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Bryan & Sarah | Urban Engagement Shoot | Northcliff Koppie, Gauteng
Wow, look how gorgeous Bryan and Sarah’s engagement shoot photos turned out! Just loved getting a few shots with Bryan’s Ford Mustang!
Bryan & Sarah | Urban Engagement Shoot | Northcliff Koppie, Gauteng
"I swear I couldn't love you more than I do right now, and yet I know I will tomorrow." — Leo Christopher
Sometimes I wonder how some people find me. I mean I don't have a button on my webpage or Facebook which says:"Only beautiful people CLICK HERE!"...but I have gorgeous people as clients! Wow, Bryan and Sarah...you guys are so freakin good lookin'....my camera almost melted...and coupled with that magical sun up on the Northcliff Koppie...oh my word...magical stuff!
And they are super cool as well. They are tattoo artists (they work for Fallen Heroes) in the day and cheerleaders at night...wow, that sound like they are super heroes...wait...I am not sure exactly how they do it but they are also cheerleaders and they compete regularly overseas. Perhaps they will do a crazy stunt at the wedding...will have to wait and see!
Their crazy beautiful engagement photos were taken at two locations. We started in Parkhurst tourist area and walked the streets. And something out of the ordinary happened. The photos with the champagne wasn't planned at all...we were doing photos in front of Rockets Parkhurst and friends of theirs, who were at the restaurant, gave them each a glass to enjoy...so we had to capture a few shots with the champagne.
Wow, I also just want to give a shout out to a super awesome company, Profoto. I just love their Sunsilver Reflector....wow...those shots at the Cape Dutch building with the light on Sarah's face...that was created while holding the reflector in my left hand!
Their shoot ended at a new location close to Northcliff Koppie in Gauteng. The actual Northcliff Koppie site is closed off for renovations and its inaccessible to the public. The sunset was out of this world, and just loved getting a few shots with Bryan’s Ford Mustang as well!
Enjoy the photos, and please leave some love at the end!
Teaser! Urban portraits with Dené Vorster | Sandton City Parking Lot
I had the pleasure of creating some urban portraits for Dené Vorster at Sandton City's parking area! amazing!
Teaser! Urban portraits with Dené Vorster | Sandton City Parking Lot
I had the pleasure of creating some urban portraits with Dené Vorster at Sandton City's parking area this week and I just loved working with her! She is a down-to-earth powerhouse and I believe she is going to go far with her music!
I just LOVE sunsets in Johannesburg, especially in Winter because the sun turns almost red.
Dené entered into Idols SA Season 7 and reached the top 8 during this particular season...amazing achievement! Her music style is R&B/Soul and her music is amazing! Here's a link to her version of Adele's "Someone Like You" at the Idols Competition. (Click here)
Here's a sneak peak of the shoot. Enjoy!
Crystal & Yannick | Engagement shoot | 12 Decades Art Hotel, Maboneng
Wow, I wanted to create a dreamy and romantic picnic themed engagement shoot at a rooftop location in Gauteng, and I just love the results! Yannick and Crystal…wow, you guys looked amazing! 12 Decades Art Hotel in Johannesburg in Maboneng Precinct.
Crystal & Yannick | Engagement shoot | 12 Decades Art Hotel, Maboneng
"As soon as I saw you, I knew a grand adventure was about to happen" Winnie the Pooh
Wow, I really wanted to create a dreamy, elegant and romantic engagement shoot for Yannick & Crystal, and they wanted a super beautiful sunset shoot in an urban setting...and there were no other option but to do the shoot at a rooftop in the Innercity of Johannesburg.
Yannick rented an Airbnb apartment in the 12 Decades Johannesburg Art Hotel in The Maboneng Precinct, and Extravaganza Weddings created the most romantic setting for them up on the roof! Wow, what a view of Johannesburg! I really can't wait for their wedding later this year, it's going to be epic!
