ELEPHANT SAFARI ENGAGEMENT | CHARLOTTE & STEPH
I am thrilled to present Charlotte and Stephen’s Bushveld Safari session at Adventures with Elephants. Despite the sweltering heat on the day of the shoot, the outcome and feeling was nothing short of magical. Surrounded by the majestic presence of elephants, their grace and beauty left us in awe, a sentiment shared by everyone at AWE. This experience was not just a photo session but a celebration of nature, love, and artistry.
Experiencing the serenity and beauty of the bushveld is where I truly feel at home, finding unparalleled joy amidst nature's bounty. This connection deeply resonated when assisting my cousin Charlotte with her pre-wedding photo session planning. Our selection naturally gravitated towards the bushveld, a place echoing our shared childhood memories.
Charlotte and I grew up mere steps apart. Our early years were enriched by the frequent encounters with wildlife on our family farm. Additionally, our grandparents farm, nestled on the border of the Kruger National Park, right next to the Crocodile River, it offered us unforgettable moments, like observing elephants from our grandmother’s veranda.
This backdrop seemed perfect for Charlotte and her fiancé Stephen, both big admirers of the bushveld. Charlotte's bond with nature extends beyond appreciation; she is a gifted sculptor whose works brilliantly capture the essence of wildlife. I highly recommend exploring her exquisite creations under the name Charlotte Elizabeth.
I am thrilled to present Charlotte and Stephen’s Bushveld Safari session at Adventures with Elephants. Despite the sweltering heat on the day of the shoot, the outcome and feeling were nothing short of magical. Surrounded by the majestic presence of elephants, their grace and beauty left us in awe, a sentiment shared by everyone at AWE. This experience was not just a photo session but a celebration of nature, love, and artistry.
Make up by Nerina
Adventures with Elephants is not only a research facility, but AWE is also open for visitation and is only about 2 hours’ drive from Pretoria, perfect for a day outing if you have no idea what to do. They offer educational experiences, nature walks with the elephants, 1-hour private session (ideal for a photoshoot - bring your own photographer) and a couple more options.
““Of all African animals, the elephant is the most difficult for man to live with, yet its passing – if this must come – seems the most tragic of all. I can watch elephants (and elephants alone) for hours at a time, for sooner or later the elephant will do something very strange such as mow grass with its toenails or draw the tusks from the rotted carcass of another elephant and carry them off into the bush. There is mystery behind that masked gray visage, and ancient life force, delicate and mighty, awesome and enchanted, commanding the silence ordinarily reserved for mountain peaks, great fires, and the sea.””
ELEPHANT ADVENTURES COUPLE PHOTOGRAPHY
Here is the beautiful Mavie and Werner celebrating their life in South Africa, they are immigrating to Canada and thought it would be a great idea to give themselves a farewell treat with this elephant experience.
Safari Couple Photo Shoot
During the lockdown so many businesses are going under and even though we can’t possible save the whole South Africa, I do feel we should do everything in our power to help those who cannot help themselves, including animal conservation. Right now Adventures with Elephants have lost all their bookings during lockdown and possibly indefinitely since we do not know when this will end. They are an amazing company that gave these elephants a home, they are very happy to live here, they get to roam the farm when there are no visitors and sleep in a guarded area at night to protect them from poachers. Please visit the Adventures website in the link above to make a donation or spread the word.
Here is the beautiful Mavie and Werner celebrating their life in South Africa, they are immigrating to Canada and thought it would be a great idea to give themselves a farewell treat with this elephant experience.
Makeup by Missy Makeup Artist
SOUTH AFRICAN ELEPHANT SAFARI | COUPLE SHOOT
Greg Finck & Rime Arodaky on their wild adventure with the beautiful gentle giants. What an amazing African experience.
'Oh Africa, you have my Heart!' ~ Me
I had an amazing weekend with this beautiful couple, Greg & Rime from France. Greg Finck is one of my favourite photographers and I have been following his work for a couple of years. Rime Arodaky, who's work I saw through Greg, is a very talented wedding dress designer (SA, you want her dresses here in SA - lets get her to come open up a showroom here)! We finally met in March and I can honestly say Greg & Rime are such an amazing couple, down to earth and just warm people. They came to South Africa to relax and see a bit of our beautiful country.
