Let's Meet - Robin + Andie

Friends, meet Robin + Andie, life partners, globetrotters, eco-warriors and photography duo living life from the paradise that is the Banks Peninsula. We sat down with them recently to chat about their lives and what brought them back to New Zealand, their approach to photography and what booking with them might shape up like. These two just ooze personality and are so full of life - you’ll see exactly that through their words!

Captured by Caroline Opacic

Tell us about your background, and how did photography become your day job?

Rob: I used to be a music promoter in the UK putting on stage little unknown folk bands at the time (like Mumford & Sons, Bears Den + Bastille!) I needed to have great photos of the bands performing live to be able to promote them and so I just started photographing them myself! As the bands became more popular my photographs started to get noticed by influential music mags. Getty Images approached me to become a contributor and from there I’ve been photographing fashion, music events and some of the best bands in the world. A career highlight for me was photographing the Rolling Stones and being backstage at gigs or behind the scenes of London Fashion Week was always really good fun too. As my love of documentary photography grew, I discovered that there was a place for my style of photographic work in the wedding industry too. My documentary wedding photography has taken me all around the world over the last 15 years from the Venetian Islands to the Greek Islands and now most importantly to the South Island which is now my home.

Andie: I grew up taking snaps on my mum’s old Canon film camera and getting the photos back from the chemist was like Christmas to me! If I got a few great shots it used to bring me so much joy! I studied film at university in New Zealand and then moved to the UK where I spent many happy years working in the travel industry. While working as a director for a luxury travel PR company in London I recognised that our clients needed better imagery, so my PR company kindly paid for me to do a Post Grad at the British Academy of Photography (in my spare time!). After further developing my photographic skills, I passed with distinction and went on to photograph some of the best 5-star hotels in the world from Gstaad Palace in Switzerland to the King of Morocco’s hotel - Royal Mansour in Marrakech. When I met Rob (thanks, Tinder!) we instantly hit it off and our first date was at a very British street party in Knightsbridge. Soon after, Rob took me to Copenhagen Fashion Week, and I was sold! I began second shooting weddings for him and here we are today – business partners together in NZ and loving being a part of the thriving South Island wedding community.

What are the moments you most look forward to capturing at a wedding?

Rob: Observing and capturing candid interactions between couples and guests who are in full-on celebration mode! I love photographing hilarious dance floor antics and charismatic speeches. I stick with the moment as it sometimes develops into an even better moment!

Andie: I love the razzle-dazzle stuff like first kiss and confetti. The more confetti the better! I also love scouting for cool nearby locations in advance of a wedding so that we can nail the portraits and give our clients something a bit different. 

Do you have favourite photographers? Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Rob: Both Andie and I admire the approach of Two Mann Studios who are a husband-and-wife team based in Canada. They often hold online workshops which are super inspiring. They’re great characters and bicker all the time which is amusing. 

Andie: I’ve studied Eve Arnold’s work in-depth, and I absolutely adore her portraits of Marilyn Monroe. She really captured Marilyn’s natural beauty and spirit. Her vibe! She did this by spending a lot of time with her on set. I’m all about capturing good vibes in my photography and I love showing my couples how bloody beautiful they are too. Another hero of mine is landscape photographer Ansel Adams. In January 2020 we visited his photography gallery in Yosemite National Park, California. Ansel was a pioneer of black and white photography and an environmentalist. I also love Martin Parr’s documentary photography. I met him a few years ago at a photography show. He’s a true master and is very funny! 

What else do you like to capture aside from weddings?

Rob: The Milky Way, epic landscapes, and creative aerial photography with my drone. 

Andie: I love to inspire people to visit the places that I’ve been to through my photography. I really enjoy photographing luxury lodges and interiors and helping local tourism businesses with their imagery. In London, I used to volunteer for a charity that trained up homeless people for the hospitality industry. It was great to work on this amazing project with Jeremy Goring from The Goring (the hotel in London where Kate Middleton got ready on her wedding day). People like him inspire me to share my photography and time where I can, and it was great to see so many lives change in such a positive way.

What's the best piece of advice you've been given to date?

Rob: Ignore the rules! (Of photography that is). 

Andie: It’s all about the light! Follow what lights you up and you’ll light up the world. 

To buy the album, or not to buy the album? 

Robin + Andie: As photographers, we LOVE to see our work in print (there’s nothing better!) but we don’t push album or print sales on our clients. Bespoke albums can be designed and printed with us, of course, but we don’t hustle. Just don’t forget to print a photo of you both looking at the camera for grandma’s mantlepiece! This is compulsory ha-ha. We love our artboards and many of our wonderful clients have printed their favourite ‘shot of the day’ as a piece of art for their home. This makes us happy!

What would the first encounter with you shape up to look like for a couple-to-be?

Robin + Andie: We usually meet our clients for the first time at their engagement shoot. We gift our engagement sessions as this is a great way to create a cool connection with our couples which results in natural, relaxed photographs on the big day. We’ll usually start off on a walk and chat about their wedding plans and the vision for their day. Then we hit the beach or head for the hills. We love meeting our couples in places that mean a lot to them and it’s a great way for us to discover cool new locations too! We’re up for meeting our couples anywhere in the South Island. We like to get about!

Where is your favourite spot in Canterbury? 

Robin + Andie We love the Banks Peninsula as it’s our home base and it’s great being so close to Christchurch too. During the summer, we’ll usually take a break from editing and go for a swim at Okains Bay. There’s a lovely lagoon area at the end of the beach where the river meets the sea. Sometimes you can find yourself swimming with seals!

You’re based in Akaroa, what’s your favourite thing to do around town?

Robin + Andie: We love going to Harbar. Great pizzas, cocktails and an impressive gin menu and it’s right on the water! We’re just waiting for someone to have a wedding reception there. That would be so cool!

What have you got to say to couples who are nervous about getting in front of the camera on their wedding day?

Robin + Andie: Our couples often start out saying that they are not photogenic people or that they feel awks in front of the camera (totally get it!) but after an engagement shoot with us, they come away feeling super confident in themselves after hanging out with us for an afternoon and then seeing how awesome they look in their pics. When editing our engagement photos, we are often blown away by how frequently our shy, awkward clients transform into supermodels by the end of the shoot. Our laid-back, relaxed approach helps us get the best results for our clients. We also don’t wave massive lenses in their faces as we shoot with mirrorless cameras. It’s just way less obtrusive. 

Aside from photography, what is something else you are passionate about?

Robin + Andie: We’re super passionate about seeing the world, our rescue cat, good coffee, music festivals, NZ wine, local cheese and olives (we live on an olive grove). We also care about our environment and do some part-time social media management for a local environmental trust. We helped with the crowdfunding campaign to ‘Buy the Hill’ and turn Te Ahu Pātiki (Mt Herbert + Mt Bradley) into Canterbury’s newest conservation park which will eventually be restored to native bush.

What does your dream wedding look like?

Robin + Andie: It looks ‘fabulous, darling’ if we’re taking the photos. Ha! We’re equally at home covering weddings at the beach, in a vineyard, luxury lodge or Kiwi-style at the family farm or bach. We’ll bring the good vibes, dedication, and creativity to your dream wedding, ensuring you have the BEST day. We’re all for weddings that are a little different. Even if it’s just one point of difference like planting some natives to offset your wedding in some way, having an intimate gathering with a private chef or arriving by boat to your ceremony. Dream weddings for us are where we can feel the excitement in the air, and everyone involved in the day gives it their all.

Our VendorsLucy MagillRobin + Andie