I met Angelique a few years ago, and the thing that really shines through with her is her beauty.  Not only is she gorgeous on the outside, but she has the most beautiful soul and soft loving nature.  I love working with her and was really excited to do her family shoot just after the birth of her third child, Lincoln.

We decided to do the shoot at Delta Park as it was looking so lovely and it fit with the feel of a family picnic that we were going for.   It was so much fun, the family is so full of love and laughs, and this was amazing to capture as we got so many natural shots.  My favourite part was the interaction between the siblings, Cordell and Mila, especially as Mila was more interested in eating the apples and playing with the proteas.  The funniest thing was, when returning home I discovered every apple left had a little bite taken out of it!

As a couple, Angelique and Warren are so wonderful together, it was such a privilege to capture these memories for them, and I do love that Warrens parents joined us as they are such a big part of the little ones lives.

Have a peak at this beautiful family shoot that we did for this lovely family .... I can't wait to do it again soon!

Love
C
XXX

I know the Rowe family pretty well, in fact Cathlin's mom, Desiree, and I are really good friends.  So, when they asked me to be a part of this milestone in their lives, I wouldn't have missed it for anything!   Cathlin is a beautiful young lady, with a very sharp wit and an even sharper mind. Not only does she excel academically, but shes a talented Violinist and that was something we had to feature in her photos.

It was a unique shoot as we did it over two days.  As Desiree designed and made her gown, it was ready early, and she had booked her hair and makeup trials a week before the actual Matric Farewell.  This gave us the opportunity to go and do a full shoot for her on location at the Modderfontein Nature Reserve, and then finish off with the family portraits on the day of her farewell.  I loved that we could do it this way, it meant no time pressure on her portraits and we could have some fun.

Cathlin looked amazing in her custom made gown, and blue is definitely her colour!   It was the first time I had ever seen her in a dress, but that didnt stop her from climbing up into places most people wouldn't just to get a beautiful shot.  For this, I do have to thank her, because at times she thought I was crazy at my ideas.   I just love the photos we got at the Reserve, everyone special, however I do love the ones with the violin the most.

A week later, on the day of her farewell, I arrived at the Rowe home and was greeted by Sheldon, Cathlins handsome date for the evening.  Shortly after that, their ride to the event arrived.  It was perfect, and in true Rowe style of being different!  It was a beautiful blue Taxi, and driving it was a very well dressed family friend.   As time always runs away before a big event, we quickly did some photos of Cathlin and Sheldon, and then some fun ones in the Taxi.  After some family portraits, this lovely couple were off to the farewell.

In the few years I have known the family, I have watched Cathlin bloom into this amazing young lady.  I wish you every success in your studies in the field of Forensics, and know that your Mom and Dad are really proud of you.

Here is a peak at the gorgeous Cathlin's Matric Farewell photos:

Suppliers & Venue Details:
Photoshoot Venue:  Modderfontein Nature Reserve
Gown designed & made by:  Deserable
Makeup:  Makeup by Shandre

Thank you to the wonderful Rowe family for allowing me to be part of Cathlins Farewell!
Love
Chantal
XXX

I met Carey before her wedding and I really loved working with her then, so when she contacted me recently, and asked I would do her maternity shoot, I jumped at the opportunity! 

After a week of gorgeous weather .... the morning of our shoot dawned and it was miserable.  Cold, cloudy and drizzling.  Needless to say we were worried about the shoot and chatted about postponing it.  As the day progressed it cleared a bit and made it possible to do the photoshoot but we were not going to have the beautiful soft sunlight we wanted.

So even though the weather didn't co-operate, we had the most beautiful maternity shoot.  Modderfontein Nature Reserve is a place I love to work at as it is so versatile and pretty.  Carey and Arno are just an amazing couple who look so good together and on camera.

Here is a peak at their maternity shoot:

Congratulations to you both on the arrival of your beautiful little girl, Chloe.  Thank you for entrusting me with your precious memories and I hope that you have many more together.

Love
C
XX

When Robyn and Colin got engaged, it was important to them to find a photographer they connected with,  They wanted relaxed, non-posed but beautiful photos of their big day as neither felt really comfortable in front of the camera. So I was delighted when they asked me to work with them!

The location of their e-shoot was important to them,  they wanted to use a place that they spend a lot of time at, and with Colin being an avid Fly Fisherman, Kloofzicht was the perfect option.  The afternoon was perfect, rain earlier in the day had made the weather cooler, gave us beautiful light and the most dramatic sunset I have ever seen.  I love how they are so affectionate, and how much they enjoy each others company.  It made working with them so easy, and allowed us to get the most amazing natural photos of the two of them.

Here is a peak at Robyn and Colin's engagement shoot:

Thank you to this amazing couple for choosing me to be part of your big day.  It was fabulous working with you both, and I wish you many more years ahead filled with love and happiness!

