Meet Kirsten Cunningham — Wedding Photographer, Orange NSW

Nearly 15 years. 300+ weddings. And a genuine obsession with making people look and feel incredible.

Hi, I’m Kirsten

I'm good at what I do — and here's why.

A Master of Fine Arts and a Communications degree gave me the technical foundation. Photographing weddings, preschoolers, brands and humans of every description gave me everything else.

I learned to shoot on film — figuring out settings on the back of a truck in Africa, then waiting weeks for rolls to be developed in a Cape Town lab, spending months poring over the results before I could shoot again. It gave me a deep appreciation for the craft. These days I work considerably faster.

My LinkedIn profile is, objectively, unhinged. But every chapter led me here. Years leading teenagers and adults through developing countries — Asia, South America, Africa. Real places, real chaos, real people. It taught me to stay calm when everything shifts, read a room in seconds, and be two seconds ahead of every moment before it happens. Turns out those skills are extremely useful on a wedding day.

I also have a completely ridiculous superpower with children. Years of preschool photography plus two boys of my own means I can get 10 kids under 10 to all look at me and giggle for family photos in under sixty seconds. Couples book me specifically for this. And I secretly love it.

I'm based in Orange NSW — a community full of colour, creativity, food, wine and genuinely wonderful humans. The coastal kid found her place in the country.

My two boys - Byron and Fox - currently think I have the worst job in the world. Apparently watching people kiss all day is deeply uncool when you're 9 and 10. Pretty sure that's going to change.

Until then — I'll be here, using my very strange skillset entirely for you, on your wedding day.

Real Wedding Reviews

  • "She had an innate knack for understanding the dynamics of our bridal party — matching their energy, keeping the atmosphere lively and fun, yet knowing precisely when to dial it down for intimate moments. We couldn't be happier."

    Mac & Kate

  • "She managed to be everywhere at once without ever missing a moment or feeling intrusive. Every photo feels so natural and full of emotion. We couldn't be happier with our photos or more grateful for her."

    Tess & Christian

  • "Friendly, fun, and unobtrusive on the day — capturing the candid moments as well as the more posed photos with professionalism and assured confidence. The photos are absolutely beautiful and we are over the moon."

    Levi & Eli

  • "She was so cool, calm and collected and captured the emotion and joy of the day so perfectly. The portraits, bridal party and family photos are stellar. We've now got them hanging throughout the house and they bring a smile to our face every day."

    Nicola & Harry

  • "She made us feel completely comfortable in front of the camera, which made the whole experience feel natural and relaxed. The images perfectly reflect the atmosphere and joy of our wedding."

    Shinal & Sam

  • "Her warm, positive energy added so much fun to our day. When we received our sneak peek photos the very next day, we were blown away. Kirsten has an incredible talent for what she does."

    Haley & Matt

  • 100% yes — and I absolutely love it. Love is love, full stop. Same sex couples have exactly the same rights as everyone else, and I'm genuinely excited to be part of your day.

  • Wedding photography packages start from $4,900, including an online gallery, sneak peek within 24 hours, 35mm film, highlights slideshow and online print store. Packages including a Fine Art Album start from $6,500. Additional hours are available beyond the base package. A $1,000 non-refundable retainer secures your date, with the balance due one week before your wedding.

  • Natural, joyful and editorial — guided enough that you look incredible, relaxed enough that it never feels posed. My work blends candid storytelling with an editorial eye, focused on light, genuine emotion and authentic moments. Think real faces, real colour, real joy — beautifully composed. No stiff posing, no manufactured moments. Just your day, captured exactly as it feels.

  • Once your retainer is paid and contract is signed you'll get access to a client area with everything you need to plan your day — timeline guides, vendor recommendations and more. I'll check in throughout the lead up to your wedding and I'm always available if you need me. No question is too small — I've heard them all and I genuinely love helping couples feel prepared and excited rather than overwhelmed.

  • I arrive, get across the vibe, and get to work. I'll cover getting ready, ceremony, family formals, portraits and reception — moving through your day quietly and efficiently so nothing gets missed. I work to your timeline, adapt when things shift, and keep everything relaxed and fun throughout.

