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Mandie & family | Mini Photo Sessions | Cape Agulhas Lighthouse

I had so much fun doing mini photo sessions at the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse! It is such a beautiful location and Mandie and her family looked absolutely gorgeous!

In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony. Friedrich Nietzche

I recently did a photoshoot with Mandie's sister Ankie for her Supper Club and when I advertised I was doing mini-sessions at the coast, that was when Ankie referred me to Mandie for a photo session.

Mandie and her family is from the Free State, and her husband is a farmer there. They were on holiday in Struisbaai and wanted photos done at the Lighthouse in Cape Agulhas, and wow...they looked smashing! I had so much fun....just love the ones with their little dog!

Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!

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Lize & her beautiful family | Kleinbaai, Western Cape

I had a blast capturing Lize and her beautiful family in Kleinbaai. I didn't know it at the time of the shoot, but one of my school and Voortrekker friends is Lize's sister (Gerda), and she was my date to my Matric Farewell 14 years ago! Wow, such a small world!

Lize & her beautiful family | Kleinbaai, Western Cape

"Family Is the Most Beautiful Thing God Made" Pope Francis

Lize asked me to capture photos of her family while on holiday on Kleinbaai and I absolutely loved it! They are such a cool bunch of people....and good looking! The bond between sisters is so special, and I just love the photos of her and her 3 sisters. She currently lives in Zambia and it must be great to be together as a family in SA.

I didn't know it at the time of the shoot, but one of my school and Voortrekker friends is Lize's sister (Gerda), and she was my date to my Matric Farewell 14 years ago! Wow, such a small world!

Kleinbaai is next to Gansbaai, and also close to Hermanus, and its a hotspot for Shark Cage Diving. Lize's parents have a holiday home in Kleinbaai, and we decided to take photos at Onse Baai, a spot where the ocean crashes over the rocks...beautiful!

Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!

 

 

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Teaser! Nicolas & Greer | E-session | Llandudno & Clifton Beach

Wow, I have always wanted to do an engagement shoot at one of the beaches in Cape Town, and I got to do Nicolas & Greer's session at two of the most famous and beautiful, Llandudno & Clifton. We did the shoot at 6am in the morning, and the light was magical! Ending the year off with a bang!

Teaser! Nicolas & Greer | E-session | Llandudno & Clifton Beach

A great flame follows a little spark - Dante Alighieri

Wow, I have always wanted to do an engagement shoot at one of the beaches in Cape Town, and I got to do Nicolas & Greer's session at two of the most famous and beautiful beaches, Llandudno & Clifton Beach. We did the shoot at 6am in the morning, and the light was magical! I definitely ended the year off with a bang!

I got to know Greer from a recent corporate shoot I did in Johannesburg, and she said she will be in Cape Town and she wants to do an engagement shoot. I obviously jumped at the occasion and said I will gladly do your session...and wow...they are just magical! I had a blast. The weather was perfect, we had Llandudno and Clifton Beach all to ourselves and the light was out of this world. I will definitely recommend doing a morning shoot at Llandudno. When the sunrays enter the beach at around 6:30am...magic happens!

Nicolas and Greer are such down-to-earth people, and easy to photograph...made my job super easy...and they are just gorgeous...I can almost print every photo on Vogue's front cover!

Here's a few from today, and please leave a comment at the end!

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Janke & Ilé | Mom's Wedding Dress Shoot | Hertford Country Hotel

Wow, this photoshoot is one the cutest and most beautiful shoots I have done thus far. My niece and my daughter wore their mom's wedding dresses and the results are out of this world!

Venue: Hertford Country Hotel

Janke & Ilé | Mom's Wedding Dress Shoot | Hertford Country Hotel

We believe selecting a wedding dress is more than just a fitting, it’s a process – a memory in the making. Olivelli Cape Town

My wife Juanita have been wanting to do this shoot for almost five years now. Her twin sister Zinette's daughter (Janke) is 5 years old and my wife have been wanting to arrange a photoshoot where Janke would pose in her mom's wedding dress, and fantasy became reality when my daughter was born...my wife knew her dream would come true, so she started to plan this photoshoot: Janke will wear her mom's wedding dress, and Ilé will sleep or lie on her mom Juanita's wedding dress. 

