My tastes in decor are rather polar opposite  from Stu’s to put it mildly. I am convinced that if I let  Stu have his way we would be living in an apartment with white walls, black leather couches, a beer fridge, a braai, a flat screen and a fishtank! I on the other hand could think of nothing better than living in an old Jaipur palace!!!! In order to create a space which we both feel happy and at home in, I have kept things quite simple. (well simple for me anyway) My main emphasis has been to make tranquil bedroom space and a home with soul that displays all of our travel trinkets. We still have loads more to do but here are a few pics for now.

The pic above is taken in our bedroom. Our granny no longer uses her dressing table so my sister Lisa has the bottom and I have the mirror part. All the wooden pieces on either side are things we have collected on our travels. My favorite is the mermaid we bought in Madagascar.

In the pic below right we have the entrance to our flat which I wanted to be a bit mad and filled with interesting things from all over the world, as you walk through the house so things become less cluttered! On the left is a few of my Enid Blyton books. I am a huge fan!!! Mom used to read these to me when I was growing up.

Here we have the lounge. Whilst we were still living in the cottage I bought 2 couches from someone who was moving abroad for an absolute steal. They sat on the veranda and were pretty poked after being in the sun and rain for so long. Instead of buying new expensive couches I had these reupholstered with mattress ticking which I bought from Waste Center for R50 a meter. It wont last forever but I figure I will be bored of it by the time it wears and can recover!

Turqoise is my favorite soul colour and I have accents of it all over the place.

My good luck bunny from Hong Kong! It reminds me every day of my wonderful friends Brendt and Says

Bits and pieces on our balcony. I wish I was one of those calm zen like people but alas I tend to be on the more frantic constantly busy always thinking never stopping side of the scale. I have buddhas all around me to remind me to be more mindful and to take better care of my body and spirit.

I give thanks every day for our wonderful view. It keeps me sane in the hectic times (which seems to have been most of this year!!!!)

The white tiles!!!! They gave me nightmares when we first moved in but now I have got used to them and I have convinced myself that they go with my Jaipur palace vibe!!!

Bits and pieces from my bedroom. The table on the right was my Grans. I gave it a paint treatment and put on a drawer knob I bought in India. The two images of tidal pools were taken by me and printed onto photorag paper and box mounted. I was lucky enough to be given all three orchids which I love as they remind me of my late Grandpa who had a passion for the plants.

Stu had the floating shelves made for our room and I used a blue feature wall to create a nice calming effect.

I have Grannies old couch in my room which I had reupholstered with fabric I bought in India. I hear paisley is all the rage again which I wasn’t aware of at the time!! I just loved the colour!!!

Navesh from Devine Designs in Ballito did all of our reupholstering. He was really good. His number is 0736639754

Mauro made our table on the balcony. 082 729 1103

NACI did all my framing 031 3275300

The two of them make a wonderful, laid back, friendly couple and it truly was a pleasure photographing their big day at Calderwood Hall in the Midlands. Thanks guys for picking me!!!

Loved this pic of Hayley as her Dad calls her angel … and she really does look like an angel here!

And now for the credits in the brides own words

So many wonderful people contributed to our wedding, everyone was so helpful and we owe a big thank you to our family and friends for helping us set out our extra garden and reception décor, helping with the favours, seating board and much more! We are also very grateful to everyone who came from near and far to make our wedding so special!

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Calderwood Hall, Midlands, KZN – a beautiful venue where the staff are so warm and welcoming and extremely helpful. We can’t thank them enough for all they did, everything was perfect – http://www.calderwood.co.za/, info@calderwood.co.za, Tel: +27 33 997 1926

Food: CHC Catering for Calderwood, Wade Coetzer (owner of Calderwood) or Jon Kleu – 033 394 3924, c.h.c@mweb.co.za

Flowers, bouquets and button holes – Kerry’s Flowers and Décor, kerrydinks@mweb.co.za/ 0824119106

Décor: Kerry’s Flowers and Décor. And bride’s own (extra décor and stationery handmade and bought online and all over, lace bunting in the garden made by our cousin – Candi: candisfisher@googlemail.com)

Hair: really lovely Lorna, Owner of Hair on Clarence, Pietermaritzburg – haironclarence@telkomsa.net.

