<a href="http://www.jeanetteverster.com" title="Jeanette Verster Photography" rel="home">Jeanette Verster Photography

Vee (9 comments.) - April 13, 2010 - 1:35 am

what gorgeous photos!! Especially love the ones of your boys (they’re getting SO big now!) and I love the cormorant too. looks like you had a wonderful holiday

Jeanette (31 comments.) - April 12, 2010 - 3:09 pm

Thanks, but there isn’t anything added to the croc photo, just used f2.8 on the lens to get the DoF Thanks all

Secret Agent Mama (86 comments.) - April 12, 2010 - 2:38 pm

These are awesome, Jenty! What’s even more awesome is the fun that is shown to be had!

Fiona - April 12, 2010 - 2:00 pm

Welcome back!!! It looks like you had a fabulous time and your photo’s show it I think the photo’s of the cormorant are stunning…wow! Nicely captured

Meghashyam Chirravoori (1 comments.) - April 12, 2010 - 1:48 pm

Wow… How did you catch those crocodiles in such a beautiful position on land?

They actually seem cute.

Its beautiful, your photography…especially the crocodile photo with the special background effects you have added…

cat@juggling act (218 comments.) - April 12, 2010 - 11:40 am

Your pictures are great as ever – I was a bit slack – have a picture a day but none great.

We were right close on your last day – we did that croc farm last time and was also disappointed. We drove around there and near Pistols and then decided to go south to Port Edward side -= landed at the coffee farm – worth a visit.

tanya (50 comments.) - April 12, 2010 - 9:56 am

GORGEOUS PHOTOS , GORGEOUS BOYS!!

bradley is looking so grown up here! LOVE the one of him “Impatiently Waiting”.
also love all your boys leaping down the dune – such fun!!

looks like a perfect seaside holiday!!

Gena @ Thinking Aloud (14 comments.) - April 12, 2010 - 9:44 am

Lovely images – excellent capture of the cormorant!!
Gena @ Thinkin Aloud
a photoblog

Avril (Mom) (385 comments.) - April 12, 2010 - 7:46 am

Lovely!! Looks like they had FUN!! Bradley IS getting big – when I see photos like that, then I realise it! The cormorant and the fish is an amazing shot! Can’t wait to see more!

Elaine - April 12, 2010 - 7:23 am

Awesome photos! You looked like you had an fantastic time

Girish (78 comments.) - April 12, 2010 - 6:40 am

Nice shots.

Good to see that you are back.

Nice shots of the kids, lucky that the kids love taking photographs of themselves.

Connor rocks !!
Bradley is like a proper elder brother.

Corey~livingandloving (70 comments.) - April 12, 2010 - 6:21 am

glad to have you back. Love the beach shots….makes me yearn to be at a beach where swimsuit can be worn.

Laura (47 comments.) - April 12, 2010 - 5:31 am

These are so lovely. Looks like an awesome holiday

AmazingGreis (1 comments.) - April 12, 2010 - 4:19 am

Love the alligator pictures and now I really feel as if I need to go to the beach!!

Sarah (9 comments.) - April 12, 2010 - 3:54 am

I love those jumping in the dunes shots!

Pia (46 comments.) - April 12, 2010 - 12:33 am

All so,so,so beautiful!!
Love the expression on Connor’s face (in photo with stick)!!

colleen (4 comments.) - April 12, 2010 - 12:13 am

The dune jumping looks like lots of fun! Great pictures.

hip chick (12 comments.) - April 12, 2010 - 12:12 am

What a great set of photo’s. I don’t like the crocodiles/alligators though.

Wenchy (49 comments.) - April 11, 2010 - 11:39 pm

I love that part of our country and your pics are gorgeous

Tara R. (58 comments.) - April 11, 2010 - 11:38 pm

‘Impatiently waiting’ and ‘telescope’ are wonderful portraits.

Gina (30 comments.) - April 11, 2010 - 11:15 pm

Wonderful!
I just LOVE ‘Mr attitude’!

Mar 21 2010

78/365 – Birthday celebration at Forum Homini

Posted in Personal Tags: animal, hotel, Project 365, sunset, view, water, Weekly Winners

We planned this weekend months ago with our friends Madi and Pierre. You see Lance turned 40 last weekend, and Pierre’s 40th birthday is next weekend. It was the perfect excuse to go away for a night to Forum Homini in the Cradle of Humankind. Yes, we’ve been there before, and we enjoyed it so much that we had to go back again

One night only, because it’s expensive… and your stomach would never cope with eating that amount of excellent food for 2 days in a row!

And on the subject of food… it was good, very good! Dinner was a 6 course affair with wine teasers chosen for each dish, and included a honeydew soup with truffle foam, deep fried risotto, rooibos smoked beef fillet and ended with blue cheese ice-cream with honeycomb. Oh and then breakfast of course was just as filling with 4 courses including a frozen yoghurt and poached fruit with chocolate shavings… and then salmon frittata… before a full English breakfast.

Because it was their birthdays, when we got back to the suite after supper, there was an enormous bunch of roses on the table, and the bed had rose petals on it… very romantic

Pierre and Madi while we were sitting on the deck having drinks in the afternoon.

We took a walk in the late afternoon…

We were so very lucky to see the resident hippos! You get warned not to go walking after sunset because the hippos come out the water, and last time we went we didn’t even see them. We saw 3 this time… and they were watching us pretty closely so we didn’t want to get too close to them… I could have done with a longer lens actually.

This is the hotel, as taken from the bridge… the dam with the hippos was behind me at the time. Just beyond the small dam, you can see little pieces of wall… those are the suites that we stayed in… the hotel is built to blend into the environment and veld/grasses have been planted on the roof of every building.

