These first photos are stripped away from the expectations of “having great decor” or “posing for your wedding pictures” and they reflect what couples should do on their wedding day and that is have fun and be in love!

I know this is easier said than done as one’s wedding can be very overwhelming and you might end up almost not being yourself. I would urge couples who feel that way on their wedding day rather to then take a moment, slip away from the guests and “breathe”. Once you relax you will enjoy the day so much more.

I was recently asked by a client what makes a great wedding? My answer was simply, couples who enjoy themselves!

They had their wedding at one of most the beautiful and scenic Cape Winelands venues Vrede&Lust.

Jean-Pierre Uys Photography Workshop Cape Town from Andrew Alexander on Vimeo.

I have always felt that by sharing my work freely online I have given much to the photographers in South-Africa, yet now it was my time to put words to my actions and host a 2-day workshop in Cape Town.

The attendants brought much energy and excitement to the workshop and I really enjoyed their company. What is great about workshops is that you learn from other photographers attending the workshop as well which make it a much more fulfilling experience.

With anything in life I always give my best and when I taught them I really shared my heart and I wanted to equip them with exceptional skills. What is the difference between a very good golfer and an exceptional one? Does the exceptional player know of skills that the others dont? I dont think so, but the exceptional player has an attention to detail in mastering the basics that the other players dont see. I showed them small mistakes photographers make, that for me makes the difference between a really professional image and a mediocre one.

I wanted to equip them specifically to do great shots at night and I got the team from Something Different Concepts and Shows to do an amazing light rig for the workshop.This was one of the highlights of the course especially seeing that we had such bad weather. One photographer said she is going to get brides to spend less on flowers and more on lighting as it makes the photos just soo much better! I couldn’t agree more!

For my workshop I chose Vrede&Lust as a venue because of it’s amazing beauty and excellent staff that I have built a relationship with over the years.

Hair & Make-up by Helga Bridal hair and make-up. I have worked with Helga for years and apart from her brilliant and very highly recommended skills she is an amazing person to work with! Always full of life, energy and ready for creative challenges! Thanks Helga!

The beautiful dresses got so much compliments from the photographers! Thank you Robyn Roberts & Elizabeth Stockenstrom  Couture

The gorgeous models were:

Chloe & Candice from Ice Genetics

Cayla from Twenty Management

Eric from Uys Models

Werner

a Photographer’s best friend – the lighting team from Something Different Concepts and Shows

Last but not least a huge thanks to Andrew from Alexander Productions. He has been in the industry for years and I dont think I know of anyone that has such a love and excitement for the wedding industry like him! He phoned me up and pitched an idea to cover my workshop. I liked the idea and I am extremely grateful I hired him for this epic short film he made of the workshop.

I want to thank all the attendants (Rika who flew from Durban) and everyone else that helped to make this workshop such a great success!

One thing I did find difficult to do was focus on shooting while I was teaching – for me I rather helped the photographers so please have a look at the links in the comments of some of the attendees amazing shots!

Adri Meyer

Jo-Anne Stokes

Real Simple photography

It’s time for a workshop again!

I have poured myself into my photography, my art… come and learn from my years of experience shooting all kinds  of weddings throughout South-Africa and the world!

What do I love about the business of photography? I love taking the photos the most and that will be the main aim of my workshop – taking beautiful photographs!

In this workshop I will focus on the art and act of making and taking photos.It will be an exploration into the meaning and depths of photography. Very important foundations will be discussed and revisited.

This workshop will be structured differently from the norm. From the get go we will start shooting and get practical. Be prepared to work hard!

Day one will end with a braai…but wait there is more! I am excited to say that we will have a night shoot! We will do some very creative night time photography and as you know most of the fun at weddings happen during this time!

Some of the topics we will cover include:

- posing techniques – elegant and beautiful

- shooting off camera flash basics

- using video light

- doing great family and group photos

- speeches

- composition and light will be the most discussed topic!

During the practical shoots I will be coaching you on the spot so be willing to learn!

The venue for the workshop will be the beautiful Vrede&Lust wine estate! I have shot many wedding here in the past! Like Britta&Micheal

The Details:

Date: 12-13 September 2011

Venue: Vrede & Lust wine estate

Investment: R3950-00

Bookings- email:  jpphotoworkshop@gmail.com

Bring your camera kit, including lenses and flashes and remember to charge the batteries!

All meals and drinks will be included.

The venue will be providing a special workshop low-rate accommodation for anyone who needs it. Please include the request for those interested in your email.

Who can attend? This course is intended for photographers who have a good knowledge of the basics of photography. Your skill levels needs to be intermediate to advanced. If you are unsure please email me.

This workshop will leave you inspired and with a greater understanding of photography.

* Guateng workshop details to follow soon.

A few words from the bride:

“THE MEETING”

Sean and I met at the University of Maryland, where I was on the women’s soccer team and he was on the wrestling team. I was a first year student when Sean was in his final year. Although I had heard about Sean from my older teammates, who were also his friends, we did not actually run into each other until my second year when Sean came back to visit the campus for his wrestling team’s alumni weekend. We have been together ever since.