Make up: Candice Mills Professional Make-up Artist (a special mention to the very talented Candice for being so dedicated and kind to do our make-up on the weekend she was meant to have her baby! -a thousand thank you’s!) – Candice Matthee: candymillzy@gmail.com

Brides Dress: Belles of Hilton – Yelena: belles@sai.co.za

Brides Veil: Belles of Hilton

Bride’s wedding band: Custom made by Tommy D Fine Jewellry –

031 3097065, www.tommyd.co.za

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: The very creative and excellent Celie and Melissa Potgieter, also owners of Fat Robin Creations – www.fatrobincreations.com

Groom’s and groomsmen’s suits: Lord Louis – www.lordlouissuithire.co.za, +27 (0) 31 305-1925

Cake: Colleen Stocken – stockencd@ufetc.edu.za

Cupcakes: Vanilla Chantilly – www.vanillachantilly.co.za, 031 312 2937

Cake stands: Custom Made Wrought Iron – Bridget: dbn@cmwi.co.za

DJ: Image Mobile Disco – Tyron Smith, kts@wol.co.za

Ceremony music:  Singer- Roxanne, roxsobey@yahoo.com and guitarist (also a great DJ) Shaun Callaghan – info@kznbusinessparks.co.za, thank you so much guys, we loved it!

Minister: Minister Graham Anderson – anderson@wandata.com

Wedding planner: Me and my mom – we couldn’t have coped without all my mom’s help with the wedding, she was wonderful and made planning from overseas much easier- thank you mom!!

Wedding Coordinator: Wade, Heidi and the great team at Calderwood.

Men’s favours: Tracey Van Staden, traceysglass@gmail.com

Ladies favours: handmade with love by bride, bridesmaids and family

A very special and huge thank you to Jacki and Natasha-you are really amazing!!

I began to beat myself up a bit. I looked at all her amazing pictures and suddenly became racked with self-doubt.  I was comparing myself to her!

I recently wrote a Facebook status update saying that I would be taking on an intern in July (which I will elaborate on further in another post) And I got an email that said:

“I would love more than anything to work for you. If I could be anywhere near as good as you I would be happy. In fact looking at your blog makes me sad as I feel like my work is so nowhere. Please pick me.”

It was then that I realized how silly I was being. Just as ‘anonymous’ was comparing herself to little ol me, so I was comparing myself to Annie.

I have always been such a huge advocator that as a photographer you need to find your own path and your own way of seeing. (Check out an article I wrote about this here) Trying to be someone else will never work as it is through ones uniqueness that magic is made. Everyone on this earth is different, we all have different backgrounds, different values, different financial obligations, different responsibilities, different tastes, different routines, different diets, different sleep patterns, different histories, different dreams, different goals, different ambitions, different …… ways of being. Comparing oneself to someone else will either make one feel shitty or smug and lets face it neither of those are really nice!

So I put on my big girl panties and sat down to write some serious goals. Annie is an inspiration but I will never be her nor would I want to. Then I thought about all of the things I have to be thankful for.

And I smiled inside again.

On my birthday without knowing what I had been going through my friend Tam handed me a copy of the Annie Leibovitz movie “A Life through a Lens”. I took that as a sign.

35 is going to be awesome.

This amazing twosome could have got in a tizz and turned ugly but both of them took it in their stride and accepted that “it is what it is”. After the “big rip” when everyone was fussing, stressing and all emotional over the dress Kat burst into song. Her beautiful powerful voice replaced all the bad energy with huge smiles and the next thing we knew the ring was on her finger and everyone was dancing joyfully under the twinkling fairy lights.

The way that Kat and Garrick are together is wonderful. I believe that if they handle life with as much grace as they handled their wedding day … they will be a super strong couple. (they already are!)

Oh .. . they got married at The Plantation in Port Elizabeth and besides all the silly drama it was wonderful. Click here to see their engagement shoot

Kat and Garrick thanks for picking me – I have absolutely loved working with you and getting to know you. You are special souls!!!

