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The lady in red – Claudia

Chesterhouse High School held their matric dance this year, at the grand old dame of a hotel, The Mount Nelson which is in the City centre of Cape Town.  Originally when Claudia had asked me to photograph her matric dance, I was not sure I would be in Cape Town but luckily my plans changed and I was able to cover the special event for her.  Claudia looked smoking hot in her sexy red gown which was designed and made for her by talented ex-teacher, Ilse Roux.  Ilse is very well known in the Cape region for her bridal and evening wear and I have had numerous clients who have worn her beautiful gowns and they never disappoint.

Claudia has been a student of Chesterhouse High School, a private school in the northern suburbs of Durbanville in the Western Cape for her high school career.  She is a passionate horse rider and partakes in many riding competitions!  But on this evening, there wasn’t any tell tale signs of the horse rider ….there was more the signs of a glamorous Hollywood movie star and when we stumbled onto a movie set …I think the movie set workers believed she was the star.  I didn’t realise we had walked onto the movie set as I genuinely thought it was a flower seller on Greenmarket Square but when I got asked what our plans were with the photographs ….and I questioned why they wanted to know …and they explained that it was a movie set being set up …the penny dropped and when I took a look around …I then realised that there was a movie director sitting in a chair and cameras being set up …..and I had jumped in and shouted “Action!” ….and stolen their thunder ….innocently …I might add!  I must just say …I LOVE my job!  Thank you, Claudia …you were a superstar ….or should I rather say …you looked like a super model!

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Matric Dance 2015 – Fairmont High School

Micaela

01 October 2015

Matric Dance Fever took over on 01 October 2015.  The majority of Cape Town schools held their  dances (senior proms) on that evening.  I cannot tell you how many desperate phonecalls I received over the week heading up to dance fever week.  Micaela had thought ahead and booked me well in advance for her matric dance.  The dances cause major excitement for communities  as young couples dress up to the nines and arrive in the fanciest of cars for the dance that culminates the end of their school career.

I just wish schools would stagger their dances as the traffic jams that are caused on this evening is beyond imaginable.  All businesses such as hairdressers, dressmakers, nail technicians and obviously photographers are definitely spread a bit thin on that day.  There were at least three or four high schools having their dance that night in my area.  Totally hectic!

Micaela’s parents hosted a few other parents and couples as well as some family members.  It totally felt like a red carpet event as the crowd watched her leave for the dance.  Luckily she wasnt Cinderella that evening and didnt need to be home by 12pm.

Micaela wore a gorgeous gold dress for her dance.  It complimented her beautifully and offset her gorgeous red hair beautifully.  Micaela’s parents live on a smallholding just outside Durbanville and cows graze in the fields.  Micaela really wanted to have a few photos in the fields with the cows but apparently there was one mad cow who was a bit temperamental so we spent our time looking over our shoulders to make sure he wasnt charging us!  Dont ever say I dont live dangerously!  Luckily we remained safe and Micaela and her handsome date were able to drive off safely in a sexy black Audi TT  to her dance.

Very small world but I only found out just before the dance that Micaela and my niece are good friends.  Kelce is also an past Fairmont Student.  Her matric dance can be viewed here!

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Cannot believe that on my side of the family ..the youngest childs matric dance is now behind her …one last hurdle to do ….and then school will be behind her!

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This young lady matriculates from Paarl Gim today!  And i dont doubt for a moment that she will make things happen for herself with her out of school career!  Cara, is an organiser and can get everything done!  From Day 1, I dealt with her ..she organised the booking with me,  directions etc etc and she knows exactly what she wants ….and I was honoured that she wanted me to photograph her matric dance!  Her boyfriend, Nicolien, was also the perfect partner for her …caring and a perfect gentleman!

Thank you to Cascade Manor for allowing the photographs to be taken in their gorgeous grounds!

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