Some of you might remember Sandra and David from the couple shoot I did end of last year. I was so excited to see what these 2 gorgeous people of Portuguese origin’s wedding would be like and what a feast for the eye it was! Sandra, being a natural beauty, was radiant in her gorgeous Kobus Dippenaar gown and Sebastine Peplar worked her magic doing Sandra’s hair and make-up. I also loved the combination of David’s suit, shoes and hairstyle. The day was a whirlwind of exciting activity. Nastassja (my wonderful assistant for the day, thanks Tash!) and I started the day at the Eden on the Bay complex on the Big Bay beach front in Blouberg where Sandra lives and also got dressed for her big day. After taking some lovely candid shots in this beautiful light filled apartment, we set off to their church in Table View. Sandra & David really enjoyed their ceremony, they could not stop looking at each other and their eyes were filled with joy and laughter. Our next stop was de Grendal farm in Milnerton. Being an avid lover of animals, I am quite jealous of Sandra who makes use of horses in her professional capacity as a child-horse-interaction psychologist at de Grendal. She wanted pictures of her and the beautiful white creature (featured on some of these photo’s) on her wedding day. There after we travelled to Nelson’s Creek, just outside Wellington, where guests were entertained by Jamie Faull’s sax playing talent and mouth watering canapés. We were lucky enough to catch the last bit of light for some more couple photo’s at the venue. Although David apparently dislikes talking in front of a crowd (and lets face it, there are not many of us who don’t get nervous at the thought of talking to a sea of faces!) the guests were highly entertained by his speech and witty humour. At one stage David himself could not stop laughing! Sandra and David really put in a lot of effort in creating the perfect day of their dreams. Every little detail was considered, from the vibrant choice of flowers to the blowing of bubbles during the opening of the dance floor. Sandy & David, thank you so, so much for having me as your photographer, it was such a treat to work with you guys. You are such beautiful, kind hearted and fun people!
Dress: Kobus Dippenaar
Hair & Makeup: Sebastine Pepler
Decor & Flowers: To-Netts
Videographer: Olive juice productions
Wedding coordination: Pia Dewar
Stationery: Project Flair
Sax player: Jamie Faull (this guy was excellent!)
(For photographers: The church was very dark for taking photos, the only light I used was my on camera flash on manual overexposed at two thirds of a stop and using my ‘good friend’ the Gary Fong diffuser. I made use of the 5D mark 2’s awesome iso capabillities and took all the shots at 2500 iso. I used my 24-70mm f2.8 lens. Then, afterwards in Lightroom, I played around with colour correction which really elevated the end result. I will never set up a second light in a church as I find it to be quite distracting, but this is just my personal opinion!)
Isn’t she gorgeous!?
I love the colours here:
Hierdie was so ‘n fun shoot! Nanette en haar man JG het die pragtigste klein dogtertjie, Nina. Sy was regtig ‘n ‘treat’. Dit is ongelooflik hoe so ‘n klein mensie alreeds ‘n persoonlikheid van haar eie het! Nanette het baie moeite gedoen met die voorbereiding vir die fotosessie, sy het onder andere helium balonne gaan koop en ‘n paar oulike outfits vir haar en klein Nina gereed gehad vir variasie. Sy het ook haar 2 sussies betrek, aangesien hulle so ‘n groot rol in Nina se lewe speel. Ons het eers by hulle oulike huisie in Welgevonden foto’s geneem en toe by La Pinetta (langs die R44) in die laat middag son. Nina is reeds ‘n klein waaghals, sy was uit haar nate toe haar pa haar hoooog in die lug gooi en het ook ‘n hoë glyplank aangedurf. Dankie julle, dit was so maklik en lekker om foto’s van so ‘n spontane klompie te kon neem!
Kyk die oulike swart bootsies!
Kyk net daai gesiggie!
Klein Jack is ook betrek by die foto’s
Nina was baie cool in haar rooi bril
Die laat middag lig was beautiful by La Pinetta
Nina is glad nie bang nie!
