Nikki Meyer Photography

Hipstamatic fun!

nikki — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:23:08 +0000

A few weeks ago I saw these lovely polaroid-type images on my lovely friend Madali’s Facebook page. The beautiful darling of a little girl on the right is her sister, Em-Renke’s 1 year old daughter (Em-Renke and Istvan’s wedding was the first wedding I did). I assumed it was taken with a lomography camera and then only on Saturday after viewing one of my favourite New Zealand photographers, Kate mc Pherson’s site, I saw some similar images and read that it was taken with an iphone!! The application is called ‘histamatic‘ - I am sure some of you have seen it and even taken loads of images with this app, but just imagine my excitement when I also came to realise that such an application exists! So, yesterday, Kappie and 2 friends of ours, Ulrich & Mia, went to Hout Bay for lunch and while driving there I downloaded the ‘cameras’ and started going crazy with it snapping at everything I could see in and around the harbour! We had lunch at the Mariner’s wharf (if you like old world nostalgia like me, you will have a whale of time dining inside this old ship restaurant!) and I immediately fell in love with hipstamatic and the bar area with the old saloon-type couches. The application allows you to choose between lenses, film type and even flashes! The files are quite small (600 x 600 pixels) but suitable to print polaroid size images - and the best part - no editing is required (even though I looove editing!) each image is an artwork on its own. I don’t have an iphone and poor Kappie’s iphone had a dead battery by the end of the day! I think the best part about lomography and histamatic is that you don’t think to much about what you are doing (haha), the more random, the better! And you don’t spend any time thinking about aperture, speed or iso…

Hope you enjoy these! I enjoyed every second taking them!

Matthew & Catherine

nikki — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:51:11 +0000

Matthew and Catherine got married on Spring day last week at the lovely Overture restaurant in Hidden Valley. This is the first wedding I did at this venue and I must say apart from their award winning menu, the view and surroundings are simply magnificent! The weather played some games with us earlier on in the day but luckily during the family and couple photos Spring arrived and the skies were clear! Catherine and Matthew, who live in Sydney, were so much fun to work with - you’ll see on the photos how much they laughed! Their wedding was an intimate, fun affair with just 18 guests who came from all over the world to share in the celebration.

Bride’s gorgeous make-up: Cheryl Parker

John & Zelda

nikki — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 13:26:58 +0000

Ek is so opgewonde oor hierdie troue! Ek is nogal ‘n detail mens en by hierdie troue is niks oorgesien nie. Kyk net bietjie na die volgende: Zelda se parmantige skoentjies, haar lieflike ruiker, haar en John se klere , John se sakhorlosie, die dekor detail ens, ens. Is Zelda nie een van die mooiste, oulikste bruide wat julle al gesien het nie?! Ek het ‘n ruk terug hul verlowingsfotos in Kalkbaai geneem en die unieke dinamika tussen hierdie twee het my dadelik opgeval. Die eerste fotosessie was ‘n goeie ysbreker en op hul troudag het hierdie oulike paartjie behoorlik gestraal en dit wys op die foto’s. Dit was ‘n mistige dag in Kampsbaai en die lig het sag tussen deur die bome geval by die reservaat langs die huis waar meeste van die couple fotos geneem is. Die troue is by John se ouers se huis in Kalkbaai gehou. Die seremonie het op die stoep plaasgevind met ‘n uitsig oor die see tussen deur die mistigheid en daarna het die 35 gaste aangesit by ‘n feesmaal binneshuis. John se ma moet geloof word vir haar kreatiwiteit - sy het die dekor en blomme bymekaar gesit - ek was gaande oor die fyn eenvoud van Zelda se ruiker en die aardse kleure en teksture op die tafels. John se suster het die lieflike troukoek geskep met die heerlikste kase. Hoop julle geniet die foto’s en as jy ‘n bruid is behoort jy baie inspirasie hier te kry!

English summary: I am so excited about this wedding! I must say I am a detail person and at this wedding there was plenty detail to feast the eyes on. The following details really caught my eye: 1) Zelda’s cute vintage cream leather shoes 2) Her soft, delicate bouquet 3) Her dress and his vintage suit 4) John’s pocket watch with their wedding date engraved on it and 5) the rustic table setting with fresh, loosely arranged flowers. The wedding was held at John’s parents’ house in the beautiful Camp’s Bay and the couple photos were taken in the reserve area next to the house. The ceremony took place on the stoep area after which the 35 guests enjoyed a sumptuous Mediterranean buffet indoors. John’s mom should be acknowledged for all the work she put into the flower and decor arrangements - I was crazy about the blushing bride flowers in Zelda’s bouquet as well as the rustic colours and textures for the table setting. Hope you enjoy these pics and if you are a bride you are sure to find some inspiration here!

