I’d rather be at the dentist, at least I don’t recognize myself in X-rays of my teeth. If it wasn’t for V we’d have no photos of the two of us in all the odd places we’ve been to, or photos of our friends at picnics and social gatherings. This week I had to go through a whole bunch of images of us from the last 12 years that we have been together, sorting them into folders, arranging them neatly to go into an album. My conclusion after four days of this is that I’d rather not know I was being photographed and I can understand why our grooms are so nervous about the photos. I’m with you, we do try make it painless. V on the other hand looks good in all her photos.

So with this in mind, we travelled out to The Cradle Restaurant for Linda and Sean’s rocking wedding which was filled with emotion, beauty and just happiness. I do love The Cradle and it’s amazing views, my favorite part of the day had to be the groom’s prayer which took place just before Linda walked down the aisle. It was a nice moment. Oh, and we had a bunch of the kids tracking us through the bush while we went for our photoshoot as the sun was setting. You really can’t beat the soft Highveld winter sunset.

Right, more images from Linda and Sean’s Cradle wedding can be found on our Facebook page.

More images from Linda and Sean’s Cradle wedding can be found on our Facebook page.

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I could tell you more, how The Cradle had outdone itself that day with the light of the setting sun, or how amazing Mignon looked (I did ask about the dress, but my mind seems to just not hold that info), or that they were complete rockstars, but I think the fact that they walked in to I Walk The Line by Johnny Cash pretty much sums it up for me.

More images from Mignon and Adam’s amazing wedding at The Cradle can be found on our facebook page.

More images from Mignon and Adam’s amazing wedding at The Cradle can be found on our facebook page.

dror cradle, 

Agnita and Heins were cool, calm and took the day in their stride. No-one blinked when I pointed out the area I wanted to photograph in, a bit of a walk up an incline of slippery rocks, Agnita just slipped off her high heels and walked up barefoot. Rockstars.

More images from Agnita and Heins’s beautiful wedding at The Cradle can be found on our facebook page.

More images from Agnita and Heins’s beautiful wedding at The Cradle can be found on our facebook page.

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… and it didn’t rain for once. I couldn’t believe it either. Everyone was relaxed, the kids went ballistic, and there seemed to be kids everywhere one turned. Things can’t be too serious when there are so many kids around. Plus the couple specifically asked for photos that weren’t cheesy, which naturally really tempted me to try something cheesy (*), but I can’t do cheesy on my finest day – I’ve had clients and I’ve tried, it just isn’t me.

So a great time was had by Andrea and I, as we had a relaxed shoot in the knee deep veld. The Cradle always seems to be such a relaxed venue, I don’t think I’ve ever been there with a stressed wedding party. Admiral & Appleseed rocked some tunes, the weather cooled down and we watched as infants did the Jahstep to some funky reggae. I also had some caffeine – welcome back old friend.

(*)

“The game only has one rule, and it’s a simple one: Don’t think about white bears. You can think about anything else, but you can’t think about that. Ready? Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and banish the animals from your head. You just lost the game. Everyone loses the game.” – Ironic Thoughts by Jonah Lehrer

The mamba has apparently blown its head gasket and as a result the radiator has cracked. Hopefully we will be mobile again early next week.

A quick sneak peek of Melissa and Steve’s album which I’ve just finished, hopefully once I’m actually online I can upload all these albums fairly quickly. I’ve already posted so many images from this wedding that I’m only going to post a couple of pages from the pre-wedding section of the day. It’s my favorite part of the day, everyone is excited and nervous and there is so much energy and emotion.

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For the last year or two, especially over the period when I was posting on the Digital Wedding Pro, I’ve had emails saying that various people are copying my images. So this is my official stand on the matter. I don’t mind, I don’t believe that photographers can plagiarize someone else’s work, you can shoot in the style of someone or give it a similar treatment. There is no actual way of shooting the very same image. So basically, if you’re going to copy my images, I’m flattered.

Now, this last week, I’ve gotten two emails saying that another SA photographer is pretty much giving answers from my blog to interview questions. Wow, doubly flattered, all those rants and brainwashing about breaking out of this SA wedding ghetto and shooting real images of real moments, who knew that you guys actually read that! Hopefully we’ll start seeing some real shifting of what counts as photography in this industry. Anyway, if you’re a photographer have a look around, you’re welcome to borrow any image you feel like recreating.

Expect to see many copies of this image soon. It’s an artwork at The Cradle called Fallen Angel. Beautiful. If you have a version of it and want a free link, leave a link to the image in the comments. You know you want to.

btw that’s from Melissa and Steve’s wedding at The Cradle.

UPDATE: Was just informed that Fallen Angel is by Beezy Bailey.

