Abbey's One-of-a-kind Formal!
Abbey’s School Formal was an unforgettable day in so many ways, one that will forever be etched in my memory.
Our pre-formal photo shoot began in the usual fashion: we walked from Abbey's house to a spacious, grassy area on the family property to capture a few photos of her alone, as well as with family and friends. We even managed to snap some quick shots of Abbey with her beloved dogs. Nothing out of the ordinary, at least not yet.
That was until we heard the roar of her ‘transport’ approaching. It wasn’t the sound of a sleek sports car or a vintage vehicle, as many might expect. No, Abbey’s choice of transport was a truck - a very large one! At first, I was a little concerned about how she’d manage to climb into the cabin in her full skirt. But Abbey's grace impressed me. With just a little help from her Formal partner and cousin, Troy, she made it up the steps with ease. The black truck, freshly scrubbed and gleaming, added an unexpected yet striking backdrop for her photos.
Next up was a short road trip to a local property, where Abbey had dreamed of capturing a Formal photo for years. Ever since she was a little girl, she’d gazed out the car window at a towering, small-leafed fig tree that loomed above the passing cars. Thankfully, we had permission to visit the private property and capture the images she’d long envisioned. But this meant navigating cross-country terrain, through several gated paddocks. Abbey even considered swapping her heels for gumboots, but in the end, she simply hitched up her dress and carefully sidestepped the cow patties scattered around the field. The photos of Abbey and Troy, dwarfed by that magnificent tree, were absolutely breathtaking.
​Our adventure didn’t end there. Abbey’s mum, Amanda, had also arranged access to another local property, one I’d admired for years but never imagined I’d have the chance to photograph. The sweeping driveway crossed over a tranquil water feature before winding up the hill to the main house. Bubbling fountains, lily pads, white picket fences, wooden bridges, and an ornately carved concrete table and stools made this place feel like something out of a dream.
Of course, we captured plenty of stunning photos in these picturesque locations, showcasing the princess Abbey had truly become that day. But we didn’t stop there. We also made sure to grab some one-of-a-kind shots - Abbey fishing off a small deck and arm wrestling with her brother, Matt.​
Without a doubt, this pre-formal photo shoot will always stand out as one of my favourites. From timeless princess moments to dodging cow patties under towering trees, climbing trucks, fishing, and arm wrestling, it truly had it all.
