Hey there, as we embark on this virtual journey together, I thought it would be fun to kick things off with a Q&A – a sneak peek into the person behind the lens. Curious to know if I'm the family photographer you've been searching for? Let's dive into some questions that'll give you a glimpse into who I am and why I might be the perfect fit to capture your family's special moments!
Personal Life:
Where did you grow up, and what's your favorite childhood memory from there? I was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa... I always loved riding my horses with my friends and just feeling wild and free. At 26 I traded the skyscrapers for the sunny coastlines on the East coast of South Africa and KZN is now my current love affair, making me feel like I've set up camp in the heart of Hawaii! It's all sunshine, sea breezes, and a sprinkle of aloha magic—living the dream, one quirky memory at a time! 🌺
Tell us about your family—any funny or quirky stories to share? Ah, the family circus! Buckle up for tales from the 'normal but not-so-normal' life of my tribe. My dear mum deserves a crown for being my biggest fan and the unshakable bedrock of our chaos. She's not just a rock; she's a rockstar!
What's your favorite way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon? If raindrops are doing the cha-cha outside, catch me couch-bound, officially certified in the art of vegetating. I transform into the human sloth, cozy and content. But, flip the script to a sunny day, and suddenly I've got an adventurous 'itch' that only the great outdoors can scratch. Whether it's grooving to live music in a people-packed restaurant or embarking on a spontaneous exploration quest in the forests, mountains, bush or beach, I'm like a sunbeam on a mission!
Do you have any pets? If so, tell us about them. I've had a pet parade that puts Dr. Dolittle to shame—upside-down swimming goldfish, three-legged hamsters (they hopped like champs!), and a symphony of dogs, cats, horses, and tweeting birds. I no longer have any pets because come 2025, we're unleashing the globetrotter in us! Full-time world exploration awaits!
What's your all-time favorite book, and why? Peter Pan and his Neverland crew? Total kindred spirits! I mean, who wouldn't want to fly off to a place where you never grow up, and everyday shenanigans involve pirates, fairies, mermaids and lost boys? So, if you catch me daydreaming, I'm probably off to Neverland—second star to the right and straight on till morning!
Hobbies and Interests:
If you could master any skill instantly, what would it be, and why? If I could snap my fingers and master any skill in the blink of an eye, I'd be the grand maestro of videography and editing wizardry. In a world that sometimes feels like a rollercoaster, I'd want to turn each moment into a cinematic masterpiece!
What's your go-to hobby or activity when you need to unwind? Hmmmm? I enjoy birding, yoga & painting (as quiet hobbies) and when I muster up the energy, I like mountain biking and horse riding. For now, my bike just hangs on the wall of my garage like a piece of art (the tyres are flat okay LOL)
Share a memorable travel experience or a dream destination you'd love to visit. Raja Ampat in Indonesia—aka my personal Neverland! It's the kind of place where reality gives way to jaw-dropping wonder, and mermaids probably have vacation homes. Now, let's fast forward to my wanderlust wish list, where the islands around Greece are whispering tales of mythical adventures, as well as the snow-capped Dolomites in northern Italy . I think my new hobby may be collecting passport stamps!
Are you a morning person or a night owl? I proudly wear the 'Morning Person' cape! By 9:00 PM, you can find me couch-napping like an absolute champ!. But here's the kicker: I usually wake up with no alarms needed, at the unholy hour of 5:00 AM. Why? Because there's something magical about being up with the sun, armed with fresh coffee, watching the world rub its eyes and wake up around me. Mornings, my friend, are my front-row seat to the world's most underrated show!
What's a hidden talent or quirk that not many people know about you? I can lick my elbow LOL (yeah, I know, I know...weirdo)
Career and Passion:
How did you discover your passion or interest in your field or hobby? Well, long story short...Namibia, 2010, armed with a budget camera and a dream. Lo and behold, I managed to snap a cracker of a photo featuring a beautiful black rhino. My partner-in-crime, Wayne, fueled my newfound love, bought me a fancy camera and declared, 'Thou shalt be a photographer!' And just like that, my journey began!
