Mistral Photography | Auckland Portrait & Wedding Photographer | New Zealand

Cupcakes | Auckland Photographer

2010-07-15T22:35:00.001-07:00

What else does one do on a rainy Auckland day? Bake of course!.... These may look better than they taste... I am no expert, but I sure do find baking relaxing.

Photography Voucher | Auckland Portrait & Wedding Photographer

2010-07-01T18:13:00.000-07:00

I love putting together my wee boxes. I think the gift of a portrait session is so super. Especially for a Grandma which is the case in this one shown.. Have your portrait session with the whole family.... everyone wins :)

Joe & Anna Are Baptised : Auckland Event Photographer

2010-06-20T01:08:00.010-07:00

It was such a dull day this morning in Auckland. The perfect day for Tess & Paul to gather with family and friends and Baptise their beautiful children.

Anna's sweet little booties and her dress detail.

Getting dressed... Anna was unimpressed, but only briefly... she was such a good wee cherub for the rest of the day...

All ready....

All finished! Thank you Paul & Tess for allowing me to be a part of this special occasion.

Nykie xx

Learning Photography {by} an Auckland Portrait Photographer

2010-06-16T21:13:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I felt compelled to share with you all lots of things going on so you can get access to learning about your lovely cameras. If you have purchased a DSLR, take the darn thing off Auto! Do it now.. and never switch back :)

I keep in touch with a lot of photographers about the place, and so I get the word when anything is happening...

1. If you are in Auckland you should check out the Fast Track Photographers Group This has only just started up. The whole aim is for people of all different levels to get together in a non-threatening and "For Each Other" environment and share your strengths, and gain knowledge so you can improve on your weaknesses... check it out. The goal is to keep it all FREE ;)

2. Nationwide, you can check out Flickr. There is an AWESOME group of photographer who have formed a group NZFM (NZ Flickr Meet Ups). The people in this group are alllll different kinds of photographers. Portraiture, Landscape, Pro's, Hobbyist, Experts, Beginners, Fine Artists... all sorts. Meet ups are organised quite often... it's super casual.. you just hang out... take photos, and yarn the time away about photography... or anything else if you wanna! I have made some awesome friends from this group and I look forward to a long future hanging out with these wonderful peeps.

Here is a list of things that I have done since turning my camera onto manual (or Aperture Priorty... meep) two years ago....

Night School! Cheap, Fun, Easy

Photographer Work Shops.
I did all of Lisa Crandalls.. and she is still running them...

You Tube! Its brill!...
My favourite channels are
Dom Bower (he is so cute)
and Bert Stephani's "Confessions of A Photographer" series...

ALSO
- Hang out with photographers! talk talk talk.
- Ask questions.
- Read books
- Read blogs

I will leave it at that for now.

I would like to do some casual meet ups with people from my Facebook Page Soon....
Email me if you are interested.

Until then!

START HERE BY WATCHING THIS VID from Adorama! About the fundamentals of exposure called "The Exposure Triangle"... get in there!!

Take Care
Nykie Noo

ooh, and another thing.... Sam Mothersole is going to be doing M.O.M Workshops soon.. check it out...

Auckland Baby Photographer : Mistral Winter Special

2010-05-20T16:41:00.000-07:00

WALL CANVASES
12x12 $160.00
16x16 $250.00
20x30 $430.00
30x40 $610.00

ART PRINTS
These prints are lovingly worked images
that will take pride of place in your home.
Whole set of 6x4 proofs can be purchased for $8.00 a print
these are not sold as one offs. Minimum order is 15.

8x12 $150.00
11x14 $190.00
16x24 $250.00
20x30 $310.00
30x40 $350.00

Framing, Mounting and Matts are availble.
Extra post processing and image compositing is charged at $85.00 per hour.
All prices include GST

Nykie aka Mistral Photography

Lovely DVDs of Images... Out they go | Auckland Wedding Photographer

2010-04-12T21:25:00.000-07:00

It is so lovely to see my first three weddings go on disc and get finalised for posting to the clients. I feel really chuffed with myself and of course glad I worked with Samantha Hobson :) We did good.