Oh there were so many things that I loved about Carla & Kim’s wedding. Firstly, the colour palette - the couple chose rosy pinks and soft greens & purples for the flowers and stationery, juxtaposed with more vibrant colours such as Carla’s bright pink shoes and the dark pink colour of the bridesmaids’ dresses. Secondly, I have so much appreciation for couples who think out of the box with a hands on approach when it comes to visualizing their big day - for example guests relaxed on ‘poofs’ at the reception as opposed to chairs. Thirdly, their wedding took place in Kim’s parents’ garden which is next to a stream surrounded by magestic mountains in the beautiful small town of Greyton. This wedding was not only magic because of the setting, but also because Carla & Kim are just so perfectly suited for each other - they are so kind hearted, witty and intelligent. Although it was 42 degrees celsius in Greyton on the 20th of Feb, we found a few soft light spots (some of you would know that I looooove soft light because it molds shapes so beautifully) especially the soft moss green light of the ‘tree’ shots. Carla & Kim, thank you for trusting me to capture your special day!
Romantic, vintage wedding gown: Elizabeth Stockenström (she designed my wedding dress as well!)
Guesthouse where bride got dressed: Anna’s Country Accommodation (I loved the rustic-bohemian interior of this room!)
Décor & Flowers: Chocolate Rose
Ek het so ‘n rukkie terug die voorreg gehad om tyd saam met die Hertzog familie in Bakoven te spandeer. Klein Mieke is te oulik vir woorde, sy het die mooiste glimlag, nes haar ma Ria. Ria verwag volgende week ‘n dogtertjie, Lisa. Ons het eers ‘n bietjie tyd spandeer in hulle huis en toe is almal af strand toe, wat ‘n voorreg om so naby die strand te kan bly! Pa Wilhelm het ook hier by ons aangesluit en Mieke was veral ingenome daarmee om hoooooog in die lug te kon wees, sy kon nie ophou lag nie! Die laatmiddag lig het ook ‘n lieflike goue skynsel oor die oulike gesinnetjie gegooi. Dankie julle dat ek hierdie tyd saam met julle kon spandeer en geniet elke oomblik wat voorlê met die aankoms van die nuweling!
Can there be any better place to exchange your vows than doing so in the beautiful small town Riebeek Kasteel…and to be surrounded by all your special friends (who came from all over the world!) and family in the court yard of the nostalgic Karoo - chic Royal Hotel?! This is exactly the memorable day that Cindy and Ben (both South Africans who now reside in the UK) were blessed to have in sunny South Africa. The atmosphere at this wedding was light, laid-back and unpretentious. The formalities were cut to the minimum (except for both Cindy & Ben and some of their friends who demonstrated amazing oratory skills!). My task was to capture the general feel of the day without taking any ‘formals’ of the bride and couple, ensuring that everyone had plenty of time to relax and enjoy one another’s company. Everyone, young and old were enjoying their hearts out at Cin & Ben’s wedding. Thank you guys for entrusting me to capture this special day for you! I loved the venue so much that I am hoping that another couple will book me for a wedding there real soon!
A lot of attention to detail which I loved!
Isn’t he the coolest boy?!
The guests were impeccably dressed!
The ladies looked gorgeous in their colourful dresses…
There was lots of laughter (and a little bit of tears!)..
These guys were awesome and entertained the guests during the reception.
I met Lisa and Nico in 2008 when I photographed their wedding. When Lisa contacted me for family pics, I was super excited to see the new extention to their family. I had a big smile on my face when I saw Gregory for the first time on their farm outside Wellington - Gregory is the most adorable kid. He never cried once and has multiple facial expressions as you will see from these pics! At 9 months he is no small boy, just look at those legs! His parents took turns to carry Gregory as he really gets heavy after a while. Whether it was grapes, a tractor or some of his toys, he gets so exuberantly excited, he starts pulling monkey faces and kicking his small legs, to cute for words!! I had so much fun with the Empedocles family, thank you guys!
I am so excited to share with you my first double page spread magazine feature! Em-Renke & Istvan Mihalik’s wedding was and still is special for various reasons, one being that it took place in Sydney, Australia, where my lovely friend Madali and her family emigrated and secondly because it was the very first wedding that I shot on my own! So, how did these photos get into this gorgeous magazine, Real Weddings Style? Madali works at a cutting edge stationery company, Huetopia design in the heart of Sydney. Since she made all the beautiful stationery for Em-Renke’s wedding, they decided to send some pics through to Real Weddings Style. As you can imagine, I was super excited when I heard that they were going to publish it! Madali, her mum and sisters did all the décor planning themselves and the result was an unique, vintage and romantic style which I fell in love with!
