Bright Girl Photography

Leigh’s Family photos

admin — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:28:00 +0000

I photographed Leigh’s family a few weeks back. This wasn’t an ordinary family shoot as it included four generations of family members. Three of which, the oldest & youngest members, all shared the same birthday – I think that’s correct. Amazing! And what’s more is that Leigh’s mum and sister were visiting from abroad, so it was an extra special shoot. I had loads of fun sharing the afternoon with this family.

Jessie & Bonga’s Traditional Zulu wedding ceremony: Part two

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:02:24 +0000

This is going to be another long post but I do hope I have portrayed Jessie & Bonga’s union in its entirety – a two day wedding celebration of love, respect, joy, laughter, dancing, colour and warmth. This couple were so awesome – I never tired of photographing them, capturing their interactions and exchanges between their families, their friends and their cultures.

The first few photos are of the reception at Netherwood – they made a GRAND entrance, dancing all the way to their table along with their bridal party. They both gave a speech standing next to each other, thanking their guests and families for all their support. They both spoke such endearing words about each other while fighting back the tears… Their first dance was unique and full of energy. What a couple!!

Then the second day of celebration began – I wasn’t sure what to expect but I knew I would feel challenged, inspired and welcomed. Jessie’s mom and aunt were arranging the undergarments of the Kimono and prepping all the bits and pieces while Jessie had her make-up done.

The dressing begins… I love this shot!

I left Jessie in Durban and made my way up to Bonga’s parents home and was greeted with wonderful smells coming from the large pots cooking delicious food on the fire, bright colours of beads, head dresses and clothing worn by Bonga’s family, and singing from young children.

Bonga’s mom greeting her guests with such warmth and affection.

Then Jessie and her family arrive in a shuttle service and they were greeted by Bonga’s friend with a shield and knobkierrie. Followed by Bonga and his entourage… I had goose bumps to say the least!!

All the while guests from all over the world were photographing and capturing this whole procession. It was truly something amazing and so special on so many levels.

Jessie’s entourage exit the shuttle and begin singing their own song to the tune of a well known American song, which I have unfortunately forgotten the name of, but they had changed the words to suit her life – it was very well done. They then walked towards Bonga and his family.

After a short while Jessie then had to go into her new family’s home and change into the Zulu wedding attire of a married woman.

Jessie & Bonga’s New Year’s Eve Wedding: Netherwood: PART ONE

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:14:25 +0000

Choosing these photos for this post has brought back all the adrenaline, emotion, amazement and a whole bunch of other feelings I was experiencing while photographing Jessie & Bonga’s New Year’s Eve wedding at Netherwood. You see, the day started off with beautiful blue skies and amazing cloud formations, which if you’ve visited the Kwa-Zulu Natal Midlands during summer, you’ll know that those beautiful clouds can bring thunderous rain storms. That they did – as the bride was walking down the isle!! This was not the usual storm – this was thunder, lightning, hail and darkness… I was a little bit concerned as the chapel at Netherwood relies on the natural light which normally floods through the glass walls but there is only one chandelier in the chapel, yes the swallow one which is more for aesthetics than providing bright light. So it became quite dark during the service but the storm passed on with much reassurance from the priest that in the Zulu culture a storm means great blessings. You can see in the the photos just how dark it was and the candlelight behind the priest was so beautiful, comforting and calming. Well prayers were said and the sun came out just in time for the creative shoot.

What a wonderful day we had – hard work but so worth it!! I am so happy with how these photos have come out, especially the ones from during the ceremony and I’m beginning to think that all Netherwood weddings are beautiful:)

This is only part one of Jessie & Bonga’s union as they also had a traditional service a few days later where Jessie wore a Kimono and then changed into the wedding attire of a married Zulu woman so be sure to check back and look at part two.

There were so many international guests present – what a great seating plan idea – a map of the world with everyone’s name pinned on their country of origin.

