How long have you been a photographer?
I will be honest here, I wasn't one of those kids who grew up with a camera in my hand. I did, however, grow up surrounded by photography. My father and uncle are both keen hobbyist-photographers and my great grandfather's family used to own a cinema. Therefore, there's always been a love for photography instilled in me on a subconscious level, which led to me to study photography in 2006.
I held a film SLR properly for the first time that year and I learned the magic of the darkroom and film processing. However, I started working with the digital medium in the beginning of 2007 and I've never looked back!
Since then I've realised that my passion lies in capturing the emotions and beauty of people.
Do you shoot Canon or Nikon?
Canon, but only because I learned to shoot on Canon. I personally don't believe there is a 'superior' brand - only talented photographers! Learn your equipment inside out and you will be rewarded!
Where did you study?
Stellenbosch Academy
What software do you edit with and how?
I usually review all my images in Adobe Bridge and then pull the ones I want to edit into Adobe Photoshop and go from there. I check all my images for colour, sharpness and exposure and then apply corrections where needed.
Do you use an assistant for weddings and if so, can I assist you?
I do have a wonderful assistant who always helps me on weddings, as I believe that an assistant needs to be the right 'fit' for a photographer - someone you not only get along with but whose work fits the best with yours.
However, I do sometimes use different assistants for my model shoots. I myself learned from kind photographers who let me assist them, so I'm always happy to help in the same way!
Do you prefer location or studio?
I enjoy both- but I must say I really enjoy a gorgeous location as it adds so much to a photograph! Working on location really lends itself to great concepts and telling great stories and since I fashion myself more of a storyteller than a photographer, I feel location shoots suit me best.
What lens can you recommend?
This is a question with a very subjective and complicated answer, but I will try to keep it short. The most important thing you need to ask yourself is: What do I like shooting the most? and go from there.
I personally shoot people and portraits, so I use a versatile high quality zoom lens and some medium-focal length prime lenses. For me, a 50mm f1.8 prime lens was a great starting point and I love it to this day! My go-to lens is currently the Canon 24-70mm f2.8 L on my Canon 5D Mark II.
Why did you decide to be a photographer?
You know, I like to think that I didn't decide so much to be a photographer as it just kind of 'happened to me'.
I initially went to study graphic design in 2006 but it very quickly grew very dull as I realised all I wanted to do was to create pretty images. I think the main reason for this is because I haven't stopped drawing since I was a little girl and photography was another way of 'making pretty pictures' that I became very interested in.
I love taking photographs of people as I love capturing beauty and emotion. I am incredibly inspired by the portrait/glamour work of Mario Testino, Rankin, Annie Leibovitz and Petra van Raaij.
My work is about people instead of the clothes on them, which is why I love shooting weddings so much!
What advice do you have for me?
Never stop learning and never stop reading! Surround yourself with inspiring things and people and push your gear to its limits, no matter how basic or primitive it may be! "The best camera is the one you have."
Never stop shooting - the more you shoot the more you learn! “Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst." – Henri Cartier-Bresson