“THE PROPOSAL”

Five years after we met, Sean surprised me with a proposal up on our rooftop deck, where he set up a very romantic and intimate setting with candles, music and champagne that overlooked the city skyline. We have truly been, and continue to be, best friends who share every experience together, no matter how big or small.

Although we are both from the US and currently live in Chicago, my background and family is what brought us to Cape Town to get married. I was born in Cape Town and moved with my parents to the US when I was 3 years old. Just before I met Sean, my parents and my two younger sisters moved back to Cape Town. Once we got engaged, I knew that the only place that I could really see myself getting married was in South Africa, although I knew that I would need the support of Sean and our friends and family in order to do so. Luckily, Sean was equally as excited about a wedding on a vineyard in Cape Town as I was, since he had previously visited Cape Town with me fives times over the course of our relationship. When we told Sean’s family and our friends that we were thinking about having our wedding in South Africa, the response was overwhelming – everyone was willing and excited to make the trip!

“THE WEDDING”

On our wedding day we felt truly blessed. We were able to get married at the place of my dreams surrounded by all of our friends and family from South Africa as well as all of those that made the trip from the US.

We picked Vrede en Lust as the site of the wedding on a trip to visit my family, but we had to plan the rest of the wedding details from Chicago. Fortunately, my mother and father were such a huge help with the planning. Yolanda Kotze, the wedding coordinator for Vrede en Lust, was also a massive help answering all of my questions, getting me in touch with the right service providers, and making sure that everything went smoothly on the day of the wedding. The wedding décor and flowers, provided by Rosenhof, were absolutely beautiful – they really were able to capture everything that I had hoped for and more, which is amazing since our communication was mostly over email. Along with the beautiful décor and delicious food, DJ Brendan Wickstrom helped the dance party last until after 1:00 in the morning!

On top of everything, it was the love of friends and family that made the day absolutely magical. We only wish that we could relive the day all over again!

Venue: Vrede en Lust

Flowers and Décor: Rosenhof Events and Flowers

Lighting: Something Different

Dance Floor: Something Different

Music: Brendan Wickstrom, InTheMix Productions

Makeup: Eileen Hamman

Cake: Vanilla House Patisserie

And here is something from the bride and groom, sharing their experience of being in love and getting married!

We met at Nottingham University back in 2001, where we quickly became close friends and then pretty much inseparable towards the end of our first year. We ‘officially’ got together at the beginning of our 2nd year after Amy pulled out the classic cheesy line ‘I want to be more than just good friends’… (ha ha!) We were both head over heels in love even before our first kiss!

The proposal arrived (finally…) on the 7th anniversary of our 1st date. I was taken out for a beautiful surprise meal in one of London’s top restaurants, and then, as we were strolling through Hyde Park on our way home, he popped the question! We were, however, interrupted (twice) by a random dog in the park who demanded we throw his bright pink frisbee for him first.

Starting out as close friends has made for a very happy 10 years together (wow!) We’ve had loads of fun on the way, bringing out the crazy in each other, and making each other laugh…A LOT!

We had the most unforgettable wedding day which is mostly due to being surrounded by so many of our amazing friends and family who’d flown thousands of miles to come and share it with us – we are truly blessed with the most fabulous nearest and dearest – you know who you are – we love you all! As well as that, the food, the wine, the scenery, the music, the dancing, the atmosphere – everything was perfect!

We got married at the spectacular Vrede en Lust and are totally in love with this place! All the staff are wonderful, warm and welcoming, and there is a lovely relaxed vibe to the whole venue (and of course the wine and food are amazing, and the views breathtaking!) Another special suppliers ‘shout out’ would have to go to Patrick Boucher (life celebrant) who made the ceremony so personal, fun, and relaxed, and crazy DJ Rene ‘The Frenchman’ who literally got – and kept – everyone on the dance floor all night long (as he promised he would!)

And of course… Jean-Pierre – the photographer extraordinaire! As well as capturing beautiful moments that we can treasure forever, you made everything fun, easy and relaxed – thank you!

So, from a recent bride and groom to all you future brides and grooms, our biggest tip to you is…

Don’t sweat the small things!! Remember what’s important and why you’re doing this – this is a very special day in your life together, so make sure you relax and enjoy every moment – even if there are occasional hiccups along the way! Good luck!

Amy and Peds
xx

So to all the brides – please budget for extra lighting for your reception- it really makes a great difference to the photos and atmosphere!

Check out their website as they offer more than just lighting! Something Different

See the beautiful lighting they did at Margi & Michael’s wedding.

For all the brides-to-be, Margi’s preferred list of suppliers are: Helga Strydom for make-up, Leipzig Floral Design for flowers, the jazz quintet, Cape Dutch Connection and DJ Cuan Wood. Lighting by Something different.