Service providers:

Guest house where bride got dressed: Leeuwenvoet, Tamboerskloof

Dress shop; Lunar

Make-up & hair: Melissa van Zyl

Catering: Spoonfed

Hans Joachim & Irene

nikki — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:50:10 +0000

Hans and Irene are two of the kindest, soft natured and talented individuals I have yet worked with. Irene grew up in Camps Bay and studied music at the University of Stellenbosch after which she packed her bags and left for Frankfurt, Germany, to continue her music studies. Hans was born in Schwetzingen and grew up in the Black Forest. When this tall guy, who is an extremely gifted violinist, saw the pretty Afrikaans girl with the big smile at the Frankfurt Music University he knew that he would love to get to know her better. At the beginning the language barrier was a small problem and caused many humourous incidents, but now Irene speaks German fluently and their love for music (in particular baroque) and life drew them closer to each other each day. Besides their mutual passion for music, they share a love for nature, good food and the arts. It was my first time at Steenberg Hotel and I can understand why this gifted couple chose this venue - the surroundings are breathtaking and I loved the sculpted garden with lavender flower beds. The weather played along nicely and I enjoyed seeing the fresh green of the vineyards and saturated pink-red colours of the bridesmaid dresses and bow detail of Irene’s dress dancing into the lens. Irene’s talented mom did all the flower arrangements and bouquets. The plated menu was a culinary feast and I loved the mini cupcakes which were part of the dessert.

Dear Hans & Irene, thank you for allowing me to capture this memorable day for you!

For photographers: After watching Orms‘ lens prices with a hawk’s eye for 18 months now I could at last buy the lens I have always wanted - the canon 50mm f1.2 L series lens. Up till now I have used my 50mm f1.4 lens for almost 60% of all weddings and it never failed to amaze me. The f1.2 however is definitely a step up! This is my first shoot with the new 50mm and I love how creamy and smooth the images are straight out of the lens. The bokeh is also very impressive. After playing around with my talented friend Lizelle Lotter’s 50mm f1.2 I just knew that this new buy will definitely be a welcome upgrade and definitely enrich the image quality of my work. The reason why I prefer shooting with a lens like the fixed 50mm as supposed to zoom lenses like the 70 - 200 f2.8 lens, is so that I can work closely with my clients to ensure that there are enough interaction . Although I get very excited about a beautifully posed shot, I definitely prefer spontaneous moments to happen.

Baba Gemma: 6 weke

nikki — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:03:33 +0000

Ek sien nie elke dag ‘n klein babatjie nie, maar wanneer jy enetjie kan afneem dan staan jy in verwondering met hoe perfek en klein alles is en die totale afhanklikheid waarmee so ‘n klein mensie moet leef, dit is seker die grootste wonder van die lewe! Baba Gemma is die gelukkige baba van twee pragtige ouers Almeri en Thys. Al is Gemma nog net ‘n paar wekies oud, het sy partykeer stip na die lens gekyk en gelyk of sy wil-wil glimlag. Sy het nie eenkeer begin huil nie - ‘n ware model baba!

Pêrels is Gemma se geboortesteen..

Cute!

Annelie & Bradley (E-shoot)

nikki — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:21:20 +0000

Annelie and Bradley are such a cute couple! I don’t think I need to explain…just watch them in the photos - they are very much in love and so, so relaxed with each other. They were a joy to photograph because they share so much laughter between them that moments just happen. I chose two different locations for this shoot - one being a deserted little house (with turquoise walls, yay!) close to the Huguenot monument (and also close to where Annelie and Bradley got engaged) and the other a lavender field a few kilometers before Franschhoek. This sweet couple’s big day is on the 31st of April next year in Franschhoek, can’t wait!

Gorgeous Annelie!

Neil & Lesley

nikki — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:47:17 +0000

Lesley is from Cape Town and Neil from Johannesburg. They met 9 years ago while both studying at Rhodes university in the Eeastern Cape, hence the decision to get married at an Eastern Cape venue. Nduna Lodge is a real gem in the small town of Alexandria and was the perfect choice for these two young and active people. For the past few years they have been in London. Kappie and I left for Port Elizabeth on the the 25th of June and was so excited when arriving at the lodge - it was a real treat! The service was so friendly, the food amazing and the surroundings breathtaking! I can hardly imagine a more beautiful setting to exchange your vows. Lesley and Neil are fun-loving and informal and did not want a serious affair for this highlight occation. Although all the guests were impeccably dressed they did not hold back on having an amazing party. After cutting the cake Lesley substituted her bridal gown for a cute funky polka-dot dress and she and Neil did a very entertaining opening dance! From a photographic perspective I was very excited when arriving in Alexandria (3km from Nduna) for the photoshoot - it is a very small town and we happened to stumble on a corner shop with a rustic red plastered wall and an old caravan parked opposite from it - perfect! Just as we were about to start dark clouds closed in and a little bit of rain fell so we had to work very quickly. Luckily Lesley and Neil and their bridal party were ready for action and we worked very, very fast before going back to Nduna to take a few more. I loved Lesley’s hair piece and funky blue heels and her dress fitted her like a glove. Neil and his groomsmen looked so interesting in the their different suits, hats and striped ties. Thank you Neil and Lesley for having Kappie and I come to Nduna to photograph your gorgeous wedding!

