Lipstick 'n Lovebats Collaboration

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I met Carmen from Lipstick 'n Lovebats at the Father's House Zanethemba Fashion Show a few weeks back. We chatted briefly on the evening and when she called me the following week to ask about a creative collaboration I was just so excited! In the end, three ladies with incredible passion put together the looks for these photos: Carmen Vosloo from Lipstick 'n Lovebats, Kary M with her gorgeous headpieces, and the amazingly talented Stephanie Saskia who did all the make-up. I was lucky enough to document it all on camera with the help from four beautiful models.

Sjoe - I am just so proud of these photos as they make their debut on my blog!  What else can I say, the first foray into fashion photography was nerve wrackingly-exciting. All the photographs were taken at Colonial Antiques and we made use of the natural light in the enormous store. The most difficult part of this shoot was being faced with too many options - nooks and crannies, little corners, fabulous old furniture... it was simply a photographer's dream.

A huge thanks to everyone who was involved. To the models Carmen, Noreen, Oyanda, and Tazmin - you ladies made my job far too easy. Each of you have been blessed with absolute beauty and grace, and I am so happy we got to work together xxx A big thank you must also go to Sass Diva for the funky jewelry that the models wore.

OK, that's it from me. We start off with the fabulous Mz Carmen herself :)

Enjoy!

Robynne and Nathaniel

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When Robynne sent me a mail to ask if I would be their wedding photographer it was one of the most awesome emails ever received. What made it so special is that Robs and I have known each other since those crazy varsity days (I will not say how long because that would give a few ages away), so it really is an honor to be 'the chosen one'. Even better was to see Robynne so happy with Nathaniel, ready to get married and start her journey with a man who is just as happy and full of life as she is.

The couple got engaged in Plettenberg Bay and chose to have their engagement photoshoot there, which was the best idea ever. So we headed down to Keurbooms beach on this gorgeous afternoon to snap a few images in the afternoon haze. One bee-sting and husband-on-high-alert later, we made our way to The Lookout Restaurant where the couple originally met. 

I really enjoyed this photoshoot because it was a great feeling to be with people that you know, able to speak freely and laugh your head off. After all, you can take the girls out of the South but you can't take the South out of the girls :)

Enjoy the photos!

Liesl and Eric

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

Shoowee, this post is way overdue! Liesl and Eric had a stunning intimate day wedding at Singa Lodge in PE (which is such a gorgeous venue, wow!). The wedding was full of smiles and great moments, it was such a joy to be there and experience the love that Liesl and Eric have for each other. 

Throughout the planning process, Liesl and I chatted about her ideas and walking into Singa Lodge on the morning of the wedding was amazing - all of her ideas had sprung to life and the setting was just perfect! Even the PE weather played along :)

Each wedding is so different and this wedding really had a sense of serenity about it, which brought a completely different feel to the bridal prep photos. I simply adore this set of photos and I hope that you will too :)

Enjoy!

Nicki and Wade

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

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

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

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

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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 :)