Entries from March 2010 ↓

I already have a Little Pink Book, but this is an awesome competition!

One person will win all the prizes listed below:

1.  R5000 worth of Jewellery from Jenni Collections.

2.  R1000 voucher for your shoes from Errol Arendz.

3.  1 Night pre-wedding accommodation at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel – estimated at R4500.

4.  Shepstone Gardens as a wedding venue – estimated at R23 500.

5.  2 Night Honeymoon bed & breakfast at Thaba Phuti Safari Lodge – estimated at R5000.

6.  1 x That Special Moment Box for safe wedding gown storage – worth R1000.

Terms and Conditions

My wedding is now 117 days away. Just under four months. It feels like just yesterday it was a year away…

I am currently also doing an Advanced Wedding Planning Course, and I do believe that what I am learning has made my nightmares worse…!!

The first few dreams I had were about our wedding reception. Nightmares that no-one had turned up, that the reception hall was a mess and the food was crappy… This one however was more about the ceremony itself.

The venue in my dream was familiar to me, but I don’t think its anywhere I’ve actually been. It was hue, and there were about 6 weddings on the go. I was already dressed in my wedding dress, if I remember correctly, and unlike my other dreams I was alone in this one. No Glugster smiling at me, no bridesmaids…

In my dream, I couldn’t have the venue inside the venue that I wanted! I can’t remember if there was a reason- but they ended up squishing all the guests into what looked like a Primi Piatta gallery!! At least there were guests in this dream… Anyhoodle I had no aisle to walk down, I had to climb a metal spiral staircase to get to the “chapel”, and the colours and flowers were all wrong!! And before this all even started I realised in my dream that I hadn’t hired a celebrant or a priest to do the actual ceremony, and I was crashing all the other weddings in tears and near-hysterics to beg their celebrants to please please please come and do my ceremony when they were finished!

And there was something about the reception in the dream too, but I can’t remember exactly what I was upset about there.

Its quite incredible how much there is to take into account when planning a wedding, and I am having so much fun you wouldn’t think I’d have any nightmares!!

This week’s interview is a little different. Colleen Sevitz does boudoir photography. Colleen is a Joburg girl, amd I have gotten to know her a little through blogging and Twitter.

Boudoir photography is an artform that’s fast gaining popularity in South Africa. There’s nothing better for a photographic ego-boost, and it’s often used to make up a little grooms gift from the bride for the day of the wedding!

Colleen is still working on a special website just for her boudoir gallery, but you can find her Facebook page in the meantime.

How do you describe your photographic style?

Simple clean portraiture, no bells and whistles

How did you get into photography?  

I have been interested in photography since I was old enough to hold a camera – my oldest son used to tell me that I was worse than a tourist with my camera – I was very fortunate to find a mentor to encourage me and from my first studio shoot I was hooked.   I bought a camera, went on a few courses, learned Photoshop and invested a lot of time (and money) in training and setting up my studio.  I did a lot of free shoots in my first year to build up my portfolio and charge portfolio prices until I felt I was established and good enough to charge a bit more.

The first photographer that comes to your mind and why? 

Kelly Ryden – she is the most amazing baby photographer and I get a lot of my inspiration from her.  

How long have you been doing boudoir photography?  

Since I opened my studio last year in March 2009

What are your five personal favourite images that you have shot?

Can you describe their creation in regards to location, lighting, composition, camera settings, etc, as well as your thoughts when creating the images and what they mean to you?

The first one has to be the man with the baby on his shoulder, that is my favourite – this man walked into my studio and I immediately knew what I was going to do with him – luckily the baby was very relaxed and he took quite well to sleeping on his dad’s arm.

The image of the girl standing outside the chapel in Potchefstroom. For ages I had admired the photographs with sunflare in and had often wanted to do this sort of photograph.   Because I am mainly a studio photographer I don’t get to take this sort of pic as much as I would like.   I borrowed a friends lense to get the wide angle and took quite a few shots but did not see how beautiful they were until I downloaded that evening, I was really happy with that image.

This image of the couple – she is pregnant and lying in his arms, it’s a very powerful image. They were expecting their first child and mom was so excited about this photoshoot and really new how to relax for the camera.

