Mandela Park Primary School - Sod Turning - ArcelorMittal

ArcelorMittal is known world-wide as a very successful steel company. One of the richest men in the world (rated by Forebs) owns the company, his name - Lakshmi Mittal.

ArcelorMittal is sponsoring a complete school which they plan on building and furnishing. The school is to be built in a location in Mthatha. I had the honour of photographing this noted moment in time where it was the Sod-Turning at the existing school. People who attended the Sod Turning were the likes of Mlawuli Manjingolo - (Head of Legal, Compliance & Company Secretarial Services at ArcelorMittal, South Africa), Mrs Angie Motshekga (Minister of Basic Education).

Below I have a few pictures from the day

 

 

I'll do a update on the schools progress when I get invited back to photograph the school as they build.

Family Pictures - Leverne, Alderiso & Kaydin

Leverne had made been trying to get a booking with me for studio pictures for a while and eventually she managed to get her boyfriend and daughter in the same place :) 

There are many challenges when photographing baby's (under the age of 4) because they at the age where they want to explore and touch everything. The trick is to let them have their way and even if it takes a little longer than expected to cover the photshoot. Making them feel comfortable and keeping them happy is important because the last thing we really want in a crying baby who will refuse to do anything.

An example is how Kaydin wanted to see the pictures I took & at one point sat on my lap & insisted that she wanted gum. She felt relaxed and didn't throw tantrums because she was happy :)

Chane & Deno's Wedding | 10 September 2011

A beautiful bride inside and outside. If there's one thing I liked about this couple was their chemistry, you can see that they love and respect each other.

  

 

Umvini Floral Design & Events Management Specialists

So everyone knows I'm a huge fan of Umvini Floral Design and Events Management.

When Adiel calls and asks how busy I am for the day, I've learnt to ask "Why? What can I do for you" lol

This day he asked me to photograph some of the samples of center pieces that he does for functions, he wanted them to load onto this website. Below are samples of the center pieces they can create for your functions be it a wedding, graduation or a birthday party. 

 

Contact details: 4 Craister Street, Mthatha - 047 - 532 4243

36 Frere Road, East London - 083 468 5874

http://www.umvini.co.za 

Isabel's Birthday present to Ryan

Isabel decided to suprize her boyfriend - Ryan - with a few pictures of herself... I called her Angelina Jolie :)

Hulley Family

Kim Hulley joined me for my concept photoshoot - Innocence vs. the jungle in March this year. Kim's mom Veronica - was interested in bringing her family. husband - Herbert son - Matthew & daughter - Kim for a family photoshoot. I think I even got Matthew & Herbert to smile as much as Veronica says they hate having their pictures taken. With such a creative vibrant mom the whole family matched and photographed impeccable.

Below are collages of some of the pictures I captured of their family photoshoot.

Mommy & Me - Ziningi

Ziningi and her precious little two month old munchkin came in for a "mommy and me" session. There's nothing more rewarding then taking pictures and creating memories for a mom and her baby. I love when my "mommy's" leave with a smile and when they receive their pictures the smile is 10 times bigger.

To all my mommy's thank you for keeping the passion in me burning :)

 

 

"Mommy and session packages are available by request email me on info@ayeshavanstaaden.com for more info

Me, Mommy & Daddy - Aya

One of my famous moms returned or as I call her "sexy mama" & "Mrs G-L-A-M" coz she came for her maternity photoshoot and she rocked her tummy! She made being pregnant look stylish and proved that you don't have to let go of yourself when you have a baby bump. Xoli returned for her 3rd photoshoot as she had chosen my "Tummy to Toddler" package and this time we had both mommy and dad join little baby Aya

 

Annual Family Competiton 2011 - Winners

Leonie & Marvin's Wedding | 9 July 2011

Miss Conway asked me to capture her moment becoming Mrs. Novaine when she marries Marvin. Leonie was no diva on her wedding day, she was calm & relaxed. While studying photography under the chapter about how brides can be (drama queen, diva's & moody) she fell under the definition of "the bride that knows what she wants but is the most simple bride you will have to deal with". Leonie was a total sweetheart and Marvin was the cool dude with his bestmen who had sunglasses on lol. This is one wedding that definitely stands out for me.