For their couple session we got to photograph them experiencing these gentle giants from Adventures with Elephants. These beautiful animals have been rescued after being called 'problem' elephants, but are living a peaceful life here at Adventures', and they are definitely not problem animals. Please go and visit their website or even their reserve to educate yourself on how lovely these giants are.
African safari elopement
Patrick & Caitlin are from New York, they're an adventurous couple who decided to elope while they visited South Africa. I had the honour of capturing their elopement at the Lion Sands River Lodge, the ceremony was held in a dry river bank with the beautiful backdrop of elephants gracing on the river bank! They also enjoyed their honeymoon night in a very romantic tree house over the Lion Sands Game Reserve.
'Fall in love with someone who tastes like adventure but looks like the calm, beautiful morning after a terrible storm.' ~ Nikita Gill
Patrick & Caitlin are from New York, they're an adventurous couple who decided to elope while they visited South Africa. I had the honour of capturing their elopement at the Lion Sands River Lodge, the ceremony was held in a dry river bank with the beautiful backdrop of elephants gracing on the river bank! They also enjoyed their honeymoon night in a very romantic tree house over the Lion Sands Game Reserve.
About 2 weeks after the elopement, the last day of their trip, we went to one of my favourite places, Adventures with Elephants where we photographed Patrick and Caitlin with Chova the Elephant.
It is important to note that the second part of the shoot was shot on a different location AWE, the elephants are trained and have professionals on the shoot standing by.
CHAN & ASTAMI {ON SAFARI}
You can always find yourself in Africa! Here us Chan & Astami on their safari couple shoot!
"There is something about safari life that makes you forget all your sorrows and feel as if you had drunk half a bottle of champagne, bubbling over with heartfelt gratitude for being alive"
Karen Blixen ~ Out of Africa
"There is something about safari life that makes you forget all your sorrows and feel as if you had drunk half a bottle of champagne, bubbling over with heartfelt gratitude for being alive"
Karen Blixen ~ Out of Africa
~ Film Session ~
Location Private | Dress Silver Swallow
EUGENE & LOUISE | SAFARI ENGAGEMENT
Safari Engagement with an Elephant...yes, TIA!
Where you go, I'll go, where you stay, I'll stay. Ruth 1:16
Where you go, I'll go, where you stay, I'll stay. Ruth 1:16
Creative Collaboration by Stationery Chrystalace & Dress Silver Swallow
LANIE & HANNAH
'I promise you that we will have many adventures together and mostly I look forward to raising skinny blonde children together.' ~ Lanie (The Groom)
'I promise you that we will have many adventures together and mostly I look forward to raising skinny blonde children together.' ~ Lanie (The Groom)
Flowers Classic Flowers
JASON & NICOLE
Think Colonial dream and you are here :) This wedding! This Couple!
“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”
~ Dr. Seuss
Venue Private | Stationery Canvas Stationery Boutique | Makeup Made up by Janna | Wedding tent Timeless Tents (SA) | Decor Moi Decor | Assistant Marne | Tent Hotel Harambee Hotel
DAN & MICHELE
'Even if you're strong, even if you're not, every breath you breathe, I'll be there for you.' ~ Parlotones ~
Venue, Flowers & Decor: Chitwa Chitwa
RYAN & MAXINE
'You'll be the anchor that keeps my feet on the ground, I'll be the wings that keeps your heart in the clouds'
Venue River Club, Zambia | Violin Caitlin De Ville | Assistant Photographer Marne
GUY & LIZEL
'It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you, there's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do!
I bless the rains down in Africa, gonna take some time to do the things we never had' ~ TOTO, Africa
Venue Karongwe Private Reserve | Dress Olivelli Centurion | Second Shooter Schantel Merwe | Video Blimp Films | Hair Marilu @ Benedictus, Roodepoort | Makeup Azelle @ Bei Capelli, Tzaneen | Suit Hugo Boss | DJ Pieter Fourie | Cake Leo's Kichen, Tzaneen | Flowers Blomskuur, Tzaneen | Wedding Planner Estelle, Karongwe