Monica Dart Photography Blog http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog Cape Town Wedding Photographer Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:30:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Keith & Tania – Engagement photoshoot, Brick Lane, London http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/keith-tania-engagement-photoshoot-brick-lane-london_3142.html http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/keith-tania-engagement-photoshoot-brick-lane-london_3142.html#comments Mon, 06 Sep 2010 14:26:43 +0000 Monica Dart http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/?p=3142 In August when I was in London,  I arranged to do an engagement shoot for Tania and Keith.  It was a week before their wedding, so the excitement was rising  – them for their wedding and me for being given the opportunity to shoot in one of my favourite places in the world: SCOTLAND!  We met up at Liverpool street station in London’s East End for a cuppa and then headed out to the buzzing market area around the famous Brick Lane.  The weather was amazing and Brick Lane was packed with people from all walks of life – which is why I love London so much: It is a diverse melting pot of cultures.  Keith is Scottish and Tania is Australian and they both live in London.  We ended up spending close to 4 hours out on our shoot as we were having so much fun – stopped for a drink at a funky pub and then carried on shooting.  It was hard to get a bad shot of them – they are both so in love and the smiles (and kisses) were flowing all day! Keep a look-out over the next week on my blog for their wedding in Scotland!

As you can see I love working with movement….and LOVE photographing shoes ( but not wearing them)

Keith and Tania – from your facebook updates I see you’re having a fantastic honeymoon! Enjoy these…a little taster before I post the wedding shots.xxx

Browsing around the market

pub break!

London underground

]]> http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/keith-tania-engagement-photoshoot-brick-lane-london_3142.html/feed 4 Sue & Wayne’s maternity shoot http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/sue-waynes-maternity-shoot_3111.html http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/sue-waynes-maternity-shoot_3111.html#comments Tue, 10 Aug 2010 05:48:58 +0000 Monica Dart http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/?p=3111 Sue has been one of my best friends since high school, which is a very verrrrrrry long time ago.  Her and hubby Wayne have a cute little daughter Grace who’s now three…and now they are expecting twin boys!  They are going to have their hands full, but I think it’s exciting times ahead.  I wanted to do a mix for Sue’s shoot – part maternity, part  ‘boudoir‘-maternity.  Sue loves antiques and all things arty, so I wanted to bring some of her personality into the shoot and show how being pregnant is actually quite sexy too!

]]> http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/sue-waynes-maternity-shoot_3111.html/feed 4 Admired In Africa http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/admired-in-africa_3051.html http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/admired-in-africa_3051.html#comments Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:37:15 +0000 Monica Dart http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/?p=3051 I was very excited to be selected and invited to be part of Admired In Africa.

“Admired in Africa is the only website that is exclusively dedicated to bringing together the top wedding photographers in Africa.”  Please pop over to their website to see some amazingly creative African talent.

]]> http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/admired-in-africa_3051.html/feed 1 Out and about in New York City http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/out-and-about-in-new-york-city_2957.html http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/out-and-about-in-new-york-city_2957.html#comments Fri, 09 Jul 2010 08:07:04 +0000 Monica Dart http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/?p=2957 New York  is one of my favourite cities and this was my fourth visit.  I never ever take going there, or being there for granted. Ever.  The energy, the chaos, the mix of diverse cultures, the fashion…i just love it all.   I always leave there inspired.  The first four days I spent visiting friends just outside NYC in a town called Irvington, and the last three days two of my friends from London joined me for a girls weekend.  I had some time alone to go and explore, so I grabbed my camera bag, hopped on the metro and got off at a random stop.  I spent hours just wandering the streets and getting totally lost, with the biggest smile on my face.  It was bliss, and here are a few shots from my trip.


Buzzing Central Station

New York shoppers

New York Pet Show

]]> http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/out-and-about-in-new-york-city_2957.html/feed 17 Picnic wedding featured on “Cap Classique” http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/picnic-wedding-featured-on-cap-classique_2913.html http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/picnic-wedding-featured-on-cap-classique_2913.html#comments Fri, 02 Jul 2010 12:00:08 +0000 Monica Dart http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/?p=2913 Recently, I photographed Jacques & Jacques; Rebecca’s charming, picnic wedding at Rhebokskloof – and it was featured on Cap Classique, a recently new blog.

Cap Classique is a fresh and inspiring blog, jam-packed with everything for a bride planning a wedding in the Western Cape.  Creator, Gaby Frescura, a South African living in London had this to say about her blog:

“So many of my friends (especially those living outside South Africa) have struggled with their planning online. I will be featuring lots of inspiration boards, real weddings, focus on venues and highlight trends and suppliers, with 4-5 posts a week.

So head over to http://capclassique.wordpress.com/2010/07/01/real-wedding-rebecca-jacques/

Thank you for showing some of my work Gaby.   I’m looking forward to doing more work with you in the future!

]]> http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/picnic-wedding-featured-on-cap-classique_2913.html/feed 1 Lauren & Bryan’s Maternity shoot http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/lauren-bryans-maternity-shoot_2868.html http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/lauren-bryans-maternity-shoot_2868.html#comments Tue, 29 Jun 2010 04:12:47 +0000 Monica Dart http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/?p=2868 Lauren, Bryan, Jessie and Jack met up with me in Cape Town’s Bo-Kaap also known as the Malay Quarter, on a sunny Sunday morning.  I thought it would be stunning for a shoot as the colourful houses and cobbled roads are so full of character and charm.  We had a super relaxed morning ambling through the streets.  This warm and lovely little family are so down-to-earth, they have made me want a little family of my own (even more).  Jessie and Jack are two of the easiest & happiest children i’ve met in a long time – when I was photographing Lauren and Bryan, they entertained themselves or sat on the side to watch.