Crystal's makeup was flawless, thank you Precious Puseletso Xaba Makeup Artist!
Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!
Timothy & Jehdene | Wedding | Birchwood Hotel, Gauteng
Wow, I just loved photographing Timothy and Jehdene’s beautiful wedding love story! She arrived in a Bentley and later married a Bentley!
Timothy & Jehdene | Wedding | Birchwood Hotel, Gauteng
"Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart, and the sense." —Lap Tzu, Chinese philosopher
"Jehdene arrived in a Bentley and later in the day married a Bentley!"
Timonthy and Jehdene are passionate Christians and their journey together started at Church. They both serve at Church and it was their passion for God and people that drew them together. They are adventurous souls and love the outdoors, and I just love the engagement shoot we did together on the Northcliff Koppie. (click here if you have missed it)
I also remember Jehdene said she and Timothy love music and that music will feature quite a lot at their wedding...and it did! They had their Church band, the Spoken Word Tabernacle (SWT) Band, for the music in the church but also at the reception and they were amazing! I loved it. There is just something special and personal about live music at weddings! The Skosana Family and Band also entertained the guests at the wedding and they were a hit!
Nicky from De Bron Events did the decor and wedding planning and she did a fantastic job. This was one of those weddings were the focus was a little less on the extravaganza of the decor and styling but more on the music and production and it happened flawlessly! Well done!
I must say I never photographed a bride without any make-up, and I don't know what Jehdene does with her skin but its flawless. (Feeewww) Makeup for weddings are for the bride, but man oh man...it helps us as photographers with the editing afterwards...make-up are in fact mostly done to look good on camera and it sometimes seem too much in real life. I have had so many brides who say to their makeup artists they want lighter make-up and then we end up editing their skin quite a lot because we don't want to give our clients photos where they dont look perfect...enough said...Jehdene took a risk...and she has her reasons for not wearing make-up...but her look was flawless nonetheless. Thank you Bianca for Jehdene's beautiful hair.
I really enjoyed photographed their wedding which they celebrated with family and friends...oh yes! A shout out to the MC Wesley Chetty...he was probably the best MC I have seen. I were laughing and photographing at the same time....well done Wesley!
One thing that stood out for me about their wedding is how serious Timothy took on the oath to be Jehdene's husband...or he surely felt the pressure. It was my first wedding where the groom was late for his wedding...yes...Timothy arrived a few minutes after Jehdene and he had to take some calming medicine before he walked down the aisle to his position in front of the Church. I am sure he is not going to miss that moment, but I know deep in his heart he didn't want to mess up this once-in-a-lifetime moment to marry the girl of his dreams! It also made some crazy cool moments to photograph...real moments photographed beautifully!
Here's a list of the other vendors and suppliers.
Church: St Michaels and All Angels Anglican | Reception Venue: The Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre | Bridal Gown: Magda Moller Designs (oh yes, Jehdene's dress was soooo pretty!) | Cake: Mel’s Confectionery | Video: SWT Media | Production & Sound Engineering: Sonic State Productions | Wedding Favours: Eshcol Trading Concepts | Information booklet: Morpha Design | Instagram Photo Printer: Mbongiworks | Popcorn Machine and sweets: Party and Petals
Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!
Teaser! Tertius & Monique | Wedding | Memoire Wedding Venue, Gauteng
Wow, this was the most emotional wedding I had photographed to date. And Tertius and Monique looked absolutely gorgeous for their wedding celebration at Memoire Wedding Venue.
Teaser! Tertius & Monique | Wedding | Memoire Wedding Venue, Gauteng
A father is a man who expects his son to be as good a man as he meant to be. Frank A. Clark
Tertius & Monique's celebrated their wedding yesterday at the impressive MEMOIRE wedding and function venue, Muldersdrift. It was a super emotional day and I think its fitting and touching to have celebrated Father's Day recently.
