Winter Fashion: The Remarkable Engagement Shoot
My soul mate and fiancé Sarah and I were nearing our winter getaway to Queenstown when an exciting opportunity popped up to have some engagement photos done by a talented wedding photographer Andra Krista, who recently moved to Arrowtown from the US with her hubby (quite the location change!).
Sarah and I got engaged last Christmas and hadn’t given much thought to doing an engagement shoot. I think we both felt like it would feel too staged and well, just a bit cheesy. However these ideas went straight out the window once we got sight of Andra’s work and we recognised it’s not often we get couple photos that aren’t selfies!
Well we had an absolute blast if you can’t tell by the grins on our faces. And wow just look at the results…!
We went into this shoot with an open mind and an appreciation of having this moment to capture our love by a professional, and Andra was great at reminding us to just be ourselves and have some fun, but also provide direction where needed.
There’s such an authenticity to seeing silliness all happening in the moment and we couldn’t be happier with these treasured memories Andra helped us capture.
While it might appear as if Sarah and I had meticulously co-ordinated our outfits, we didn’t. What you’re seeing here is a real-life example of naturally matching one other - which is a proven side effect of being in love. Kinda cute really. What was also quite surprising - which I didn’t even think about until one of our family members pointed out - was that our looks complemented the environment around us too!
Since we’re talking fashion for a moment, let’s quickly cover what I’m wearing.
Beginning with the army wool trench coat that I scored in NYC over a decade ago (brand no longer exists unfortunately) as the centrepiece that my entire look is built around.
Next up is a black merino quarter zip from Hallensteins, something like this is an easy way to give your style a bump and merino is a fabric I enjoy beyond just the practical warmth it brings.
And down bottom, I’m in some of my favourite APC denim jeans and to complete the look, rubber combat boots from Zara.
Nice nice!
This was our first trip to Queenstown together and it was more than I could have dreamed of. We did many of the things we love doing together, like hikes up mountains, bike rides, finding good coffee spots, eating outrageously good food and snowboarding up the Remarks. To top if off and immortalise our trip we even got matching tattoos - what!
The idea of getting tattoos was something we discussed only a couple of days into our trip, but once we locked on to a tattoo inspired by The Remarkables mountain range that we both love, we tracked down a local artist we vibed and the very next morning we were there getting inked.
Where we got our tattoos was a neat and unique experience, as much as the tattoo itself. The setting had mountain and lake views, a wood fire and Sarah even got to practise some yoga - all at the lovely home of our incredible artist Leila. Leila and her partner (also a tattoo artist) made us feel right at home like we were friends swinging by for a cup of tea.
We all know this too well, but need reminding of, is that life can get so busy that we don’t stop often enough to appreciate the beauty that is all around us. Every which way you look in Queenstown you are blown away by its wonder. It is a magical place, everyone who visits will tell you this. The locals, well they draw power from it daily.
Queenstown has a way of reminding you of the greater forces at play in the world and can humble you, and even heal you.
Just like love does.
Here’s to all of those out there who have been so fortunate, like me, to have found a love that’s so real, beautiful and breathtaking, like the Queenstown landscape.
jb