As a relatively new photographer in the Blue Mountains I am already feeling like a winner - to be up against some of the regions most established and experienced businesses. And I have you to thank. Each and every client from Sydney to Blackheath and beyond, that took a couple of minutes to cast your vote - Thankyou.

I am confident in saying that I put my heart, energy and experience into every single commission I get, and am my harshest critic. I always strive to do better, do it quicker. Today I am going to let myself have a quiet little celebration and go easy on myself. To take a moment at what has already been achieved in such a short time, and look with happy anticipation to what can be achieved in the future.

I am pretty chuffed to see I made it in the paper last week too :)

So in celebration I am going to share a little something that came in my inbox last week. From the lovely Tracy who's wedding I photographed recently (did I mention her fabulous husband Steve organised the whole things from Afghanistan?!? Awesome groom indeed).

'Ann,

WOW! You are such a talented photographer.  The wedding pictures are BEAUTIFUL.  Steve did an EXCELLENT job finding you :) And you really captured our day just the way we dreamt it would turn out.  We could not have captured it properly without you.

THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart :)'

Thank you Tracy - the pleasure was mine.

See a sneak peek from Tracy & Steve's Mountaintop Wedding here:

Over the Moon Photography Blog

I think a shared interest may very well be one of the integral ingredients to a long and happy marriage... for keeping the dream alive and for still wanting to ride off into the sunset together..

This lovely lady was at the Jazz in the Mall event during the Roaring 20s Festival and had her 1926 Jewett on display. I was impressed by the fact that she made is clear it was hers, not her husbands - he owned the motor-bike - and that it had been lovingly restored with all the original motor bits and pieces of the era. It came as a surprise to me that many vintage cars have a vintage shell and a modified modern engine inside. Kathleen's Jewett was indeed the real deal.For those who want to see the bike, that will be in another post...

The priveledge of capturing such love, & genuine commitment blows me away as to how lucky I am to live the life I lead & to do something that I love, that makes people happy.

A truly open, passionate and authentic wedding ceremony of which I was honoured to be a part of.

Thankyou John & Angela for allowing me into your world for the day to capture your gorgeous wedding day.

This family was just adorable, the little girl had watched her grandmother making her dress the night before and was so excited to be out and about in her gorgeous glittery costume.

I want to share some moments taken with my iphone 3, I love them not for their amazing expertise or exposure but for the moment captured in time. The glimpse of beauty in randomness, the preciousness of the moment. The fragility of life and love. I have been 'collecting evidence' with my camera phones for years.

I can't really put into words the emotions I have been feeling watching the news and thinking of all the people that have lost homes, loves, lives. I guess that's why I am a photographer and not a copywriter.

This little girl on the ferry was so taken with the munchkin. For whatever reason there was a connection. She reached out, so childlike and innocent of social boundaries. She wanted to connect. Magic.

So often we can go through our lives feeling like we are trying to piece together a puzzle, always missing just one niggling little piece. It's times like these I remember my puzzle is whole and complete.

Recently I have been dashing here and there, with a deadline here and a meeting there, I may have kept my phone in my pocket and overlooked a couple of these precious moments. Well world, you've got my attention.

Big loves. Annx

Naturally, the posse moved on to the Blue Mountains Manor House to partake in Charleston dancing lessons before a sumptuous 3 course dinner listening to live music by the Mountain Jazz Trio with Pam Allen. And of course a prize for Best Dressed was up for grabs!

I loved being surrounded by happy people all having fun, getting in character and celebrating a time of carefree joy and frivolity in the world's history. It was a fabulous evening, and even better that on a cool and misty evening on the mountaintop there was a warm Manor House with a cosy vibe.

I love a woman that knows what she wants, so when Jaclyn called me from hospital 2 days before Christmas to make a booking, I just had to make it happen, and coming back from holidays early was so worth it.Such perfect little hands, ears and toes, newborn babies are just a wonder to behold.

The lovely tenderness with which Frankie's Mum and Dad bestowed upon little Frankie during our photo session I could see this was a little boy who is going to have a childhood filled with loving memories.

With explosive projectile wees and poos it was certainly a photo session to be remembered! Thank you Jaclyn for sharing the afternoon with me and letting me into your lives for brief time. It was truly lovely and I will have your online gallery up soon! Ax

After days of rain, there was a convergence of family and friends from all over the country, and the globe, to bask in the love and the sunshine as Rach and Steve got married at sunset near 'Coochie's' well known Red Rock Point. I loved their down-to-earth approach to their wedding, they were of course organised, and with wonderful ideas of how it might pan out but as Rach said on the morning before her wedding - 'as long as I am married to the right man at the end of the day I'll be happy'. And she was true to her word.

I loved the bare feet, the humor, the joy, the acceptance, and partnership that they shared so freely with everyone present at the ceremony.

It was wonderful to see their creativity and unique relationship expressed in so many ways at their ceremony and their reception. Rach and Steve were so relaxed in who they are as individuals and trusting in their future together that it was inspiring. I love weddings!!

Congratulations Mr & Mrs Powell, and Thankyou for giving our little family the honour of each having such a special role to remember on such a special day in your lives.

Ann xx

Vanessa and Stephen had taken much time to include their families and guests in their wedding ceremony, and it was a wonderful expression of their love for each other, and their passion for the environment.

With so much attention to detail I was in heaven for shooting creatively, starting with the artwork of a dress Vanessa had made personally.

As best friends in love, it seemed so fitting that this groom would be there to zip up the bride!

Vanessa and Stephen had thought carefully about how their day would go, so that once they were wed they could share the most time possible celebrating with their loved ones. So prior to the ceremony we went on a photo adventure with the couples' immediate family for a cliff side shoot (location chosen that morning by the groom)...

With wonderful sunny weather comes a different set of challenges to the rainy day, and the bright sunny day following days of rain brings new challenges yet again. Such as puddles for the more mature to leap and shadows under the eyes at midday if you are not equipped or practised in midday challenges. However we had all worn our 'sensible' shoes and all made it to the location with dry feet and within minutes were all laughing and admiring the stunning view.

With a brolly to shade the bride (don't want her melting in the hot sun before the ceremony!) and lots of humour from the teens we got some gorgeous shots. Then back to have a wedding!

Each guest received a carnation for the ceremony and the poems read by the children of this newly blended family were touching. Everything had a sentiment and meaning to share. Even the sweets were served afterwards in compostible eco cups - likely to have been sourced from Vanessa's Eco Shop - Zuri Homewares.

Congratulations Vanessa and Stephen on what was a wonderful wedding that clearly showed your love for each other and your children, and your commitment to a fabulous future together.

Thankyou for including me in such a love-filled day.

Happy birthday me :)

Stephen & Vanessa, I'll be in touch soon regarding your full wedding story CD.