Randoms on a Friday afternoon

It's raining outside and my cat is curled up on a cushion next to me. I'm watching reruns of Junior Masterchef - talk about overachievers.. an 8 year old who can cook a perfect chocolate fondant? I spent all day every day in the South African Masterchef kitchen shooting stills and I still disappoint myself with watery quiches every now and then. So much for information osmosis huh? Anyway,well watching the future Gordon Ramsay's of Australia I stumbled upon this edit which was destined for facebook, twitter, a blog, a website, someone's wall.. who can remember. But I like em. So they can stay.

Children's shoots

What do you get when you mix balloons, cupcakes, a very expensive horse and a bouncy labrador and 3 gorgeous girls? THESE pics. I had fun. And i am happy to say I am now offering offbeat documentary styled childrens shoots. Please email me at lisaskinn@gmail.com for a customised quote.

Long lost update

I shot this wedding ages and ages ago but in between working in Kenya for 3 weeks, moving house, redesigning my actual site, shoots, shoots (and more shoots), finishing my work as the stills photographer on Masterchef South Africa and doing some work for Australian Marie Claire posting this blog update slipped through the cracks. But I get to do it now and I suppose that is what counts. Emile and Izzi were awesome. He struggled to hold back the tears as she came dancing down the aisle to Margaret Singana's "Mama Tembu's wedding". It was one of those moments that remind me why people still get married. And I felt so lucky to have been part of that.

Anna and Robbie at Umtamvuna River Lodge

I overheard one of the bridesmaids at Anna and Robbie's beachside wedding say that they were "the Cornwalls from Cornwall". I don't know if that's true.. I'm an horrendous eavesdropper and I was having too much fun to ask but if they are from Cornwall that explains why the on-again off-again rain didn't really phase them.
I mean there was the natural reaction of "Damn. We wanted to get married on the sand, next to a river". But that's because Umtamvuna River Lodge is gorgeous and and a buried treasure down a dirt road past a closed bottle store and a broken down truck.
But more than anything the overwhelming message of the day was "Damn!" (the good kind,that comes with a smile) "We're getting married!"

This wedding reminded me of what matters most on a day like this .. friends, family and genuine concern for the person you're marrying's wellbeing.
"Ask Anna if I should button my waistcoat up or not?" said Robbie
"Shirt tucked in or out?"
"How's Robbie's haircut? Does he look gorgeous? Is he nervous? Have they had lunch?" asks Anna from behind the make-up artists brush.

And as the rain pitter pattered down and the reception, held on a covered deck overlooking the river that felt like we were in a giant tree house, was held amidst twinkly fairy lights, hand made bunting and a giant cupcake wedding cake I realised that the rain would be the last thing that anyone would remember.

.