Elizabeth & Grant – Hazeldene Hall

I am an emotional wreck!

Over the past two weeks I have discovered I am not equipped psychologically for this wedding photography thing.

Last week’s wedding I brushed aside – it was a once-off and it won’t happen again too soon, I thought.

Well, enter Grant’s and Elizabeth’s ceremony.   I actually lost count of how many times I shed a tear.

I write ’shed a tear’ in an effort to downplay the situation, as in reality there were a fair few “pure sobbing” moments.

I may need to get some Help! (Not sure if I am sending out the right message here? “Hire me – I’m an emotional wreck!”)

Elizabeth and Grant: your day was one I will truly not forget; packed solid with uniqueness and sensitivity.

Elizabeth is the type of person who has the most smallest detail covered and, for such an organised person, I must say the getting-ready part of the day was one that will go down as the most chilled and hassle-free.

I am really at a loss for words here – this is about the sixth draft and I’m still unable to describe the day.

So my apologies to all and hopefully the images will cover my literary shortcomings.

Oh well, if the photography side doesn’t work out, I certainly see a market out there for a “wedding crier”

 

 

 

The bride and flowergirl arriving at the ceremony.

 

The ceremony was held outside with a perfect sky.

Nicki & Dave – Toadbury Hall

Tasteful, intimate, emotional and exceptional are the words which come to mind in describing Nicki’s and Dave’s wedding.

The ceremony was nothing short of utterly beautiful, in a forest strung with crystals – and, not a dry eye in sight.   It’s especially great to see (and capture) such genuine and spur-of-the-moment emotions; shared between two people. (Sorry, Dave… I didn’t mean to spill the beans on the tears, but let’s face it – you had every single guest grabbing a Kleenex too).

The reception was a luxurious picnic on Toadbury Island – a unique little part of Toadbury Hall I never knew existed.

Originally, I was a little annoyed with myself, tackling a wedding on my birthday weekend, but as it turned out, I couldn’t have planned a better day out; doing what I love most, in great company with truly special people who clearly adore life to the full.

My second shooter. . . yep, you guessed it, the gaffer himself.  In fact, you can see Dror’s version of events here; http://www.droreyal.co.za/blog/nicki-and-david-at-toadbury-hall/

You will also see the pic, which had intimidated me a little; added to which the comment implying I’ll be posting “Killer Bee” images and, hence, the selection dilemma, plus delayed post!

That’s it.    It’s official – blame Dror for the delay! (nothing like passing the buck)

 

Just before Nicki left for the ceremony her sister read her a message from the UK, which had me in tears too!

The couple prepared their own vows, hence the tears!

 

 

 

 

Published!

A couple of months back, I was approached by Elra Rabe, the editor of an on-line magazine titled Konfetti, to submit some photos from three weddings she had seen on my blog.

I am very thrilled Elra featured one of my efforts in the first edition, which was actually launched yesterday.  If, by chance, you fancy a sneak peek, it’s on pages 44-47 of this link: http://www.konfetti.co.za/

Well done, Chris and Sue for being selected!

Cyndi & Jeroen – The Cradle of Humankind

The couple I met in March was not, by any means, the couple I had photographed this weekend, at The Cradle.

 

Cyndi had lost loads of weight since our initial meeting and dyed her hair blonde, plus Jeroen had grown a beard.

You guys looked great and it helped that the both of you were so chilled the entire day!

Cyndi had requested the “Dark Cloud Cradle” backdrop, but there wasn’t a cloud in sight! My third wedding at the Cradle and I am glad to say that each wedding has had a different look and feel to it.

Also, a big THANK YOU to the both of you for allowing a third shooter, which meant that Sam accomplished her debut wedding.

Enjoy Mauritius!

I am back to posting decor pics as my other idea of separate posts is not working. Sam & Belinda contributed to these!

 

 

The ceremony (above) was held under the tress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another Album

Here is that album I tried to post last week.Those legitimate blogstalkers will know that my second shooter was none other than Dror Eyal, at The Cradle last year, and will recognise some of his images in there. Not the whole album, just my favourite pages:

  

 

  

 

The “Unsung Groom”

I have learnt three things this week:

One: Tree hugging is not all it’s cracked up to be.  Two: A chicken sarmie can buy you a small exotic island (If you know how to barter) . And, three: Photographing the groom is so much fun!

I was once again honoured to get the opportunity to second-shoot with Dror Eyal this weekend, where I had to photograph Johan (the groom). Photographing the groom is something I have not done in a long, long time.

