Roy’s Peak Wedding Shoot, Wanaka New Zealand

Returning to Wanaka recently made me realise I had never properly shared this incredible shoot with the talented Hannah and Jossi Wells.

Although their actual wedding ceremony took place in the United States, this shoot was created as a way to capture wedding imagery closer to home for Jossi in his hometown of Wanaka — and it was well worth it.

Hannah is the creative force behind Faith Lord, working as a photographer and creative director, while Jossi is an Olympic skier with a personality that brings equal parts energy and humour to every frame.

This wasn’t a straightforward shoot. The day involved navigating roads blocked by hundreds of merino sheep, searching for a frozen waterfall that ultimately wasn’t accessible, and racing against fading light as we worked to reach Roy’s Peak. Just when it seemed like we might miss the window, the team at Aspiring Helicopters made it possible to access the mountain in time for golden hour — and the result was unforgettable.

The final location, high above Lake Wanaka at Roy’s Peak, delivered some of the most dramatic alpine light Wanaka is known for — vast, cinematic, and completely still as the sun dropped behind the Southern Alps.

This shoot is a reminder that sometimes the best imagery comes from adapting to the unexpected and trusting the landscape to do most of the storytelling.

Credits

Photography: Kate Drennan Photography
Model: Hannah Wells (Faith Lord)
Model: Jossi Wells
Dress: Stone Cold Fox
Assistant / Support: Lake Wanaka Tourism
Makeup: Janine Joseph Makeup
Hair: Studio 9305 – Shannon Van Praag
Florals + Crown: Crimson Wedding Flowers
Cake: Cakes of Wanaka
Helicopter Access: Aspiring Helicopters