BLOG
Joe and Nadine | Lifestyle Shoot | Johannesburg
I just loved capturing moments of Joe and Nadine at their home!
Joe and Nadine | Lifestyle Shoot | Johannesburg
A day in the life of the Van der Waterens
I spent the afternoon today with Joe and Nadine at their beautiful home, and I loved capturing moments for them!
Nadine is a very good friend of ours, and she is also a mentor at our church’s youth ministry (my wife and I are also mentors), and she has a profound prophetic gift. She is so inspiring in the way she shares about her walk with Jesus.
Nadine told me that Joe, her husband, is not the “photo shoot” type of guy and she had been begging nagging him for 5 years for them to do a shoot, and the day finally arrived. And crazy enough, Joe was actually sick during the shoot, and he did quite well to not “look sick”. In fact, I think he did amazingly well. Joe and Nadine are such a special couple and they are completely sold out to Jesus. They have been together for 14 years, and they know each for 20 years. (Wow, they look quite good for a couple who’s kids are in university….)
Joe loves hunting, therefor the buck trophies in the house and Nadine works in the medicine industry and she is an amateur musician. Nadine said that Joe grew in a house where his parents were musicians so he felt he wanted to do the opposite…so he can’t play the guitar or piano. He did say he is a rocker at heart, and loves his rock music!
Their kids are out of the house, and they currently live with their dog and cat…and what a mission to get the dog in the photos….we sort of managed by throwing a very slobbers toy and I really love the result!
The photos in the lilies are super special because its Nadine’s little pride of her home, and loves them becuase of their significance. They symbolize trumpets because they look like trumpets, and trumpets make noice or music which announce something, or prophetically shout out to the Lord! Similar to the Israelites walking around Jericho and blowing on their trumpets…
Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end! a little love will go a long way!
Little Maddison | Lifestyle Session | the Smith family
I just loved capturing family portraits for the Smith family again, and with a new addition...Little Maddison!
Little Maddison | Lifestyle Session | the Smith family
Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope. Maya Angelou
I just love it when I get to photograph the same family, especially when there’s a new addition to the family. Life has continued and a year and a bit has gone by in the Smith family’s lives. And just check how much Ryan has grown, I mean he was the little baby in the previous photos (click here) and now he is a little boy. Little Maddison is the new addition to the family and she is so freakin cute! And Ryan and Maddison together is cute. Ryan loves his sister and the love was evident during the short time I was there. He also loves his new room, which was the spare room for guests, and it was the room in which we did the photos for the previous shoot. Something that hasn’t changed is their wild dogs…but I still love it because they created the coolest photos, Maybe I shouldn’t call them wild…but rather “dogs with character! oh boy…I had fun photographing the Smiths, and they are such gorgeous people…inside and out!
Thank you Robert and Kirsten for trusting me to capture follow-up photos of your family…I am privileged to see how their kids grow up.
Here’s their photos and please leave a comment at the end!
The Hugo family | Lifestyle session | Lynnwood, Pretoria
I just love the lifestyle session I did with Raymond & Christina at their beautiful home! They are such a beautiful and full-of-love family!
The Hugo family | Lifestyle session | Lynnwood, Pretoria
“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.” Jane Howard
Raymond and Christina are old friends of mine. We know each other from Varsity days, event before I was a photographer....wow...thats way back. One of our very cool memories at our wedding, which was 9 years ago, was when they gave us a very huge swimming towel as as wedding gift. Yes...it was huge...big enough for 2 people...and I just remember how the photographer screamed to "get that thing out of my photo"...yes it was super colorful as well...hehehe...
They are super passionate people and they have the most adorable 2 kids, Eben and Sophia. I did a lifestyle session with them are their home, and their kids were half awake when we started. I didn't plan their session in the kitchen on the floor but I had coffee with them, and we enjoyed coffee on the floor while the kids got to know me and got used to me. I know...most kids love me but when kids are half asleep they prefer their parents...hehehe...