Tertius lost his dad recently and every time he remembered his dad during the day he burst into tears. He had me in tears many times, and I couldn't have asked for a more special wedding to be a part of. Thank you for allowing me to capture memories for you and Monique, and wow....you looked absolutely smashing!
Tertius may you truly be the man your dad meant to be! He will surely be missed.
The painting in the groom portraits is a painting of Tertius and his dad.
I must just add, I had so much fun photographing the partying at the end of the day! They went all out, especially the guys!
Make-up: EA Academy MUD Westrand
Photographer assistant: Carolyn J Gregorowski
Live Music: CH2
Enjoy the sneak peak and I can't wait share the rest of this beautiful wedding!
Tyronne & Romandi | Rock the Dress | Sodwana Bay, KZN
Wow, Tyronne and Romandi’s ROCK THE DRESS session in Sodwana Bay was spectacular! Their wedding was the day before which was held at Mseni Beach Lodge!
Tyronne & Romandi | Rock The Dress | Sodwana Bay, KZN
"The One who builds His upper chambers in the heavens
And has founded His vaulted dome over the earth,
He who calls for the waters of the sea
And pours them out on the face of the earth, The LORD is His name." Amos 9:6
When Romandi enquired about wedding photography and she said she is getting married in Sodwana Bay, I knew immediately I wanted to do a Trash the Dress session with them. It took a bit of convincing because it is not normal to jump in the ocean or crash waves with a wedding dress, but eventually they were keen to do it. In reality its also not the easiest thing to do straight after your wedding...because you had been partying for your wedding till who knows what time and then you have to wake up at 5am the following morning to do photos...yes...you have to do a little make-up before this shoot as well! But it was all worth it!
Tyronne and Romandi's wedding reception was held at Mseni Beach Lodge the day before and wow...it was such an emotional and special wedding. Please go this link to see the wedding photos. (CLICK HERE)
Thank you for getting up early Kerry-Ann and Miriska to do Romandi's makeup and hair! Going the extra mile, well done Be Bella Hair & Makeup!
One thing I have learnt from this shoot is that I have always referred to these shoots as "Trash the Dress" but in fact the dress wasn't trashed. Romandi bought her dress at Bride & Co and she washed out most of the sand in the diver's pit (the bathtub which the divers use to wash their gear...this was a funny moment because Romandi and Tyronne were using the showers to get the sand out of her dress but she soon realised it will be better to bath with her dress!). And later when she got home she dry cleaned her dress and the dress is absolutely fine. So from now on I will also refer to these shoots as ROCK THE DRESS!
Enough said. Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!
Tyronne & Romandi | Wedding | Sodwana Bay, KZN
Tyronne and Romandi’s wedding at Sodwana Bay was so special! I will remember it for many years to come. I get emotional at weddings, and I rarely shed a tear, but when Romandi's stepdad gave a speech with his daughter at his side and when he said her own dad would have been proud of her....oh wow...my heart crumbled. #Destinationwedding
Tyronne & Romandi | Wedding | Sodwana Bay, KZN
"I am proud of you when you are proud of yourself...and you can be super proud, Romandi...your wedding is amazing!" Romandi's stepdad, Bertus, at the wedding
Wow, what a wedding! I will remember this one for many years to come. I get emotional at weddings, and I rarely shed a tear, but when Romandi's stepdad gave a speech with his daughter at his side and when he said her own dad would have been proud of her....oh wow...my heart crumbled.
Romandi's dad passed away 21 years ago at Sodwana Bay and she wanted to commemorate him by having her wedding at Sodwana Bay with close family and friends. Romandi made almost all the details herself, and she made sure there were little details of her dad in the details...for instance she made her own flower bouquet with a protea flower (her dad's favourite flower) and added a locket with her dad's photo around the stems of the flowers! Powerful stuff!