Wow, I love the result....it is "OUT OF THIS WORLD!"

My wife made the flower crowns herself. She bought the flowers and the wire and tape necessary to make the crowns and watched a youtube video for instructions. Amazing. 

The beautiful Glitter Sequins Hanger in Silver is from The Lovilee Shop

Venue: Hertford Country Hotel

Zinette's wedding photos was done by the talented Christiaan David Photography and Janke is holding the album he made for them for their wedding! So special!

Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end! 

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Simone & Riley | Family Photography | Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, Western Cape

I had a blast doing some photos for Simone of her and her daughter Riley at the beautiful Cape Agulhas Lighthouse! Riley is such a sweetie!

Simone & Riley | Family Photography | Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, Western Cape

“A daughter is one of the most beautiful gifts this world has to give" Laurel Atherton

I had an amazing time with Simone and her daughter Riley. Riley is a serious busy-body, and she made the shoot very interesting...let's just say we couldn't really do what we wanted but more like what she wanted...she is super cute though! I just love kids and she reminded me of my son Lian. Very strong minded and not afraid what the world throws at them!

The following photo sums up the day. The one moment she is happy, and the next she makes a u-turn and runs the other way...Simone's face is priceless!

I had a shoot with Simone last year, and it was good catching up with her. Riley was almost 1 year old last year during our shoot and now almost 2...wow so many things happen in one year!

We did the shoot at the beautiful Sanparks Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, the most southernly lighthouse in Africa (amazing), and also the place where Simone and her husband Tyron did their wedding photos (I didn't know this, she told me when we were doing the photos). 

We had amazing weather this holiday season thus far and we had just a little wind during the shoot ...I didn't plan for the wind but the crazy shots of the girls and their hair are super cool!

Enjoy the photos and please add a comment at the end! 

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Teaser! Simone & Riley | Family Photography | Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, Western Cape

I had a blast doing some photos for Simone of her and her daughter Riley at the beautiful Cape Agulhas Lighthouse! Riley is such a sweetie!

Teaser! Simone & Riley | Family Photography | Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, Western Cape

“A daughter is one of the most beautiful gifts this world has to give" Laurel Atherton

I had an amazing time with Simone and her daughter Riley. Riley is a serious busy-body, and she made the shoot very interesting...let's just say we couldn't really do what we wanted but more like what she wanted...she is super cute though! I just love kids and she reminded me of my son Lian. Very strong minded and not afraid what the world throws at them!

I had a shoot with Simone last year, and it was good catching up with her. Riley was almost 1 year old last year and now almost 2...wow so many things happen in one year!

We did the shoot at the beautiful Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, the most southernly lighthouse in South Africa (amazing), and also the place where Simone and her husband Tyron did their wedding photos (I didn't know this, she told me when we were doing the photos). 

We had amazing weather these past few days, and today was the first day with some wind...I didn't plan it but the crazy shots of the girls and their hair are super cool!

Here's a little sneak peak to the photos. Enjoy! 

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Tertius & Monique | E-session | Harmonie Proteas

I had a blast capturing young love between Tertius & Monique during their engagement session at Harmonie Proteas. They are gorgeous inside and out!

Tertius & Monique | E-session | Harmonie Proteas

Song of Solomon 8:6-7a: Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away.

Wow, I just love going out to Harmonie Proteas for a photo shoot, especially after a few days of rain. Then the air is cleaner as usual, which make the sunsets next-level...and this place has some of the most prettiest sunsets I have seen in my life.

I had a blast with Tertius and Monique. They are sweet, down-to-earth souls. They had knowledge of each other throughout their lives, and they went to the same school but they never really had conversation, until recently. And after dating for roughly 3 months they got engaged. Tertius told me: "If you know the Lord has given your wife to you, why wait?" Wow, thats amazing. And even more impressive is the way they love each other. They are serious love-birds. Lets just say...it wasn't difficult for me to ask Tertius to kiss his bride-to-be...he is totally in love with his princess! 

Monique rented a beautiful Silver Swallow Design Dress from Cocoberry.

I can't wait for their wedding next year at Memoire!

Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!

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My kids | Christmas | Holiday Photography

I did a small Christmas themed fun shoot with my kids. My daughter is also 3 months old, so we did a photo with 3 balloons and one with Hundreds and Thousands...because she is One-in-a-Million!

