Every now and again, when I have the time, I treat myself to a styled shoot just for me.  I absolutely LOVE photography, but constantly struggle with work life balance, as it is just a demanding, time consuming job at times.. especially during wedding season!  I regularly work 7 days a week, because I shoot and edit all by myself, along with the marketing, admin, networking, accounting, study, etc etc that goes along with running a successful photography business.  It is so, completely worth it, but it does become overwhelming at times!

Part of what keeps me going, is finding the time to do styled shoots, because it allows me to be creative and shoot exactly how I want, and just for me!  

Here's a few images from the shoot I did in Epping Forest in Autumn last year.  I invited a couple of my most fabulous red haired buddies, as well as some gorgeous kids, to come and play in the forest.  I used my fabulous and incredibly portable Godox lighting system and Magmod gels to shape the light and get a touch of those gorgeous red tones in their hair.  

While I was on holiday in South Africa, I was lucky enough to stay at the fabulous Ocean View House in Cape Town.  Best Christmas present ever, thanks Dad!  

This place is an absolute hidden gem, right on the door step of Camps Bay, stones throw from the beach, nestling in the shade of Table Mountain.  The staff are incredible, they couldn't do enough for us!  Our room overlooked the beautiful ocean, probably the most breathtaking view I've ever had.  Watching the sun set over the Sea with a chilled glass of wine on our balcony was something truly special.

On our last morning, I had a peak of some of the other rooms in the hotel, which are mostly adorned with my Dad's beautiful paintings! My Dad, Ian van Zyl is a fabulous wild life artist, and an absolute favourite of this gorgeous hotel... they clearly have great taste!  

Here are a few very quick snaps of Ian van Zyl's paintings in this beautiful hotel.  If you are travelling to Cape Town in the future, please do check it out! 

Hotel: Ocean View House

Artist: Ian van Zyl Wildlife Artist

I'm writing this wrapped up in a jumper, with a steaming hot cup of tea, dreaming of my beautiful, warm and sunny South Africa!

I went home for a month over Christmas, probably my longest holiday since starting a full time job in my early 20s.  My son, who's just started GCSE photography (I'm so proud!) inspired me to take some photos for myself this year, and I took the opportunity to snap some while on holiday.  I'm incredibly lucky to have a brilliantly talented artist and fellow animal lover father, who took Jack and I away to Hluhluwe and Umfolozi Game Reserve in Kwa Zulu Natal.  Watching my son Jack take photos and experience beautiful animals in the wild was so wonderful!  The silence of the veld was only broken by the occasional elephant trumpeting, lion roaring, and Jack and I arguing over who got the long lens.  

I so rarely create black and white images, especially in the vibrant bushveld, so I decided it was time to do something different.  Here are some of my favourites, let me know what you think!

Photo by Jack at the back of Bakkie!