Hannes Uys Wedding Photography Blog

Platteland Wedding: Bart and Sunet

Hannes — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:46:49 +0000

Its full wedding season again and there always seems to be more that needs to be photographed and edited than there are minutes in the day. My favourite cup with my favourite tea is always around for a kick of caffeine and my posture behind the Mac has become almost static. But once in a while something awesome happens that puts a smile on your face and straightens the back a little because you like what you see. Realisation sets in and you give yourself a mental pinch because you realise your were there. I photographed probably one of my most favourite weddings to date. It was again in the platteland.Frankfort in the Free State. A place where the people are real and all the smiles are genuine. Where there is always enough time for anything and always enough time for you. It was last year where I also photographed the wedding of local farmer Frans and Estherine from Frankfort, but this time around it was the turn of his younger brother Bart and his beautiful bride Sunet that decided to get committed and say: Yes! Everything on the day was just perfect. The weather. The people. The ambience. Oh yes and the same beautiful church in the main street of Frankfort. A space that demands so much respect yet at the same time makes you feel at ease. A space where you can just be. The reception was also held at the ever popular Siesta just outside of town that was the scene of some the best langarm’s and groom teasing I have experienced for a long time.

Is there is possibility that I may have developed a special place in my soul for this beautiful town next to the Wilger river? I may just have sir!

Free State Wedding, Wedding Blog, Platteland Wedding

Vaal River Wedding – Christo and Liezl

Hannes — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:20:47 +0000

You know that you are heading out to the Vaal from Johannesburg when you see the Boswell Wilkie tent on the left hand side from the R59. I always watch out for that – and the traffic cops that always tend to stand at the same point for some strange reason – or not. It’s in the Vaal where you will find one of South Africa’s natural icons, namely the Vaal river and its next to this great constant stream of water that Christo and Liezl decided totie the knot. I looked forward to this one as I knew I had another awesome couple to work with in a cool location. The day started out pretty hot and as the afternoon arrived the weather looked like as if it had ordered a bunch of heavy clouds that would sprinkle a few whenever no one was paying attention. I think I may have raised an eyebrow for a second on the first few drops, but I knew I had the Riverside Lifestyle Resort in reserve just next to the ceremony tent incase the weather turned mean. For the main shoot Christo and Liezl just turned it up and dialed it in for some über cool moments for me to capture. Even with my more-or-less directions they made it look so easy. As history would repeat the day’s events: lots rain did come and go, a massive celebration was had and I had a great time capturing it all. I am also of the opinion that Christo and Liezl may have just used the best MC I have ever seen. Again, true story.

As a wedding photographer I can be quite fickle as to who I allow to assist me at my weddings (if at all), but for this wedding I once more was lucky enough to be assisted by fellow photographer Corinna Tannian. Groovy!

www.hannesuys.com

Dullstroom Wedding – Willem and Riette

Hannes — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:54:29 +0000

When I think of Dullstroom I remember fine dining at Mrs. Simpsons, the 4 seasons in a single day, Harries (there is no place like Harries) and the trout farms with stone buildings neatly placed on a timeless landscape. Where Johannesburg reminds me of the ugly yet more productive member of the family, Dullstroom is the beautiful cousin that so many have heard about, but hardly seen. Yet she exists somewhere looking all glorious and not knowing much about the fuss. When you drive into Dullies there is no pretentiousness that you get with so many other touristy towns. You are not greeted with unsightly greed-driven security developments and a bunch of fast food franchises. Life in Dullstroom is the same as it ever was and I guess, ever will be. Organic.

When Willem and Riette asked me to photograph their wedding at Dunkeld Estate I think they probably saw the expression of ”yes!” on my face even before I said it. Not only was I excited to photograph the coolest couple in the history of mankind, but it was also in one of my most favourite of spaces.The ceremony took place in among the giant trees of Dunkeld which created the perfect ambience to an even more perfect day. Luckily the other three not-so-perfect seasons that Dullstroom was so notorious for decided to go hide a little – just long enough so that everyone could have the best of times. And the best of times it was. I remember lots of laughter and some of the funniest stories ever told. Happy friends and family from everywhere – quite literally. For a second or fifteen I felt blessed. Life was good and history will say that it all happened in Dullstroom.

www.hannesuys.com

Free State Wedding: Mawethu and Tebello

Hannes — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 00:30:53 +0000

It’s almost 2:30AM and I thought that I would sneak this one into the blogosphere just before the 25th and I’m happy I did. A killer post for old times sake. You see, some time ago I travelled up to the land of traffic circle, better known as the Free State, to shoot the wedding of Gautengers Mawethu and Tebello just outside of Welkom. For non-South Africans reading this post you will have guessed it right if you thought Welkom meant ‘welcome’ and in this instance it’s just the Afrikaans version of it. Aptly named Welkom, the hospitality and friendly faces from the heartland again didn’t disappoint.

One thing that struck me when I arrived at Welkom is how it reminded me of Johannesburg when I was so much younger, yellow mine dumps and all. How times have changed.

Mawethu and Tebello’s ceremony and reception took place at Tikwe Lodge on the banks of the Sand river just outside of Welkom.

