I love re-experiencing old photos.  I was fishing around to see what I had brought with me to Singapore on disc and I found this beautiful photo of my sister and her daughter.  (If anyone is interested - I did a blue, a yellow and a pink fill layer - set the blending modes to 'overlay' and then played with the opacity until I was happy).  

It's lovely going back and applying new techniques to old photos.  I can't believe that this special moment between mother and child almost went lost between hundreds of images on a random CD.

Fort Canning is a delight for photographers, with so many good 'spots' for photographs...walls, benches, trees, grassy banks and stairs.  Once I started photographing, however, I realized how dark it was under those big shady trees...and that we were being munched by millions of mozzies.  Once we made it to the top of what felt like a gazillion stairs, and settled on a big open patch of grass, (next to a man serenading his girlfriend, it was quite sweet - I had to apologize for spoiling their peace and quiet) I had a much easier time at managing the light. 

Huge thanx go to Kendra for helping me keep the girls entertained...with stories of the Jelly Monster and of  Little Lumpty, and of course for getting the singing going.  (See below the cute series of Twinkle twinkle little star photos.) 

Thanx for a fun afternoon Beverly and Mark.  Your two little girls are the cutest little fairies - on - this - planet!!!

I've been ITCHING to get these pics edited, but my computer was in for repairs this week.  I'm so grateful to have it back (slightly scary how much so) and so excited to get this post up.

After having done a maternity as well as a New Born session with Gina and Luke, it was wonderful to meet each of their parents who were in Singapore visiting - it was almost as though all the puzzle pieces had come together, making the picture complete. (It was touching)

These were done at the Singapore Botanical Gardens.  Wonderful Place - I was spoilt for choice as far as backdrops were concerned.

Each and every time I hold a new born baby, I find myself in awe….how is it so small? How did it live inside that tummy?  It's so fragile but it's so strong - it's so cute but also so smelly. Babies are miracles to me. They truly are.


Hanlie's twins are already a month old - isn't it crazy how time flies?!!

I am so glad that I bought this fur, I think it looks great with Isabella's little New Born Body. She's such a cutie, I wanted to eat her!

Major Lessons learnt on this shoot:
1.  Keep the nappy on as much as possible...New Borns poop A LOT!
2.  Some babies don't like being naked...don't rush them.
3.  Have a lot of time spare to sit and have a coffee while mom feeds or settles her baby.

Isabella was not impressed with me and even gave me the middle finger at one point (see below) GASP, but I'm chuffed with the few goodies that I got.  She's a real sweetie and I'm looking forward to going back to photograph the extended family.

Adina and Darina are two gorgeous little Swiss girls who I photographed a while ago.  I didn't ever get to deliver the photos because...wait for it....I broke my macbook! Yes, I spilt hot chocolate on it and drowned the mother board. (sob sob) I was playing silly and like my Mom always used to say to my sisters and I when we were playing the fool, "Somebody's gonna get hurt!".

I had a friend retrieve the info from my hard drive and am just so relieved that nothing was lost.

Denise has been very patient waiting for her photos so I really REALLY hope that I've delivered.

For some reason, the images are uploading with a grey tinge. (if anyone reading this knows why that would happen and how I can avoid it, please let me know.) If you're interested in seeing the true colours...look on my Face Book group: Derryn Semple Photography. :)

It was WONDERFUL to have had the opportunity to be at Judi and Warren's wedding.  I had originally RSVPed with a sad no :( but circumstances changed and I booked a flight from Singapore to Durban for a week and Judi managed to include me in her seating plan. YEY!!!  I had another wedding in the morning, so couldn't get any photos of Judes and the girls getting ready but managed to snap a few shots between the ceremony and the reception.  David Rees (http://www.davidrees.co.za/) was the hired photographer and he was sooooo sweet. Usually photographers are all like 'Get out of my way', but after introducing myself to David he said, "Wonderful, we can shoot alongside each other, come over this way.  I was thinking that the light here….." I was so pleased.

Judi is a girl who once said to me she would never get married, so it was SOOOO special to see her tie the knot.  Warren, you must be some man!!!!

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Doidge!

I am so privileged to have photogenic and willing family who are prepared to pose for me...I am just waiting for the day that one of them turns around and gives me a big fat NO.  Camryn (my neice) came close as you'll see by the sulky face in one of the photos below.  But I love it, I think it's so typical of a 2-and-a-half year old. Camryn, you can thank me in 14 years time when you're a famous model due to this early age practice.

As I type this, Tanille is about to pop. It's times like these that I wish that I was a writer so that I could adequately describe my excitement!  I've already got 2 beautiful nieces and in a few days time I'll have another, or a nephew.  My money is on a boy, but we'll see what happens. ;)

Dale - take care of my sister please. She's been making a baby for 9 months, you owe her. (and I'm sorry that you don't feature in this post, next time we'll do a shoot just for you, OK? wink wink!)

They're married, They're married.

...and it was magical.  Although only a small wedding with 13 people (including the bride and groom) Gaelyn and Chris's wedding could not have been any more romantic and sentimental than it was. There were tears (The groom being the main culprit), roses, smiles, laughter, happiness....and JOY in abundance.

We had the ceremony in my Mom's back garden which she had been looking after beautifully to ensure that the lawn and flowers were immaculate.  She did a spectacular job at arranging her roses from 'Boston Ivy' in her very special vases.  Charlotte Thurgood from 'Pretty Delicious' did the cupcakes and wedding cake, which were to die for! Charlotte, your baking is Godly! Maria's chocolate balls, we all agreed, were love in the mouth although sadly I didn't get a picture of those.  Sue (lawyer and friend to Chris and Gaelyn) married them bare foot as they each were.  She said such lovely things about them both and I'm sure she's to blame for the start of the water works.  Kim and Christy don't think we didn't see you two drizzing behind your cameras! The two flower girls, Zoe (Chris's daughter, who took her petal throwing job VERY seriously) and Camryn (Gaelyn's neice) both looked so sweet in their white dresses and flower wreaths in hair...ah, I wish we could keep them looking like little garden fairies forever! Tanille and Kendra were hard at work setting up the tea table and garden and I'm sure Gaelyn and Chris are appreciative to each and everyone one of you I have mentioned.

I hadn't planned to take many photos, but Gaelyn awoke as all princesses on their wedding day do.....glowing! I couldn't resist! Chris looked rather dashing too. ;)  Christy-Lee Robson from 'Pickle Photography' did the official photographs and I am positive that they are going to be one of a kind!

Gaelyn and Chris - I hope that your wedding day was everything you had hoped it would be and more.  I wish for you an eternity of happiness and an ever strengthening bond and partnership. All my love, Dez

P.S - Wicked last name! ;)