On Saturday I shot my first Portuguese wedding. Between the beautiful old Emmanual Catholic church, the incredible reception venue, the grand old Oyster Box Hotel, and all the Portuguese speaking folk, there were moments where I felt like I was in Europe! Here are 4 images which caught my eye as I was downloading at midnight after the wedding. Love the tears glistening in Theresa’s eyes as she arrived at the church and the emotional moment between her and and her Dad just before she was due to walk in.

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Camilla is the kind of girl who loves bling, rich sensual colours, spicy smells and  exotic foods. She loves opulence, OTT and Kim Kardashian and wasn’t going to settle for a traditional wedding. They didn’t have the budget to get married at the Taj Mahal or some other Indian palace and created their own version of a Bollywood/Arabian Nights themed wedding instead. If I could use a word to describe their wedding I would say it would be “sumptuous” ….. She wanted a wedding that appealed to all the senses and did so by using bright colours, Indian food, good wine, gold and more gold, shisha pipes, an amazing Peacock Sorgi cake, bindies and stick on henna art for all the girls. They played eastern music before everyone sat down for speeches and once those were done a belly dancer arrived as surprise entertainment. What I loved about this wedding was that it was so Camilla. I just love it when people’s personalities shine through their weddings. Not sure if Ryan is a bling man but he sure seemed happy to please his new bride.

They got married at Our Lady of Fatima Church and had their reception in a hall at the Italian Club. For their creative shoot we went to the most amazingly opulent house on Montieth Place. I honestly could have taken pics there all day and it was torturous only having an hour to shoot!!!!! For me this wedding really goes to show that if you don’t have a huge budget you can still create something awesome if you use some creative flare and originality.

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I have never really been one for competitions in fact I have only entered one photography competition in my whole life. This was the Nikon awards which were held last year and even then I didn’t enter a single wedding pic. A while back I stumbled on The Fearless Photographers site and was blown away. This is a group of photographers who are dedicated to seeing beyond “safe” wedding shots and are pushing boundaries in terms of moment capturing, interesting angles an wonderful composition. Every few months they have a competition and the winners are given “Fearless Awards”. I decided to enter. A few days ago they put about 100 images up to public vote on their facebook page, the 10 with the most votes were then given awards along with the other 110 or so that had already been chosen by an independent panel of judges. 3 of my images made it through to this round but didn’t make it to the finals where photographers are given awards. A whole load of you voted and I would like to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for voting for me. It is much appreciated. 2 other images of mine did however make it straight through to the finals which is just such a huge accolade as I am constantly inspired by this site and cannot believe my images are even anywhere near this level of photography. They received over 2000 entries and only 126 images received awards. Sooo happy!!!!

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I came across the Fearless Wedding Photographers some time back and they literally blew me out of the water! This is an organisation and wedding photography directory which is dedicated to Kickaas wedding photography that pushes the boundaries and seeks to go for shots which aren’t safe!!! Let’s face it alot of wedding photography can be a bit cheesy or pretty or soft and romantic (and there is a place for everything and a market for all types of work) but, this site is dedicated to capturing crazy moments, thinking out of the box, brilliant composition, creativity and lighting. These are all things I aspire to in my work (don’t always achieve but try my best to). I applied to join them some time back and they accepted which really humbled me as I wasn’t sure if I was good enough. They have what they call the Fearless Awards every couple of months where photographers from all over the world send in their work and these are judged by panels of judges and the winning photographers are given Fearless Awards. No prizes just the accolade! The level of photography in these is bloody inspiring!!!! I sent in 10 pics for the Fearless Awards Round 6. Now I never do this but they have put up a bunch of pics on facebook and are asking for people to vote for 10 to be added to the already chosen finalists. This has to be done by Monday. Please pretty please could you head over to Fearless like their page and then like my pics. I would be greatly appreciative!!!!!!!!!!! Now I wonder if any of my other pics got chosen for the finals already? Holding all fingers and toes. It would certainly be a big honor for me.

