Levi Gardner Photography

Hong Kong is a cool city. I had to get out of the airport and check it out. I’m too ADHD to sit between connections for six hours. Basically, I left Sydney, flew to Hong Kong, from there to Zurich, then on to Prague where I boarded a country train bound for Třinec.

It’s a little scary travelling with a lot of photography equipment alone, especially when I take it as carry on luggage. But I’d rather put up with the small annoyance than let it out of my sight. I got the camera out in downtown Kowloon, if only just to take some quick snaps of the dinner I ate. It’s tempting to just wander on in to a Macca’s or KFC – I’d been past a few – and partake of the pleasures of the familiar. Side note: there must be traces of cocaine in McDonald’s burgers – they don’t even taste that good but sometimes you just crave them…

Anyhow, I had to try the local cuisine while I was there. It’s part of the cultural experience. I sat down in a small restaurant and ordered some fried rice. It was amazing.

As I sat there sipping on my hot tea (which, come to think of it, probably combined with the rice to make a potion inside my belly slightly reminiscent of sago), I realised that’s what travel is about, and that’s why I love it. It’s the random, one-off experiences in a tiny cafe in a side street in Hong Kong, rather than the cheeseburger from McDonald’s. It’s the dodgy sunglasses you buy for 10 bucks instead of the Ray Ban knock-offs you got last year from Cambodia for $1. 

Right now, I’m sitting in my hotel room in Třinec, Czech Republic, about to drop off to a much-needed sleep. I can barely lift both my eyelids. More tk…

They’d prayed for a sunny day. They probably wanted it more than anything. The long anticipated morning dawned and the sky was deep blue, with not a cloud in the sky. But it was impossible for it to be anything but sunny, because the sun always shines around these two amazing people.

Gabrielle is my sister. She and John have been together for a few years, and in late October they made their love lifelong and public in a beautiful ceremony in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland and a reception that followed overlooking the Glasshouse Mountains. It was my honour to be able to document the event, and having all the family there was rare and awesome. These are just a few of the pictures from the beautiful wedding. It’s been a long time coming and I’m glad I can now share these pictures with you all.

Here are some of the amazing details…

The gorgeous dress was designed by Roz la Kelin

And the flowers by Terry-Ann from Mondo Floral designs

The rings…

And my sister’s preparations…

Gabrielle managed to get Evalyn Parsons to do the hair. She is hands down the best hair person I have ever worked with and probably the best in Queensland.

And Danielle from Glamour Make-up Artistry did an amazing job of the make-up

Just stunning…

This image looks Sepia toned, but these were the natural colours in the room at the time…

The boys…

and John, with much anticipation…

The ceremony was held at the Little White Wedding Church in Maleny. It’s a newly restored building and is now used solely for weddings.

He’s stoked to be married…

continued in part 2….