Lillian & Nick
Lillian and Nick reached out from Hong Kong with the most incredible idea - a roadtrip through some of Western Australia’s stunning locations for their pre-wedding shoot. They didn’t just want pretty photos - they wanted an experience. One that felt special, free, and full of the landscapes that make WA so special.
We met virtually many times, hearing about what they envisioned for their trip. From there we mapped out a route that took us from towering sand dunes to rugged coastal cliffs, through surreal pink lakes and some of the most uniquely beautiful spots this part of the world has to offer. Every stop brought a new kind of magic - shifting light, wild textures, and moments where it felt like we were the only people around for miles.
My friend and fellow photographer, Mags, came along to assist and second shoot. And off we went to explore our backyard, while taking photos of a lovely couple in some incredible locations.
First stop: the sand dunes.
I made Lillian a bouquet out of the sweetest baby’s breath and then first stop was the sand dunes. They wandered barefoot across the ridges, hand in hand, with wind in their hair and the softest light wrapping around them.
The next day, we made our way up the WA coast as we drove to Kalbarri. We hung out during the day and headed down to the first location at golden hour.
As we made our way down the rocky path, the late afternoon sun lit up the red cliffs with the most golden glow (can you tell I’m a sucker for a sunset?!) The texture of the stone, the warm tones, the way the light illuminated every surface - it felt like the whole landscape was alive. These cliffs are carved by time and weather, and standing among them, it felt like we were in on some ancient secret.
We wandered slowly down until the path that had towering red walls, as it opened up to a little cove and stretch of beach, waves rolling in beside us. The colours were unbelievable -deep red rock, soft sand, ocean blue.
No stiff poses, no rushing - just two people in love, soaking up a place that felt like a little slice of magic.
As a photographer, you live for light. And this evening, the stunning limestone cliffs gave us everything.
We set up a picnic for them with the cutest thrifted crochet blanket, a small platter with strawberries and some drinks - the wide ocean view stretching out in front of them. The light was soft and golden, low in the sky, warm, and wrapping everything in that perfect glow.
She laughed as the wind caught her hair, reaching for a strawberry and enjoying the view. It’s in those tiny, unposed moments of strawberry juice on her fingertips, a quiet glance between bites, him embracing her in his arms, that the story of love really unfolds.
As the sun dipped lower, the cliffs lit up in that incredible sunset haze - warm, nostalgic, dreamlike, as the ocean shimmered below. We even spotted a few dolphins in the distance, which felt like the cherry on top of an already amazing evening.
We spontaneously decided to get up early for sunrise at Natures Window - what a beautiful sight it was. The warm glow of the sun peaking over the hills and illuminating the red cliffs highlighting that rich, warm, rusty red that Australia is known so well for. We all soaked up the view before the crowds came through.
Our last stop of the trip was the Pink Lake in Port Gregory - the very location that was the initial spark of conversation for the trip!
I’ve been to Hutt Lagoon a handful of times and you never quite get over it’s uniqueness. I remember being quite skeptical before the first time I went, thinking that the pink was photoshopped and it wasn’t really THAT pink. And well, I was very wrong, it is so very pink. So when Lillian and Nick first reached out to take photos at this bucket list location, I knew it was worth the drive and that there was also so many other beautiful spots nearby that would make the road trip top tier.
They splashed in the strawberry milk water and giggled at how they were really there, at a pink lake, in the middle of Western Australia!
I’m so glad we got to connect all the way on other sides of the world. Lillian and Nick were absolute legends - completely up for adventure, whether it meant climbing dunes barefoot, braving winds off the ocean, or dancing under soft golden skies.
What a trip to remember.
