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Dickson and Lydia | Wedding | UrbanTREE
Dickson booked me in 2019, and they finally had their wedding with family and friends! And wow, what is special and unique wedding! They were already married traditionally, and they did their religious ceremonial wedding at The Urban Tree in Sandton. They wanted to do their religious wedding sooner, but Covid interfered.
Lydia and the girls got ready at the gorgeous Masingita Towers, which was an Airbnb booking. Airbnb makes its very easy to arrange venues or locations for getting ready, because its very cost effective and you have access to the place for 24 hours….and its usually very pretty…so you can also use it for your first night after the wedding!
It’s amazing how much you learn at weddings. Dickson and Lydia had a Nigerian wedding, which means the groom’s family wore a specific colour and fabric, the bride’s family a different colour and fabric and then also the friends of the families another colour and fabric. This is called ASO-EBI or “family clothes”, and this made for a very colourful and beautiful wedding…which I LOVED! The girls also had a headpiece each, which is called a GELE. Ooooh, I loved this because I love colourful weddings, because I can be very creative!
Wow, again, what a special wedding…lets make the photos do the talking! Enjoy and please leave a comment at the end!
Suppliers who made the day possible: Hair: @leeannes_hair_beauty | Makeup: @refentse_munyai | Dress: @the.onebridal | Cake: @Aqd cakery | Flowers/ decor: The Wedding Warehouse
Bheki and Tendi | Wedding | Toadbury Hall Country Hotel
Bheki and Tendi’s wedding at Toadbury Hall was truly amazing and full of tears!
"The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10)
Bheki and Tendi tied the knot at the gorgeous Toadbury Hall Country Hotel and it was such a joyous occasion. They are such a sweet couple with a the joy of the Lord in their hearts…I mean they were literally dancing the whole day!
Wow, Cheri from 2IC Event Management, you guys did an amazing job with setting up their wedding. Bheki and Tendi initially planned to have their wedding in Mauritius but Covid made it impossible.
Wow, I don’t have many words but I think the photos will do the talking! Enjoy, and please share…we need more joy in the world!
Ramon and Ashleigh | Inimitable | Wedding
The wedding season is definitely in full swing, and what a month! September has been a busy month, and the month started off with Ramon and Ashleigh’s beautiful wedding at the incredible Inimitable Wedding Venue.
The wedding season is definitely in full swing, and what a month! September has been a busy month, and the month started off with Ramon and Ashleigh’s beautiful wedding at the incredible Inimitable Wedding Venue. This was also a reunion for myself and her bridesmaids, Natalia and Jenalea, because I captured their weddings as well. This wedding was postponed by a year because of Covid, but that didn’t stop them for eventually having their wedding!
This wedding was out of this world, and what it even more special were the people. I always walk away from a wedding feeling like family, and this time I arrived already feeling like family! Ramon and Ashleigh, you guys looked incredible! May you love for each other just blossom year in and year out, may God bless your marriage abundantly!
Other suppliers who made the day possible and also very special:
Video: Bespoke Creations | Makeup: @makeupbyryno | Hair: @ellarockafella31 | Dress: @veilbridalcouture Shoes: @opari_za | Flowers: @zavionkotzeeventscompany | Cake: Ashleigh’s mom Shelagh DJ:@perfect_tone_music | Gifts & Stationery: @papermoonza
Jason was my second shooter, and you were a gem to work with! Thank you!
Please enjoy the photos, I think they speak for themselves!
Kyle and Ashton | Engagement shoot | Grace Falls
Kyle and Ashton’s engagement shoot at Grace Falls in Pretoria. How amazing!
Sneak peak of Kyle and Ashton’s engagement shoot at Grace Falls in Pretoria. How amazing!?
Chrisjan & Juanita | Maternity | Bryanston Pine Forest
Chrisjan and Juanita is expecting and they looked smashing during their photos with me!
I had the privilege of capturing Chrisjan and Juanita’s wedding a few years ago, and now for their next milestone in life…their firstborn daughter is on the way! I call myself a lifestyle photography because I truly love documenting people’s milestones with beautiful photos. It’s almost like I am a part of their families, because I see how people get older and wiser, and also how families grow! Man, I love it.
Juanita is looking absolutely radiant and I know she said she is tired, but I truly doesn’t show. We went to the Bryanston Pine Forest for the photos, it is still one of my favourite place to shoot at.
I remember how Chrisjan used to look at his wife during the wedding, and especially during the photos. I mean this man is totally in love with his wife. NOTHING has changed…he is still completely in love with his wife! Just look at him…he can’t keep his eyes off of her!
