BLOG
Clinton and Elizabeth | weddIng | Kleinkaap
What a wedding!
Clinton and Elizabeth celebrated their wedding at the gorgeous Kleinkaap Boutique Hotel!
Almost every wedding I share now has a either been postponed due to Covid or they had a small function during Covid, and then the celebration was only done later! With Clinton and Elizabeth, the latter was the case. They had a small function last year to get married, and held out till now to have their celebration…and what a celebration! I have been wanting to shoot a wedding at Kleinkaap Hotel for a while, and finally my dream came true. And yes, we as photographers also have goals and dreams!
Wow, what a wedding…we had rain which made certain images quite tricky, but Clinton and Elizabeth was brave to face some of the rain, and also due to silly season, certain decor elements was done very late because they couldn’t set it up the night before. So Clinton helped out a lot with the decor and flowers…and it looked exquisite!
Congrats Clinton and Elizabeth, for the 2nd time! Lots of blessings on your marriage journey, and may your love for each never be extinguished!
Suppliers who made the day possible:
Venue: @kleinkaaphotel | Makeup and hair: @hester_make_up | Dress: @fynbos_bridal | Flowers: Tias Flower Hyper | Cake: Butterfingers Boutique Bakery | Band: @morningafterband | Video: @snapkustoms | Rings: Schnetler Creations | Stationery: Advertising studio
Enjoy the photos! Please leave a comment for the couple at end…I will maybe include it in their album!
Brandon & Carmen | Wedding | Avianto Hotel and Venue
Wow, we got wet, really wet…but it was all worth it! We even had a rainbow to end off the couple shoot and also a baby reveal during the reception!
This year has been tough on so many levels. Covid and restrictions, and everything that went with it made it so stressful and difficult, but there is always a silver lining to every cloud. When we first made contact, Carmen said I have a stalker…I mean she had been following me very closely on social media! I really felt flattered (and I was smiling from ear to ear), and she said “Doesn’t matter what happens, but we MUST have you as our photographer!”. It means a lot to know through my images I am able to brighten up someone’s day! I always strive to give my clients exceptional images, but as authentic as possible…and that is what she wanted in a photographer! For me there is always a risk, because my clients must “connect” with me as a photographer, and but I also have to make the connection in return…and that is exactly what happened.
Wow, Brandon and Carmen, you are such super down-to-earth people and easy to work with…and the bond between the two of you, wow, that made the photos so freakin’ special!! I enjoyed every second of your wedding, and despite the crazy rain or the Covid regulations, your photos look amazing! And not just because it’s beautiful, but because of the love you have for each other, and due to love your family and friends have for you! There were so many in-between-special-moments that I literally smiled while preparing your images!
We had crazy rain, I mean serious rain…and Carmen was very reluctant to get her hair wet…but we just had to get those rain shots and we did!! You were so brave, and I remember I told Carmen that you can’t have a rainbow if there is no rain! And amazingly, we even had the privilege to end the couple shoot with a rainbow!
Thank you for trusting me with your photos, even after when we met up for coffee, and you had a fright because I had a cast on my left arm. I broke my left elbow really bad, and I had to get 2 screws in my arm. Luckily it happened on the 1st of Nov (yes, it was Voting Day, and I voted with a broken arm) and it had 3 weeks to heal…well up to a point that my cast could come off and I didn’t scare the whole wedding because the photographer arrived with a cast on his arm. I in fact captured 3 weddings in Nov and my arm held up quite nicely!
Enough about me. I have been capturing weddings since 2011 and a first at a wedding happened for me. Brandon and Carmen also had a Baby Reveal….because Carmen was 6 months pregnant at the time of the wedding….and it is a BOY! Congrats! My firstborn is also a boy, and its challenging but such a huge blessing…wait having kids is a challenge but the reward is INCREDIBLE!
Enjoy the photos, and please leave a comment for the couple on my blog! Perhaps I can add it in their album!
Venue: Avianto Hotel and Venue | Jewellery @tying_the_knot_bridal_boutique | Makeup @vowed_sa | Wedding Dress @thebridalsecretsa | Wedding Suit @Tophat | Wedding planner @lanice.png | DJ: Frost Beat Entertainment
Jannie and Danel | Wedding | Leopard Lodge, Harties (teaser)
Wow, what a beautiful and special wedding! Danel is my cousin, and it was a privilege to capture this wedding inside my own family!
Danel is my cousin and it was an absolute privilege to have captured her wedding yesterday…and boy oh boy…the rain was lots but it definitely did NOT dampen the spirit of Jannie and Danel!
It was also my first wedding where my whole family attended…kuddos to my wife who had to keep my kids at bay when daddy had to work! If we would allow, my eldest Lian would have walked Danel down the aisle ;)
Congrats Jannie and Danel! You guys are such an inspirational couple with joyful hearts! May the Lord bless your marriage abundantly like the rains that fell from the Heavens!
Enjoy the sneak peak!
Clinton and Elizabeth | weddIng | Kleinkaap (Teaser)
What a wedding! Clinton and Elizabeth celebrated their wedding at the gorgeous Kleinkaap Boutique Hotel!
Wow, what a wedding yesterday!
Clinton and Elizabeth celebrated their wedding at the gorgeous Kleinkaap Boutique Hotel.
In my years of photographing weddings, I have yet to see a prettier dress…Liz you looked incredible! The rain made couple shoot photos slightly complicated, but oh so beautiful!
Enjoy the teaser!
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
{Click on the image to enlarge}
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!
{Click on the image to enlarge}
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!
