I cannot believe it has been a whole year since returning from London, my travels and my first year as a small business owner! As I put together this blog post I find myself going through a whirlwind of emotions. The thousands of photographs I have documented over the past few years brings me back to that particular time and place and it feels surreal. Did it even happen? It is such a strange, crazy feeling to look back on everything I have done and experienced. I am so truely grateful and happy I was able to travel and do all the cool things I got to do and see!

Working and living in London has been right up there with one of the most amazing experiences I have done. I worked full time at Net-a-Porter and photographed gorgeous models everyday with a bunch of super talented beautiful people. I still miss them a lot! Living in London meant it was really easy to travel as everything is super close and reasonably cheap when earning the pound. I pushed myself in ways I thought was not possible like completing the Paris Marathon in April 2014! Yup, mental I know, but something I can always look back on with pride! It also taught me about one's journey and reminds me everyday of what can be achieved. The small steps at the beginning impact hugely on the end goal.



I stumbled across this through the streets of Mykonos, Greece! How true is that!? This first year in business has been all about taking one step at a time. Although I wish I could leap and jump :P
Here are a few more photos during my OE, excuse the low res iphone quality:











Then my visa was up! Where did that time go?! On the way home we traveled Eastern Europe, Turkey and Thailand. I remember the best thing about landing in New Zealand was being able to drink water straight from a tap. It was those little things that I took for granted. Now, what to do? Stay in Taranaki? Move again? Find a job! OR start my own photography business... Yup, it was now finally the time to do what I've always wanted to do. Scary... but exciting! I put all my time and focus into getting started.. which is always the hardest part. First I had to start organsing my stuff! I had a lot of crap... My sisters think I'm a bit of a horder... "time to chuck those high school books out Aimee!" I had to start with my "room/sleepout." I'm actually quite embarrased to be showing you this because while I was away it became more like a storage room. Like honestly what a crowded mess! Anyway, with the help of my wonderful supportive Mum we moved everything out and gave the room a well deserved clean, paint job and new blinds. It has been transformed into my haven, my creative space, my STUDIO!   











A year has been since this transformation and in that time I have meet and photographed many beautiful families, new mothers, new fathers, newborns who have grown into gorgeous babies, and couples who have become man and wife. It has been a lot of work, but it has been worth it! I cannot thank my clients enough! Without your support I wouldn't be where I am today. Taranaki is a wonderful place fill of creative hardworking people and although I've explored many exotic places, there is no other place I would rather be!  

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do."
Steve Jobs, Apple Inc. co-founder, chairman and CEO

After a dicey week of weather leading up to the wedding, Michelle and Jared were married on a beautiful Autumn's day late May. Their wedding date was actually their 10year anniversary so it was a meaningful day to them already.

The venue was at their home which they had brought not quite a year ago. The section had space for a marquee which was nicely decorated by Jared and the boys the morning of the wedding as the storm the day before tore it down! It was all go!

With a limited amount of natural light at this time of year Michelle and Jared decided to do a "First Look" and have the photos done beforehand. This allowed them to spend more time with their guests after the ceremony and there was less time pressure knowing that nobody was waiting for them while they were away having their photos done. It was special for them to be able to spend more time with one another, react to seeing one another openly, honestly and completely uninhibited. It was beautiful!

Michelle pulled off the autumn look perfectly with dark lippy, lace sleeves and luscious locks! 

Jared and Michelle were a treasure to photograph, so in love and so natural! Thank you for letting me be apart of your day! xx

I'm loving seeing Live magazine all around Taranaki at the moment! It's bright, its bold, it's beautiful and the cover was photographed by myself and an amazing team. Here is a glimpse into our creative shoot we did through the streets of New Plymouth.
Photographer and Retoucher: Aimee Kelly
Makeup: Makeup by Annalee
Hair: Michelle & Nellie - Hair by Ebony
Stylist: Laura Crombie
Model: Shannon Bridgeman
Clothing: Martins and Bettie Monroe




TARANAKI FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER: AIMEE KELLY PHOTOGRAPHY

TARANAKI WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER: AIMEE KELLY PHOTOGRAPHY

When Nick and Sophie first got in contact with me they were living in Canada and I was living in London, so we spent the majority of our relationship over the world wide web! When I finally got to meet them back home in New Zealand it was like I already knew them. Like long lost friends. Their love for one another shown through and their down to earth nature pulled me in. I knew their wedding day was going to be from the heart, honest and beautiful. It was all that and more. Nick and Sophie were married on Nick's parents farm out at Mangamingi on one of the most hottest days this summer has seen. Here is a preview of their day! x


TARANAKI WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER: AIMEE KELLY PHOTOGRAPHY