Nicki and Wade

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Nicki and Wade got engaged in Hogsback and whilst chatting about locations for the engagement shoot, Nicki asked if we would be willing to drive up to Hogsback in the Amathole Mountains for a wintery engagement shoot at the spot where they got engaged. It really did not take much thinking before she got the very excited 'YES!' email, and that was where it all began.

We spread the shoot over two days thanks to the inclement weather, doing the first part on a very misty afternoon and the rest of the shoot the following morning at the crack of dawn. Let me tell you something... it was cold. No, not just cold. Tooth-achingly cold. So cold that my nostrils burned every time I breathed in. Icy, spine-chillingly cold. That, my friends, is how flipping cold it was standing on the edge of the cliff at 'The Edge" (conveniently named). But the photos, ah words can't do them justice and I am *so* proud!

This trip was exhilarating, and one of the best things I have ever experienced. We often forget to go outside and explore all the small things when the weather turns, opting instead to stay inside and snuggle up. But there is an entire world that continues to grow and thrive - colors that pop and buds that blossom (my macro photos coming up soon!).

I love Hogsback, it is cool, and its quirky. It hides things you would not expect to see, and won't unless you do a little exploring. It is the place that inspired most, if not all, of JRR Tolkien's novels and I always feel like a hobbit is going to jump out in front of me when walking around. It is super hippy and it has a labyrinth. It is a place that everyone should visit at least once in their lives :)

Anyway, onwards! Enjoy the photos everyone!

Bianka and Greg

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It was in the very first few moments of meeting Bianka with a K that I knew this was going to be an interesting wedding... and as with all things Italian, this wedding was big, happy, and filled with kisses. B is definitely one of the most down to earth (and often hilarious) brides that I have had the pleasure of photographing thus far. Whilst going through their photos I just wish I could caption some of them... we'd be laughing for days! But it is this quality which makes her an absolute gem of an individual, and I can see why she and Greg click so well. 

Their love for each other is really visible... its so special! What is the ultimate show of affection, you ask? No, its not hugs or kisses, or even small whispers. Its saying yes when your fiancé mentions that the pair of you should open the dance floor with a hip hop routine. Say what!? Uh ha... Greg - your booty pop was perfect! Well played :)

So it is without further ado that I present to you Bianka and Greg's wedding with lots of kissing, lots of crying, and equal amounts of crazy, glorious luuurve. The couple have not seen their photos yet as they are based overseas, so there are a lot :)

En-joooy!

Baby Pearls Product Photography

Niki M Photography has a brand new website! Visit www.nikimphotography.co.za to view all my latest work :)

The owners of the Baby Pearl range contacted me a while ago to assist with their product photography and I was more than excited to be involved with such a wonderful husband and wife team. Their vision for the photographs was really natural, lifestyle-type photos with a mom and tot, plus a range of product images. Other than this, I was given free reign and it was so rewarding to deliver these photographs after all the hard work that went into them.

The product itself is wonderful. Designed to be worn by moms, the chewable silicone (BPA and PVC free) necklaces/bracelets offer soothing comfort for teething babies. Besides providing relief to teething tots, the bracelets can be worn as a reminder of which side mom's have just nursed and are a great sensory tool to help babies focus whilst nursing. The beads themselves are easily cleaned with soap and water.

Thanks to some amazing friends, the following images are the result... and ones that I am *super* proud of too! We chose a clean 'home' setting for the photographs of Iris and baby Mia, and then a beautiful garden setting for Colinda and baby Gabriella. These ladies are really special to me and I was so happy that they were part of this project - thank you so much to both of you!

If you would like to see how these images have been used in Baby Pearl's website and branding, or for more information on this amazing product, please visit the Baby Pearls website. They also have an online store :)

Michele and Dave

Niki M Photography has a brand new website! Visit www.nikimphotography.co.za to view all my latest work :)

Michele and Dave (who's engagement shoot you will certainly remember) had an ab.so.lute.ly rad wedding at Thatchwoods! Their theme still ran along the carnival lines but the couple had so many cute DIY details that it was unlike anything I have seen before - their own special brand of wedding that represented them perfectly!

Everything about this couple is happy and sunshiney - and their wedding was exactly that. If you are someone who sees at least 30 'inspirational weddings' on a daily basis via social media platforms, you will understand what I mean by refreshing. Yes, that is the word... refreshing! Minty-greeny-cartwheeley-popcorny kind of refreshing. It felt like we had all walked into a time-warp transporting us back to the 60's hippy and happy era :)

To Mich and Dave - you guys have no idea how much it means to me that I was the lucky one who got to photograph your amazing wedding. Mich, your bubbly laugh words of encouragement whenever needed are a truly special trait...you are a gorgeous human being inside and out. You two are so lucky to have found each other in the noise of life - and I hope your journey ahead is more than you could ever wish for. Hugs! 

