We always say that each family is different, each family is uniquely put together and have their own different dynamic and way they operate. Whether Afrikaans, English, Portuguese or young or old, we get so many diverse and different types of clients who come to visit us, and with each and every shoot, we can remember some vital moments that made that shoot special.

When you have boys you know how hectic things can get – they just tend to be so much more energetic and lively as girls, and can cause havoc in their way if you don’t watch out. We run around after them in the studio, and sometimes get images all taken in the action of the moment, as little kids have everything better to do, than sit still by their own or with a sibling, or with a parent and take a photo. Kids have the most amazing things to say though and they are so entertaining, we still think back to so many small children who said the darndest things in their shoots.

Kids have this amazing ability to just be themselves though, even if they are cross or bubbly, they always give you 100% of themselves, and on a great day, it’s those smiles we want, and those little giggles and laughter’s, to make for images you’ll treasure, and remember your kids’ phases fondly.

Yolandi Jacobsz & Riani Labuschagne

 Cool family photos

There is this special time in a girl’s life when she isn’t fully a teenager yet, but no more a small girl, and in that gap, is when they are at their sweetest.  We have had quite a few shoots with girls this age, and always find it a pleasure working with them. They provide for some precious moments, and it’s at this age where you want to keep them right where they are, and not have them grow up too fast.

When they’re small it’s easy to whip out gifts for them, as a toy would suffice, but when they get a bit older, they want more exciting ways to celebrate their birthdays, and a shoot for the birthday girl, and her friends, is the ideal way to capture the stage they’re at.

We have done quite a few shoots such as these, and we provide a very professional service, making sure, every girl is photographed, the birthday girl, is treated especially special, and that we get fun, spontaneous group photos that will make you remember the celebrated birthday with fondness. If not sure what to do with a tween’s birthday, let them have their own fun shoot, with a group of friends, we’ll e sure to provide you with an outstanding product.

Yolandi Jacobsz & Riani Labuschagne

Teenage birthday party photo session

Here at LDP we adore taking fun photos for families and if you need them to be slightly more formal for some reason or the other we will gladly do so!

Families are all about different dynamics and relationships all the members share amongst each other and this is exactly what we focus on during your family photoshoot.  Some poses include more of a fun approach and others are more to focus your attention on each other.  We love to implement some of your personal props brought along from home, so if you are bikers bring your helmets and tough leather jackets along whereas if all your girls do something more elegant like ballet bring those shoes and tutu’s along as we love to capture who you truly are…

We often get asked the question what should we wear to our photoshoot and the answer is whatever you feel most comfortable in!  We recommend items of clothing which you have freedom of movement as this allows for more “poses” and that you colour coordinate your outfits.  This just brings everyone together in a  unit.  (Steer clear from black and white as they tend to look slightly dull and “merge” with the backdrops.

And lastly please don’t forget your sense of humour cos after a session in studio with us you will have abs of steel

Riani Labuschagne & Yolandi Jacobsz

Family Photoshoot

Families sometimes have different make-ups, sometimes they consists out of just a mom, or just a dad – but however way they are put together, they each bring their own uniqueness, and we fully enjoy that. When you have girls, who are now not so small anymore, but can more so be called young women, it can be loads of fun getting them in the studio, especially sisters who differ so much, but love each other dearly.

A family is a bout they bond they share – some of that special connection we try and have them project in the studio, It’s very much important for us as photographers, to try and establish a bond with our clients, as we know we are providing not only a service, but took part in the product that they might want to display in their homes. Something they are proud of looking at, something with a great memory attached to it and something that represent that which they are as individuals, and as a united family.

Each and every single one is different- it’s the great thing about being in a studio, that we get to work with all sorts of families, different ones every week. People change and children grow, and we are always grateful when we get the chance to have them come around again, for something different or to show how big their kids have gotten.

Yolandi Jacobsz

Real Life Studio Family Photography

Cute baby photos is all about capturing their expressions…

  From big time frowns, to the wide open mouthed smiles (just gums everywhere    )  Yes, ages and stages is one of the most beautiful things babies go through and the best way to remember every little thing is to have professional baby photos taken.  Take little Hudson (nice name don’t you think) for instance, he is one of few babies who actually prefer lying on his tummy rather than sitting up all by himself.  Everytime I smiled at him he just  smiled right back.

  I think this is part of the magic of babies, they are so innocent and just give love freely to anyone who would take a minute and talk to them.  I can see many girls lining up at your doorstep with this gorgeous “big” little boy in the house.  Baby Photography is an art which we have perfected, give them a little bit of love and attention and they will give you smiles (and maybe a little of drool if your lucky   ) all the way!

Riani

I recently had a function to attend, and we had to dress-up to theme. I received a sari as gift from a friend a while ago, and as it is traditionally not my normal attire, I hadn’t had the chance to wear it much. When I held the 7meter piece of material in my hands, I realized this was not going to be as easy as it looked, and “how to drape a sari-101” on the internet wasn’t going to help in getting the intricate folds exactly right. We called in the help of one of our previous clients, a lovely Indian lady, who we knew would make it look the right way, and not like I tried it myself the amateur that I am. So after-hours J quickly came to help a damsel in distress.

She showed us in perfect strides how the drapes go in all the right places, to walk right, sit comfortable and make sure you don’t slip on any loose material or tear the material.

 Of course Riani had to do what SHE does best, and took stunning photos of me in my unusual & interesting dress, and as always she made me look like a movie-star, this time a real Bollywood beauty.

 Thanks girls…. 

 Yolandi

If you had to ask me what is the ONE thing I will always remember about Terrance & Lizé’s wedding , I would have to say  LOVE.  Sounds very overrated (I know) but hear me out.  The moment I walked through the door I felt like I belonged there.  All the girls made me feel that I was part of the family.  No pose was too much (or smile) was too much to ask.  And if you saw the way Lizé couldn’t tear her eyes away from Terrance you’d know what I was talking about.

  Let me tell you the funniest part of it all…   So I pose them in front of these beautiful big trees and ask them to just chat to each other (thinking they will whisper sweet nothings into each other’s ears)  while I am taking gorgeous photos with my zoom lens.  Normally I tell  clients that I don’t have to know the sweet nothings (but they told me anyway)  She asked him if he had remembered to sweep the floor (and he just burst out laughing…)  Can you see that they have been together for 10 years?… lol

The day started out really windy but luckily being a wedding photographer at emperor’s palace I know that the whole outdoor wedding chapel is surrounded by big trees so there was literally no wind (we would have actually have appreciated a little bit of a breeze, seeing that it was so hot) but it was surely the most fantastic day ever.  The light filtering through the trees made for the most beautiful photos, with soft and warm light. 

When it comes to your wedding photographer I always urge you to come through and meet the photographer beforehand,  to ensure that you are comfortable with them.  Remember, they will be spending the day with you taking photos of everything and anything, so by the end of it you will feel almost like family

Riani

Wedding Photography