Venue: Nduna Lodge

Dress designer: Ilse Roux

Dirk & Sindi (Couple shoot)

nikki — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:25:05 +0000

Sindi & Dirk is die cuteste paartjie! Ek was nie beskikbaar vir hulle troue laasjaar nie maar gelukkig het ek die geleentheid gekry om ‘n ‘post-wedding’ shoot vir hulle te doen. Hulle is nou 6 maande getroud. Ek was gek oor Sindi se voorkoms - sy het so sag en modieus gelyk. Dié twee se prettige geaardhede het ons gelei na interessante plekkies - die roomys winkeltjie in Kerkstraat, die klein pleintjie oorkant dit en ook die kafee’tjie naby die Helshoogtepas. Die fotos is geneem die oggend van die openingswedstryd tussen Bafana en Mexiko so die vuvuzelas het geraas en vlae het orals gewapper, die hele dorp was in rep en roer! Dankie julle, dit was baie fun om saam met julle te kon werk!

Erika & Steffen (E-shoot)

nikki — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:50:02 +0000

Dit was bibberend koud toe ek saam met Erika & Steffen in Seepunt en die Waterfront was, maar dit was flippen lekker! Dié tweetjies trou die 20ste November in Franschhoek en ken mekaar al ‘n geruime tydjie. Steffen het ‘n paar jaar gelede van Duitsland na Suid-Afrika gekom en sy beeldskone verloofde, Erika, het skool gegaan in die Deutsche Schule in Kaapstad. Hulle praat Duits met mekaar en is andersins vlot 3-talig. Dit het gelyk of ‘n swaar reebui enige oomblik sou uitsak en die donker lug het dramaties goed saamgewerk met hul swart jasse. Op die laaste oomblik het ons ook besluit om ‘n draai in die Waterfront te maak - ek is mal oor die sagte blou van Tafelberg in die agtergrond en die bont kleure van die bootjies. Ek sien baie uit na hulle troue!

Sjoe, Erika is beeldskoon!

Deon & Madeleine

nikki — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:05:53 +0000

Deon & Madeleine se sprokiestroue het plaasgevind op die lieflike Nooitgedacht plaas net buite Stellenbosch. Ek is nou maar eenmaal gek oor nostalgie en ouwêreldse sjarme en daarom was ek mal oor Madeleine se ‘look’ - sy het soos ‘n hedendaagse Victoriaanse dame gelyk met haar aardse kleur rok met kant en fyn handskoentjies en dan my gunsteling - die interessante ‘hooftooisel’-detail. Haar fyn turqoise skoentjies het die mooi prentjie afgerond. Die barok dekor en blomme was ook so chic en stylol - kristalle, spieels, silwer en pêrels het ‘n glinster gegooi oor die tafels. Die 5de Junie was ‘n vars wintersdag en ook die begin van ‘n wonderlike lewe saam vir Deon en Madeleine. Hulle vul mekaar so goed aan, is energiek en straal liefde vir mekaar. Een van die hoogtepunte van die dag was toe Madeleine (wat ‘n baie talentvolle ballerina is) en Deon se dogter Nadia, geklee in fyn rokkies, die ‘dansvloer’ betree en ‘n vertoning hou wat nie sommer vergeet sal word nie! Daar was groot opgewondenheid toe die bruid skielik in ‘n nuwe rokkie en baletskoene verskyn en mens kon sien hoe trots Deon (wat onbewus was van die verrassing) was. Die dag was ‘n behoorlike feesviering van familie, vriende en kinders en die dansvloer was nie vir een oomblik stil nie. Baie geluk julle twee en dankie dat julle my deel gemaak het van hierdie onvergeetlike spesiale dag!

English summary:

( Deon & Madeleine’s beautiful wedding took place at Nooitgedacht estate just outside Stellenbosch. I am besotted with anything nostalgic and old world charm and therefore I loved Madeleine’s look - she looked like a Victorian dame in her fine lacy gloves, headpiece and ivory coloured dress. The baroque décor and flowers were so chic and stylish - crystals, mirrors, silver and pearls reflected the soft light in the venue. The 5th of June was a perfect, fresh winter’s day and also the start of a wonderful new beginning for Deon and Madeleine. One of the highlights of the day was when Madeleine (who is a very talented ballerina) and Nadia (Deon’s daughter), entertained guests with their fine foot work! )