Kat and Garrick gifted their groomsmen with custom made cufflinks by Daniel Fuller, www.danfullerjewellery.co.za - danielfuller@iafrica.com. I thought this was a really lovely idea

A few minutes after the big rip!

Venue & Food: The Plantation, http://theplantation.co.za or 041 366 1591 – a special thank you to Sarah Dirsuwei for all of her help!

Second Shooter: Natasha Schoeman

Bridesmaid Hair: Aunty Carol (who doubled as assistant seamstress for the day too! THANK YOU!) 0824777892

Bride’s Hair: Traci of XHair 0835383028

Make up: A friend of my mum’s – THE AMAZING – Estelle Cunningham estellecunningham@gmail.com or 083 6247607, http://www.samdb.co.za/biographymakeuphair/63

Church flowers, bouquets and button holes, Décor and Flowers at the Venue: Lynley Cusens, Floral Creations – www.floralcreationsonline.co.za or 082 7490821

Brides Dress: Vera Wang, www.verawang.com – Selfridges sample sale!

Brides Head piece & Veil: Gillian Million, www.gillianmillion.com

Bridesmaids Dresses & last minute repairs J:  A very special friend and (quite literally) the saviour of our wedding day –THE AWESOMELY talented – Braemore Lundall – 076 9423364

Groom’s Suit: Aquascutum, www.aquascutum.com

Groomsmen suits: Suit Yourself – Wade Wingfield, info@suityourself.co.za

Cufflinks for the guys: Our master of ceremonies, the uber cool – Daniel Fuller, www.danfullerjewellery.co.za - danielfuller@iafrica.com

Cupcakes & Cake: Werner at Starburst Deli, www.starburstdeli.co.za or 072 281 5312

DJ: Enjoy Productions – Craig Hort, 041 5817804

And a VERY special thank-you to my cuzzie Wendy Dewberry for the soulful sounds at the early cocktail party – beautiful!!

And Jacks…

I want to say an extra special thank you to you and Tash for EVERYTHING! From the engagement shoot and early morning at Bruce’s to your unwavering attention to every detail (even in the face of the most ghastly flu – and I speak from experience as I reckon we were both as ill as one another)! You are simply amazing and I feel so fortunate to have met you, and have you to share our special day with us. AAAAAAAND all the very best of luck with organising both of your weddings!! We will definitely see you when we visit Durbs again – hopefully this time we can share a glass of vino!

Judd proposed on a tropical island so it was only fitting that they got married at the very tropical beach venue Palm Dune at Blythedale. The weather gods smiled down on them, close friends and family came from all over to celebrate, there was lots of dancing and smiles all around!

Thanks for picking me … it was great working with you!

As Judd is a designer and loves to illustrate and draw I invited him to have a play with one of the pics from the wedding. This is what he came up with. Very sweet!

Second Shooter: Natasha Schoeman

Venue: Palm Dune, Blythedale Beach - www.palmdune.co.za

Hair: Drew @ Evolve

Make up: Catherine Wall (a friend of mine) - catherine@candt.co.za, 083 419 4777

Flowers, bouquets and button holes: Tatum at Unforgettable Events - tatumjoynt@telkomsa.net

Decor/Flowers at the Venue: Tatum at Unforgettable Events - tatumjoynt@telkomsa.net

Brides Dress: Bridal Wardrobe - www.bridalwardrobe.co.za

Brides Veil: Bridal Wardrobe - www.bridalwardrobe.co.za / The very long one we used on the beach during our creative shoot was borrowed from my friend Gabi

Bridesmaids Dress: I bought the fabric at Jerry’s in the Oriental Plaza; the girls had their dresses made by different dressmakers – do you want contact details?

