BUSINESS PORTRAIT # 2 Sandra Van Den Ordel & Xtraordinary Women, Somerset West

BY MARTIN

Emotional quotient (EQ) expert, Sandra Van Den Ordel of JvR Consulting Psychologists Xtraordinary Women was the guest speaker at the Xtraordinary Women, Somerset West breakfast event at Erinvale this past week. 

More images of the event on Facebook

FLASHBACK # 1 Shannon / 2012

BY MARTIN

Sometimes on a studio shoot, in between wardrobe changes you see a shot that just works. 

Like this one of Shannon with the light streaming in from outside. Couldn't have lighted the image any better.

HAIR SHOOT FOR SALON ELAN, SOMERSET WEST: Like a drop of ink in a glass of milk

BY MARTIN

Like a drop of ink in a glass of milk.

The words of Thirity Umrigar’s from her novel The Space Between Us, keep popping into my head when I look at this image.

Opposites.  Black and white. Sultry and sweet.

A hair style that entangle and a teddy bear tattoo. 

It all flows together in this striking hair style created by Rene Erwee of Salon Elan in Somerset West for model, Stephanie.

And thanks to Louna Van Zyl for the make-up.

STYLE & STORIES PORTRAIT PORTFOLIO: Chante

By MARTIN

It is not first time that I have photographed beautiful Chante. The first time she was still at school and the next time for a hair shoot while she was a student. 

This time we proposed a glamour shoot with flowing, feminine outfits. 

One of the dresses Chante brought, the styled silver one, belonged to her grandmother. A sense of style definitely runs in the family.

As a qualified MUA working for a cosmetic house in Durbanville, she was also able to do her own make-up. And what a great job Chante did! Just look at these images.

SPOTLIGHT # 2: Portraits of a prize winner - To Kill a Mockingbird at the Playhouse Theatre in Somerset West

BY ERIKA

Martin was asked to do a shoot for promotional material for an adaptation of this Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Harper Lee to be performed at The Playhouse Theatre in Somerset West from 16 to 24 May. 

The book was was first published in 1960 and deals with issues of the loss of innocence as well as racial, class and gender inequality in the American Deep South but also courage, integrity, moral strength and compassion. Yet the characters also reflects love, warmth, humour and hope.

Director, Darryl Spijkers has brought together an amazing group of people, not least the three kids who play a pivotal role in the play. Thanks to their grasp of their characters it was easy to capture it in a series of lovely portraits. Here we feature some f them. More images can be seen on the Playhouse Facebook page

To Kill a Mockingbird is a must see for  local Grade 10 English Home Language learners and Grade 12 First Additional language learners who are currently studying the novel and everyone else who loves theatre. 

The production supports Masikhule early childhood development programme. R5 of every ticket go to this worthy cause.

Thomas Agates is Atticus Finch

Julia Mattes is the tomboy narrator and Atticus Finch' daughter

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PS

A review and two of our images of the final dress rehearsal made it onto the home page of the Cape Times on Wednesday 21 May 2014. Congratulations to the Darryl Spijkers and the cast of the show! Well done.

RECIPE FOR A ROYAL MY TIE: Or how to concoct a couture cocktail using neckties

BY ERIKA

Question: How to concoct a couture cocktail using neckties?

Answer: Make a MyTie!

Ingredients:

• Rum red
• Lime green
• Yellow
• Orange and
• Curaçao blue

Method:

• Mix colours well
• Combine with paisleys, patterns, stripes and florals.
• Stir in a few corporate crests, cartoon characters and old school ornamentation on neckties narrow and wide.
• Add a splash pageant princess
• Decorate with three fashion designers and a good cause.

And hey presto, there it is - a royal my tie couture cocktail event that will take your breath away!

That is the recipe for the Save the Tie,Save a Child project that is turning a decorative but some will say, useless and outdated accessory into a fundraising venture for RoleModels Foundation and the children of Imfundo Project.

Chantal Witthuhn, Mrs Cape Town 2013 initiator of the Save the Tie, Save a Child project has individuals, business owners, learners etc. all over collecting as many ties as possible for three Cape Town designers to create enough outfits for a fashion show on 27 June at Emo Adams’ The All Star Theatre in Brackenfell.  

The designs by Saskia Wicomb, Hein Smit and Marshal Enyioma will be auctioned off at the gala event.

We are honoured to have been asked to be the sponsor photographer for the project so last week we attended the handing over of the first batch of ties to the designers.

From the scuffle that ensued, it is clear that each one already has a plan for what they are going to do with ties.

If you are want to see the outcome, loosen the knot around your neck and book your tickets at Computicket and join the Save the Tie, Save a Child Facebook-page.

 

Tie me up, tie me down - Saskia, Hein and Marshal selecting ties to transform into haute couture

 

Designers Saskia Wicomb and Hein Smit in conversation with Martin 

The very energetic start of the creative process - finding just the right tie!

STYLE & STORIES PORTRAIT PORTFOLIO: Aida

BY MARTIN

Light gives of itself freely, filling all available space. It does not seek anything in return; it asks not whether you are friend or foe. It gives of itself and is not thereby diminished – Michael Strassfeld 

Vivacious, vibrant and vigorous with enough energy for two people.

That is Aïda Steyn, public relations person and marketing consultant and tour agent for a host of singers including David Fourie and Bobby Van Jaarsveld.

We met Aïda in her capacity as PR for Emo Adams’ All Star Theatre in Brackenfell, Cape Town. In June, the theatre will be hosting a fashion show for the Save the Tie, Save a Child project and we have been asked to photograph the event.

Despite her businesslike, no-nonsense demeanour when discussing the arrangements with Chantal Witthuhn, whose brainchild the project is, Aïda was at the same time warm and sparkling. A combination of qualities just waiting to be photographed!

And that we did in typical Aïda-style, on the Monday between moving into a new place in Somerset West and jetting off to Jo-burg for work.

Hectic schedule or not, Aïda came well-prepared and posed and played around in the studio like a pro! 

Dit was heerlik om jou hier te hê Aïda! Ons maak weer so!


MAKE-UP ARTIST: Candice Harker http://www.mobilemakeupartist.co.za/

In the right light and at the right time, everything is exceptional - Aaron Rose