A day in the life of a bride ( Part 2)

A day in the life of a Bride!

This is a stylised concept that i have had in mind for ages!

I would like to say a huge thank you to all the suppliers who made this shoot possible …without one of you …this would not have been possible!

Model:  Erin Blows …..she is stunning inside and out ….love you to bits, gorgeous girl!

Make-up Artist:  Marli Basson (she too could have been the model, she is just as gorgeous!!!)

Venue & Guesthouse :  Garreth from Tanglewood ( a gorgeous place for wedding receptions and guest cottages to die for!!!)

And last but not least:-

a big thank you to Michelle of ROBYN ROBERTS BRIDAL WEAR …..your dresses were to die for …..we felt as if we were in fantasy land ….Erin was in bridal heavan!!!

I would also like to say ….thank you, Marli for jumping in and being an awesome stylist too …..it was so fun having you along for ride!

And a final thank you …to my son, Jarred ….who came and supplied us with refreshments …..I am sure it had nothing to do with the gorgeous model ….and everything to do with being a loving son …lol!

Thank you ….I could not have done this shoot without every single one of you …you are all superstars!

Second shooting for Lauren Kriedeman

Jewish Wedding!

Loved being the Second shooter at this Jewish wedding!  So much joy, fun and laughter ….but i will let the photos do the talking!

This was my first Indian function …very different from what i have experienced but i loved every moment of it!  Stunning, vibrant colours ….beautiful Indian ladies, handsome Indian men!

What more could a photographer ask for!

Sihaam & Dawood are due to get married in October!  I am sure it will be just as beautiful!

This little girl took her sweet time in coming into this world ….but without a doubt when she decided she was ready …she really didnt wait around!

Thandi’s mom contacted me a couple of months before her arrival and we met in a coffee shop in Kloof street ….and when Kerstin walked in …you could just see that radiation of maternal beauty!  Some woman just blossom during pregnancy and Kerstin looked absolutely gorgeous!

It was so interesting to hear about Kerstin & Jorg’s story …..they are both journalists from Germany.  They have been together for quite a long time but four years ago Jorg surprised Kerstin by flying her to Cape Town on holiday and had arranged their surprise wedding.  Kerstin didnt have a clue ….I am such a romantic ….stories like these melt my heart!

Anyway they decided to move to Cape Town and work from here …but in the meantime they decided to allow nature to take its course and if a little one decided to grace their lives …they were more than ready.

Well …..nothing happened ….and nothing happened ….but they decided that life must just take its course!

Well after six years of nothing really happening ….I would imagine ….you would think it was never going to happen ….but suddenly Thandi decided ….it was time to grace their lives with her presence.

Two days before she was born we were all put on high alert that things looked like they were happening!  I was so frightened that i would miss the big event …that i dont think i ever got a great nights sleep ….but on the Friday morning …i got told that no matter what …today was going to be the day!

Jorg phoned me in the morning to tell me that Kerstin was 3cm dilated!  As i remember from my own confinements, I told him to call me when she got to 5cm!

And so we waited …and we waited …and we waited!

I started to stress that maybe i would get the call during high peak traffic so when my son asked me for a lift to town …I decided to go through anyway and take my ipad and sit in the lounge at the hospital until things happened.

Well i cant tell you what a good decision that was …cos two minutes outside the hospital ..Jorg phone to say they had decided to do an emergency caesarion and he wondered if i would get there in time ……It was such a relief to tell him i was two minutes away …and that i would be able to make the big event!

There were a few hiccups along the way …as C-Section wasnt really planned so theatre was not forwarned about their wish for a photographer …..but luckily their doctor was fully aware and he did what was necessary to make it happen!

I think Kerstin and Jorg chose an amazing gynaecologist …..he was truly inspiring …..the way he dealt with them with so much compassion ….and excitement ….so no matter how many babies he had delivered he was still so excited to deliever another one!

He went out of his way to put me in the right positions to cover their amazing road to becoming a family!  And I and I am sure, Kerstin & Jorg are truly grateful to this really amazing man!

But he wasnt the only amazing person in that theatre that day …..all the staff were truly amazing ….they were a fantastic team!  I was completely amazed at how many doctors and nurses were actually in theatre ….they all had a job to do and worked alongside each other like a true well oiled machine!  I take my hat off to each and every single one of them!

Sarah, the doula also played such an integral part.  She calmed and soothed Kerstin and Jorg the whole day …and was so patient in showing Kerstin the tricky road of breastfeeding!

And finally i just have to say how much I loved the name that Kerstin & Jorg had chosen for their daughter!

Thandi ……which means loved one!

How beautiful is that!

Oliver wasnt too sure about me to begin with …but i soon had him eating out of my hand ….and such a gorgeous little boy he is …I could seriously eat him up!

Sofie was such an angel …not a murmur from her once …..as good as gold!

And Kate and Shaun are such relaxed, easy going parents ….who obviously adore their little family.

It made me remember when i had a young family ….I cant believe how quickly that time passes!

It warms my heart when I see young parents taking time out to enjoy their young families!

Niah’s dad was an awesome assistant …he helped me big time with handling this little angel!  Mom, Di …..has a perfect helper in Dad!

Part 2

(Part 1 here)

What more could a photographer want …a gorgeous couple who are in love with the most stunning background to photograph them in!  I absolutely loved the jacaranda trees in full bloom and I have to be honest that when I went up a week or two earlier to check out the locations and came across this stunning place …I prayed really hard that the Jackaranda trees would remain in full bloom until after Roy & Carla’s wedding …I just knew they would give us an insane backdrop.  So let me take this moment and Thank the Lord for listening to my prayers …..I am forever grateful!  When Roy told me that that trees had not dropped their purple leaves ..I could have jumped for joy!

So without further ado …watch this stunning love story unfold in front of a magnificent background …I sincerely hope I did it justice!

Roy & Carla

I have enjoyed having Roy and Carla as clients from day 1.  Roy has been so excited about marrying Carla that it was actually contagious!  Roy is a winemaker in Ashton and for awhile Carla was situated in Durbanville area working as a lawyer.  My intials emails were with Roy but he sent Carla to meet me …bringing one of her bridesmaids with her.  The were both lovely girls and I just knew Carla would make a gorgeous bride in her own quiet way.  The next morning i got such an awesome email from Roy thanking me because he felt for the first time he saw Carla’s excitement.  I was so touched …..and that is how it has been with this gorgeous young, couple the whole time!  Their engagement shoot was a fun Sunday afternoon …and I realised that Carla was they quieter and shyer one of the two ….Roy showed his love and affection for Carla from the first instance ….it was so obvious to me that this young man had been knocked for six by this quiet, demure young lady.

But dont think that this young lady doesnt feel as strongly about Roy as what he does about her ….she has moved mountains to be with the man that she loves!

She is now practising law in Montagu ….although after spending a few days there ….I can definitely see that the area of Ashton and Montagu is an added attraction!

Carla got ready at Die Ou Huis which is owned by Johanna Van Zyle ….I just loved the quirkiness of the house ….I loved how Carla had her make-up done on the kitchen table while her whole family scuttled around the kitchen making themselves lunch and looking after me so beautifully!

I also loved the fact that their marriage ceremony was extra special as both their dads are ministers and between the both of them they performed their service!

First time ever I saw the Father of The Bride walk the bride down the aisle and then walk to the front of the service and start the sermon!

But without further ado …here is the wedding of Roy and Carla

Part two to follow shortly!