Both of you are an inspiration, and I pray that Zion will be a fortress for people in need and that people will feel safe around her because of the presence of God.
Enjoy the photos, and thank you again for allowing me to capturing this milestone for you!
Hennie en Behanke | Wedding | Red Ivory Lodge
Wow…what a wedding! Red Ivory Lodge was such beautiful backdrop for Hennie and Behanke’s wedding story!
When I asked the Holy Spirt: “Who is the Bride?” He answered and said:”They are the ones who allow me to veil them in my holiness!”
Wow, all weddings are special, but every now and then you get one that grips you by the heart. Hennie and Behanke’s love for each other are deeply grounded in thier love for God. Wow, I have rarely witnessed so much love in one place….and gorgeous people!
Here’s a list of the suppliers who made this wedding super special.
Venue and food: Red Ivory | Music: Deca | Makeup and Hair: Hair and Make up by Liesl | Shoes: Aldo & Thread and Miller | Suit: Tip Top Tailors | Earrings: Jeanne and Co | Flowers: The Flower Spot | Decor: All things wedding | Cake: Craft Cakes by Naomi
Enjoy the sneak peak!
Teaser! Ludwe & Zizipho | Wedding | Le Chatelat
Ludwe and Zizipho had a small, intimate and beautiful wedding yesterday at Le Chatelat Residence.
I've never had a moment's doubt. I love you. I believe in you completely. You are my dearest one. My reason for life. Ian McEwan
Ludwe and Zizipho had a small, intimate and beautiful wedding yesterday at Le Chatelat Residence.
Enjoy the sneak peak.
Teaser! Hennie en Behanke | Wedding | Red Ivory Lodge
Wow…what a wedding! Red Ivory Lodge was such beautiful backdrop for Hennie and Behanke’s wedding story!
When I asked the Holy Spirt: “Who is the Bride?” He answered and said:”They are the ones who allow me to veil them in my holiness!”
Wow, all weddings are special, but every now and then you get one that grips you by the heart. Hennie and Behanke’s love for each other are deeply grounded in thier love for God. Wow, I have rarely witnessed so much love in one place….and gorgeous people!
Here’s a list of the suppliers who made this wedding super special.
Venue and food: Red Ivory | Music: Deca | Makeup and Hair: Hair and Make up by Liesl | Shoes: Aldo & Thread and Miller | Suit: Tip Top Tailors | Earrings: Jeanne and Co | Flowers: The Flower Spot | Decor: All things wedding | Cake: Craft Cakes by Naomi
Enjoy the sneak peak!
Gerhard and Kaelynne | Wedding | Black Horse Brewery
My first wedding after Covid19 in 2020! Wow, its good to be back and what a way to start! Gerhard and Kaelynne had such a special day and they looked absolutely gorgeous! Venue: Black Horse Brewery
"You are the love that came without warning; you had my heart before I could say no." Unknown
Gerhard and Kaelynne have been waiting a long time for their wedding. Covid19 wasn’t and isn’t easy for anyone this year, and having weddings postponed till next year isn’t nice either. They had their wedding planned at a different venue, and had to move it due to regulations, but found a date (31 October 2020)…and then took the risk to book it. Luckily it paid off because the lockdown levels went down to 1 and 250 people were allowed per wedding. Geapers….what a gorgeous setting for a wedding they had at Black Horse Brewery. I have been there before for a beer tasting, and obviously you have to stop there if you do the Magalies Meander…I mean the food is great, the horses are majestic and it’s just beautifully green with stunning gardens! I always knew I wanted to come back for a wedding, and I had my chance!
Being a photographer you know that when you get to the venue, you try to observe and take in as much a possible of what is going on around you. You then try to remember it, because when moments unfold in front of you, you try to incorporate as much of the surroundings as possible. That is called creative story telling. It's because photos speaks so much more than what words can do. And that is why I love what I do. I love storytelling.
When you look at these photos, and you see the happiness, joy, love, laughter, and community…then you realise….despite of what Covid19 and what 2020 have thrown at us…this is why we are alive. People matter, not things. Emotions matter, not belongings. Relationships matter, not your bank balance. I think Covid19 has taught us not to focus on the things we can get, but it has changed our perspective. We need to love more, we need to hug more, we need to be in the present more.
Gerhard and Kaelynne’s story unfolded so beautifully on their wedding day, and I enjoyed every second of it. They have the most beautiful love for each other, and they are supported by an amazing bunch of people…family and friends!
