I just love it when designing a Wedding Album, the design just works and flows. This album has been created with a somewhat cleaner approach, and strong use of imagery.

Enjoy.

Mario

Been working like crazy!!! Just to many late nights and just to much to share and show.

Today managed to complete the Wedding Album of Mike & Hermine see link for movie, edited a wedding and colour corrected, so that it can go in for printing in the morning, answered loads of telephonic enquiries, and at the same time trying to streamline a selection process for clients. Wow what a mouthfull.

Hope this works, need some shuteye.

Best wishes.

Mario

 

please feel free to leave comments.

click on link it takes a while to download so please be patient.Brew some coffee, think happy thoughts and enjoy the show.

One of the things I love about photography, is the hidden gems you discover. I photographed Tarryn and Justin a few days ago, and while burning some images to DVD I came accross this image, and intuition told me that here was something about this photograph that makes you look and come back time and again.  A Black & White conversion was not the answer, nor a Sepia tone ( Nothing against Sepia ), this called for something unique. Don't ask how I created this, it came instinctively and I must admit this image grows on you. As a gallery wrap it will look awesome.

Now I just need a 1000ft studio.

That's a wrap for the evening. Managed to track down the kittens, Labradors and Jack Russels are all cosy and the couch is calling.

Ciao

Mario

Sunday's are usually reserved for fun shoots, and this Sunday was no exception. I will be capturing Phillip and Eleens wedding vows on the 26th April this year, so we decided to have a fun session. This gives us both the opportunity to see how the other works and also to put the couple at ease and show them just how easy it all is.

I managed to wrangle some balloons from an earlier Stork Tea, amongst the groans from little kids, Hey! it's for a good cause was my famous line. Anyway my better half had to purchase a few more balloons the next day to give it back to the kids. What we photographers won't do :)

There is also an image which I captured which has some serious lens flare, and some of you might feel that this goes entirely against the rules of photography. In this case I feel that it just works. Enjoy.

Many thanks to Eleen and Phillip who drove up from Ermelo for the shoot. You folks Rock.

 

Jalize & Niel you folks make a stunning couple, as promised here are a few of my fav's from the day.

Now for the blog update. Saturday was a sunny day, with a few clouds offering some respite. After shooting the getting dressed shots, it was the service followed by the bride and groom shoot. What made this wedding slightly different is that it was just the couple, so there was loads of time and it was very much a relaxed affair.

Every once in a while an image just comes up, and I caught a gem at the reception. It pays to be observant and the story behind this one was no exception. I noticed one of the flower girls lying on her tummy colouring in, the light catching her face from the candles and fairy lights was amazing.Moving off to one side I mimicked her and captured a series of images.This one is an all time favourite, and I suspect will become a signature image.

 

Jalize and Neil thank you for an awesome day. A big thanks also goes to Sune ( a fellow wedding photographer and friend, who attended the wedding as a guest, and you might have now guessed, Yip she assisted and helped out, carrying gear and reminding me not to forget my bag, A huge Thanks). Oh yes before I forget, the wedding cake was made of this giant mound of Sweetie Pies which I had been eyeing out all evening, I couldn't wait for the cutting " Mmmh! that should be tasting " of the Sweetie Pies by the couple. Well I think I was third in line, after the couple to sample. Totally wicked and Yummy!!

Service Providers :

Wedding Dress : Gert VD Merwe

Venue: Galagos , friendly efficient service, hot plates and great coffee ( self service cuppucino and espresso maker.Tip: If you are ever in the area, make a double espresso. Special mention goes to Frik, always friendy and nothing is to much trouble.

www.galagos.co.za

 

Flowers and Decor: The legendary Lorraine from Papilio Designs

www.papiliodesigns.com  If you ever need exceptional decor and attention to detail, Papilio Designs will not disappoint. I am always amazed at the creations Lorraine comes up with, and this  wedding it was just Wow! I will be dedicating a blog entry to Papilio Designs shortly.