Groom’s Suit: Carducci, Stuttafords - +27 11 783 5212

Venue: Palm Dune, Blythedale Beach - www.palmdune.co.za

Cake: My friend Michele Patmore - sweetbuttercupcupcakes@gmail.com, michelepatmore@gmail.com

Food: Palm Dune, Blythedale Beach - www.palmdune.co.za

DJ: Ashwin Latchman (Ash) - djash@remixxmusic.co.za, www.remixxmusic.co.za

Musician – Jamie Acheson - acheson.james@gmail.com

Wedding Coordinator: Tatum at Unforgettable Events - tatumjoynt@telkomsa.net

They got married at Netherwood with 250 friends and family who they spoilt rotten with delicious wine, caramel vodka, Johnny Walker Black and gorgeous wedding favors. There were so many special moments on their big day, there was so much energy in the air and damn it was one heck of a party. (must have been the bottles of caramel vodka on each table!)

I will be shooting the wedding of these two in May, not long now guys!!!

PS You can check out their engagement shoot here

Venue: Netherwood, Natal Midlands: www.netherwood.co.za

Second Shooter: Tash Schoeman

Videographer: Dave Atkinson Brand New Day www.bndimaging.co.za

Hair: Jane Guy from Fringe Benefits Glenashely, Durban North 082 520 7899

Make up: Angela Wheeler from Make Up Your Mind, Windermere, Durban, 031 3122019 www.makeupyourmind.co.za

Church flowers, bouquets and button holes: Alexis Yapp from Surreal Events 083 280 0581 http://www.surrealeventing.co.za/

Decor/Flowers at the Venue: Alexis Yapp from Surreal Events 083 280 0581 http://www.surrealeventing.co.za/

Wedding Coordinator: Alexis Yapp from Surreal Events 083 280 0581 http://www.surrealeventing.co.za/

Brides Veil: Belaire Bridal, Los Angeles CA www.belairebridal.com

Bridesmaids Dress:   Forever New www.forevernew.com.au

Groom’s Suit: Khaliques www.khaliques.co.za

Venue: Netherwood, Natal Midlands

Cake: Alexis Yapp from Surreal Events 083 280 0581 http://www.surrealeventing.co.za/

Food: Rita from Rita’s County Kitchens, Hilton, 033 343 4224 www.hiltonvillage.co.za/shopping/rita-lea-country-kitchen

DJ: Greig Lupke from Top Jocks 083 799 2510 www.topjocks.co.za

Minister: James Elias 083 460 3508 no website

Tash is my wonderful assistant and friend. A women who I love, admire and respect for being such a special person. She is always laughing, always smiling always caring.

We went out to India to photograph the wedding of Shane and Laurie and took a few extra days to explore Goa. Her long time boyfriend decided to come out to join us. One day whilst Neil and I were swimming in the warm calm Indian ocean on Palolem beach he told me that he had brought along a ring destined for Tash’s left hand. It took him a few days to actually pop the question (which was rather hard for me as I am not good at keeping secrets!) And when he did, he did it on a pretty Goan beach at sunset. I have never seen a bigger smile nor a happier face. Tash was literally walking on air!

You may ask why I have entitled this blogpost Raj and Parrot Entangled in India. Well .. I have nicknames for most of the people who I adore. Before arriving in India Tash had her hair dyed purple, turquoise and black. The Indian folk just loved her. Wherever we went we heard people saying (Please imagine this with Indian accent and head wobble at the end) I really really like your hair you look like a (insert either one of these birds) peacock, kingfisher, parrot. Parrot just stuck. Tash’s hairdresser would make a bloody killing in India. As for Raj … well Neil looks like a Bollywood actor and does such a fine rendition of one It just stuck. As for the entangled bit …. well ….. they are rather fond of each other!!!!

Love you both …… And yes I will be shooting their wedding!

They are just those kind of people. And honestly Nats has the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen. Flip I have the best clients! I can’t even class these two as clients anymore they are now friends!

Natalie and Mike met whilst Mike was stranded alone in a non 4×4 bakkie on a sand road on the way to Ponto, Mozambique. Natalie and friend rode up alongside him and came to his rescue. The rest is history. A love story. A wonderful soulful connection. A beautiful child. And then a wedding at the Hatchery which is in Zululand near Amatikulu.

It was wonderful.

I will say it again ……. I have the best clients! Thanks guys for picking me!!!

