The groomsmen cleaned up good 'n proper, the weather was just perfect, the couple was gorgeous and up for anything - not to mention, their friends and family were fantastic.
Plus, take in an Irish mom, throw in three energetic little girls, mix in some hairspray, clips and make-up, add an over-worked (and very patient) father of the bride, along with an animated make-up artist and you have a taste of what it was like photographing Shannon . . . simply getting ready.
The creatives were equally as scatty, with Shannon and Paul braving a vicious beast by the name of Rambo during their shoot, jumping into hay stacks and, quite honestly, just being themselves - when they could.
It is so amazing to be able to share a day like this, during which the ceremony was the only part I could possibly use the words: calm and serene.
Thank you, Shannon and Paul - we had a CRACK!


I must say it does look relatively quiet in this picture.




Picture above taken by Ursula.
Ladies and gentlemen please extend a warm welcome to Rambo, we are not really sure of his real name but we called him Rambo.
More from this wedding tommorrow.

No animals (or photographers) were harmed making this image.
LOL
I know why no photographers where harmed as i know how fast you can move when you are on the job.
Can't wait to see the rest of the shots you took, as always we can expect to have our socks knocked off.
I was really chuffed to see we made the September issue of Konfetti, which featured Tracy & Florian's wedding. To have a look click here. (Featured on Page 50)
Great Stuff Andrea !
I like to say who needs Awards when you have rewards like these.
I agree with Ursula, when you are the best of the best !!

Ohhh so lovely!
(09.01.09 @ 01:09 PM)One thing I love about photographing weddings is the way you feel you've learned so much about a family, after only spending a few hours with them.
There are so many emotions, small dynamics and then the characteristics of people, which are revealed on a wedding day.
Nicky and Graham, who stay in Hong Kong, are such a lovely couple. Their family and friends were so warm and inviting - and some of them just plain ole crazy.
For the creatives, we took a drive a tad away from the actual venue and I am so glad we did - you just can not beat the highveld bush, scattered with giraffe and buck.
I kid you not! In the middle of our shoot, giraffe and buck decided to cross the road and it was such a lovely moment!
It felt almost like a movie set. Oh, how I love South Africa!
Here are a few from their day and I am almost sure there will be a second post to this one.

Loved the antique necklace, which has been passed down in the family, even the box made with love & care.
I also have to mention that on the reverse side of the name tags Nicky had a personalised message for each and every guest



Both pictures (above) taken by my second shooter Paul.

Nicky apologies - I just had to post this I just love the expressions!

For the avid photographers: I usually have my WB on cloud as I find I get warmer colours. On this shot I played with my White Balance. To get the blue tone I set the WB to tungsten.


There it is, the giraffe crossing the road, you can also see him in the horizon in the previous image.
Absolutely gorgeous work!! Love the colours in your photos, I'm going to try that cloud WB out for my next shoot.
(08.27.09 @ 09:12 AM)Wow Andrea !
One thing I love about working with you is I can take the same photo but how you post produce your work makes your work really stand out. Thanks for affording me the opportunity to work with you and to share a blessed wedding with Nicky & Graham. I got goose bumps in the service!!
Absolutely stunning! I don't know how you still outdo yourself on every wedding, but you do. And that giraffe was just so perfectly serendipitous.
(08.27.09 @ 11:19 AM)Love Nicky's expressions - put a smile on my face for the day. Beautiful post!
(08.27.09 @ 12:55 PM)MAGNIFICENT!!!!! These are just gorgeous Andrea!!!! WOW :-)
(08.27.09 @ 01:06 PM)Thank you for all the comments!
@Paul, I hate to admit it but my photoshop skills & post production is really not that extensive, sharpen, vignette and sometimes I just pop the colours a little. I will actually do a post with a straight out of camera image & compare it to the "edited" version as I am getting quite a few emails asking what I do to my images in post production (and unfortunately I have no Photoshop magic to share!)
I love the fourth pic...the one with her Dad(?)...and as for the Giraffe...well....just glorious.You've captured tenderness, beauty.admiration and the "blue' shot is the epitomy of peaceful.Absolutely stunning.You're a star!
(08.27.09 @ 08:27 PM)@Liz - it is her dad - I also love it.
(08.28.09 @ 07:11 AM)Wow Andrea!!! These photos are absolutely amazing. We just got back from honeymoon and were so excited to see them on the blog. You have really managed to capture special moments so beautifully. Graham and I loved having you and Paul there. Thanks again!
(09.01.09 @ 04:11 PM)we were at this very special wedding visiting from New Zealand and you have captured Nicky's character and the atmosphere very well, love the different effects.
(09.02.09 @ 02:10 AM)These are really beautiful and do the wedding justice as it was a beautiful day from start to finish. Well done!
(09.02.09 @ 09:05 AM)




Beautiful and worth the wait! I love the sunset one. I must say they all seem really serene and lovely :-)
(09.09.09 @ 07:21 PM)WOW - Andrea these are even more amazing than I ever excepted!!! Thank you so much for such a fabulous day! We had so much fun having the photos done. You and Ursula were incredible!!!
We can't wait to see the rest of the pics!!!
Thanks again for everything!!!
(09.09.09 @ 08:38 PM)I love your make up shot! The light is gorgeous!
(09.09.09 @ 09:49 PM)Thank you Shannon and Paul for an awesome day. Andrea your shots are amazing as always. Love the RAMBO shot below - I was personally so scared of him :)
(09.10.09 @ 08:27 AM)Shannon you looked amazing, these photo's are spectacular!!
(09.10.09 @ 08:28 AM)Stunning Andrea and Ursula.
(09.10.09 @ 01:29 PM)Andrea you are truly blessed at what you do. Waiting for your next blog posting is like waiting for payday every month; we hold our breath and count the days.
I am truly inspired to have you as my role model.
Rambo is too cute, cant imagine him being a meanie.... love the haystack pics
(09.10.09 @ 02:11 PM)