Raymond is a building contractor and loves renovating homes, and recently decided to buy the home they are currently staying in. But he told me, when they bought the home there were so much work that needed to be done that the bank was reluctant to give them a loan. The redid the roof, moved walls, relocated windows...opened up the kitchen and made it super modern. It such a pretty home now and they did such an awesome job.
I love lifestyle sessions because I get to spend a few hours with people in their homes, doing their thing and preserving beautiful memories for them. You will see in the following photo, having 2 kids isn't for sissies...I mean he is feeding Eben and Sophia at the same time. :)
I also try to take photos of each child in their own room because that is where they feel safe and they relax the most for the photos. Just love Eben's room and I also loved to see how well he, as the older brother, played with his little sister. Precious. He is such a cool and awesome older brother.
Enough said. Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!
The Van Wyk Family | Lifestyle Session | Pretoria
Wow, such a beautiful lifestyle session for Deon and Lize at Lize's mom's house. Wilhelm just loves his little brother!
The Van Wyk Family | Lifestyle Session | Pretoria
“It didn’t matter how big our house was; it mattered that there was love in it.” Peter Buffett
I captured family photos for Deon & Lize, and their extended family, during the December holidays, and Lize was pregnant at the time. Her little boy was born in the mean time, and he is so adorable! Wilhelm, just loves his little brother.
So being a father of 2 kids myself I know exactly how blessed they are to have another little human in their home...well...home is technically in Zambia for now because Deon has a job as an engineer on a mine and they live and work as expats in Zambia. Lize is visiting because her mom can help with the kids, and Deon came to SA for Lize's 30th birthday...oh yes and also for the kids.
I didn't plan to have their wedding album in the photos, but the album was lying on the table and I just had to include the album in some of the photos. Christine Meintijes took their photos, and it makes one think how far they have come from being married to having 2 kids in the home.
The photo Deon is holding in the last photos is Lize's Granddad (so Wilhelm's Great Granddad). He had South African colors in boxing, so it was fun creating a photo with Deon and Wilhelm posing as boxers, paying a tribute to Lize's Granddad. A story in a story...love it!
They are renting out their home in South Africa so we did the photos at Lize's mom's home in Menlopark, Pretoria.
Teaser! The Van Wyk Family | Lifestyle Session | Pretoria
Wow, such a beautiful lifestyle session for Deon and Lize at Lize's mom's house. Wilhelm just loves his little brother!
Teaser! The Van Wyk Family | Lifestyle Session | Pretoria
“It didn’t matter how big our house was; it mattered that there was love in it.” Peter Buffett
I captured family photos for Deon & Lize, and their extended family, during the December holidays, and Lize was pregnant at the time. Her little boy was born in the mean time, and he is so adorable! Wilhelm, who turned 2 only a few days ago loves his little brother.
So being a father of 2 kids myself I know exactly how blessed they are to have another little human in their home...well...home is technically in Zambia for now because Deon has a job as an engineer on a mine and they live and work as expats in Zambia. Lize is visiting because her mom can help with the kids, and Deon came to SA for Lize's 30th birthday (which is today, congrats!) and also for the kids. He will go back in the next few days, and Lize and the kids will join later in April.
I didn't plan to have their wedding album in the photos, but the album was lying on the table and I just had to include the album in some of the photos. Christine Meintijes took their photos, and it makes one think how far they have come from being married to having 2 kids in the home.
The photo in the last photo is Lize's Granddad (so Wilhelm's Great Granddad). He had South African colors in boxing, so it was fun creating a photo with Deon and Deon posing as boxers, paying a tribute to Lize's Granddad.
Here's a sneak peak of the session I did for them at Lize's mom's home in Menlopark, Pretoria.
Cute little Jessica | Family shoot | Morningside Park, JHB
Beautiful family portraits of Peter and Lauren, and their beautiful little girl, Jessica!
