Jamie and Doug's Couple Shoot @ Bushmans River

I always look forward to having a little Bushmans River shoot at the end of the year. This was no exception. The weather unfortunately had other ideas and laid out one or two postponements before we finally got down to the river and the beach. The river, alas, was slightly off its game but the couple, love and giggles were not :)

Jamie and Doug were out from America for a holiday and got hold of me early on in the year to arrange something while they were out - and it was a great way to end off our holidays with a bit of fun on the beach and in the wind. Jamie was full of bubbles and giggles and made taking photos a total treat :)

Once we hit the beach for some last photos, the clouds and sun really made for an awesome setting. The wind electrified things a bit but just added to the fun!!!

After that, a great big breakfast on the river sealed an epic morning. Thanks to Jamie and Doug and I look forward to seeing you guys again soon.

Cheers for now.
Matti

Robyn & Amy - Mother and Daughter Shoot

At the time of this shoot it had been almost a year to the day since little Amy's newborn shoot ( http://mclaganphotography.blogspot.com/2012/01/lovely-little-amy-thomson.html ). I couldn't believe how time had flown and what a little diva amy has become. We'd organised this shoot at the beginning of our holiday whilst we were visiting Gonubie. I hadn't really planned much for it but i knew we would start at the house and end on the beach - sounded pretty good :) Well it was Awesome... After a few formal mom and daughter shots, Amy started to liven up the room. She was spurred on by the flashing lights and ogled herself in this big lens she was confronted with. She laughed, giggled, ran around the room and eventually found a new game in standing up and falling down - we were mesmerised :)

By the time we even left for the beach, I was pretty sure I could have made a complete shoot out of the fun... so if that was the start, I was amped for the beach. The water was chilly to say the least but the shots were beautiful. Mom was looking equally as amazing as her little poppet and the two made everyone stop and stare for a while.

Thanks to Robyn and Amy for a fabulous evening and photos I hope you will cherish for a long time. I can't wait for what next year has to offer ;)

Enjoy the photos and check back soon. Please please, don't forget to like my page should you like the photos - would be great to share the love :)

Cheers
Matti

Robyn & Amy - Coming up next.

COMING UP NEXT....

Robyn & Amy: A Mother and Daughter shoot

Stay tuned.

Full post now available at: http://mclaganphotography.blogspot.com/2013/04/robyn-amy-mother-and-daughter-shoot.html

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

The Smiths SA Family Shoot @Blouberg

Kelly, a friend of mine, got hold of me to do a shoot of her brother and family that were down from London for her wedding. As a treat, Kel organised them the shoot as a present, and to fit in with times and plans we would do it at blouberg near her house one evening. A favourite spot that we used in http://mclaganphotography.blogspot.com/2012/05/volkmann-family-shoot-at-blouberg.html but this time we were at the opposite end of the day! The perfect eve came it's way and I watched the sun set ever more from the traffic into blouberg - clearly no one was in a rush except me. I arrived with a bare minimum  of sunlight left and it was A for away as I hit the ground. We snapped off a few really quick ones on the beach while little Alex played and without blinking we were off the the next spot for the mounatin and sea shot. I dont think we even hit much over 30 mins for this shoot... and I'm still amazed at what came out of it :) Needless to say that it couldnt have been done without an amazing, relaxed and appreciative family. Their little Alex was too cool and cute for words and Gareth and Kay went with the flow so effortlessly and without question. Gran and Auntie kept Alex looking in all the right directions and smiles were endless.

By the end of it all we had quite the bunch of followers that I hadnt even noticed until the time we called it quits... it was an awesome blitz of fun!

Thanks to everyone who was there and for the drink at Blue Peter afterwards. Kel, Kent, Gareth, Kay, Alex, Peg, Cara, Neil, Tom and Claire - you all rock my socks!

Enjoy the pics :)

The Volkmann Family Shoot at Blouberg

For those of you having paid attention, you will recognise this awesome couple from their wedding shoot done at the end of last year [ http://mclaganphotography.blogspot.com/2011/11/jeremy-morgans-wedding-boschendal.html ]. Little Cameron Volkmann follwed soon after and came out as chilled, relaxed and as cool as his folks. The couple wanted a family shoot on the beach with views to add and what better spot that on blouberg beach, near ons huisie, with table mountain looming and old style mykanos type houses in the background.

It was early morning on a perfect summers day and well one couldnt have hoped for better. Cameron was by the most well behaved little guy I have had the privelage of photographing and played along with all we had to throw at him, including the cold water and bright sun!

Anyway before I waffle on, thanks to Jem and Morgs and ofcourse my trusted creative director, handlanger and wife, Claire ;)

Anyway with winter upon us, have a browse and soak up the sun and love that follows.

The Magic Magill Family Shoot in Kenton

So this is the last of the holiday posts... and what better way to have gone out that with a magical evening at the kenton / bushmans river mouth. We'd been in touch and rescheduled many times until our last opportunity we said it was now or never. The wind had been howling in the morning and the skies were overcast, but not in that cool moody photo feel - just dull and boring. Nevertheless we stuck it out and by 18:00, the skies had opened up and the wind, although gusty, had managed to contain itself. If you've been to kenton / bushmans before you'll know the setting is really something special. Now take the setting sun, the slow flow of the tide, fisherman, dog walkers, swimmers and kite surfers and add to it the coolest, friendliest and best looking family and kenton and you have a magical scene -  if i messed this up then there was no hope whatsoever :)

We had a relatively quick shoot but james was laughing, enjoying the water and sand and mom and dad were willing to let me do whatever i felt ;) They were just as patient waiting for the photos and your excitement levels and apprection certainly didnt go unnoticed. So big thanks to everyone and to my wife, claire, for lugging the bags and holding the flash.... it was a fabulous team effort.

Big love to all... .and this is what it all came together as :)