For a while I have struggled to find the time to focus on publishing any of my work. There are so many reasons and I would have some difficulty pinpointing just one but, as long as there is light, I promise I am taking photographs. In fact, a ton. Sure, my little Harrison is the subject of most of these, but he's incredibly cute and whilst he is still a smallie I sort of feel obligated to capture as much as I can of his early years! He's not my only subject matter, but possibly the most adorable!

Last weekend I had the privilege of photographing the mom-daughter-bestie-duo, Cayleigh and Xandra. They won our collaboration giveaway a couple of weeks ago. They're the most incredible humans alive, and their best-friendship is so very real! You'll see why, when you scroll through the images below, I just had to share these photographs without delay. Thanks again to the collaboration girls for pulling out all of the stops and making Cayleigh and Xandra feel so glam for their shoot with me.

Hair: Nicole from Sole Salon & Spa
Make-up: Tiff from Tiff Jane Beauty
Nails: Tara from Rouge Nail Salon

In the past year I have actually become really good friends with Cayleigh and her mom Xandra. When Tiffany pulled Cayleigh's name out of the hat when we chose our winner, I almost fell off my chair I was so thrilled! I could not have thought of more deserving winners, especially of the pamper sessions from the girls. I also had the foresight that mom, Xandra, might not enjoy the photoshoot as much as Cayleigh, but we kept things very relaxed, and there is a supermodel in this woman actually!

​I mean, I sort of knew that working with Cayleigh was going to be everything but awkward and between the two of us we got some gorgeous smiles out of her mom, who is the epitome of strength - but maybe not so much in front of a camera. I can empathise with this though. Not everyone enjoys having their photographs taken. In fact, a few days after the shoot Xandra sent me a meme with the following words: "Finally figured out why I look so bad in pictures... It's my face!". Wrong mama bear! You're gorgeous!

We have collaborated to offer an awesome giveaway for you and your best friend. Be sure to like the facebook pages of each of the sponsors, and tag your friend in the main competition post featured on Candice Christie Photography's page then share the post on your wall.

Sponsors & Prizes:
Candice Christie Photography: Beauty photoshoot valued at R1500
Rouge Salon: EVO overlay with nail art & vitamin dose valued at R660
Sole' Salon & Spa: Platinum package for both girls valued at R1800
Tiff Jane Beauty: Make-up artistry valued at R500

Competition closes on Sunday, 30 April 2017 at 17h00.

Read terms and conditions below.

TERMS & CONDITIONS:

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.
 
The competition is sponsored by Sole' Salon & Spa, Tiff- Jane Beauty, Candice Christie Photography and Rouge Nail Salon. This contest is governed by these official rules. By participating in the contest, each entrant agrees to abide by these official rules, including all eligibility requirements, and understands that the results of the contest, as determined by sponsors and its agents, are final in all respects.
 
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. Any questions, comments or complaints regarding the promotion will be directed to the sponsors, not Facebook.
 
ELIGIBILITY
The contest is open to legal residents of their respective countries where not prohibited by law, who are eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of entry who have Internet access and a valid e-mail account prior to the beginning of the Contest Period. Sponsor has the right to verify the eligibility of each entrant.
 
COMPETITION PERIOD
The competition begins on 08/04/2017 at 08h00 and ends at 30/04/2016 at 17h00. All entries (submissions) must be received on or before the time stated during that submission period. Sponsor reserves the right to extend or shorten the contest at their sole discretion.
 
HOW TO ENTER
You can enter the competition via the sponsor facebook page. Entrants must like the sponsor facebook pages and tag their best friend in the post with a short paragraph describing what you love about your bestie, then share the main competition post on their wall! After submitting the required information on the entry form, the entrant will receive one (1) entry into the drawing.
 
WINNER SELECTION
All eligible entries received during the Submission Period will gathered into a database at the end of the Submission Period. Each sponsoring party will choose their top 10 finalists and votes will be added together, the personal with the most votes wins. The winner will be announced on or about 06/05/2017. Announcement and instructions for prize will be displayed on Facebook. Each entrant is responsible for monitoring his/her Facebook account for prize notification and receipt or other communications related to this competition. If a potential prize winner cannot be reached by Administrator (or Sponsor) within five (5) days, using the contact information provided at the time of entry, or if the prize is returned as undeliverable, that potential prize winner shall forfeit the prize. Upon the request of the Sponsor, the potential winner may be required to return an Affidavit of Eligibility, Release and Prize Acceptance Form. If a potential winner fails to comply with these official rules, that potential winner will be disqualified. Prizes may not be awarded if an insufficient number of eligible entries are received.
 
PRIZES:
Make up by Tiff- Jane Makeup Artistry valued at R500
Platinum package for both girls by Sole' Salon & Spa valued at R1800
Photoshoot with Candice Christie Photography valued at R1500
EVO Overlay with nail art and Vitamin dose valued at R660 with Rouge Nail Salon
 
Incidental expenses and all other costs and expenses which are not specifically listed as part of a prize in these Official Rules and which may be associated with the award, acceptance, receipt and use of all or any portion of the awarded prize are solely the responsibility of the respective prize winner.
 
