Photography by Sarah Finlay

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Photography by Sarah Finlay

Perfectly imperfect moments,
captured as they truly felt. Wedding & Portrait Photographer
Waikato and Bay of Plenty

31/08/2026

They didn't need a big wedding. They just needed each other. 🤍

Kam & Dania chose the beautiful stone circle at Taitua Arboretum as the place they would say I do, with their celebrant and two witnesses by their side.

She wore a gorgeous white pantsuit, they exchanged vows, and then we wandered off into the trees together for some beautiful photos of just the two of them.

Quiet. Relaxed. Completely theirs.

And I think that's what I love about elopements most — there are no rules about what your wedding day should look like. You get to make it whatever feels right for you.

Congratulations, you two. 🤍 It was an absolute pleasure to capture this little piece of your story.

22/08/2026

Your wedding day isn't just the big moments.

It's the little boy who decides the safest place to be is hiding between Dad's legs.

It's Big brother concentrating far too hard on getting that bow tie just right.

It's the quiet hug before the ceremony.

It's the flower girl holding onto your hand.

These are the moments you don't necessarily plan for.

And honestly?

They're some of my favourites.

Because when you look back at your wedding photographs, I don't just want you to remember what your day looked like.

I want you to remember what it felt like. 🤍

19/08/2026

There are some wedding moments you simply can't pose.

The hug that lasts a little longer.

The tears that come before anyone has time to hide them.

A hand reaching for a face.

These are the photographs I love most.

Not because everyone looks perfect, but because you can feel exactly what was happening in that moment.

Years from now, when the flowers are long gone and the little details of the day have faded, these are the photographs that will bring it all back.

The people.

The love.

The feeling.

That's what I want your wedding photographs to hold. 🤍

15/08/2026

✨ IRIS AWARDS 2026 ✨

Well… IRIS 2026 has officially wrapped, and I’m feeling pretty damn proud of this collection of work. 🥹

This year I came away with 9 awarded images — 8 Bronze Awards and a Silver Distinction. 🤍

🏆 Silver Distinction
Grandma Series — 85

🥉 Bronze Awards
• The Cave
• Red Veil
• Dad Hugging Bride
• Champagne on the Bed
• Mirror
• Hobbiton Smoke
• Blurry Bridal
• Ceremony Selfie

And honestly… what a collection. ❤️

There’s a bit of everything in here — emotional documentary work, creative composites, experimentation, weird ideas that somehow made it out of my head and into Photoshop 😂, and images that pushed me well outside my comfort zone.

The Grandma series receiving a Silver Distinction is particularly special to me. That work came from a very emotional place, and having it recognised at that level means a huge amount.

But I'm proud of the Bronzes too.

Because competition photography isn't easy. You put an image you've poured hours, thought and emotion into in front of a panel of judges and essentially say, “Okay… tell me what you think.” 😂

Sometimes they see exactly what you hoped they'd see.

Sometimes they don't.

And sometimes you learn more from the images that didn't score where you wanted than the ones that did.

That's the whole point for me.

IRIS keeps pushing me to experiment, to refine my craft, to look at my work differently and — most importantly — to keep creating.

So here's to 9 awarded images, 8 Bronzes, 1 Silver Distinction, a whole lot of learning, and hopefully some very questionable ideas for IRIS 2027 already brewing in my head. 😂✨

Thank you to everyone who has trusted me with their stories, their weddings, their families and their beautiful faces.

And to my girls… thank you for continuing to say yes when Mum says, “I have an idea for a photo…” 😂❤️

IRIS 2026 — I'm pretty proud of you. 🤍

11/08/2026

A beautiful winter day at Woodlands for Maisie, Mendel & their adorable little boy, Maverick. 🤍

Bright sunshine, blue skies, beautiful surroundings — and a whole lot of love.

These two chose me to capture their wedding day, and it was such a privilege to be there to document all the little moments that made it uniquely theirs.

Although, if we're being completely honest… Maverick may have stolen the show. 😂🥹

There’s something pretty special about photographing a wedding where your couple can simply be themselves — soaking up the day, enjoying each other, and making memories together as a family.

