Wedding photography triggers my imposter syndrome.
I’ve been asked once or twice to shoot weddings, and each time an evil little voice inside my head whispers, “Only real photographers do weddings. Don’t try this. You’ll fail — fail miserably, I tell you — and ruin everything. Bwaaaaaahahaha!”
But several months ago Thomas and Guy emailed and asked if I would shoot their wedding. They made it clear they wanted me to do it — despite my total lack of wedding photography experience — because they like my pictures.
Thomas and Guy also love Joburg. I met Thomas in 2011, soon after moving here myself, when he was writing this cool blog called Urban Joburg. Thomas and Guy have been living in the U.S. for the past couple of years and moved back to Joburg two weeks ago — just in time for their wedding. They are the loveliest of people.
So I swallowed my fear and said yes. On 16 December, still wobbly from my own case of jet lag, I shot Thomas and Guy’s wedding. It was the most fun I’ve had taking pictures in a very long time.
Thomas and Guy’s Wedding
I love these pictures so much — probably as much as Thomas and Guy do. Yesterday I uploaded the pictures online and sat gazing at my computer, watching each image load slowly onto the screen and reliving each moment.
As the wedding photographer for Thomas and Guy, I felt like I had this special little window into their souls on what was probably the most important day of their lives. Even though I don’t know them extremely well as a couple, I could see how much they love each other as I watched them get married through my camera lens. That experience was a huge privilege.
Thomas and Guy got married at Wits (the University of the Witwatersand, for those of you not from around here), in a hall with a giant organ in the balcony. I’d never realized what a beautiful campus Wits has; Thomas and Guy and I had so much fun taking photos there, playing with the interesting architecture and public art and landscaping.
At the end of the night, exhausted as I was, I wanted to do it all over again. Anyway let me just show you some of the pictures.
Thomas and Guy’s wedding happened at a pivotal moment, when I was experiencing a lot of emotional turmoil and uncertainty about my life and my future. I’m grateful for the timing.
This wedding reminded me how much I love this city and this country, how fortunate I am to live here, and how determined I am to stay. I’m so lucky to live in a place with such beautiful people and places and things — a place where two wonderful humans can get married regardless of their gender. A place with so many problems but also so much potential. A place that, despite all the obstacles, feels unmistakably like home.
I’m not leaving.
Thanks Thomas and Guy for the reminder. Also congratulations. Your wedding was the best.
Great wedding shots, so glad this wedding made you realise you need to stay.
Thanks. Well it was that and various other things. I like it here 🙂
You have a wonderful imaginative and creative eye. These photos tell it all – and I have seen enough of your other work to know that your other work also illustrates this. It was lovely meeting you and watching you at work at the wedding. Looking forward to seeing more! 🙂
Thanks so much Theo! It was great to meet you too. There will be many more pictures coming your way I’m sure 🙂
These are THE best wedding pics I have ever seen. I don’t generally like weddings, or wedding photographs. Great work Heather!
Awwww, thanks so much Anriette. That means a lot.
Congrats Heather! Really lovely photos!
Thanks Andy 🙂
What a lovely story – and wonderful photos as well. So glad they asked you (and you agreed!) Happy 2019!
Thanks Nancy 🙂
Wishing you the very best for 2019 Heather! Any chance of a blog about your quest for citizenship? Dual nationality? Costs? I’m sure many people would be interested.????
Hi Rosemary. Unfortunately I am very far away from even figuring out how to get permanent residency – the equivalent of an American green card. Citizenship is an impossible dream – I don’t know a single foreigner in SA who has received citizenship during the 8-plus years I’ve lived here. Right now I’m simply trying to hold on and somehow figure out how to get a visa that lasts longer then three months. There’s a lot more I’d like to say but I don’t want to get myself deported ????
I have always admired your tenacity and consistency and I can only hope that this will pay off eventually. It does seem to me that widespread nationalism is a growing force- Brexit is a statement of this. It will become increasingly difficult and very expensive (thousands of pounds); exams etc to get British citizenship. Vasbyt- it must happen eventually
Yes, exactly. Migration has become so difficult all over the world. Which I find very frustrating because I think it’s human nature to migrate.
Great photos! Especially the “maybe not allowed” one.
I wish I could have head that organ, though.
Yes, during the organ music I wished I was a videographer.
I think wedding photographers really do get to enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at couples and their families. It’s an honor and you did a very find job Heather!
Thanks Lani. It was tiring and stressful but totally worth it!
What beautiful pictures, Heather! Their wedding looks so stylish and like so much fun. And I’d say they got lucky for you to shoot it.
Thanks Sine 🙂
I just loved seeing your stunning photographs and could feel the great love and happiness at this wedding. You truly captured some special moments. Keep plodding away with the Visa story – “Perseverence Prevails” (as our Ward Councillor keeps reminding us)!!!
Thank you 🙂
It’s great doing something that gets you out of your comfort zone. Sounds like this opportunity came to you just when you needed it.
I think you’re right! Happy New Year Jaina 🙂
Amazing pictures! Keep up the good work!
Thanks 🙂