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Mario Sales Artistic Imagery

wedding blog

Confessions and Rants of a Wedding Photographer

12th February 2007

Rant

I consider it a privilege and honour to capture one of life's most memorable events. Do I enjoy what I do? Absolutely , do I get nervous before a shoot? You bet I do. This might sound strange, but when I wake up in the morning and I know I have to shoot a wedding my stomach gets these butterfly's and I am nervous ( the kind of feeling when you are going on a first date ), on edge and would rather be doing something else that day. Mmmh! You might think that I am shooting myself in the foot and bank balance by openly stating this, who will hire me after I have just said this. But it is true. And I bet if you ask numerous wedding photographers out there and if they are honest they might just give you the same answer.

But, once I am at the wedding, i.e. Bridal preparations etc I come to life, it is if something has come over me and I can't help but revel in the experience of a Wedding. I still get that incredible feeling inside when shooting a wedding, it's like a buzz inside me and nothing gives me more satisfaction than getting that perfect shot. If I can get one image that captures the essence of your wedding then I have achieved my goal. Yes I have captured some incredible and amazing shots, but each time the bar gets raised a little higher and I push myself a little more. Who benefits in the end, you the bridal couple and myself. Excellence is only achieved through commitment and hard work.

2007 has brought along some amazing ideas and events,which will see the look of wedding photography changing in South Africa.

Firstly I would like to wish Shirley Williams all the best for the future. Shirley will be leaving for New Zealand shortly where I am sure she will make her mark in the Wedding scene. Wishing you all the best.

Dror. a good friend, with photographic business skills second to none, and a photographer whom I rate as one of the best in the country will be leaving for the States. Dror with your wit and amazing talent you will be sorely missed. Thank goodness for the internet and e-mail, expect many e-mails asking for advise. Take a look at his work on www.droreyal.co.za and see what I mean.

Yervant www.yervant.com will be coming to South Africa in November 2007. Much of this is thanks to Jaco & Dalene from JD Photography who have arranged the planning and sponsorship associated with this event. South African Wedding Photographers can only benefit from this, and ultimately you the Bride and Groom.

What News Years Resolutions have I committed myself to this Year? Firstly I will be updating my web site/ blog on a more regular basis. So keep watching the site for new posts and images.

BEA & PIETER

To Bea and Pieter who got married at Anderland www.anderland.co.za thank you for entrusting me to photograph your wedding. I had an incredible time, from the moment I stepped into the room where Bea was getting ready to the time I sadly had to leave, thank you. Bea you have an incredible smile, and warmth inside that touches everybody who has contact with you once again Happy Birthday, you most certainly planned it very well the Birthday / Wedding cake was one of a kind. Pieter your speech was from the heart and made me look at the things that mean the most to us, being family, loved ones and being around people that mean the most to us, well done.

Below are some of the images captured from the day. Enjoy

Bea's Wedding Dress shot in the mirror.

One of my favourites.

extract taken from the wedding album, the shot on the right needs to be seen in print to do it justice.

	Bea had just stepped out of the car and was busy arranging her veil, I was approximately 15metres away from Bea when I took it. I know it is slightly out of focus, but an image captured at the spur of the moment, if it captures the emotion is the crux of a master image which adds to the story of the day.