And when I received this message afterwards, it absolutely made my heart happy:

“Omg!!! We will treasure these photos forever. They are all so perfect.

Thank you so much for your hard work, patience, and incredible talent.” 🤍

Maisie & Mendel, thank you for choosing me to tell the story of your day. It was an absolute pleasure. 🤍

And Maverick… you can have your own album next time. 😂💕

Shout out to the wonderful for leading such a special ceremony and of course Woodlands Estate - Homestead, Gardens, Venue, Cafe for the amazing venue and co-ordination xx

26/05/2026

As Paris opens the doors to LOVE tonight, my photograph The Light Between Us is hanging there as part of LOVE: An Anthropology of Simulated Affect — a contemporary photography and art exhibition exploring intimacy, connection, and the way we experience love through visual language 🤍

Captured during a quiet “Tie the Knot Thursday” wedding at Woodlands Estate - Homestead, Gardens, Venue, Cafe here in New Zealand, this image has always felt incredibly special to me. Soft, still, emotional — the kind of moment that reminds me why I love what I do.

The thought of this little piece of New Zealand now hanging on a gallery wall on the other side of the world feels honestly a little surreal.

Very grateful to be included alongside so many incredible international artists and photographers ✨

25/05/2026

Some weddings just have a feeling about them ✨

currently lost in editing this beautiful day and falling in love with all of the little moments all over again 🤍

the movement, the emotion, the atmosphere… this one was magic!

19/05/2026

Somewhere between the timelines, the weather plans, the muddy shoes and the nerves…
these are the moments that end up mattering most.

The blink-and-you-miss-it kind.

A hand squeeze.
Wind in a veil.
That deep breath before walking down the aisle.

I think that’s why I love weddings the way I do.
Not because they’re perfect… but because they’re real.

Lately life has been full over here — editing galleries late at night between netball games and the everyday chaos of family life 😂

But honestly? I think that’s also why these moments mean so much to me.

Anyway… here’s a little throw back to one of those perfectly imperfect days 🤍

10/05/2026

Some wedding days feel less like an event and more like stepping into a real-life fairytale ✨

Jess & Tyne’s intimate elopement at Woodlands Estate on Thursday was exactly that.

Surrounded by only their closest people, these two promised forever inside the beautiful Woodlands Homestead on the most perfectly soft, overcast autumn day. Woodlands absolutely delivered that dreamy golden Waikato glow, wrapping the entire day in the most romantic atmosphere imaginable.

Their ceremony was deeply personal, emotional, and full of so much love — the kind that brings happy tears to almost everyone in the room (myself included 🥹). The way Jess and Tyne look at each other says everything without needing words. You can just feel how deeply in love they are.

There was something so special about the intimacy of the day. No distractions, no fuss — just two people completely present with each other and the people who matter most.

A tiny little sneak peek from a truly beautiful day 🤍

Huge thank you to the amazing team Woodlands Estate - Homestead, Gardens, Venue, Cafe and the gorgeous celebrant Michelle Morley always amazing working with you!

20/04/2026

A day that kept us on our toes in the best kind of way 🤍

With wild weather rolling in, we made the call to move things inside—and honestly, The Cargo Shed created the most incredible atmosphere for Jase & Jo’s ceremony. Warm, intimate, and perfectly suited to the day.

Thankfully the rain held off, and we were able to slip away for a few quiet moments by the rail bridge—creating some pretty special images in between it all.

These are the kinds of weddings that remind me it’s not about perfect plans, but about the moments in between… the laughter, the emotion, and everything that unfolds naturally.

Jase & Jo Swain 🤍

Vendor love:
Makeup: Charlie McLean Makeup Artistry
Celebrant: Katie Berry Celebrant
Hire: & Talent Ltd
Florals: & Jasmine
Catering: Hereford Kitchen
Venue: The Cargo Shed , Tauranga ✨

Address

Hamilton

Website

http://www.photographybysarahfinlay.com/

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