About Me

Charnell Timms is a freelance photographer based at the horn of Africa in charismatic Cape Town and shoot weddings, corporates, families, and any other random projects that come her way. See www.charnelltimms.co.za for more info.

Monday, 3 June 2013

THE 'BIG FIVE' OF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY SPOTS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Yesheng and Catherine from Singapore gave me the rare opportunity of shooting their wedding photo's all over South Africa, covering four days of  shooting and including the BIG FIVE of wedding photography spots in South Africa, namely ANIMALS, BEACHES, MOUNTAINS, CITIES and WINELANDS. This shoot pays homage to the often quoted:"Variety is the true spice of life". 
Make-up artist and hairstylist: Fiona Waddell from Gorgeous2go(www.gorgeous2go.co.za) Florist: Antoinette van Zyl from To-Nett's florist (www.to-netts.co.za)

              DAY 1 -  Gigantic giraffes towering over  Catherine and Yesheng at Heia Safari Ranch (www.heia-safari.co.za)
        The wilds of Africa on your doorstep at Heia Safari, only a short 15minute drive from Lanseria Airport in Johannesburg (www.lanseria.co.za)




        DAY 2 - Catherine and Yesheng up at 5am the next morning to enjoy sunrise from above in their Hot Air Balloon 
       The Hot Air balloon basking in beautiful soft soothing light. Thumbs-up to Sheree and her team over at Air to Air Africa (airtoairafrica.co.za) for ordering the perfect weather for our smooth flight. 
Air to Air flew us over the famous Lake Heritage (www.lake-heritage.co.za), with it's 100+ bird species, clean waters which host an annual water festival big swim, and attract fisherman all year round.

       DAY 3 - Our first shoot of the day standing atop of Iconic Table Mountain (www.tablemountain.net) with Signal Hill, Camps Bay, Clifton, Glen Beaches and Robben Island in the distance

Table Mountain is a South African icon and the only natural site on the planet to have a constellation of stars named after it - Mensa, meaning “the table. (www.sanparks.org/parks/table_mountain).

Table Mountain with Fifa's 2010 World Cup stadium in the backround (www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Town_Stadium)
Catherine and Yesheng standing on top of the 7th new natural wonder of the world (www.timeslive.co.za/travel/2012/12/03/table-mountain-becomes-one-of-the-world-s-new-seven-wonders-of-nature)
DAY 3 - Our second shoot of the day--The perfect glow of sunlight caressing their skins on Glen Beach.

     Glen Beach offering a different view of Table Mountain with its  famous 12 Apostles in the backround  (http://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Glen-Beach)
                                                                  Fun in the sun
                                       The perfect emotive light for romance to shine through


               DAY 4 - Changing gears in the city and taking advantage of all the vibrant colours on offer in the multicultural 'Bo-Kaap' area of Cape Town (http://bokaap.co.za/)

    A good example of my 'passionately playful' shooting style on these 'Urban Energy' photo shoots in the city--casual, colourful, funky and fun.



   Catherine and Yesheng having a good laugh with the famous Mama Africa restaurant in the backround (www.mamaafricarestaurant.co.za)


No 'Urban Energy' photo shoot would be complete without a few shutter releases on Long street, (www.travelersanonymous.com/capetown/112-walking-long-street) famous as a bohemian hang out and lined with various ethnic restaurants, bars and architectural gems spanning three centuries.
 DAY 4--Last but not least, a walk in the winelands at the historic and oldest of South African winefarms - Groot Constantia (www.grootconstantia.co.za)

     As for that surfer paddling out in the backround --2 things to watch out for here: rocks and sharks! And with that the sun sets on yet another day at my stunningly beautiful office. 

Wednesday, 15 May 2013

RIJKS COUNTRY HOUSE, TULBAGH. CAROL & MICHELLE'S UNIQUE DAY

What a perfect wedding day at Rijks Country House (www.rijkscountryhouse.co.za) in Tulbagh. A small intimate wedding set amidst the vines, with Cape-Dutch manor house looming large in the backround. Judy Brown's soothing and sexy saxophone relaxing all (www.liquidsax.co.za) while a visiting hawk impressed all above with its impromptu aerodynamic display. Most importantly, the bridal couple got to feast on a seemingly endless array of grand imposing cloud-cover above. Pinotage cheers to you both for a cracking day.


Setting the scene for their walk down the 'red carpet'
Michelle serenading Carol as she walked one step closer and closer down the isle
at Rijks Country House in Tulbagh (www.rijkscountryhouse.co.za)
Michelle sporting a proudly South African cutting edge glam suite from Jenni Button fashion designers. Jenni
Button has recently launched her export label and can be found by visiting( www.jennibutton.com)
Rijks is a boutique winery situated in the picturesque Tulbagh valley and dedicated to producing
award-wining Chenin Blanc, Shiraz and Pinotage (www.rijks.co.za). For an indulgent orchestra of berries, try a glass of their 2009 Private Cellar Pinotage--heavenly.

Carol and Michelle taking centre stage while their ring ceremony passed through the hands of
all their guests.



Carol and Michelle reflecting on their perfect day

Guests enjoying the classic French game of Petanque (Boules). This game originated in 1907 and is played by around 17 million people within France
Amidst all the family photographs, this hawk entertained from above with some
impressive aerodynamics
   


 CLOUD 9








The perfect venue for intimate wedding gatherings--stylish, polished and professionally run.