My kids | Christmas | Holiday Photography

“How do you spell 'love'?" - Piglet  "You don't spell it...you feel it." - Pooh”  Winnie the Pooh

I have said many times...being a dad is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I LOVE being a dad. Now that I have 2 kiddos...I never realised I could love this someone this much. I love my wife, but to love in action...I mean to see my wife with my kids...priceless magic, and it makes me even more in love with her! And then the to have those crazy days when you just want to sit in front of the TV and talk to no one...and then to have my little girl in my left arm and my son lying next to me...my heart wants to burst with love...I LOVE IT! 

In any case, my little girl was 3 months old yesterday, and my wife and I are doing a little project where I take a photo of Ilê every month, in the same spot, but every time adding a balloon. So today I photographed her with 3 balloons...obviously because she is 3 months old...and a few with Hundreds and Thousands...because she is One-in-a-Million! 

I also could not resist taking a few Festive Season or Christmas photos...and like always...my son is too curious and want to be included in the shoot. He surely is a "funny bunny" like I would call him. Ilé got tired of us taking photos, and Lian isn't the most calm little guy on the planet...so long story short...Ilé didn't get much sleep during the photos. 

Ilé's beautiful outfit (in the photo with the balloons) was made by Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Enjoy the photos and please get in contact if you want to do a Festive Season or Christmas photo shoot! 

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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!

 

 

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Enchanted forest engagement | Chantelle & Kyle | Johannesburg

I just love it when clients trust me to do something a little different. Chantelle & Kyle's fairytale engagement shoot at Bryanston Pine Forest was so cool!

Enchanted forest engagement | Chantelle & Kyle | Johannesburg

The words that enlighten the soul are more precious than jewels. Hazrat Inayat Khan

I just love it when clients trust me to do something a little different. Chantelle is working in the creative industry as a freelance designer and art director, and she wanted a fairytale type shoot. She told me that has this vintage dress she wanted to wear which in fact was used as a wedding dress by several weddings in her family. This dress later on became a costume for dress up parties, and I believe she looked amazing in this dress. Chantelle really looked like a fairy princess in that dress, and Kyle looked great as well. We started the shoot with Chantelle in a midi dress, and ended with the vintage wedding dress. 

She also said she loves dramatic and colorful makeup, and Shelley from Butterfly Blush did such an amazing job doing her make-up. 

It was the first time I arranged for the make-up to be done at my home, and it worked out quite well. Bryanston Pine Forest don't have a place or venue to get dressed or do make-up, so it just made sense to do it at my home.  

I have bought a plastic tube (or fluorescent tube protector) and a flashlight and I want to start doing #Tubestories. Go check out this link: EricPare...this guy is insanely good. I showed the tube to Kyle and he said, why don't you try this on us? I was like...good idea! It didn't work out completely as I would have hoped, because you need complete darkness to achieve a great shot, but we got to play around a bit. That is what is great when you have people who trusts you...you can test new ideas on them as models, and they really enjoyed it. 

We had some of the coldest weather this year in November...super weird. I mean we had 50cm of snow in some parts of South Africa, and firstly it doesn't really snow here and secondly we had some serious snow. So the morning of the shoot I almost cancelled due to the weather being so cold, but I am so glad we didn't. The afternoon was a little warmer, and I actually loved the eerie weather in the end...helped with the theme for the shoot!

Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!

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*Teaser. Tertius & Monique | E-session | Harmonie Proteas

I had a blast capturing young love between Tertius & Monique during their engagement session at Harmonie Proteas. This place truly has next-level sunsets!

*Teaser. Tertius & Monique | E-session | Harmonie Proteas

For true love is inexhaustible; the more you give, the more you have. And if you go to draw at the true fountainhead, the more water you draw, the more abundant is its flow. Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Wow, I just love going out to Harmonie Proteas for a photo shoot, especially after a few days of rain. Then the air is cleaner as usual, which make the sunsets next-level...and this place has some of the most prettiest sunsets I have seen in my life. 

I had a good week. Francois, Tertius' dad, made an enquiry on my website, he phoned to set up a meeting, which we had at Starbucks at Mall of Africa, and they booked me for their wedding in May next year. And we did their engagement shoot today...wow what a week...I wish all my bookings happens this efficiently! 

