One of the things I love most about photographing weddings is that I get to experience so many different types of cultures.  I love people and am always watching the way in which we interact and connect. Ritual is of particular interest to me and so traditional weddings become totally fascinating for me.

Here are a few photographs from Andile and Langa’s Traditional Zulu wedding that happened the day after their Christian White wedding which took place at The Zunguness in the midlands.

Traditional Zulu weddings generally happen at the Groom’s family’s homestead and they are filled with song, beautiful colours and sometimes even a bit of Zulu dancing! The main ceremony involves family members and important guests being presented with blankets.

Once the formalities were done which I shot in a documentary style, I wanted to capture a few portraits of the ravishing bride. Andile is drop dead gorgeous and a total fashionista, she oozes style and I wanted to make something special for her that spoke of her.

She looks like she’s standing in an African jungle in this photo but we were actually in an urban area with lots of cars, electric fences and razor wire which is typical in South Africa. As a wedding photographer we need to deliver no matter what the circumstances are, and Andile is a real fashionista so I wanted to create something really glamorous as she is.

I remember thinking to myself – Whats the best way to approach this Jacki Bruniquel.

And I slowed it all down and looked at the red of her outfit and changed my thinking to-
How can I solve this?
What goes with red!
Green is Red’s complementary colour
And off I went in search of a spot of green. Which we found in a vacant plot a wee bit down the road.

I used the Profoto B10 light to create some drama and fill in the shadows and a long lens to create some lens compression.

If you would like to learn how to problem solve tricky shooting situations and take your flash off camera send me an email. I have a few spots free for my Durban Unstuck Yourself Creative Photography workshop that is happening on the 17/ 18 March 2020 and the early bird special is still available until the 30 January 2020. If you are keen to attend the Joburg workshop send me a DM and I will pop you onto the wait list.

For more information about the Unstuck Yourself Workshop, click here. 

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