What a happy and delightful little tot - Phoebe was more interested in running around and exploring than actually 'smashing' the cake.
I've know Candice for many years and we've had lots of fun girls surfing weekends away during our twenties. When she recently got engaged, I offered to give her a free engagement shoot as a present. She is stunningly beautiful and together with her fiancé, they make one of the funkiest, most down to earth and gorgeous couples I've ever met.
Nasareen wanted a shoot with her husband and son and a few shots just of herself. We did the shoot at Botanic Gardens. They were all quite shy but soon warmed up to the camera and we were able to capture some lovely photos.
If you're wondering why your photographer won't give you 'all of the images, even the unedited ones', or 'all of the RAW files', here are some of the main reasons why:
I met Dianne through a mutual friend. When she had her baby shower, I gave her a voucher for a newborn shoot. We set up the shoot when Austin was about 3 weeks old. His little brother jumped into the shoot while I was snapping away and I was able to get some lovely shots of the natural brotherhood bond.
Kelly contacted me through a friend's referral to do a cake smash shoot for her daughter Brooklyn who was turning 1. We choose the Sunken Garden at Botanic Gardens for the location. The beautiful purple flowers matched her cute fairy princess outfit and I just loved taking photos of this cute little girl with her wide big blue eyes. When I pulled out the blackboard and photo frame, she was delighted and seemed more interested in playing with my props than the cake.
Facebook can be a wonderful form of getting new business. Isebell & Clinton contacted me via a post on a community group on Facebook, we met to discuss their wedding and they booked me for the 28 November 2016. The wedding was held at Collisheen Estate in Ballito. Isebell designed her own table decorations for the reception and set up most of the décor herself. Nature, tree's and bright colours inspired their theme. I thoroughly enjoyed shooting their wedding. They were so chilled and easy to photograph and when time came to hand them their hardcover photobook and flashdisk of images, the joy and appreciation they showed made all my hard work that much more rewarding. Enjoy the images from this beautiful day.
I have been shooting milestones in Caitlyn's life since she was 13 so it was only natural that I did her maternity shoot. Cait is so natural in front of the camera and she is also full of creative ideas so we always have loads of fun with photoshoots and I am able to really let my creativity flow. I loved the outcome of these photos.
There is nothing more fun for a wedding photographer, than a "Trash the Dress" photoshoot. This allows the photographer to shoot wildly creative photos in a pressure free environment with no time constraints and no need to worry about keeping the wedding dress in perfect nick.
I am offering TWO free photoshoots to couples who are already married, still have (and most importantly can still fit into) the wedding dress and would like a creative 'wedding' styled photoshoot. Trash the Dress started in the US and is now taking off here in South Africa. In these sessions, naturally, brides put the dress back on and have candid pictures taken in unusual locations, such as a rainforest waterfall, an alleyway, a dirt road, the beach to name a few examples. These photoshoots are cool, fun and all about the dress. If you would like to win a free photoshoot, simply "like" my page, D-Vine Photography (if you don't already) (https://www.facebook.com/DVinePhotography) and post a simple comment on the wall stating why you would like a photoshoot with D-Vine Photography. The best TWO comments will win a free photoshoot. All competition entrants will receive a "Trash the Dress" photoshoot valued at R700 for only R250. Terms & Conditions
Free food and booze (sometimes) are some of the perks of going to a wedding. However sharing and celebrating the uniting of 2 people who love each other should be the main reason for attending a wedding, especially if you are close to the bride or groom. But, no matter how close you are to the happy couple, this is not another night out with the girls (or boys) and so here are a few things you shouldn't do.
I stumbled out of bed, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes and gingerly made my way to the bathroom in the darkness. The early morning coolness of autumn slid through my nightdress and I shivered as I sat on the icy toilet seat. It was still dark outside, but the birds had begun their early morning wake up calls. I heard my mother’s voice downstairs calling up to me to ensure I was awake. But there was no need. My stomach had been churning in excitement since last night and even if I’d wanted to stay in bed, the adrenalin pumping through my veins would never have allowed me to.
