Sarah and Richard had a beautiful morning wedding at Kings Grant in Ixopo.  The weather was perfect, the food was THE most delicious I've tasted at a wedding and everybody had a lovely day.

Here's an interesting fact.  Ixopo was given it's name because of the squelching sound a cow's hoof makes when it is pulled out the mud.  Cool huh?

Kirsty and Grant arrived a bit hot and flustered after loosing their way down the back alleys of Windermere Road - but bounced straight into action after an ice cold lemonade was handed to them.  When I say that not 5 seconds went by without one of us giggling, I am not over exaggerating!

This couple has such a warm and loving energy about them. I played it cool on our first meeting and told them to take their time choosing a photographer, do the research and be 100% certain that they get along with the person that'll be all-up-in-their-face on the wedding day.  Inside I was the not-so-cool 10 year old screaming PICK ME, PICK ME!!  As we walked away from our meeting they said that they were going to put an end to the search, they had found their person. :)

The engagement shoot went even better than anticipated. I had come rushing from back to back meetings and was feeling hot, bothered and probably pretty snappy - but 2mins with these two and I was revived!! I got way more shots than necessary. I did not want to stop!!

Kirsty and Grant are getting married later this year at the Docklands Hotel in Point Road.  A refreshing change to the popular Midlands wedding. If you're looking for a good restaurant for date night - you've got to try Wodka.  It's a New York style Bistro boasting an interactive fusion menu. I went with a group of girl friends and we were all hugely impressed!

I bought a couple console jars from Checkers after I had one of these delicious lemonades. Does anyone have a good recipe that they would be willing to share?

I've know Camish for years - we went to same High School, so I was naturally thrilled to hear of her engagement.

Congratulations to the two of you and wishing you luck as you plan your very exciting and unique wedding.

View Camish and Justin's motion picture by Charity Sarah.

The Cokaynes are regular clients.  Gaelyn (my sister) adores her family and takes any opportunity she can to document their lives together.

I'm a bit bored of photographing them all in a tight squeeze, smiling at me through the camera - so decided to do something more active.  I had seen this rock pool in Salt Rock some time ago and was waiting for the right opportunity to use it. 

The idea was to just photograph them doing what they do. What any family would - play, chat, enjoy each others company. 

We woke up at 4am, got there at 5am and started shooting immediately. YAWN!! Chris and Zoe are NOT morning people and both struggled to keep their eyes open. Until they leaped into the water! It was wonderful, it was warm, there were fish swimming around our toes. I got a little creeped out when I stood on something slimy so spent the next 10 minutes treading water, trying to keep my camera dry - those years as a synchronized swimmer paying off!

The early morning was so worth it and I'm pleased that they have a different kind of family portrait to add to the Cokayne wall.

Thanks for brekkie guys.
Xx

View The Cokayne Sunrise Motion picture by Charity Sarah.

I met Heather about 5 years ago when she arrived from Canada to coach my synchronized swimming team leading up to SA Nationals.  I was about to quit swimming at that point, but she helped me find the love again and the enthusiasm for one more year! 

Being a bit of an adventurist, she moved to Norway after her time in SA and met an Irishman called Alex who swept her off her snow covered feet.  Funny - another couple who met on an internet dating site. That's 2 couples in a row!  Alex and I got into a conversation about it and he told me that over in Norway, internet dating is an exceptionally common way of meeting people.

Alex and Heather are in SA this time around as a starting point for their 'across Africa' journey.  For a month they will be traveling from CT to Namibia, into Zambia and back down into South Africa.. I have no doubt that it is going to be one EPIC adventure!

Now - here's the exciting news...  

During our entire photoshoot, Alex was carrying around Heather's engagement ring in his pocket, tied to fishing gut.  He did the stadium swing at Moses Mabhida  with it in his shoe, and proposed to her that evening over dinner.  He had planned to propose while in Namibia watching a romantic sunset...but I guess he just couldn't wait.  I can't blame the guy!!!  I have already got a savings jar on my shelf labelled 'Wedding in Ireland'.