Tyronne and Romandi's wedding reception was held at Mseni Beach Lodge and I had been at the very same place 9 years ago on my honeymoon...so it was also sentimental for me to be at the wedding! Their wedding ceremony was held on the main beach were they launch the boats for the fishing and diving excursions, and it was intimate and beautiful!
The reception was held on the deck of the restaurant, and the view of the sea from there is spectacular. The decor was truly simple yet elegant and the most of the details was done by Romandi herself, and the coordinator at Mseni just styled the way that Romandi wanted it. The lasercut under-plates was given to each guest as a gift to take home. Amazing.
I also loved the Guest Album, where they took a picture of each guest with an Instax camera and glued it in the Album, and each person had to write best wishes to the couple next to their own photo!
One thing to take into consideration is the fact that none of the decor elements were within reach when you are in Sodwana Bay...so you need to bring everything in your car! a Job well done Romandi!
I arrived on Friday at Mseni Beach Lodge, and the wedding was on Saturday...so I told Romandi I had this crazy idea where I want to photograph her dress at sunrise on Saturday...and OH MY WORD....it was magical! And funny enough...I almost didn't do it. When I woke up at 5am it was dark but you could see the light is starting to show, but it was cloudy. So my first thought was...I am not going to see the sunrise...I will just see clouds. So it took some inner convincing to get up and get it done....to hope to see the sunrise...and I got an even better sunrise than I expected. If there were no clouds, I wouldn't have had these incredible results!
Tyronne & Romandi also agreed to do a Trash The Dress shoot the day after the wedding, which was epic. We were super tired and half asleep, but so worth it. Like in the ads on TV...."Stay tuned for more"! So more on the Trash the Dress in the next blog post!
This wedding was hard work with little sleep...but it definitely paid off! This why I love what I do. So when I go home and my clients are over the moon with going the extra mile...that is when I feel I have succeeded in delivering an amazing service. It's almost as if the photos is an added bonus! AND BOY OH BOY...the photos are out of this world!
The other suppliers involved: Romandi's Dress: Bride&co | Makeup and hair: Be Bella Hair & Makeup | Makeup assistant: Miriska le Roux | Lasercutting: Cheeky Crafts, Laser Cutting | Night gowns: The Wedding Store | Romandi's shoes: Baruch | Custom whiskey glasses: Ludi's Crafts | Flowers: The Flower Market | Bridesmaids dress: Gelique
Enough said. Here's the photos and please leave a comment at the end!
Portrait shoot with Annarika | SARIE Voorbladgesig | Hertford Country Hotel
Annerike is such a beautiful soul inside and out. She asked me to do some portraits for her because she wanted to enter into the SARIE Voorbladgesig competition.
Portrait shoot with Annarika | SARIE Voorbladgesig | Hertford Country Hotel
"Adornment, what a science! Beauty, what a weapon! Modesty, what elegance!" Gabrielle Chanel in Biarritz, 1920
Annerike is such a beautiful soul inside and out. She asked me to do some portraits for her because she wanted to enter into the SARIE Voorbladgesig competition (PLEASE Click on the link to vote for her!!).
I had such a wonderful time with her and she is so elegant and easy to photograph. I had some modelling and styling help from Missy. (thank you Missy...almost 90% of the shots were directed by Missy!!) Missy also did the make-up for the shoot and she is most probably the best out there! Her company is Missy Make Up Artist and another amazing thing about Missy is that her own make-up is always done so she doesn't mind to be in the photographs. :)
I always love shooting at Hertford Country Hotel. The venue is painted white on the inside so the creative opportunities in their spaces are endless. If you use off-camera flash the space even doubles up as a studio! Amazing.
I used a single flash setup. I used my Softbox for Speedlights and Nikon SB-910 flash with Phottix triggers on a lightstand and I used what they call butterfly lighting. The softbox was directly in front of the Annarike's face pointing slightly downward, so the light created a slight shadow under her nose. There were ambient light coming in from her left (photo right). I also tried to point the flash directly into her face so I moved the softbox around depending on how Annarike were standing.