I had a blast with Tertius and Monique. They are sweet, down-to-earth souls. They knew about each other throughout their lives, they went to the same school but they never really interacted, until recently. And after dating for roughly 3 months they got engaged. Tertius told me: "If you know the Lord has given your wife to you, why wait?" Wow, thats amazing. And even more impressive is the way they love each other. They are serious love-birds. Lets just say...it wasn't difficult for me to ask Tertius to kiss his bride-to-be...he is totally in love with his princess! 

Here are a few photos from today. Enjoy and please leave a comment at the end!

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a Father's love for his daughters | Father's Day | Hertford Country Hotel

A beautiful family shoot with Chandni and Kavita and their father Dave at Hertford Country Hotel. A father's love for his daughters is endless!

a Father's love for his daughters | Father's Day | Hertford Country Hotel

To a father growing old, nothing is dearer than a daughter. - Euripides

I have been wanting to do a shoot for a while where I can try to capture a glimpse into the love a father has for his children. My daughter Ilé has been born since the #sneakpeak of this photoshoot, and she has just been a blessing and joy to our family. So my love as a father has doubled by having two children.

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WvdM_fathersdayshoot_fathersday_father_daughter_photoshoot_familyshoot_family_hertfordcountryhotel_thehertford_portraitphotography2.jpg

I hosted a competition on my Facebook page and Chandni was the winner of the Father's Day shoot. Her sister, Kavita, also entered and they nominated their dad, Devdas (or Dave), for the BEST DAD IN THE WORLD...and this what they have to say about their dad: dad:

Chandni: To me he is the greatest man that has ever set foot on this earth. He has taught us many life lessons, inspired each of his children to be better than they ever thought possible and supported us completely in every journey we have taken. He is the one person who will always be there. No judgements, no questions asked. This was done to not only his children but with friends and family as well. This has taught me what true love really is. Love u to the ends of the earth dad!!!
Kavita: You are the best dad ever! You've always worked hard to put us first in life and you've never said no to us for anything in life. You always give us your unconditional support in everything that we do and you're always there to motivate us to be our best. As a girl growing up, you were my super man and always will be. Love you lots Dad!

Wow, inspirational stuff! I can truly see that their dad is a great guy, and during the shoot I could see he has this grace about him. He is sure of himself, and he is absolutely in love with his two daughters. 

Dave is a cattle farmer in Middelburg, so I wanted to do the shoot on a farm (which is fairly difficult to find in Johannesburg) but I knew The Hertford Country Hotel has a little horse stable with two horses so this worked well for the farm element in the shoot. I just love doing shoots at the Hertford because there is so many different aspects to work with, and every shoot I do there looks different. Chandni and her sister had dungarees which they wanted to wear, and it worked perfectly in the shoot, and when they added the "cowboy" hats it finished off the look I was aiming for.

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A smile starts on the lips, a grin spreads to the eyes, a chuckle comes from the belly; but a good laugh bursts forth from the soul, overflows, and bubbles all around. - Carolyn Birmingham

I think I am a funny person but my wife Juanita doesn't necessarily share the sentiment. Chandni on the other hand cracked herself for my jokes. I always try and make my clients laugh naturally in front of my camera. I believe it produces natural smiles and authentic moments, rather than asking my clients to "fake" laugh and the moment isn't authentic and it looks unnatural. I also believe that they have a light spirit, meaning they find joy in life and laugh frequently with each other. Their hearts are full of joy, so I think it wasn't difficult to make them laugh as much as they did in front of the camera. :) 

Enough said. Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end. 

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Linda's family | Family session | Midrand, Johannesburg

I had a blast capturing the joy and energy of Linda and her family. I just love family photography on location.

Linda's family | Family session | Midrand, Johannesburg

God's dream is that you and I and all of us will realize that we are family, that we are made for togetherness, for goodness, and for compassion. Desmond Tutu

I just love big families, and I love capturing the essence of how much love there is in a family. Linda's family is no different. I just loved how the grandparents are central in the family and how the focus was also around the grandkids...and what a lovely bunch of kids! I just know how much grandkids mean to grandparents...I mean...I really enjoy seeing my dad with my children...you get a glimpse of what it was like when I was a little boy.

