The Better Half Project: documenting the diversity of love. It’s the baby of talented lass, Lara Hotz, a photographer with a big heart. We share her celebration of relationships in any form and flavour they take.
At its core, marriage is about two people dedicating their lives to each other. At LSMM we believe marriage should be a legal right for everyone, just like the true meaning of love. We wish to feature all types of inclusive weddings and hope this day comes soon…really soon.
Read on about real life couples sharing their love notes and cupid moments with us. Thank you to everyone who got involved.
Ollie + Peta.
Together for 3 years, not legally allowed to marry in Australia.
“We could identify as any old hetero couple but we are far from that. Ollie is transgender and identifies as queer. Peta doesn’t discriminate on gender. Through the last few years we have supported each other through constant communication, love, support and respect”. Ollie has a weekend ritual that cannot be messed with: “family cuddles & the paper in the sun is the only way we can start weekends”.
Beau + Erica.
Together for 15 years, married for 4 years.
Erica found a handwritten quote in a second hand book ‘But if he finds you, and you find him, the rest of the world doesn’t matter’ . They had a 2 year pen pal and phone friendship before meeting in person. Then they made a long distance relationship work for a decade. Their story is testament to what can be achieved and overcome when you truly believe in something.
Jess + Vanessa.
Together 6 months, hot and steamy girlfriends.
“Some brief Tinder banter was enough for us to set up a date – pub trivia, igniting both our competitive streaks. Sparks flew, beers evaporated, and in the blizzard of jokes and laughter we ended up in bed together that very night (sparks flew there too)”. Jess adores walking Vanessa’s three-legged foster puppy, and Vanessa enjoys beating Jess’ brothers at Buck Hunter.
Suzie + Dele.
Together for 6 years, married for 5 years.
“Dele was a professional sprinter and trained every day until 9 pm leaving very little time to see each other. So we moved in together to solve that problem. We only had 4 people at our wedding and we didn’t tell anyone we got married for a whole year! We wouldn’t be able to properly show what love looks like for us without including our daughters, Milla and Zara. They make up so much of what being together is for us now because they have made us stronger and wiser as a couple”.
Brad + Scott.
Together for 14 months, not legally allowed to marry in Australia.
Cat whispering yogi mets chilli loving music nerd. “Hairy bearded queer soul mates”.
Gail + Liz.
Been together for 27 years, not legally allowed to marry in Australia.
“The first time I saw her the room literally stood still just like in the movies!” muses Liz. “We paint and play music together. I value the ways we are both willing to work at being in relationship” says Gail.
Nadia + Ronny.
Together for 6 years . Married for 3 months.
“Super fun happy soul mates”. Ronny says “When we are home, I have to be next to her. If she leaves the room I have to go with her. I have many nicknames for her including Chewbacca, Camel, Sausage and Wookie.”
Dylan + Emma.
Together for 3.5 years, not legally allowed to marry in Australia.
Emma wants them to share a laundry basket so their clothes can mingle. Dylan thinks sharing a laundry basket is a bigger commitment than moving in together. Dylan has transitioned to genderqueer which has been difficult at times but they feel stronger with a better understanding of each other. They can face anything now.
Together for 5 years, married for 2 years.
“13 years ago we both worked at an art supply store but with minimal contact. Flash forward 9 years we were reunited at a shared friend’s art exhibition, not in a traditional way but in a more modern form – Facebook. We messaged. We emoticon-ed. We sent each other youtube clips of songs that we loved. We met for lunch and 10 hours later shared a good night hug outside Kerry’s apartment that we both hoped wouldn’t be our last”. “Kerry is the best person I have wrestled with (even better than my Dad when I was a small boy)!”
Jarred + Jack.
Together for 2 years, not legally able to marry in Australia.
“Loving, determined partners in crime”. We chatted on Tinder, bonding over our mutual love for Kath and Kim. We met and moved in together a few weeks later and been inseparable ever since. Jack quotes his mother more than he speaks for himself and sews most of his own clothes. Jarred, as a teen made a killing from breeding tropical fish and claims to speak Mandarin.
Kimberley + Maja.
Together for 5 years, not legally allowed to marry in Australia.
After about 8 weeks together, Maja moved 3 hours away for study. Kimberley drove there nearly every weekend. 8 months later Maja graduated and the following year their son was born. Maja doesn’t see the point in generically asking you how you are. She’s the ‘fun mum’ and Kimberley is the heart of the family.
Ness + Roger.
Together for 12 years, married for 2 years.
Ness met Roger in her last year of high school and Roger was studying at Darwin Uni. They are best friends, lovers, husband and and wife, and they both cannot imagine life without the other. Roger is always correcting Ness’ creative attempts at saying the word ‘specifically’.
Brian + Chris.
Together for 2 years, not legally able to marry in Australia.
Chris took Brian for sushi, not knowing that he was a vegan who didn’t like sushi. They spent the rest of the day just wandering around Sydney and eating lots of food. Brian missed 3 trains back to Newcastle before finally heading home. Chris came up to Newcastle the following week and they’ve basically been together ever since. Chris got his first tattoo on Brian’s bathroom floor, by Brian.
Jessie + Craig.
Together for 12 years, married for 11 years.
“We became good friends and admired each other’s work and use to argue and debate anything and everything for hours”. He never gets bored with their relationship, no two days are ever the same. Just when he thinks he knows her, she surprises him. They are not scared to tell the truth and be 100% honest with each other or pull each other up, when one of them needs it. They are both good at reminding each other, what is important in life.
Together for 12 years, not legally able to marry in Australia.
We met online, went on one date and three months later moved in together. They say the rest is history. We live, work, eat, sleep and create together 24/7 and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Gena + Tony.
Together for 10 years, married for 3 years.
They met at a housewarming party: from across the room he saw this cute girl with an oversized green crayon in her hair as a hair clip. At the end of lease party at the same house, one year later – that same gorgeous girl was in attendance & this time she had a more available relationship status so he plucked up the courage to ask for her number and it’s been an amazing journey ever since!
Gena’s nickname at high school was Jelly. Tony’s surname is Been. “Jelly Beans are delicious so we have always believed that we belong together. For our 1 year wedding anniversary we got matching jelly bean tattoos”.
Hillary + Jaxson.
Together for 6 years, not legally allowed to marry in Australia.
“We’ve been through an epic journey of personal discovery.” Jaxson is an underdog that supersedes expectations and has been transitioning whilst in relationship with Hilary, who’s earnest to the end and super positive regardless of the odds. Their individual achievements might not have been possible without their commitment to each other.
Patricia + John.
Married for 60 years.
“We went to primary school together. Many years later John’s family came back for a visit. All we did was look at each other, this young man aged 17 years made my words shake and my heart jump. After 60 years we love each other so much and my heart still flutters when I look at him.” Patricia swears that to keep the marriage alive the key has been in watching TV separately. They have two separate rooms for TV viewing so they never argue about what’s on.
