UNTAMED EARTH

BONNIE JENKINS PHOTOGRAPHY NEW ZEALAND BRIDAL ELOPEMENT

"We were due for a potential storm that afternoon, fortunately we avoided this and got some gorgeous moody skies instead." Bonnie - Bonnie Jenkins Photography

"Exploring the elements and the wildness of the high country & drawing inspiration from muted tones and textural qualities of the central Otago region in New Zealand. We wanted the model to complement the surrounds, at times blending and other times contrasting." Bonnie, Sunshine Coast based photographer, tells us.

What are some of the highlights you had during the shoot process: Scouting this location and then all hopping in a mini 4wd with a car full of flowers for the shoot day. It was so cold, our model Charlotte had to have breaks regularly to warm up, at one stage we were all huddled around her to warm her back up. We had several dresses for Charlotte to wear but in the end it was too cold to change!

Did you face any challenges on the day? If so, how did you overcome them? It was freezing, being so high up it had a totally different temperature to where we had travelled from. The shoot was shot on the highest road in New Zealand, the weather can potentially turn at any given moment, making the return down the hill rather risky. We were due for a potential storm that afternoon, fortunately we avoided this and got some gorgeous moody skies instead.

What led you to decide on this venue/shoot location? Scouting is so much fun, especially when it takes you to places like this. Tracey (Crimson Wedding Flowers) and I had been chatting about locations for sometime. Coincidently, I had sourced some hiking photos online that I liked the look of, with Tracey also suggesting the exact same area for the shoot. We loved how it looked like you could be on mars and also have the entire area to yourself. Importantly we could drive there, making is accessible.

What was your favourite detail about the shoot day? I loved the moody sky with the sun just occasionally popping through to create a bit more drama and contrast with the dark grey skies in the background.

Favourite moment from the day: The overall adventure of the day, it really did feel like you were in another world up there.