Kristine and Chris

This shot wowed me from the word go, I love the relaxed nature of Kristine and Chris’ engagement portraits. Captured by photographer Julian Beattie, the shoot is a little something different- they capture the beauty and green (oh so green) of Mother Nature but also the intimacy of the relationship of Kristine and Chris. I love it when couples are so obviously having a great time together in their photographs, it’s heart warming!

Kristine tells their story. “Chris and I are high school sweethearts and met when we were fifteen years old. Our relationship has seen us through high school, university, moving to a new town in north Queensland as teachers and even spending a whole year traveling through Europe in our trusty campervan called White Lightning. It has been over ten years now and we love each other more every day.”

“Chris proposed quite spontaneously one night in Germany when it become clear to both of us that we couldn’t live without each other and wanted to make it official. Chris and I arrived back at our campsite in Munich late one night and dressed in our finest Bavarian garb, Chris pulled me onto his lap and asked me to be his wife. Through tears of happiness, I said YES! I will never forget the days after our engagement – meandering through scenic Southern Germany and into the beautiful Northern Italian landscape, whiling away the hours just enjoying each other’s company.”

“We’re getting married in March on Chris’ family’s property in Currumbin Valley in the Gold Coast hinterland. Naracoopa (meaning ‘a peaceful place’) is very special to both of us. Chris grew up there with his extended family and we are having our ceremony underneath a Poinciana tree that his grandfather planted when they first built the house around thirty years ago. We have strived to make our wedding honest and intimate, but are also trying to keep it very casual and fun. We’ve definitely focused on the celebration of our love rather than tradition, a decision which will see our friends and family enjoy a Christmas feast style dinner under a beautiful white marquee, followed by dancing under the stars.””