The day ended with probably the biggest rainstorm I have witnessed, and when it died down a bit we had to take a few photos in the rain! How gorgeous, but more than that…what a cool memory!
Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end…a little love goes a long way!
Venue, Catering and Gin Station: Black Horse Brewery | Shoes: Foschini (bride) Woolworths (groom) | Bracelet- Sswarovski | Rings: Own design | Earings: Pedro Jeweller | Watch: Fossil | Dress: Olivelli (Blue by Enzoani) | DJ: Discotech (Sean) : Videographer: Mauer Productions | Flowers and decor: Colour Country Florist (Dania) | Makeup: Skulpted by Kai | Hair: Celeste Scott and Jade Bock | Stationary: MU studio (Hennak) | Welcome sign: Stéphanie Clark) | Welcome drinks: Bambini Ice cream
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Paul and Annerine | Wedding | Kuthaba Bush Lodge
Oh wow, another gorgeous wedding at Kuthaba Bush Lodge! The perfect day for the perfect couple!
The perfect wedding for the perfect couple!
Paul and Annerine tied the knot at the gorgeous Kuthaba Bush Lodge and their wedding was out of this world! I actually dont have words to describe how I feel, so perhaps the photos will have to do!
Venue: Kuthaba Bush Lodge | Hair: Salon Amelia
Clinton and Elizabeth | Engagement shoot | Pretoria
Clinton and Elizabeth are sweet souls who love cars and each other. The Jacaranda trees proved to be a gorgeous backdrop for their engagement shoot!
When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew. William Shakespeare
Covid has made it very difficult for us all, but I feels good to be out there taking a few photos again.
Clinton and Elizabeth are sweet souls who love cars and each other. Elizabeth’ owns the VW Beetle and Clinton the Alfa Romeo, and they have this feud whose care is better. Even after the shoot their feud continued on Facebook. Hahaha, they make me laugh. This photo with both cars are so special because almost everything they wanted came together in one photo…purple Jacarandas, their cars and also their love for each other! Oh, man I love my job!
I really had fun during their engagement shoot. We decided to go to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, because the streets over there is fully covered in purple Jacarandas! What a wonderful display of colour! These two are so much in love and I can just see they can’t wait to tie the knot.
Covid19 definitely hasn’t made it very easy for us, but also not for the couples out there.
Enjoy the photos. I always try to do something different, so thank you Clinton and Liz for allowing me to be creative. You guys rock!
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Teaser! Gerhard and Kaelynne | Wedding | Black Horse Brewery
My first wedding after Covid19 had struck. Gerhard and Kaelynne had such a special day and they looked absolutely gorgeous! Venue: Black Horse Brewery
"You are the love that came without warning; you had my heart before I could say no." Unknown
Venue, Catering and Gin Station: Black Horse Brewery | Shoes: Foschini (bride) Woolworths (groom) | Bracelet- Sswarovski | Rings: Own design | Earings: Pedro Jewller | Watch: Fossil | Dress: Olivelli (Blue by Enzoani) | DJ: Discotech (Sean) : Videographer: Mauer Productions | Flowers and decor: Colour Country Florist (Dania) | Makeup: Skulpted by Kai | Hair: Celeste Scott and Jade Bock | Stationary: MU studio (Hennak) | Welcome sign: Stéphanie Clark) | Welcome drinks: Bambini Ice cream
Teaser! Clinton and Elizabeth | Engagement shoot | Pretoria
Teaser. Clinton and Elizabeth looked absolutely beautiful during their engagement shoot. The Jacaranda blossoms were out in full swing and the streets are absolutely gorgeous!
When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew. William Shakespeare
Covid has made it very difficult for us all, but I feels good to be out there taking a few photos. Purple Jacarandas are in full bloom at the moment. We decided to go to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, because the streets over there is fully covered in purple! What a wonderful display of colour! These two are so much in love and I can just see they can’t wait to tie the knot.
Covid19 definitely hasnt made it very easy for us, but also not for the couples out there. Congrats on getting engaged and your photos are sooooo pretty! Love the Alfa Romeo and Beetle…they are equally very cool!
Styled Shoot | De La Mas Venue | #conceptshoot
I got to shoot an amazing concept shoot just before lockdown! Look how amazing!
I got to shoot an amazing concept shoot just before Lockdown! Look how amazing!
