I recently joined a group called the Joburg Photowalkers and it was on one of their outings that I took these oimages showed above.  The whole idea of this group is to find interesting locations and go there within a group of photographers so that you can be safe (these photos were taken in JHB under the M2 bridge – and we were a group of about 20 people)

The photowalk was all about capturing the art of Graffiti showcased all over our beautiful city and we had such fun.  I really enjoyed the way all the photographers helped each other out on compositional ideas, holding something up etc…  Photographers amateurs and professionals alike walked together talking about things which inspire them and what kind of photoshoots they would love to still do (maybe in the city etc)

As you can see it was mostly colours which grabbed my attention, all the yellows and reds…   I have to confess though that I think of all the people attending I think I took the least photos, I was more inspired by the workings of the group and watching others photograph.

Can’t wait for the next one…!

Riani Labuschagne

Professional Photography

Taking Photos of newborn babies can sometimes be very challenging, unless you know exactly what they want and how to fulfill their needs   Basically they want their tummies full, to be warm and comfortable and viola.  We make sure the studio is temperature controlled to keep your little angel warm and comfortable even when they are wearing only a diaper or simply in the nude.

In our experience we reckon that the best time to have your newborn baby photo session is when they are between 7-12 days old.  This way you have had time to get used to them, and mom to recover from the birth and you are now ready to take baby on their first outing.  And even if you are feeling nervous because this is your first time, not to worry as we have photographed a lot of little angels and know exactly what to expect and will guie you through the photoshoot as easy as 1..2..3..

Thinking about what props to bring along to this shoot, is something different altogether.  At the studio we have different knitted and textured blankies (all very soft) on which we will photograph your newborn baby as well as a basked or two which we might place them in for something  unique.  We always say that you are more than welcome to bring any sentimental items with (maybe something granny knitted…)  Just let your mind go…

And lastly, come with an open mind and a little bit of patience, sometimes they might just surprise you

Riani Labuschagne

Newborn Baby Photography

Womanhood is definitely something to be proud of, and celebrated, because no matter how hard any man tries, they won’t have what women have, and they realize that. One amazing way to celebrate who we are, and what se stand for, is by having great photo’s taken by professionals, and have that as a lasting image, insurance to yourself, knowing you are lovely and beautiful. Boudoir photography is all what makes women, and being beautiful and sensual is part of that.

As we are sensitive to everything that might make women uncomfortable, we take great care, in using good lighting and posing, to bring out the best in the woman we photograph. Photography is about light as the medium for exposure, and it must always try and bring a dimension back to the audience. With good lighting you can create depth and space, and show the human form in a different light, excuse the pun.

We try our utmost best to make every women brave enough to come and do this fun photoshoot by us, feel at their most comfortable, and with our talent and skill, we also present them with a product they will be proud of, and that their loved one will surely treasure.

Yolandi Jacobsz

Professional Boudoir Photos

#1 - 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

Wedding Photography tips

When we photograph events, we approach it as exactly that, and event, and it’s usually something memorable, an important occasion in the person wanting to have held the event’s life, therefore, capturing those moments that might not occur ever again, is very important and our job never stops until we leave until the end of it.

A 21^st is such a fun occasion, especially if it’s paired with a theme, and many people go all out and hire décor and props to add to the event’s atmosphere. Having a set colour theme also gives a fluent groove to everything, and everyone seems to join into the fun.

Many events we have to be as inconspicuous as possible, but with some events we go with the flow of it all and make sure we get great moment shots, and important moments such as speeches or a cake being cut. Be sure to use Louise Diesel Photography, The Real Life Studio, for your events photography, we make sure to capture your occasion with professionalism.

Yolandi Jacobsz

Event Photography

Boudoir photography was an overseas trend that took shape big and with endurance in South Africa, and it’s a type of shoot we thoroughly enjoy. Photographers are artists in their hearts after all, and even though we don’t use age-old methods with a brush or sculpt something physically, we get to use our subjects on front of our cameras to create breath-taking images.

With boudoir shoots, many women do not know what to expect, and as women are – we always find something wrong with us, and we dearly want the photographer to understand that, and make sure they photograph in such a way, that it does nothing less than make us look radiantly spectacular. We understand that aspect very well, and because lighting can be used so cleverly to accentuate the beautiful lines and curves women have, we photograph your lingerie shoot with nothing but the utmost sensitivity to your fears.

We want to “wow” you at the end of the day, and make you feel gorgeous which you already are, and this type of shoot is the ultimate ego-booster, as you will have images that make you look as beautiful as you could have ever imagined yourself to be.

Yolandi Jacobsz

Sensual Boudoir Photos

To pride oneself in being able to call yourself a professional photography studio, is quite a loaded statement, which has to be true to certain standards. That being said, photography is all about creating dimension – because dimension gets lost with photos, the subject can’t be heard, or touched, or smelled, or tasted, and it’s the photographer’s responsibility to bring back a certain dimension, so that the photograph has depth, literally, and figuratively. When we work with the lights in the studio, it is set-up to a way, that it creates the right amount of shadows, which immediately makes for a more of an appealing photograph.

When using it in modeling photography, it’s about using the model’s cheekbones, or the curves of a beautiful neck, or any other of the lovely lines a body consists of.  We use gradual lighting for our maternity shoots as well, because a pregnant tummy has a gorgeous shape, and one can accentuate that so much. Using the lights feathering, and the fall-off towards the side, creates just a little bit of light in small places, like the fold of an arm.

What will actually define you as professional, is being able to use your equipment, in all possible lighting conditions, and knowing what type of result it would give you. When you decide to become a photographer, a very helpful asset to adapt, is the ability to read light, all types, as they all give different results and colourcasts. In the studio, we use equipment set to 5000K, or more, which has the white effect, of sunlight.

Yolandi Jacobsz

Professional Studio Photography