I’ve really been looking forward to capture Len & Inke again after their absolutely gorgeous engagement shoot in Cape Town a few months ago.  This time round it was their wedding at the historic and all natural Babylonstoren.  Since I love the outdoors so much, I’m not a constant fan of studio work.  But when I saw the room next to where Inke got ready, I was drawn to the pureness of it all to compliment this bride in a different way.  I love what we got in this farm room with this combo of natural light & the setup of my Swiss portable studio lights.  A friend borrowed the couple his Cadillac for the day and vintage saturated the couple shoot  from the start.  Add the phenomenal garden and surroundings for a shoot to be treasured.  All so lovely (jy weet!).

Compliments to Len & Inke for their natural looks (and some fun posing!).  I am sure you will love these as I do.

We broke the wedding shoot up over 2 days to get the most of the whole island and good light.  The first day‘s main focus was the wedding at Sainte Anne Resort and build up to it.  This second day would be more relaxed and almost experimental.  I am always keen for whatever the couple is prepared to give to me to shoot … and these guys didn’t hold back at all.

Prior to the trip, we discussed the probability of spending the last hour in the water.  They were keen before and even more so on the day.  The Seychelles is hot and humid place!  I loved what we got and how naturally and special it came.

Adri assisted and travelled with me for this day’s shoot.  She had some great ideas – some of which needs her credit below.  Thanks babe!

Derek & Ashleen – I hope these came out even better than you thought.  It was an absolute pleasure working with and getting to know you better.  Thanks for your trust and willingness to make this possible in such a special way.  Blessings to you both!

This archipelago of islands must be one of my top 5 places on the globe (so far!).  The Seychelles absolutely blows my mind every time I get a chance to go there.  It is truly a photographer’s paradise as one can see from yesterday’s post!   Naturally I have been extremely excited to do Derek and Ashleen’s wedding on Sainte Anne Island, about 4km from the main island Mahe.   It features just one exclusive resort on the whole island.  This meant we had a whole island to use for their wedding!  And I think we made the most of it (even though our bags with some stands, diffusers, etc didn’t arrive till after the shoots were done!)

Derek and Ashleen lives in the UK and met through work in London.  They absolutely fit like a glove!  It is a feast to start a conversation and to see these two take it and each other apart with their unique Northern Irish humour.  Absolutely brilliant!  I really enjoyed their lovely company and infectious hospitality.  They did so well in these shoots and made it all worth the effort.  Ashleen produced tears by the bucket during the ceremony (all for the photos of course); they braced an army of monstrous mosquitos in the forrest and were willing to get wet when the sky turned grey & grainy at night.  They even went further for the highlight of the shoot in my mind the next day … but more on this after the weekend for the second day’s shoot.

For now, here is the official selection of the wedding day of this beautiful couple.  The next day’s shoot (Part 3) follows after the weekend …

It has been so busy since we’ve got back, that I am still preparing the stunning Seychelles wedding from last week.  It should be up very soon though.  As an intro, here is the island and a few beach shots to make you escape reality.  It is really this awesome!

I have memories of a blonde wee girl cycling on a tricycle in the backyard of the house opposite of ours.  Anje used to only be the much younger neighbour girl I never really knew.  Our paths crossed years later at our church and things must have climaxed when I was asked to do Andrew and her wedding in our home town of (the mind blowing beautiful) Montagu.  Even the house where Anje got ready in Montagu is any photographer’s dream.  The day was awesome, special, dear and in every sense close to my heart.

Andrew had to travel all the way from Toronto, Canada to meet Anje at a Community Project in Swaziland.  It is here where he found more than what he was searching for.  He’s really an awesome guy.  I loved meeting his family and friends on the day and their presence really made the special Platform 62 venue in Ashton come alive.  What a party and great place!

Enjoy these guys – I am excited for what your future holds.  Go for it!

Adri and I have just returned from the Seychelles after a mind blowing wedding and rest week there.  Keep a look out for this exciting feature and more on the blog soon!