I then realised the groom actually gets very little limelight on this blog of mine, so I have decided to dedicate this post, to the groom – so, Johan this is your 5 minutes of fame.

Those of you who’d like to see how gorgeous Nicole looked, can click through to Dror’s blog here,  http://www.droreyal.co.za/blog/.

I don’t doubt he is a bit behind with his Mauritius weddings, but am sure it will be there soon.

BTW: I changed my logo for this post, so that it is a little more masculine!

When Oliver saw this pic he said “That man is silly, he doesn’t know how to do Incy, wincy spider properly”

Ursula and Mike get Hitched!

I received a call from my brother last week Thursday, enquiring what plans I had for the following Friday. . . because. . . he and Ursula were getting married.

Well, the original courthouse ceremony kinda transformed itself into a very cosy affair under the trees at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens.

Whipped together in just a week, but, really in essence, what it was all about was the sacred exchanging of vows in the presence of those closest to you in your life.

I, or should I say they, were very, very lucky to have Dror join us. I am not really sure if he was there as a guest or second-shooter, but I did not hear the end of it from the newlyweds, that wicked sense of humour and great images…it does not get better! (You can see what he snapped here www.droreyal.co.za/blog/ )

Congrats Mike and Ursula – here is a peak, as I know you’re both yearning to see!

The Laggard has arrived!

 

Terms such as The world’s leading-edge photographer and IT Queen will never be thrown my way, as I am what marketers refer to as a “late adaptor”.

I have noticed that there is an international trend for wedding photographers to showcase their images in the form of a slideshow, but ignored this.

Being the “laggard” I am, I was a little sceptical about these slideshows. First of all, you need sound and bandwidth in order for them to fulfil their purpose, which not everyone has. Secondly, most of us stalk sites during working hours (pretending to work), so generally the sound is muted, so as not to blow our cover.  Andrea demonstrates the secret Stalkerazzi sign….. It takes one to know one

Consequently, slideshows were not really on the must-have agenda, until the “late developer” received a gift in the form of slideshow software.

After seeing one of my weddings in slideshow format, with sound and bandwith, I was almost reduced to tears.

So, hold on to your chairs ladies and gentlemen, the “laggard” has arrived!

Not only have I created a slideshow (the easy part) , I have also figured out how to…here comes a big four-letter IT word ….fttp-up the damn thing (the harder part, which took me days to figure out).

Note before viewing.   In order to make these things LIVE, you have to obtain a “hosting site” in order to store files and since this inaugural slideshow was/is more of an experiment, I just signed up for the first free one I could find… hence the annoying little ad at the top. Please ignore it.

And …drumroll……..here it is.

http://andreacarlyle.webng.com/amorijohan/index.html

You may have to copy and paste the url, as the link through does not always work.

Wait for the slideshow to load before you press play, otherwise you get stops where it needs to loadup. You can see it loading on the long bottom grey bar. Fellow stalkerazzi….this one needs sound so save it for home viewing!

Thank you Anne!

Adam & Jenni – Parkhurst

I was surrounded by them everywhere.  Where ever I looked there was a lens in sight.  Forget Princess Diana’s wedding – the paparazzi were here.

Adam is a photographer.   His mom, I am told, an even better photographer and, I would say, a good proportion of the guests were photographers.

There were bigger and better Canons every which way I turned.  Mega Pixels flying about and “the pressure” was on to produce the goods.

Although on a much smaller scale to that of HRH Chaz’s and Di’s, Adam and Jenni chose to get married at their home in Parkhurst.  One of the nicest and most sincere couples I have ever photographed.   

Their wedding was a really special affair, where I felt more like one of the guests.

In particular, the way Adam and Jenni kept asking whether I needed anything – you name it, food, drink…..ummm, actually, may be a new Canon would be nice!

Here is the second part of their pics….gulp….hope them photographers don’t come near my blog!

 

 

 

My favourite pic taken by my second shooter Ben

 

Pretty in Pink

A wedding on the shortest day of the year and I am reminded about the one thing that I love most about our Johannesburg winter’s…the awesome light!

I am posting pics from a wedding this weekend, a couple of days after the event. Yep, you read right, I can hardly believe it myself, and this acheivement with my PC monitor dying on me and browser issues.

The pics from this wedding will be loaded up in two seperate posts because I really love these images of the bridesmaids (Little girls in pink…..sigh! ) that I just have to post them. I do not want their photo’s to take away from Jenni and Adam’s limelight.

…as one of the guests said to me “If I could be guarenteed a girl I would have another one”….and I agree…If DH reads this I think he will pass out!