Nympheas in the Hunter Valley
A Travel Photo Essay, Photographic Essay, Fine Art, Leica, Australia, Weddings, Leaves and Fishes
French impressionist painter, Claude Monet, made a series of around 250 oil paintings of water lilies, or nymphea as they are called in French. I love his approach of focusing on a series of paintings related by subject and perspective. The photos in this essay are inspired by this philosophy.
A couple of months ago I shared with you a very special moment when my son asked his fiance to marry him. Fast forward and I found myself visiting a beautiful part of the Hunter Valley, Lovedale, and the property Leaves and Fishes, in particular. The couple plans on holding their wedding at this venue and so we wanted to experience it before the big event.
The rolling hills and vineyards of the Hunter give way at Leaves and Fishes to rainforest-like trees and a pond covered in water lilies. We spent a few hours with the owner Kristy McGuigan, had lunch and then visited a winery. A storm blew in and it was pouring by the time we returned to the Boathouses on the property where we were planning to spend the night. I was keen to get my Monet on and spent some time making the above photos.
By the morning the rain had cleared, but a chilly early autumn wind whipped through the air. You'll see it blowing the water lilies in the short video at the end of the essay.
We are all beyond excited to share the big day with the happy couple later in the year.
:: Rand
Breath deep. Let the wind sway you.
If you'd like to delve deeper into my photography visit my website and Instagram (@randleebdutoit). Please reach out if you'd like to suggest a collaboration.
All images and video are copyright Rand Leeb-du Toit, 2024