Family | The Happy Wilkens {Part 2}

So here is Part 2 of the family shoot of the Wilkens.  Yesterday I have posted Part 1 of their family shoot, view it here.

We gave Anjunette a camera (Nikon off course!! :-) ) so she could "photograph" her little sister..  It was so cute.  Anjunette looked like a real photographer in training. :-)

Have a fabulous day ! :-)

Family | The Happy Wilkens {Part 1}

I have know Hester since nursery school.  So in other words, we have know each other basically our whole lives!  So I was very happy when she contacted me to do a family shoot of her, her husband Werner and their 2 adorable girls, Anjunette and Luhandri.  One thing that Hester mentioned, was that they want to remember how they played with their kids.  And I must say that their photos really show that!  Such a beautiful, happy and easygoing family! :-)

So it was a very difficult task to choose photos for this blog post, I decided to do a "Part 1"and by the end of the week to post a "Part 2".  I just adore Anjunette's young personality that is busy evolving and the way she already "pose"for the camera.. (took a bit of convincing, but we got there! :-) )  And little Luhandri, she only have 2 teeth at this state, but oh boy, she love to show them off !! :-)  So friendly and not shy to laugh at all.

I would like to thank Roan for assisting me with the shoot.  The extra pair of hands really helped a lot ! :-)

 

My life | Travel

Two weeks ago I went to Cape Town with 2 of my friends.  The main reason for our visit, was that we went to a Silent retreat.  The main purpose of such a retreat is to be still (no words, no talking!) and to listen.  We become silent so we can listen to God and what His plan is for our lives.  We stayed on a farm called "Wortelgat" and to be able to get to Wortelgat, one has to drive through a little town called Stanford.  The Saturday afternoon we took a little break and went to Stanford to take some pictures.  It was cloudy and at times we needed to hide from the rain.  I absolutely LOVE these small little towns that you find in the Cape.  The houses and streets have so much character and there is a bit of mystery to it. 

I really enjoyed my time away from Joburg and the change of scenery did me so well.  It is amazing how "clean" your head feels when you get back and then look at life with a different perspective. 

The theme for the silent retreat was - "Seasons of the soul".  One afternoon when I was quiet, I wrote this little poem about the Spring season of my soul : {now please remember, the last time I wrote a poem was in grade 6, thus I'm not a poet at all! :-) }

Geestelike lente

Daar val pienk blomme uit die lug,
oral om, op my kop en ook op my rug.
Ek voel die geluk, dit is my geestlike lente,
ek kyk om my rond, ek sien als in helder, gekleurde prente.

My sintue voel skerp en als is nuut,
in my hart sing ek 'n vrolike lied.
Ek het die soet gefluister van die Heilige Gees gehoor,
nou jubel en jeug ek saam in 'n massa-koor.


On the Sunday on our way to the airport we had a little time, so we stop at Theewaterskloofdam and took a couple of photos. The last 2 images are two of my favourite shots I took.

Engagement | Johan & Elrina

When you look at photos and don't need to add words to it.. I like to call it "talking pictures".. :-)   And these photos of  Johan and Elrina are truly "talking pictures".  We did this shoot exactly 1 week after they got engaged and their feelings toward each other are SO visible.  When we arrived we only took a couple of photos, then the heavens opened and and it started pouring rain !  We hid under a tree and waited for the rain to stop..  and it did!  So, after the rain it was still overcast, but as a photographer, I just love the soft soft light that comes with overcast weather.. I once heard some one called it "God's big soft box" :-) 

 

And then we got a big surprise as we were leaving... a beautifully RAINBOW appeared in the sky !  I asked Johan & Elrina if they could climb up this little hill, so we could take some photos ! {see the last photo of this post}    This kind of opportunity one don't get that often..  I got goose bumps as they were standing up there with the rainbow up in the sky.. and I though again about the promise that God made to Noah years ago and what a rainbow symbolises.. It felt like Johan & Elrina got a special blessing.. :-)

Baby | Mianell's Christening

I had the privilege to photograph little Mianell's christening. She is only 3 months old now and such a little sweetie. She is a very tiny baby girl and has these big eyes, that looks right through you. Everything was soft and pink and girly, I loved it ! Amongst the guests at lunch, there were her cousins and other children. I always love it when there are a lot of children, they always make such honest photographs. Even though Mianell will not remember the day of her christening, she will one day look at these photos with her lovely parents and family and be reminded that she has been given to God as a little baby.

To Hendrik and Marionell, may Mianell bring you all the joy in the world ! You are so blessed to have her in your life. I adore the love that I witnessed on her special day. :-)

Matric farewell | Roan & Mea

Wow!!  My blog has been so quiet lately..  Luckily I have not stopped taking photos..  I have been busy with a couple of photo shoots the past couple of months.. so more blog posts to come soon.. ;-)  

I have known Roan basically since the day he was born (goodness, I feel old now!).  He is like a younger brother to me.  Roan's parents and my parents are very good friends, thus we know each other very well.  Recently he had his matric farewell and asked me to take a couple of photos.  Roan is also a very talented young actor as well !  :-)   Thus, he bought a bit of creativity to the pictures and was very comfortable in front of the camera.  I met Mea (his date for the evening) on the day of the photo shoot, and what a sweet girl she is!

To Roan and Mea :  All the best for next year when you are going to varsity.  I'm sure you guys will be successful and have a blast!

Happy weekend!

Inspiration | Surrender to God

At the moment I'm busy reading a book that is written by John Ortberg.  The book's name is "The Me I want to be".  On the cover of the book is also says "becoming God's best version of you".  The book is al about finding out what God made you to do in life.  Finding your talents and do what God intendend for your life.  What I really like about this book, is that it really helps you with "life" and is very practical and talks to the every day person and help you to grow spiritually in Jesus.  
One particular chapter in this book, is about surrender.  And there is another quote from John Ortberg in this chapter that I would like to share : "I work the best I can, but I am not in control of the results."  God is in control of all the results in the universe !  The moment I realised that, I stoped trying to "control" everything in my life.  It can be SO exshausting to try and control.. and I know there are many control freaks out there !   You can put yourself out there, you can take a risk, you can work the best you can, that is what God expects of us.  But He is in control of the outcome and of the results.. 

My prayer for today with John Ortberg is : " Jesus, My Lord and Heavenly Father,  I won't try to figure out the rest of my life. I won't try to solve every day. Just today. You lead. I'll follow.. " Amen