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Behind The Lens: Medina Man

Take a moment to view the photo above. How does it make you feel? What memories does it generate?

Last year I went to Morocco and took this photo. But there’s so much more that this photo represents than just “interesting visuals”.

The week before this photo was taken, I had an eye test and got a new prescription. My sight was getting worse, but thanks to modern medicine I was able to have 20/20 vision through the assistance of my glasses.

Sight is one of the greatest gifts I’ve been given, and I am guilty of taking it granted on a near-daily basis. It literally keeps me employed, and it allows me to experience this magnificent world in all its aesthetic glory.

In Morocco, I attended a private cooking class in the Medina of Marrakesh and the chef took me to the markets to buy ingredients. We came upon this man who was selling herbs. He was also blind. We asked for some mint and thyme, and using his sense of smell he was able to select the herbs we wanted.

Traveling in foreign countries can often feel like visiting different worlds. But encounters like this remind me that the human experience is universal, and that the same determination that drives me as a photographer also drives a blind man selling herbs.

To me, moments like this are the reason I am a photographer*. Human-ness, in its most raw and intimate form, is often easier to show than articulate. It is human-ness that I strive to capture when I photograph weddings and portraits.

If you are keen to follow along on my journey to document the intimacy of being human, please connect with me on social media.

Until next time, I encourage you to share the love and send someone a warm text this evening (and while you’re at it, look after yourself too).

Hank

Tash & Sam – Goonoo Homestead Wedding

Driving out to Goonoo Homestead for Tash & Sam’s wedding was exhilarating. The closer I got, the more aware I was of the smell of dust in the air. New South Wales is currently in a miserable drought, so returning to the country for the fourth time this wedding season I knew what to anticipate.

Similar to my previous drought-ridden weddings, my heart was warmed by the enduring spirit of not only the two marriers Tash & Sam, but of all the wedding party, the guests and the vendors who helped make this celebration happen. The regional community has blown me away yet again. They have the ability to pause any drought-induced sobriety and band together to commemorate (and drink to) the coming together of two life-long lovers.

Tash & Sam are a striking couple. They are laid back, highly affectionate and incredibly vulnerable. When you spend even a short amount of time with them, you just know that they “see” each other. I love the way renowned author and research professor Brené Brown describes this kind of love:

“We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness and affection.”

If you want to see a vulnerable, powerful love between two people who see and know each other, keep scrolling…

goonoo homestead wedding venue bridesmaids henry paul photography goonoo wedding henry paul photography wedding dance floor

Wedding Venue: Goonoo Homestead | Photography: Henry Paul Photography | Florals: The Meadow Floral Design | Engagement Ring: Kings Hall Jewellers | Celebrant: Father Carl | Catering: Trang Hue Vietnamese Catering | Entertainment: Jason Hill | Cake / Dessert: Trish Burke | Invitations / Stationery: Twin Rivers Printing | Sam’s Shirt: Ralph Lauren | Pants: RM Williams | Socks: Happy Socks | Tash’s Gown: Karen Willis Holmes Bridal | Accessories: Fairley Jewellery | Hair: Ashleigh Clares Hair Studio | Makeup: Babydoll Makeup Artistry | Bridesmaid Attire: Esther & Co

Kymmy & Jack – Rural Property Wedding

Henry Paul Photography

No one plans to get married during a drought

With water supply now at critical levels in certain parts of NSW, it was confronting to witness and document the realities of Australia’s worst recorded drought in history. But Jack & Kymmy were champions and embraced the drought in all of its dry beauty on the family farm in The Marra, some 600km from Sydney’s inner west.

I drove the entirety of the way and watched as the landscape drastically changed once I crossed the Blue Mountains. It seemed that every 100km I drove the countryside got a shade browner, a touch dryer, and the layers of dust increasingly covered everything I drove past.

On the wedding day, Jack asked me to take some photos at the bottom of one of their dams, which was empty for the first time in over 40 years.

‘In the future, we want to be able to stand at the top of the dam when it’s full and say to our kids “we had our wedding photos taken at the bottom of this”‘ Jack said.

Although Sydney has recently received rain, the drought continues to affect farmers like Jack & Kymmy. For ways to support our farmers, be sure to check out Drought Angels or the Australian Red Cross.

Which Season Should You Get Married In?

Which season should you get married in?

