The many contradictory differences but similarities that life has, is something I love, and it’s also something that I use in my own personal photography journey. I have always loved doors, perhaps because of the fact, that they both shut, and close, and they can both lock you in, but free you to go outside of the frame. They are the portholes to the world, and many of them have the most amazing textures, especially when beaten up and are old and rustic. Photography, gives us this amazing ability to create, sculpt, mould, bend, and just literally play with light to make something extraordinary. The sole thing that can make or break a photo is the lighting of it, and what would work as flat lighting on one shot, meaning lighting from most angles, having the shadow fall to the back, will not work on a different image, and a lower-key, with half the subject or even a greater percentage of that, falling in shadow, giving it such an interesting dimension and making it appealing to the viewer, as it evokes something within them.

When we do shoots such as maternity shoots, we know we are working with a lovely shape, the roundish belly of the pregnant mommy, and it’s such a distinguished shape, that we try and accentuate its beauty. It’s a very flattering way of lighting for boudoir shoots as well, as it creates a sense of mystery, and even romance, and has a completely different feel than a white background and its flatter look.

The key to photography lies in the lighting of the subject in front of the lens, and if that can be perfected to a pleasable, viable, and appealing look, you are heading in the right direction. Different lighting set-ups work well with different shoots, when shooting environmental for example you have little control over the lighting and sometimes that sunlight throws harsh shadows over subjects faces, which can add to the photo, as it can make the harsh circumstances of the people displayed stand out, as many environmental shoots’ essence is about showing the poverty and destruction in certain places. Always play around with lighting, it gives you endless possibilities.

Yolandi Jacobsz

Professional Photography

“A strong woman works out every day
to keep her body in shape
but a woman of strength looks deep inside
to keep her soul in shape

A strong woman isn’t afraid
of anything
but a woman of strength shows courage
in the midst of her fear

A strong woman won’t let anyone
get the best of her
but a woman of strength gives the best
of her to everyone

A strong woman makes mistakes
and avoids the same in the future
but a woman of strength realizes life’s mistakes
can also be blessings and capitalizes on them

A strong woman walks
sure footedly
but a woman of strength knows
when to ask for help

A strong woman wears the look
of confidence on her face
but a woman of strength
wears grace

A strong woman has faith
that she is strong enough for the journey
but a woman of strength has faith
that it is in the journey that she will become strong”

Edith Venter

Professional Photography

I have known Bianca le Grange since 2009, it’s just a spirit and personality you can miss, anywhere. She has this very lively energy that comes from within that she always carries with her, and she’s very comfortable with who she is.

It was some time in the making, but she finally released her new album recently, and our studio were approached to take her photos, as she has worked with me before, and we hit it off instantaneously. Bianca has a natural sensuality to her which makes for great photos, it’s as if something forceful is behind the look she gives you, and she’s very good with using the camera.

Bianca is very proud of her roots, as am I as her friend, and she has had quite a journey to be where she is today. She is a tremendously hard worker, and she always puts all her efforts into her work and her art.

Yolandi Jacobsz

Modelling Photography

Babies grow into adult people who get to experience the blessing of getting their own little babies, and any babies are small people dependant on others. They haven’t grown into little kids or toddlers yet, who can at least give some smiles when tickled, what they give are completely spontaneous and it’s then when we capture all their magic.

They lose that newborn look after awhile, and they become much more aware of their surroundings when a little bit older, but when very small, as in a few days old they can be molded into poses. At Louise Diesel Photography, The Real Life Studio, we have a maternity/newborn package which has us taking photos of the pregnant mommy at about 34 weeks – when the tummy is nice and round, and before a point of total discomfort. Then when the little one is born, the proud new parents bring them back for their first shoot, and we have some very proud fathers holding a little baby with a serene look in their eyes.

It’s quite an intimate, personal shoot and it’s a wonderful remembrance of a special time in parent’s life, the whole journey of the little one about to join us soon. We would recommend this package to anyone, it’s our most successful package and we’re honoured to be part of the first moments of baby’s life.

Yolandi Jacobsz

Newborn Baby Portraits

It’s been quite a year, and with many of our staff recently being victims of crime, we realize all too little that we have so much to be grateful for, and one thing for surely to be celebrated is womanhood and how we as women do so many things to keep society nurtured, and it’s pure miracle that we get to carry babies with our bodies and take care of everyone else.