Cute little Jessica | Family shoot | Morningside Park, JHB
For you see, each day I love you more. Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow. Rosemonde Gerard
My wife (Juanita) is going a baby gym class for moms which was during and after her pregnancy with my daughter Ilé. Lauren is also going with her daughter Jessica, and they got to know each other and my wife had shown the pictures I had done of Ilé in her first month to Lauren, and she said to my wife that she really wanted to do a shoot with me...wow...I just love referrals...you get really amazing clients.
Lauren mentioned they know this amazing little park in Morningside, close to her mom's house, that we can use as the location, and what a GEM! Its next to the river, lots of rocks and trees and its really well looked after. A few residents, which stay in the vacinity of the park, has a key to the gate and if you want to make use of the park, you need to make a small donation towards the upkeep of the park...really amazing!
Peter and Lauren, you little princess is so adorable! Lots of blessings, and hopefully you will have great nights of sleep ahead!
Enjoy the photos, and please leave a comment at the end!
de Klerk family | Mini Photo Sessions | Shokran Wedding & Events Venue
I have done a few mini photo sessions at Shokran Wedding & Events Venue. I know Ninette and Derik personally and its always a pleasure photographing them...they kids are such good "models" and I always have fun with them...and they look good on photos!
de Klerk family | Mini Photo Sessions | Shokran Wedding & Events Venue
“Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do…but how much love we put in that action.” Mother Theresa
I have done a few mini photo sessions at Shokran Wedding & Events Venue in September for Spring. I know the de Klerk family personally and its always fun to photograph them. Their kids are such a joy and their photos together for me a super special.
Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!
Mischa & Daughter | Mini Photo Sessions | Shokran Wedding & Events Venue
I have done a few mini photo sessions at Shokran Wedding & Events Venue. I gave away a session and Mischa won the session. She has the cutest little daughter...a busy body but very cute!
Mischa & Daughter | Mini Photo Sessions | Shokran Wedding & Events Venue
Beauty is power; a smile is its sword. John Ray
I have done a few mini photo sessions at Shokran Wedding & Events Venue in September for Spring. I gave away a session and Mischa won the session. She has the cutest little daughter...a busy body but very cute!
My son is almost the same age (almost 3 years old) so I kinda knew how to keep her busy, but I had my hands full to get her face in focus....she just didn't sit still for a photo! So I must say luck was on my side a few times...she is gorgeous!
Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!
Natalie & John | Mini Photo Sessions | Shokran Wedding & Events Venue
I have done a few mini photo sessions at Shokran Wedding & Events Venue. Natalie contacted me and asked if she can do a session with her fiancé and their dog, and I am so glad they did a session with me! I have not laughed so much during a photoshoot before...they are filled with so much joy!
Natalie & John | Mini Photo Sessions | Shokran Wedding & Events Venue
Peace is the beauty of life. It is sunshine. It is the smile of a child, the love of a mother, the joy of a father, the togetherness of a family. It is the advancement of man, the victory of a just cause, the triumph of truth. Menachem Begin
I have done a few mini photo sessions at Shokran Wedding & Events Venue in September for Spring. Natalie contacted me and asked if she can do a session with her fiancé and their dog, and I am so glad they did this session with me! I have not laughed so much during a photoshoot before...they are filled with so much joy!
I do not have a huge opinion about online dating, but I always had my doubts "How do you meet the man or woman of your dreams online?" and how do you know the person behind the online profile is in fact the correct person? Well, I am not sure, and I haven't thought about it much. But I must say after Natalie told me they met online, and seeing how happy they are...I might just have a different opinion. John is originally from Argentina, and has been staying in SA for a few years, and Natalie in SA, and they found each other online, started dating and recently got engaged! Amazing story.
Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!
Baby Ryan | Robert and Kirsten | Lifestyle Session
I love lifestyle sessions because I get the opportunity to capture a glimpse of people's lives at their own homes! And it was no different this time with Kirsten & Robert! And their little Ryan is so freakin cute! He is so lucky to have you two as parents!