One of my passions are children and to capture the joy and energy of children. I especially love it when I can bring a little character out of some kids who are too shy to perform in front of the camera. I feel so liberated when kids relax in front of the camera, and I get a glimpse of their true self...and that is such a privilege to capture on camera! 

Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end.

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Janke & Ilé | Mom's Wedding Dress Shoot | Hertford Country Hotel

Wow, this photoshoot is one the cutest and most beautiful shoots I have done thus far. My niece and my daughter wore their mom's wedding dress and the results are out of this world! Venue: Hertford Country Hotel

Janke & Ilé | Mom's Wedding Dress Shoot | Hertford Country Hotel

We believe selecting a wedding dress is more than just a fitting, it’s a process – a memory in the making. Olivelli Cape Town

My wife Juanita have been wanting to do this shoot for almost five years now. Her twin sister Zinette's daughter (Janke) is 5 years old and my wife knew since her birth that she would one day arrange a photoshoot with her wearing her mom's wedding dress. So when my little girl was born, my wife knew her dream would come true, and she started to plan this photoshoot: Janke will wear her mom's wedding dress, and Ilé will sleep or lie on her mom Juanita's wedding dress. 

Well, that happened today, and the results are "OUT OF THIS WORLD!"

My wife made the flower crowns herself. She bought the flowers and the wire and tape necessary to make the crowns and watched a youtube video for instructions. Amazing. 

The beautiful Glitter Sequins Hanger in Silver is from The Lovilee Shop

Venue: Hertford Country Hotel

Enjoy the sneak peak and please leave a comment at the end! 

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Christiaan & Mireille | Engagement shoot | Delta Park, Randburg

I loved the engagement shoot I did with Christiaan & Mireille! These two are serious love birds, and I loved the chemistry between them...make for crazy beautiful and authentic photos! 

As God by creation made two of one, so again by marriage He made one of two. Thomas Adam
Christiaan & Mireille on their engagement shoot, double exposure

I love it when clients make me feel comfortable as well. I mean, I always go out of my way to make my clients feel comfortable, but sometimes I get a little anxious because I need to concentrate on creating a relaxed atmosphere...but when my clients are super relaxed I am super relaxed. Christiaan and Mireille are such clients...so basically they allowed and trusted me to be super creative...I mean the photo above is a in-camera double exposure. It was done with photoshop, and I love the result! 

Christiaan and Mireille are getting married at Morrels Boutique Venue in Linden, Johannesburg, and I am unfortunately not the wedding photographer. They already have a photographer, but they really wanted to their engagement shoot with me. They are both easy going people, and love the outdoors and nature a lot, so we did their shoot at the beautiful Delta Park in Randburg! 

A crazy funny thing happened during the shoot. I made them stand underneath a Jacaranda tree and while I was directing them how to stand, a random dog entered the frame of the shot and made a poo...I mean you only see these things on Facebook...hilarious! Mireille told me when we finished, I MUST share that photo on Facebook...and I did. See here....we cracked up with laughter!

A dog making a poo while doing an engagement shoot

Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end! 

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Ryan and Dawn | Destination Wedding | Orchards, Midlands KZN

Ryan and Dawn's destination wedding was one of those "pinch yourself" weddings. I just couldn't believe I was so lucky to be their photographer!

Ryan and Dawn | Destination Wedding | Orchards, Midlands KZN

My love for you is a journey, starting at forever and ending at never. 
- Anonymous

Ryan and Dawn's destination wedding was one of those "pinch yourself" weddings. I just couldn't believe I was so lucky to be their photographer! And amazingly, they found me through one of my competitions which I had held at my exhibition stand at the Oakfields Farm Bridal Expo in January 2016. Wow, what a privilege to be a part of their journey! 

Here is link to Ryan and Dawn's engagement shoot in Maboneng last, for in case you missed it! Click HERE.

One of the things that make my blood pumping vigorously is getting on a plane and to jet off to a far off destination. The Midlands isn't halfway around the world, but it is still a "far off destination". I just love travel. To see places, and to meet new people, and to experience different cultures...and then to capture this on camera is even more exhilarating.