What's the most challenging aspect of your work, and how do you overcome it? Confession time: I'm a serious introvert until I get to know you, and then I unleash my extroverted, crazy self to the world! Meeting new couples and families for the first time has been my personal challenge to overcome. I'm usually armed with awkward 'hellos' and a symphony of internal butterflies, but have really had to master the art of 'breaking the ice'! The short walk from the car park to the shooting location is my small window of opportunity to crack jokes, awkwardly chat about the weather and basically try to make everyone feel as comfortable and easy going around me as possible as it's the only way to capture pure, unfiltered moments of awesomeness.
If you could have any job in the world for one day, what would it be? To be a full-time travel photographer for National Geographic for sure!
What motivates you to keep pursuing your goals and dreams? I'm powered by the thrill of exploring uncharted territories, high-fiving new people, and riding the waves of this perpetual discovery of adventure. So, in the grand spectacle of life, the excitement of the unknown is my compass, the people I meet are my fellow explorers, and the journey itself is the quirkiest rollercoaster I could ever wish for! Let the quest continue!
What's a piece of advice you would give to someone starting in your field? Pick a photographer who's work inspires you like crazy, and aim to recreate what they do...practice every single day until you get it right!
Favorites:
What's your comfort food or guilty pleasure snack? Pizzaaaaaaa! I'm a sucker for savoury snacks!
Do you have a favorite quote that inspires or resonates with you? "You don't know how strong you are, until being strong is the only choice you have"
Name three songs that are currently on your playlist. Jeremy Loops (all of his songs), Johnny Clegg and always a bunch of hits from the 80's.
What's your favorite movie, and why does it hold a special place in your heart? My ultimate favorite is none other than Dirty Dancing! That whole romantic, 'sweep-you-off-your-feet' on-your-dream-holiday vibe? Call me a soppy romance addict, but there's something about Patrick Swayze's moves and the magic of those lake-side lifts that makes my heart do happy things.
Top words to describe you? Islands are my happy place, palm trees are my personal favourites, and the beach is my sanctuary. I speak fluent coconut and summer is my love language. I navigate the ocean of life with a tropical compass, adorned with frangipani and hibiscus flowers, and flip-flops are my trusty sidekicks in the adventure of everyday. From scaling mountains to chasing sunrises, my world is a turquoise playground where mermaids and sloths share high-fives. So, if you had to describe me in a word salad, it would be a tropical buffet of awesomeness!
Reflections:
What's a life lesson you've learned recently that you'd like to share? After COVID I realized just how short and fragile our lives all are and it really put the whole 'Living each day to the fullest' and loving those around us with everything we have into perspective for me.
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self? Dear time-traveling me, ditch the junk food rollercoaster, grab an apple, and let's get on our way to a healthier, happier future!
What's a personal goal you're currently working towards? I imagine myself munching on kale chips and effortlessly balancing on one leg like a zen master with a secret stash of quirkiness. So, my goal? To make healthy living a whimsical adventure!
Describe a moment in your life that shaped who you are today. There are many... (too many to tell), but I think the sudden loss of loved ones throughout my life has really made me a lot more appreciative of life in general and just how blessed we are to be given new days to spend with those we love.
What does success mean to you, both personally and professionally? Absolute financial freedom & mental, spiritual, and physical liberation. Free to come and go without playing hopscotch in society's little 'boxes.'
Random Fun:
If you could be any fictional character for a day, who would it be, and why? I could cosplay as any fictional character for a day, it'd be Peter Pan—AGAIN! The eternal kid with the leafy green tights and the epic ability to fly.
What's the weirdest or most interesting job you can imagine having for a day? Not a weird job, but I'd love to work on the set of a movie with well-known actors & actresses to see what happens behind the scenes.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be, and how would you use it? Teleportation for sure! Picture this: breakfast in Paris, a midday plunge in the Mediterranean while lunching in Tuscany on a wine farm, and wrapping up the day with a front-row seat to the Northern Lights—all before slipping back into my cozy bed!
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