Shadowplay Blog

Exciting New Adventure!

Matt [Shadowplay] — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:01:37 +0000

Exciting News! Shadowplay is now called Matt and Katie | Photographers! Come on over to our new blog to check out our new style! www.mattandkatieblog.com.au See you there! ~Matt and Katie.

Jasmine Star Workshop – Evan and Lacey!

Katie [Shadowplay] — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:11:16 +0000

If I am to be honest, before the workshop I didn't really know too much about Jasmine Star. At the time, I knew that she was a 'rockstar' photographer from America, had a cute dog named Polo ... and that's about it. So when Matt surprised me by booking me into the workshop I wasn't nearly as excited as my friend Lacey. Lacey LOVES Jasmine Star, you could even say that she is a blog stalker :) So when Cathy Crawley put out a model call for the workshop I suggested to Lacey that she put her name forward. A few days later I got a phone call from Lacey who was over the moon! Jasmine and Cathy had picked Lacey, and her husband Evan, to be one of the 'real couples' for the workshop! It was so much fun having Evan and Lacey join us in Sydney on Monday and they did such a great job being models! Having been in front of my camera a total of 2 times (once for their engagement shoot, and again for their wedding) I think Evan did particularly well :) It takes a special guy to agree to fly his wife down to Sydney and be subjected to being the 'subject' for 20+ photographers. Lacey is such a sweetie and I'm so lucky to be able to call her one of my best friends. She is one of those people who is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside! The week I went to hospital, Lacey cooked me dinner and brought over sliced mango ... yes, all cut up into little pieces ready for me to eat. When one of the other photographers attending the workshop asked me if I 'felt weird' about one of my brides being picked to be photographed by the one-and-only Jasmine Star, I was a bit taken back. It hadn't even crossed my mind that it would be at all weird. I honestly was (and still am) 100% totally stoked for Lacey! Gosh! Who wouldn't want to see one of their favourite people all dressed up getting photographed by one of the best photographers in the world! If anything, I'd say that I'm a little worried that she won't want to hang around me any more ... you know, now that she is a famous model and all! Here are some of my photos of the wonderful (and now famous) Evan and Lacey from the workshop! Plus, there's a sneak peek of their actual wedding photos at the end. Katie. P.S. Lacey - I think you are covered for good photos of yourself for a while.... :) Evan and Lacey working it for the cameras - Now, that's not daunting is it? Evan working it for Jasmine - Jasmine showing Lacey how it's done - How stunning is Lacey?! Details - They are such a gorgeous couple aren't they? This is my favourite photo from the workshop - Here are a few photos from Evan and Lacey's real wedding! Yes - it has been about 6 months, but we have been holding off on posting them until our new branding is sorted. Unfortunately that's taking a little longer than planned... so here's a sneak peek for you! Random fact - Evan and Lacey were married in the same church that Matt and I got married in... :) I loved her flowers! - One of my favourite photos that Matt took on the day (though there are so many good ones ... I also love this shot - You'll have to come back to see more once we've got our new branding finished... hopefully not long now! :)

Jasmine Star Workshop – Sydney Australia!

Katie [Shadowplay] — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:10:42 +0000

Well, as Matt has mentioned in previous posts - the end of the last year wasn't super great for me. A few days before Christmas I collapsed from exhaustion and ended up in hospital :( I am currently still on forced sick leave for another two weeks but luckily I was still able to attend the Jasmine Star Workshop in Sydney on Monday and Tuesday this week! This was the first workshop I've ever attended - so I really didn't know what to expect... but I sure wasn't disappointed! Photographer friend, Cathy Crawley, did an amazing job organising the whole workshop and making sure every detail was just perfect. The workshop was held at the beautiful Cruise Bar Sydney. What an amazing location! It had amazing views over Sydney Harbour and of the Sydney Opera House. I highly doubt there could have been a better location to hold the workshop in the whole of Australia! Matt and I were lucky enough to attend both days of the workshop. The first day I attended the workshop as an attendee. I sat in the back row (with the naughty kids) taking lots of notes. On the second day I helped out more behind the scenes by dressing models, doing hair, fixing flower arrangements and making sure the beautiful couture gowns by Catherine Colubriale didn't get dirty. All the models including Lacey & Evan, Kristie, Allana & Karim, and Kara were extremely gorgeous and they did so well handling the pressure of having 30 cameras pointed in their face. I know that each and every person that attended the workshop would have taken away something different. For me the workshop couldn't have come at a more perfect time in my life. Listening to Jasmine speak I came to realise that I have been working SOOOO SO HARD but putting all my effort and emphasis into the WRONG areas of our business. Attending the workshop has refreshed me, inspired me and I have come away from the workshop with a clearer goal and idea of which direction we should head with our business. I couldn't have asked for a better start to 2010! Meeting other photographers at the workshop was a real plus, and I know I've come away with some new friends. As for Jasmine and JD ... They are the sweetest, most down to earth people you could ever meet. Over the two days Matt and I came to appreciate them for who they are as people, not because of what they do. I really feel blessed to have met them both. Here are some photos from the workshop. I will be posting some more later! Katie [shadowplay] Jasmine showing us all how it is done - Matt being an annoying video guy! - Beautiful Kristie - "Real Couple" Allana & Karim - ... More photos coming soon ...

