Four Generations of Australian Beauties!Four generations of Australian beauties are photographed at their private home in Camps Bay.

Previous blogpost can be viewed here!

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Estie & Johan

This was definitely a Family Affair Wedding! Firstly, it happened on Christmas Day when its the most celebrated day for families to come together and to celebrate the birth of the baby, Jesus! Secondly, everyone had a part to play in organising this special day. The children helped with the flowers and decorating. Brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, great grandparents all had a part in helping to make this wedding very special. I think the only people who weren’t somehow related to this bride and groom was the make-up artist, Mathilde and myself!

The beautiful flowers were supplied by Adene’s Farm Flowers!

As the family gathered to celebrate this beautiful wedding between two very special people, it had a slight bittersweet air to it for a couple of reasons. It was also the day that the family were saying their sad farewells to sisters, brother-in-laws and cousins. Both Johan and Estie’s sisters were emigrating within the week. Johans sister was leaving the following day with her family for Canada and Estie’s sister and family were leaving in a few days to settle in Mauritius!

Many South African families are split all over the world but no matter the opportunities around the world, it will always be heartbreaking for those left behind!

On the other hand, now there is a definite reason to travel!

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Big Sisters excited to welcome a baby sister!

These big sisters who wanted to be included in Simone and Jens’ maternity photoshoot.  Both girls are pretty excited about the birth of their tiny little sister who is due within the next few weeks.

Jens was surprised, yet delighted that both of his daughters wanted to be involved in the maternity photoshoot.  Most parents of young adults know exactly why he was surprised.   I literally have to use bribery and corruption to get my sons to go to a family photoshoot.  Jens never had to resort to those lengths.

Simone is going to have many volunteers as babysitters.  These two beautiful young ladies are old enough to look after their young sister.  I also know that Simone’s mom has been eagerly awaiting the arrival of a grandchild.  As has her grandmother.

The Von Bulow Sisters

I met these two gorgeous young ladies at Simone and Jens’ wedding a few years back.  Both girls were Simone’s bridesmaids and looked beautiful in their pink dresses.  You can view them as bridesmaids here!

Most people know that stepfamilies can be very tricky.  But when your stepdaughters want to be involved then you must know that you are doing something right.

It was precious to see the two girls with Jens.  Its pretty obvious that they adore their father.  Both girls do reckon that he is very strict but according to the girls, Simone works on him to allow the girls a bit of freedom.  Now thats what you call a cool stepmom!

Needless to say I am super happy for this lovely family.  I knew from the day I met Simone that she couldn’t wait to have a baby.  It won’t be too long now and she will be able to hold her precious daughter in her arms.

I am not too sure if she will get much chance though as I can imagine there are going to be a few fights amongst the girls and grandparents as to who is going to get to cuddle this little one!

Simone & Jens personal maternity shoot can be viewed here!

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The Steyns

This happy family is another family that I have had the pleasure of seeing them grow in front of my camera lens.  It all started when I did a newborn shoot for Lexi followed later by a newborn shoot for her brother Jake.

In fact, I was so chuffed when Lexi told me that I was going to be her photographer when she gets married and when she has a baby.  Needless to say, I think I will need a walking stick by then.

After spending time with this family, this quote comes to mind!  The greatest gift a father can give his children, is to love their mother.  On every occasion I have ever spent with this family, I have never doubted this.  However, I will be the first to admit, it is impossible not to love Kerry.  She emanates kindness, love and compassion.  She is a rare human being and her husband and children are privileged to be loved by this beautiful lady.  Her beauty truly shines from within.

Jaco is a perfect partner to her.  Their children are fortunate to have a father who spends time with them playing outside and being active with them.  He has the utmost patience with his children and often will playact with them as well as teach them new things.  There is nothing more lovely than to be able to see children who are happy, secure and confident.

This is an important stage in their development.  They learn from their parents.   Without a doubt, one day, Jake and Lexi are going to be the most loving partners and parents ever.  They have definitely had a great example.

It is always an honour to spend a few hours with these beautiful families.  They are always a trip down memory lane.

