Rose & Smith Wedding Photography – Sarah & Kevin

Photography by Jo Moore Photographer

Kevin and Sarah’s wedding at Rose and Smith in Tauherenikau, New Zealand was a stunning celebration of love, filled with meaningful moments and personal touches. The couple had planned every detail of their big day, from the gorgeous floral arrangements to the delicious menu.

Unfortunately, their original photographer was unable to attend the wedding, so just a few weeks before the big day I was asked to photograph their day for them. However, just when I thought everything was sorted, I received some bad news – I had been at an exposure event for COVID-19 and could no longer attend the wedding. This news was understandably stressful for the couple, who had already faced several challenges in finding a photographer who could capture their special day.

Despite the initial shock and disappointment, I knew how much this day meant to the couple and I desperately wanted to find a solution. I knew that I had do everything I could to ensure that Kevin and Sarah’s day was still as special as they had planned. Thankfully, having been a member of the NZIPP (New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography) for many years, I had a network of photographer friends and colleagues that I could call on for help. After making some calls, I was able to find another photographer, Jo Moore who was available to step in and cover the wedding for me. I immediately contacted the couple and explained the situation, apologizing for the inconvenience and assuring them that Jo would be a wonderful replacement.

I connected Jo with Kevin and Sarah over FaceTime so that they could get to know each other and discuss the details of the day. It was important to me that the new photographer understood the couple’s personalities and preferences so that they could capture the day in a way that truly reflected who they are as a couple. Jo turned out to be the perfect fit for their wedding. Despite never having met in person, Sarah and Kevin felt at ease with Jo after a FaceTime call where they were able to get to know her better and see her sense of humor and personality.

In reflecting on the experience, Sarah shared that while she was initially nervous about the last-minute change, she felt completely supported and understood by myself, who had already identified a suitable replacement and ensured a smooth transition. She also appreciated the opportunity to connect with Jo before the wedding, which helped to build a sense of trust and familiarity.

Sarah shared her thoughts on the experience, saying: “For us. I won’t lie. When you rung, I went numb and the blood drained from my face apparently. But that needs to be tempered with the knowledge of the previous experience. Our first photographer was a close contact, we tried another who’s child was in a school that was closed due to exposure, the next said it would take four months for the photos but needed the money, and the next told us she no longer did photography. So we felt we’d hit the jackpot when finding you. After the initial shock came the “we absolutely understand”, there was no other answer, you were doing what you needed to do, then you already had a solution which was a god send. I think if you’d said to us, “sorry but you’re on your own to find someone” we would have given up. Once you had told us you had someone else lined up we had complete trust and faith that you had found someone that we could work with. We’d already met you. You would have had an inkling of our personalities and what we were after, and hopefully had relayed that to the right person. We trusted that.”

On the day of the wedding, I still felt a sense of excitement and nervousness, even though I wasn’t physically present. I was overjoyed to see the beautiful moments Jo captured – from the emotional exchange of vows to the fun and laughter on the dance floor. Sarah and Kevin were thrilled with the final photos, which beautifully captured the essence of their day and the love they share.

As a professional photographer, I am a proud member of the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography (NZIPP). Being part of the NZIPP has many benefits, including access to a network of other experienced photographers who are able to support and help each other in times of need.

When the unforeseen circumstances arose, I knew that I could reach out to my network of fellow photographers who share my passion for capturing beautiful and meaningful moments. With their help, I was able to find a replacement photographer at short notice who was the perfect fit for Kevin and Sarah’s wedding.

Being a member of NZIPP has given me access to a community of professionals who share the same values and standards as me, ensuring that my clients receive only the best service and quality of work. I’m grateful for this network, as it allowed me to deliver a seamless and successful wedding day experience for Kevin and Sarah, even amidst unexpected challenges.

While the experience was certainly unexpected and stressful, it reinforced to me the importance of having a strong network of colleagues and being adaptable in the face of challenges. Sarah and Kevin appreciated the professionalism and dedication that I demonstrated in finding a suitable replacement and ensuring that their day was still as special as they had hoped for. I’m grateful to have been a part of Kevin and Sarah’s special day, even if it was in a different way than I had originally planned.

Venue – Rose & Smith

Photographer – Jo Moore

Post-Production – Sharisse Eberlein

Flowers – The Purple Dehlia