It’s funny how, when you don’t really know someone, but you appreciate what they do/did, you feel you had some sort of relationship with them. I definitely have a very strong relationship with anything Apple. And Apple has made my life much easier. As a design lover, techie geek and photo enthusiast, I’m sad to see someone like Steve Jobs go.

When Buro opened their doors in Stellenbosch (an local apple retailer), I read this quote on their walls and I loved it. And today would probably be the best day to share it with you. It comes from the Original Apple campaign in 1997.

“Here’s to the Crazy Ones. The misfits. The rebels. The trouble-makers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status-quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify, or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignorethem. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see themas the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world – are the ones who DO!” ~ Apple Computers ~

Here is a video of the original campaign.

In the beginning of September I did a workshop with 10 girls here in Stellenbosch. The workshop was a fun, informal two days with loads of talking, discussing and some shooting. In my workshops I share a lot about my business and talk through all the issues and questions photographers have regarding the business of wedding photography.

The workshop took place at the gorgeous Middedorp Manor guesthouse in Stellenbosch. The stationery and flowers were sponsored by Anelle from Seven Swans and Elmarie from El Le Fleur. I also want to thank Betina & Wouter for helping out as our models, as well as Sebastine Pepler for the fabulous make-up and hair styling. And Betina’s beautiful dress and hair piece was sponsored by Kobus Dippenaar.

The behind the scenes was also captured by Claudia from VDA Studios and will be shared on the blog soon :)

If you want to read my article on the iPhone or see more photos, visit my article on KIKI.

My favourite Iphone Apps:

• CrossProccess: Cool instant effects
• TiltShiftGen: Tiltshift editing (miniature effect)
• Pano: Stich photographs to make a panoramic photograph
• ShakeItPhoto: Cool instant effects
• Pocketbooth: Photobooth strip of photos
• Instagram: Social sharing of Photos as well as cool polaroid looking effects.
• Camera Bag: Cool instant effects

And this morning, David invited me to be on the Showit live show. I tweeted and Facebooked about the interview a few minutes before and it was great to see all the South Africans on the chat board :) Showit Live is at 10am (LA time) and 8pm (SA time).

Tomorrow iaan and I will be on the show again. If you missed this morning’s show, you can have a look at it below.

Showit Live 57 – Part B from Showit on Vimeo.

Showit Live 57 – Thankful Thursday from Showit on Vimeo.

So here we are, bags packed and ready to go. Iaan and I are on our way to WPPI 2011. It is one of the biggest photography get-togethers in the world. If you want to read a bit more about this event, read more on the KIKI blog post.

Also a BIG announcement today: The KIKI site just went live!!! We know this is a really strange time to launch as iaan and I will be on a plane for the following 24 hours. And then we’ll probably be really jet lagged, but we just couldn’t hold it back! Iaan worked so hard to get this site live and we’re just too excited to show you what it looks like. So please head on over and have a look around! Please also spread the word to all your other photographer friends!

If you see something out of place, please let us know. We’ll chat to you as soon as we’re in LA. And keep an eye out on the site for all the updates from WPPI :)

LA and Vegas here we come :)

This poem comes from the wedding I photographed over the weekend. Louise used it as a part of her speech and I just thought it was perfect to say what I’m feeling.

Iaan this one’s for you! Happy Valentine’s Day!

“When the one whose hand you’re holding is the one who holds your heart.

When the one whose eyes you gaze in gives your hopes and dreams their start,

When the one you think of first and last is the one who hugs you tight,

and the things you plan together make your whole world seem just right.

When the one whom you believe in puts their faith and trust in you.

You have found the one and only love you’ll share your whole life through.”

This photo was from a shoot we did with our friend Du Wayne a few years ago. I still love this photo! Thanks Du Wayne!

All you need to enter is the following:

• 400 word motivation
• Head and shoulder photo
• Full length photo
• A photo of your choice

Good luck! :)

The new iphone 4′s quality is sooo amazing and from 2011 you’ll see more iphone photos on the blog. :) Sometimes I really just don’t feel like carrying my big Canon 5D with me. I know that’s probably not something a photographer should say, but hey, that things is heavy :)

So what’s happening this year? Many exciting things:

1. The biggest and most exciting thing for me and iaan is the launch of KIKI. I know we’ve been talking about this for months, but the full www.kiki.co.za is almost here. We hope to launch the site in February, so keep your eyes on our facebook page for all the exciting announcements :) (For now we’re selling my Abobe Lightroom Presets on the site.)

2. Iaan and I will be attending WPPI in February. The biggest wedding and portrait conference in the world! They estimate approximately 15 000 photographers attend this event every year :) So if you’re going to be there, we’re excited to meet you!

3. Iaan launched his personal blog today :) Visit www.iaanvn.com for inspiring business and other related posts. (still very much under construction, but there are already a few interesting reads for you :)

4. Iaan and I will be hosting our first workshop together, at the end of January. The workshop will be about the basics of Facebook, Twitter & Google Analytics. More info coming in the next post.

5. I’ll be hosting more workshops this year…if you want to be added to the waiting list, please fill in the following forms:

• Johannesburg
• Cape Town
• other areas (SA & international)

6. Many more wedding post coming soon :)

I wish you a very blessed and exciting 2011!

x

May you have a very special day, but above all feel the LOVE. xox

ps remember not to miss out on all our awesome ideas and photos about festive ideas and DIY’s on The Pretty Blog! www.theprettyblog.com

Last week I send out my last newsletter for 2010 and for those of you who missed it. Here it is :)

This year was such a blessing to me. Every month something super excited happened. I had a look at my blog today and thought it might be cool to do a little 2010 summary :)

Thank you for every email, every Facebook message and every comment on my blog. It is because of your support, love and encouragement that I can keep doing what I love! (If you missed out on some of these exciting events you can find them all on my blog.)

I wish you a blessed Christmas time and wonderful 2011 ahead! Drive safely and remember the sunscreen! :)

See you in 2011!

(Our offices will be closed till the 10th of January. Happy holidays! )