2011 has come and nearly gone and instead of going through a bunch of new years resolutions I thought I would share a few random things I learnt this year along with some non matrimonial fun photos!
When I asked Mo and Len about their marriage they told me that they do everything together. They live together, love together, work together and play together. ”We live along side each other and next to each other always”. I just love how the first image of them on the bike could symbolise the two of them whizzing through life, side by side …. moving as one but still as two individuals on one common vessel.
Brendt and I met in Noosa, Australia way back when the year 2000 was just a young pup. We have hiked in the Himalayan mountains together, survived getting ill in India together, we’ve partied like rockstars in London and lived together in a West Hamsptead apartment reputedly own by George Michael. Whilst we were in India Brendt did a shiatsu course and I guess this sparked his interest in Eastern medicinal practice as it wasn’t too very long after that, that he returned to Austraila to study to become a Chinese Doctor. Upon the completion of his degree he decided he needed to do his Masters in Chinese Medicine in Tawain (!) and therefore also had to learn Madarin. He is that kind of guy!!!!!
12 years past and even though we have always kept in contact via the wonderful world of the internet, we hadn’t seen each other. My going to Hong Kong changed all of that, and it was if not one moment of our physical separation had ever existed. Brendt is truly one of my most favorite people on this earth. He radiates an inner light which draws people to him like moths. He inspires me to be a better person and be kinder to myself in the process and I love him more than words could ever say.
I was so excited to meet Brendts new partner Saysana as I had never heard him so enamoured over anyone before. After only an hour of knowing Says I knew why! He is a remarkable man with the heart of an angel and the presence of a prince ……. and I am just so very glad they have found each other.
Here are some portraits of these two very very special people. Love you both!
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!!
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.
A while ago I felt like I was beginning to stagnate in my work so I decided to dedicate a month to making images for myself. I believe that if you keep doing the same thing all the time you are going to get bored and probably become boring. It’s vital for creative people to give themselves the space and time to grow. I wanted to push my own boundaries and spend time learning new techniques, I wanted to work with new people and shoot in new ways. So i turned down a whole load of work, specifically weddings, cleared the diary (bar one wedding which was already booked) and set out to organise a bunch of shoots. And then ……..
And then ……….. life happened!!!
Stu and I got engaged, his family came out from the UK and we organised a big engagement party, I went down to CT to give a speech at the South African Wedding Photographers Association, I realised that I actually had PILES of admin and other work to do and a hundred other little time consuming things. I didn’t get to do even half of the shoots I planned … but here is some of the work I did do this month. I will do more dedicated blog posts when I get a gap.
Terri and Pierre spend quite alot of time apart as Pierre is a commercial diver (something I completely relate to). In order to combat this situation they are immigrating to Canada so they can both work from the same place. They weren’t particularly stoked with their wedding pics so they decided to have a “couples shoot” of themselves to remind them of home. I didn’t take their wedding pics by the way but I wish I had as they are the sweetest couple. We took loads of photos but this series of pics on the beach particularly speak to me. If you are wanting a similar shoot I have some space available in September time
Wedding season has been pretty darn busy and all consuming so I haven’t been taking on too much other portrait work which I enjoy. I really do love photographing people. Here are a few recentish pics which never made it to my blog and which I think deserve to be here. I have decided not to take on any wedding bookings in September time (other than one special wedding) so I can concentrate on personal work. I will however be taking portrait bookings over this period so this would be a good time to get hold of me if you have tried in the past and I have been fully booked. Please note though that I am on holiday from Tuesday and will be without email for 3 weeks.
I’m not really entirely sure what to call this shoot …. photographers seem to refer to maternity shoots these days as “belly shoots” or “preggy shoots”, I hate both terms, particularly the belly shoot idea. When I think of the word belly I think of the Scottish guy in Austin Powers and that is most definitely NOT attractive. Sunet and her tum don’t envoke the idea of a big squelchy belly to me (which is how I think of the term belly) ….. she is all glowey and happy and gorgeous! I therefore decided to photograph her in glowey, happy gorgeous light.
Just for the record I have known Grant since I was in highschool and Sunet is one of the girls from my book club which doesn’t involve books. Grant is the GM at the amazing 5 star hotel Hotel Izulu in Ballito known for it’s wonderful rooms, brilliant service and fantastic food and wine. Sunet is the GM of the gorgeous boutique hotel St James on Venice which is just divine (they do the most wonderful lunches and high teas). It was a pleasure to record this special time for good friends.
The other day I was was overcome with a warm fuzzy feeling of déjà vu whilst running along the promenade in Umdloti. I have since realized that my soul was basking in the same sense of peace and happiness that I have always experienced when traveling Asia.
Now either those jogging endorphins that people talk about are starting to affect me or otherwise my get healthy mission for 2011 is working!!!!
At the beginning of this year I made a promise to myself to devote 2011 to being healthy, to being good to myself as well as to working hard and becoming a better photographer. I haven’t had a cigarette or any alcohol since the 1 January, I have exercised pretty much most days, I have been taking all my vitamins, trying my best to eat regularly (I find eating a huge hassle when I am busy and often forget to eat) and I have been making my best effort to live in the now and take note of the beauty around me.
I took all of these photos in our town and in our house. This is my life, my home, my now!
(PS I also haven’t bitten my nails and can now scratch backs ….. the kitties are in heaven!)
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