I just wanted to post a couple of images while I was still feeling the day. More images on Tuesday maybe, and the full story of Melissa and Steve’s wedding, I need to first post a couple from Thandi and Tom’s wedding before they head back to Australia.

I’m always asked for recommendations for various people, so just a couple of technical details, both the dresses Melissa wore were designed by her, amazing amazing classical, vintage, 50′s dresses – think Grace Kelly and Bardot. I got to shoot for the first time with Tanja Vogt, who was fantastic (thank you), oh and the videography was by Emily (I think her surname is Munton, I need to check that) from lighthouse films who was also very cool to hang out and shoot with. The co-ordination was by Mela Events, who I’d never worked with before but Stefan and Enelra were a real pleasure to work with and are highly recommended. Sheesh, almost forgot, Lynn (Edited: her surname is Kennedy) was the makeup artist and I adore working with her cause I never have to do any retouching on the brides (She also did the makeup for Nicky and Andrew’s wedding). I know I’m terrible with getting full names and contact details.

Ok, some quick photos before my last burst of energy is gone for the day:

UPDATE: Yes, it is an amazing outfit. Yes, she is very talented. Her name is Melissa Botha, her studio is called Melba, it’s in Parkhurst.

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If you see them somewhere, grab one, or if you are a vendor and would like a couple for your venue, shop or fridge, drop us a line.

I’ve already had some people ask: the top one was taken at The Cradle of Humankind and the bottom one was taken at Oakfield Farm.

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Kalika and Gerhard got married at the always amazing Forum Homini (its at The Cradle of Humankind), and as if to prove the weather man wrong, the sun shone like global warming wasn’t just something they talk about on the news, and we set out to prove that, contrary to recent popular belief, we can photograph without amazing cloud formations in the sky. Loads more on Andrea’s blog, soon.

Kalika and Gerhard, you guys are rock stars, and it was a joy to bear witness to such honest love for each other. The weather was perfect, the day was amazing and you looked incredible. Forum Homini and Roots Restaurant were what you’d expect from one of the top three restaurants in the country, elegant, luxurious, and perfect. Nice choice.

We no longer do the whole vendor prop thing, but check out Forum Homini if you are looking for somewhere classic, elegant, underexposed and just over-the-top amazing food. The MC/Chef Patron was not bad either

For those photographers that asked, I use a bunch of homemade actions to get that effect, and some dodge and burn. I do have some free actions and textures for download.

I go this one from Angela, a Portuguese fashion designer living in Germany, after her wedding to Michael at Oakfield Farm. Angela was described to me by many people along the way as the most difficult person they have had to deal with. My experience was that she knew what she wanted. I love that in a client, it makes my job so much easier, to know what someone is after means that I know what I need to capture. I will always capture it in my style or add my spin to things but to know, for example, that the decor is very important or that they want as their centerpiece an image of them walking down the carpet of red petals really sets the scene. She was also witty, fun to be around, considerate and had a great time on the day.

I know I have already written so much thanking you and Vicky for making our wedding photos into memories that are indeed more PERFECT than the real day was ( and you know that the day was pretty PERFECT already). I just wanted to make public my thank you and to without exaggeration to say that you and Vicky were the BEST possible choice for our wedding within all SA ( you know what I am talking about, as I have seen people from all over SA).

This BEST was a total of a extraordinary TALENT, SKILLS CAPABILITY and last but not least HUMAN CHARACTER, I mean in the end of the day I want to say to all the brides out there, it doesn’t matter just to get the best skilled/ famous photographer out there but equally important you WILL WANT to have around someone who is kind, funny and can understand during every minute of the day how much this day and these photos will mean to you. Dror and Vicky have these unpayable qualities, and because of that you can be assured they will take a active part in making your wedding day a VERY happy one.

To all non-cheesy MODERN BRIDES out there who are struggling to get a photographer who will cover their wedding in the way they want (even to an ELLE stylish high standard level), with self experience I can recommend you without any shade of doubt Dror, as a professional who can DELIVER, SURPRISE and most importantly LISTEN to what you want.

Finally Dror, i want to say what a great job you are doing with your website. During almost a year of regular anxious visits to see always something new you add (a new comment, a new wedding), after concluding my own wedding, I am sure I will give in often to the temptation of coming in to see and read how you will make other couples weddings days unique and beautiful. I personally find most wedding photographs boring as they tend always to be the same, making weddings generally to look like a cliche, boring and already expected event. Dror, you have really the qualities to make each of your weddings unique, and this is why you keep all your pre and post brides like myself popping in your website even after their wedding has passed.

Can’t thank you enough,
Angela

I really appreciate the fact that she took the time to write a thoughtful reply on the blog. I don’t know about all that other stuff about being kind and funny. In real life I am grouchy and short tempered.

