Info & FAQs

MY PHILOSOPHY

It’s quite simple really!
I like to keep it as natural and real as possible, documenting the moments, kisses, laughs that make it all unique for each couple and subject I photograph.

“Time stands still best in moments that look suspiciously like ordinary life.”
-Brian Andreas

How I work , my style and approach on your wedding day

Capturing a wedding celebration is probably one of the most significant days in a couple’s life and I feel truly honored when asked to do so and will treat it with the love, honour and respect it deserves.

I try to make sure that my un-obtrusive and documentation style captures the day just as it is, without disturbing too much of the natural moments. Every wedding day is different and I believe that there shouldn’t be any preconceived formulas as to how the day goes or plays out, so I prefer to photograph things just as they happen, so that when you look at your photographs you remember every detail as it was.

I will go to great lengths to make you feel comfortable, happy and at ease on the day, because I know just how special this day really is and by doing this will allow you to feel relaxed and as natural as possible in front of the camera, which then allows me to capture all the authentic and real moments as they happen.

Getting married is the start of a magical and exciting journey and I hope that the wedding day story I document reminds you of this truly significant day.

LIFESTYLE SHOOTS

“The best things in life are the people you love,
the places you’ve been and the memories you’ve made along the way.”

To be able to capture a family, mom to be, newborn baby is always so amazing. I know how important each photograph is, so I try to make sure that when I spend time with you I get an idea of what it is that means the most.

In order to get real emotion I would love to get a sense of who you are, what you love, what it is that makes you and your family tick and by doing this will hopefully get a better sense of how to document it in an authentic way leaving you with real memories to keep forever. Let me come to your house while you have your Saturday morning coffee on the verandah or join you for a family walk in the park with your furry friend, these are the times I feel I get to see the real giggles, sweet little moments that all happen naturally.If you want more info on this or would like me to document your special people, or moments in your life then I would love to hear from you.

FAQ

▶ How do we go about booking you?

Once you have decided on the date of your special day please let me know and if the date is available then I will require a booking fee of 30% of the package chosen. The booking fee is non-refundable so please make sure you certain you want me to photograph and tell the story of your special day.

▶ How far in advance should we book?

6 – 12 months is advised. Popular dates and months fill faster than others, so please get in touch as soon as you have your date and I will check availability.

▶ We feel awkward in front of the camera, do you help us pose?

Aren't we all, well most of us anyway! I like to keep it natural, in the moment and something that is special for just you, so yes I will help you guys feel comfy and as natural as possible in front of the camera but at the end of the day totally rely on your chemistry and interaction to get those special, spontaneous and genuine moments. It may just take a little coaxing out and a quiet moment before I start clicking but we will get there, I promise.

▶ Do you offer only wedding shoots or can we book a lifestyle, engagement, family shoot as well?

Yes of course, I love documenting any of these special moments in your life. Sometimes it's just a Sunday morning picnic in the garden that is special to your family or a walk in the park with your dogs, which means the most, I would love to capture it. Contact me and we can plan a session that is special and unique to you.

▶ Do you shoot alone or have an assistant?

I will more than likely have an assistant on the day to help me, as I like to make sure that I'm totally focused on you guys and not fetching camera equipment from my car or informing the wedding planner that we back from the shoot. I will definitely inform you should I not have someone able to help and I can quite easily manage on my own should I have to, so not to worry.

▶ What photography gear do you use?

I shoot with two Nikon bodies, which are attached to me all day (Nikon D750 & D600) and Nikon, 24 – 70mm, 50mm, 35mm and 85mm lenses that I swop out at different points of the day.

▶ Do you charge for travel and are you able to travel national or internationally?

I'm always up for an adventure (who wouldn’t be right?) so let me know where you planning on having your special day and will work out a travel fee. I include 100km free within all packages; thereafter a rate of R6.50/pkm is charged.

▶ Will you require accommodation?

If you wedding is more that 150km from my home in Pietermaritzburg then I may request a place for me and my assistant to rest after capturing your special day (Nothing fancy). If the wedding is more than 2 hours away then I might request two nights to ensure I'm safely, fresh and ready at your location to start bright and early on the day, but this can be discussed when you have you venue.

▶ How do the package times work ?

My package times all start consecutively from the time I start photographing on the day and through into the evening, for example if its 10 hours package and I start at 11am I will be there up till 9pm. You are more than welcome to request I start earlier or stay later, should you want a special shot – No problem! The hourly rate is R2000.

▶ Do you scout locations before the shoot?

If I have never been to the venue then I will always make sure I get there earlier than I'm scheduled to start to find some locations for the photo shoot. If you want me to do a scout the day before this can be arranged and discussed at an extra cost. I really don’t want to keep you away from your guests any longer than necessary so will have decided before we leave for the shoot where I'm taking you.

▶ Do you keep back ups and do we get the RAW files?

I'm paranoid when it comes to storing and backing up files, so I keep 3 copies of your wedding day files - one being offsite at a secret location.

▶ Can I have all the RAW files after the wedding?

My RAW files are my digital negatives and are the only thing I never hand over. I totally understand some people like to play around in Photoshop and Lightroom but I unfortunately will not provide any RAW files to clients. This is to protect my brand and image of my photos that I painstakingly, and with love, edit in a specific way.

▶ What is the best time for ceremony?

In summer months you can have a slightly later ceremony and advise it's between 3 – 4pm as the light is very harsh and bright any earlier than that. In Winter it's not so lenient and would advise you have your ceremony no later than 2pm as the sun sets really quickly.

▶ Do you require a seat and food at wedding?

Not so much a seat, I'm happy to sit anywhere and rest my weary feet but we would love a meal.

▶ What is your process after the wedding day?

I like to work on a few pictures just after the wedding to give you a teaser of your special day. Thereafter I edit, edit, edit and make sure I get your pictures to you as fast as I can. Please allow for up to a minimum of 8 weeks as I take great care to treat each image with the love and respect it deserves. However, if I finish them quicker I will be sure to get them to you before this time. If you're getting an album in your package then from the time it's approved by yourselves and sent to print, please allow for minimum of 4 weeks to get back from printers and sent to you. Please note that should you require your albums couriered then I will get a quote to do so or a family member can collect the album directly from me. This can be discussed.

▶ Do you put all your weddings/lifestyle shoots up on your blog?

I would love to feature all my shoots but sometimes that just can't happen as I might not have the time to blog each one, so unfortunately I can't guarantee that it will appear on my website/Facebook page.

▶ Some things to remember on the day:

If there are special pictures or people you specifically want me to capture please send through a short list, beforehand, so that I can make sure I get these pictures.
Try get ready in a space/area that has lots of natural light and room to move around in, as I know how many things a brides/bridesmaids have on a wedding day and it can easily get cluttered and messy.
I like to photograph in the rooms where you are getting ready, as it is. So if you prefer to have a uncluttered and mess free room, then perhaps allocate this job to one of your bridesmaids to do a quick run around and spring clean of the things you don’t want in pictures before I arrive so that I can start capturing straight away and not focus on moving things out of the way.
Please ask your MC to communicate with me the whole day and let me know if there is anything big that is going to happen during the day or reception, so I know that I'm ready to capture it.