My computer has been super slow today, and I’m a bit tired waiting for it to do stuff, so I’m wrapping this one up for the night.

For those who read the previous post and followed up on the Youtube video, it wasn’t that bad, I just wet my pants a bit (with fountain water), but everything else was fine. It makes you think though. I used to have a spare set of clothes in my car, just in case something happens (I’ve ripped my pants before), but lately I’ve been a bit lax. I guess it’s time to prioritise on clothing again.

I probably posted too many images as well. Sorry

I could also just mention that Carien got ready at Featherhill Spa, which is only a couple of kilometers from Anderland, towards Potchefstroom.

here’s a clue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciqSdgLh_1w

I’m busy with a proper blog post of this wedding that will be up later today.

It was also good to see some old clients in the form of Phillip and Liezl, of Anderland fame. Phillip had his hair tied back, and Liezl looks younger than ever, so I didn’t even recognise them at first, but it was great to catch up with them again. It’s a pity Phillip has been cured from his fly fishing habits, a Vaal trip would have been in order.

The selection for today is a couple of images I edited while busy downloading the images, so it’s hardly a comprehensive, chronological list. I love working at receptions, so my favourites usually come from there, and I think it shows up here.

Here is something that Leandra and PR got right at their wedding. With their first dance, they actually had all the disco lights going with the smoke machine on full blast. This makes for interesting photographs. What we see too often with the first dance is that either all the standard room lights are turned off or on, and the photographs can turn out a little flat IMO. There are disco lights available, but for some reason they are reserved for the party afterwards. Gooi those lights people, and make sure you dj has a proper smoke machine. You’re worth it

PR and Leandra, I hope you guys enjoy the photographs. It was a treat being at your wedding.

This is probably my favourite image of the evening. I’m not sure the relation here, but PR and Leandra obviously have great affection towards these two kids. Besides the boy’s expression, I love the line that is formed from PR and the girl, to Leandra, down to the boy, and then the elbow that points to the boy, almost accenting him, as if saying, “look here”.

The funniest thing about this image is the guys in the background. I just had to post it.

 241 Sacred Ibis birds in flight. Yes I counted them

I know Chad from back in the day when I served as an intern at my local church in Primrose. I think Chad mentioned somewhere in our meetings that I was a bit scary back then (it could have been Dave who said it though, a friend of Chad and another client that I knew from back then), but all seems so equal now. In any case, this was just another one of those subtle reminders that I’m not 21 anymore.

Speaking of age and growing up. This year must rate as the boomingist baby booming year of the century. At this wedding the number of prams and strollers parked outside the chapel at The Moon and Sixpence resembled Clearwater mall on the Monday after Easter weekend. Everyone seems to have a baby now, yes including us. It may be old news to some, but Aviél Nina Viljoen was born on 2 Feb 2012, and is now just over 9 weeks old.  The highlight of my day is when she takes a break from feeding and I can hold her for the first time. It’s really indescribable for those who are wondering.

Back to Chad and Carina, enjoy them kiekies.

The wedding and reception took place at Rosebank Union, and afterwards I took them to a spot that I’ve wanted to photograph a wedding couple at since…well long ago. We used to live right next door to this veld, so besides being very convenient for me , I salivated a bit as I drove past it every day, imagining a bride over there, and a couple over there, and oh my, look at that light! So finally I had my chance, even though sadly we don’t live there anymore.

Melvin and Jasna, I hope you guys enjoy these.

This was Jasna’s very first trip to South Africa, and at this point she is set to be about 30 minutes late, hence the concerned phone call.

Last one by Tim, probably my favourite of the day.

Marshini and Nick had us fly over to Cape Town to photograph their Hindu wedding at the beautiful Rickety Bridge wine farm, in the Franschhoek area. I have not been to Cape Town for way too long now, and this area especially brought back many fond childhood memories. In fact, Tim and I did a little road trip with my dad (where we stayed over) the day after the wedding, and I cannot describe the joy I had swimming in a Cape mountain stream again. It must rank as one of my all time favourite things to do in this wonderful world we live in.

It was sad that Cindy could not join me, as she actually has never been to Cape Town before, and we were really looking forward to this. Speaking of which, our little one is due beginning of February, so the bags are packed and ready for action any day now. We might take a couple of days off with the arrival of the baby, so please do bear with us if we are a bit slower on the e-mails.

Other news is that I took up fly fishing, and it’s crack for my soul. I have Cindy a bit worried I think (I can see it in her eyes  ). Apparently I’m spending too much time on fly fishing forums, and contemplating mayfly and caddis nymph patterns. Heck, I’ve been dreaming about the stuff of late, and this while Cindy is about to give birth to our first child #needtogetprioritiesstraight .

Tying in with the wedding, I fell three times at this wedding, and we were warned three times that we really REALLY need to be careful of snakes, especially puff adders. So next time I’m shooting a wedding in Franschhoek, expect to see me with a wading stick, and a pair of turtle skins , (and quite possibly a 7 piece fly rod in my camera bag.

I must say that when we scouted the venue at first, it was a bit tough to make a desicision as to where we will be conducting the couple shoot. We wanted something that was slightly different to what we saw in the countless albums at the Avianto reception area. This was obviously a difficult task as the number of albums displayed there were, well countless, and the number of posed images contained in some of these albums were even more countless. I think we did fairly well in the end, taking a stroll to the other side as it were.

Henno has already let me know that they are in love with their images, albeit as I was crossing the border into Mozambique for the wedding of Aj and Suzie (more on that later), but I really wanted to share some of the images from this particular portfolio of images.

There are more photographs to see on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/benviljoenphoto .

The wedding took place over on the eastern side of Pretoria, where the koppies start. It’s a really beautiful part of Gauteng over there with warm soft light and little noise, which is always good for photography, but more importantly, it’s great for enjoyable weddings.