    

Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Novaine, I wish you both all the happiness in the world :)

Sipheshihle's Graduation | 2 July 2011

My friend (Chomi wam)  Siphesihle and I go back about 9 years and when she called me up to take pictures at her graduation I made sure I was available.

Siphesihle being one of my most bubbly friends was totally up for any suggestions I have even when I asked her to take off her graduation gown and bare the cold outside. She was a total sport!

Love you my friend :) 

Annual Family Competition 2011

Happy Birthday - Sadae's present to Jade

Coming from a school of 3 students in a class is tough but that's not why I would say these two are friends. lol They in different grades but are so crazy together you would swear they sisters :) Shadae called me up to use the voucher I gave her for attending the opening of my studio so she thought what better present to give her friend - Jade - than a photoshoot for her birthday. So with about 8 wardrobe changes we had some awesome results that both Shadae & Jade were very happy with :) Here are a few pictures of the funky "word" girla

   

Maternity Photoshoot - Caroline & Reagan De Kock

Caroline called me up over a month ago asking for my maternity & baby package prices. I emailed them to her and she contacted me to set a date to take the pictures, sadly we never got to take the pictures on the date she wanted. A family member of hers - Regaya De Kock who I had previously taken pictures of called me up and asked if she can get a voucher that she wants to give to Caroline to come take the maternity pictures. I handed her the voucher and suprized Caroline called me up to confirm a date to take the pictures. These are the results of another fun filled photoshoot with a gorgeous pregnant mommy and proud dad :)

Family Session - Francios, Kaylen & Cole

New parents of the precious little bundle of joy - Cole, Kaylene & Francios enjoyed their moment infront of the camera. Cole done cute little things as if he knew exactly what was happening lol.

Below is Cole with each of his parents :) 

  

  

Family Session - Fynn Family

Introducing the Fynn family - Sharon, Bradley, Robyne, Tia and Kiesha

We have the mom and dad who are the fun loving couple
Robyne who is the family model
Tia who loved joking around with every prop she could find
Tia last but not least the sweet little cute one

 

Mommy & Me - Zola

Zola took advantage of the mommy and me package I had running for the whole of May in celebration of Mothers Day. Zola being the vibrant mommy that she is had her little baby smile and pose for every picture. There's even this cute thing she does where she wrinkles her face as though she's blowing her nose, the second pictures shows it clearly lol. "mommy and me" memories

  

Sibling Session - Morrow Family

Leighandra called me up and we set a date to have sibling pictures taken. Leighandra came for a couples photoshoot and she was back in studio with never a dull moment with her two sisters and brother. Her baby sister was too cute, with all her funny comments and random things she said. A late night photoshoot with over 150 pictures taken and 4 fun and energetic siblings.

Couple Photoshoot - Leighandra & Eddie

Now this is a couple I really enjoyed taking pictures of. Leighandra and Eddie were constant fun throughout the whole photoshoot, we done the normal traditional pictures then decided to get a bit creative (as seen in the last picture). I uploaded their picture on facebook and tagged it as; Couple photoshoot - because love is meant to be fun. Hopefully we will see them again soon having their wedding pictures taken :)

Family Photoshoot - Majikija Family

Nobahle contacted me to do a photo session with her and her family. We set a date for the day her husband arrives in Mthatha back from Durban. He was exhausted and had his moments where the kids had to remind him to smile by saying "cheese" while they and their mom were naturals dad had his "ok ok cheese" moments lol

Oh and they were proudly South Africa supporters too :)

 

Family Portraits - Kyriazis Family

Dianne, Chris and their two kids. A very sweet and loving family, fun energetic and definitely very photogenic.