Valentine’s Day can be so commercially seen, but in actual fact it was created, in February, to have the whole month be seen as the month of love, a special time for lover’s to just reconnect, and remember why they are together, amongst all of life’s chaos. Many businesses cash into the idea, and it has become such a big fiasco, that many people now dread when February come round, because it will just be another special day, ruined by commercialism. Through our passion and love for what we do, we would like to bring the tender feeling again for Valentine’s Day, back to its original intention and meaning.

Photos are forever and even now seeing the comical photos of my parents when they were young people and having a blast at life, I find very special, and it makes you nostalgically think back at some great times. We try and create some memories for your mind’s bank here at the studio, by getting images of everyone, which represents the love you share.  Valentine’s Day could still be special, and the spark could still be brought into it, because you will not just give a gift that is disposable, and gets eaten like chocolates, or wilts like flowers – it’s the representation of your bond, your promise, and the special something, that brought you together with that person in the first place.

Yolandi Jacobsz & Riani Labuschagne

Valentines day specials

Particular things appeal to different photographers; some would tell you that they like birds, some like wildlife, some love flowers, some love babies, and although it’s a good thing to have a love for a broad spectrum of things to photograph, we all have some things we absolutely adore, and we search them out in any travel we undertake, or we’re pleasantly surprised when we stumble upon them in life and you know it’s one of those things that give you joy. To me, one those things are doors and windows,as I see them as the portholes to the world, and they have this amazing ability to be shut tight, and keep you locked inside, as well as be opened up wide and set you free. They can let other people in or keep them out, and the double function it has is something that always has fascinated me, because it’s also a universal feature – you would be able to find a door with the same function in China, America – where ever you seem to be.

Finding these things that you find appealing could be a great adventure, and you should always hold on to that feeling, it keeps it real for you, and reminds you why you have an artistic inclination. Even though many of these things can’t speak actual words, it’s as if they tend to tell their own story in a way, one knows a beaten down door has seen many years of wear and tear, and had many people come in and out of it, and a door thick with many different kinds of paint, had people try and give it a new look numerous times, trying to restore something so that it could still be useable. Look for these things around you; you could be very surprised at what you find.

Yolandi Jacobsz

Artistic Photography

A wedding isn’t just a special occasion, it’s a once-in-a lifetime happening, and it will never be the same as it was that particular day.  There are so many moving parts part of a wedding day, months, sometimes years of planning go into every detail. For the bride especially, it’s all about getting everything “perfect”, but for us photographers, it’s all about moments being created and getting images within the energy that seems to float in the air on that day. Not only will the bride be looking absolutely breathtaking and the groom so proud he’s almost about to burst, but a lot of effort and planning went into all the small details of the wedding, such as the colour scheme, the venue’s atmosphere, how the tables will be set, the flowers playing an important role – all of that we make sure to capture as well.

The couple getting married is in such a daze on that day, they only have eyes for each other, and they don’t even get to remember all the small things that made up the day, but they get to look back at the photos, and go through all of the motions of that day again, which is a special moment in itself.

It’s a big commitment to get married, and another one to decide with which photographers you’ll trust your big day. We understand that, and take great care, to give you an amazing product, and capture all of the day’s happenings.

Yolandi Jacobsz

Wedding Photographers

Choosing a wedding photographer is one of the most important parts of planning a wedding. Unlike the flowers which will wilt and the dresses that will be tucked away, the photographs will last forever. This is why it is so important that you have a clear idea of what kind of pictures they want before they even meet with the wedding photographer. This will help them to know right away if a photographer meets their guidelines or not.

Do not book a photographer over the phone; you must see the wedding photographer’s portfolio. Their portfolio will show you the style of work they normally shoot in. If you want strictly formal set ups and the photographer shows you several artistic photographs, it probably is not a good fit. It might be helpful to invite another friend or family member to meet the wedding photographer as well. Show them your list of guidelines so they can follow them with you. When choosing the type of photography you want, consider if you want casual shots of friends and family, or if you want only formal shots. Make a list of the groups you want to be photographed, including special photographs that might not involve the wedding party. Is an old friend coming from overseas? Is your high school badminton team coming to your wedding? If you forget photographs you want it will make the big day more stressful.