We returned to the following exciting news:  One of the weddings I covered at the end of last year got chosen as one of the Best Real Weddings by Cosmopolitan Bride!   You can see the feature below.  The Blog post shows much more – it is one I am very proud of.  Thanks Cosmo Bride!  This is much appreciated and a great start to a work week!

It has been a while since I have been to such a lekka wedding on a farm.  The shed looked out of this world and the 200 people made it come alive in a night that will long be remembered by all.

A bit of a marketing break. Stefan & Francisce chose some great service providers who I can highly recommend.   DJ Chopper : wow, how she read this crowd well and made the evening a success.  Helga and her team from Helga Bridal – for making Francisce shine.  Always a massive pleasure to work with you and thanks for always being finished way before the scheduled time.   Also a joy to work with is Jaco & Caryn from Jubilani Videos who do a great job.  Lastly and as intro to the rest, I have to mention Boer & Brit wines with this wedding, as it is the actual Boer who got married …

I have shot a wedding at this stunning Dreyer farm before when eldest sister Anné got married to Duncan.   Stefan & Francisce’s wedding took on a different vibe and I wanted the photos to reflect their uniqueness.  I hope I managed.  Francisce’s mom asked me to get a shot of Stefan with a bull (specially for you below); there’s the couch, the forest and of course the shed.  I love the “marketing” shots of the Suikerbossie Brut that I personally think reflects the brand pretty well.

Above all, the couple did so well on yet another perfect April afternoon in our beloved ZA.  In a strange way, I felt such a strong sense of my heritage whilst capturing this wedding.  It made me proud to have my roots down here in this land with a beautiful past and a hopeful future.  I believe their will be many more perfect April afternoons in Stefan & Francisce’s lives.  And many more perfect days for us in our country.

Live today and make the most of it.  You can start by viewing these …

Cassie is married to a World & Double Paralympic Champ – Ilse Hayes.  Although I am tempted to abbreviate on her long list of success and achievements on & off the track, I thought to rather focus on what matters most:  the love between a husband and wife.  The Cassie & Ilse we got to know as our neighbours.

I take my hat off to both these two for their perseverance, constant friendliness and for taking on life in their stride.  They are so much fun together and their joy contagious.  Their humbleness is an example to all and they always know from Whom to draw their strength.  Our kids are always priority to them (by the way, when do we do that baby sitting you always offer Cassie?!) and the banter across the street is endless.  Thank you for being great neighbours and such an examples to us.

A huge congratulations to you both for Ilse’s Order of Ikhamanga that she will receive from our President this Saturday.  This National Order is the highest achievement a country can bestow on its citizens.  On Saturday, Ilse will officially join our country’s list of legends.  But both Cassie & Ilse have long ago already achieved that status in our hearts.

To the legends …

I really love catching up with couples & families whose wedding photos I have done!  Ross & Blythe are expecting soon and we captured these whilst catching up as old friends.

R&B – you guys make me love my work.  The way our paths crossed and keep on crossing, is definitely no coincidence and I am looking forward to a life long friendship between our families.  You two have the most beautiful hearts that will make you super parents.  Enjoy every moment of it.  And keep on blessing!

Saturday was the perfect example why so many people want to get married in Stellenbosch in April.  The weather was perfect; sunny yet cozy; beautiful light; amazing contrats and colours everywhere.  Molenvliet Estate never disappoints and got a funky farm-vide going through the brilliance of Hanneke through Jade & her team from Jadé Customised Events.  So much detail and thought went into this day – it was a pleasure to capture it all.

One of the biggest features was the perfectly matured, red VW bus.  Wow – it had so much potential.  I scouted the whole morning to find a practical field where we would be able to park this baby and shoot away.  Unfortunately, the VW broke down on the way (at a busy intersection) and we had to settle for the first piece of open land where the groomsmen could push it to.  It is a pity, but we managed to get a few shots of this legend that has a story to tell.  Awesome idea though.  Let’s have another shoot when it is up and running again!

Abrie & Hanneke – baie dankie vir julle geduld en vertroue.  Dit was verfrissend om deel te vorm van julle dag.   Mag julle hierdie baie geniet en dit jul verwagtinge oortref.  Blessings.