Sydney harbour and bridge on the left and Madali and I on the right. Visiting my friend in Sydney and photographing Em-Renke’s wedding was such an awesome experience!
Die Vrydagoggend voor Anneme en Hentas se troue, was ek nog op Mauritius vir my honeymoon, nietemin was ek baie opgewonde toe ek Saterdag by Kronenburg aankom want ek het geweet Anneme en alles by haar troue gaan beeldskoon wees, en ek was geensins teleurgesteld nie! Anneme het gelyk asof sy reg uit ‘n silwerdoek rolprent in die 1950’s gestap het - romanties, klassiek…’n ware godin in wit! En nie vir een oomblik het haar groot glimlag verdwyn nie, sy het behoorlik gestraal. Hentas se oë het ook geskitter toe hy sy bruid vol glimlagte aan haar pa se sy by die kerkpadjie sien afkom. Die seremonie wat in ‘n baie ligte luim afgespeel het, was baie spesiaal en die twee het gereeld na mekaar gedraai die ene opgewondenheid in hul gesigte. Ons was aanvanklik onseker waar ons die foto’s sou neem en toe ek en Adél vroeër die middag die Paarl binne ry, ry ons verby ‘n ou hotel en cuban restaurantjie teen die hoofstraat, dadelik kon ek die potensiaal van die ou lig blou deur en oranje muur sien - te danke aan Hentas se donker pak en Anneme se beeldskone swart hare, het hulle lekker gekontrasteer met die agtergrond. Die twee, wat albei dokters is, het duidelik die fotosessie geniet en was baie natuurlik! Die onthaal was ook besaai met ‘n gelag en ‘n gedans, voorwaar ‘n bruilofsfees!
These two were just such a treat! What started out as a holiday romance in Europe turned into a loving, permanent commitment on a beautiful summer’s day in Houw Hoek, Grabouw. Bob is American and Hanneke grew up in Ceres, South Africa. The couple now lives in the US where Hanneke is a pilates instructress (after saying good bye to the corporate scene) and Bob plays in a band and is involved in theatre schooling. Long after Hanneke booked me, I met her at her childhood friend Bonnie’s wedding where she was a bride’s maid. She was so bubbly and energetic and I was immediately excited about their up-coming wedding and meeting her husband to-be. There was no doubt in my mind that after seeing Bob that he had to be the perfect match for her! They laugh and joke all the time, they are so energetic and can turn any moment into a passionate one when their eyes meet. It is clear that they are the best of friends and could not wait to embark on this new joined adventure. I just have to mention something about Hanneke’s dress and her whole look - isn’t she gorgeous?! Her dress fitted her slim figure like a glove and her dainty shoes and beautiful hair clip just completed the picture of a (sorry for the cliché..) fairy tale bride! Their outside ceremony was so special and what really warmed my heart was to see the close, loving relationship which these two have with their parents. There was no holding back at the reception - while there was more than enough to feast on, the dance floor was not quiet (and entertaining!) for one moment. I hope you enjoy this set of images, because I really enjoyed taking them!
Yes, Hanneke had absolutely no problem balancing on those heels!
Bob surprized Hanneke with gift, she was very excited!
Bob did his vows in English and Hanneke did her’s in Afrikaans..
Hanneke did ballet for many years, just look at her posture!
II knew that pulling faces will work with these two, I lovit!
Mike was really a source of entertainment for the evening. He even did a fire show later!
Malaysia and South Africa met each other one beautiful day in Perth, Australia. En Nee (’Annie’) and André found their true love while working in the same hospital. These two share a deep, sensitive and quiet love for each other and it was a real privilege to capture this sacred, heart-warming day in their lives. En Nee and André must be very dear to their family and friends because almost every corner of the world was represented at their wedding on this scorcher of a day in January. I was in love with En Nee’s dress, especially the beautiful bead work on the bodice. And how cool is the bridesmaids’ dresses - something fresh and different in the most beautiful colour! There’s nothing that matches the excitement of seeing a beautiful bride striding down a long, red carpeted isle towards her husband-to-be waiting in anticipation. The celebration took place there after at Asara wine farm just outside Stellenbosch. It was clear that everyone had a fabulous time and the party was in full swing till late (nothing like a live band to keep you glued to the dance floor!) - some of the guests were extremely entertaining with their dance moves! Even the little ones looked like they had a fun time - just check out the expression on the little guy’s face in the last photo!