Music+Technology+Exercise

Matt [Shadowplay] — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:41:05 +0000

Today I embarked on what I hope is a long and fruitful journey. A journey that combines two of my great loves, Music and Technology, with something I tend to avoid at all costs, Exercise. It's an idea I've been toying with for about a month or so and today I finally pulled the pin and purchased an iPod Nano along with a Nike+ kit. For the uninitiated, an iPod is a little device the size of a deck of cards and you can fit your entire CD collection inside it. How all those CDs fit into there is beyond me, let's just call it magic. Oh … you're familiar with the iPod. Oops, silly me. The Nike+ kit consists of a receiver which connects to your iPod Nano, and a sensor which goes in your shoe. Or if you're like me and don't have Nike+ running shoes, the sensor goes inside a little pouch that attaches to your shoelaces. The sensor tracks your run, then sends the data to your iPod Nano (or iPod Touch or iPhone 3GS). Once your run is finished you just connect your iPod to your computer and the data is uploaded to nikeplus.com - pretty cool! This way you can record the data for every run and track your progress over time. Music+Technology+Exercise - here we go! So, with the iPod loaded with fresh motivational Green Day tunes I set off to run a circuit in our neighbourhood that I would have sworn was only 500m but in the end turned out to be 50km! Or that's what it felt like. According to the readout on the iPod display it was closer to 2km but we all know how buggy this new technology can be. Now, before the congratulatory backslapping begins and you ask me to tackle the running leg of the triathlon you're doing next weekend, I have a confession to make. I may or may not have only run 30%-ish of the way. And I may or may not have been able feel my limbs by the end. And my vision was blurry. Fortunately there was a St Bernard at the halfway point. Anyway, I'd be lying to myself and to you if I even suggested that the walking to running ratio was any better than 3 to 1. But, it's a start. As I sprinted the final 100 metres (ok, 50 metres) to my doorstep with the breakdown of Green Day's "Homecoming" pounding in my ears, visions of Rocky reaching the top step of the Philadelphia Museum of Art admittedly filled my head. And yes, before you ask, I did raise my arms above my head in a victory celebration. And yes, I did spin spin around in a circle, but only once. Ok, maybe twice, but then I felt dizzy and had to stop. I'm not sure whether the feeling of euphoria I'm experiencing is the heady mix of solitude, music and technology, or of it is the lack of blood reaching my brain as my heart seeks to fuel long under-utilised limbs. Either way, I think I'm hooked. That is, if I can still walk tomorrow. ~Matt. Stats from my first 'run' This will fill up over time ... ... and so will this. Some iPhone photos of the gear

2009 | Change

Matt [Shadowplay] — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:56:53 +0000

2009 has been a year of change. Katie and I started 2009 as PC's and ended it as Macs. I started 2009 as a videographer and ended it as a photographer. It is this change that sets our path as we move into 2010. Shadowplay as we know it will most likely undergo more than just a facelift in the new year. And despite our lack of blogging, there's been plenty of activity going on. There's so much that we can't wait to share and unveil in 2010, but only once everything is perfect. Don't freak out too much (especially our brides) ... we'll still be taking photographs in 2010 :) Anyway, as I did last year, I'd like to list of a few of our highlights plus some favourite blogs and other things from 2009. Highlights of 2009 January - driving to Newcastle to visit Kelly Munce and Renee Bell - and James Day on the way home February - Flying to New Zealand to film a music video for Lydia Cole, visiting Neil Finn's Roundhead Studios and skydiving and bungy jumping at Lake Taupo. March - Matt is voted into the EventDV 'Top 25 Hottest and Most Influential Videographers in the World' April - Matt spends a month in America (not so much of a highlight for Katie) May - Matt comes home from America, much to Katie's rejoicing June/July - lots of work including awesome weddings with awesome couples August - Matt's parents celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary September - We moved house! October - lots of work November - Flew to Sydney for a wonderful engagement shoot - and an early celebration for our 4th wedding anniversary December - Married for 4 years! And a lovely Christmas with family. Katie's Favourite Photographer of 2009 Jose Villa - www.josevillablog.com Matt's Favourite Photographer of 2009 Jonas Peterson - www.jonaspeterson.com Our Other Favourite Photographers Sarah Rhoads The Image is Found Amelia Lyon James Day Samm Blake Jasmine Star Simply Bloom Jackie Chan Rob and Lauren Katie's Favourite Music of 2009 Glee Soundtrack - Volume One Glee Soundtrack - Volume Two Matt's Favourite Music of 2009 Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago John Mayer - Battle Studies Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown Holly Williams - Here With Me Lydia Cole - Love Will Find a Way Defining Song of 2009 for both Matt and Katie Glee - Don't Stop Believing Photographers Who Have Helped Us Greatly in 2009 Kelly Munce Todd Hunter McGaw - and Alyda James Day Adam and Fiona from Deep Grey Photography Alex and Alicia from Savvy Studios Jackie Chan Katie and I hope you all had an amazing 2009 and that your 2010 will be even better! Catch you next year! :) ~ Matt and Katie.

