Kapa's Blog

It was great to finish the year off with a Greek Orthodox Christening, especially at the Annunciation of our Lady. This church does have a special place for me, it where I married my gorgeous wife, as well as where I became a godfather. From a professional point of view, the circa 1800′s sandstone also makes a wonderful backdrop for photos.

The proud parents Connie & Jim with their lovely daughter Maria.

The Greek Orthodox Christening service is full of tradition & symbolism. Christos, a New York photographer who like myself also likes to focus on Greek weddings & christenings, has set up an information page specifically for Greek Orthodox Baptisms. Quoted from this page,

The child is then tonsured, cutting the hair in the form of a cross, in the name of the Holy trinity, for the hair is the symbol of strength. This also represents the very first offering of the new born Christian to God and his church. It is indicative of dedication, offering and sacrifice.

The Archbishop cutting Maria’s hair.

Maria seeking comfort in her mothers arms while the Archbishop addresses the congregation.

As this is my last post for 2006, I would like to take this opportunity to wish family, friends, clients, and everyone else a fantastic 2007.

Kapa

Today was our first visit to the beach for this summer. The boys have been going to swimming school for close to 2 months now, there’s a huge difference between the pool & the beach………sand !!!!!

We spent the day at Coogee Beach, this photo was taken from next to the Coogee Surf Life Saving Club.

Our Koumbarie John & Rima had organized a BBQ lunch for all of us in the park overlooking beach, it was a great location, good food, good company, many thanks.

Right next to where we had our picnic, was an activity area for the kids, the most popular attraction for the boys was what they kept calling the “spiders web”.

The first time the younger one got up to the crows nest, he got a bit scared & was afraid to come down on his own. After climbing up & rescuing him, (that was hard work), he got back at least 2-3 more times & had no problem or fear getting down on his own, unlike his father……….

I’m guessing this was about my 38th, maybe even 40th squash competition I have played in. I stopped counting long time ago. Anyway, the team that was dominant for the whole season, who finished minor premiers by a clear 29 points ahead of us, ended up beating us in the grand final tonight. We did make them fight for it though, went down to the 5th game in the 4th rubber, can’t get much closer than that.

So congratulations Steven, Yu Wei, Yoki, Lee & Allan on your well deserved win.

I will also say thanks to my mates, our team, Bill, Kos, Tunks & Paul, it’s been a great season, & undoubtedly the best part of our squash nights is sinking a few cold ones after the game, talking crap & laughing. Cheers guys !!!!!

Today I had the pleasure of photographing Bianca’s & Paul’s wedding. The building Lauriston House is where the ceremony & reception took place. The weather was definitely, not in our favor:

• Grooms house – rain
• Brides house – pouring rain
• Lauriston house – rain, slight break & more rain.

It’s ironic that Sydney is experiencing the worst drought in 1000 years yet we still manage weather like this. The ceremony was meant to have taken place in the beautiful gardens however the weather forced it indoors. Later in the evening after the rain had stopped and the formalities were over we managed sneak outside & capture some shots like this one.

I love old sandstone, 1800′s period buildings. In the daytime they provide texture / grain which compliments portrait photography. At night if they’re lit up correctly, they look even better.

Bianca & Paul, thanks for sharing your day with me & hope you have a long & happy life together.

Kapa