciting project which has required me to journey to and from the zoo for a number of consecutive days!  Have a read below, which explains quite a few things: Mali in the city  Life-sized sculptures to transform Melbourne "Fifty fibreglass models of the famous elephant calf, Mali will be painted by a variety of artists and exhibited  on the city's streets during August and September to help celebrate the Zoo's 150th Anniversary. The event, run  in conjuction with Wild in Art has engaged three-time Archibald Prize finalist, artist David Bromley to be the program's Art Patron. On October 25 the entire herd will go under the hammer at an Auction Event with all  proceeds going to our conservation work as we fight the extinction of animals here in Australia and overseas. " (What I love about the explanation is that they call the elephants a "herd" tehe!) Well, Vess' design for the elephant was AMAZINGLY chosen by the Queen Victoria Market, which were one of the sponsors for the Mali in the City project, thus making her one of the artists whose work will be exhibited on the streets of Melbourne.The first picture at the top shows what her design looks like and how, hopefully, the elephants should look in the end.  I really love this initiative, made by the zoo, it really brings so many different ideas, creatives and artists together, to showcase their work and to create something unique yet interactive at the same time. As part of the project, me and my "pink elephant team" get free entry to the zoo to paint, on site at the zoo, in a 150 year old house which is brimming which other artists and designers who are so passionate about their work and their careers.  There's so many stories to tell and pictures to show, so I will be devoted the next few blog posts to explain my once in a lifetime experience of painting an Elephant!  Stay tuned for more pics, but till then have a look at some of the other designs and really cool things the zoo has planned, in celebration of the zoo's 150th birthday!  -keep inspired- v&v

//MOON RIVER

As promised here are more pictures from our beautiful day out with the wonderful Jon and Steph! I forgot to mention in the last post that the particular park which we were shooting in is actually where Jon propsed to Steph. It's such a cute story and it did involve a bit of sneakiness on Jon's part and did involve bending down on one knee to seal the deal.

These photos here were from our final part of our photo shoot, some beach shots at St Kilda beach. I do believe we were quite ambitious and adventurous with our day, considering it was our first 'proper shoot' (as in, not just Vess or I simply galavanting through the park or streets) we tried to squeeze in as much shooting as possible. Thankfully Jon and Steph were so kind and patient with us throughout the day. Such amazing people. 

Thankyou to all our supportors of B.P.S! You, my dear friends, inspire us to continue posting and updating (will attempt and do my best to be more frequent!). I guess in the winter weather, it is extremely hard to be motivated, to do, anything (that includes uni work!). But nevertheless we will push through and present to you more interesting pics of our little projects!

And to those new to B.P.S.

Welcome! 

-keep inspired-

v&v

//SOFTIE LOVE

Heyo friends!

I don't know about you, but Melbourne has been extremely cold! Last week we were enjoying sticky warm weather whereby I could wear shorts casually and comfortably. Okay, we were enduring it.

But now.... It's cold and I'm wearing thermals under my pjs and a cardigan on top!

So yes. Melbourne weather is just wacky.

On a warmer note. All this cold weather got me thinking about being foled into a big warm place, so it was surprising that I managed to stumble upon this find:

It was sitting within my multitudes of photos and random bits of inspiration (which includes this image:)



hehehehe

This cute little guy was a present that we had made for our darling friend Selina. We made it for her birthday present one year. And we were pretty chuffed that it turned out so well! We learnt how to make this little cutie from one of the best crafty books that I have used! More Softies is just one of those books that has wonderful images and really really makes you want to make yourself a warm and soft companion to make these cold Melbourne nights seem, not so bad.

So I hope that this post finds all of you lovely readers in a place that is warmer than my toes are right now. 

Thank you for reading and visit us again on Thursday.

Why? 

Because Val will be blogging and I think that she has some fashion photography to share with you lovely lot.

keep inspired

v&v 

//YOU'RE MY CUPPYCAKE

OH-HALO FRIENDS!

We wanted to give a little shout to you guys by saying hello this morning with some little lovely treats!

If you remember, or if you don't that it perfectly normal/fine/acceptable, Val and I went with our lovely friends to the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.

When we were there, we managed to pick up something sweet for our darling sister. 

And what could possibly be sweeter than a cupcake that resembles a rolling hill of flowers blooming in the late spring!

Check out this wonder of a cupcake!

How delightful is it! The surrounding delicacies are cupcakes from coles. Heh, just added a bit to the photo I suppose.

I know what you're all thinking now.

You're thinking, did this cupcake of wonder and spring delights ever make it's way into our little sister's belly? And if it did, what sort of scrumptious flavours were infused into this little cuppy-cake?

(a.k.a "What did it taste like????)

WELL. This little cupcake served it's purpose too well! Our little sister thought that it was too pretty to eat! So as it sat and looked pretty in the fridge until this poor cupcake was slowly slowly... starting to expire.

So a lesson to be learned dear readers,

cupcakes are pretty, that I got,

but left for a while, they will definately rot.

Ah well, you can remember it with these photos and appreciate the skill and talent to produce such an delight to look at. I'm sure that it tasted... like what it appeared to be. (grass?)

keep inspired

v&v