Rok: Elizabeth Wedding Gowns

Hare: Antoinette at Hair works

Make-up: Claudette

Décor & Flowers: Royal Blu

Cake: Nooitgedacht

Stationery: the Wedding Lounge

Niël & Maché

nikki — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 06:22:47 +0000

Ek weet nie waar om te begin skryf oor hierdie ongelooflike troue, of eerder bruilofsfees, van Niël en Maché nie…ek is mal oor troues (dit weet almal seker!) en hierdie troue is als wat ek sou sê dit regtig oor gaan - die emosie, uitbundige vreugde, familie en vriende wat ‘n hond uit ‘n bos uit kan saam lag, kuier en fees vier…die pa wat huiwerig, dog met ‘n geruste hart, sy geliefde dogter afstaan; die bruidegom wat met absolute oorgawe sy liefde vir die Here uit volle bors sing; en ‘n makietie wat eers teen 4 uur die oggend begin spoed verloor het! Toe ek en Adél aankom by die Robertson Small hotel het ons dadelik die energie van die dag begin voel…Maché se 2 boeties kon nie ophou sê hoe ongelooflik hulle sussie lyk nie; oupa het reggestaan by die vintage troukar (oupa het as ‘n geskenk vir Maché haar trourok vir haar betaal!); vader het gehelp om Maché se rits knopies vas te maak en moeder, uitgedos in haar stunning diep aubergine outfit, het reggestaan om uit te kyk dat als vlot verloop. Van hier af was dit net die een hoogtepunt op die volgende…(behalwe dat die Stormers in die Super 14 finaal verloor het) Niël kon nie sy oë afhaal van die ongelooflike skoonheid wat in die padjie na hom afgekom het nie; die kerk se dak het gelig tydens die lofprysing en juffrou Maché se klassie was ook daar om in die trouery te deel! Vir die familie en couple fotos vertrek ons toe na Springfield wynplaas net buite die dorp. Maché het vir haar pa gevra om vir haar ‘n ‘kalkbaai muur’ te verf (die kleure mag dalk vir julle bekend lyk!) - hoe oulik is dit nie?! Ons het al die familiefotos teen hierdie netjiese ‘muur’ geneem…so ‘n vrolike familie kan darem nie teen ‘n vaal muur afgeneem word nie! Dit was ‘n fees om om die couple fotos saam met Niël en Maché te doen want hulle is net ‘n bondel vreugde en liefde. Ek was mal oor die oop veldjie met die kaktusse en ook die ‘hoenderbraai’ stalletjie op die skougronde. Goed, ek het nou genoeg gekekkel, ek hoop die fotos sal die res van die storie vertel! (Dankie aan albei families vir julle ongelooflike gasvryheid en dat ek kon deel wees van hierdie amazing dag!)

For my english readers…I know that some of you might not understand Afrikaans and I know the feeling of utter frustration when you would like to read what a post is all about and the only thing you see is a jumble of letters that make no sense…so from now on if I am posting an Afrikaans couple’s wedding I will give a summary of the day in english, so here goes:

I don’t even know where to start writing about this amazing wedding…I adore weddings (I am sure you all know this by now!) and this wedding is to my opinion what it is all about…the emotion, ecstatic joy, family and friends that share the joy of a couple’s opening chapter of their new lives together; the father that is somewhat hesitant (though deeply happy) to hand over his daughter at the end of the isle; the groom that praises the Lord with the deepest joy and dancing that continues well into the early hours of the morning. For the family and couple photos we travelled a few km’s out of town to the beautiful Springfield wine estate. Maché asked her father to paint her a ‘Kalkbay wall’ (I am sure that the colours will look familiar to some of you!) which served as a backdrop for the couple and family photos…how sweet is that?! I had so much fun photographing Maché & Niël because they are such an energetic in-love couple! My favourite photos are those taken in the open field with cacti and in front of the chicken-braai kiosk. Enjoy!

Service providers:

Dress: Hanelore (082 976 9147)

Hair & Make-up: Anna-Mart Mostert (082 788 3916)

Décor & Flowers: Family

Perspex table names: Doodles laser cutting

Venue where Maché got dressed: Robertson Small Hotel

Videographer: Kobus Bender

Editing nota: Ek is absoluut mal oor editing en sal dikwels tien verskillende goed op een foto probeer voordat ek tevrede is; ek het onlangs afgekom op Dror Eyal, ‘n famous troufotograaf in die noorde van ons land, se presets wat hy self skep in Lightroom (vir hierdie post het ek nie een foto in photoshop na die tyd ge-edit nie, alles kom net so uit Lightroom, behalwe vir die RAD Action, Slice like a Ninja, wat ek in Photoshop gebruik om die fotos ekstra skerp te maak vir die rekenaarskerm) - ek het van hulle aangewend op die close-up van die 3 bouquets, die reeks waar Maché in die troukar arriveer (’n preset genaamd desert) en vir die heel laaste foto het ek die persian preset gebruik)

‘n fees van vrolike kleure!

Ek was gek oor Maché re ruiker, dit was verseker iets anders! Die vars groen en pers het so goed saamgewerk..

Pa Kobus skrik nie vir ‘n paar fyn knopies nie:

Is sy nie prentjie-mooi nie?!

‘n Interessante bruid kort interessante, vrolike skoene!

Niël was baie opgewonde toe ek vir hom vra om die mannetjie na te aap..