Venue: Kloofzicht
Makeup & Hair: Makeup by Monique

Love
Chantal
XXX

What happens when a beautiful girl falls and gets injured on top of a koppie and a young man helps her to the hospital?  True love!  Thats how Chane "fell" for Japie and their love story started.

Having met Chane at an expo, we already had spoken a lot but it was our first time meeting Japie at the Pretoria Botanical Gardens for their E-shoot.  He was really nervous, and like most men, not a fan of being on camera.  He started relaxing and getting into it especially as he got to kiss his bride to be a lot! 

Its hard not to love these two ... they are so down to earth, and so genuine and we enjoyed every minute we spent with them. 

Here is a peak at the gorgeous Chane & Japie's Couple Shoot:

Chane and Japie, it was an honour to be part of your big day, I wish you many more years of love and happiness!

Love
Chantal
xxx

Kirsty and Clayton are just an amazing couple and we really enjoyed having them as neighbors, even though it was for a short time.   So when they announced that they were expecting a beautiful bundle of joy, we were so happy for them and delighted when they asked us to do their maternity shoot.

We spent a really special afternoon with this couple at Rietvlei farm ... the soft light was just perfect and romantic and the setting was so beautiful for the shoot.  Kirsty and Clayton had brought some of the decor from Tannith's room and a few props that we had fun incorporating into the photos.

Here is a peak at the beautiful maternity shoot we did with this lovely couple:

Thank you Kirsty and Clayton for giving us the opportunity to capture this special time in your lives ... we wish you both and Tannith many happy memories together! 

Love
Chantal
xxx

Life has a funny way of bringing certain people into your life .... the ones that make profound differences and often its when you really need them that they are suddenly there.

This is how Desiree and I met, she came to me for a shoot and we before we had finished it we were firm friends.  So when she messaged me and asked for a really fun and relaxed family shoot, how could I refuse?  

We met early one morning at Horwoods Farm, and it didnt start too well as little Christopher was a bit grumpy and not in the mood for photos.  We ended up playing more than working, and it was then that little Christopher gave us the gorgeous smiles we were looking for!

Have a peak at this really fun and chilled family shoot:

We just love the relaxed feel of this shoot ... it fits so well with this family!  Thank you to Desiree and Brian for trusting me to capture these special moments

Love
Chantal
XXX

Sally and her mom were both diagnosed with Breast Cancer at the same time, and while going through treatment, her dad looked after them both.  For those who know what it is like having a loved one going through Chemo, you will understand how much of a strain it put on Mr Roberts, but he loved his ladies so much he sacrificed a lot to help them.

It was also during this time that Sally met Noel, the love of her life, and he also helped these beautiful women deal with the many treatments and Doctors appointments they needed to go to.

Sadly Sally passed away late last year, but before she did she embraced life.  She traveled, did things she had always wanted to do and really loved every minute.  This post may seem sad, but to me its not.  Its a loving memory of a beautiful lady who touched my life in a big way in the short time that I knew her.  Its a celebration of her life, and her beautiful family who I admire, respect and love a lot.

Here is a peak at a few of the fun photos we did of this amazing family ...

In loving memory of Sally Roberts, a beautiful woman in every way, your story touched many lives in such a good way.  Gone but not forgotten.

Love
Chantal
XXX

Zelna and Hennie are such a special couple to me ... full of life and fun, it was a wonderful experience working with them!  They are so much in love, and it comes through so strongly on camera.

Their wedding was set to be a very relaxed and vintage affair, and as they love South Africa and all its history we decided the best setting for their engagement shoot was Reefsteamers.  This is one place that I love to work at, there are so many awesome places to photograph, and we walked around admiring the hard work that goes into the restoration of the beautiful old ladies.

As Hennie is also an avid photographer, he took great pleasure in comparing his Canon to my Nikon, and the afternoon was filled with loads of laughs and jokes.  Adding to his delight, I pulled out my vintage Canon Film Camera and the two had a few funny selfie moments, and pretended that they were doing their own photoshoot.

This memorable afternoon ended with a spectacular Johannesburg sunset, and then we sat with the Reefsteamers team and waited for Susan, the oldest steam train in the yard to return from her Cullinan trip.

Thank you to the Reefsteamers team who allowed us to use the facility and for being so amazing with your historical knowledge.  Thank you also to Makeup by Shandre for Zelna's stunning makeup, and lastly to my tireless assistant Michael for all of the help on the day.

Hennie and Zelna you are both fabulous, and I really wish you all of the happiness in the world as you deserve it.  May your love grow and continue to blossom for many years to come!

Here is a peak at Zelna and Hennies fun e-shoot:

Love
Chantal
xxx