HELLO
I'm Andrew
Wedding & Portrait Photographer
My journey as a wedding photographer started in 2010.
I had been living on the tropical paradise of Zanzibar for almost a year, supplying wine and cheese to the islands hotels and resorts. I had been a serious amateur for a few years already, mostly shooting wildlife and sports, and since being on the island some travel images too, but apart from a weekend job photographing equestrian events while I was at university in South Africa I hadn’t done much professional photography. That was all about to change. But back in 2010, I had no idea I would become a professional wedding photographer.
The opportunity to shoot my first wedding presented itself whilst having dinner with a friend at what is still one of my favourite restaurants on the island – a little Italian place on the outskirts of Stone Town. The friend was also a client and manager at one of the islands new resorts. They were hosting a wedding the next day, but had no photographer. We got chatting about it and he persuaded me to photograph the wedding. Ordinarily no one in their right mind would attempt to photograph a wedding without having had some prior experience, but this was different, the bride and groom weren’t expecting a photographer, it was me or nobody… I had nothing to lose.
For the next couple of years I dabbled in shooting a few weddings each year and in 2012 took the leap and left my job to become a full time photographer.
I was hooked.
I get to spend my work days at weddings, honeymoon or engagement shoots, surrounded by people going through some of the happiest days of their lives. I not only get to be there, witnessing and sharing in their celebrations and emotions, but I have been granted the honour of capturing those moments so they can be shared with friends and family and re-visited and enjoyed for years to come.
I now spend my time based between Zanzibar and South Africa which has given me the opportunity to photograph weddings in some incredible and rare locations. From a sandbank in the the middle of the Indian Ocean or an elopement on a private island, to a ceremony watched over by a Maasai tribe on the rim of the Ngorongoro crater or a hill in the middle of the Serengeti plains.
What makes a wedding special though is not where it is, but rather who you’re doing it with. Every wedding is different because every couple is unique and it’s a privilege to capture that uniqueness.
Some Common Questions
FAQ
01.
Where are you based?
After having lived in East Africa for many years, I am now currently based in Cape Town, South Africa.
02.
Which destinations do you travel to for weddings?
Although based in South Africa, my passport is always up to date and I’m ready and eager to travel anywhere in the world!
03.
Can we meet you before our wedding to discuss our day?
I would love to meet up before the occasion, but if that’s not possible because of our locations it's a great idea to have a video call or Zoom meeting so we can get to know each other and discuss the shoot.
04.
How many photos and what type of files do we get?
A minimum of 500 processed JPEGs are delivered through a downloadable web link (Dropbox).
05.
How long does it take before we get our photos?
I will deliver a few 'tasters' via e-mail within the first few days of the wedding - which is a selection of approximately ten photos of the day.
The full edit is delivered not later than 8 weeks after the wedding day.
06.
Do you work with an assistant?
I generally work alone however if it is a big wedding, or in cases where there is more than one thing happening at the same time in different locations, then adding a second photographer maybe worthwhile or necessary.
07.
Do you do destination weddings?
Absolutely! Most of the weddings I've shot have been destination weddings. From huge 3 day celebrations with hundreds of guests, to remote elopements with just the happy couple.
08.
What equipment do you use?
I am an ambassador for Sigma South Africa and use their award winning lenses as well as a range of full frame Nikon cameras to capture your day.
09.
What happens if there is rain or bad weather?
Rain and bad weather can create great opportunities for interesting environmental portraits and fun journalistic shots - with dramatic skies, wind swept hair or guests either avoiding getting soaked or dancing in the rain!
My cameras are weather sealed allowing me to work in any conditions and I use artificial lighting where necessary. Besides I like to believe “there is no such thing as bas light.”
10.
What’s the best way to get in touch?
Whichever way you like - give me a call or Whatsapp, or drop me an email - let's get the conversation started.
I do like to move communications to email though, so we all have a thread with details and important points accessible for easy reference.
11.
Do you offer half day wedding packages?
I firmly believe in capturing your whole experience and therefore my packages are not limited by a certain amount of hours.