Die veelkleurige na-gereg ‘tafel’!

Steve & Anne

nikki — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 12:37:47 +0000

Steve & Anne had an intimate ceremony at the beautiful Bakenhof estate just outside Wellington. Steve is Scottish and Anne Australian. The lovely Cape was a perfect ‘halfway house’ for their two families. The couple currently reside in Sydney. Although their wedding was an intimate affair

with only 11 guests (all of them travelled to South Africa was this joyous event) every detail was considered. Mint and Magnolia did the lovely décor (I loved Anne’s bouquet with the black satin ribbon and pearl detail); Helga and her mom made sure Anne’s make-up and hair looked gorgeous and Johan, the chef at Bakenhof, was responsible for the feast of culinary delights. I only photographed for 3 hours and I really enjoyed this mid week outing to Bakenhof. Thank you Steve and Anne for making me part of your special day!

Anel & Ryno (E-session)

nikki — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:37:02 +0000

Anel en Ryno wou iets anders doen vir hul ‘Engagement shoot’ en daar is toe besluit op die Atlantis duine! Dit was ‘n opwindende middag van jaag oor golwende sandduine, rol in die sand en ‘n paar ernstige ‘poses’ met die son wat dramaties in die agtergrond sak. Ek was mal oor die oop, ongeskonde skoonheid van die duine. Ek sien uit om weer saam met die twee lewenslustige mense te kan werk op hul troue 16 April volgende jaar!

Anel het die aller mooiste blou oë!

Kobus & Canell

nikki — Wed, 26 May 2010 08:26:15 +0000

Canell en Kobus is twee sulke spesiale mense en dit was vir my fantasties om te kon deel wees van hul ongelooflike troue. Canell en haar broer Andries het in die straat agter ons gebly en was my boetie se twee beste vriende van klein tyd af. Wat ek alte goed kon onthou van Canell is dat geen kattekwaad of tydverdryf te ’seunserig’ vir haar was nie, as daar klei lat of kettie geskiet is, was sy daar! Sy was nog altyd pragtig, maar op haar troudag moes ek die trane terug veg, want o jitte sy het gestraal! Sy was die ene vroulikheid in haar rok vol kralewerk en net, afgerond met die fraaiste balletskoentjies! Dan, niemand kan stry dat sy die ongelooflikste oë en mooiste glimlag het nie! Kobus en Canell bring die beste in mekaar na vore, hulle is beste pêls, is mal oor avontuur en is duidelik smoor verlief. Dit was ‘n fees om hulle te kon afneem (sien ook hulle verlowingsfoto’s in die Bo-Kaap en Waterfront ) - die vreugde en energie borrel behoorlik na vore. Die onthaal het na ‘n sprokiestuin gelyk en soos altyd was die buffet by Nooitgedacht ‘n feesmaal. Ek hoop julle geniet hierdie fotos net soveel soos wat ek geniet het om dit te neem!

Dress designer: Amanda Aitchison

Hair: Jeanette Genis

Make-up: Algria Ferreira

Décor & Flowers: Royal Blu - Gerrit Snyman

Videographers: FJS (I love working with these guys!)

Cake: Liesel from Nooitgedacht

Zelda & John (E-session)

nikki — Wed, 19 May 2010 14:35:12 +0000

Daar is ‘n rede hoekom fotograwe so lief is vir Kalkbaai - dit bied regtig iets van alles - ek is mal oor die nostalgiese klein hawetjie, die vars vis, helder bootjies, die duikweg, spoorweg, ens. - soveel variasie! Daarom was ek uit my nate toe ek ‘n couple shoot daar kon gaan doen. En wat ‘n oulike couple is dit nie! Zelda en John trou die 7de Augustus in sy ouers se huis teen die berghange van Kampsbaai - dit beloof om stunning te wees! Die twee is vreeslik ‘laid-back’ en ek dink die agtergrond van die hawetjie, duikweg en rotse het perfek gepas. Geniet! En, o ja, as jy ooit lus is vir ‘n treat, gaan drink ‘n cocktail by harbour house en dan vars calamari en slap tjips by Lucky Fish - beide is in die hawetjie!

Dit is amazing wat ‘n bietjie kleur aan ‘n foto kan doen!

Zelda gaan ‘n stunning bruid wees!

