On the 21st of September I went to the Lebanese church in Mulbarton to photograph an 80th birthday.  All the family attended the mass together and thereafter we took some photographs.  I never realized a Portuguese family consisted of so many people.  That when they tell you, you dont have to worry, it’s only close family the group will contain at least 50 people.  Not to worry we fitted all of them into a beautiful photo on the steps inside the church   This shoot was a lot of hard work but great fun.  Seeing the love all these people share for their Gran was just amazing.
 

So we went to see Dr Demartini again last week and not a minute too soon! As usual, he did not disappoint…. I for one was shocked and a little disappointed with myself, when I realised how much I had got drawn in to all the fear surrounding the government changes and uncertainty in SA at the moment. After a few minutes of listening to the man speak, I was hopeful and inspired again.

So rather than worry about what might happen, let’s ask how what is happening serves us and how whatever happens will serve us? What oppurtunities will open up? How can we make a diiference? How can we empower ourselves and help those around us to do the same so that together, we are an empowered nation that adapts to change and becomes a global force in the world?

What I know for sure is that I love this country – and while change is scary – it is also inevitable and our ability to adapt to change is what will determine the amount of joy we have in our lives and where we choose to play in this game of life. What I also know for sure, is that leaving this country also comes with a host of changes and uncertainties and almost feels like a betrayal (for me at least).

So I have made a decision to be one of the people who will stay and do whatever I can to empower myself and my family and give others to permission to do the same and hopefully, together we can make a difference in South Africa. John gave us a quote last night (not sure who it was that orginally said it) but it goes something like this: “never underestimate the power of just one person or a small group of people to make a difference and change the world, for in fact, it is the only thing that ever did!”

I believe that if we start to work together and shift our perspective we CAN make a difference – so let’s celebrate what is right with South Africa and be grateful for what we have! It would be nice if a few of you would support me on this and give some postive feedback (cos it’s pretty much guranteed that I will get challenged on this big time!) So what do you love about South Afriva? What can we celebrate?

On Sunday morning I was doing something that I really enjoy… doing a maternity photoshoot!  Yolandi is only 24 weeks pregnant and she’s already showing a great deal, she’ll probably have a big strong baby girl…

Samantha will be their first little one so this was their first experience of a maternity shoot.  There was a great deal of laughing involved and they are equally excited.  I really tried some new ideas with their photographs and it worked out really well.  I hope and trust they will love the maternity photos as much as I do! 

Today I did a maternity photoshoot for Luizette. As a professional photographer it is my job to get the new mom and dad to feel comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera.  It was amazing to see the tender care Luizette receives from her hubby, he couldn’t stop kissing her belly .

Luizette is 38weeks pregnant and in the end it worked out really well as she was showing a good deal.  According to dad baby will surely be arriving next week…  It is clear that dad can’t wait to meet baby and assume his role as Superman

Can’t wait to see what she looks like and to do their newborn photoshoot.  I absolutely adore kids and babies, they allow you to look at a world where pain is quickly forgotten and only joy exists!

Riani

On Wednesday Louise and I paid a visit to the lovely people from the Randburg SPCA.  Its always great to meet people with such a passion for what they do.  I never realized there were so many different facets to the SPCA.  From taking in strays to and assisting the people in the townships to take good care of their animals. 

Some people in the townships earn a living by using horsedrawn carts to do everything from recycling to removing people’s garden refuse.  These carts and horses have been passed down from generation to generation.  Unfortunately horses are not allowed to be kept in the townships anymore as they escape and wreak havoc on the bigger roads.  Taking this into consideration the Randburg SPCA decided to build stables on their premises to house these horses as well as horses that have been rescued.

We also had a look at and photographed their animal hospital, which thanks to donations, will be rebuilt and upgraded in 3 months time.