Ryan and Dawn's wedding was held in the Midlands at the most beautiful country venue The Orchards. I have been following the venue on Instagram for a while now and when Dawn said that she is getting married at this venue I really got super excited. I know weddings aren't really about the venue, or dress, or food...but about the people...but beautiful venues that makes your photos so much prettier...and when you have the most beautiful decor and flowers at a beautiful venue...wow...then you are in for some eye candy...the decor was out-of-this-world with this wedding!

Dawn did most of the planning for the wedding, and she was inspired by the 2016 colour palette of serenity and also blue...I mean blue is her favorite colour! For the reception she chose a woodlands theme with greenery and ivy, ferns and lilies as the main flowers. Wood were added in the form of wooden coasters for the favours, thick wooden discs as signs, which were cut from logs, and wooden branch pieces used as menu stands. The latter was done by Ryan and his brother. Ryan and his mom also made the table numbers by using moss-covered polystyrene numbers, and how amazing is this: The alter was made by Dawn's dad!

Crystal and Vine did the table decor and also the overhanging arrangements and lighting. Debbie Martens did the amazing flower and Food Matters were responsible for the incredible food. The stationery was designed and printed by a family friend and the sweets and cake was made by another family friend...And I wish I could make people taste the cake through the photos because you surely missed out...it looked good but tasted even better! 

Dawn had a stunner of a dress. It was a Nola dress designed by Maggie Sotero, and Dawn bought the dress in Wimbledon London at Paverly Bridal. She also bought her shoes in London at Next. But why London? Well, both Ryan and Dawn are South Africans and they just love traveling and going to new places and the UK especially are close to their hearts. So in January this year Dawn accepted an offer for a job in London, which created some chaos in their lives, especially with the planning of their dream wedding in SA. They realised that it will be a nightmare to arrange things from the UK, so they basically met with the caterers, florists and decor people in South Africa six months before the wedding before they moved to London to start her new job in March. Wow, that is trust on a new level, and the suppliers did such an amazing job...great decisions in choosing your suppliers! 

Thank you for trusting me with your memories. I had a blast capturing your wedding photos, Ryan and Dawn, and may your love for each other just grow and grow! 

Dawn's incredible make-up and hair was done by Camilla Kerr – The Durban Makeup Artist and the video was done by the talented Jon R Photography. The music during the canapes and snacks was done by an incredible duo Aymira Band (I mean they were seriously good) and the sound and music during reception was done by the incredible DJ Worx

Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!

 

 

 

 

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Teaser. Enchanted forest engagement | Chantelle & Kyle | Johannesburg

I am absolutely delighted to share a few photos from Chantelle & Kyle's engagement shoot at Bryanston Pine Forest.

Teaser. Enchanted forest engagement | Chantelle & Kyle | Johannesburg

The words that enlighten the soul are more precious than jewels. Hazrat Inayat Khan

I am absolutely delighted to share a few photos from Chantelle & Kyle's engagement shoot at Bryanston Pine Forest.

We have had seriously cold weather these past few days, and Saturday was most probably the climax, and I almost cancelled due to the weather, but I am so glad we didn't cancel. The afternoon was a little warmer though, and I actually loved the eerie weather in the end...helped with the theme for the shoot!

Chantelle is working in the creative industry as a freelance designer and art director, and she wanted a fairytale type shoot. She also said she loves dramatic and colorful makeup, and Shelley from Butterfly Blush did such an amazing job doing her make-up! She and her fairy prince looked smashing!

I have bought a plastic tube and a flashlight and I want to start doing #Tubestories. Go check out this link: EricPare. So the last photo was done with that tube, but we tried doing the photo while it was still dusk so the light was too much...we ended improvising and we played around a bit...looks like Chantelle has a hat on with that shot! Next time I will attempt the photo in complete darkness! 

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Collin & Cheryl | Wedding | Tres Jolie, Johannesburg

Collin and Cheryl are serious love birds and their wedding day was full of laughter and fun! I had a blast capturing their wedding love story! #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer

Collin & Cheryl | Wedding | Tres Jolie, Johannesburg

A thing of beauty is a joy forever: Its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness. John Keats

Collin and Cheryl have been clients for a few years now, and they always said that I will be their photographer for their wedding one day...and so it happened! Amazing. Collin and Cheryl are serious love birds, and I just love how Cheryl cracks up of laughter for Collin. He truly makes her happy, and its inspirational to see! 