‘n Paar random ’scenery’ shots - de Kalkbaai hawetjie is so ‘n nostalgiese plekkie:

Charl & Anso

nikki — Tue, 18 May 2010 18:49:02 +0000

Charl en Anso is twee baie spontane, gemaklike mense en ‘n ‘laid-back’ venue soos Strandkombuis langs die weskus was die perfekte keuse om die nuwe hoofstuk in hul lewe mee af te skop! Anso het my aanvanklik ingelig dat Charl nie so gretig is vir foto’s neem nie maar op die dag was dit allesbehalwe die geval, hy is heeltyd vol grappies gewees en het soveel energie ingesit in die foto’s dat ek dink hul persoonlikhede het regtig deurgekom. In Mei maand kan die weer jou lelik fnuik, maar op die 8ste Mei was die lug oop en blou en ek het eers later toe ek die foto’s edit gesien hoe ‘n mooi dag dit eintlik was. Anso is een van daai ‘moeitelose skoonhede’ (effortless beauties) - sy is lank en skraal en het die mooiste oë en glimlag en dit was ‘n fees om haar te kon afneem. Sy het haar skoene uitgetrek vir die couple fotosessie en Charl het sy broekspype opgerol en toe ek weer sien is hulle albei in die water! Die aand se feesvieringe was ook in ‘n baie ligte luim en almal het net lekker saam gekuier. Hoop julle geniet dit!

Bruid se rok: Bride & Co

Gastehuis waar Anso gereed gemaak het: Villa Pescatori

Make-up: Iza (Loubser) Cloete

Hare: Style for hair

Warren & Tamara

nikki — Sat, 08 May 2010 08:36:05 +0000

Warren & Tamara celebrated their wedding with all their special family and friends at Tamara’s parents’ gorgeous house on Montpellier farm near Franschhoek. Although they faced quite a few obstacles organizing a wedding for 150 people at a ‘venue’ which isn’t a ‘traditional’ function venue, they totally pulled it off. A shuttle service was organised to transfer guests between the ceremony and the house; a bedouin tent was constructed over the swimming pool and garden area; the gully was transformed into an informal amphitheater (for the ceremony) and the kitchen became a factory of all kinds of delicious treats. Warren and Tamara are extremely passionate about the outdoors and have shared many adventures together - they wanted their most special day to reflect this. The colour palette was warm reds and oranges combined with details such as crystals, striped cotton ribbon and even Slangbos which was salvaged around the house. Tamara, her mum and 3 bridesmaids got ready at the beautiful Franschhoek Pass Villa. I was thrilled when I saw Tamara’s funky red Nine West shoes which complimented the light pinkish-cream tone of her dress so well. Excitement and nerves (they day started our very, very windy!) were running high at the guesthouse but upon arrival at the farm the wind died down, the sun was out and the couple could share their eternal promises under a bright blue sky. After the ceremony the newly weds sped off in a quad bike to sign the registry up at the house. Warren and Tamara were such fun to photograph, they make each other laugh all the time and they just compliment each other so extremely well. I loved shooting in the mountain and thereafter in Tamara’s mom’s veggie patch - Tamara grabbed some gumboots and Warren found a shovel - the two of them made such a classic fun picture between the veggies! The reception was definitely a celebration to be remembered - mouth watering culinary delights filled the plates and some serious dancing followed the heartfelt speeches. Both Tamara’s grannies (both in their nineties!) were there to celebrate this special event with them. Hope you enjoy the pictures just as much as I enjoyed posting them!

Service providers:

Make-up: Gerhard Naude (083 387 7149)

Hair: Zelma Parenzee (084 753 3511)

Guesthouse: Franschhoek Pass Villa

Caterer: Annalize Buchanan (ab-cater@iafrica.com)

Bride’s dress: Luna

Décor: Masquerade (in Franschhoek)

I loved the warm, vibrant colours in these next 3 photos so much that I just had to post all of them:

Even the stone sculpture in the garden had to carry some flowers!

The gorgeous view from Tamara’s parents’ house on the hill:

Aren’t these Nine West shoes gorgeous?!

Tamara wanted a home-made posy. Her talented mom put this gorgeous one together:

Lovely-leg-ladies!

Grandma gets a lift up:

These two are at their happiest if they can be outdoors - they planted a tree much to the excitement of the guests!

Warren showing some attitude:

In Tamara’s mom’s veggie-patch:

Grandma is 91 years old, but nothing could stop her on the dance floor!

Lizanne & Philip-John (E-session)

nikki — Fri, 07 May 2010 12:46:49 +0000

These two will definitely look familiar! I am doing things a bit the other way round by posting this selection of fun pics of Philip-John and Lizanne Higgs (here are their wedding pics) that I took 3 days before their wedding! These two are so easy to photograph - so spontaneous and fun-loving! They are back in London now after their lovely wedding and relaxing honeymoon along the Garden route. Hope you enjoy these!

Don & Joha-mari

nikki — Tue, 04 May 2010 20:54:48 +0000

Joha-mari & Don got married at the beautiful Kleinevalleij venue just outside Wellington on the 16th of April. She contacted me a few weeks earlier about doing an informal shoot at the beach on the Sunday, of course I was more than keen!
Gordon’s Bay harbour and the adjacent Bikini beach really had me excited with all the blends of colours, textures and off course the last bit of gold, bronze light on the beach was fantastic! Thank you Jo & Don for giving me the opportunity to work with you guys, hope you had a very memorable honeymoon!