Here is the make-up preperations with Missy.
This is the one Annarike selected for the cover.
And these 2 she also entered. She had to submit 3 images.
Here are some of the other images we created.
A colorful shoot with Siann & her family | Studio session
I had so much fun capturing Siann and her family in studio while they fired confetti canons! Wow, what a colourful shoot!
A colorful shoot with Siann & her family | Studio session
“Life is like a box of crayons. John Mayer
I recently did a shoot with Siann and her family in Ruth du Toit's studio. Siann is the Marketing Director of the amazing Oakfield Farm Wedding Venue.
I wanted to do a very colourful session with a family of four but with confetti canons and Siann and her family was the perfect fit! Confetti canons are pressurised canisters with pieces of confetti, so when they pop, they shoot confetti. And you get different colours and sizes, and I found the longer ones work better with the shots I wanted to create. Another thing, which I didn't realise, kids don't really like the massive noise these things make...I mean it literally sounds like a gun going off! But it makes cool pictures!
Siann and her family are such an easy and fun-loving bunch and they are super gorgeous! I just loved having them in front of my lens! After we finished all the confetti canons we played around with the confetti and they had loads of fun throwing each other with the confetti!
If you want to book a session with me with confetti canons...please get in contact!
Enjoy the 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!
Teaser! Jeandre & Bianca | Wedding | Avianto, Gauteng
Wow, Jeandre & Bianca's celebrated their love this past weekend at Avianto! What a gorgeous couple and wedding!
Teaser! Jeandre & Bianca | Wedding | Avianto, Gauteng
“Life is like a camera. Focus on what's important. Capture the good times. And if things don't work out, just take another shot.” Ziad K. Abdelnour
Wow, Jeandre & Bianca's celebrated their love this past weekend at Avianto! What a gorgeous couple and wedding!
Enjoy the sneak peak!
Klaas-Jan & Mareli | Wedding | Ingaadi Spa & Events
I am truly privileged to be doing what I love, and even more privileged to share in the love of people's happiest day of their lives. Klaas-Jan & Mareli's wedding day was super special, and I not only made a special connection with them as a couple, but also with their families. And they looked amazing!!!
Klaas-Jan & Mareli | Wedding | Ingaadi Spa & Events
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever. Ps23:6
I am truly privileged to be doing what I love, and even more privileged to share in the love of people's happiest day of their lives. Klaas-Jan & Mareli's wedding day was super special, and I not only made a special connection with them as a couple, but also with their families. I just love it...and I was sad to say goodbye at the end of the day. That is what weddings is for me and what it means to me...I pour out my heart and soul to capture special photos for my clients, and I love it when hard work pays off! Just look at the photos...amazing fun, laughter and smiles! They are all such a happy bunch of people!
Something super funny happened. Mareli's sister Ilana did her make-up and hair (her company in Namibia is Ilana's Hair Gallery) and her two sons (one is 5 and the other is 3 years old) were the ring-bearers but they missed their afternoon nap, so when it was time to hand-over the rings...well the eldest was more than half asleep which made for such a funny moment!
The wedding was on the Friday and it rained during that week...oh wait it poured with rain. So the morning of the wedding day it rained once more and I prepared like crazy for me to stay dry during the couple shoot, and I kept thinking the whole day "we would embrace the rain and take epic rain shots"...well...that was what I expected. I mean it had been raining for 2 days flat so what else did I expect? Exactly the opposite...we had sunshine! It was muddy but there were dramatic skies and sunshine...amazing. Mareli's prayers were truly answered. The biggest testimony for the day was the exact moment when Mareli walked into church, that was the first time the first sunshine appeared...so we had to take a photo!