The baby lying on her arms in my fan page – she slept so beautifully and is so peaceful. That is one of my favourite poses and one that you can only really get when baby is fast asleep so I don’t try this one until we’ve done all the “awake shots”

This boudoir shoot picture, where she has her heel hooked in her g-string – it is so cheeky and so sexy! I had seen this done before but it was only when the client was lying there that I thought of using it and it just worked so well that it has become one of the most requested boudoir images.

With regards to lighting, in studio I use two studio lights with softboxes so my settings hardly change.   I play around with the light positioning to get different effects.

How do you market yourself?  

Mostly on Facebook and via word of mouth – I used to advertise on google but there is no need anymore

What type of camera do you use? 

A canon 30D, will be upgrading in the next few months , hopefully to a 5d MarkII if not then a 7D

What would you love to add to your equipment? 

Oh this is a very painful question – there are so many things that I WANT!!   But my next purchase after my upgrade will definitely be a 70-200mm 2.8 lense.

What is your favourite photography accessory, other than your camera? 

My backdrops.   Being a studio photographer I like variety and backdrops make a big difference.

How do you get your subjects to relax in front of the lens?  

I have a HUGE personality – it’s as big as my behind I tell you.   I have only ever had one person resist my attempts for some unknown reason – I truly believe that you have to have a certain type of personality to work in this business – you cannot be shy and you cannot be timid.    Everyone tells me after leaving the studio that they wish they had done this ages ago and that it was not nearly as bad as they had imagined.    It’s not easy to walk into a studio, chat to a stranger and then take off your clothes, I get that – so I make them feel comfortable from the get go and by the time we have taken the first few pics, we are giggling and having a lot of fun.

How important is a tool like Photoshop in your work, and do you retouch at all?  

I am answering purely for myself here, yes, I do!!   If people wanted to see their wrinkles and cellulite, they would take their own pics.   I iron out the blemishes, the stretch marks and the slight imperfections.   Of course if the client didn’t want me to, I wouldn’t – but I have never had one ask me not to.    We see models on covers of magazines, and just ONCE we want to look like them ……. Well we can, thanks to a teeny bit of airbrushing J

If you could be invisible- with your camera- for a day, you would… 

… probably do a wedding.    I am terrified of brides, they scare me – they turn into these wild women when they get married and I am so scared that I would photograph a wedding and mess up her day, or not take the photo’s like she wanted them, so yes I think I would love to do a wedding, without the stress

What advice do you have for photographers who are just starting out?  

Learn your camera, no 1 – do not shoot on automatic and do a course or two, empower yourself.   And in today’s time of technology, use the internet there are zillions of tutorials and online communities that will help you

Where would you love to go for a boudoir shoot?  

The Castle in Kyalami or the one of the Deluxe suites at the Westcliffe Hotel, it is my dream!!   I will do it this year – I just need the right client

Is there anything you’re learning to do? 

Not right now, but I am very interested in HDR photography, I would like to make that my next project.

What will you be up to in 2010? 

A Lot!   I am taking a month off to have an operation that I have been putting off for nearly 2 years, and after that I am doing a lighting course, another photoshop course and I want to get a diploma in photography this year or the next.    I am busy with a new website for the boudoir photography so watch this space, and have lined up a few models for this purpose.    The thing with Boudoir Photography is that usually it is for a boyfriend or a husband (usually) and they are not keen to have their wives / girlfriends photographs shown on websites.   So for this reason I ask for volunteers and models to help me promote my business.   I was very busy with baby and maternity photography last year but I thoroughly enjoy the boudoir side so I will be focusing a lot more on it this year.

How awesome a prize is this!??! I found out about it through Sparkling Bride’s Facebook page and I just had to go and have a look!

Steven Booth

is giving away a wedding photography prize

to a couple in South Africa!!!

Here’s what he says: this competition is open to all brides-to-be (and grooms-to-be!) in South Africa.  Anyone can win. There can only be ONE lucky couple I am afraid. Your prize will include:

• 7 hours of shooting (from the bride getting ready, to the decor, to the  ceremony, to the reception!).
• 200+ high res images on a disc.
• A thank you card for every couple at the wedding.
• 12 7×5 prints

So how do you go about receiving this awesome gift?