Philip-John & Lizanne

nikki — Sat, 01 May 2010 06:45:50 +0000

I had so much fun shooting Lizanne & P-J’s wedding at Buitenverwachting in the oh-so-beautiful Constantia. They decided to have a morning-afternoon wedding - the ceremony was held in a cute stone chapel in Tokai followed by a sumputous picnic at Buitenverwachting. Their wedding was an intimate affair with just their closest friends and family and the whole day just had such a relaxed atmosphere. Lizanne (who adores photography and is an up and coming photographer herself) & P-J’s love story began 8 years ago when they met as students in Pretoria. For the past 6 years they have been residing in the UK. I was besotted with Lizanne’s champagne-coloured soft silky dress which she was lucky to find in a London boutique, she looked so dreamy in this dress with her fresh water pearl necklace (which P-J gave her the morning of their wedding!) and soft curls. I was hoping for an overcast day (with no rain of course!) because the couple shoot was done around noon and we were lucky that the skies were indeed a huge soft box for photos! I love funky props (of course not the corny type like frames and the traditional honeymoon suitcase) because it adds an element of fun and something that often results in spontaneous images, so, thank you Lizanne for bringing a long the black and white sunglasses!

Dress designer: Alan Hannah

Hair & make-up: Aliki Zanolin (073 350 6549)

Marriage Officiant: Roger Horwood (021 438 1124)

Musicians: Music Boutique - Klein Lanzerac Trio

Wedding Cupcakes: Cupcakes etc.

Videographer: Digital Video Productions - Gerhard Loedolf - (083 473 8581)

Aren’t they cute?!

This scene really reminds me of the English country side:

P-J wanted some pics under the old rugby poles, he played rugby for many years:

Mr & Mrs Bond:

The dreamy, silky dress:

Kirsty & Ian

nikki — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 11:26:36 +0000

I am so excited about Kirsty & Ian’s wedding! It was an absolute joy to photograph (just look at the amazing décor and flowers!). Everything was absolutely perfect at this wedding from the can-you-believe-how-gorgeous bride to the sumptuous buffet and decadent cake. I fell in love with Kirsty’s colour scheme and oppulent choice of decor pieces. When I saw her dress I was extra excited, she looked like she stepped right out a Jan Vermeer painting - bright blue eyes, fair skin and angelic blonde locks. I could go on and on about this wedding, but hopefully the pictures will tell the story…enjoy!

Décor & Flowers: Leipzig (ongelooflik Annegret!)
Make-up: Iza Cloete (she did an amazing job!)

Wedding cake: Wade’s cakes

Venue: Nooitgedacht

Kirsty’s good friend Annie Klintworth (signing the registry here) designed all her beautiful stationery:

Barend & Rita

nikki — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 21:26:51 +0000

Rita en Barend se troue was ‘n fees! Die twee wag al lank vir mekaar en dit was onder groot toejuiging wat die twee hul eerste soen voor die kansel gesoen het! Hul sprokiestroue was op Paasnaweek die Sondag by Neethlingshof. Die weer kon nie beter gewees het nie, so ook nie kos of gastelys nie! Rita het gestraal in haar rok van Myers en haar twee sussies was heeltyd langs haar, heeltyd vol grappies en baie liefde vir hul bruid-sussie. Barend en Rita kon letterlik nie hul oë van mekaar af hou nie, hulle het verseker ware liefde by mekaar gevind, baie geluk julle twee en mag daar nog vele dekades voor lê wat julle jul liefde vir mekaar kan koester!

Hair & Make-up: Joleta Keane

Bruid se bouquet: Nastassja Harvey

Joleta het ‘n amazing job gedoen met Rita se make-up (Sy het ook Jani s’n gedoen)

Die stralende bruid…

John-bert & Elrika

nikki — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:06:04 +0000

Oe, hierdie was nou ‘n lekker troue! Die hele dag was ‘n fees vir die oog - van die bruid (Elrika het behoorlik gestraal!), die blomme & dekor, reg deur tot die uitspattige lekkergoed tafel (enige kind en grootmens se droom!). Elrika, wat medies swot op Tygerberg,het vir maande lank elke detailtjie haarfyn beplan, en sy (en almal wat betrokke was) kan so trots wees op die eindresultaat. Die dag het soos ‘n sprokie ontvou en alles het plaasgevind op die beeldskone Molenvliet gronde omvou deur reuse berge en sagte groen wingerde. Elrika en haar funky, energieke gevolg het in die gastehuis reggemaak waar die opwinding hoog geloop het voordat hulle in styl gearriveer het by die bedouin tent waar John-bert met groot afwagting vir sy bruid gewag het. Aangesien die bruidspaar gebore en getoë in Namibië is, was daar ‘n hele trek van die noorde om hierdie opwindende dag met hulle te kon deel en reg deur die dag was dit duidelik dat almal hulle gate uit geniet het! Vir sommige van julle mag hierdie oulike paartjie dalk bekend lyk, ek het laasjaar hulle verlowingsfoto’s in Kaapstad geneem en dit was groot pret, hulle troue was selfs meer opwindend en ek is baie bly dat ek hierin kon deel. Hoop julle geniet die kiekies!