We did the sunset shoot at a random spot on our way to the venue, and we were lucky to get Kosmos flowers in the field. I always try my best to document the day as it happens rather than directing the day, but it's always difficult during the couple shoot because none of the happenings during the couple shoot happens "naturally"...I mean its not normal to go stand in a random field on your way to the venue. But I love the little moments in between the posed moments which I didn't direct like when Mareli and Klaas-Jan did the Tango with a Kosmos flower, or when Klaas-Jan picked Mareli up to take her back to the car....real moments are such a joy to capture!
The reception was super fun. They had the coolest games to entertain the guests which made everybody laugh like crazy and it was fun to capture! The venue is situated in a sort of a valley with 2 dams right in front, which means if it gets cold at night, then there surely will be mist. And there were lots of it! So I just knew the night shot was going to be epic and it was!
Here's a list of other suppliers who were involved:
Venue: Ingaadi Spa & Events Venue Flowers: Wynand Saayman (Ilana's husband and Mareli's brother-in-law)
A big thank you to Leandrie from Leandrie du Plessis Photography. She did the decor photos for me!
Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!
Be Inspired - Admired in Africa 2018 | Conference | Hertford Country Hotel
Wow, I am inspired. Thank you Admired in Africa for hosting the Be Inspired Conference and the speakers were super inspirational!
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.
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.
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! Tyronne & Romandi | Trash The Dress | Sodwana Bay, KZN
Wow, Tyronne and Romandi’s trash the dress session in Sodwana Bay was spectacular! Their wedding was on Saturday at Mseni Beach Lodge!
Teaser! Tyronne & Romandi | Trash The Dress | Sodwana Bay, KZN
"The One who builds His upper chambers in the heavens
And has founded His vaulted dome over the earth,
He who calls for the waters of the sea
And pours them out on the face of the earth, The LORD is His name." Amos 9:6
Tyronne and Romandi's wedding reception was held at Mseni Beach Lodge this past Saturday and we did a Trash the Dress the following morning at sunrise!
Wow...I am in LOVE This shoot was so much fun...even though were super tired from the partying of the wedding....it was all worth it! Memorable stuff...! And I thought the dress was going to be ruined,
Here's a little sneakpeak...enjoy!
Teaser! Tyronne & Romandi | Wedding | Sodwana Bay, KZN
Wow, the wedding this past weekend was soooo special and I will remember it for many years to come. I get emotional at weddings, but I rarely shed a tear, but when Romandi's stepdad gave a speech with his daughter at his side and when he said her dad would have been proud of her....oh wow...my heart crumbled. Destination wedding at Sodwana Bay.
Teaser! Tyronne & Romandi | Wedding | Sodwana Bay, KZN
"I am proud of you when you are proud of yourself...and you can be super proud, Romandi...your wedding is amazing!" Romandi's stepdad, Bertus, at the wedding
Wow, the wedding this past weekend was soooo special and I will remember it for many years to come. I get emotional at weddings, but I rarely shed a tear, but when Romandi's stepdad gave a speech with his daughter at his side and when he said her dad would have been proud of her....oh wow...my heart crumbled.
Romandi's dad passed away 21 years ago at Sodwana Bay and she wanted to commemorate him by having her wedding at Sodwana Bay with close family and friends. Romandi made almost all the details herself, and she made sure there were little details of her dad in the details...she made her own flower bouquet with a protea flower (which were her dad's favourite flower) and she added a locket with her dad's photo around the stems of the flowers.
Tyronne and Romandi's wedding reception was held at Mseni Beach Lodge and I had been at the very same place 9 years ago on my honeymoon...so it was also sentimental for me to be at the wedding! Their wedding ceremony was held on the main beacj were they launch the boats for the fishing and diving excursions.
I arrived on Friday at Mseni Beach Lodge, and the wedding was on Saturday...so I told Romandi I have this crazy idea where I want to photograph her dress with sunrise on Saturday...and OH MY WORD....it was magical! And they also agreed to do a Trash The Dress shoot on Sunday, which was also SUPER MAGICAL! So I experienced two magical sunrises out of the 3 days...