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 Newborn Baby Girl

This newborn baby girl is a precious gift to her family.  She is the light at the end of a dark tunnel.  I have been fortunate to have captured this beautiful family a few times.  I photographed Charlie’s big brother, Luke, when he was a newborn and I was able to do a lovely family shoot when he turned 1.

Julie contacted me about 18 months ago to ask if I was available for a newborn shoot as they were expecting another little boy.  I was super excited for this lovely couple.  Only to be heartbroken a week later to receive a message that baby Adam had died.  I could not imagine the grief that this young family was going through.  But my heart bled for them and I watched from afar as this young mum handled her grief by remembering her baby boy and letting the universe know how loved he was.

Time passes, life happens, hearts slowly mend, recovery is slow but you never forget and nor do you want to.  Adams memory will always be treasured.

Newborn baby girl

Charlie’s arrival

One day, I received another email, asking if I was by any chance back in Cape Town.   Julie and Derrick had been blessed with a precious baby girl, Charlotte or Charlie to some.  I was so excited to be able to say yes, I was home and excited to meet this little girl.  But we all had to be slightly patient as a precaution, Charlie was delivered early and spent her first two weeks in hospital.  Charlie was an absolute champ and went from strength to strength.

Capturing this lovely family with their newborn baby girl was an honour.  Luke has grown into a most delightful, young man.  He is definitely excited to be Charlie’s big brother.

Charlie has two brothers.  Luke will protect her and Adam will be her guardian angel.  And all of them are loved by their very special parents.

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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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Cape Town family

The Humboldts

This Cape Town family, have been in front of my lens on numerous occasions.  Except they started out as a young, very excited, recently engaged couple.  I did a fun, powder paint shoot with them.  Then came the wedding, the maternity shoot, the newborn shoot and now we have done an extended family shoot.

Our last Photoshoot!

Unfortunately this may be the last time that I have this Cape Town family in front of my lens as they are in the process of preparing to emigrate to Australia.  Due to their emigration plans, they decided to have the grandparents join us.

Little Isabella had a field day with both sets of grandparents running after her.  Boy, could she run.  I nicknamed her “The Runner” and for the first 30 minutes all I got of her was the back of her head!  I needed to contain this young lady as I was not up to running after her.  I would love to say that it was because of “art” that this image was created.  Unfortunately, that was not really the case.  It was mainly due to the fact that it had a fence and a gate and we could contain Isabella from running!
Love that cheeky smile!  She definitely has a great sense of humour!A ballerina skirt made of flowers!She even sat down and said her prayers for Samuel Kerr and the twins.Kisses for mommy!But decided to tease daddy with promises of kisses, then pulling away with big peals of laughter!A special moment between a Mom and her Son!Needless to say, Isabella was the one who drove this photoshoot so were not surprised when we saw this!  Finally, enough is enough.  This  photoshoot is over!  Its time to hit the road, Jack!  How absolutely adorable is this little girl!

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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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I first met Cecile a few years ago when we did a styled shoot for her …and I loved her ….she was and is a very special lady!  So when she contacted me to do a family shoot of her family as a gift for her parents …I was so excited to see her again and meet her special people!  Needless to say it was like meeting up with an old friend when I saw Cecile …she still has a special place in my heart!

Her nephews were the cutest little boys you could imagine.  They were busy and active, as little boys are meant to be!  Someone randomly asked me the other day if all family shoots were perfect and that she kept putting off a family shoot cos her children weren’t perfect …..well ….let me just say ….no family shoot is perfect …there are moments of imperfection ….but there are always moments of pure perfection …natural moments ….moments of families interacting in their own special, unique ways!

All it takes is for everyone to relax ..and thats my job …..I know children have their moments ….tantrums, crying is all part and parcel of being a child …just like smiles, chuckles and joy,  …and I am pretty patient enough to wait for those moments!  So my answer to parents who are afraid that their children wont behave during a family shoot ……dont worry about it …..I have had three of my own ….I know there are no perfect families, they also have short attention spans before they are bored ….but they are your family ….the one you need to create memories with before they grow up too fast!  Dont regret not taking those photos ….I know I do!!!!

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