Our first Pattern Issue feature comes with a little plot twist: Helani and Kartik aren’t engaged… Yet. Instead, they’re celebrating one year together with a gorgeous coastal anniversary shoot captured by Hilary Cam Photography, and we’re quite happy to make an exception. After more than a decade each working in the wedding industry, the pair knew exactly what they wanted from the shoot: something different, relaxed and a little removed from the expected.

Kartik was scrolling Instagram one day and came across Helani, as they were both part of a podcast project with a mutual friend. “I decided to follow her after realising she was newly single and very cute. She followed me back, so I decided to take a chance and dive into her DMs. She was hesitant to meet me on a date at first due to her history, but agreed to meet as friends on a lunch date. This was fine because I knew she was going to fall in love with me anyway! The lunch date went for 7 hours because we just couldn’t stop talking, and we haven’t stopped talking since,” he explained.

After working in the wedding industry for over a decade each, Helani and Kartik know a good photographer when they see them. Hilary and Nicola of Hilary Cam Photography are one of the most professional and personable teams they’ve ever had the privilege of working with. “We’ve all known each other separately, so it was serendipitous to come together on this :)!”

What Kartik loves most about Helani is her kind heart and strong mindset. “I love that Helani has such a kind heart and is an incredible mother, and is just so loving and sees me for who I truly am. It’s just a bonus that she’s drop-dead gorgeous too!”

For Helani, it’s Kartik’s kindness and the safety she feels around him that she loves the most. “He’s so emotionally in tune, patient, self-aware and loving. I love that he supports me in everything that I do and that I am. It feels so beautiful to be completely seen and heard for the first time,” she explains.

As they’re both public figures, Helani and Kartik aren’t strangers to being approached in public – however, one encounter definitely stands out in their minds. “We openly talk about our age gap, as Helani is 7 years older than me. One time we got noticed in Sydney was when a girl approached us on the street and said, “Omg, are you the singer, and are you the older woman?” Helani said, “Of all the entrepreneurial work I’ve done, THIS is what I’m known for?!” haha,” Kartik described.

Working with Hilary Cam Photography, Kartik and Helani wanted to do something different with their relationship shoot than they’ve seen within the wedding industry lately. “When Hilary & Nicola approached us with the inspiration for this photoshoot, we knew we were all on the same page. We worked on our styling, and they worked on the shots & location. We love their work!”

While they aren’t engaged just yet, Helani and Kartik added a cheeky “watch this space” note that we’re excited to share! And thanks to Hilary Cam Photography for capturing and submitting this beautiful couple.