And now the credits and so on in the brides own words

Everything except the catering, DJ and the venue were supplied by friends.  Selfless, creative, bold, magnificent people who have contributed so much to my life.  Our wedding was a like a quilt, each piece made with love, it made our day so meaningful – I will never forget the contributions and energy that each person gave.  The vibe was relaxed and natural, everything about our celebration was the best representation of who we are and what we like.  The cherry on the cake was having our loved ones under one canvas, literally from all corners of the globe.  Jacki (and don’t you dare delete this bit), you were so ill yet you braved having needles & drips to be there, I will never forget that.  It’s at times like these, when I want to express the depth of what I feel, that the English language becomes woefully inadequate.  I am grateful beyond words for the collective goodness that made our wedding day perfect, perfect, perfect!

Venue:  The Hatchery – magnificent, so unique and the staff there are ridiculously helpful!  Nothing is too big a problem, I am so indebted to them for making our weekend as seamless as it was.  Lana Myburgh: lana@thehatchery.co.za Website: www.thehatchery.co.za

Hair & Make up: My beautiful friend, Kirsty Turco from Make Up Your Mind: 072 954 1687

Bouqets and Flowers at the venue:  Mokka Bloom at Lifestyle Shopping Centre – Sonja Watson www.mokkablooms.co.za

Brides Dress: The lovely Dominique Gatland, my friend based in Joburg.  She has just started her own label https://www.facebook.com/gatlandcouture - she made my dress during one of the most stressful times of her life; between jobs, moving house, starting a new business and planning her own wedding.  She remained graceful and patient throughout because that’s who she is.

Hairpiece: Accessorize, Gateway.

Bridesmaids dresses: Nicola’s was from Desray in Cape Town / Hayley’s from Terence Bray Boutique in Ballito.

Groom’s Outfit: Hilton Weiner

Cake: Claire is not a baker or even a cook.  She is just a sweet, lovely friend who asked if she could make our cake.  She drove all the way from Joburg, stayed in Hillcrest, spent days making the cake with her niece, drove with the 3-tiered creation to Gingingdlovu by herself; delivered the cake in all its sparkling, chocolate, vanilla glory in one piece for our wedding night.  It was delicious and every bite laced with love.

Food: The Crooked Fork, Janine Hill www.thecrookedfork.co.za – OK I’m not even kidding; Janine’s prawns were the best I have had just about anywhere!  And if you don’t believe me, ask the other 60 guests because they all said the same thing.  Her food was wholesome, comforting, rich with flavour and beautifully presented.  A highlight of our wedding without a doubt.

DJ: Jason Cramer jasonscissorhands@yahoo.co.uk – Jason is not your typical wedding DJ – if you want something a bit different, this is your guy.  He will not play Grease, YMCA or the Time Warp J  He rocked our dancefloor from start to finish.

Wedding Coordinator: Morag Oldreive.  Unfortunately, our wedding was her last and boy, did she go out with a bang.  She took the vision right out of my head and turned it into reality.  We got on so well and had such a ball putting this wedding together that we have remained friends.  We LOVE our wine and chats!

Stretch Tent: We own the stretch tent and hire it out to brides in KZN at a very good rate.  Here is our Facebook page with a little story of how the tent came about – get in touch if you’d like a quote. https://www.facebook.com/STRETCHTENT

Second Shooter: The marvelous Natasha Schoeman

Assistant : Tash Schoeman and Stuart Frangenheim

Styling: Drew Christie of Evolve Salon 031 564 7312

Styling Assistant and Ballet Teacher : Angela Smith 082 592 0892

Make up: Volenti Momer 083 553 2700

Thanks to DJ Skinny for lending us his smoke machine 082 491 7231

Thanks to the two of you for being the perfect couple for this shoot!!! (that is really the highest compliment from me by the way) We loved our time with you and we loved our time in Seals! Happy Honeymooning!

PS If you are looking for a well priced place to stay in Seals contact Hilary on 083 216 47 44  www.wheretostay.co.za/sandown Their self catering flats have a great view and are a stone throw from the beach.