CLick here to like the Fearless Page and here to find the album in which my pics are.

The following are the 3 pics that need to be voted for. The first 2 are from my brothers wedding which is exciting and the last one is from Sandy and Nate’s wedding.

Thanks so much in advance!!!!!!

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When I think back to Erin-Leigh and Greg’s wedding, I think of  the gorgeous dresses (all made by Erins’ very talented Mom), the pretty decor (done by their family friend Sandy from SweetP), the crazy wind and the ridiculously cute flower girls in their wings, tutus and gumboots. But more importantly I recall the amazing family bonds and strong friendships that were so prevalent and obvious. It was an emotional day with Erin shedding tears often but they were tears of joy and she definitely wasn’t the only one!

Their wedding was one of the first to happen at the Collisheen’s new wedding venue the Orchid House and it all ran like clockwork! I just love the old flooring in the bedroom where the girls got ready!

Wishing you a lifetime filled with love, luck and happiness …… Thanks guys for picking me!!!

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Carla is South African Champion belly dancer and a really lovely girl! We took these pictures yesterday and I just cannot believe she was nervous for the shoot as she rocked it! I look forward to our next session, we had so much fun!!

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I met Tresor for the first time whilst photographing one of Durban’s hot new music talents, Holly. Tresor came to help out and I was struck by the amazing light that he carries. Hard to describe unless you have met him but he just has a warm glow about him. Tresor meaning treasure in french is from the Congo and came to South Africa in 2007 not knowing how to speak a word of English. In just four years he has not only learnt to speak English fluently but he now writes songs and sings in English. He is currently recording his new album and hopes it will be released by the end of the year. His music could be described as alternative soul and it reminds me of Coldplay or One Republic. When we did this shoot I was aiming for one image which summed him up … a talented man moving from the unknown bathed in light ….. here’s 3.

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Camilla and Ryan’s wedding had a Bollywood/ Arabian theme yesterday. It was really something special and I found it impossible not to edit these 3 while downloading last night!  Off for a brunch with the family now. Happy Sunday everyone (although I hear the Boks have just lost so perhaps that is the wrong thing to say today!)

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Stu and I got engaged in Madagascar on the 23rd of July this year which most definitely  one of the best things to have ever happened to me! He is my balance, my rock and sometimes my head!!!!

When we sat down to plan our engagement party we realised we had to do it sooner rather than later as I have one heck of a crazy schedule with very few weekends off these days. Stu also works abroad which made things even more tricky. When we decided on a date Stu’s Mom and her husband booked tickets to come visit us from the UK and it was all systems go.

The week leading up to the engagement party was ridiculously stressful trying to juggle work, admin coming out of my ears, my personal shoots, organising the party, Stu’s folks being out here from the UK and friends and family visiting from other parts of the country. I remember feeling quite freaked out and overwhelmed and started dreading the actual wedding. (not getting married just the wedding bit)

Then the Party day came and all of that was blown straight out of the window. It was honestly one of the happiest days of my whole entire life. To have so many people whom I love, admire, respect and adore all around us celebrating our love and commitment was just so damn awesome.

I am now so excited for our wedding. Yes I know it will be stressful to organise but I know I will be marrying the man of my dreams surrounded by the people who mean the world to me and that is what is important!!!!

Here are some pics!

PS Huge thanks to Drew for doing my hair and Charelle for doing my make up. To Mom and Dad for having all of us. To Wilma for baking up a storm and to Keith for flying out here! Thanks to Carissa for lending us all the cutlery and crockery. Thanks also to everyone for coming and celebrating with us and also for the amazing prezzies. Last but not least huge thanks to my brilliant assistant Tash for taking all of these photos. She is the bomb and I think she has done such a marvelous job!!! Welldone Tash. Round of applause!!!!

PPS Stu says he needs a special mention for his lamb and pork spit cooking expertise. I am vegetarian and he loves meat but it works!

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