A nude shoot might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but a discipline of photography I thoroughly enjoy, because of the visual aspect of it, and the pleasant psychological effect it has on anyone who gets to look at it. It’s graphic in a way, and it’s almost a journey, with some photographs not clearly identifiable and the audience in wonder as to what they are looking at.

A woman’s body is a wonderful thing, and just playing with the lighting set-up, getting it just right to portray the woman being photographed in the best possible way, is a great way to show all women: you look good no matter what, and it’s inspirational to the photographer too, because we always strive for beauty.

Low-key, moody and an air of mystery is probably what is going to come across, and rightly so, as it is a wondrous wonder.

We will always make you feel as comfortable as possible here at our studios in Randhart, Alberton, and know that how-ever nervous you might feel during your shoot, you are only going to be stunned in the end.

Yolandi Jacobsz

Its unbelievable to think that Woman at Work has been going for a year!?  We’ve been there photographing these networking functions since they started in December 2008 and it’s truly amazing to have walked this road with Toni & Tanya and see their vision evolve and grow like it has.

The woman at work year-end function was held at the Glenvista Country Club and we had an absolute ball.  No microphone glitches, nothing (I know… unbelievable) The Glenvista Country Club offers an indoor & outdoor function area and they will help you arrange everything.  You can even get married there and have your wedding photos taken on their lovely green golf course…

The charity of choice for the evening is Carita’s Home situated in Brackendowns.  An extract from their website:”Yvonne Deetlefs saw an urgent need for a safe, secure and loving environment for abandoned and abused children. The result was the birth of Caritas Home, May 2001. There are anywhere from 14 to 24 children living at Caritas, all of whom have been placed with us through Social Workers and the Courts.  The outward appearance of our house gives the impression of an ordinary home in the area. This is so that the children can live as normal a life as possible and ensure a “Place of Safety” for the children” 

Yvonne and your team, thank you so so much for everything you do for all of these children.  I’m sure it means more to them than they will ever be able to express!

Edith Venter was the guest speaker for the evening.  Let me tell you she is one remarkable lady!  Even though people judge Edith (without really knowing her) she still addressed all the ladies with an opening about how important it is to never judge  any other person because you never know what they might be going through.  It takes so little effort to tell another woman her hair looks pretty, or you love her dress and I promise you by building up other people you will feel uplifted yourself. 

  Here is a little something Edith read to all of us:”

A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape, but …

A woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape.
   A strong woman isn’t afraid of anything, but …
A woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear.
   A strong woman won’t let anyone get the best of her, but …
A woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone.
   A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future, but …
A woman of strength realizes life’s mistakes can also be God’s blessings and capitalizes on them.
   A strong woman walks surefootedly, but …
A woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls.
   A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face, but …
A woman of strength wears grace.
   A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey, but …
A woman of strength has faith that in the journey she will become strong.”

And I truly found this inspirational.  Read these words again and just think about it for a while…  Edith Venter is a graceful lady, and even though she is standing on a podium she speaks to you like she is sitting across from you in your sitting room having a galss of wine or cup of tea.  She makes you feel like you’ve known each other for years and years. 

Truly a very different person to what the media portrays…

This is one year end function with great photos. Every woman at work networking get-together is such a great function because there is always constant laughter.  Basically ladies, business women, mothers and friends coming together to network and have a great time!

Riani

Donté Smith is the name and he is the new kid on the block… Without any formal training Donté plays the piano, composes music and writes his own lyrics.

He has always been a big fan or R&B and so it comes as no surprise that his music falls right into the R&B genre and you can definitely put him right up there with artists like Neo and Justin Timberlake.

Donté stumbled onto his talent one day when he sat down in front of a keyboard and tried out some notes just for fun.  It just felt so right he told his mom and he hasn’t stopped playing since…

On average he can write one song a day (or more) when he really puts his mind to it.  Amazing hey?  He says that sometimes its like the typical thing of a song just randomly popping into his head and he needs to write it down, but more often than never he sits down and works it through at his own time.

When Donté sings it’s like a transformation that takes place within him, when you listen to his heartfelt lyrics you realize that it touches some part deep within your soul…

Donté I think you are heading for great things and I am privileged to have been a part of your journey so far and I look forward to creating your image with you creative input…!

Riani