Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Auckland CBD | Summer 2025
Some couples make you work for the shot. And some couples just give it to you — all you have to do is be in the right place at the right moment.
Connor and Vicky are the second kind.
I'm talking about the kind of couple who, at the end of a long, hot Auckland summer ceremony, walk back down the aisle and — instead of a neat, composed kiss — Connor dips Vicky. Full cinematic, spontaneous, completely them. My camera was already up. The shutter fired. And that was the shot.
But let me back up.
How It Started
Vicky found me through Google and booked through my website about four to five months before their wedding day. They chose the Diamond Plus Package — five hours of coverage, plus videography from my incredibly talented friend and collaborator Andric Teng. Working alongside Andric always brings out the best in a wedding day. When there's trust between a photographer and videographer, couples feel it. The whole energy on set is relaxed, and that comes through in every frame.
Vicky and Connor had been together since high school — the kind of couple who genuinely know each other inside out. You can't fake that kind of ease. Connor is quick with a dad joke (I heard several throughout the day, none of which I will be sharing here). Vicky is effortlessly cool and happy — the kind of person who makes everyone around her feel calm. Together they were just fun. Getting to know them in the lead-up to their day made photographing them feel natural from the moment I arrived.
The Venue: Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron
If you haven't been to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron on Auckland's waterfront, let me paint you a picture: harbour views, white sails in the background, the kind of light that bounces off the water and makes everything glow. It's a stunning venue for a wedding — and on a cloudless November day in Auckland, it was glowing.
Vicky and Connor's aesthetic was crisp and elegant — white flowers, white decorations, clean lines. And then the bridesmaids walked in wearing the softest pastel colours. That contrast — the white of the venue against those gentle muted tones — was genuinely beautiful to photograph. Pastels outdoors in bright Auckland sun? They popped in every single frame.
Adapting on the Fly
Here's the thing about weddings: no matter how carefully you plan, the day will always throw you a curveball. And your photographer's job is to catch it without you ever knowing.
The original plan was for Vicky and Connor's first look to happen at Auckland Domain — lush, green, iconic. But the morning preparations ran long (completely normal, completely fine), and we had to make a quick call. Andric and I pivoted: Connor and the groomsmen headed to the Domain for their portraits while we worked with the girls, and then we reorganised the first look to happen right outside the venue.
In the end? It was perfect. There was something so fitting about their first look happening right there, in front of the place where they'd be getting married. The emotion was all there regardless of the backdrop.
I arrived at 1pm to prepare and scout the space. By the time the day wrapped around 8pm, we had covered the getting ready, the first look, the ceremony, family formals, bridal party portraits, and the reception — all in bright Auckland sunshine with no shade to hide in. Harsh midday sun is a real challenge for outdoor photography. We worked the angles, moved with the light, and found the shots. That's what we do.
The Moments That Made the Day
The first look. Even with the change of plans, seeing Connor's face when he turned around and saw Vicky for the first time — that's something you can't manufacture. It was tender and quiet and real.
The speeches. One of Vicky's closest friends stood up and spoke about a friendship that goes all the way back to childhood. The whole room felt it. I watched Vicky's face and just kept shooting. Those are the frames that matter.
The dip kiss. I've already mentioned it. I'll mention it again. Down the aisle, newly married, full of joy — Connor dipped Vicky and the whole room erupted. I had the shot before I even processed what was happening. That's the magic of documentary photography. You don't create those moments. You just have to be present enough to catch them.
The Gear
This wedding was shot on my Canon R6 Mark II with a 24–70mm f/2.8 lens — a workhorse combination for fast-moving wedding days where you need sharpness and speed in equal measure. I also ran film alongside it on the Canon AE-1 Program with Kodak Portra 400. The warmth of Portra in full summer Auckland sun is something special — it handles highlights beautifully and gives skin tones a richness that's hard to replicate digitally.
Andric's video and my stills complemented each other throughout the day. When you have two creatives who trust each other's instincts, you move around each other seamlessly. It makes for a better experience for the couple and richer content across the board.
When They Saw the Photos
Vicky and Connor loved it. The colours, the light, the moments — they were over the moon. Which honestly, after a seven-hour day in the Auckland heat, made every minute of it worth it.
Thinking About a Waterfront Wedding in Auckland?
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is one of Auckland's most beautiful wedding venues, and I would love to photograph your day there. I cover the full Auckland area and specialise in natural, documentary-style wedding photography — real moments, real light, real emotion.
Whether you're planning an intimate ceremony or a full-day celebration, get in touch and let's talk about your day.
YM Photography | West Auckland wedding photographer | Serving couples across Auckland, New Zealand.