We took a ride with the SPCA into the Freedom Park township and I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed it.  It’s actually such a vibey place.  Louise and I both agreed that you could leave us there the whole day to photograph…   We met some of the friendliest people and photographed small kids with the most beautiful smiles.  It’s awesome to see the SPCA workers
in action with their fully equipped van, and to see how interested the community is to partake in having their animals vaccinated and keeping them healthy.

Meeting everyone at CFT Labels and Louise Diesel Photography was really exciting, I just hope I can remember everyones’ names:-) All in all it was an awesome first day for me at Louise Diesel Photography and I look forward to many more interesting photoshoots together!

Riani

Okay so this blog has absolutely nothing to do with photography…. I have been slightly under the weather for the last few days and so had some time to stay in bed and read a good book. The book in question is called (you guessed it) “For one more day” by Mitch Albom. He has written a couple of other books (none of which I have read) but one is quite well-known called “Tuesdays with morrie”.

Anyway, the book also has nothing to do with photography, or photoshoots, photography tips or any of that photo stuff…. It is a book about relationships and loving and appreciating the people in our lives – especially those closest to us whom we most often take for granted. This guy gets to spend one more day with his mom (who actually died 8 years before) and he gets to make peace with her and more importantly, with himself.

It’s a short little book with a powerful message – if you could have one more day with someone you have loved and lost, who would it be? and more importantly, what would you say? and what if you decided to say those things to the people you love who are still around? Would you have the courage? This book helps a little….

So to all my friends and family, especially my mom and dad, I want to say thank you – thank you for always loving me, for always believing in me, for making so many sacrifices for me and for loving me unconditionally…. You mean more to me than you will ever know and I am so grateful to have you in my life!!! I love you always – weez

New brides have an awful lot to prepare for prior to their big day. There’s a need to evaluate and select a good wedding photographer, rent the wedding location, and address a number of additional preparations.

Like most brides, you’re trying to save money and looking for inexpensive wedding favors. Well, why not make your own? For little more than a day’s worth of labor, you can make wedding favors for over a hundred guests and for less than $20. Keep reading for five great wedding favor ideas that will show you how.

Candy-Covered Almonds

Jordan almonds – or sugared almonds – are a classic wedding favor which is both memorable and affordable. They make a simple statement that’s understated and yet very traditional. The standard almond wedding favor is usually five sugared almonds that are wrapped in tulle or fabric and then tied off with ribbon.

When purchased in bulk or from a wholesaler, you can usually get sugared or Jordan almonds for anywhere from $5 to $10 per pound. Your tulle and ribbon shouldn’t cost more than $5 total, including tax, meaning you can easily make fantastic favors for less than 20 cents a favor.

Personalized Cookies

For a day spent baking and about $20 worth of ingredients, you can make cookie favors that are customized and cute for all your wedding guests. Cookies are quickly becoming popular, inexpensive wedding favors item because they’re customizable and homemade.

To save yourself from having to bake over a hundred cookies on your wedding day, you can do so up to three months in advance and store them in your freezer. Take them out on the day of the wedding and you’re ready to go.

A Custom Spice Mix

Spices can be expensive, but not when you buy them in bulk. For example, a pound of thyme can be brought home for as little as $5 a pound, leaving more than enough for each of your 100 wedding guests. Or, you can make a mix and give guests your own personalized blend of spices.

Buy a few yards of fabric that match your colors and you can wrap up these cheap favors for as little as $0.15 a favor.

Labeled Seeds

You can buy many seeds in bulk and then repackage them in small, blank envelopes or your own small, fabric sacks. Include a small note with planting instructions that also thanks your guests for coming and you’ve got a fantastic favor that will be remembered for years to come.

Go Favor-Less

The most inexpensive wedding favors are no favors at all. Though contentious, many people are starting to think that wedding favors simply aren’t necessary – they’re little more than useless knick-knacks that are eventually thrown out, making them a wasteful and unnecessary enterprise.

If you feel you have to have wedding favors but want to keep it minimal, consider making a charitable donation in honor of your guests while including a small note with each place setting.

written by m.foster