Lauren, at the time of the shoot in mid- April, was about 5 months pregnant…so she is due any day now!  The last photo was taken recently – I popped by their house to do a few more as Lauren’s bump was much bigger.

]]> http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/lauren-bryans-maternity-shoot_2868.html/feed 7 Louise & Clive, Rickety Bridge – Franschhoek http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/louise-clive-rickety-bridge-franschhoek_2831.html http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/louise-clive-rickety-bridge-franschhoek_2831.html#comments Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:44:20 +0000 Monica Dart http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/?p=2831 I have to share this story of synchronicity and how I came about photographing Louise and Clive’s wedding at Rickety Bridge in Franschhoek.  My friend Sean Calitz photographer referred me to his close friend Louise who lives in Australia and was planning a wedding in South Africa.  So Louise and Clive booked me for their big day.  A little while later, while Louise was out and about in Sydney with her friend Alicia, Alicia said she new of a photographer (me!) in Cape Town .  They were both then completely shocked that Louise had already booked me.  It so happened, that last year when I was in Egypt on a girlie holiday, I met and became friends with Alicia (who lives in Australia)…and had no idea that Alicia and Louise were friends.  Small world!

Ok, back to the wedding day….a beautiful sunny day, a small wedding party, a lovely intimate ceremony, and a fantastic wedding brunch under a marquee!  The day couldn’t have been any better.  What is great about Rickety Bridge when it comes to photo’s, is that even if the wedding takes place in the middle of the day with full sunlight, there are loads of areas in the shade for shooting in.

Louise and Clive – wow, it was so cool to meet you both and thanks for being so patient with me uploading my blog!  See you in Australia next year (well that is the plan so far!)x

]]> http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/louise-clive-rickety-bridge-franschhoek_2831.html/feed 9 Published in ‘The Sun’ newspaper, London http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/published-in-the-sun-newspaper-london_2681.html http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/published-in-the-sun-newspaper-london_2681.html#comments Mon, 17 May 2010 16:08:09 +0000 Monica Dart http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/?p=2681 Monday morning, on my way to Heathrow to board a plane to New York, one of my wedding photo’s was published in The Sun newspaper!  Several years ago, I photographed Matthew and Sonia Booths wedding.  Now,  as the momentum for the 2010 football World Cup builds up, all eyes are on defender Matthew Booth – known as the “Beckham” of South Africa.

Journalist: Dan McDougall

To read clear article:  sun201gm17

]]> http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/published-in-the-sun-newspaper-london_2681.html/feed 1 Melissa & Jonty – The Mount Nelson Hotel http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/melissa-jonty-the-mount-nelson-hotel_2684.html http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/melissa-jonty-the-mount-nelson-hotel_2684.html#comments Sat, 01 May 2010 22:37:33 +0000 Monica Dart http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/?p=2684 Melissa and Jonty got married at the most famous hotel in Cape Town, The Mount Nelson.  The weather in May is usually unpredictable in Cape Town, but on this particular day it was beautiful and sunny.  The ceremony was held outside under a  Chuppah (canopy).  I had previously photographed Mel & Jonty’s E-session in Houtbay, so I knew how easy and relaxed they would be to photograph on their wedding day.  I love doing Jewish weddings – they are so full of energy and everyone always seems to be on the dance floor when the music starts.  There was such a build up to their wedding.  They set up a website for family and guests with a little story of how they met, and the plans for the wedding. I think that was such a special touch, as it gave insight into their lives, which then meant that when i spent the day at the wedding, the experience was a more personal one.  More and more couples are doing this and I really encourage it.  The Knot offers a website for couples to easily set up info about their wedding day.

Mel & Jonty, thank you!  I had such fun with you both. x

]]> http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/melissa-jonty-the-mount-nelson-hotel_2684.html/feed 11 CJ & Rob – Bushmans Kloof, Cederberg Mountains http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/cj-rob-bushmans-kloof-cederberg-mountains_2737.html http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/cj-rob-bushmans-kloof-cederberg-mountains_2737.html#comments Fri, 16 Apr 2010 09:46:16 +0000 Monica Dart http://www.monicadartphotography.com/blog/?p=2737 Bushmans Kloof is undoubtedly my favourite wedding venue so far!  It has the most breathtaking scenery and it’s hard not to walk around with your mouth wide open at the pure wonder of it all.  CJ & Rob had their ceremony outside with a backdrop of rugged rock formations.  Singer and songwriter, Vicky Sampsons magical voice echoed throughout the venue as CJ and Rob arrived to do their vows.  It was quite a moment.  I think everyone there will remember that forever.

After the ceremony we headed off in a range rover to do the creative shoot.  It was hot and the sky was an incredible blue, and everywhere we stopped was just perfect for photo’s.  I shot until the sun set and we’d run out of light, then headed off to have an awesome dinner and finished the night off dancing to the rhythms of funky DJ Rene and his band.  The co-ordinators and staff at Bushmans Kloof are also the friendliest and most efficient I’ve worked with.  If you are planning a South African wedding with a difference, this is the place to have it!

CJ & Rob – thanks guys, I had a great time with you both!

Cake: Charlies Bakery

Music: DJ Rene Tanguy

Flowers: Geritt at Duke & Duchess

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