Couple Shoots - SouthBound Bride

Romantic Australian Engagement Shoot

24 May, 2011 by gaby

South Africans. We’re everywhere. And I don’t just mean where I live in South West London, where we basically run rampant, talking Afrikaans on the tube and buying biltong and Fritos from the corner shop. I mean that, in my experience, you can go to the most random place in the world and discover a South African connection. Walk down just about any street, and hear someone say ja. Sssh, but I think we’re secretly taking over the world. Take today’s engagement shoot, which is, by the way, ADORABLE. It took place in sunny Australia and the bride-to-be (Lili) is an Aussie but the groom (Brad) is from Cape Town. And that’s not where the Saffaness ends, because the photographer, Courtney Gold, just happens to be an Aussie marrying a South African as well. In fact, they’re getting married in Cape Town next year, and found their venue, photographer, florist and makeup artist right here on SBB. YAY. I just looooove these shots – they’re laid back and natural but styled to a tee. Love the Notebook feel of the first pics, and Lili’s super cute outfits and accessories. And Courtney’s captured the light so perfectly – I could just eat it with a spoon! Big thanks to all of you for sharing, and good luck in planning your weddings!

Colourful Bo-Kaap Engagement Shoot

5 May, 2011 by gaby

Today I get to introduce you to three awesome people. First of all, is Cape Town photographer Charlene Schreuder. Charlene sent over this ahhhdorable engagement session, all shot in the Bo-Kaap, a fabulously colourful area of Cape Town (also known as the place I landed up instead of Plumstead when the satnav on my last rental car went crazytown on me… I’m just good with navigation like that). I fell in love with it, and with the couple in the pictures, who show how to absolutely rock an e-session – they’re fun, they’re playful, they’re affectionate, they’re relaxed, they’re incredibly photogenic. I guess it’s no surprise that not only are they Charlene’s dear friends, but are brilliant photographers themselves – meet Kerry and Luis of Piteira Photography in Lisbon, Portugal. (And sometimes also of Cape Town, South Africa, in case you thought our friends in Portugal had all the luck!) Every time I look at Charlene’s pictures I have a new favourite, and I know you will love them too.Read More

Mountain Climbing Engagement Session

13 April, 2011 by gaby

Today’s engagement session is just beyond cool! And so different. When photographer Mark Engelbrecht (a climber himself) found out Jorina and Stefan were keen mountaineers, the three of them hatched a plan for a truly unique photo shoot. Talk about tying the knot! And despite shooting with one hand while suspended from a rope, Mark got some beautiful images of this couple, absolutely in their element. I’m so excited to feature this here today!Read More

Farm-Style Engagement Shoot

23 November, 2010 by gaby

Oh, I just love today’s engagement shoot, don’t you? It’s so dreamy and chilled out, and the couple (Celeste and Nathan) are so beautifully styled (not to mention in lurve). The large silver milk containers also get a bit thumbs up from me. This slice of rustic heaven was sent over by photographer Eileen Laubscher of Bright Girl Photography, who is based in Durban, and who takes the most gorgeous wedding pics as well – check out her blog here.

London Love Couple Shoot

29 October, 2010 by gaby

Oh you guys. I am SO in love with these photographs, and it’s the perfect way to end a week of wonderful couple shoots. It’s one of those where once you’ve seen the images, you can’t get them out of your head, starting with the first one, which I completely fell for when I saw it on Cheryl McEwan’s blog. Not only are Lylie and Will completely gorgeous and wrapped up in one another, but it makes the place I live now look so magical. Not always easy in a bustling city that has been photographed a thousand different ways! I think it really makes a difference that the locations are all places that mean something to the couple, so even though they’re iconic and very public spots they all feel incredibly personal. (Oh, and the dog… what can I say – Lylie and Will, if your ADORABLE pup goes missing, it was totally me who came and stole her!)

Engagement shoot from New Zealand

26 October, 2010 by gaby

I don’t usually feature photographers from outside the UK, since I focus on weddings from in and around the Cape Town area. But when it comes to engagement shoots, there’s no reason why the same limit applies. And so I’m thrilled to be able to show off some talent from abroad – in this case from emerging Kiwi photographer Lavara O’ Hanlon. Lavara contacted me with her pics of this super cute couple against the Auckland skyline, and I just couldn’t resist. They are so adorable together, and there’s so much energy in these pics, I love them! Engagement shoots are a relatively new trend in NZ as they are in South Africa, and as much as I love super styled sessions, this one shows that the most important ingredient is the buzz between the couple themselves.Read More

Oh Darling Bride! Engagement Shoot

8 October, 2010 by gaby

One of the best things for me about blogging is fabulous people who make up the blog community internationally. I have a lot of love for many of these ladies and their blogs, but today I get to introduce you to one of them who’s also part of the (small but emergent) South African blogging world (and we all know local is lekker!). Oh Darling Bride! is a charming collaboration between two South African real life brides, who bring you finds and favourites from around the web as they make their own wedding journeys (so be sure to check it out!). One of them, Monique, is here today to share her engagement session, shot by the fabulous Warren Williams, and the super cute story of how she and fiance, Kaz, came to meet. I just love how sweet and genuine these two are in front of the camera, and it just shows that being yourselves and having fun make for the best photographs.

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As a wedding obsessed blogging bride-to-be, I was thrilled to win an engagement shoot with Cape Town based photographer Warren Williams, but as a camera-shy girl, I was equally nervous.

It was a freezing cold Saturday in early August and we had planned to take photos in Kirstenbosch but the clouds blanketed the mountain in a threatening shade of grey so we relocated to Rhodes Memorial. Warren made us feel so relaxed, helped us to forget the cold, our nerves and best of all, he made us laugh!

After our experience I would definitely recommend an e-session as a way to help couples learn to have fun in front of the camera, deal with any camera anxiety and find some poses that work.

Movie-themed Engagement Shoots

15 September, 2010 by gaby

Now I admit, I wasn’t an immediate convert to this particular trend. I’m a big fan of engagement shoots, but my favourite are those that show off a couple’s personalities, what they like to do together, etc. But there’s something kinda fun and silly and romantic about recreating the style and mood of a favourite film – and when else will you get the chance to do it? Ultimately, what won me over was the images I’ve seen coming out of these shoots – thanks to some amazing photographers, they are nothing short of spectacular. So grab your popcorn and check out my favourites.

The Twilight Saga

Bookshop Engagement Shoot

10 June, 2010 by gaby

I’m hugely excited to share Louise and Riaan’s engagement shoot with you! One, because it’s the first on this blog, and it’s completely original, gorgeous and inspiring. And two, because I get to introduce you to a pair of very talented designers and a young photographer who I think we’ll be seeing a lot more great things from in future. But first, get ready to do some serious oohing and aahing over the proposal!