They have a very unique love story. They know each other since Grade 1 and they have been friends all through primary and high school. He did ask her out two times in school but she said "no", and funny enough she asked him out once after school and he said "no", but they somehow always had a way to find each other. The eventually started dating, and after 2 years popped the question at the amazing Groot Constantia Wine Farm by going down on one knee. At first she thought he was weird, because she tried helping him up from his knee but soon realised he is proposing and said "yes"! Amazing. 

Cheryl love vintage themed stuff, so she desperately wanted a vintage look for her engagement shoot, so we went to the amazing Pretville, and had a blast! Here is a link to their very cool engagement shoot photos! Click here!

It was a first time for me to have had a late wedding, which meant that the ceremony was in the time of the couple shoot, ie the golden hour and the couple shoot for the wedding in the blue hour of the day. Blue hour is that absolute last light of day, after sunset, just before it becomes dark...long story short we had little light to work with during the couple shoot so I had to use alternative methods to create light for the photos. This is what I love about photography, because certain elements pushes you to be very creative, and the photos then comes out like photos you have never seen before! Amazing. I used an off-camera flash for some of the photos, but also two cellphone lights for some of the shots...and I LOVE the result! 

Here is a list of the suppliers who made their day possible!

Venue and food: Tres Jolie Wedding and Function Venue. The cake was a gift from Dina and Johan Scoltz. Cheryl's dress was made by Bridal Alchemy. Cheryl's shoes were from Truworths and Collin's suit from Eurosuit. The macaron gifts were from Lindt. Collins ring from JDC Jewellers and the DJ was from Soundworx and which were part of package with Tres Jolie.

Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!

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Rudolph & Angelique | Wedding | Makiti Wedding Venue

Rudolph and Angelique had a very special wedding at Makiti Wedding Venue with family and friends! Magical day with lots of fun and laughter!

Rudolph & Angelique | Wedding | Makiti Wedding Venue

Love is a canvas furnished by nature and embroidered by imagination. Voltaire

I always say with client referrals I always get my best clients, and with Rudolph and Angelique it was no exception! Rudolph works with a dear friend of mine and he mentioned at his office that he knows a wedding photographer and he referred me to them, and how blessed I am to have had them as clients! They are such down-to-earth and easy-going people, who loves simple things in life like outdoors, camping, fishing, sharing a meal with friends and family. They also have a huge love for dogs. I remember well, the first we met we immediately connected, and I always tell people I meet with, it is so important to connect with your photographer.

Rudolph and Angelique had a very special wedding at Makiti Wedding Venue with family and friends! And as much as people want to believe their Big-Day will be perfect and without any hick-ups, it almost always never is. The day is ultimately about the people and how they celebrate how two families become one, how two people become one. That is what is so special to me about weddings! Why do I mention this? Well Angelique (or someone...I am not going to point fingers ;-)) forgot her shoes...so she got married in...well old shoes...but hey...luckily they didn't forget her dress...once again nothing really stopped them from having the day of their lives...a day they will cherish forever! 

Here is a list of the suppliers who made this day possible!

Venue: Makiti Wedding Venue Wedding Dress: Yourday bridal

DJ: DJ Luke

Make-up: Lillian van Aswegen  Hair: Hair at Dorette (Website: Dorette Hair Salon, Dorette Oosthuizen)

Jewellery, a pear set: Avon

Rudolph's shoes: Woolworths

Video: Brightmoon Video & Photography & Second shooter: Chane Basson

Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!

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Kalinka & Dylan | Matric Farewell | Hertford Country Hotel

Wow, Kalinka and Dylan looked absolutely amazing for their Matric Farewell! Hertford Country Hotel is such a gem of a place to shoot at!

Kalinka & Dylan | Matric Farewell | Hertford Country Hotel

Kindness is grace, and grace is elegance. Dana Dalgetty

Wow, Kalinka and Dylan looked absolutely smashing for their Matric Farewell! Kalinka wore an beautiful & elegant dress which her mom bought at JJ Schoeman Atelier in Rosebank, Johannesburg. Her hair was done by Celeste from Tint Hair Studio in Krugersdorp. 

I suggested to Kalinka's mom to that we do their photos at Hertford Country Hotel and once again...this place is amazing! 

Enjoy and please leave a comment at the end!

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