Flowers & décor: Leipzig
Church: Moederkerk, Stellenbosch
Annette en Louwrens het hul historiese dag saam met 220 gaste gevier by Kronenburg, net buite Paarl. Dit was nou vir jou ‘n feestelike geleentheid soos min! Ek was gaande oor hulle dekor daar was net genoeg van alles sodat dit nie oordadig was nie, maar steeds uiters deftig en smaakvol. Annette het klassiek en sag gelyk in haar Audrey Hepburn - geïnspireerde rok, dit het haar soos ‘n handskoen gepas! Annette se pa het die diens gelei wat die seremonie ekstra spesiaal gemaak het. Daarna is ons weg om die couple en hul gevolg se foto’s te neem. Ek het lanklaas so ‘n spontane klomp bymekaar gesien, almal was meer as bereid tot deelname en het gelyk of hulle hulself gate uit geniet. Annette was ook een van die mees spontaanste bruide waarmee ek al gewerk het, sy het hierdie lieflike groot glimlag en liefde wat uit haar straal en net een kyk vir Louwrens en sy oë lag ook saam. Een van die verassings van die dag, was toe ons terugkeer na foto’s by Kronenburg en al 220 gaste sit netjies in die amfiteater gereed vir die groepfoto!
Annette en Louwrens, dankie dat ek hierdie wonderlike dag saam met julle kon deel en ek hoop julle geniet hierdie voorskou!
Ilze en Dave se troue was my laaste een van 2009 en wat ‘n hoogtepunt om op te eindig! Met dié dat die vakansie tussen-in was, weet ek hulle wag nou al lank in afwagting vir hierdie foto’s - ek hoop dit was die wag die moeite werd! Ilze en David is onafskeidbaar van vroeg al op universiteit. Ek was bevoorreg om hulle 6 jaar gelede te kon ontmoet en ek het baie uitgesien om eerstehands hulle troudag te kon beleef. Die hele dag was ‘n sprokie soos min. Dit het begin met die tuinrose in allerhande skakerings van pienk vir die dekor en is voortgesit in Ilze se beautiful rok (die kant het sy spesiaal gebring van Korea waar sy en David onderwys gegee het), sagte grimering en bouquet. Ek was ook gek oor haar sagte pienk skoene wat sy van Korea af huis toe gebring het. Die seremonie was ook op ‘n ligte trant en duiwe is vrygelaat toe Ilze en David by die kerk uitkom. Die gaste het ook geweet dat daar ‘n groot makietie op hulle wag toe die bruidspaar die dansvloer open deur eers meel op die vloer te strooi. Hierdie troue was nou ‘n behoorlike bruilofsfees van familie en vriende en mens kon sien dat hierdie stunning couple elke oomblik geniet!
Dress: Ilse Roux
Make-up: Merlene Engelbrecht
Bride’s bouquet: Leipzig
I am not sure where to begin commenting on this wedding. The only thing I am dead sure of is that looking back at 2009, I can say with certainty that I had the most fabulous clients! I just love it when a couple decides to make their wedding their own and this is exactly what this gorgeous young couple did. Robyn & Riordyn are officially two of the coolest people I have worked with and totally at ease in front of the camera. They have the most gentle of spirits, they are extremely passionate about Jesus and they are…well so incredibly funky! When I arrived at the Spier hotel where Robyn got dressed, I was thrilled to see the lounge area - this was something fresh and different! Robyn totally pulled off her look and I seriously felt like I was doing a shoot for a fashion mag - the vibrant colours and interesting textures complimented her ‘look’ so well. Arriving at Vredenheim I found Riordyn and his best men ready for the pre-ceremony shoot. The four of them seemed like the best of friends and they showed some serious attitude - when editing these pics I thought to myself ’these guys look like they are members of a very cool band’! Like his bride, Riordyn has these gorgeous lively eyes that simply dive into the lens. The ceremony was held outside and it was truly heart warming, especially the part where they read out their vows to each other - it was so personal and completely derived from any clichés. After the couple shoot everyone was ready for the party!
