There is much magic in today’s editorial, which takes place on the Gold Coast, on Yugambeh land. It is the vision of Queensland photographer Nikita Pere who has found within herself a passion for working with couples to embrace and embody their culture, and their very own heart and soul within their wedding days.

Her passion inspired her to create this beautiful, intimate editorial that honoured and focused on the couple’s (Zeek and Naz) own Indigenous culture. “The inspiration behind the shoot was basically a “flip the bird” to the wedding industry for creating an environment where weddings have to “look” a particular way. A middle finger to wedding traditions indoctrinated by the church, and the establishments responsible for the loss of Indigenous ceremonies and spiritual practices through forced assimilation.”

Nikita worked with body painter Luther Cora of Yugambeh Language Group to tell Zeek and Naz’s story with all of the Power whānau (Zeek’s family) by their sides. The pair, who met online many moons ago while Naz was living in Kuwait, quickly hit it off, before Zeek moved to Australia and cemented their lives together upon Naz’s return. With the backdrop of the forest, and the river cascading over their feet, the small group created inspiration that not just celebrated their Filipina, and Aboriginal/South Sea Islander culture, but put it at the very heart of the celebration.

Says Nikita “It’s an ode to my journey of cultural rediscovery, and to inspire people of different cultural backgrounds to reclaim their ceremonies and honour their heritage. Whilst also paying deep respect to the First Peoples of this land. No matter where you get married in Australia, you are marrying on Aboriginal land.”