It was so lovely to get to know you Alex, and I'm so pleased that my friend Heather has found such a wonderful man to spend her life with. Even if he IS a ginger (KIDDING!!!!!!)

 loads of love, and can't wait to hear stories from your African adventure.

Xx

Sneaky sneak sneak!! 

Heather, My sister Kendra, me and Alex

While Heather and I took a dip in the ocean, kendra snuck a quick photo of the ring. Heather had NOOOO idea!!! 

...And the silly season has begun!

A few friends and I decided to start off the season with a courtyard dinner.  We've been talking for a while about hosting an evening where people like myself who only ever play music in private (or write poetry or short stories) can stand in front of trusted friends and pour out our hearts. 

The party went so well. The food was delicious, the mood was great and we sung under the moon until after midnight.

I'm so looking forward to having another one of these in a few months, maybe when the post holiday blues begin.

Michelle and Ben are the sweetest couple.  He's from the States, she's from SA and they met on a Christian dating website.   I'll save their story for when I blog their wedding photos.  

For now though....enjoy the sweetness that took place at Ushaka Beach on the Moyo pier.  It took us a while to arrange a day to shoot as Durban has seen a lot of rain recently...but when we got it, it was beautiful!!

High -: seeing dolphins from the pier, Low - getting stung by a blue bottle. :(

As I drove into the gates of Giants Castle in the Berg, I felt incredibly nostalgic.  This was the place that I first experienced the world of wedding photography while assisting Jacki Bruniquel about 4 years ago.  Up until then, I was terrified at the idea of photographing the most important day in a couple's life - and the potential of messing that up. I didn't feel that I had the technical experience behind me, or the life experience to handle the pressures of such a big day..  The truth is that I didn't - BUT, what Jacki showed me was that it really didn't have to be as scary as I was making it. and that as soon as I got a bit more shooting experience - I'd be ready. I've continued to follow Jacki's work and very helpful blog posts and feel privileged to have a friend in one of SA's top wedding photographers.

So here I sit, with the popular months of 2013 already fully booked...about to blog one of my best weddings yet.

I met Lyndsay at Adventure Boot Camp.  As we ran up and down a set of stairs she told me about her 'wedding woes' including the conversations she'd been having with photographers. I didn't say much (I was hyperventilating from exertion) but sent her an email later that day with links to my website.  

Lyndsay and Dave are the nicest people with so much energy - and you'll know that I'm not making this up once you watch their wedding video.  Charity Sarah did an exceptional job on their wedding highlights movie and this is now something that 'Derryn Semple Photography' offers as an add on to your wedding package.  We're still new at it, so I wasn't sure how well it would all come out. But I am ecstatic! and watching the tears fill the corners of Lyndsay's eyes - made all the hours and hard work worth it!

Enjoy the movie - enjoy the photos!

Xx
Derryn

Click the title below  - you'll be re-directed to Vimeo where you can enjoy the movie.  I haven't figured out how to embed it yet.

Charity and Reece are the youngest married friends that I have.   Being unmarried and 26, I always wondered how people can commit and KNOW at such a young age who they want to spend their lives with. 

Having got to know these two however, I can see that age means nothing. They love each other fiercely and are incredibly committed to one another.  It's beautiful to watch and I love being in their company!! 

Photographing their anniversary photos in Durban's City Center was great.  Charity is actually Canadian and has made a life here with her husband.  (Commitment eh??)

I hardly ever get to venture into this other world, while I'm stuck up in the suburbs.  Quite a shame really - the architecture of our old buildings is amazing and worth being enjoyed.  Reece was the one who suggested the we climb to the top of the Royal hotel to enjoy the sunset (high five Reece!) and eat the cake that Charity very lovingly baked.

While up there we also got to watch a French/South African production team set up for a spectacular trapeze show that was performed 2 days later.  Now THAT was incredible - but alas, I took that evening off and did not carry my camera. so have nothing to show you.

Enjoy the photos and HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Charity & Reece.

Xx.

Natalie and Warren got married in Durban on the golf estate of Simbithi - fitting for the golf crazed Mr Beuster. 

Although a scorching hot day, it really was fun and ended in a great party. 

Natalie's beautiful dress was made by her talented mother and the brides maids dresses are Katherine Kidger designs.