Venue: De la Mas Venue @delamasvenue
Photographer: Wynand van der Merwe - Destination Wedding Photography @wynandvandermerwephotography
Model: @kaylea.duplessis
Makeup & Hair: MDW Professional Make-up Artistry @mdwmakeup
Stationery: RE:design @rde_studio_
Flowers & Decor: @zetties_daydreams (Owner of the De La Mas Venue)
Organizer: Hey Liefie @heyliefie
Mickey Mouse and a Praying Mantis | #stayathome
Am I going crazy or did a Praying Mantis dance with Mickey Mouse?
Am I going crazy or did a Praying Mantis dance with Mickey Mouse? Perhaps not.
I used to own a macro lens when I had Canon equipment (a long time ago), and since then I have been using Nikon equipment and I resorted to borrowing an extension tube from a friend. It can turn any lens into a macro lens, but the downside is that it’s not as quick to use and precise as a macro lens, and also not as sharp…but it does work. These were shot at 12:00am which means the sun is blazing on all cylinders, but my trusty Godox AD200 allows me to shoot using high speed sync, so I can shoot at any shutterspeed I choose. And its powerful enough to balance the sun, and also darken the background. Without the flash, the background would be completely over exposed and I won’t be able to isolate the the subject. It is not as powerful as the bigger Godox flashes, that can completely over power the sun, and in some cases even darken the effect of the sun. I would be able to get this effect if I add another AD200 next to mine and to fire them at the same time with the same power, but I only own one flash. Long story short, this is an amazing piece of equipment. I have seen that Godox is launching their AD300 Pro in SA soon, and it will give a kidney…hey…don’t judge…lockdown has dried up my income…just joking…I like my kidneys…but I would love to own one.
Enjoy the photos. I also sprayed the Praying Mantis with water, and my idea was to catch the spray behind the insect but it didn’t work so well, so I photographed the water droplets on him…which turned out super cool!
I also had some fun with my Lego Mickey Mouse minifigure! I thought it would be cute to make them dance! I used my AD200 with a Magmod grid and blue gel from the right, and my Nikon SB910 flash with orange gel from the left.
Mickey Mouse got hitched | #stayathome
Mickey mouse got hitched! #stayathome #lockdown2020 #covid19
My daughter has this cute little doll Lego, and just knew I wanted her to get married…and the only other Lego I could find with a tuxedo was Mickey Mouse. It’s the Mickey Mouse from the first cartoon Disney made, and I think they make a cute pair!
I used my LED light and flashlight (with a long carton tube, this focused the light) to light the toys, and I used my wedding tricks to photograph them.
My original idea was to photograph Mickey Mouse and Petunia (I am calling her Petunia) in a water droplet, and it turned out it is impossible…I guess I am going it wrong if it is not the case…hehehe. I then improvised by placing the subjects underneath the glass table and I made 2 big droplets on the table and I photographed their faces in these droplets. I also tried suspending them in the air underneath the table, and it resulted in very moody misty photos…which is also a cool effect. I also then improvised by placing the subjects on the glass table with droplets and I then placed color squares underneath to get the color pattern from the squares displayed in the droplets. I got this idea from Jacki Bruniquel a while ago and I have been dying to try this technique. This is magic and I love the results!
For the other photos I went around in my yard to photograph them. I used my LED light to light the subjects and I played around with my flashlight with effects. The carton tube, which focused the light, made for really interesting photos, and I also used a pattern with the photos at the end…if you light into a paper with cut-out stripes…then you get stripes in the shadows. The is easily done with a Magmod system, but I dont have the patterns. (yet)
Enjoy the photos and please comment and share with your friends!
Barbie and Ken | Couple Shoot | Mauritus
Barbie and Ken got in contact with me and asked if I would do a romantic couple shoot for them in their kitchen...and I was obviously over the moon!
Barbie and Ken got in contact with me and asked if I would do a romantic couple shoot for them in their kitchen...and I was obviously over the moon!
They have the most extraordinary kitchen with amazing views of the beach in Mauritius.
My trusted Godox AD200 and Nikon SB910 Speedlights, and a flashlight was used to light the models.
#nikonsahomechallenge #lockdown #covid19 #barbie #ken #IamnotallowedoutofmyhousesoIusedmydaughtersdollhouseandherbarbieandkenforthephotos
Ryno and Simone | Urban couple shoot | Parkhurst
Ryno and Simoné beautiful urban coupe shoot in Parkhurst was so much fun!
I hosted a little competition on my Facebook page and Simone was one of the 2 winners!
