Just a quick newsflash : I’ve had the privilege to be asked by the very talented Rob Kellerman for photos for his new CD.  He knows that I love Africa and her people and needed shots that would compliment his music. I submitted and hoped that some would work.  I was extremely surprised when he popped in the other day with a complimentary CD in hand.  My shots looked great in the booklet and most of all, he loves it!  Feel free to enjoy his music / order your own copy of the CD here.  And keep a look out for this deep raw talent in the future!

I had the sole privilege to capture Canadian Worship Leader – Brian Doerksen – at the 2011 Shofar Conference.  It was just plain awesome!

I had the privilege to quickly meet and photograph this proudly ZA band at a recent wedding at the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town.

Support local bands and like their Facebook page here for updates.

Like you know by now, we love to feature upcoming artists from time to time.  If you, like myself, love photography & music, you will find the following interview with Scottish musician, Cameron MacAllister, both refreshing & interesting.

Cam, do you want to tell the blog readers how the two of us know each another?

I must have known Wil, now, for almost ten years. We first met at Southview Evangelical Church in Chrinside, The Scottish Borders [w: I was living there for 3 years - bliss!]. We then got to know each other through a small bible study group which Wil led at the time. In 2006 I spent some time with Wil in South Africa and Kenya and we travelled for a sort time in India together after my brothers wedding in 2009.

Tell us something interesting about the man called Cameron?

I love to be outside. I love to discover new places and new things and get lost in them until I know them inside out.

I’ve heard you have created quite a stir & excitement with the name of your exhibition in Glasgow later this month.  Tell us more …

Silently Loud: A Photographic Immersion in Music

Yes, Silently Loud is all about portraying the intimacy between the music listener and their music. The main feature of the exhibition is a frame (similar to a pagoda or a gazebo) which the photographs are displayed in. The viewer steps in and is surrounded by photos of musical machinery, records and instruments. This is meant to represent the idea of being immersed in the music, similar to putting on headphones or closing your eyes and focusing solely on the music. Furthermore because it is to take place in my own flat, in Glasgow, it is about sharing my personal experience of music.

The Exhibition was inspired by a lyric from my favourite songwriter, Roddy Woomble: “I hope you took your camera, The silence makes the loudest sound, It seems far too easy to say the same things, I’ll choose my own way… I’ve finally found a new way to say the same things in imaginary ways.”  (Idlewild, El Capitan, 2005) [w: I love this man!]

How then does music and photography link in your life?

I am currently in my final year of Commercial Music, at The University of the West of Scotland. I have always loved music and I have a very eclectic collection. I tend to listen to music on Vinyl and CD. I love the physicality of these formats, the fact that they take effort to listen to, the artwork that comes with them and how collecting them takes up space. [w: just wait till you are married & have kids man - space becomes a problem!]

Photography has been always been a hobby. However, Silently Loud is part of my final university submission. My older brother [w: see my journey & his wedding from India here] and Dad [w: another MacAllister legend!] have always been keen photographers, so I have picked up a few tricks from them. I now love playing around with shutter speeds and capturing movement in my photos. This is a key attribute in the photo’s included in the exhibition.

It is always interesting to hear who / what inspires artists like yourself?

Currently, I am very into Scottish Folk music. Artists like Lau, Kris Drever, Roddy Woomble and Drever, McCusker, Woomble. The music that these artists create is intertwined in Scottish tradition and is inspired by the landscapes and the simpler lifestyle of the Highlands and Western Isles. I have taken a lot of inspiration from their work.

What’s more I like to look closely at things and to see just a small part of something in detail. This is because I like to think about and imagine what the bigger picture is like. The majority of the photos in the exhibition are macro shots, like this.

Do you have a Favourite Band/-s?

This is a big question. The simple answer is so many! But here are a few: Idlewild, Frightened Rabbit, Counting Crows, Pearl Jam and Foo Fighters

Any Favourite Photographers?

Sylvia Plachy. I simply love the simplicity of her photos!

How long have you been doing photography?