Baby Ryan | Robert and Kirsten | Lifestyle Session
Family is the most important thing in the world. Princess Diana
I love lifestyle sessions because I get the opportunity to capture a glimpse of people's lives at their own homes! And it was no different this time with Kirsten & Robert! And their little Ryan is so freakin cute! He is so lucky to have you two as parents!
What stood out for me with this shoot was how they wanted the dogs in the shoot, and how much energy they brought to the table...it was chaos to get them all in a shot! We managed, but not without much laughter. This made for funny and real moments, and it was fun to capture. I can just imagine how it must be with them and little Ryan...Ryan will one day be super easy with dogs and not be afraid...amazing!
Enjoy the photos and please leave your comments at the end!
Teaser! Baby Ryan | Robert and Kirsten | Lifestyle Session
Teaser! I love lifestyle sessions where I get the opportunity to capture a little glimpse of people's lives at their own homes! And what was no different this time with Kirsten & Robert! And their little Ryan is so freakin cute! He is so lucky to have you two as parents!
Teaser! Baby Ryan | Robert and Kirsten | Lifestyle Session
Family is the most important thing in the world. Princess Diana
Here is a little sneak peak of Robert & Kirsten's lifestyle session!
I love lifestyle sessions where I get the opportunity to capture a little glimpse of people's lives at their own homes! And what was no different this time with Kirsten & Robert! And their little Ryan is so freakin cute! He is so lucky to have you two as parents!
Mother's Day mini-styled shoot | Hertford Country Hotel
Wow, I wanted to showcase the love of a mother and a daughter in a mini-styled shoot to commemorate Mother's Day, and Lindie and Charlene's love for each other was so tangible! I had so much fun with them, and they are such beautiful souls!
Mother's Day mini-styled shoot | Hertford Country Hotel
"Mothers and their children are in a category all their own. There's no bond so strong in the entire world. No love so instantaneous and forgiving." Gail Tsukiyama, Dreaming Water
I don't know what its like to be a mother. I'm a father. But what I know is I love my mother very much, and that they are the pillars of society! Even Jesus had a mother. So I believe God knew what He was doing when He created mothers. They are a shoulder to cry on, they are the glue of the family, they are the Chief Operating Officer of our homes and they are so important in all of our lives. Just look at African families, the are run by the Grandma's. Amazing.
This shoot was inspired by the love mothers have for their daughters, seeing that my daughter is coming very soon! I can't wait!
My wife, Juanita, who is also a mother, has a super eye for style, and most of the Rose Gold items are from our home! She has shown me how to turn ordinary things into works of art with Rose Gold spray paint. The cycad leaf and Consol glass jar was painted using spray paint.
I hosted a competition on Facebook for Mother's Day, and Lindie were the winner. This what she said about her mother Charlene:
"She is the most INCREDIBLE woman I have ever known! and we are so alike in the things we do. We love each other very much and I can only hope to follow in her footsteps and become as amazing as she is!"
I had so much fun with both of them during the shoot. They are such beautiful souls and they enjoy each other's company so much! I love how they laugh at each others jokes and how they finish each other's sentences...it was almost like I photographed twins! You guys were amazing!
Here are some of the suppliers featured in the shoot:
Flowers: Impala Flora
Venue: Hertford Country Hotel
Make up: Made Up by Kylie
Bouquet: Simone Pheiffer from The Wedding Event
Styling and photographer: Me :)
Decor ball & Gold lamp: Mr Price Home
Gold String Lights: Typo
The Blignaut Family | Family Session | Irene Diary Farm
Wow, I had a super special family shoot with the Blignaut family at Irene Dairy Farm. Chantel, your late husband would have been proud to see your boys so confident and strong!
“He made you you - on purpose. You are the only you - ever. Becoming ourselves means we are actively cooperating with God's intention for our lives, not fighting him or ourselves.”
