This Dubai family were an assortment of relatives and it was quite precious.   It was the girls Mother-in-laws 60th birthday and for this reason, Chiara and Elana decided to do a photoshoot of their children celebrating the special occasion.

Chiara and Elana are sister-in-laws who are married to two brothers.  They were a bit stomped as to what to buy their mother-in-law for her birthday.  Most women tend to have everything they need by the time they get to 60.  What most women learn by the time they get to 60 is that family is the most precious thing.

The best gift these wonderful daughter-in-laws could get their mother-in-law was a photoshoot of her precious grandchildren.  The girls went to lots of effort to make sure her Dubai family celebrated with her.  In addition there were balloons, hats and banners  and even unwrapping of gifts so that the children could get into the celebrating mood.

Above all else, the children were absolutely cute.  The mommies were lovely and Chiara’s visiting parents from Italy were very gracious. Moreover, the children seemed to have had fun and enjoyed the festivities.

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Vote for change!

South Africans should go forth and vote today. I do not dictate as to who my fellow South Africans should vote for but let their voices be heard for all our born and unborn children because we are the people who will make the difference for the coming generations!

As new life blossoms and we look with excitement to the birth of new life, we should all take a step back and look at our carbon footprint on this earth but more importantly on our beautiful country.  Do we want our unborn children to inherit the troubles that affect South Africa presently or should we, as South Africans, put the past behind us and make insteps into changing this “beloved country” so that we can all live happily and comfortably with each other, that we let go of the hate, the fear and embrace our differences and our outlook on history and realise that we have all trodden a different path but ultimately, we all want the same thing for our unborn/born children. We want peace and harmony, where we all blend well together as fellow countrymen, who want each other to blossom and prosper and to be compassionate and supportive on each others hardships.

Vote for our children

So vote for rebirth and lets unite and fight for this perfect land and for a perfect people because together we are strong but divided we are weak!

Lets not let Race keep dividing us! Let us rather blend together and become South Africans who are united and strong.

Vote for this little baby and all other little babies who are about to be born into this beautiful country that we all want to call home!

So in conclusion I wish Jacqui and Aviv, good luck,  as they await for the longed  arrival of their little one.  I had so much fun with Jacqui and Aviv at Vergelegen Wine Estate.  May today bring along the changes in our country that your little one may live in harmony with all our fellow South Africans.  May he or she have a long and blessed life surrounded by love in a united South Africa.

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Baby Isabella is just a chip off the old block.  She was in a hurry to arrive.  It reminded me so much of her parents wedding day, when her mom, Gemma was in such a rush to marry Chris that she arrived almost 30 minutes early and she and her dad had to drive around the block a couple of times to give the guests a chance to get seated before the bride arrived.  Their beautiful wedding at Nitida can be viewed here!

I have always had so much fun with this young couple.  My initial meeting with them was for their engagement shoot which was pretty epic …a fun filled paint throwing engagement shoot with their bridal party!  And because of that shoot, I always knew that Gemma and Chris were game to play along!

Next was the wedding, I am not sure her mom has forgiven me for taking them bundu bashing and dirtying her fairytale wedding dress!

And then we had the most fantastic maternity shoot which can be viewed here!  We found an empty house being built and had some fun there as well as grabbing some beach shots.

Anyway on my way to meet newborn baby Isabella ..their perfect little  baby princess.  It struck me that Gemma and Chris would give me some creative freedom.  And lo and behold they were once again game.  I think Chris was relieved that this time he didnt have to tresspass!  And when I told him to get back into bed …I got the biggest smile because lets face it  parents of a  new baby are always sleep deprived and I doubt if anyone needs a second invitation to climb back into bed!  I loved the results we got.  I believe this session shows the intimacy of a young couple being enthralled and besotted with love for this perfect  newborn baby that their love created!

I  have loved being part of Gemma & Chris’s journey ..they are truly a very special young family!

Note:  Dads love for all things Star Wars …suprised Isabella wasnt called Princess Leia! 

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Baby Huxley is super special and so is his cute sister, Niah!  The beauty of my job is to watch families grow and see those beautiful natural moments as a new baby is introduced to the family. It is normally more special when I have photographed an older sibling or their parents marriage even. In the case of this gorgeous family, I originally was introduced to them when big sister, Niah was a baby at the same age as Huxley. See Niah’s newborn shoot here! It was really special to go back to this lovely family and see how they have grown. Niah is absolutely gorgeous and the cutest little girl imaginable and baby Huxley was an angel! Di & Grant, it was super special spending time with your gorgeous family! Di is a super talented creative person and her baby nurseries are just super special.  I loved the details of Baby Huxleys’ nursery!

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Newborn Baby Maddie

 A maternity & newborn concept shoot.

Newborn baby Maddie was in too much of a hurry for us to do the final storyboard in this concept shoot. Luckily, all was not lost as I think the story does unfold!  I smile when I see the first maternity image in this series as Kirsty was hardly showing and did her utmost to push out that “wee” tummy!  The second maternity shoot …was definitely more of a show and I couldnt wait to see how that tummy progressed until the final month but unfortunately I never got to see it …I got to see this beautiful newborn baby Maddie instead …..a supermodel in the making …absolutely beautiful and a dream to work with!  And without a doubt has her gorgeous parents, Kirsty & Matt absolutely wrapped around her little finger!

Kirsty & Matt, you are natural born parents ..enjoy every moment with this sweet angel!
Newborn Steyn Family  shoot can be viewed here

Baby Shamir can be viewed here

Carla & Geordins maternity shoot can be viewed here

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Newborn Baby Photography

Dan, Kim & Mitch

Newborn baby photography is extremely important to families I believe.  I do so wish that when my boys were newborn babies that this concept had been around.  I think it is a very precious time  to photograph beautiful moments of parents being so in awe of their very own creation.  It is such a small window of opportunity to take these special photos.  To me its very special to watch to adults being totally immersed in this tiny baby and to see that maternal love in total evidence.  A special mention to the mommies ….dont worry about your weight at this stage …you have just had a baby …no one will see your weight ….what we will see …is a mommy totally in love with her baby ….you will regret not having taken those precious photos!  I know ….I do have those regrets!

It was an honour to be asked to photograph Kim & Dans newborn son, Mitchell!  Dan is himself an amateur photographer who takes wonderful photographs and a good friend too..so I was very honoured to be given this very special family to photograph.  Kim and Dan are absolute naturals at this parenthood lark ….you would think they have been doing it for years already!  For someone so small …Mitch was totally aware …and fought off sleep big time!  I loved how their furry children were part of this shoot!

But I think what I found most special was the day Mitch was born ..Dan said he had never loved Kim more than at that moment ….when they became a family!

How very special!Ok, now that I dont have her undivided attention anymore ….I will now befriend you!
I also want to be part of the shoot!!Enough already ….I dont want to listen anymore!  

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