Many people have mixed feelings about studio photography, and wouldn’t know what to expect when they book a shoot. Most people only know they want great photos done of themselves, or with them and their family, but knowing what the results will be, or if they will get to loosen up in front of the camera, is unsure to them.

To quote our father here: Louise Diesel Photography

It is rare to be absolutely blown away by something you had average hopes for……this is definitely the feeling I experienced after viewing the results of a recent photo shoot……Professional, relaxed and Fun are a few words describing my experience at Louise Diesel Photography……Can’t wait for the next annual shoot people…..very well done….

Our shoot with this dad and his teenage daughter was tremendous amounts of fun, as they were open to anything, and tried anything. All it takes for good photos is a little bit of an uninhibited feel, and letting go of some shyness, and tentativeness.  A great part of our job is getting reviews like these, knowing people had certain expectations, and then to amaze them with our studio’s quality.

We guarantee a great shoot for everyone and anyone wanting to have their memories captured in a shoot, and we’ll make sure to bring out your personality some, and show the bond you have with your loved ones.

Yolandi Jacobsz & Riani Labuschagne

Fun studio photos

Location shoots, are always such a nice challenge for us, because you get to work with the elements, and your backdrop, isn’t the white studio set-up. When people are in their own element it just seems their personalities come out so much more, it seems easier for them to connect to the photographer, and it more comfortable between the two partners, they seems to pose less, and just be themselves more. The studio could be quite a daunting experience for many people, as you don’t know what to expect and what the results will be – you’re literally putting your image in someone else’s hands and have the need for them to make you look good. Being trained photographers, we definitely know that making people feel comfortable is one of the biggest jobs we have, and if you have a knack for it, it relaxes your clients, giving true, earnest smiles and laughs, natural and not so much posed.

When on a location the couple chose, they seem to be much more at ease with each other and the idea that their photos get taken. Especially in pre-wedding shoots, when the photo’s are to perhaps be used for save-the-dates, or the invitation itself, the excited couple’s happiness and joy comes through in photos, and those are moments, that you hold on to, knowing that your foundation was based loving moments, and your smile will show everything that goes on in your heart.

Yolandi Jacobsz & Riani Labuschagne

Outdoor couple photos

The S family has “two” children, their darling little girl and her soft plush toy Lulu.  Mom is absolutely convinced that Lulu will join in at her Cara’s 21^st birthday one day J

This was an amazing photoshoot simply because mom and dad understands their little whirlwind so well.  She has enough energy to tire out 5 adults I’d say, ha ha.  So we ended up having to spin her around and around, throw her up in the air and many more in mock play  games just to get her to “sit still” and capture some smiles.

And let me tell you that Lulu was just as much a part of the photo as anyone else.  We had to ask her to smile and this in turn made Cara smile too, too cute. 

Toddlers usually enjoy our fun family photoshoots SO much as it turns into more of a playdate than anything else because this is the only way to bring out their naturally beautiful smiles.

Riani Labuschagne & Yolandi Jacobsz

Natural family portraits

Light, is literally what makes photographers tick. We observe any sort of light very carefully; as that is the medium we use and need to shoot our images, and to do our job. Light is what creates your images, and depending on how it is used, it creates certain effect, and makes the viewer have different reactions to it. Sometimes we use the light to accentuate certain shapes or features, and it works especially well with maternity photo shoots, where you have a very evident round tummy and the light catches the shape of it so beautifully. With portfolio shoots, we usually try and accentuate the shape of the body, or the lines of the face, and we move the light to get certain shadows and highlights in all sorts of strategic places.

A studio that claims to be professional, should give their clients good quality products, taken with good quality gear, and professional lighting must be used, as it’s always our strive to provide all clients with amazing images.

As trained photographers, we understand light well, and know what will work to accentuate certain things, and to hide others. Light is such a great medium, it gets us excited and inspires us to always think of new ways to create more brilliant images.

Yolandi Jacobsz & Riani Labuschagn

Using light creatively 

I once had a hefty argument with a friend in college about black and white photography. For me, virtually every photo could work in a black and white version as well, and I love the look and feel of it. Nothing comes close to the feel of high-contrasty images, with a clear definition between shadows and highlights, or something as vivid as texture, making a shot pop, and its effect standing out so much more in black and white photos. The friend disagreed and said that we are very fortunate to experience so many colours with our brilliant eyes, and that photos with no colour to them could be quite somber.

The wonderful thing about photography, which still grabs me to this day, and is one of the main reasons I dwell in it so much, is that once you know the rules, you can go ahead and break them as far and beyond as you like, and when a shot works with no colour, only detail the most strategic of places, it has its own appeal, and it makes that picture unique in its own right.

I feel a different focus is put on the image when it’s stripped of colour, you get to see something different, or the very essence of the photo stands out so clear when it’s black and white, and even though colour is substantially important to make images come alive, we must go with our gut, and if you have a certain attraction to black and white, try the medium with certain images, and see how it works for you.

Yolandi Jacobsz & Riani Labuschagne

Monotone Photography

Working with any type of model, I find such a pleasure, as a modeling shoot, is something different to the fun and energetic family shoots we have going on here. It’s a bit more posed, and instead of getting the very cute and natural expressions and smiles children has to give, it’s all about getting the very best side of the subject, and making them look fabulous.

We play a lot with light in out modeling shoots, and if it works in the photo, most things go. If you know the rules, you are more than allowed to break them, and we have found that a modeling shoot, gives the photographer a huge amount of freedom, because you can get creative, and create shadows where you might want them, or put light into certain places to accentuate that feature.

There are many opportunities for all forms of modeling, whether it be in advertisements, or photographically, or by becoming a catwalk model, and it all starts with a good portfolio, photos that show a bit of who you are, and your skill of posing and taking guidance from the photographer. Start with a great portfolio with our studio, we shall give you a great product to be proud of.

Yolandi Jacobsz & Riani Labuschagne

Artistic modeling photography

This year alone, we have done close to two hundred family shoots, which means we got to meet a whole new bunch of people, with their amazing kids. Many people enquire about props, where we kindly advise them that our studio try and work in the way where we get everyone in the family involved in our shoots. Those genuine, sincere, real laughs we want to try and have come from lots of tickles, and daddies wrestling with their kiddies, and siblings giggling at each other, and them pulling faces at each other. We do a lot of interactive posing, as to give you a unique shooting experience and have each family images that are true to them, and not posed with studio props.

Especially little boys are just oozing bundles of energy and we many times just have to get them in the go, as they come running past in whirlwinds. With our new studio, we have quite a bigger space, ad kids just love to run around in there, getting rid of some bundled up energy. We always try and have their parents do with them, as they would do at home – just to play and laugh and wrestle and tickle, and we clown around just as much, which gets great smiles out of them as they probably wonder who these strangers ladies are that are performing so much. We want to give you photos that connect with each other, which speak to you, and make you remember your kids’ phases and stages as they get older.

Enjoy a relaxed photo shoot with us; it will be something you will definitely never forget.

Yolandi Jacobsz & Riani Labuschagne

 Photoshoots for families