― Stasi Eldredge, Becoming Myself: Embracing God's Dream of You
I had the most amazing family shoot at Irene Diary Farm with Chantel and her 2 boys, Ruben and Nathan,. I am in love with the winter sunsets, and the sun didn't hold back.
I just love it when clients open up a bit while doing the shoot, because I am continually reminded that I am photographing people. People has stories. Amazingly God has a Story, which is captured in the Bible. And God is interested in our story because our story is intwined with His Story. Wow, Chantel's late husband would have been proud to see his sons this confident, happy and strong!
One of the most memorable moments during the shoot was when the farm released the cows from milking and they walked through our shoot. Chantel got "trapped' on the other side of the cows and I got a few shots while they just enjoyed the moment...and it was funny when I had to shout at the cows for them to leave my camera bag alone...long story short...my reflector had some cow spit on...not cool :(
A family in a splendor of burgundy | Hertford Country Hotel
A beautiful session with Farhana and her family at the incredible Hertford Country Hotel. Such beautiful colors of winter!
“Having somewhere to go is home. Having someone to love is family. Having both is a blessing.” Anonymous
Wow, I love families and the chemistry which every family brings to the table. Farhana asked me to do a family shoot and I decided to take them to the amazing Hertford Country.
With every session I have to think on my feet with regards to managing the family and organising every one for the different shots, and you sometimes have your hands full when somebody do not want to do exactly what you want...ie. children, especially small children...you can't force them to do things! My son is 2 and a half, and I have first hand knowledge of this. My son has a strong will and when he wants something...oh my...he WANTS it. I think many photographers do not do family shoots for exactly this reason...
But not me.
I love families and children and their chemistry too much. They bring so much joy into your life.
Well long story short, Farhana's youngest one kept me on my toes and I just love all the photos with them. She made me to be very creative with keeping her busy during the shoot, and the result is amazing. I mean, when you are very small (and I see this with my own son) your attention span is super small, especially super late in the afternoon.
Farhana told me later that evening, the kids did pass out in the car just after they left for home from the shoot...shame.
I loved your shoot and you guys looked amazing!
Venue: Hertford Country Hotel
Enjoy the pictures and please leave a comment at the end!
The Malston Family | Lifestyle session | Gauteng
Wow, I absolutely loved this lifestyle session with the Malston Family. There is so much love in this home!
“It didn’t matter how big our house was; it mattered that there was love in it.” Peter Buffett
I must admit, I havent done many lifestyle shoots before. I have been doing location shoots and I haven't focused on doing shoots at my client's houses...and wow...I love it. A big part of my inspiration for photography, in the days I started out, was I loved how photography tells a story. "A picture speaks a thousand words" they say...and I remember how I would travel to places or a country and I always tried taking photos (street photography) where I would place a person or a subject in their own environment. By going to someone's home you automatically photograph them in their own environment. That is the place where they live, laugh, cry, sleep, eat...amazing!
Tracey's sister, Jacqui, bought one of my lifestyle photography vouchers last year for Tracey's birthday. Tracey and Byron (her husband) has a 1 year old boy (the cutest little boy) and they wanted me to capture a little bit of their lives at their home. I absolutely loved it! They has a cozy little home, and I just felt the love when I walked in there. This little boy is loved to bits, and it was great to see it. Their little boy is also a poser and he definitely makes me look good...I mean...just check out the way he looks at the camera...!
Enjoy the pictures and please leave a comment at the end!
Canada here we come {Yatish & Bhavna}
Wow, I just loved the session with Bhavna and Yatish at their beautiful home in Kyalami! They will soon be moving to Canada!
“Laughter is the jam on the toast of life. It adds flavor, keeps it from being too dry, and makes it easier to swallow.” —Diane Johnson, Le Divorce
Bhavna & Yatish will be moving to Canada soon and Bhavna asked if we could do a couple shoot at their beautiful home in Kyalami, and wow...what an amazing shoot it was! They are such beautiful, easy-going and down-to-earth people, yet sophisticated if you look at their super stylish and beautiful home!