It was hard work with little sleep...but it definitely paid off!
And funny enough...when I go home and my clients is over the moon with going the extra mile...that is when I feel I have succeeded in delivering an amazing service. It's almost as if the photos is an added bonus! AND BOY OH BOY...the photos is out of this world!
Enough said. Here's a few photos from this weekend!
Timothy & Jehdene | Engagement session | Northcliff
Wow, what an amazing and special shoot! Jehdene asked God for an amazing sunset during their engagement shoot and just look at it! and funny enough...we almost cancelled due a little rain! Northcliff Koppie and the splendour of God on display!
Timothy & Jehdene | Engagement session | Northcliff
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Ps19:1
What a day. Jehdene wanted to go to Northcliff to get a sunset photo, which was fine, but when the day arrived there was rain forecasted. So after a few conversations we almost cancelled the shoot, and postponed to another day, but luckily we didn't. Jehdene asked God for an amazing sunset and just look at it! One of the prettiest sunsets I have seen in Johannesburg!
Timothy & Jehdene are getting married later this month and I had the most incredible time capturing special memories for them for their engagement shoot
I am a story teller and I love to be a photojournalist at a shoot at parties, weddings etc. So at heart I believe in telling authentic stories, because amazingly you almost never remember what you looked like 50 years from now, but you remember what you felt like. We need photographs to remind us what we looked like. So if we were fake in front of the camera, that is what you will remember. So I try my utmost best to create natural and authentic moments in front of the camera...so in essence I try to capture what you felt like (totally in love but also a little scared (I mean you are getting married)).
Oke right. Jehdene told me that she plays the Saxophone so I asked her to bring it along on the shoot...and wow....I am in love with the Saxophone shots...and mostly because its very personal for her!
Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!
Rynhard & Jeannie | Wedding | Northam, Limpopo
I just love destination weddings, and I love story telling but what I love more is the people I get to meet. I had such an amazing time photographing Rynhard and Jeannie's wedding on a friend's farm called Brosdoring Farm in Northam, Limpopo. The Farm has a very large Brosdoring (Brittle Thorn) tree on the farm, and we took some photos in the last sun at this beautiful tree.
Rynhard & Jeannie | Wedding | Northam, Limpopo
"You'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more" Phil Collins
I just love destination weddings, and I love story telling but what I love more is the people I get to meet. I had such an amazing time photographing Rynhard and Jeannie's wedding on a friend's farm called Brosdoring Farm in Northam, Limpopo. The Farm has a very large Brosdoring (Brittle Thorn) tree on the farm, and we took some photos in the last sun at this beautiful tree.
We had serious rain all over South Africa during the week of their wedding, and I thought we are going to take photos during the rain, but it had cleared for their day. What had happened was that the soil turned dark red (which I liked) but also muddy...so it was quite a challenge to keep Jeannie's dress clean....so with some photos you can see the mud on Jeannie's bum...but hey...it gives the photos character!
Jeannie got the best deal out of this marriage...she not only got Rynhard but his kids as well! I just love the dress photos with their kids Lané and Luan and Lané looked amazing in her soon-to-be mom's dress!
I won't get tattoo myself, but OH BOY...I love how tattoos photograph and how it adds character to a photo. Jeannie is a creative at heart, and I just love how a tattoo tells a story. I mean you don't just get a tattoo...there is a reason. So what I normally do when I have clients with tattoos then I try to frame the tattoo as the "main attraction" in the shot because then the photos become super exciting and interesting!
Jeannie bought her dress on an overseas website, and her shoes were from JET. Rynhard bought his shoes at BATA and his suspenders were from Kaalvoet Kind Ontwerp. Jeannie has her own hair and make-up company so she did her own hair and make-up, and her friend Tanya Hallatt helped with her eye liner. Rynhard and Jeannie did most of the decor elements themselves but the donuts were from Krispy Krem.
Well, enough said...enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!
