Imagine booking a stranger from another continent to capture your wedding. He rocks up the day before the wedding as white as snow with a bloodshot left eye and wobbly legs. And as you drive him from the airport to his hotel, he politely ask you to stop next to the road as he can’t help to break the news that he can’t keep anything in as for the past 4 hours.
So, how would you have reacted?
It all started with this surprise shoot for Linda in our beloved South Africa in January. I met up with and captured the 3 of them in Franschhoek on one of those superb summer afternoons in Africa. I am glad to say they loved what they saw and they decided to invite me to capture their wedding in Noordwijk aan Zee, Suid-Holland. Of course it didn’t take much for me to accept their invitation! I booked my KLM flight to Amsterdam and was off …
I’ve had the privilege to travel quite a bit in my life. It is part of me and my family and stimulates my work tremendously. What went wrong on this flight though, I have no idea. (It kind of reminded me of a flight from Nairobi once after an all-the-meat-you-can-eat-night at Carnivore back in 1999). Let’s just put it this way – I’ll always be thankful for the air sickness bag in the seat pocket in front of me from now on.
I think I personally would have freaked out a bit. But Jouke and Linda was caring and supportive and made me feel like a person and not as a service provider only. After a prayer, 90min power nap, Coke, sandwich and double espresso, I was ready to scout the beautiful, flat landscapes of the West Coast of the Netherlands with Jouke. It turned out to be an amazing afternoon with a guy who became a friend in such a short time. His character and honesty showed me the man Linda fell in love with and I went to bed that night extremely excited to capture these two wonderful people amongst their loved ones.
I decided to make my choice in photos from this day in such a way so that you can join in. It tells the story of their lovely daughter, them meeting at their home, walking their streets, their beach, their favourite spots, passions and people. I’ve had such a blast with them all – it was truly amazing. And the final beach shots – man, I love!
Thanks to their friend René for volunteering to assist and drive me on the day. It was a lot of fun hanging with you (see your funky dance pic as a thank you present 🙂
So without further ado, welcome to Jouke & Linda’s most stunning day in the Netherlands.