Originally I wanted to create a super romantic Valentines Day shoot on a rooftop, but due to circumstances I postponed and postponed, up until I said to Simone let’s just do a normal Urban couple shoot. I am so glad we ended up doing an urban shoot because Ryno and Simone are such naturals. They were keen for me to experiment a lot, which I loved, because during couple shoots I have less stress to provide “perfect wedding or engagement” photos but rather very creative and personal photos for them as a couple. I am not saying that I dont create super cool photos for my clients during engagement shoots or weddings but rather that the stress to create them is less. (So I can play a bit more and experiment a bit more…which I love). I also use these platforms to practice shots I would not dare to try during a wedding shoot due to the time limit and error factor…during a wedding I can’t make mistakes!
We went to Parkhurst for photos in the streets, and Ryno and Simone are such a cool couple. They are not engaged…well not yet…wink wink. It’s actually quite funny how many people responded on the photos “I see wedding bells in the distance…!”
They looked absolutely beautiful and so much in love!
Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!
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Zander and Akira | Engagement shoot | Bank Towers, 012Central
Akira asked me to capture their actual engagement, the moment she asks her prince charming to get married. I was obviously over the moon, because this is such a cool moment to photograph! and just look how happy they are!
This year is 2020 and also #leapyear…yup, the year with a 29th of February, and we always make these jokes that “If you get married on the 29th of February, then you only have to celebrate your union once every 4 years”. I mean, then husbands have less opportunity to forget their anniversary…hahaha!….but there is another unwritten rule…it’s the year when girlfriends are allowed to ask their boyfriends to marry them…well, thats what happened…Akira asked her prince charming to marry her and he said yes!
Akira asked me to capture exactly when it happens, and I was obviously over the moon, because this is such a cool moment to photograph!
I told Akira that we have 2 options: you either do something together and when the moment presents itself, I jump out of the bushes and take photos (but then you aren’t necessarily ready for photos), or we can arrange a romantic couple shoot, then you are dressed and ready for photos…and Zander won’t suspect anything. So that is what we did. We agreed on a couple shoot, and Akira would give me “the knod” or thumbs-up and she will then take out the ring to pop the question. Akira arranged access to the rooftop at the Bank Towers, 012Central, and we did the most amazing couple shoot in the gorgeous golden hour sunlight on the rooftop, with the most amazing view of central Pretoria.
We were very lucky. When you are taking photos between buildings, chances are that you will take photos in the shade and then you miss the actual sun shining through your hair, but the sun was in fact bounced onto them from a tall glass building during their shoot…so it looked like the sun was beaming on them!
I had this idea of posing Zander facing away from me, and Akira facing me, and I would then give her a thumbs-up (I didn’t know if I would be 150% ready for the moment if she gave me the thumbs-up…I mean I can’t miss the moment)…and it worked SOOO well in my favour! I had a chance to photograph Akira holding the ring, without Zander noticing. WOW, what a cool photo and moment!
Congrats again on getting engaged…you guys are such a lovely couple and look sooooo happy together!
Enjoy the photos, and please leave a comment at the end!
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Jacobus, Elaine and the 4 | Family | Gold Reef City
Oh my hat, the twins are the CUTEST! I had loads of fun with the Geldenhuys family at Gold Reef City!
How gorgeous are these people? Elaine asked me to capture beautiful family portraits for her and she really wanted fun and colourful photos…so we went to Gold Reef City! I met them at Jacobus and Elaine at Desmond and Madelize’s wedding (Jacobus is Madelize’s brother) a few years ago, before the twins were born.
Having four kids and taking them to Gold Reef City is fun and somewhat of a daunting task. We managed quite well! All we had to do was to keep to small ones happy, and then the grownups were happy. Weel, Luche is not a grownup yet, but she had to play along, and she loved going on the smaller rides with her sisters! We ended with some “grownup” fun rides with Luche, the eldest, because we had to keep her “fun-ride” tank full as well. Elaine says Luche is little adrenaline junky, like her. She really wanted to go on the meanest and baddest rides, but I must say, going in the week to Gold Reef City isn’t the best time to go to have fun on the rides. It’s beneficial to go in the week for family photos, because there is way less people, but if you want to go on the big rides you have to wait until there is enough people to go on the ride…not so great when there isn’t a lot of people.
I even went on one ride…but I wasn’t allowed to take my camera so I don’t have evidence of my ride on the Jozi Express!
The highlight for me was at the end, just before we exited the park. I got the twins to pose and hug and my heart melted!!
I have two little ones of of my own and I know how much love you can have for someone…but GEAPERS…I think these twins might just be the CUTEST on the planet…period!
Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!