Robyn & Riordyn, thank you for having me as your photographer - I had a fabulous time working with you guys and I wish you an extremely blessed life together.
Iréne & Pieter is twee van die spontaanste, vriendelikste mense wat ek nog gesien het en hulle pas mekaar soos ‘n handskoen! Ek dink nie ek het een foto van Iréne geneem waar sy nie glimlag nie, sy het die grootste glimlag en borrelende lag wat almal om haar ook laat lag! Sy het beeldskoon gelyk in haar rok (Ilze Roux se ontwerp) en sagte grimering. Die weer was 11 Desember in Hermanus so perfek soos wat ‘n dag by die see maar kan wees. Hulle het in die pragtige klipkerkie (St Peters Anglikaanse kerk) in die hoofstraat van Hermanus getrou en daarna het ons sommer die foto’s met die dramatiese klip mure in die agtergrond geneem (my absolute gunsteling is die een waar hulle so lekker lag onder haar veil) en vandaar het ons afgesuiker na die straatjie onder die kerk wat teen die see verby loop. Dit was so ‘n lieflike dag - die see was ‘n simfonie van kleure - turqoise, die wit skuim van die branders en ‘n diep, helder blou. Die onthaal het daarna gevolg by La Vierge in die pragtige Hemel en Aarde vallei net voor Hermanus. Die uitsig vandaar is hemels en so ook die kos wat voorgesit was. Iréne en Pieter is twee baie begaafde mense - hulle is albei dokters en Iréne is ook ‘n baie talentvolle pianis. Hul lewensvreugde en opregte passie vir mense was vir my so mooi om te sien. Ek het na die tyd ook vir Adêl, my assitent, gesê dat die foto’s van hulle na die seremonie so maklik was, net omdat die twee so vriendelik en spontaan was. Blykbaar het hulle slegs ‘n handjie vol foto’s van hulleself, maar op die dag was hulle soo natuurlik voor die kamera, hulle hoef net na mekaar te kyk en dan helder die glimlagte op! Iréne & Pieter ek hoop julle geniet hierdie voorskou van julle troufoto’s en dat julle nou baie kiekies vir fotorame gaan hê!
Sandra & David booked me for their wedding end of 2008 already. At that stage I was at the very beginning of my career with only 5 weddings in my portfolio! So, I really felt flattered when they booked me. On Monday we did their Engagement shoot in the beautiful Jonkershoek / Eerste rivier area in Stellenbosch - how gorgeous is the light and textures of the pebbles, grasses and slopes?! And do I need to mention that this is one of the hottest couples I have ever seen?! Their wedding will be on the 27th of Feb next year, can’t wait!
Tanja & Pierre are such a sweet couple. I had the privilege of meeting them beginning this year when they contacted me for their wedding stationery. Right from the start I knew that there was going to be nothing average about this wedding. Every little detail was considered. And what a joy it was to see it all come together on the 5th of December! I considered myself so lucky when I arrived at the venue to photograph the décor (by Okasie in Stellenbosch), this could have kept me busy for at least an hour! How awesome is the touches of yellow, gold, soft green and linen striped table cloths! I definitely haven’t seen anything so unique before! The next pleasant surprise was when we arrived at Terra de Luc where Tanja and her bridesmaids got dressed. Tanja’s gorgeous dove grey dress with lace detail was astonishingly beautiful. I also loved Pierre’s neat suit and leather brown shoes. The guys’ button holes was, as expected, something different and soooo cute! After the lovely ceremony in the Simondium Church we head off for Val de Vie. For those of you not familiar with this estate, it is a stunner! When you walk onto the beautiful polo fields and black and white marble floors of the venue, it feels like stepping right into the stylish world of the 1920’s Great Gatsby! I loved the venue’s white chairs and the colourful lights above the dance floor. In summary, Tanja & Pierre’s wedding was a classy and joyful affair!
Tanja & Pierre, dankie dat ek julle stunning troue kon afneem, julle is ‘n beautiful couple. Ek hoop julle geniet hierdie preview!
Make-up: Leisha Jansen
Dress: Klûk
Bride dressed at: Terra de Luc
Décor: Okasie
Stationery: The Wedding Lounge
Venue: Val de Vie