Place yourself in the photographs you see in the wedding photographer’s portfolio. If these were the photos you took home, would you be happy? Look for variety. If all the shots the wedding photographer shows you are close up this is a bad sign. Check the edges and background in the photographs and make sure the set ups are clean even. If you have photographs you like, take them in to show the photographer.

Ask the wedding photographer for their credentials and how long the have been doing wedding photography. If the wedding photographer has LBIPP, ABIPP or FBIPP after their name then they are professionally qualified. Ask about how they handle changes in weather, and find out if they are familiar with your venue. Ask about the event of your photographs being ruined and see if they have Professional Indemnity Insurance cover.

It doesn’t matter if you get married at The Michelangelo Hotel in the heart of Sandton (which is very well designed architecturally) or if you get married at a small country venue called Sha-Mani country lodge and wedding venue close to Alberton, or even if you get married at a peaceful venue 20 mins drive from Glenvista called Thornebirds wedding venue and conference venue.  The thing which makes a wedding special is the bride and groom, two people who have found love and who is going to make a promise to each other in front of their friends and families, and in front of God to spend the rest of their lives together looking after each other.On your wedding day you become accountable for your actions to someone else.  Weddings takes months to organise and prepare for (not to mention a lot of money) it is therefor crucial that you take the time and look for a wedding photographer wtih whom you feel comfortable with and will be able to capture your precious memories in a way that is appealing to you.Make sure that your wedding photographer is credible, with a proper portfolio and website.  Ensure that the wedding photography contract and terms and conditions protect you as the couple as well as the photographer.  Also take the time to discuss everything with your prospective photographer and ensure that the person you are meeting with is the person who will actually be taking your photos.So all in all a wedding is about much more than the flowers, the venue and the dress.  I always say to my clients remember:” The only thing that really matters on your wedding day is that you get married” And if it rains on your wedding day, you will have a long and prosperous wedding… (and if you don’t want it to rain I’ve heard a myth that you should put a broom in the tree and a fork in the ground) 

Riani

Don’t know what to get your mom for Mothersday?! (or your wife if your kids are still small)  Well we offer the perfect solution, a Photoshoot Gift Voucher makes the ideal mothersday present.  It’s interactive & fun for the whole family!  It’s the most unique mothersday present and even if you give it every year it will always be unique.  It won’t wilt like flowers (not that I’m saying don’t buy your mother flowers, cos flowers makes any woman feel special), it also can’t be depleted like if you bought a bath time gift set.  We offer different packages to suit all your requirements.  Think about this, your mom is one of the most special individuals in this world and you can’t really describe what it is that you feel for her.  Mothersday doesn’t neccesarily say that you should only spoil your mother once a year, but it is just a day to remind her once again how much you treasure her.  Photos are the ideal gift, it’s personal and will be cherished forever.  Nowadays every second person has a digital camera which is great because now everyone can be passionate about photography (my passion)  So it is nice to have photos done by a professional photographer once in a while so that all your family photographs don’t look the same.  Buying you mom or spouse this ideal mothersday gift also ensures that the little ones and rest of the family can get involved.So if you feel like giving your mother the most unique mothersday gift and and hour of great fun this year, feel free to contact us on info@louisedieselphotography.co.za or 084 645 4352

Riani

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.  One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.  At the end of the long walk from the stream to her house the cracked pot arrived only half full. 

For a full two years this went on daily with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.  Of course the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.  But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure it spoke to the woman one day down by the stream.  “I am ashamed of myself because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to the house”. 

The old woman smiled:”Did you ever notice that there are flowers on your side of the path but not on the other pots’ side?  That is because I have always known your flaw, so I planted seeds on your side of the path and every day while we walk back you water them.  Without you being the way you are, there would not be this beautiful lining of flowers next to this road.

Each of us have our own unique flaw.  But its the cracks and flaws in each other which makes our lives so very interesting and rewarding.  You’ve just got to take each person for what they  are and look for the good in them…

Riani