Neil van Niekerk Photography

Just recently married, Melissa’s album of her boudoir photo session made a perfect Valentine’s Day present.  The inscription on the cover perfectly encapsulates the meaning of this beautiful album as a gift to her husband.

More details of the book and the intimate photo session …

More images inside…

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What a great honour to have clients on The Knot forums vote me as one of the best photographers to work with!  Thank you to all of you who voted for me.  And thank you to all my clients who have made this such a rewarding and fulfilling career.  I look forward to many years still ahead filled with creativity and beauty.

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Jennifer & John ..

December 24, 2009

The last wedding that I photographed in 2009 was Jennifer and John’s .. and it ended the year on a high note for me, working with such a wonderful couple.  This is one of those times as a wedding photographer where I am really proud of the images .. so I’ll let them stand on their own here, to tell the story of the day.

The entire day was a joyful celebration, although John does look a touch nervous here, waiting for Jennifer and her dad to walk down the aisle ..

Snow started falling by the time the ceremony ended.  Perfect for a December wedding!

.. and from there we went straight to the ...

wedding reception at The Tides, NJ

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Some touching moments during the formal dances of the evening ..
Ashleigh and Jonathan, then Ashleigh and her dad, and Jonathan and his mom.

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Jennifer’s dad made a star appearance, serenading the couple ..

Jennifer and John, congrats and the best of everything!

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Ashleigh & Jonathan ..

December 22, 2009

Ashleigh and Jonathan’s wedding ceremony and reception took place at The Manor – a venue known for its beautiful gardens.  This of course was a great place to have Ashleigh and Jonathan see each other for the first time on the day.  It’s always an emotional moment.

And then time for some portraits of our couple.  Easy-going and charming, Ashleigh and Jonathan were just fantastic to work with .. as is clear to see in these portraits of the two of them.

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Ashleigh and Jonathan’s first dance during the reception ..

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Jonathan, enjoying a cigar outside with the guys ..

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Some of the crazy partying that went on in the evening ..

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One of the things I, as a wedding photographer like about The Manor, is that there are all kinds of nooks and corners for romantic portraits in the evening.  And with these portraits, the intention is to show the couple as they are in a relaxed manner after the more hectic part of the wedding day has been taken care of .. when they can relax with each other and you get to see just how much much in love with each other they are.

Ashleigh and Jonathan, best wishes for your future together.

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Megan & Mike ..

December 21, 2009

Megan and Mike was so much fun to work with – an energetic and sexy couple. And who doesn’t love a bride that knows how to move and play for the camera!

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Megan’s hair looked exceptional with this modern retro styling.  Very fashionable!

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The church ceremony was at the impressive St George’s Orthodox Chutrch in Clifton (NJ),  Mark is of Romanian descent, hence the ceremony was an Orthodox Christian one, with all the beautiful rituals that is part of that.

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We had rained out in the afternoon, and had to do all the portraits inside.  But later the evening when we did a few more romantic portraits at the Valley Regency, we were able to slip outside since the rain had cleared.  The lights in the gardens always work as a great backdrop.

As I said, they know how to move on the dancefloor!

Always a tender moment – the bride dancing with her dad ..

The Perinita was one of the traditional dances the guests took part in, inviting different partners into the vibrant dance sequence.

Megan & Mike – congratulations on getting married.  Stay in touch.

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Lisa & Kelly ..

December 2, 2009

I recently had the pleasure of photographing a destination wedding in Florida.  But not only was this a destination wedding, this also happened to be the first time that I photographed a same-sex couple and their wedding.   And I felt particularly honoured that Lisa and Kelly placed so much faith placed in me with a special event like this.

The photo at the top is  my favourite image of the day, in that it shows this wonderful couple together in a spontaneous moment.  It is  very much *them*, and I am sure their friends and family will instantly recognize this image as capturing the essence of who they are, and how they are. 

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A quieter moment from earlier in the day during Lisa and Kelly’s preparation .. 

Lisa’s mom giving her daughter a last quick kiss before the ceremony ..

 A very touching moment during the ceremony –  Lisa reaching over to her sister, Kristin, when Kristin couldn’t hold back her tears anymore during the reading.

 After the ceremony we had some time for the romantic portrait sessions.

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The preparation, ceremony and intimate reception were all held  at the Sundy House in Delray Beach, FL.

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The entire day was an emotional experience for everyone, and the toast from Lisa’s dad during the reception was no different.

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Afterwards we went for a photo session on the beach.   Even though the late afternoon light was just perfect, the wind was gusty.  But we did get some beautiful photographs of Lisa and Kelly together.

Lisa and Kelly .. thank you for having there as part of your wedding day.

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Milene & Don ..

November 29, 2009

Milene and Don wedding day took place on a crisp Fall day.  Milene has a beautiful graceful elegance about her and Don has a wonderful laid back demeanor .. all of which translates into some very elegant  photos.  But don’t let that fool you. The two of them still know how to have a lot of fun ..

From earlier in the day during Milene’s preparation -  best friends ..

wedding ceremony at the Cathedral Basilica, NJ

This imposing cathedral makes for a dramatic setting for Milene and Don’s wedding ceremony .. but also makes for a beautiful backdrop for a few romantic portraits afterwards.

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wedding reception at The Atrium, NJ

Viennese hour outside with cigars ..

Milene and Don .. congratulations and best wishes on your journey together!

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Merisa & Sam ..

November 28, 2009

Merisa and Sam were another couple who was just so much fun to work with!  The photo session started at the apartments where they origally met a few years back, and from there we went to Skylands Manor to grab the last bit of Fall colour still to be seen.

Merisa and Sam, see you in a few weeks again at your wedding.

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Rowena and Jared’s wedding

November 14, 2009

Rowena and Jared – wedding at The Manor, NJ

Rowena had a specific vision for her wedding day, with a retro styling.  Combined with lovely soft light, the beautiful gardens at the venue … and with the two of them playing around for the camera, it made the photography so much more exciting.

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Two of my favourite images of the day are these classic portraits of Rowena just after preparation.  The interestingly patterned wallpaper (and sweet light), just enhanced the beautiful hat that Rowena wore.

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Jared during his prep, getting help with the bowtie.

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Before the ceremony, time for fun with the portraits of the bridal party and the couple ..

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Rowena’s dad walking her down the aisle ..

I love Jared’s expression here, cleaning up after having cake smashed into his face.
(Oh, and he was a guilty party too.)

Rowena and Jared, congratulations!

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Casey & Shane ..

November 13, 2009

I’m so flattered to photograph Casey and Shane’s wedding in 2011, and that they wanted to book with me so far in advance .  So after our meeting, we did their engagement photo session immediately afterwards - using some of the last remnants of Fall colours for these these romantic portraits.   Casey and Shane … thank you!  I know we’ll have just as much fun on your wedding day. 

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