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.

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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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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.