Service providers:

Venue: Molenvliet

Dress: Elizabeth Stockentröm

Hair: Lisa Louw Make-up: Jani: 083 461 2261

Stationery: Adam and Eve weddings

Flowers & Décor: Mint & Magnolia

Vidoegrapher: Crosstover (Chris)

Catering: Pink Salt

Jacey & Monique

nikki — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 14:06:30 +0000

Monique and Jacey are the sweetest couple. They are truly meant to be together, they compliment each other so well. Jacey contacted me a few months ago from where he works in Dubai, I never got to meet him before their wedding day, what a pleasant guy! And Monique is equally pleasant, I was fortunate to meet her a few times before the wedding because I did their stationery as well. Their wedding took place at Beloftebos just outside Stanford (this time I had the opportunity to be behind the lens at the venue where Kappie and I got married on the 29th of Jan and what a pleasure it was!). We watched the weather sites with hawk’s eyes the week prior to the wedding and it was not looking too good, but luckily the only bit of rain that fell was at the very start of the ceremony for a few seconds and from there onwards the weather was perfect. I love photographing couples that are so obviously in love, Jacey and Monique can make each other laugh with just one glance! I loved the choice of flowers and also their cute cake! Andries and Coia from Beloftebos are excellent hosts and everyone agreed that the whole menu was top class (the spitbraai and salmon caviar tart were my absolute favourites!). The tent look magical with the full moon casting a soft light above it. Jacey and Monique, it was an absolute joy and pleasure working with you guys, thank you for having me as your photographer and stationer!

Venue: Beloftebos

Dress: Robin Roberts

Quinten Broid (musician)

nikki — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 08:30:21 +0000

Moontlik lyk Quinten vir jou bekend, hy is ‘n baie begaafde musikant en liriekeskrywer. Ek was bevoorreg om hom live te sien tydens ‘n troue wat ek laasjaar in Saldanha afgeneem het (Sumé & Riaan). Hy het ‘n opregte, spontane persoonlikheid en die man is verseker nie kamera sku nie! Hy staan ook verseker nie terug vir ‘n uitdaging nie. Hierdie hele shoot was ‘n uitdaging - ek bedoel om ‘n klavier te kry op die strand, jetty, parkeer garage en woud is nie kinderspeletjies nie. Gelukkig het hy ‘n span by hom gehad - twee sterk vriende om die klavier te dra (ek moet darem hier byvoeg dat die ‘binnegoed’ verwyder is anders sou 2 mense verseker te min gewees het) en sy oulike sussie wat haar uitstekend van haar taak gekwyt het om seker te maak elke haartjie is in sy plek. Ek was baie opgewonde toe Quinten my vooraf kom sien met al die idees wat hy het - die verskillende ‘locations’ het vir lekker variasie gesorg. Ek was veral mal oor die jetty foto’s.

(Spesiale dank ook aan Adél wat beman was met die reflector - die son het nog baie hoog gesit vir hierdie foto’s so ons moes ekstra lig na Quinten weerkaants)

Ek het hierdie inligting direk van Quinten se website af ge-copy, dit vertel meer oor hom as persoon en musikant:

The journey dates back to the early 1990’s. The first musical seed was planted.

Quinten Broid is an energetic South African born singer/songwriter. When you think of South Africa, you immediately think energy, rich, vibrant colours, friendly people, and that is exactly how you can describe Broid. He has a contagious passion for the creative process and for life in general. Broid was born in small-town Kathu, in the Kalahari region of South Africa. He had an upbringing filled with wildlife and the great outdoors and started exploring with music since the age of 8.

What started as a pocket money job, playing piano in a local restaurant, turned into his life calling.

Being a formally trained pianist, Quinten brings the piano and guitar to life through a strong passionate combination of well placed lyrics and clear cut vocals.

An enthusiastic Photographer and Traveler, Quinten has travelled to the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the Netherlands and stayed a year in Miami, USA, where he had the opportunity to share his music in the ocean city’s restaurants.

When the opportunity arrived in 2008 for Quinten to record at Streetlevel Studios in beautifully vibrant Cape Town, he immediately packed his bags and drove south to the coast. His ‘hands on’ approach in the creative process of his songs is reflected in several Broid penned and produced songs along musical contributions from Chris Tait and the Fazeka Childrens Choir. His first full length recording, Story of my life, show Broid’s remarkable ability as a vocalist, producer and songwriter.

Early in 2009 Quinten founded the WE NEED LOVE FUND. Quinten, with fellow musician friends, will donate a percentage of their earnings from performances into this fund. Funds will be used to buy musical instruments, such as accoustic guitars, and donate them to communities where needed. The musicians will assist with the training on the instruments.

” Music is such a strong medium and individuals benefitting from this project, has the power to make a difference in their community’s social situation.”

Ek love die ’surreal’ gevoel in hierdie jetty shot:

Die gedugte span: