Rahma Baby Bump Shoot - Ready to Pop.

So earlier this year I did a bump and newborn shoot for Rahma as a gift to her from an old work colleague. I tend be slightly weary of the "gift shoot" - purely because you never know if the final client will like how you do things or even your photos... but there were no worries to be had here, as we found when we arrived. You've never met a sweeter, prettier little girl with the roundest bump ever :) Everyone was happy and relaxed.

It turned out to be one of the more comfortable and easier shoots - everyone was so kind and nice, offering us tea and juice - it made a great start to the weekend.

Thanks to Nisreen for organising everything and Rahma and bump for a lovely morning. We met again soon thereafter for the newborn shoot- Rohaan wasn't waiting for anyone to let her see the world - so stay tuned for more to come from the newborn shoot!!

For now, enjoy the pics... see you all soon.
Cheers
Matti

Annali's "Its a boy" baby shower

 

 

Good friends, laughter, fun, love, bubbles, chit chats and deliciously good looking food was the order of the afternoon at Annali's baby shower get together. Annali's friends took advantage of a visit, down from London, to meet the bump and celebrate the impending birth :) I was able to join for a brief time and capture some of the moments shared.

 

Thanks to Lara for her hospitality ( and not to mention the food, yum - see: www.thymetodine.co.za) and Annie for organising and looking after me so well as usual. To Annali who has just had her little bundle of joy, congratulation and I wish you all the best for the future - look forward to the next shoot ;)

 

Anyway, its back to work I go... look out for more coming soon.

 

Cheers,

Matti



Taryn rocking the bump @clifton

I absolutely loved this shoot of my beautiful pregnant cousin @ Clifton Beach. Taryn and Rob were staying in a little Clifton beach front apartment at the time of the shoot and what better location than one's front doorstep. That and the fact that there were over 100 stairs to the road above, and only a few weeks from birth, too much walking just wasn't so much of fun :)

The weather was simply awesome but the water as always was an ice block, so all shots in the sea were taken quickly and just at the right moment. We started off easily with some simple chilled shots but once Taryn and Rob realised this whole photo thing wasn't that  bad ;) they quickly pulled out the poses and smiles for the camera. The happiness of expectant parents was as truly evident as the sun was bright and shiny!!

We had plenty of fun on the beach before taking a few shots back at the apartment. For some background, Rob and Taryn didn't find out the sex of their baby at the time and affectionately referred to it as 'Biscotti'. In addition Rob works for Vida é Café and we decided to add a little touch of the coffee to the biscotti for some fun shots - a pretty good matching I'd say :)

Anyway, we had a great time and thanks to Rob and T for all their energy, patience and coolness. This is definitely one of my favourite shoots of 2012 and deserves a long hard look. <3 it! I hope you do to.

Ciao for now.
Matti

Devon.

My first encounter with Devon was a little before he was born :) Some may remember him as just a bump in his mommy's tummy - see http://mclaganphotography.blogspot.com/2012/11/claires-home-made-bump-shoot.html for a quick recap :)

Devon is as cute as he looks and at just 12 days old he melted most hearts. He had certainly captivated his mom and dad who were as proud as could be. We had a great evening and Devon came out to play and stare boldly into my lens... his eyes, baby wiggles and stretches making many an 'ooh' and 'ahhhh' moment.

I can't believe its taken me so long to share these pics with you and looking back at them brought a smile to face - hopefully you'll be sharing the love.

Thanks to Claire and Riley for being as awesome as ever and sharing their excitement with us. You guys have been blessed :)

Now go and enjoy the photos...

Cheers for now,
Matti

Claire's home made Bump Shoot

It's not often you get to do an entire shoot in somebody's back garden and feel like you're in a secluded corner of Kirstenbosch. With Claire and Riley, however, a whole new world of possibilities was presented. So much so that it took me a while to decide on a spot to start with... under the massive tree maybe with the light shining just in the right spot over the opposite bushes? Or what about amongst the flowers around the corner? Wait... no, by the pool and the white flowery bush? The little secret garden by the back gate to the park? They were all awesome - #lovetheoptions. Ultimately I think we did probably use most of them as the evening progressed and the sun set through the trees.

It did really feel like a trip to the park and Riley and the dog running around the tree really topped it off :) Claire was glowing just as much as the setting sun and although there were some unsure nervous moments, she really didn't have to do much to look fabulous. I think you will all agree that everyone looked the part - even little Devon (the bump to be at the time) made sure he put his chest out and sat in just the right position, so that he could be seen as much as possible!!

There were lots of laughs, fun and love in the secret garden and It was such a great way to end the weekend. Thanks to all, including Rocky (the dog), for putting on their best smiles and for making it so relaxed. Thanks as well to my lovely wife for all her help as usual and making sure everyone is not short of conversation :)

Enjoy the Bump and watch out for pics from little Devon who arrived just two weeks ago.

Cheers for now,
Matti

Speechless.

A Little bit of inspiration for anyone looking today ;)

Keep loving, living and doing everything else to make those moments count!

The Maglit Bump Shoot @ Rhodes Mem.

Twas a sun-filled, fun filled, slighty dozy, lovey dovey, friendly Sunday afternoon at Rhodes Memorial when I got to shoot Kez and her glorious baby bump! Jamo, you were also pretty glorious that day too - haha!!

It seems so far away amidst the current winter rain in Cape Town but the smiles below are sure to brighten your day. The little soon to be Maglit, at the time, was well and truly bursting to come and join us in the grass. It would however still manage to hold off for a few more weeks before joining the world and blessing the Magni with it's presence. Jocelyn Lily Magnus (the sex of which was unknown at the time - hence the reference to 'it') was born on the 25th of June 2012. More about that later though ;)

Kez was a truly glowing pregnant woman... and I'd like to just add that she was wearing her normal pre baby jeans that day ;) Jamo was in his shorts and shirt as usual... and one times coolio hat to "hide the sun"!!

It was a perfect setting - the birds were tweeting, and apart from the sometimes constant flow of cars, we felt very far away from the city :) Our day was made ever more surreal when joined by a rather friendly praying mantis. A brown little guy that we would later hear meant that 'it' was to be a boy... however the next week Kez encountered a green one, which assumably meant a girl... looks like the green guy trumped his friend ;) Sorry browny!

Anyway it was a great afternoon and thanks to Jamo and Kez for being super cool and making sure the laughter never died! Lots of love to you both....

[Jocelyn's newborn shoot to follow soon, so keep watching this space]