Aruba !
I was very fortunate in photographing Desha and Kyle’s wedding in an exotic a location as Aruba. And really, if you’re going to get married, why not Aruba - where the number plates on the motor vehicles read, “One Happy Island”.
As you can guess my family and I had a fabulous time over here - and even better for photographing a couple as wonderful as Desha and Kyle, who spent the extra time and energy in working with me in getting exceptional wedding photographs and portraits of them as a couple.
Here’s a slideshow of the best images taken over the three days there.
A few of the portraits of the couple, directly after their vows on the sunset beach …
More of the ceremony itself :
The wedding event in Aruba started off with the civil ceremony on Monday morning - and then afterwards I did some portraits of the newly married around the center of Oranjestad. In the early evening they exchanged vows on the beach with just a few family members in attendance. And on Tuesday morning (today) we did some more portraits using the Aruba landscape.
Here is a slideshow of the best images ….
(click on the header above the slideshow to return to the blog.)
It is very easy to see why Aruba is a great choice for destination weddings. And I must admit that I’ve fallen in love with Aruba, for the quaint mix of colonial and island cultures - and the easy-going nature of life here. And also that they speak Dutch here and a lot of the signs are in Dutch. I immediately felt at home here, and would return any time for a vacation.
I would also like to heartily thank my friend David Mielcarek for involving me in this event. Congratulations and best wishes to you, Desha and Kyle - it was a wonderful experience!
Laura Natividad Said,
July 29, 2006 @ 11:16 pm
Mr. Van Niekerk,
I really enjoy your website. You have a distinct way of capturing moments. I love all of your photos and hope one day to do as good a job as you.
Laura Natividad
Christos Said,
August 4, 2006 @ 9:53 am
Neil, thank you for the comment. I would also like to take this time to thank you for providing us a wealth of knowledge that you have graciously taken the time and effort in writing and maintaining.
Your website Planet Neil http://www.planetneil.com is a huge knowledge base of information that I really on heavily as I started making a career change towards wedding photography.
Let’s also not forget about One Perfect Moment, http://www.oneperfectmoment.com WOW your work is truly inspirational, I love the way you try to keep your images as natural as possible without applying heavy Photoshop effects. Bravo to you Neil for showing us and reminding us what wedding photography is still about. It’s not about the flowers, it’s not about the shoes, it’s not about a dinner plate. It’s about the Bride and Groom, and your images convey that.
Neil, Thank you.
Waving at you from across the river, no wait I’m at my day job, waving at you from Weehawken NJ.
PS. Any chance in you providing us with your thoughts regarding the wedding photography business and trends as you see them ïŠ
Christos
neil Said,
August 8, 2006 @ 4:15 am
Christos … thank you for your kind comments. It’s much appreciated.
As for trends in the wedding photography business, it would be easier to guage it from the talent on a forum such as the Digital Wedding Forum.
Mitchell Wong Ho Said,
August 11, 2006 @ 5:33 am
Ek hou van jou werk!
Great job! Tell me are you shoot primarily with Canon now? Whats happened with your Nikon gear?
Ciao
neil Said,
August 22, 2006 @ 4:18 am
Mitchell .. thanks!
I’m shooting primarily with Canon at the moment. Mostly for the ease and speed of workflow.
Wayne Daykin Said,
September 8, 2006 @ 2:04 am
Hi Neil…
I absolutely just love your photography,I’ve learnt alot about flash from the info you given us,thanx for that…I would love to do a one to one tutorial class with you but being all the way here in South Africa ..theres no chance..lol..So maybe its time for you to come home for a holiday..lol……thanks neil,good luck with everything.
Nicholas Said,
September 9, 2006 @ 8:46 pm
As the twig is bent so grows the tree.
Your expressive image captures in this slideshow were to me a ‘graduate’ level lesson in photography.
By simply viewing your images, I understand couple and wedding photography, more than I ever did before.
Your images, without a doubt, will change my photography
for the better.
Thank you, Nicholas
Will Said,
April 17, 2007 @ 10:43 am
I went to Aruba last year, it certainly is one lovely place, in fact the photo where the lady is being swung around, i have been there!
Superb photos and you know how to capture events well..
Congrats, Will of esphoto.co.uk
Roy Said,
July 22, 2007 @ 10:54 am
Just had a look at the slideshow.
Wow Neil! What an in inspiration . . .
I am busy studying your pages on flash photography at the moment!
Roy
Somerset West
OVGuillermo Said,
August 26, 2007 @ 3:20 am
Thank you for your site. I have found here much useful information.
Good site !
Ariel Said,
August 28, 2007 @ 6:15 pm
the first photo is stupendous! you have known how to gather a magic instant, compliment indeed!!
photography by Neil van Niekerk » the neon sky Said,
March 20, 2008 @ 10:43 pm
[...] is an image taken during one of the portrait sessions of Desha and Kyle’s wedding in Aruba. Their wedding consisted of two parts: The noon-time legal wedding ceremony at the Orangestad [...]
planet neil - tangents » … and far away … Said,
March 30, 2008 @ 3:30 am
[...] enjoy shooting destination weddings- and I’ve been fortunate to photograph weddings in Aruba, Miami, and St Augustine (in Florida). Later this year, I’ll be photographing weddings in [...]