  • Honestly? You don't need to figure this out before you book. Timelines evolve — and what you need will become clear as your day takes shape. The most important thing right now is locking in your date.

    As a rough guide: 6 hours covers ceremony, family formals and portraits with a taste of prep and reception. 8 hours is the sweet spot for most weddings — more prep time and a proper slice of reception. 10 hours is (almost) full day coverage, getting ready to dance floor, nothing missed. My most popular packages are 8 hours with an album or 10 hours of coverage.

    Additional hours are always available if you need them.

  • Simple. Email me at hello@kirstencunningham.com to say you'd like to book — I'll send through a contract and booking fee invoice. Once that's signed and paid, your date is locked in and officially mine to protect.

  • For weddings a $1,000 non-refundable retainer secures your date — after that, all other enquiries for your day get turned away. The remaining balance is due one week before your wedding. You can pay in full or in instalments, whatever works for you. You don't need to confirm your final package until closer to the day.

  • Fast. You'll have a sneak peek preview of 20-50 images delivered to your online gallery within 24 hours of your wedding. The full gallery — every edited image — will be ready within 4-6 weeks. Portrait and family sessions are generally around 2 weeks.

  • There's no cap. For weddings you'll receive approximately 50-100 professionally edited images per hour of coverage — so an 8 hour wedding means roughly 400-800 images. Every edited photo is included. No culling your favourites down to a tiny selection.

  • Absolutely — and I love it. I'm based in Orange NSW and shoot weddings across Mudgee, Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains, Dubbo and Bathurst with no travel fees for these locations. For weddings further afield across regional NSW and beyond, travel fees apply but are very reasonable, covering transport and accommodation. I've also photographed weddings in Italy, New Zealand, Queensland and all over Australia — just ask and we'll work it out.

  • Yes — and this is one of my favourite parts of the job. I'll be with you every step of the way, especially when it comes to timing your portrait session with the light. After you book you'll have access to a client area with everything you need to plan your day. Need a vendor recommendation? Just ask — I know everyone worth knowing in regional NSW.

  • Most weddings I photograph solo and easily cover everything. After 300+ weddings I know how to be everywhere at once. That said, if you have 100+ guests or specific requests, a second shooter can be a great addition. Just mention it when you enquire and we'll work it out — subject to availability based on your location and date.

  • Elopements are intimate micro weddings of fewer than 20 people. With less on the schedule they generally need less coverage — elopement packages start from 2 hours. Weddings have 20 or more guests and a full day of activities that need more comprehensive coverage. Not sure which category yours falls into? Just ask.

  • Yes — the moment your $1,000 retainer is paid and your contract is signed, your date is locked in. From that point I turn away all other enquiries for that day. Your date is officially, completely yours.

  • The $1,000 booking retainer is non-refundable — once your date is secured, all other work for that day is turned away. If you need to change your date, the retainer can be moved to a new mutually agreed date where possible. Full details are outlined in your contract.

  • Yes — and weddings are actually the best training ground for commercial work. On a wedding day I'm an event, portrait, food, wine, architecture and fashion photographer all rolled into one. I love commercial work across Orange NSW and regional Australia. Outline your brief when you enquire and I'll provide an accurate quote.

    You can see my commercial work at kirstencunningham.com/commercial-photography

  • Absolutely. I hold current public liability insurance up to $20 million. Happy to send a copy to you or your venue on request — just ask.

  • All high resolution images are uploaded to a private online gallery where you can download everything in both web and print size. I'll send the link via email and you can share it with family and friends. Simple, beautiful, easy to access forever.

  • Yes — two rolls of 35mm film are included in every single wedding package at no extra cost. Film adds a timeless, tactile quality to your gallery that digital alone can't replicate. It's one of those details that makes your photos feel a little bit special — and a little bit timeless.

FAQ’s

Not just weddings.

Portrait and commercial photographer across Orange, Mudgee, Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains, Dubbo, Bathurst and regional NSW.

COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

The same eye. A different brief.

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

Because great photos shouldn't only happen on your wedding day.