Monday, December 19, 2011

A newborn for a newbie

Welcome William Thomas Salter.

You've already achieved supermodel status in my eyes, I know your mum and dad would agree.
Thank you for sleeping so soundly while we moved you from one odd position to another.
You've got a future as a yogi my friend.
Or at the very least a proffesional sleeper.

Thanks also for making my first newborn shoot a pleasure, I've heard horror stories about 6 hour shoots, unhappy babies and stressed out mums&dads. I've no doubt that i'll have many of those in the future but i'm grateful that my first experience was such a delight.

And at the risk of tempting fate .. I'm excited for my next one!











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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Barbara and Craig at Helderfontein Estate

There’s this thing about photographers.. not always so good with the words. After reading and thinking and reading and trying and reading and lying on the floor close to crying (well not really but I’m a fan of the dramatic) I decided.

I decided that I’ll write what I like (sorry Steve Biko) and pretend you’re not listening. I’ll write what I like and believe that it’s freeing. I’ll write what I like and I’ll start remembering.

I remember meeting Craig at Helderfontein in his shorts and flip flops, I remember his friends and best men playfully teasing him as they all got dressed, I remember everyone seemed to be family or the long lost brother of a best friend/sister/cousin/aunt/uncle. I remember Craig speaking to his gran (who was too sick in England to make it) “Not yet Nana” he whispered “She’s almost almost my wife, but not yet” as he stood outside the chapel.

And then the ceremony… Barbara’s bridesmaids taking their time down the aisle.
Slowly, one by one. I remember thinking “So this is how it feels…. A moment that you want to last forever and simultaneously hurry up”.

And my favorite image Barbara and Craig standing side by side, she turns her head to whisper something to him and he leans into her. Their heads close to touching. Such a slight movement.
But in a photograph it speaks volumes.

There’s so much more to talk about – first communion as husband and wife, Craig’s dad marrying them moments before. Brightly colored cocktails below birdcages’ filled with flowers. The best man’s speech and the laughter that followed.

But like I said… photographers are not always so good with the words.
So here are the pictures instead.














Monday, August 1, 2011

Monday, May 9, 2011

Mandy and Sean at Summerplace




I've written and re-written this post 4 times.
Nothing seems to sit quite right today. Maybe it's all the Mother's Day Champagne. Or maybe it's the fact that my fabulous friends Mandy and Sean had a day that was as real and unique as it was steeped in ceremony and tradition. From the Kiddush cup used by Mandy's family since the 19th Century to the mad Hora dancing to the truly South African protea centerpieces
Or maybe it's just that I can't quite find the right words to say how happy I am that two such awesome people found one another.
And that I (and my awesome second shooter Eduan Kitching) were lucky enough to document their special day.
Hopefully these pictures will help.