{Disc Image Above By Samantha Hobson of Dancing Light Photography}

Zac! : Auckland Newborn Photographer

2010-04-09T14:26:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I went to photograph Zac Kelso! Too cute... He is only a few weeks old. It was a short shoot, cause he had enough, Fair enough too, some strange lady comes along and whips all his clothes off and stuffs him in a giant sock and shoves a camera in his face!.... so to make up for the shortness, I took some extras of his big brother Harry...(see www.facebook.com/mistralphoto) who is only TWO!, and pays the DRUMS! Long Live Rock N'Roll!! Photographing newborns always has me thinking... I wonder what sort of mobile phone Zac will have when he is in his 20's? The mind boggles!

Michela at 34 Weeks : Auckland Maternity Photographer

2010-03-22T21:45:00.000-07:00

This is Michela & Efisio Enna with their lovely labradoodle Chira. Chira had such lovely long and soft ears - I wanted to take her home! Michela had a lovely wee belly for 34 weeks! I took along my portable backdrop and off camera flash and away we went. Then we popped outside for a few extras in the garden. We nattered away the whole time! I look forward to meeting their new baby in a few weeks time! Watch this space for their newborn photoshoot!

Mark & Vanessa : Married : Auckland Wedding Photographer

2010-03-15T18:00:00.000-07:00

Friday the 5th of March will be a day I will never forget. My first time as lead photographer for a wedding. The weight of the responsibility was massive. I felt sick with nerves, but at the same time I had an underlying confidence that I could do this. I wouldnt afterall accept the job of photographing someones wedding if I thought I couldn't handle it.

The day went so fast! Not only did we have myself and second shooter Sam Hobson running about we had three cameramen, a director and a sound recordist for the reality tv series "Hitched". It was a stressful but interesting aspect of the day!

Here are a couple of shots. Thank you Mark & Vanessa for sharing your day with Sam and I. We wish you a long and happy marriage.

Holy Wedding Photography Batman!

2010-03-06T12:42:00.000-08:00

Two days, Two Weddings, my first time as lead photographer! I am shattered.

I took on these weddings knowing that I would have an excellent second shooter at my side and I advise anyone who is doing their first few weddings to do the same. I know I keep saying it Sam, but seriously - thank you so much Sam Hobson of Dancing Light Photography. www.dancinglightphoto.co.nz
Sam was not my assistant, she was my partner for the day and someone to lean on.

Here is my wee list of what I have learned in the last two day. There is a whole load more, but generally this is it....

I have learned....

1. A whole new respect for wedding photographers

2. I need to get REALLY REALLY REALLY good at using my equipment that it becomes second nature (I thought I was ok, but when the pressure it on, I wasn't ok)

3. I need to write spare copies of the group shot lists so I can cajole people too

4. Its better to flag the last shot at the hotel so I don't nearly kill myself getting to the reception so I can be in front of the wedding vehicles. I apologise to the residents of west auckland for my STOOPID Dukes of Hazard moves along West Coast Road!

5. Flash photography is going to be my friend and not to be so scared of it.

6. The value of a second shooter is massive

7. That my camera although good, could do with an upgrade for better ISO options.

8. The need to change my shooting style and let my camera do more work for focussing so I can speed up

9. That there is no "warming up" on a wedding creative shoot... speak up, get into it

10. Brides can be your best friend or not realllly share your vision on the day and to suck it up, do your best, and keep them happy!

11. That mental and physical exhaustion all rolled into one is well, exhausting!

12. That I have loads and loads of learning to do and to let it humble me, not scare me away

13. And not to forget to take the step ladder on the creative! and to use it more!

14. To have fun!, but be a little more assertive and ask even more questions so I know my bride is telling me EVERYTHING

15. TV Directors are in it for themselves <----- polite version.
[one of my weddings was being film for TV, and well, thats a whole new blog post]

16. Long Lenses will be my friend when I can afford one. Saving for a 85mm prime first

PHEW!

Nykie

WANTED : Teenage Models : MALE & FEMALE

2010-03-06T01:43:00.000-08:00

I am looking for teenagers in their final year of school, Or perhaps their first year of uni or tech. I want do so some fun photoshoots showing their individual style and hobbies. I would love to hear from anyone who may be interested! Please email me with a snap shot of yourself and tell me a little about yourself!

There is NO SESSION FEE for these shoots.

Nykie
noo@noo.co.nz

Nimmo Family & Happy New Year : Auckland Family Photographer

2010-02-01T16:28:00.000-08:00

2010! This year has started with a hiss and a roar! Busy busy...! I am behind on my blogging and pricelists! but I am not complaining. I have loads of photography bookings. Some of these are weddings coming up which I am sooooooo excited about. I have been dreaming about them! I get a little obsessed!....

Well, this was my first shoot for 2010 a couple of weeks back - The Nimmo Family! yay for them, and yay for North Head which was totally rocking the party with a lovely cloud cover and dramatic skies.

Stay tuned for my facebook page, Exciting specials and news soon!
http://www.facebook.com/mistralphoto : BECOME A FAN!

Nykie

Anne-Lise, Karsten, Jaime & Babies! - Auckland Family Photographer

2009-12-22T19:27:00.000-08:00

Anne-Lise called me wanting pictures of her sweet wee Hanna... and so we made booking. We then included her big brother Karsten and his Wife Jaime who are over from Australia and of course their sweet boy Torbien... So it was a fun extended-family, all kinds of combinations... shoot...

I have been reflecting on this year! This is my penultimate shoot for 2009 and so it has to be said! What a ride. I have loved meeting so many cool people from all over Auckland and of course all their sweet babies and children who have all been completely individual. And that's just one of the many things I have grown to love about this wee business of mine.. is the constant different challenges it throws my way! Keep it coming! Here is to a fantastic 2010

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

Liao Family - Auckland Family Photographer

2009-12-18T14:39:00.000-08:00

What a breathe of fresh air... This is Rach & Dan and their seriously sweet kids Milan 2.5 amd Chloe 7 months. They were both lovely, but I realllly wanted to take Chloe home with me! So sweet!... We had grand plans of going to the beach and park, but once we started hanging out just at their house it was apparent that we didn't need to go anywhere flash... and so they just did their thing and I documented it! Milan sang me Jingle Bells & I was blown away at his impressive alphabet!.... Great fun... Enjoy!

Emma Fahy & Family : Auckland Family Photographer - Mistral Photography

2009-12-13T11:18:00.001-08:00

I kept the whole weekend free for Emma & her family so we could work around whether and with Saturday bombing out, Sunday was a corker! I am so glad we chose the day with some sunshine so I could capture her twins who have "Wooley Heads" as Emma put it.

I put this crazy piccie at the top because it captures what I saw in their personalities of the day... Mercedes who remained very shy, but very sweet throughout the shoot.. Then little Chiari who is so flippin cute!! but with lil' mischievous thrown in!, then Sienna the other twin who was keen & fun... and big sister Maya who was into it from the get-go!

Special thanks for dad, Willy who let me take a family portrait at the beginning! He then stood firmly on the sidelines, but it was all good!

Thanks you guys!! Twas fun!

Billy & Ollie

2009-12-06T16:48:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I had fun at Bexs' house and photographed her boys Billy who is 3, and Ollie who is six weeks. Ollie is a big little fella! For only six weeks he is already so chubby & smiley! Billy was loads of fun out in the garden. We played with bubbles, and on his bike, tramp and run around the washing hanging on the line... Enjoy!...

Kiani & Family...

2009-11-30T00:16:00.000-08:00

The beauitful mum in this family is Kiani! 36 weeks pregnant and look ridiculously lovely! also is her partner Tim and her son Noah. Noah was such a natural in front of the camera and really pulled out some "boy band" moves as Tim put it... Despite the miserable weather on Saturday avo, we managed to get some good shots in....

Emotion

2009-11-25T12:11:00.001-08:00

One of the most powerful things you can capture in a photograph is emotion. Our emotions are at play all day and even all night... all mixed up with lives and all the things we do every day... but when a photography stops all that other stuff and breaks down a moment into just an emotion or capturing several emotions at once it is magic.... Even if sometimes that emotion is ponderous and sad. To stop and reflect is a good thing in our busy lives... [ooooh, deep!]