ADDITIONAL LIMITATIONS
Prize is non-transferable. No substitution or cash equivalent of prizes is permitted. Sponsor and its respective parent, affiliate and subsidiary companies, agents, and representatives are not responsible for any typographical or other errors in the offer or administration of the competition, including, but not limited to, errors in any printing or posting or these Official Rules, the selection and announcement of any winner, or the distribution of any prize. Any attempt to damage the content or operation of this competition is unlawful and subject to possible legal action by Sponsor. Sponsor reserves the right to terminate, suspend or amend the competition, without notice, and for any reason, including, without limitation, if Sponsor determines that the Sweepstakes cannot be conducted as planned or should a virus, bug, tampering or unauthorized intervention, technical failure or other cause beyond Sponsor’s control corrupt the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper play of the competition. In the event any tampering or unauthorized intervention may have occurred, Sponsor reserves the right to void suspect entries at issue. Sponsor and its respective parent, affiliate and subsidiary companies, agents, and representatives, and any telephone network or service providers, are not responsible for incorrect or inaccurate transcription of entry information, or for any human error, technical malfunction, lost or delayed data transmission, omission, interruption, deletion, line failure or malfunction of any telephone network, computer equipment or software, the inability to access any website or online service or any other error, human or otherwise.
 
INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
BY ENTERING THE COMPETITION, EACH ENTRANT AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS SPONSOR AND ITS PARENT, AFFILIATE AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES, THE FACEBOOK PLATFORM, ADMINISTRATOR, ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL AGENCIES, AND ALL THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, REPRESENTATIVES AND AGENTS FROM ANY LIABILITY, DAMAGES, LOSSES OR INJURY RESULTING IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FROM THAT ENTRANT’S PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPETITION AND THE ACCEPTANCE, USE OR MISUSE OF ANY PRIZE THAT MAY BE WON. SPONSOR AND ITS PARENT, AFFILIATE AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES DO NOT MAKE ANY WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE CONDITION, FITNESS OR MERCHANTABILITY OF THE PRIZE. SPONSOR AND ITS PARENTS, SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES, ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL AGENCIES, AND ALL THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, REPRESENTATIVES AND AGENTS DISCLAIM ANY LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE TO ANY COMPUTER SYSTEM RESULTING FROM ACCESS TO OR THE DOWNLOAD OF INFORMATION OR MATERIALS CONNECTED WITH THE COMPETITION.
 
PUBLICITY
By participating, each entrant grants Sponsor permission to use his/her name, likeness or comments for publicity purposes without payment of additional consideration, except where prohibited by law.
 
COMPETITION SPONSORS
This competition is sponsored by:
Sole' Salon & Spa, Tiff- Jane Beauty, Candice Christie Photography and Rouge Nail Salon
 
Any questions regarding this competition should be directed to the Sponsors.

Towards the end of last year I got to photograph the most "in-love" couple I have ever met. The week before the wedding I met Claire and John for a run through at their gorgeous venue and already then had such a sense of immense love. To say this was only the tip of the iceberg would be an understatement. One of the reasons I so love photographing weddings is being able to see people at their most courageous and most vulnerable. Weddings bring out the best and the worst and the most beautiful in people... While you can try hide your emotions it's easier, on a day like this day, to just bear all. This post is a long one, I loved every moment of the Crabb wedding and while I may be a little "out of it" - I just couldn't choose my favourites! Special thank you to my most amazing second shooter at the Crabb wedding: Dane Turvey.

Dayna won a competition that myself and several suppliers ran early last year. Due to personal circumstances the original make-up artist had to pull out of participating with us. Lucky for us, Clair Strang, owner of Ammara, was available and totally willing to jump right in and get involved. We got together one fine day in August and photographed this most beautiful girl looking her absolute best thanks to some really amazing industry professionals. I am so thankful to these incredible women and their understanding in waiting for these images. While they have been edited for a while, with everything we have been going through as a family we just have not had the time to just sit and compose the social media and blog posts that they so deserve. SO... I hope to make it up to them!

See links to their respective profiles above!

Super special thank you to my girls: to Tarryn for Dayna's gorgeous lashes. Tarryn is incredible at her craft and you will leave her rooms feeling like a million bucks. To Kristi for pulling off several gorgeous hair styles on the day. You're such a talented hair stylist and your involvement in the shoot was immeasurable with your valuable input and styling! Clair, my little saviour who filled in at the last moment! Thank you for doing the most beautiful make-up for Dayna. You are incredibly talented! And Cayleigh - my special friend who has the wonderful gift of styling models and making them feel completely at ease and comfortable! You are all so wonderful! I cannot thank you enough.

Model: Tarryn Gibson
Venue: Haycroft Farm
Clothes: Sugarbush Boutique
Stylist: Cayleigh Beyers
Hair: Kristie Wood
Makeup: Own

Happy world photo day! What better way to celebrate the anniversary of photography this weekend than by getting out there and snapping up moments that will last a lifetime.

In April I had the privilege of photographing the Schiever wedding. Lizzy and Tuppy tied the knot at the Midlands venue, Waterwoods. Given the time of year, a thick mist rolled in at a rapid rate cutting our creative photography opportunities in half somewhat. Nevertheless, the bride and groom were an impeccable subject and we managed to utilise a few visible backdrops closer to home.

We're currently venue scouting for our Tsonga Winter campaign and the lovely Avril, from Inner Harmony, joined me for a day on the Midlands looking at pretty backdrops and settings. What fun we had exploring and taking lots of photographs.

Good morning lovelies. A blog post is long overdue - I know. I've had a lot on the go, including resigning from my position as creative design coordinator at SHF and taking up a position as the marketing coordinator for Corrida Shoes. I start my new J.O.B on Monday. I am so looking forward to this new challenge and rejoining the Tsonga family.

We photographed the Van Erk wedding in March. Leigh and Vince were married at Old Halliwell in the Midlands and it was nothing short of perfection. Understated decor has a great appeal for me, and their personal touch in every facet of their wedding day was something really special. I love sentimental as you know.

As always, huge thanks to my wonderful friend, and second shooter, Hilda.

Please feel free to leave a message of congrats to the gorgeous bride and groom.