hi, i’m kara

I created The Runaway Hearts after some years working as a fashion photographer - it really bloomed out of my love of capturing real people and their own lives, especially on their wedding days!

 
KaraRiley13-ByVanessaRochellePhotography.jpg
 

I began shooting film as a kid using my mum’s film camera, and then got really into photographing gardens on my daily walks around Sydney in my early twenties. The obsession with film has never stopped growing!

 

Shooting film feels like the closest way to making the things I see in my mind's eye become tangible.

 
rachelriley-30.jpg

Frequently
asked
questions

WHERE ARE YOU BASED?

I am currently based in Shellharbour, in the Illawarra region south of Sydney, however I am relocating to the Mornington Peninsula/Melbourne region as of July 2023 so will taking bookings there straight away.

HOW DO WE BOOK YOU IN?

Send through an enquiry form to see if I am available on your wedding date. Once we’ve had a chat and picked out the perfect package you will be able to pay your 25% deposit to lock in the date!

DO YOU OFFER PAYMENT PLANS?

Yes! I automatically assign you a four part payment plan once you book with me, splitting it up between now and your wedding day. The first instalment is your 25% deposit, and the next three payments are spaced out between now and your wedding day.

CAN WE UPGRADE OUR PACKAGE LATER?

Yes, sure! If you have chosen a smaller package and decide before the wedding that you want longer coverage; you can upgrade to more hours if I'm available.

HOW MUCH DO YOU CHARGE TO TRAVEL TO OUR WEDDING?

If your wedding is more than 100km from me (Mornington Peninsula/Melbourne), email me for a travel quote. I may charge petrol costs and accomodation depending.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECEIVE OUR PHOTOS?

All of your photos are lovingly edited as soon as possible, but it usually takes 6-12 weeks for the finished images/video to be delivered. I will always send you a sneak preview of around 50 photos during the weeks after your wedding, ready to share with family and friends, because its just too exciting to keep you waiting!

DO YOU MAKE US POSE OR JUST DOCUMENT THE DAY?

I am all about documenting the day in a very natural way. I want you to be in the moment and enjoy yourself! I can help round up your family for some portraits if that’s your thing, and I love to get creative with some dreamy shots of just you two, but apart from that I’ll be floating around capturing moments. I genuinely want you to relax and have fun, it makes the photos so much better!

DO YOU OFFER ALBUMS?

Yes! I offer beautiful coffee table style albums to past and future couples. They even feature a groovy back pocket for polaroids and film negatives! Contact me for more info, or fill out an order form here.

CAN WE MEET UP BEFORE OUR WEDDING?

Absolutely! If you are local I highly recommend that we connect over coffee to see if we are the right fit to work together, and so that we can go over any questions you have in person. If you aren’t local, we can set up a zoom call or a phone chat and get to know each other.

DO YOU DO ENGAGEMENT SHOOTS?

Yes, I’d love to get together and do a fun and easy engagement shoot with you if you are interested. It’s the perfect way to get comfortable in front of the camera before the big day and ease those nerves. Engagement shoots are discounted for couples booked in for a wedding with me.

DO YOU SHOOT FILM?

Yes! I shoot mainly 35mm film throughout the day, with a tiny bit of digital thrown in after dark, plus a little bit of other fun stuff like polaroids/instant film/other film formats (because I can’t help myself, its too much fun!)

DO YOU SHOOT VIDEO?

Yes I sure do! I specialise in vintage style Super 8mm films which you can see more about here. If you are already booking me in as your photographer and don’t want to hire someone else for a full video package, you can easily add on Super 8 film coverage in a bundle package to get the best of both worlds! Alternatively, if you already have a photographer and are wanting a Super 8 videographer to document your day then I’m your gal!

 
 
runaway-hearts-kara-film-photography-04.png
 

who am i for?

I am all for the dreamy couples who don't want typical, 'proper' wedding photos. I am for anyone that loves a bit of creativity and who wants to just relax and be themselves. 

My photography is whimsical, nostalgic, colourful, happy, and natural - I love to create photos + video that tell the story of how things actually felt at the time rather than just what they looked like. It's always the unposed shots (the giggling and crying between hugs; the warm looks between friends and lovers) that I aim to capture.

If you are after something extra special and a bit left of centre, then you are in the right place! Your photos will be unique, dreamy and a little bit quirky - the kind you will want to show the grandkids! If you love analogue film its the imperfections, I am for you.

 

 Are you a little bit creative? Fancy yourself a
film lover? Let's create beautiful,
whimsical memories    

picnic-73.jpg