Bossley Girls!

2009-11-24T19:53:00.000-08:00

This morning I found myself frantically running around North Head trying to find some spots in the shade so I could photograph the Bossley Girls.. They arrived minutes after I had circumnavigated the whole mountain!... We used the cool buildings at the very top, and some large trees up there too... And then headed down to Cheltenham Beach which was looking ridiculously beautiful this morning... I love Auckland!

Here they are! Mum Emma, Nina 13, Lucy 3 & wee Eddie 17 months... I love her name!! Eddie... so rad.

Christmas Pressies!

2009-11-16T11:23:00.000-08:00

I was packing up a clients prints & hi-res photos last night and enjoying it thoroughly! I love making things all stylie!....

Mistral Photography is offering vouchers for portrait sessions. The current prices are only valid until the end of this year but if a voucher is purchased it stays at this years prices and does not expire for six months! Bargain!..... The voucher entitles the bearer to everything in "The Package" (you can find this on my website) and comes in a lovely presentation box.

Building Excellence

2009-11-14T11:59:00.000-08:00

Thanks Aaron Koolen Photography for sharing your project with me! Yesterday Aaron, Myself & Vincent all happily clicked away at a squillion dollar mansion on Aucklands Freemans Bay... Aaron asked that I take care of some smaller details and the "arty" shots! Fine by me Aaron! te he... Here are a few of my favourites. The house presented quite a photographic challenge, not only with the changing light, but also because if the stark contrast in building materials... our wee cameras were struggling.... (or was that us?!).

I could write pages about the engineering and building impressiveness, but I will just show my pretty pictures instead :)...

Cuteness!! Meet Joshua...

2009-11-12T23:45:00.000-08:00

Check out this wee fella. At only 5 weeks old, he was such a character. He was very busy yawning and stretching throughout the shoot. I love watching little babies and all their quirks.

Vicelich Girls : A new fav....

2009-11-09T17:46:00.000-08:00

I tend to blog almost immediately after a photoshoot and then after few days or when I am processing more of the shoot - like I am today - I come accross more favourites... I couldn't help myself but to blog this one....

Sweet Wee Rascals...

2009-11-09T00:32:00.000-08:00

I always thought I would have two boys for some reason, and so I have a soft spot for these two wee lads. Luke is the wee one and he was a little grumpy at his mummy and I trying to pose him and fair enough too... So we just went along with his moves and he pulled out some good ones... Riley, is the big brother and he had me working hard to capture him with his busy two-year old ways... very cute...

Ava Charlise Henderson

2009-11-03T18:29:00.000-08:00

6 days old and so sweet! And what a chilled out little girl... well mostly... I tried and tried to get her into a chin in hands pose, but she just wasn't having a bar of it... Although she let me put her in a bowl... poor wee thing! We know you are a person Ava and not a ornament! but you must be showed off.... you are too cute for your bootskies!

Vicelich Family!

2009-11-01T15:02:00.000-08:00

On the weekend I went out to the stunning Gracehill Vineyard in Kumeu to photograph Carmen and Antony and their beautiful children, Isabela, Daniela & Zico! Zico was very focused on doing his own thing... which was cool, we just let him be himself! The girls were super stars and most of the time didn't need any direction!.... Enjoy!...

Stacey & Rob - Engagement Session

2009-10-24T21:35:00.000-07:00

I threw everything at this lovely couple and they were up for it all! So much fun... We battled some harsh sunlight even at 6pm, but we did ok in the end... I am looking forward to photographing their wedding next year! :)

The Talented Will...

2009-10-10T01:58:00.000-07:00

Will sings at Denim Bar in Parnell every Friday night. I quickly popped in early in the evening and took a few shots for him before the crowds turned up. He is so seriously talented. He plays lots of rock/pop stuff from back in the day up to 2009. Worth checking out!......

Belly Dancing Sarah!