I have been a bit of a point and shoot photographer for a while now, but Silently Loud is my first ever exhibition. I am quite nervous about it, but I am really enjoying taking photos for it and having to think about the composition and the different settings on the camera. Also learning how to edit the photos is great. I learn something new everyday!

What are your plans for the future?

In May I graduate from University and I am let loose in the world. I would either like to travel or get a good graduate job. Also if this exhibition goes well, I would be keen to do more in the future.

So finally, specially for our UK readers, give us the that Exhibition Details?

Exhibition: Silently Loud: A Photographic Immersion in Music

Date and Time: Thursday 28^th April and Friday 29^th April @ 7.30pm

Location: 3/1 68 Kent Road, Glasgow, G3 7EF

Details: If you wish to attend, I must receive an e-mail by Friday 22^nd April stating which night you wish to attend (cam.macallister [at ] gmail.com). This is due to the small size of my flat and for catering details.

Camera: Canon Powershot SX210 IS

Editing Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0 / Picnik.com

Perfect, thanks Cam!  All the best for the exhibition and keep us updated with your future plans.  We are watching you … Mr History Maker!

What better way to end this great year by sharing a chronological slideshow mix of our Wedding, Commercial and Personal shoots.

Wow – what a year it was!  Thank you to all my lovely clients, word of mouthers, loyal blog followers, colleagues, family and friends.  I have said it before, but I only seem to get AMAZING PEOPLE to photograph in AMAZING ENVIRONMENTS!  Thank you all – you make me look good!

May 2011 be a extended time of grace and favour for us all!

Blessings & Love,

wil punt

When our church asked for volunteers to shoot at this month’s Praise Services, I jumped at the occasion to shoot Réana Nel … again!  And I just had to do a shoot on the historic date 10.10.10 of course …

Réana and my paths first crossed back in Scotland in 2002.  I’ve organised a show for  The Louis Brittz Band in Berwickshire where I was working at the time and she was the opening artist for him on his UK Tour.  I can still remember how mesmerized everyone was with this young girl’s voice.  It didn’t even matter that most of her songs was in Afrikaans.  It did mean however that I had to translate her whole CD to English as soon as she left town – everyone wanted to know what she was singing about!

This girl is brilliant! If only we could hear and see her more through the local and international media.  She absolutely deserves to be heard.

At least you can see her here below … as well as the Shofar Worship Band playing last night.

Feel free to follow Réana on Facebook.

Although Helmut Meijer has been a real talent on the broader music scene for ages, Saturday was his first solo performance.  And we were there to document this milestone for him.

For many Helmut is known as  a songwriter, artist & producer.   I am privileged to call him much more.  He was my uni flatmate; always keen mountaineering buddy; common dreamer, traveller and African lover; companion and one of my best men at my wedding.  It has been a privilege Hel.  Remember me on the big stages of the world.

I had the privilege to shoot The Arrows Band last night.  This sensational Electroaccoustic, Pop, Nu-Jazz band formed part of  a Shofar Christian Church evening service and blessed the students with their talents.  Although the lighting wasn’t ideal for great band shots, my trusty PocketWizards gave some effect from the right angles.  Still I like the shots.  I thought I’ll include a classic shot when testing the light on the worship team – enjoy Ernst & Christine!

I must say, I loved doing this shoot last night.  Maybe I should try my hand at a few more bands during the winter?!  Lotsa fun!

I’ll soon be posting the last official wedding for the 2009-2010 Wedding Season on the Blog.  It has been a long and great season … I am so thankful!  Post coming soon …

I have been editing like a maniac the past few weeks.  Basically my days are spent  in  front of  a computer  where when you take a break, you quickly try and answer a few important emails.  This the reality of being a professional photographer in the digital age.   Anyway, as I have been editing, I listened to some music and again came across the superb In Fusion album by Darren Green (5th in First SA Idols Competition).  We did the photography for Darren’s album that time round and feel quite honoured to be part of it!  This album has been out since the end of 2008,   but I thought the blog was a good place to share our photography and some of Darren’s music with you.  Enjoy this combination of art.

Click to listen: Hold My Hand | Darren Green

Like it?!  Get your copy here!

Graphic designing and layout by Sunflood Studios

Music Produced and released by Helmut Meijer