I got these next two from Eva, a Scandinavian living in London, who got married to Matt at The Cradle of Humankind. A really amazing place to get married at btw. Eva and I had a bit of a comedy of errors, trying to pull this off. I originally agreed to shoot the wedding, Matt was going to fly to SA and meet me. We somehow missed each other at the coffee shop we were supposed to meet at, I had lost my phone. I really don’t have much luck with phones. We were going to meet the day he was supposed to fly back, we missed each other again. We then rescheduled for a couple of months later, but I was made an offer to move to Texas and Andrea was going to take over the wedding. Hey, I told you it was a long and complicated story. Anyway, eventually, the day arrived and both Andrea and I were there.

Well, Dror, I managed to bag you in the end for my big day and what a result!!!!! Thank you so much for being part of our day, it was an honor, we both had such a blast and my cheeks still hurt 3 weeks on from smiling so much )
Needless to say I started stalking your and Andrea’s sites for sneaks as soon as and I was simply blown away by the sky and the light in these non-edited pics. I now know why you two both kept going on about it at the time. I think you described it as almost disgustingly perfect at one point. A bride can’t ask for more than that on her big day. We are simply thrilled with what we have seen so far, you really are the master!
Eva&Sparky Watson

Oh, and as for Minki, eat your heart out girl ;o)

I didn’t really get to know Eva very well, as I spent most of the time with Matt and the guys, but that’s a very sweet comment and throughout the entire process leading up to the wedding she was kind and good humored. As for those skies, yes, they did look like someone had photoshopped them in.

Then there is Anne Nigel. Anne is the self styled stalkerazzi of my blog. Her wedding is on August 16th 2008 in Kenya. She probably knows more about wedding photography, the wedding photography scene around the world and photography in general than most of the photographers currently marketing themselves as wedding photographers. If you need advice on wedding photographers, Anne is the one.

Anne on Angela and Michael’s wedding photographs:

Dror this is the best wedding I have ever seen. I literally I’m speechless (which is a very difficult thing for me) about how you shot this wedding. Just amazing!!!!!!!! You are the best !

Anne on Eva and Matt’s wedding photographs:

WOW!!!!! Amazing! Again WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You never ever cease to completely entertain and wow me!!! I totally heart your work!

Anne on Mari and Elmer’s wedding photographs – Mari and Elmer are from the Netherlands and were probably two of the most laid back good hearted people we’ve had the pleasure of photographing:

It’s just me the usual stalkerazzi coming to see what’s new and again I am speechless. You are the only photographer whose work is so versatile and creative that is able to shoot every wedding differently! I love these pics too, they have the classic romantic almost vintage feel to them. By the way welcome back!

There is more, but I just wanted to say its always a pleasure to get a comment from Anne, I dread the day she comments, these are nice. Just checking out what other blogs she stalks, and which photographers she knows, she really knows her photography and I know her wedding album will be killer bee.

Ok – one more, because Maryanne was one of the nicest people we met last year. She got married to Scott at Koyama, and really wanted a photojourn approach to her wedding.

Wow, what can I say. I am so in love with our photos! What makes them so lovely is that none are posed and when you look at them it takes you straight back to how you were feeling at that very moment. I just want to thank you and Vicky for making my memories of my wedding so alive and real. You are both wonderful people and so talented
x x x Maryanne

One of the reasons I love this comment because it articulates for me what wedding photos should do. They should take you back to how you were feeling at that very moment.

We get a lot of comments on the blog and we’ve been blessed to meet and photograph really cool people, some of whom have become friends and some whom I expect to call in the next year or two to have their kids photographed. I just wanted to say thank you to all our couples in 2007, oh and Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuube.

btw just in case it needs to be clarified. We have never received the keys to any city, an iPOTY (is there such a thing?) and we don’t enter photography competitions.

I took this one of the guys at The Cradle of Humankind.

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This Saturday I shot with Andrea at The Cradle of Humankind. Amazing venue, beautiful skies and it didn’t hurt that Eva and Matt look like they should be advertising perfume in a magazine ad. I had a blast. The cradle is one of those places blessed with a perfectly lit chapel and an incredible vista of the Magaliesburg, the weather held and I even got great images of the guys doing their best Reservoir Dogs impersonation. Anyway, you’re here for the images and I’m rambling, I’ll post some more when my photoshop is back up and running and I can do some post-production on these.

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The wedding itself was beautiful, set against the Magaliesburg Mountains in a chapel that had one side completely open as the sun set behind the couple. The venue, The Cradle of Humankind, is both unique and beautiful. We had a great time, and Paolo and Hanneke were about as unpretentious and casual as one could ask of anyone about to get married. Congratulations to both of you.

[ Vendor Prop ] – DJ Alexandra. Elegant, smooth and sophisticated sounds that had many of the guests coming over to ask the artist’s name. I managed to forget to get a card, but the wedding schedule states that her number is 072.182.0292.