• Add me as a friend on Facebook (just follow the link).
• Tag yourself in the photo on in my FREE WEDDING COMPETITION ALBUM (follow the link).
• Post a link to the free give-away on your profile.
• Tell all your engaged and soon to be engaged friends!! (I love word of mouth, wildfire marketing! ).
• Email me the details of your wedding and I will send you some more details about the wedding shoot.
• Follow my blog.

T&Cs:

• Every competition has an expiry date and this one is no different.  The expiry date is 1 May 2010 and your wedding date has to be before the end of April 2011.
• Unfortunately brides that have already booked me for their weddings are not eligible.
• Only one entry per couple.
• The wedding needs to fit within my calendar of availability.
• Should your wedding be outside of the Greater Cape Town area then all travel arrangements and accommodation are the bridal couple’s expense.
• All costs involved are to be paid before the wedding.
• This is a gift from me to you so it will not be redeemable for cash.

Go and check out his gallery as well.

This week’s intwerview is with Gauteng based Ursula Tocik. I found Ursula via Jeanette Verster’s blog, and after looking at her online gallery I was very pleased when she said she’d take part in the interview series!

How do you describe your photographic style?

I would say my style is a mixture between photojourn and illustrative. Not only do I capture the moments as they happen on the day to tell a story, but I also direct and design the couple’s creative shoot to take advantage of good lighting and backgrounds.

How did you get into photography?

I have always been the one with the camera, for as long as I remember. But I started wedding photography through second shooting with Andrea Carlyle, one of South Africa’s Top Wedding photographers. Needless to say a huge contribution to where I am now….

How long have you been photographing weddings?

Almost two years….

I have second shot with Andrea Carlyle, as well as Dror Eyal and Jules Morgan over the past year or so to build my portfolio and to learn from the best of the best!

This is definitely where I want to be in my photographic career. I love everything about wedding photography….

What has been the highlight of your career as a wedding photographer so far?

Being able to shoot with the best of the best!

Which are your five favorite wedding photographs, and why?

I love moody skies and beautiful sunsets.

How do you market yourself?

Mainly word of mouth, referrals from other photographers and of course my blog.

What type of camera do you use?

I love to work with Canon; my current collection of cameras includes a Canon 7D with a 24-105mm lens, and a Canon 450D with a 50mm lens.

What would you love to add to your equipment?

Why, do you know someone at Canon

On a serious note, a 5D Mark III, and a wide angle lens

How important is a tool like Photoshop in your work, and do you retouch at all?

I use Lightroom and Photoshop, both equally important, particularly if there is a certain mood I want to illustrate, or an area I want to highlight. I also love black and white, so you need tools for this.

But I can also stress here, that most pictures are awesome straight out of camera, and I don’t like to manipulate the photos in anyway. If the pictures are not good enough out of camera – I don’t use them!

Which are your five favourite creative/ artistic/ different photographs and why?

I love different scenes for a creative shoot, shanty towns, graffiti, contrasts and textures etc….

If you could be invisible- with your camera- for a day, you would…

I would probably go into a township/shanty town for the day…. Capture how people really live in South Africa….

And if I had another day…. I would put myself in the middle of a pride of lions and capture how they live a day in Africa….

What advice do you have for photographers who are just starting out?

I would definitely ask to second shoot with professional photographers to gain knowledge and experience as well as build a portfolio! Get a blog up and running, and do loads of research.

An awesome website for learning is http://digital-photography-school.com

Where would you love to go for a wedding shoot?

Somewhere exotic like Brazil

Is there anything you’re learning to do?

I learn all the time; I am on the internet everyday looking for new ideas, learning about other photographers, learning about different styles and enjoy reading up on the technical side of photography as well. I have my camera in my hand almost everywhere I go. But I am currently making  a point of only using my 50 mm lens at the moment, it is such an amazing lens, but it takes loads of practice o get it right….

What will you be up to in 2010?

Weddings, weddings, and more weddings

And a couple of FIFA games for sure!!