One of their favourite spots in the house is on the lounge suite in front of the TV, where Yatish watches a game of soccer or where they enjoy family time watching a series or movie with their little dog! Just love the fact how Yatish took off his shoes when we took photos on the lounge suite...just awesome to relax in front of the camera!
I actually didn't plan to shoot so much indoors but a sudden thunderstorm caught us off-guard. I am glad because I got to capture them in so many memorable spots in their home!
Enjoy the photos and may you be blessed in your adventures in Canada!
Will you be my Valentine? {Helpmekaar's Valentine Dance}
I just love these Valentine Ball photos of friends on a tennis court! Magical!
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt. Charles M. Schulz
So this will be a first for me. I have done Matric Farewell's before, but not Valentine's Dance photos...I mean the event wasn't a huge thing when I was young...I guess times are changing!
Marisa, whose daughter Miné is in Grade 9, asked me to take photos of Miné and her date and her friends at their house! I had a semi-fashion shoot in mind and therefor chose the tennis court with 2 flashes firing, one from the front another from behind!
Its amazing when you dress up, do a little make-up and then do proper photos how someone can for a brief moment in their young lives look like grown-ups! I mean these guys and gals are 14 and they look exquisite!
Julle het regtig amazing gelyk en ek love die vriendskap wat julle wys! Julle het gelag en grappies gemaak en dit was 'n fees om tyd saam met julle te kon spandeer! Geniet die fotos julle!
Please leave a comment at the end!
Michelle & Marcus {Couple shoot in Melville}
Marcus and Michelle's urban couple shoot in Melville is on my blog!
"In your light, I learn how to love. In your beauty, how to make poems. You dance inside my chest where no one sees you, but sometimes I do, and that sight becomes this art." Rumi
I recently hosted a competition on Facebook for a #FREECoupleShoot, and Michelle Daniels was the winner. She is currently dating Marcus Ras, and I decided to take them to Melville, Johannesburg, because they wanted to do an Urban Shoot. Wow, they are an amazing couple, and boy oh boy...they are such a photogenic couple. They are such beautiful people and so much in love....the way Marcus looks at Michelle is just mesmerizing!
Venue: Café De La Crème, Melville and surroundings
Enjoy the pictures and do not hesitate to leave a comment at the end!
Levi, the Rockstar, is coming soon! {Baby shower}
Levi, the Rock Star, is coming soon! {Baby Shower}
“A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.” Unknown
Aliche and Piet are dear friends and I took a few pictures at their baby shower for their 2nd child, Levi, who is expected very soon!
Enjoy the pictures and don't hesitate to leave a comment at the end!
Patio Inspiration - Karen Kelly from Lovilee - Styled Shoot
A mini styled shoot done at Karen Kelly from Lovilee's house!
A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms. — Unknown
What I recently realized was the fact that Karen Kelly (Lovilee) and I attend the same church. So I met up with her, had a great coffee at The Whippet in Linden (Oh I love this place) and we just talked on how we can start a journey together as creatives. So what happened is that she asked me to do a mini styled shoot of her patio in exchange for a listing space on her blog, and the rest was history! Amazing. I just love it when we as creatives can work together and assist each other.
Please see the before-photos at the following link:
http://www.lovilee.co.za/2016/patio-inspiration/
And the pictures just came out "Lovilee"! (pardon the pun, and I am sure Karen is used to all the sarcasm by now)
And it is featured on Lovilee...yeah! feeling super stoked and proud! Here is the post!
http://www.lovilee.co.za/2016/patio-revamp-prominent-paints/
Please do not hesitate to leave a comment at the end!
Location: Karen's house
Other collaborations: Sugar and Vice, MRP Home / Mr Price Home, Prominent Paints, Creative Carpenters
