Girls have that wonderful way of literally blossoming into who they are to become one day. When they’re young and these little pig-tailed beauties, they are mostly just cute and adorable, when they get a bit older, they have this wonderful in-between stage, where they so badly want to be grown-up, but still have no restraint when going to jump in the swimming pool, like the kids they still are. They love posing, and actually make for great models, because they have a youthful energy and spunk within them, and when I photograph it, I truly enjoy the craziness.

These days, they get to grow up in an era, where many things are technology fast-forwarded and advanced, and to still try and have them keep onto that everything that still keeps them young, is futile, the world makes time go by extremely fast. Obviously as photographers we understand the significance of photographs and how they are meant to last forever. We not do a job, or provide a service, we form a bond with you, and join in the fun you get to have on your special day, we create memories with you, and we provide you with a product that will make you proud every time you get to look at it, and think bad on that mad day with us and your special shoot.

Booking a teenage photoshoot for your girl and her friends, is an amazing idea, the experience of it will stick with you for many years to come still.

Yolandi Jacobsz

Teenage birthday party ideas

The use of good make-up done in a professional modeling shoot is not always acknowledged. In both our upper boudoir- and modeling packages we offer the option  of having make-up done by the make-up artist our studio have come to know and trust for years, Samantha Pretorius. Sam has been make-up for the studio for quite some time, she already feels like part of us.

Sam’s make-up is done in such a way, that you just seem to glow, but in no way does it look caked-on or unnatural. We know that Sam’s understands the nature of our shoots, and with studio flashes being white light, and tending to drain the colour out of your skin tone, we always advise all prospective models or ladies who come for their boudoir shoots, to get it done a bit heavier that what your used to. Even brides get advised to do so, because the last thing you want is to not look amazing.

Make-done for any type of photoshoot, is an amazing idea, because photos are a gift that lasts a lifetime, and one wants to look their best. Make-up gives is such a finishing look, and adds to your special muchness showing from within.

Yolandi Jacobsz

Professional photography

When this lovely lady came to enquire about a portfolio shoot, I was very excited – because she is very gorgeous, and had the most amazingly bubbly personality. She works in an interesting industry and what good portfolio-type of shoots done for use on her website. She was full of excitement when she got her make-up done by the lady we use at our studio, and who have been doing make-up for us for literal years, Samantha Pretorius. This is the type of shoot when you actually don’t quite know what to expect, because for many of us, posing and using the lines of your body, doesn’t actually come easily.

She took such great direction, and her images are great, she is extremely proud of herself, which we feel she has every right to be. Even if your goal isn’t per se to use your images for a website, or get a portfolio together for yourself to use as presentation for agencies, to have such a shoot done, is still very liberating, because you get to be free of all preconceived notions, and just relax and have us the artist do what we do best. We use the light and the lines that your body creates to make great combinations which work, which put the right highlights and shadows in all of the right places. Come and enjoy one of the most satisfying and freeing experience you might ever have, by getting a great portfolio shoot done for yourself, or even a friend.

Yolandi Jacobsz

portfolio photoshoot

Although most people think that taking a picture is just as simple as pointing and shooting, there really is an art form to it. Typically, your photos never look quite as good as you imagined they would. However, once you learn the proper techniques, it really is simple to take great pictures.

Though you may not think you need a flash outside, take a look and make sure. The sun can create drastic shadows. If your camera has a “fill flash” option, then use it when taking pictures in bright sunlight. This can help to illuminate even deep facial folds and creases.

You need not stand directly in front of an object to photograph it. Whether you settle on shooting from above, below, the right or left, experiment, or take shots from each angle to decide post-shooting.

When it comes to taking pictures of kids, sometimes the best thing you can do is to just go with the flow and work with them. Children are just not designed to sit perfectly still and pose for photos, they prefer to be up and about and running around. Have some fun instead, and capture the photos of the children in action.

Imagine there are lines traveling vertically and horizontally dividing your viewfinder. Place your subject at the point of intersection, instead of in the middle of the shot, and suddenly your picture has a sense of drama. Move in closer to whatever subject you’re taking a picture of. It’s frustrating for the viewer to not clearly see the details of the subject because the camera was too far away. Try to make it easy on your audience to be able to see images clearly and vividly.

Master photographers agree, less IS more.

You should never have tons of clutter or other elements in your shots. Keeping things simple in your photos is what catches your viewer’s attention; simplicity often creates a big punch!