Enjoy the photos everyone :)

Sabeeha and Ridwaan

Niki M Photography has a brand new website! Visit www.nikimphotography.co.za to view all my latest work :)

And now for part two! Sabeeha and Ridwaan's wedding was such an experience, and really different to what I am used to on a weekly basis. It was so awesome to get a shake-up and to start looking at things from different angles... being on my toes all day and ready for everything (even rushing around trying to find a scarf for my head before the Nikah ceremony, which I was incredibly priviledged to be able to photograph as the ceremony is normally exclusively for the men). As I pointed out in my previous post, Sabeeha and her family were so informative and helpful - such a blessing given that this was my first Indian/Muslim wedding. I would like to extend a huge thank you to Hoosain for all his help and guidance on the day.

But on with the (many) photos :) I hope you enjoy them!

Sabeeha's Mehndi Evening

Niki M Photography has a brand new website! Visit www.nikimphotography.co.za to view all my latest work :)
 
When Sabeeha and Ridwaan invited me to document their wedding celebrations I was a little nervous... my very first Indian/Muslim wedding. But I really should not have worried - this trip really did not disappoint. Everything about this weekend was so exciting!

Sabeeha and I went to school together - and it is so heartwarming to see how she has changed from a shy girl into this independent and successful young woman. Her family were incredibly welcoming and looked after me the whole weekend. Trust me, I had to be looked after. The Muslim wedding ceremony is nothing like those I am used to and they kept me in the loop the entire time.

But first thing is first, the Friday night Mehndi. A beautiful celebration that had me doing the happy feet dance. Sabeeha's hands and feet were intricately decorated and she looked like an princess in her bright Sari. Ah, my words just can't explain how beautiful it all was, so I will let you look at photographs instead :)

Enjoy!

Joanne and Jason

Niki M Photography has a brand new website! Visit www.nikimphotography.co.za to view all my latest work :)

Joanne and Jason's wedding was a simple, elegant, and stunning Sunday wedding. Day weddings are so amazing and really offer something different for the guests and the photographer, so I was very excited to be invited to document their celebration :)

Thunderclouds loomed and the heavens opened just as Jo was scheduled to enter the chapel. It was a photographers dream as those heavenly drops (and a little hail) added their own special character to their wedding day. And then suddenly the storm was over leaving high spirits and excitement in its wake. Although the drizzle only subsided after our couple photo shoot, the couple enjoyed each moment and just took the days events as they arrived.

What a fantastic wedding! I am sure you will all agree :) A *huge* thanks to Jo and Jason for choosing me :)

Nicolette and Pierre

Niki M Photography has a brand new website! Visit www.nikimphotography.co.za to view all my latest work :)

Nicky and Pierre's wedding was a gorgeous and relaxed affair at one of the most amazing Eastern Cape venues, The Rose Barn. We started out with Nicky's make-up and bridal prep in the brand new suite - and the rustic, clean look of the room is just too beautiful for words! I a-d-o-r-e The Rose Barn and am so grateful every time I book a wedding at this venue. The effort that Sandra puts into each and every wedding is amazing - each is so different, but SO beautiful. And Pierre and Nicky's wedding was just that, unique and simply beautiful.

The day was filled with happy tears and a lot of laughs. Pierre and Nicky, you guys share something really special and it was truly touching to be able to capture some of the wonderful emotions on camera... which you two can now hold onto for the rest of your incredible marriage. Thank you so much for allowing me the honour of documenting such a fantastic day!

Enjoy the photos everyone :)

My Life

Niki M Photography has a brand new website! Visit www.nikimphotography.co.za to view all my latest work :) 

What an awesome surprise! I got home to find out that my interview was featured on Kiki today :) You can click here to read the whole interview. 

The only thing left to do is skip around the house and then make a steamy cup of yummy Milo :) Have an amazing weekend everyone!

 

Sharné and Ryan

Niki M Photography has a brand new website! Visit www.nikimphotography.co.za to view all my latest work :)

Every now and then a wedding comes along that changes everything. A wedding that makes you re-evaluate your own relationship and the way you live your daily life. You can see it has also affected everyone else in the room as you look around at watering eyes and loving glances. This wedding rescued me towards the end of a very long season. Sharné and Ryan are hands down the most loving and happy couple I have ever met, and their attitude towards each other is openly and unashamedly: 'I'll cherish you and love you, and spoil you, for the rest of my life'.

Sharné and I chatted many times before the wedding. Their engagement shoot was stunning (I'll make a plan to share it during the next few 'quiet' months) and I just knew that this wedding was going to be amazing as we sat drinking rooibos tea after the shoot. But nothing prepared me for the awesomeness that was Sharné and Ryan's amazing day. I can only hope that this post will share just a few of the emotions we all experienced.

But first, we start with the biggest, most gigantic sea storm and a sea twister that was so close we could see the white water where it touched the ocean. The remnants of the second, smaller sea twister can be seen in photo three below, simply because I did not have my camera with me for the first one... and there was absolutely no chance of me going outside to fetch it and face certain death (uuuuh-ha).

Enjoy the photos everyone :)