CJ & Carina | Wedding | Goosehill | Bloemfontein
CJ & Carina tied the knot in Bloemfontein at Goosehill Wedding and Guest Farm in Bloemfontein! It was an honour capturing a friend's wedding story! I had so much fun.
CJ & Carina | Wedding | Goosehill | Bloemfontein
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain - Vivian Greene
It was a privilege to have been a witnessed to the love between CJ and Carina. Carina is so happy with her prince charming!
Carina became a good friend while she stayed and worked in Johannesburg, and she fell for a boer from Elliot! Carina is originally from the Freestate so she probably dreamt of one day getting married to a boertjie.
Their wedding celebration was held at Goosehill Wedding and Guest Farm in Bloemfontein, and it was such a simplistic and elegant wedding. Carina is a travel agent, but she does interior design in her spare time...so she has a great sense of style! Well, that was evident in the decor. Most of the decor inspiration she made herself and it looks absolutely gorgeous! It looked like she had a wedding stylist to prepare the wedding details!
Carina is such a down-to-earth plaasmeisie, and she wore a gorgeous simple dress and vellies...yes...she is definitely a plaasmeisie at heart! Her make-up and hair, done by Amy Olden, was flawless and simple...just the way Carina like it!
Bad Ass Beards in Bloemfontein looked after CJ and the guys...and they looked dapper after their funky clean-up...and even after a few screams...waxing is not for sissies!
My wife Juanita was a guest so our whole family had a nice outing to Bloemfontein on the Friday, my mother-in-law went along to look after the kids and we left for home on the Sunday. I just love destination weddings, but I don't get the opportunity that often to travel with my whole family.
Enjoy the photos! CJ and Carina, I pray that your love and laughter will last till the end of days!
Teaser! Klaas-Jan & Mareli | Wedding | Ingaadi Spa & Events
I am truly privileged to be doing what I love, and even more privileged to share in the love of people's happiest day of their lives. Klaas-Jan & Mareli's wedding day was super special, and I not only made a special connection with them as a couple, but also with their families.
Teaser! Klaas-Jan & Mareli | Wedding | Ingaadi Spa & Events
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever. Ps23:6
I am truly privileged to be doing what I love, and even more privileged to share in the love of people's happiest day of their lives. Klaas-Jan & Mareli's wedding day was super special, and I not only made a special connection with them as a couple, but also with their families. I just love it...or perhaps I shouldn't be so excited...that I get to make new friends, and I was sad to say goodbye at the end of the day. That is what weddings is for me and what it means to me...I pour out my heart and soul to capture special photos for my clients, and I love it when it pays off! I just love their photos and I tried looking for a few sneak peaks but I ended selecting 31 photos....wow...the biggest selection for a sneak peak until now.
Something super funny happened. Mareli's sister Ilana did her make-up and hair (her company in Namibia in Ilana's Hair Gallery) and her two sons (one is 5 and the other is 3 years old) were the ring-bearers but they missed their afternoon nap, so when it was time to hand-over the rings...well the eldest was more than half asleep. Such a funny moment which I caught on camera!
They got married on Friday and during the week it rained...oh wait it poured with rain. So the morning of the wedding day it rained and I prepared like crazy for me to stay dry during the couple shoot, and I kept thinking the whole day "we would embrace the rain and take epic rain shots"...well...that was what I expected. I mean it had been raining for 2 days flat so what else did I expect? Exactly the opposite...we had sunshine! It was muddy but there were dramatic skies and sunshine...amazing. Mareli's prayers were truly answered. The biggest testimony for the day was the exact moment Mareli walked into church was the first time there were sunrays...so we had to take a photo!
The day ended with the coolest mist, so I just knew the night shot was going to be epic!
Venue: Ingaadi Spa & Events Venue Flowers: Wynand Saayman (Ilana's husband and Mareli's brother-in-law)
Enjoy the sneak peak!