Learn when it’s okay and not okay to use the flash with your camera. Your flash shouldn’t be on all the time. Too much or too little light has ruined many pictures. At other times, low light makes a flash necessary. So don’t forget to use it when you need it.

Even though people think white is great to wear during a photograph, it is generally a bad decision. Many photographers use the auto focus setting on their cameras. This setting doesn’t work as well if the camera can’t pick up different shades in its lens’ range.

For example, if a subject wears white and the background is also white, the camera won’t focus properly. With white clothing, the camera has a hard time adjusting to keep the whites looking good, while preserving detail on peoples’ faces, and photos can turn out looking under or overexposed.

Adjust the focus to create a unique photograph.

Reduce the f-stop setting to maintain focus on the closer subject. This is especially good for portraits. In contrast, increasing your f-stop setting will also increase the field depth and bring all elements of the photograph into focus in a more even manner. This would be fantastic for landscape photography.

Nighttime photography can totally change how a subject looks. When adequate natural lighting is not available, it is even more important to make sure that supplemental lighting is properly set up and utilized. Make sure you use the flash feature and adjust your camera’s shutter speed setting to shoot better photos at night.

Food photography can be difficult.

Food will melt and shift positions, making it hard to develop the proper shot. That’s why when shooting food, you should have napkins, glassware, and silverware ready first. Make sure you have the right lighting, and then put the food down and shoot!

Pre-focus your camera and move to where your subject isn’t dead centre in the frame. Having your subject in the middle of the picture is very expected and subsequently uninteresting. Try off-centering your shots to make your subject appear more interesting to the viewer.

Make sure you support the camera from below and on the sides, while keeping your arms tucked tightly into the sides of your body. Holding the camera in this way, you will reduce camera shake and make shots that are in clear focus. With your hands positioned at the underside of the camera and below the lens, it will help prevent accidentally dropping the equipment.

Always keep charged batteries in your camera. Using the LCD on a digital camera drains the batteries, so always ensure that the battery is fully charged before leaving the house. You should also carry spare batteries so that you can avoid missing a photograph opportunity.

Your photographs have perhaps disappointed you in the past. You will never face such a complication again, if you seriously implement the information you got right here in this article. With the ideas presented here, you can take breathtaking shots that you want to hang on the wall for everyone to admire.

We’ve all seen them, on magazine covers, billboards and even on TV.  Super cute photos of babies are everywhere!  I’ve come to the realisation that nine out of 10 parents (most people actually) would love to have photos like these taken of their babies but they haven’t put any thought into what it takes to get these beautiful baby portraits.

It’s a fact that babies are “hardwired” to smile at faces they recognise (this means you, mommy and daddy)  This is an age old survival mechanism to make them even cuter to you, so you will do your utmost best to give them your all.

So in your photoshoot we really appreciate when you also make an effort to make your baby smile.  I can promise you that you are probably more than the  one-hundredth person I’ve seen pulling faces, making animal noises pr playing air guitar as if your life depended on it, simply to get your little one to crack a smile.  And frankly put we prefer it this way J

So don’t forget to bring your “wacky side” to the studio as we love them all!

Riani Labuschagne & Yolandi Jacobsz

Cute baby photos

So you have just heard you are pregnant and you are ecstatic, well you should be J  It is one of the most amazing times in your life.  I have always thought of pregnant women to be similar to angels (yes I know that sounds very dramatic) but you are part of a miracle when you are pregnant – or that’s the way I see it.

When you get to 34 – 37 weeks you might not think you are “pretty” enough to be taken photos of and that is why we do our utmost best to make this an awesome experience and give you very arty photos, so that you can look back at this time with a sense of wonder.

Looking at other sample photos on the net is definitely recommended as it will give you a better idea of what to expect from your photoshoot, and if you are not sure what to bring or to do in your shoot, you are more than welcome to give our pro female photographers a call and chat to them to make you more comfortable with the whole concept. 

Someone asked me once if they HAVE to be naked in these photos, and I replied that not necessarily.  I would still recommend some shots where you wear something like a boob-tube so your tummy isn’t covered and showing, but you can also bring textured materials with which we can “wrap you” and do shots like that.

I guarantee you that it’s the experience of a lifetime…

Riani Labuschagne & Yolandi Jacobsz

Arty pregnancy photography

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