2009-09-27T01:22:00.001-07:00

Isla Coco! 6 Days old and too cute for her boots

2009-09-20T21:58:00.001-07:00

Wedding Workshop!

2009-09-20T15:41:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to Emma & Carl who were super dooper models for our wedding workshop yesterday. I was so pleased that they were obliging to my idea of the shopping trolley!! Good on them! :)

Here are a few snippets. Thanks again Lisa from ImageMe for another fun workshop.

Nyk

Mary's Market

2009-09-18T21:23:00.000-07:00

I had fun today photographing Mary's Market. Wow, what a lot of fabulous products!! I wanted so much stuff... it was just as well I didn't take any money. I knew it would distract...

Here is a taster...

Spring time is noodie time...

2009-09-16T21:43:00.001-07:00

Why do photographers "hold back" their image files..?

2009-09-13T14:21:00.000-07:00

When I started out I loved to hand over all my high resolution
files to my clients. It felt like I was giving my clients that edge.
Other photographers, I thought back then, were holding back
on their stuff and were “all about the money”

I have since learned, I was VERY wrong.

Yes, I will still give you files if you prefer, but I would like to
explain why I prefer for you to buy a print or should I say a
piece of finished art. Let me explain... I am lucky enough to
be able to explain this to you, my customer, because it
has only been recently that I have had this shift in perspective
and so I understand how it feels to be the client, and I now
understand the photographers side of things. I have to add
at this point however, that this is by no means an
“Us & Them” situation.

We are working together to get you the best product possible.
You see if I take your photo and post process it to the highest
possible standards, I will then get it printed at a professional
photographers print company using the best papers, and the
best printing methods.

I have my monitors calibrated to this company to ensure the
best possible colour renderings. This gives me control all right,
but It’s not control over money!.... ....it is control over giving
my clients the BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME to their photography
session. I hand over the complete finished product.

Imagine commissioning someone to do a painting for you and
they hand over a canvas with just the outlines and say
“Here you go, you can do the colouring in”
... It’s just not cricket is it! When a photo is true to colour and
printed properly it captures people.

When looking at a beautifully printed photo I tend to gaze at it
and almost go into a soft-focus trance.

You will know it when you see it too, this is not a
pleasure reserved only for us photographers!

By Nykola Grove-Eades

© Nykola Grove-Eades & Mistral Photography
All Rights Reserved

Thys Lousich

2009-09-06T22:02:00.001-07:00

I love his freckles!

Beautiful Girl.

2009-08-29T15:08:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I had the privilege of photographing 3 year old Zoe. She and her mum Kiri are absolute troopers.

I must admit, I was quite nervous meeting wee Zoe as I thought I might shed a tear for what this wee girl has been through but when I met her I was surprised by a strange sense of being utterly proud of her for what she has endured. It's not often a stranger can instil that feeling in someone.

Each bead on the necklace she holds up represents a procedure she has been through.. over 250 of them from the haircut when her hair started to fall out to the 31 general anaesthetics she has had.

I look forward to photographing you in the summer again Zoe, you are a true super star.

Nyk x

My Baby Boy

2009-08-19T17:28:00.000-07:00

We have all been so sick this week. I cannot complain though because we have done well this winter. Drew was snoozing on the couch the other day and so I took a snapshot. I was getting withdrawls from photography as well from having to cancel photoshoots this week! Here's to spring and healthier times! x

Kwila

2009-08-17T13:00:00.000-07:00

My photography challenge for the month of August (set by the group I belong to) was to photograph the animals in our lives. This is Kwila. She is a stunning 8 year old Husky X Hunterway, and a much loved family pet.

It is interesting that this week everyone is up in arms about a family eating their dog. I find this bizarre how we all get so upset over one dog. When we, as a country, may be about to pass a law making live exports possible to certain countries. Thousands of sheep suffer and hundreds die, and if they do make it to their destination their destinies are out of our control. They end up in countries where their deaths are cruel and terrifying. So due to our human conditioning we are all talking about this ONE DOG while allowing such suffering to pass under our noses of hundreds and thousands of sheep.

