The first enquiry I received from Grant and Mieka was certainly different to most enquiries I receive, they wanted their day documented with an emphasis on people, no pictures of shoes or perfume bottles …. no and I quote  ….”posed bride & groom shots staring into each others eyes on a beautiful sunset walk etc… ; just some quality pics of the actual wedding and the reception”. I don’t think they even wanted a photographer in the beginning but family convinced them otherwise. They didn’t want fancy table decor or expensive bridesmaids dresses ….. their wedding was about commitment, love , family and friends and they stripped it down to the basics. This was all so refreshing for me and I just loved working in this laid back atmosphere. I did convince them to do a few posed photos together …. for their Mom (and future kids). This was my last wedding of this season and what a great one it was. Thanks guys for picking me for your special day.

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When I made this picture I really never expected that it would create such a fuss. I received so many emails asking how I did it. Some compliments and even some negative comments. Instead of answering everyone individually I decided to do a blogpost so that you can step into my headspace for a wee while. I intended to write this ages ago but between my back to back weddings, mountains of editing and my computer dying I just haven’t had the time!

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The first time I met Danette and Duncan was over the New Years period a couple of years back whilst holidaying at my sisters amazing guest house in Transkei (check it out here). It fascinated me how different they are to each other and yet how well they work as a couple. Danette has an extremely serious job as a prosecutor while Duncs is a surfer through and through and works for Spider Murphy one of South Africa’s top surfboard shapers. I was really delighted when Danette called to say that Duncan had said to set a date (they had a VERY long engagement) and that she wanted me to be her photographer for their beach wedding. She actually planned her wedding around when I could shoot it. (no pressure!) They both love the beach and the ocean so they ran this theme through the wedding. The guys started the day off with an early morning surf , they said their vows on the beach and had a beachy theme at the reception which was held at The Estuary Hotel. Thanks guys for picking me to capture your special day! It truly was a pleasure!

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I was really very delighted and flattered to receive an email saying “We love your photography and we would like to feature your work on loveolio.com“. Shooow, what an honor. Love Olio is a really amazing website and directory of the worlds most creative wedding photographers.The site features some of my favorite photographers like Marianne Taylor from the UK and Elizabeth Messina from the States so I do feel very honored. The great thing about this site is that photographers don’t have to pay to be listed like so many of these directories which claim to feature the best photographers in the world. Oh I nearly forgot my good friend from Cape Town Monica Dart is also listed.

I pinched the following text off their site to give you an idea of what they do.

1. Showcase wedding and engagement photography from the most creative and groundbreaking wedding photographers in the world
2. Connect brides and grooms with talented wedding photographers in their area
3. Browse for inspirational décor and design ideas from real weddings

We hand select and feature images from hundreds of wedding photographer’s blogs to showcase their current work. The images can be sorted by location, as well as by the studio’s name, making it easier for brides and grooms to find wedding photographers in their area.

Nadine and Matt did the family thing before getting married. They already have many years together as a couple and 3 beautiful boys. I got to know the 5 of them during their engagement shoot which you can see by clicking here. Matt gave Nadine her perfect fairy tale wedding.  Their big day was soft and romantic filled with flickering candles, gorgeous flowers, pretty pinks and vintage accents. It was the type of wedding little girls dream about with the big princess dress and twinkling fairy lights. Wishing you all a lifetime of happiness. Thanks for picking me to capture your day.

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Sianne’s sister Dawn went to school with me and I have photographed her family through various milestones, so I was really chuffed when Sianne emailed and asked me if I was available to shoot her wedding. I love having some sort of connection with the people involved when I shoot. It just makes things more special for me and I think it shows (that’s why I love to do engagement shoots). Jake is a tattoo artist and owns Glenwood tattoo shop Sin on Skin and his Dad was the first person to open a tattoo shop in Durban. Sianne’s family is definitely more conventional! This really made for a fantastic mix of people and one heck of a party. I thoroughly enjoyed photographing this wedding. It was my first time shooting at Simbithi and the lovely afternoon light made me very happy! Thanks Sianne and Jake for picking me.

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Not so long ago I had a Sunday afternoon off work to play with. My good friend and BRILLIANT hairdresser Drew Christie from Evolve Salon convinced me that I just had to do a shoot with this gorgeous girl with a ‘fierce’ new  haircut (created by him of course …. he is the best). So we headed into afternoon to make some pictures. Cheugnet Christie from Evolve did make up, Drew hair, and Amelda Grieve the styling. Big thanks to all involved and particularly to the very gorgeous model Danielle. I am looking forward to working with this team again in September when I am taking the month off to “normal” work to work on personal projects.

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One thing I learnt about Nadine is that she definitely does things in her own time! It is therefore fitting that Matt and her had 3 beautiful boys before getting engaged and married. Nadine is a Mom through and through and it was important to her that the boys be involved in their Engagement shoot so we divided it into two sessions. We did one on their home beach, Umhlanga, and one at the stables in Umdloti. The light was amazing for both shoots, the first being soft and cloudy and the second magical and sparkly. PS I hope I have a body like that after having a kid let alone 3!

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When Monique started planning her big day she had two main priorities: It was hugely important for her to get married in their family church, Our Lady of Fatima, and she wanted her reception to be at Tala Game Reserve near Pietermaritzburg. The logistics seemed quite tricky as they are rather far apart, so she rather cleverly steered away from the typical 3pm ceremony followed by pictures and then a reception. Instead they had an 11am service in Durban North and a lateish lunch up at Tala. By the time lunch and speeches were finished the light was looking good for pics so we went out on our creative shoot and when we returned at sunset they cut the cake and then hit the dance floor. It was a rather clever schedule I must say as they really got the best of both worlds.

Monique was very adamant that her pics should be on the quirky side with lots of textures and that I should capture lots of moments. Luckily for me I found what I was looking for!

They were a dream to work with and full of laughs. Thanks guys for picking me to be your photographer.

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It rained and poured on my brothers wedding day so we decided do a “day after” creative shoot rather than get drenched. Zo had really wanted a beach wedding and to take full advantage of the beautiful scenery at their chosen wedding venue, Umtamvuna River Lodge. Unfortunately though, the pesky weather ruined all plans (although rainy wedding pics can be quite fun as you can see in Part Two of their wedding pics here) It was still pouring the day after the wedding so there was no shooting then either.

Our diaries were all so chockablock, but we eventually managed to settle on a date to go back down to Port Edward to reshoot. The chosen date was the Sunday after I photographed Meg and Pete’s wedding up at Zulu Nyala Private Game Reserve in Northern Natal. After about 5 hours sleep Tash and I and jumped into the car for a 5 hour drive down south. To say I was exhausted was an understatement but once we got there and started shooting I forgot about being tired and relished in the amazing light and gorgeous location.

It was great fun hopping in and out of boats, shooting through the coconut trees, not having a huge time limit and getting to hang out with my favorites. Thanks to all involved for an awesome day!

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