The Nostalgists

The Nostalgists are an Auckland-based wedding photography team, formerly known as Vanilla Images. The business is operated by two photographers, Chris and Tenille, who focus on capturing weddings in a way that feels authentic and personal. Tenille describes her motivation as “chronic nostalgia,” which is a desire to provide a tangible memory of moments that are already over as they happen. The team’s philosophy is centred on making “normal, everyday people” look good and feel comfortable in front of the camera, not just models. They believe in building a genuine rapport with their clients before the wedding, often by hanging out with them to ensure a relaxed and easy-going atmosphere on the day. Their approach is designed to be unobtrusive, allowing the couple and their guests to enjoy the celebration without feeling like they are constantly being directed. They offer two photographers for a wedding, which allows them to capture a wide range of moments from different perspectives. The Nostalgists believe that the time a couple takes for photos on their wedding day is the longest period they will be together without any demands from others, and they encourage their clients to take a breath and bask in that “wedding day glow.” Their focus is on the human element of a wedding, and they strive to capture the genuine emotions, candid connections, and quiet moments that make each couple’s story unique and timeless. They serve clients in the Auckland region and beyond.