Don’t Stop Believing! Inspiration from Matt and Katie :)

Matt [Shadowplay] — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:35:51 +0000

We've just returned from our trip to Sydney where we photographed Courtney and Jason for their engagement shoot. Can't wait to share the photos! Our 4th wedding anniversary is in a couple of days (December 3) so while in Sydney we lived it up at the Sebel Pier One, and Katie was wined and dined at Wildfires. We also spent a day and half at Courtney's parent's horse farm a little south of Sydney and had such a wonderful time with all the family. Last night we were suffering a bit of excitement deprivation so we spontaneously recorded this video. I mean, what else is there to do on a boring Monday night in Toowoomba? ;) A bit of background ... Katie absolutely loves Glee but Matt, not so much. But, there's one song he just can't get enough of :) Happy 1st of December everyone! And remember, don't stop believing ... and life is better when you don't take yourself too seriously :) Matt and Katie [shadowplay]

Protected: Kim and Nathan – Engagement Photos

Matt [Shadowplay] — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:34:32 +0000

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

Scott and Brandie – Sneak Peek

Katie [Shadowplay] — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:49:21 +0000

Ok, I will let you in on a little secret.... The reason we haven't been blogging as much as we usually do is because we are working on new branding for Shadowplay! (Exciting I know!). We've found that our style has evolved over the last year and with Matt doing more photography we're super excited about the new direction and style we've found. We are holding back big-time on posting too much so you can be shocked and amazed when it all goes live! Unfortunately it's going to be weeks (or even months) until we are ready to launch our new look - so for now you are going to have to do with a sneak peek here and there :) Here is a sneak peek from Scott and Brandie's wedding. It was at beautiful Maleny - and it was an amazing day! ...We are SERIOUSLY EXCITED about showing you more from this wedding + all our latest work.... but you are just going to have to be patient for now ;) Scott and Brandie - thanks for choosing us to capture your day! You guys rock! You are going to LOVE the photos! Katie [shadowplay]

Josh and Amy – Wedding Invitation Video

Matt [Shadowplay] — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:15:29 +0000

A few weeks ago, a very good friend of mine, Glen Wilson, was tasked with creating a wedding invitation video for Josh and Amy. I helped Glen brainstorm the concept and plan out some of the shots plus I did the editing on this clip. Glen did all the filming and running around with Josh and Amy. Glen does have a background in video and photography but it was actually his first time using the Canon 5D Mark II. I spent a bit of time with him demonstrating how the 5DII works but most of our time was spent pre-planning the shots. To enhance the production value of the clip I also gave Glen some lessons on using the the Cinevate DSLR Rig and the Cinevate Pegasus Heavy Lifter, both of which he hadn't used before either. There's so much buzz in the photo and video industries about cameras like the Canon 5D Mark II and the Canon 7D. But, I feel that this clip would have been just as effective regardless of the type of camera it was shot with. The gorgeous footage from the 5DII only enhances the production value, it doesn't create that value from nothing. It's a good reminder that the gear we use is nothing more than a tool, like a hammer or a screwdriver. The best camera in the world can't replace a creative eye and some good, solid planning. Awesome work Glen, can't wait to photograph Josh and Amy's wedding with you next month. Matt [Shadowplay]

Sarah and Andrew – eShoot Sneak Peek

Katie [Shadowplay] — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:51:55 +0000

I thought I'd quickly post a photo from Sarah and Andrew's eShoot. We had fun photographing Sarah and Andrew. They are very cool, easy going couple. Their wedding is coming up in a few weeks time - and we can't wait to shoot it! Katie [shadowplay]