Take a guess what I did this past weekend… ?! I had the absolute privilege of photographing Tracy and David’s wedding at Thaba Ya Batswana   Being a woman and knowing the dynamics of love and relationships just adds to the magic which every wedding has.  Let me tell you a little secret, I have been a wedding photographer for more than 3 years now and I still get goosebumps the moment the Wedding march starts playing and the chapel doors swings open to reveal the radiant bride… 

The thing which I love the most about wedding photography at Thaba Ya Batswana is that the photo possibilities are just endless.  Ranging from beautiful architecture to open fields with long grass…

It’s like heaven to any photographer.  One of the client requests was to please get a lot of nice photos of the kids before hand (While their clothing is still clean… ) and they are refreshed.  This photos of Calista (3) just melts my heart.  She was a little bit shy in the beginning of the wedding day but soon warmed up to the camera and ended up whispering in my ear that she really likes me

When planning your wedding don’t hesitate to ask your photographer to recommend the perfect time to get married so that you will get beautifully soft light for your wedding photos.  Remember these are going to last you a lifetime so make sure you get this right.  And Finally just let go and anjoy the day.

You have been planning this perfect day for such a long time that I surely believe that now is the time to enjoy the wedding.  I always say that you have to remember the only thing that matters on your special day is that you get married to the one you love (and you get gorgeous photos) but your wedding photographer will expertly sort that out for you!

For more information on our wedding packages and pre-wedding photoshoots please don’t hesitate to contact us on 084 645 4352, or 011 869 7759 or send us an email on info@louisedieselphotography and let us take care of all you wedding photography needs!

Riani

Wedding Photography at Thaba Ya Batswana

When choosing your wedding photographer it is important to find that balance between affordable wedding photography and good quality wedding photography.  You are not only paying someone creative and skilled to capture your wedding day, but also for the days and hours spent behind the scene editing and perfecting your photos. 

 Our photographers spend time on evolving and making their wedding photography contemporary but unique.  Some wedding photographers charge less money as they aren’t confident and very inexperienced so your wedding photos will be good quality.  On the other hand a slightly more expensive wedding photographer will have a great wedding portfolio along with years of experience and they will ensure that you get breathtaking wedding photos of your special day. 

 Ask your preferred affordable wedding photographers to show you their wedding albums and portfolios and then make an informed decision.

Riani

Affordable wedding photography

I have met so many people who want to find the “perfect wedding photographer” and the fact of the matter is that there is no one “perfect wedding photographer” But here are a few important few guidelines to help you choose the perfect wedding photographer for you:

1 – Go onto the internet and search for wedding photographers, have a look at their photo galleries (not just on wedding but a few)  If you like what you see add them onto your short list.  You can do the same thing by asking your friends and relatives who did their wedding photos and then taking a look at their portfolios.

2 – Once you have compiled a short list get into contact with these photographers and ask them if they are still available on the date and for them to send through a quote.  This will also help you to narrow the list down even more with photographers who are in your price range.

3 – Set-up an appointment for you and your hubby to be to go and meet your top 3 photographers.
Use this meeting to get to know them better.  Do they make you feel comfortable and at ease?  ( This is very important especially on your wedding day)  Ask to see more of their portfolios, and take special care in looking at the weather

conditions, are the photos which were taken in sunny weather much better than the ones taken in rainy weather?  This will give you an idea of their skills and abilities.  A good photographer should be able to handle most weather conditions equally well.  Are they helpful and prepared for the meeting ( this will give you an idea of the way they normally work) and take your time to find you a few things like :

-          do you get a high-res cd with your photos (printable)?

-          What do they charge per hour extra for overtime?

-          Do they bring back-up equipment to your wedding just in case?

-          Are they bringing an assistant along?

-          How long does it take before you can get your wedding photos back?

4 – Make sure that you book your perfect wedding photographer 6 months before the actual wedding day.  I can’t really explain why, but especially in summer there are certain dates which just have a lot of enquiries and couples wanting to book it.

PS – If your photographer mentions that it might be a good idea to have your wedding ceremony held 1 or 2 hours earlier, it is because they are worried that there will not be enough natural light left to ensure that you get breathtaking wedding photos (not because they are bossy J  )

Riani

Wedding Photographer Gauteng

In today’s blog I thought I’d share some tips on taking great wedding photos.  So here are 9 great tips on taking wedding photos. My first  tip on taking better wedding photos – is to make sure that your memory cards have been cleared before hand, and that you have more than enough batteries which are all fully charged. (PS – and that you have a clear understanding of how your equipment works)

Second great tip on taking stunning wedding photos – Always make sure that you focus  on the bride’s face no matter what happens… (and take your exposure readings from her face)

The third tip on taking good wedding photos – be ready to capture all those moments in between your formal posing and moving around.  You are allowed to enjoy the day and talk to people but be ready to capture anything.|

Fourth tip on taking wedding photos – Make sure that you take a lot of photos on the actual day and review them later(you can still check if everyone’s eyes are open) but there just isn’t  time to study each and every photograph.

