Vanessa & Warren – photo session

When Vanessa contacted me about a photo session, my first question was when their wedding date would be. I had assumed she wanted an engagement photo session. Turns out that Warren and Vanessa have been married a few years already, and just wanted some really nice photographs of the two of them together. Now, would I be one to argue that *that* is a bad idea?

And this is how we ended up on a beautiful Fall day – a photogenic couple with tons of personality, and myself, having fun with the photo session.

to see more, view the album of photos on Facebook

I had the pleasure recently of photographing Jeannie Dee, a South African TV personality, while she was visiting New York.  The shoot was for the cover of the magazine for the Top Billing television show.

We also had time for some portraits of Jeannie Dee outdoors against the New York skyline.  She was brave enough to venture out in the icy-cold New York winter for the rooftop shoot.

Here are a few more images on Top Billing’s website.

I met Bobby and Benny and their mom at a wedding last year, and we did a photo session shortly afterwards.  For their photo session this year, we decided on some disused train tracks for a cool setting.  We lucked out with some late afternoon sun hitting the trees in the background, bringing out the gorgeous Fall colours.  Working fast so we didn’t lose the light, we were able to come up with some stunning images.   The two boys seem to be pro at this by now!

After photographing Patrizia and Alex’s wedding a few years ago, we kept in contact.   So it was a real pleasure when Patrizia asked me to photograph baby Nicholas, the latest addition to their family.   What a cutie!  

This was also a great opportunity to photograph both the kiddos – Nicholas and his sister, Sabrina –  and their proud parents.  Patrizia and Alex, it was really nice to meet up again.

Jen & David – anniversary photo session from Neil van Niekerk on Vimeo.
[ if the video is choppy, let the clip buffer completely first, or turn off HD ]

Jennifer and David met up with me on their first wedding anniversary for a photo session in the same place where we had their engagement photo session – Skylands Manor in Ringwood, NJ. The estate grounds always make for beautiful and varied settings for portrait sessions. It was also a nice opportunity to catch up again with them now, a year after their wedding. Jen and David, thanks again and do keep in touch.

A few of the images from the session that were used in the clip ..

Kristen, one of my brides whose wedding I am photographing this year, is also a yoga instructor.  When Kristen and her fiance Theo met up this weekend for their engagement portrait session, we decided to also do a photo session of Kristen to help promote her website.   The evening light at Skylands Manor was just perfect, creating a beautiful backdrop for Kristen.   (I also finally got to use some of the new on-location lighting gear I had bought last year.)

Kristen, I am still in awe of your contortionist moves!  ; )

Kathy and Ken are a couple from California who wanted to do their exchange of vows in Central Park, on New Year’s Eve. The following are a few images from what turned out to be a fabulous photo-shoot with a wonderful couple.

Part of the trip through Central Park was on one of the horse carts there, which are a well-known New York sight.

Just the two of them in as private a moment as you could have in the middle of Central Park.

After Central Park, we left for Times Square in the back of two bicycle rikshas, stopping at various points …

Rockefeller Plaza …

The weather on this 31st Dec, was quite mild, and by 3pm dense crowds had already started to form in Times Square. It was quite funny to watch how people around us responded to the sight of Kathy and Ken – heads turning to look at this very elegant couple striding along the crowded sidewalks – with me photographing every move.

Thanks Kathy & Ken, for what turned out to be one of my most memorable New Year’s Eve events ever.

Melissa and Hayden are recent transplants here from San Diego, California. Since most of their friends and families are in California, they decided to have their wedding there in ’07. But wanted to have their engagement photo session in New York, and to give it a specific NYC flavour to show friends and family there. And what exclaims “New York!” more than yellow cabs in Times Square?

Still in Times Square, using the giant electronic billboards as colourful backdrops …

And from a final series of images of Melissa, looking appropriately glamorous against the lights on Broadway …

Melissa and Hayden, thank you for a fantastic afternoon, and best wishes with the wedding plans ahead. 
And a thank you to Darin Fong, their photographer in San Diego, for letting me take on the NYC photo session.

It is always a pleasure to meet up again with couples whose wedding I photographed – especially when there is a new addition to the family.

I helped another photograher, JC Carley, to photograph Hallie and Michael’s wedding in  2004 – and so it was a real treat last week, to get to meet Ava - Hallie and Michael’s baby daughter …