Wedding was captured by DVI, special mention goes to Dave and Dean, professional and attentive, it was great working with you guys again.

DVI http://www.digitalvideoimages.co.za

 

As ever, best wishes.

Mario

 

 

 

What on earth is a guest book and why would I want one, you may be asking yourself?

In a nutshell,it's a selection of images that were taken of yourself and partner on your engagement shoot, or perhaps even on a fun shoot where your photographer not only gets to know you better, but you also have the added bonus of seeing how he or she works. These sessions are loads of fun, and the spin off is you get to obtain some really cool images of yourselves in a non pressurised enviroment. These images are then compiled to tell a story and are then presented in a book bound format.

The idea behind the guest book concept is to have it available on the day of your wedding where your guests, friends and family members can leave messages to you as a bridal couple. What makes it special is that the accompanying photographs just makes it so much more personal. Guest books are incredibly popular as it's always nice to come back after the honeymoon to go through the comments that guests made.

You will notice that in this sample one there is a fair amount of open space, and that the layout and design is simple and uncluttered. This is deliberate as it allows plenty of room for comments.

I avoid cluttering the layout with to many images, and as a general guideline approximately 30 -35 images makes for a happy medium. Obviously this all depends on the number of guest that will be attending your wedding, the more guests the more pages you would need to take into account. To many pages and you might land up with pages that are not signed or no comments have been made. Hope this all helps.

Happy" signing"

http://www.mariophoto.co.za/archive%20slideshows/slideshow035/index.html

click on the link to see the entire guest book.

 

 

Welcome to the Off Camera Flash Workshop to be held on the 12th, 13th and 14th June 2009 in Heidelberg Gauteng.

We are excited to bring you this workshop to be presented by Mario Sales, Petrus Saayman and Michael Tree.

Workshop Content Our theme: Off Camera Flash Techniques with your Coffee Table Book in mind. The purpose of our workshop is not only the image opportunities you can create with OCF, but also how to design a fine art page with your images in mind. This will help you to think about the end result you are going to create for your presentation, on the second day of the OCF workshop. Our main theme is OCF, but with an incentive, because we don’t want our students snapping away at brides all day without thinking about the final presentation of their OCF images.

Workshop Fee The fees have been established at R2500 per person. R1000 deposit will secure your seat. Please send an email to info@theweddingworkshop.co.za to confirm your attendance and we will send you the banking details in return. Class will be limited to 20 Students and group practicals will be held with 7 students per lecturer on a rotational basis.

Kind Regards The Wedding Workshop Team

For more information log on to

www.theweddingworkshop.co.za

After Saturdays wedding, and the WPPA meeting on Sunday I was all fired up, and what better way to burn off some creative energy than to photograph Justin & Taryn, whose wedding I will be photographing next year January 2010.

It's loads of fun getting to know my prospective couples, and always makes things a lot easier on the day when photographing them. Some goofy images were taken ( the moustache episode I won't post...) but just a few of my favourites.

Will catch up with you folks durring the course of next week.

Mario

 

 

 

Planes, Automobiles and a Stunning Bride & Groom, sounds like the movies.

Well this weekend we were fortunate to have some amazing light, a great sunset, stunning location and a couple totally in love with each other. Some time back I met up with Adri and Herman to discuss locations and possible spots where we could photograph, within driving distance from the reception venue ( under 5 minutes) and this is what we came up with. I could not have asked for a more fun couple who were totally game for anything. Well here we go.

Enjoy the honeymoon.. three weeks I am so envious.

Take care.

Mario

 

Rain, Rain, and more Rain. Amazing and extremely grateful. What do you do when it rains on your wedding day? Well if you are anything like this couple you just embrace it, and this is precisely what Alan & Maryke did on Saturday. Yes it can slow things down just a Tad, but what the heck we had fun and we created some amazing imagery.

Some Studio News: I had one image printed 600x900 which is now hanging in my studio, try and spot it from the selection below.

Here you go, enjoy.

Best wishes.

Mario