Be Inspired - Admired in Africa 2018 | Conference | Hertford Country Hotel

Be Inspired - Admired in Africa 2018 | Conference | Hertford Country Hotel

You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water. Rabindranath Tagore

Wow, I am inspired. Thank you.

WynandvanderMerwe AdmiredinAfrica BeInspired Conference 2018 Wedding Photography Johannesburg South Africa-156.jpg

Admired in Africa hosts a conference yearly and super talented and inspirational photographers present little workshops about themselves and their brands, and this year was a great success. I learned a lot and the conference is also a platform to get to know other photographers in the industry...I mean we have the same heart and speak the same language...the language of photography. We understand each other. I often get caught in a place where it is me and my brand, and I need to make a success, and nobody understands me. I mean I get into shooting, and then editing, and then posting...and more shooting...more editing...more shooting...and then you want to talk to non-photographers about life and you can't help but talk "photography"...but they don't understand. In any case...it was good to refuel and talk photography for 3 days. I got valuable tips and tricks to improve my business!

Brett Florens (some say he is the Rolls Royce of wedding photography) presented on Day 1 and we had a practical with him. We used a continuous light, Rotolight Aeos (oh yes, I have been eyeballing this light for a while now) during his practical, and he showed us how to pose a couple for a photoshoot. Wow, he is an inspiration to watch. He pushes you so far out of your comfort zone that your head wants to explode. He has been in the industry for 27 years, and have tons of knowledge and experience... thank you for your advice. I will be a fool if I don't implement some of what you have said....oh wait I already have. I have wedding collections now and not wedding packages...like you have said...nobody wants to buy my packages...;)

I have also learnt a great deal from William Lambelet, a french documentary wedding photographer. I have been following him for a while and he has won numerous International Awards, and he has an impeccable way of telling a story. He spoke right to my heart, and I admire him and the way he approaches a wedding. His images are beyond this world, and when you hear how he creates them...wow...he has patience. He shoots between 5000-8000 images during a wedding. 

I also enjoyed the following photographers when they shared their story (click on their names, and check out their incredible work...so inspirational):

Daniel West (it was great meeting you Daniel), Marsel Roothman(your work is dreamy and beautiful), Deejay Busang (it was great seeing you again), Hema and Mitesh from Designer photo (wow, you have become friends and your colourful work is incredible), Chris van Dalen (good seeing you and Anje again...you should go and see their wedding photography page...Madison & West...amazing), Hanri Human (you are so clever and inspirational how you create content and its SUPER BEAUTIFUL...do yourself a favour...check out her work...amazing), and the conference ended with a bang. Warren James (wow, you work is amazing art) and Trompie van der Berg (your flash work is amazing) hosted a posing and off-camera flash practical and we used the amazing Profoto B1X flash and also the amazing Sunbounce Sun-Bouncer to create super images. The Sunbounce reflector are much bigger than my reflector. I use a circular Profoto Sunsilver reflector which I love and I have always wanted to test one of these Sunbounce reflectors. 

Thank you for the models during the shoot.

Missy, from Missy Make up Artist (she did all the models' makeup), is an inspiration and she does the most amazing make-up. She has wonderful insight and gave amazing tips for any wedding day, which I have already started to communicate to my clients. 

Our MC was Niki from Niki M Photography. Her wedding work is also amazing and inspirational, and she get to shoot in so many pretty places. Her passion and energy as a person is oh so tangible...wow I can just imagine how much her clients love her!  

Enough said. Here is some of the images I took throughout the 3 days. Enjoy, and please leave a comment at the end. 

Wynand van der Merwe

I am a destination wedding and family photographer based in Johannesburg, South Africa. I love spontaneous natural moments during weddings that nobody really sees, and which I get to capture! Wow, what a privilege. I also love fun and quirky moments, which makes each wedding unique, fun and memorable!

I am also passionate to create natural yet mind-blowing photos. I love it when couples take a moment to forget about me as the photographer and just enjoy each other’s company and the moment right in front of them. Those moments are priceless and just a joy to capture.

I also love ending weddings off with a very creative sparkler photo, where I run around you just like a headless chicken…which always adds for some fun at the end of a long day!

http://www.wynandvandermerwe.com
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