Well, there you have it. I wasnt going to use my blog as a soap box, but it had to be said. Please click on Kwila to view the large version. She is a lovely creature.

Enjoy! Nykie

MotoX @ Fells Farm - Kaukapakapa

2009-08-09T02:18:00.000-07:00

I had fun today out at Fells Farm! This is one of my favourite shots of the day because of it was my first attempt at panning and I got it!... I had many more successes during the day. This weekend... Belly Dancing! I love my photo assignments!

Click it to view it large.

Wedding Venue Recce

2009-07-31T22:14:00.000-07:00

ooh, I cannot wait till next March. I am going to have the priviledge of photographing the
wedding of a lovely couple! I won't tell you their names just yet in case they want their venue
kept under wraps!...

Anyway, we went to the venue today and despite the pouring rain, it was awesome.....

PLAY

2009-07-30T01:51:00.001-07:00

Joy

2009-07-30T00:46:00.001-07:00

Gettin All Arty Farty Wittit!

2009-07-28T20:14:00.000-07:00

You know, Lately I have been gettin' all nutskies

with my post processing.

Tis fun... rules are for breaking.

I cannot let the artist and graphic designer in me
suffer in silence. I neeeeed to do this to some of
my images. I am going to post them here where
they are safe and allowed to be loud!

Here is sweet Lucy.

Feel free to click the image to see it larger :)

Mummy Liz said
It was nice to spend a casual morning with you and the girls.
You captured the essence of how they are.

Seselj Family - Cornwall Park

2009-07-24T21:02:00.000-07:00

It was the most perfect day weather-wise in Auckland today. Not a whisper of wind. Not a cloud in the sky. Man it was cold though... at 8am I was on my way to meet the Seseljs at Cornwall Park and my car temperature gauge indicated 5 degrees!

We had fun though, and the kids were really awesome despite the cold.

Here are a few favs.

Lucy Spots & Molly Stripes!

2009-07-20T21:17:00.001-07:00

I spent the morning at the park with these two sweeties.
22 month old Molly and her twin sister Lucy.

They are little girls after my own heart! Not afraid to climb
& get muddy! Being twins they had their own little world
going on... and they let me in it just for a wee while...

Thank you mum-Lizzie :)

Workshop Ahoy!

2009-07-19T14:52:00.000-07:00

I have had three workshops in a row for the last three weeks and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I have loved learning that I know quite a lot, but also learning that the more I know the less I know. That's why I love photography. It is a journey, and I have to remind myself of that. There is no "making it", just a series of successes and learning from failures along the way and I LOVE IT!

Thanks Jill for being my portrait model! You look grrrrrreat!

Thank you Lisa for your awesome workshops.
www.imageme.co.nz

See you next time!
Nykie - www.mistralphotography.co.nz

Post Processing with Drew

2009-06-18T03:03:00.001-07:00

India & Jackson

2009-06-07T23:32:00.000-07:00

I will let the images speak for themselves. They are such beautiful kids.

Enjoy....

TONKA TOY!

2009-05-22T19:33:00.001-07:00

It's so cool and textural. And I am so impressed Nigel kept it all these years!

38 Weeks.

2009-05-20T21:30:00.001-07:00

38 Weeks.
Originally uploaded by Nykie - MistralPhotography

My best friend Sarah. Her belly is so round. I needed more pink ribbon. this concept didnt go quite as well as planned.

Andrew

2009-05-14T02:47:00.001-07:00

Andrew
Originally uploaded by Nykie - MistralPhotography

Andrew gazing out of the window at home. He looks like a wee baby still to me... especially when I zoom in to just his face in this way. Lovely eye lashed boy.

Autumn Leaf Stuck on The Glass Roof

2009-05-11T20:38:00.000-07:00

Snooky Clothing!

2009-05-11T17:40:00.000-07:00

www.snooky.co.nz

For the last few weeks I have been dodging bad weather to get in a few last outdoor shots of sweet sweet babies in these beautiful Bamboo Clothing sets by Snooky! The clothes are so so soft. Unless you have felt this Bamboo & cotton mix you won't appreciate it. Big thanks to sweet wee Liam & Morgan for being such good babies!