Insert thunder, lightning, hail, wind, rain and darkness…

So beautiful!! I just LOVE the next couple of images.

The next image is from their traditional wedding…

Amy & Lane’s Wedding: Providence: KZN Midlands

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:40:09 +0000

Amy and Lane’s wedding was at Providence in the KZN Midlands during December. It was beautiful. Amy and her family made so many of the details – her mum made her beautiful bouquet. The pendant on the necklace is actually one of Amy’s gran’s earrings which had been made into a necklace. SO many beautiful things to photograph. A stunning bride, a gorgeous groom, loving family and a bunch of good friends from near and far…

Feel free to tag yourself in the photos on my BrightGirl Facebook page. Thank you to Moyah for such awesome decor – go look at her site: www.nostalgiaevents.co.za

Stefan & Joanne: Beach wedding: The Palm Dunes

admin — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:54:49 +0000

I have just been backing up photos from Stefan & Joanne’s beach wedding at The Palm Dunes Beach Lodge up at Blythedale beach, north of Durban and came across these fun images from their creative shoot. What a couple!! So gorgeous and so much fun! I had an absolute blast.

Durban Wedding: Ranvir & Prashina: Coastlands Hotel

admin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:14:08 +0000

Ranvir & Prashina’s wedding was during December at the Coastlands Hotel in Umhlanga, Durban. COLOUR. Warmth. Love. Heat. Sincerity. Emotional. Curry. Fire. Smoke. Gold. Just a few words which come to mind while remembering their wedding day. I felt so challenged & inspired to photograph their wedding. There were so many beautiful things to look at, smells to smell and food to eat. Ranvir and Prashina’s families were both so welcoming and friendly. Thank you for being such a wonderful couple. I absolutely love these photos. Enjoy!

RSS feed readers – I want to know who you are?

admin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:14:00 +0000

I often wonder who actually reads my blog, and from the stats I can see that there are quite a few readers who have me on their RSS feeds. I’d like to do a little experiment – humor me please? If you have my blog on your RSS feed please go on over to my Facebook page and hit “LIKE” and possibly post a comment on the wall so I know who you are. Please. Thank you. Yes this little exercise will increase the number of “likes” on the page but I will hopefully also get to know a little bit about you.

And of course a post is not complete without an image, here is one from Amy & Lane’s wedding.

My life in a few snaps

admin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:14:46 +0000

I was hoping to get some serious work done today but Rebecca is still at home, school opens tomorrow so right now she’s sitting at my desk watching a movie, and I’m hearing all sorts of songs which are not conducive to promoting a more productive state of mind if you know what I mean…

Thought I’d share some photos of my life in between picking up my DSLR and driving to and from wedding venues and meeting new clients.

These are just taken with instagram.

Sneak peeks of the weddings lined up next for me to edit

admin — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:24:10 +0000

Phew – I couldn’t keep these beautiful images to myself. The following photographs are from weddings in and around Kwa-Zulu Natal which I photographed during the month of December.

The first is from Ranvir and Prashina’s wedding at Coastlands, Umhlanga. Stunning!

Then this next image from Amy & Lane’s wedding just makes me smile – her expression, as the spray settles on her beautiful face while her bridesmaid and flower girls watch on, ah – she was so happy to be marrying her man – such contentment.

Now – this last wedding of Jessie and Bonga’s was one of a kind! Which bride needs a bridal march to walk down the isle too when there is an almighty thunder storm complete with torrential rain and hail?

Features

admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:54:25 +0000

Time has whizzed by so fast that I actually haven’t blogged about the two wedding blogs my photographs were featured on in December.

The first feature was on Rock ‘n Roll Bride, a UK wedding blog. I was so thrilled to be featured on Kat’s blog – truly awesome:) You can read the full blog post here.

The second wedding blog I was featured on, was a South African wedding blog, Iwantthatwedding, and you can read all the details here on Bruce & Bird’s wedding which was featured.