Right now its raining softly outside and a light breeze is forcing the rain drops onto the window. As I write this I know this will be the last post for 2011 and after this I will relax my weary bones for a week or two for some much-needed rest. I’ve shot and edited a lot this year, but most importantly learned so much.

As for the rest I am wishing you all a Blessed Christmas and prosperous 2012. Make it yours and don’t forget to bend it.

www.hannesuys.com

Red Ivory Wedding: Dennis and Tanya

Hannes — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:56:20 +0000

Life is a bit of a blur these days. Weddings on weekends and the rest of the time it is edit, edit and even more edits. My love for tea keeps me sane between it all. It’s also quite strange that when I am at my busiest that my subconscious would be at its most ambitious levels ever. New ideas jump into my mind that gives direction to my fuzzy future. I love what I do, but I want to do more. So much more. I can feel it and diversity is what gives it balance. Maybe it’s the Libran thing or maybe its just plain old me. All I know is that it has to be done even though there is only now.

One thing that I would still love to do is book killer couples to shoot weddings for. Dennis and Tanya again was such a fabulous couple. All they had to do is just be themselves and the day would be easy to capture. Even with a typical hot day that makes the Hartbeespoort so unique, it didn’t faze them a bit. I hardly ever get emotional during a wedding, but there was a second or two during Dennis and Tanya’s ceremony where everyone could feel the love. It was huge. For me the tears were so close, but I cracked a smile instead and pretended all is normal. My world stopped for that second or too. It was so cool.

Both the ceremony and reception took place at Red Ivory and again this truly unique venue didn’t dissapoint. What I love about Red Ivory is that it offers such quality cuisine, better than any other venue out there and the staff are so damn good too.

Oh before I forget, Tanya thanks so much for the home-made marmalade. It did the ninja kick on the taste buds and it’s the best – ever. And yes you were right, it’s fantastic with cheese too! :-)

~H.

www.hannesuys.com

Quick Post: Imperfect Perfection Wedding – Johann and Alma

Hannes — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:48:45 +0000

The sweetest couple you will ever meet. Johann is a programmer of mission critical processes and Alma is a whisper away from becoming a doctor. This stunning couple’s morning celebration was held at Imperfect Perfection just outside of Pretoria. About Imperfect Perfection: If you are looking for a venue with killer retro detail then this venue is without a doubt the one for you. I had a great time!

Beautiful couple. Beautiful day. I like these. In fact, I like them a lot!

www.hannesuys.com

Quick Post: Hertford Country Hotel Wedding – Simon and Ruth

Hannes — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:15:19 +0000

The most free spirited couple I have EVER met. Was it fun? As always sir, as always. How could it not be?

www.hannesuys.com

Pretoria Wedding: Gustav and Tharien

Hannes — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 20:49:07 +0000

You know, some people need a mindless crutch like believing in Scientology just to function in life, while others are just born great. Like Steve Jobs said with the launch of Macintosh: “Insanely great”. And that is what I see in the couples that I capture. To me they are all insanely great. Even though none of them are similar, they all have something that inspires me. It might be something small with lots of soul or something quite significant that touches everyone around them. In essence they are all great in their own unique and special way, like little gifts from above. With Gustav and Tharien it was no different. Both had such a strong vision of what they wanted for their day and it showed. Tharien was the queen of quaint little details and Gustav the soft spoken all-round cool guy. Apart from the absolutely fantastic weather, stunning detail and eye-popping lanterns I thought the day went down just fab. Lots of love, many smiles and killer images. True story.

Side note: I found it quite interesting that both the service and Gustav’s speech were delivered using iPads. A sign of the future perhaps?

www.hannesuys.com

Quick Post: Pretoria Wedding – Basset Lovers Craig and Marie

Hannes — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 09:29:41 +0000

I usually don’t write any text for Quick Posts due to a frenzied peak of a full wedding schedule that sometimes tethers on the delicate edge of critical mass. Days consist of precise process flows, 18 hour editing stints and the static effects of too much green tea to keep the mind alive. But this time around I just had to say the following: Craig and Marie were one of the most effortless couples that I ever had to work with. Maybe it’s because they are both talented photographers too or maybe it was Craig’s laid-back Cape Town surfer zen-attude or maybe it was just that Marie was so easy to photograph. Either or I can feel a craving for more killer tea coming on.

Tone for the post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U286sbT_hwQ

www.hannesuys.com

Oakfield Farm Wedding – Shaun and Chantel

Hannes — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:43:18 +0000

I think it was Groucho Marx that once said: Last night I shot an elephant in my pajamas and how he got in my pajamas I’ll never know. Well while I’m on the subject of shooting anything; it was not too long ago that I captured the wedding of lawyers Shaun and Chantel at the leafy Oakfield Farm out in Muldersdrift. If you are from a closer galaxy to home then you may have recognised Shaun as guitarist and lyricist for local group Cutting Jade – who topped the charts locally and that honoured the globe with its unique South African rock sound and presence. On the day Chantel played her part in an elegant Gert van der Merwe creation with killer Errol Arendz heels. Über fashionista. As for the rest of the day I remember perfect weather, close-hearted Portuguese warmth, lots of laughs and a reception entrance by Shaun and Chantel on the tune of AC/DC’s Highway to Hell. I think Brian and Angus Young would have been proud of that. I know I was.

Estonteante!

~H.