One of the best things of being a wedding photographer is you get to go and shoot at unexpected places. Such as this pre-wedding shoot of Amanda and Campbell at Taronga Zoo. I am no stranger to the zoo itself. I’ve been there so many times with my family and also when relatives and friends visit me from overseas. I loved the beautiful views and scenery in the park. When Campbell suggested that they want their pre-wedding at the zoo, I was excited although a bit apprehensive because who knows, the zoo might frown upon us doing what looks like a professional shoot. They might ask us to refrain from shooting or worse, to be asked to leave. Luckily, this did not happen and we just went about with our merry ways!
Amanda and Campbell met last July 2011. On their first meeting, Amanda saw this guy with his butt crack hanging out. She said a prayer hoping this is not the guy she is meeting. It was actually Campbell! They talked and talked for hours until the cafe at the shopping centre kicked them out. It was a good beginning.
Their favourite memory when they started dating was when they are in a cuddle and Campbell’s head was on her chest listening to her heart beating. He started singing “the rhythm of my heart is beating like a drum, with the words…” then he stopped because they hadn’t said the words “I love you” yet (the songs is Rhythm of My heart by Rod Stewart).
Campbell knew that Amanda was “the one” when had a number of serious medical conditions early in their relationship. He required multiple trips to a regional hospital emergency department. Amanda cared for him, including putting drops in his eye every hour through the night. That level of commitment and dedication proved to him that she is the one for him.
Here’s how Campbell proposed to Amanda. He waited a long time for the jeweler to have the ring ready. She was getting very impatient and was often upset that because no proposal was coming from him. All through the relationship Campbell couldn’t surprise Amanda, even with the best thought out surprises. One evening a few days before Christmas 2012 Campbell asked Amanda to go late night shopping (the night the shops are open til midnight). He was on Skype to his best mate at the time. She arrived at his home and asked him about his day. He said “it was good, but it would be better if you said yes” and pulled the ring from his pocket. He surprised her so much she forgot to answer him. After a few moments of happy kisses, he asked “so is that a yes?”, which of course it was. And since he was already on Skype to his best mate, that was one less person to announce it to.
I asked them what they like about each other. Campbell is generous, incredibly kind and knows how to make her smile. Amanda is beautiful, caring and always makes him feel better. They both like having a lazy sunny afternoon in a park, travelling and exploring new places, and watching TV shows one episode after another. As for what is unique about them. It is they don’t fight. If one person is stressed, the other is ready to calm the other down.
I find them both to be such a beautiful and sweet couple. I immensely enjoyed our photo shoot because they are fun and so easy to work with. They are set to marry in October 2013. That is one event that I certainly am looking forward to.
Dodie Labial is a Sydney wedding photographer and videographer that services the city and regional NSW areas.
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