This adventurous couples’ love story began up the beautiful Queenstown Cardrona ski resort, and with a chance meeting of the eyes over the coffee machine, a wintery romance was sparked into a lifelong adventure. For personal trainer Vanessa and chef Jamie, the raw and natural beauty of Wanaka was the perfect location to create some wintery love story images, captured by local photographer Charlotte Kiri. With the mist meandering through the remote Matukituki Valley and the wild water-falling over the craggy cliff-face, these stunning images are a gorgeously moody and romantic set of visual memories.
“Then love shook my heart like the wind that falls on oaks in the mountains.” – Sappho
Tell us a little bit about yourselves, and how long have you been together?
Vanessa and I live together with our fur baby Mia in Torquay, VIC where we live by the ocean and surf, swim, get outdoors for hikes and epic photo adventures and generally live a delicious coastal lifestyle. Vanessa is a personal trainer, coach, and a freak behind the coffee machine! I am a chef, food stylist, and an avid landscape photographer.
The love story….
Vanessa behind the coffee machines, and me behind the stoves, our eyes locked up Cardrona in the season of 2009 and we never looked back! After 11 winter seasons around the world, I found my sweetheart at my home resort and moved to Australia to be with her.
How did you choose your shoot location?
We love Wanaka, we come back at least once a year for adventures, and just love the adventurous and out of the way feel of our spot so we picked a moody, misty day to make the most of our location and create some real winter love vibes.
What was the style and vibe of the shoot?
Wintery, relaxed, full of the tones of nature and the crisp air of the mountains and valleys in the winter.
What does love mean to you?
Love means a lot of things to a lot of people. What it means to me is that unconditional support, acceptance, trust and friendship. No matter what happens I know we can count on each other to be there and to support each other and help guide each other to be the best we can be for ourselves, us, and everyone around us.