Choosing which season you should get married in is not always as easy as it sounds. There are pros and cons for every season, some of which you may have never considered.

I’m grateful to live in Sydney, Australia. Here, we get to experience the full four seasons throughout the year. My personal favourite season is Autumn, or “Fall” to my North American friends, due to the vivid orange tones and the warm but breathable temperatures.

One of the first decisions you need to make when you begin planning a wedding is when you want to get married. Knowing the pros and cons will help you determine the kind of weather you would like to hope for.

It goes without saying, but I cannot predict the weather. These tips are supposed to be a framework to help you decide which season will suit your needs best. Rain, hail or shine, you’ll be guaranteed to have an amazing party if you have the right attitude.

Which season should you get married in?

Weddings in Summer:

Summer is often the first choice for most couples. It’s almost always reliably warm, however, there are plenty of things to keep in mind.

Pros:

  • Long sunsets with beautiful golden light.
  • It’s warm enough that you can party into the long hours of the night.
  • If people need to travel to the wedding, summer can often be an easy time to arrange time off.
  • Perfect weather for an all-outdoor celebration.

Cons:

  • A late sunset can make it difficult to structure the timing of the day.
  • The heat. And sweaty armpits. Not a good mix.
  • Not to mention the potential for flies, particularly for weddings in the country.
  • Makeup can melt easily.
  • Sunburn is no one’s friend.
  • People are often taking holidays in the summer months and may not be available to attend your wedding. (Early save-the-dates can help mitigate this issue)
  • Flowers wilt quickly in the heat.

Summer wedding reception

Weddings in Autumn:

Fun fact: March is the most popular month for people to get married in Australia.

Autumn is my favourite season to shoot weddings in Sydney, so I have nothing bad to say about it. However, there are still things to keep in mind.

Pros:

  • Everything about Autumn is beautiful (IMHO).
  • Beautiful sunsets
  • Beautiful fallen leaves
  • Beautiful orange tones
  • You get the point…

Cons:

  • It’s always busy busy busy! Be sure to book ahead.
  • Venues and vendors may charge higher prices during peak season.

Autumn wedding portrait

Weddings in Winter:

I always recommend winter weddings for one reason: they’re off-peak. Most vendors will have greater flexibility with dates and availability.

Pros:

  • Off-peak occasionally means venues and other vendors may charge less money. Do your research, and be respectful. There are still plenty of vendors who charge what they’re worth, regardless of the season.
  • Sunset is earlier in the day, so you can do your sunset shoot before meeting your guests at the reception.
  • Flowers last longer in the cooler weather and won’t wilt easily.
  • The lads won’t get too sweaty in their suits.

Cons:

  • It’s COLD! But maybe that’s just an excuse to cuddle up to your brand new spouse.
  • Sunsets are shorter and typically less colourful.

best season to get married

Weddings in Spring:

And now we get to Spring, the season of love. The birds are chirping, the flowers are blossoming, and the hayfever hits hard.

Pros:

  • If you are a fan of florals, this may be the best month for you! Spring is the ultimate time for variety and colour in your bouquets and decorations.
  • The sky is bluer, the grass is greener, and there’s generally more colour everywhere in Spring.

Cons:

  • Pollen levels are high and hayfever is rife. Consider this carefully, especially if you or your partner suffers badly. The last thing you want is a red nose in your wedding photos.
  • Spring is another popular time for weddings, so be sure to book things well in advance, or opt for a weekday wedding to avoid disappointment.

I hope this article has helped you make the decision on which season you should get married in. If you have any ideas I should add to this list, please leave a comment below.

Henry Paul is a Sydney wedding photographer. Head to the contact page to see if he’s available to photograph your wedding.

Refer A Friend

This exquisite frame is a perfect feature for your bedroom or living room wall.

  • handcrafted in Australia
  • 16 x 20 inches
  • fine art photo paper
  • hand-torn edges
  • your choice of photograph
  • valued at $499

When a friend or family member books me to photograph their wedding, make sure they mention you as their reference. You’ll get to select one photograph to have printed, framed and shipped to your door!

This offer ends on December 31st.

How to refer your friends:

Referring a friend to any service or product should come from confidence in the brand you are referring. You can refer my photography services knowing that your friend will have locked in an experienced photographer who truly sees the value in celebrating marriage.

High impact:

  • Face-to-face recommendation
  • Over the phone
  • An email with relevant links

Low impact:

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