A perfect blend of editorial and documentary storytelling
At Solemate Studios, we’re here for the moments that can’t be put into words, the moments that you won't find on a timeline, and the ones you want to hold onto forever.
Our Why
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Director / Photographer / photo Editor
"Alright, here goes! Up until my early twenties, I lived and breathed volleyball, but after a few too many injuries, I decided to call it quits and pick up a camera instead. The initial draw card was to document my three kids' as they grew up, but I ended up falling in love with capturing couples and so naturally, I ended up in the wedding world!
Now with 5 years in the industry, I use a 'loose editorial' style to document wedding days. I find this is the perfect mix for couples who want some prompting and direction from me to get those timeless portraits, but at the same time, not miss out on the candid, documentary shots that capture the details and the emotion of the day.
For a brief period before taking up photography, I worked in prisons and immigration detention so I tend to have a talent for finding humour in the darkest, most taboo topics, and admittedly, I find it nearly impossible to speak without swearing. But I pride myself on being the biggest hype-girl you'll ever meet, and I cannot wait to come and party with you on your big day!"
ADMINISTRATION COORDINATOR
Shane is the organisational mastermind of Solemate Studios. With a knack for staying cool under pressure, she runs the show from the comfort of her home office (probably in her comfiest pyjamas).
She’s the one quietly keeping every booking, schedule, invoice, and timeline stitched together behind the scenes, the calm voice of reason when everything else feels chaotic. If you’ve ever wondered how we manage to stay on top of a hundred moving parts at once, the answer is almost always Shane. She catches the details the rest of us miss, anticipates problems before they surface, and somehow does it all while making it look effortless.
In short, if Solemate Studios is a well-oiled machine, Shane is the one quietly spinning all the gears.
Videographer / Video editor
"With 13 years of Navy service under my belt, I get to say I’ve lived a career most people only see in films - witnessing the most incredible places, cultures, and landscapes. That chapter shaped me, but what I really wanted was work that would let me lean into creativity and tell stories in my own way, and that’s what led me into the wedding industry. The best part is now I get to work alongside my beautiful partner, Laila, bringing our visions to life.
One of my biggest passions is Super 8 film. It has a rare kind of magic and, if it were practical, I’d love to shoot entire weddings solely on Super 8. In fact, I love it so much that i’ve got one tattooed on my arm, alongside my collection of music legends: Freddie, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Fleetwood Mac, ABBA, Dolly, and Tina Turner’s Proud Mary — or, more accurately in my case, Proud Marry.... Dyslexia: 1, Sam: 0.
Anyway, if I'm not filming your day, I'm the guy behind all the video editing at Solemate Studios. If you’ve ever wondered what a man looks like when he’s spent 14 hours colour-grading the same clip, it’s me: pale, twitchy, and muttering at the computer. But thanks to my unhealthy addiction to lactose-free lattes, somehow it all comes together!"
343 WEDDINGS / 486 Sessions / 2m photos captured / 53,786 minutes of film delivered / 682 BOUTONNIÈRES PINNED / 8 gowns repaired / infinite happy tears
Current figures
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343 WEDDINGS / 486 Sessions / 2m photos captured /
682 BOUTONNIÈRES PINNED /
8 gowns repaired /
infinite happy tears
We know being in front of the camera can feel awkward, maybe even overwhelming. But what we’ve learned is that the most beautiful moments happen when you let go of the nerves and simply be.
And for us, it all starts with connection. Connection is at the heart of everything we do. Because when you feel comfortable, that’s when we capture more than just how your day looked... We capture how it felt.
We believe that your spouse isn't just a soulmate...
they're your 'sole' mate - your one and only.
At Solemate Studios, it's not a typo!