Fifth tip on being a good wedding photographer – Be helpful and considerate at all times (you have been behind the scenes at more wedding than the bride and you normally know what works)  This will help to relax the bride and give you the opportunity to capture better photos.

Sixth tip to taking better wedding photographs – Try shooting from different angles, climb onto a chair to capture the wedding guests congratulating the happy couple, and lie on your tummy when taking a shot of the rings with the couple in the background… It is things like these that will set your style apart from other photographers.

My Seventh tip on taking beautiful wedding photographs – is to keep a look out for opportunities to create “arty” photos like this silhouette shot.  Looks like something straight from a Disney fairytale.

The eighth tip to taking better wedding photos – Take charge (and not in a negative way), remember that you have been hired to perform a service and that you need to produce stunning images with the help of natural light (which fades quickly after the sun has set)

Finally the last tip to taking better wedding photos – Learn to connect with your clients in such a way that they are comfortable enough to trust you, this will give you the creative freedom, you need to create amazing wedding photos.

Riani

Jessica & Henry got married at the most beautiful little church in Alberton on the 10th of April. It was one of the times where we were photographing close to home and it made the

whole wedding even more special as we photographed at places which I drive past regularly. It’s strange how we miss beauty that is amongst us every day. We get so used to seeing something (or someone) every single day that we forget to notice the great things. This is the most challenging aspect of being a photographer, looking at scenery like it is the first time

you have seen it and photographing it in a way other people have never seen it. The lovely bride “J” was looking slightly nervous when I met her at the salon having her wedding make-up done and then something really cool happened. The wedding march played on the radio…!!! Can you believe it?! After that she was relaxed and mentioned that she is ready. Getting

ready was a breeze along with shooting photos of the lovely bride and her bridesmaids before her wedding. I will never forget their church ceremony, when they sang the “Onse Vader” I got Goosebumps and just had to hold back the tears. (Typical woman I know but I know that these powerful emotions are the things that we are able to feel and therefor capture

perfectly) Being a professional wedding photographer it was up to me to find the ideal location for wedding photography and so we went to the famaous “Meyer Plaas” in Alberton to have photos taken in the fields and in at their historic house. The wedding was beautiful and filled with so much love and it will always stay in my mind. Henry & Jessica ek hoop julle is altyd so verlief en geseend!
Riani

“The Thaba Ya Batswana Eco Lodge is a rare and valuable jewel surrounded by the southern Johannesburg metropolis, which captures the spirit of the African renaissance. It is situated in the Klipriversberg Nature Reserve area and has an abundance of indigenous trees, plants, birds and wildlife. The Tswana name meaning “Mountain of the Tswana People” is an apt description due to the discovery of Tswana settlement ruins that date back between 300 and 600 years. The historic remnants of the Tswana people are scattered throughout

the eco lodge where visitors are able to observe it from many of the paths and trails.” – Taken from the Thaba Ya Batswana website.

Johannesburg and its surrounds are known for its beautiful wedding venues.  We have got everything from Italian villages at Avianto right through to the African experience at Thaba Ya Batswana.  Professional wedding photographers have the pleasure of seeing and experiencing all these beaufitul wedding venues while they are working.

A few reasons why I love the wedding venue Thaba Ya Batswana:  Their venue is well looked after and have absolutely breathtaking sunsets.  Friendly service at all times, doesn’t matter of you are there for a small conference or a R50 000 wedding the staff are always helpful.  The chapel is set in between the most beautiful trees and have natural light falling through the big windows.  And the food (OMW the food) is always mouth watering…  and this is just to name a few.

I have done so many photoshoots for Sam & Arthur that they almost feel like family by now… J  They chose Thaba Ya Batswana as their perfect wedding venue (and also to christen baby Chaise)  Ok, ok they only told everyone they are christening Chaise but not that they are also getting married at the same time (or what did Sam call it, formalities lol)  The dress

was made from the most elegant flowy material and Sam looked nothing short of a Greek Goddess.  It had been chilly all week before the wedding but luckily Sam knew where to order lovely weather which made it perfect conditions to shoot wedding photos in.  Sam & Arth, it really was a pleasure and a privilege to take your stunning wedding photos and I wish you guys many more happy years together!

Riani

As Professional Wedding Photographer in Johannesburg we have had the pleasure of photographing gorgeous brides and elegant weddings at wedding venues like Avianto and

Toadbury Hall.  Each and every wedding venue offers their own personal style and look.  The wedding venue Avainto (which is situated in Muldersdrift)  is one of my favourite wedding venues because you can totally immerse yourself in the venue.  It’s got the feel of an Italian village without being corny.  Wedding photographers like us just love shooting at this venue

as there is an abundance of first class scenery which can make your wedding photos even more beautiful than you ever imagined… (and their food is simply fantastic   )

Riani