Forward Pass ! Rugby time with the Saffas ! {Oceanside, CA}

Despite all of us having left South African behind for the fair shores of California several years ago, there is one pastime that can bring us all together on a Saturday morning over homemade Boerewors (South African Sausage) and fried tomatoes. And that, is Rugby. We don't all support the same  team and some of us (the women mostly, and those married into this clan) don't know all the rules, but it doesn't matter. We are all united in our love for this South African game. We shout at the ref when it seems appropriate and high five when "our team" scores ! We don't take the outcomes of the games as seriously as we used to, but it's a great time to round up the Saffas (South Africans) and catch up on each others' busy lives. After the game, we all sit around over instant coffee and Rooibos tea and chat about the old days and the days to come. Good times ...

Editors' Choice 2013 Award Winner - Two Bright Lights

As a testament to my outstanding clients, and my commitment to producing the best-of-the-best Lifestyle Wedding & Portrait Photography, I am thrilled to announce that I have been selected as a winner of a 2013 Two Bright Lights Editors' Choice Award!

The award is given in recognition of the those whose number of published features in 2012 placed them among the top 5% of all Two Bright Lights members. Winners were published across many of the most respected lifestyle, wedding and other print and digital publications in the United States and worldwide.

I am honored to be part of this group of talented photographers and creative professionals. My features this past year have enabled me to increase exposure for my work, and I am thrilled to have been recognized for my endeavors. 

In 2012, I had the privilege of being published in the following publications:

Rock the Aisle
Munaluchi Bridal
Fly Away Bride
Urban Style

Thanks to all of the other creative professionals who made these features possible!

To see more of my work, or to get in touch about my services, please visit www.belladivaphoto.com.

Showit United 2013 Conference - Four Seasons Hotel Santa Barbara, CA

Last week, I drove 4 hours up the Coast to Santa Barbara to attend the Showit United 2013 Conference. All I knew about the conference was that a few of the photographers I admired were going to be there and there would be workshops and lectures. I didn't personally know anyone who was going to be there and I just hoped my somewhat outgoing personality could get me through the initial awkwardness that comes with situations like this. 

Well, initial awkwardness aside, it was a fantastic 3 days of learning from and socializing with other photographers from all across the country and the world ! More than 200 photographers in all stages of their career were there to learn and improve their craft and businesses. For me, it really got me thinking about the deeper purposes of my photography and business. How I want to use it to serve my clients and what greater purpose my business has, other than to make money.

I got some great tips on branding and posing from Katelyn James, Lightroom editing shortcuts from Trevor Dayley and Off Camera Lighting instruction from Justin Marantz. I could never have dreamed that so many of the photographers I admire would all be in one place at one time, never mind that they were there the whole time, sitting in the audience with us during the other speakers and having lunch with us every day. These people are some of the kindest and most giving people I have ever met ! And in chatting with several of them, it was great to find out that so many are Christians. I truly believe it was a God thing that I was at the conference this week. He is always so good to surround me with fellow Believers.

One of the most fun events I got to partake in this week was a Styled Yacht Shoot. Here are a few of the images I took during that shoot.