I was 8 years old. Every year, for the past 5 years, I’d look forward to this day. All year round, I’d watch my dad train and sweat and prepare for the Comrades Marathon. And every year, I’d anticipate the race, so proud that my father could run all the way from Durban to Pietermartizburg in one day. At 8 years old, that was equivalent to running around the world. My dad was superman. So at the crack of dawn we’d trek down to the start line and join the throng of spectators all cheering on as the runners set off in the dark on the world’s toughest footrace. We, along with the rest of the crowds, would set ourselves up at various check points along the 89km’s of rolling hills to encourage the runners, pass out water and energade sachets and generally give our support to the courageous men and women who chose to embark on this painful challenge of the body and mind. The overwhelming support from hundreds of thousands of spectators, the never ending displays of sportsmanship from fellow runners as they encourage each other to keep going when quitting seems like the only option has earmarked the Comrades as the world’s greatest human race… a race where challenges and difficulties bring a divided nation together for one spectacular day and a race that attracts more and more international competitors each year. Although the Comrades has proved to be one of the world’s most demanding races, it not only attracts top athletes but ordinary people who long to take part in South Africa’s most cherished competition. The Comrades is not just about winning or losing, its about mankind’s heartwarming spirit in the face of adversity, it’s about bringing people together from all walks of life to overcome the impossible together. At precisely 11 hours and 59 minutes the director of the Comrades Marathon Association would emerge from a tent and march to the finish line. With his back turned to the oncoming runners, he raises a gun and counts down the final seconds. At this moment pandemonium breaks loose. The crowds are heard chanting “Go, go, go…” as the frantic flow of runners push themselves farther than they thought they could go to beat the cut off time. Some run with their hands raised in joyous triumph, others limp and crawl on their hands and knees, some have their arms draped around one another, dragging each other one painful step at a time to reach the finish line. The atmosphere is electric, the suspense unbearable, and the camaraderie so powerful it brings tears to almost every eye in the packed stadium. When the gun fires at exactly 12:00:00 there are still thousands of unnamed faces who didn’t make it but who’ll most likely keep coming back each year, determined to beat the clock. This was my dad’s last comrades. He barely made it over the finish line to receive his last ever bronze medal. Not long after this, he was diagnosed with brain cancer and passed away two years later. I still have a picture of my dad hanging on the wall, dressed in his Savages Club vest, looking strong and confident, a wide grin splashed across his face, as he ran the world’s greatest human race. This is how I remember my dad, not as a body riddled with cancer, but as a superhero in his prime crossing the Comrades Marathon finish line to proudly receive his medal. Experience Level - Has this person photographed other weddings? Does he/she do this for a living or for fun?
Photographic Style - Are the images that you are shown, what you would like to see? There are "buzz" words flying about everywhere about photojournalism, formal, classic candid, and so on. Do you want a mixture of black and white or only colour photos? Truth in Advertising - Is this the photographer that will be photographing your wedding or will they send in whomever is available. Don't be shocked, this happens more often than you can imagine. Be certain that you know which photographer is going to be there and that you see HIS/HER work and meet with that individually face to face. Personality - Is the photographer that you meet someone that you can get along with? Is the "chemistry" there? Appearance - Ask the photographer how he/she intends to dress. Is this person well groomed? Price Range - Although, the last thing you want to do is shop by price, is this person within your budget? If not, is he or she worth the price difference? Make sure you understand what everything costs, including reprints and albums. Delivery - How long does it take to get your proofs back, thank you cards, your finished album, your bridal portrait, etc.? Offering - Whether it's a la carte or a package, do you understand what you are getting? Is there any room for changes and will it cost to do so? Sometimes the packages are fixed, sometimes they can be customized, in any case, ask. How much time will he/she spend? What if you need more time? Make sure that you know what's coming. Contract - Do you understand the contract. Is it fair? Is everything spelled out? When it comes down going to court, only what is WRITTEN really counts, not what was promised. Make sure that you have no doubts before signing. Read it ALL. What about deposits and payments? What does it say about cancellations and the photographer not being there? If the photographer protests, ask him why? This is one area NOT to take lightly. You could be disappointed for a long time. References - A personal reference is always the best and people love to talk. Get a list of references from the photographer and check them out personally. A photographer who doesn't have references or is afraid to give them to you may not be the person that you need to hire. |
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July 2017
AuthorI am a professional photographer. The ocean & nature inspire me. I am passionate about life & the people close to me Categories
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