Oh and then my favourites… the sunsets… the sky was absolutely magnificent last night!!

See the full set of 2010 photo-a-day photos on my Project 365 Flickr Set.

Posted in Personal Tags: animal, hotel, Project 365, sunset, view, water, Weekly Winners

23 comments

phillygirl (20 comments.) - March 23, 2010 - 2:26 pm

Damn, I Love that place! And am completely jealous that you got to see their hippos. I’ve still never seen them

Eileen (11 comments.) - March 22, 2010 - 8:04 pm

WoW- Really beautiful images – loving them:)

Tanya (50 comments.) - March 22, 2010 - 6:50 pm

sounds like a magical place!! *make mental note to save for it*

your pics are awesome… the hippo ones are great, and the sunsets!! OMW!!! LOVE the silhouetted grass against that purple/blue/orange/pink/yellow sky… picture perfect!!

Gena @ Thinking Aloud (14 comments.) - March 22, 2010 - 12:06 pm

Ah such exquisite scenery! Wow jeannette you have done a marvellous job of conveying the beauty of the African bush and scenery out at the Cradle. Love the grasses, indigenous lilies and the thistle above all.

Gena @ Thinking Aloud

desi (85 comments.) - March 22, 2010 - 10:13 am

oooh jeanette! you got some really fabulous shots here!
very, very nice!

the place looks to die for.

Rachel (19 comments.) - March 22, 2010 - 9:41 am

Beautiful photos, can’t pick a favourite, but I do love the sunset ones! What lens did you use for the close up shots?

Cheryl - March 22, 2010 - 9:34 am

Even one night of spoiling in luxury does wonders for the body and mind!

Gilz (177 comments.) - March 22, 2010 - 8:46 am

The sunset pics are gorgeous!!!

Girish (78 comments.) - March 22, 2010 - 8:20 am

Beautiful shots. Good to see different shades of photography from you. Really you should have taken a better lens to get closer to the hippos, adorable animals they are.

Great sunset shots.

Corey~livingandloving (70 comments.) - March 22, 2010 - 1:32 am

I have never been somewhere so amazing. WOW! your photos are spectacular. Seriously……I wish I had been there snapping right along side you.

WackyMummy (30 comments.) - March 22, 2010 - 1:14 am

Really extraordinary sunsets! Wonderful captures. =)

Jientje (21 comments.) - March 21, 2010 - 11:44 pm

Your photos are amazing. Love the hippo!

Chantelle @ photo mommy (10 comments.) - March 21, 2010 - 10:24 pm

Cool shots of the hippos. =) I really like the sunset shots, too.

Michelle - March 21, 2010 - 10:18 pm

An amazing retreat & how could you not but have a fabulous time as well!!

Sarah (9 comments.) - March 21, 2010 - 9:45 pm

LOVE the big wide open hippo mouth!

cat@juggling act (218 comments.) - March 21, 2010 - 9:02 pm

Beautiful pictures – that bed looks wonderful. Love the third from the bottom pic.

Lotus / Sarcastic Mom (4 comments.) - March 21, 2010 - 7:40 pm

Second shot of the hippos really made me smile. And the sunset photos took my breath away!

Avril (Mom) (385 comments.) - March 21, 2010 - 7:16 pm

Oh wow – those sunsets are breathtaking! I didn’t have time to look at the sky last night!!!
Love that bed – so romantic!!! Hippos are so clear – you can see right inside that large mouth!! Fantastic photos .. all of them!

Wenchy (49 comments.) - March 21, 2010 - 6:45 pm

I took pics of the hippo’s at the very same spot as you

amy2boys (13 comments.) - March 21, 2010 - 6:11 pm

The sunset ones are stunning! And I love the hippos – cute (from a distance of course)!

Angel (192 comments.) - March 21, 2010 - 5:41 pm

Magnificent pictures Jeanette! The food sounds mouth watering…

Tara R. (58 comments.) - March 21, 2010 - 5:28 pm

Resident hippps? Makes our occasional alligators here in Florida seem tame. Absolutely gorgeous sunsets! Amazing colors.

An afternoon playing with friends | Jeanette Verster Photography - March 22, 2010 - 7:01 pm

[...] afternoon, after coming back from Forum Homini, Madi and I met at the Wimpy down the road, and the kids had a ball playing on the jumping castles, [...]

Nov 05 2009

Snakes and Dragons

Posted in Children Tags: animal, client, kids

I posted photos from the Staal family shoot a few days ago and the last set of photos was all about their snakes and bearded dragons. I have felt though, that I didn’t do them enough justice, and you DEFINITELY couldn’t see how big the snake was that was snaking it’s way up my leg!

So, without further ado, here are the snakes and bearded dragon that I took photos of. Henry, the son, got his first snake when he was 3, and his bedroom seemed full of them! Although, really, there were only 5 snakes and 3 bearded dragons in residence.

This “little” one was the snake that decided my leg was interesting…

Long and heavy

Oh and not to forget the lazy python, who snaked around very slowly and I managed to get the most wonderful shots of it.

Eyes and tongue of the python

Python

And lastly, the bearded dragon…

Bearded dragon

Cradling his pet

I wouldn’t mind getting Bradley a bearded dragon, although the thought of buying crickets and other insects (like silkworms in their case) to supplement it’s diet turns me off a bit. Although, on the other hand… it’s a whole load better than buying mice to feed the snakes!

Posted in Children Tags: animal, client, kids

12 comments

Carole - November 7, 2009 - 2:52 am

A braver person than i’d ever be. Fab images

Leigh-Ann (9 comments.) - November 6, 2009 - 4:02 pm

Fab photo’s. My son has a pet snake and overtime I’ve become quite use to buying it a fuzzy / pinky BUT I do not feed him and very, very seldom hold him. Hubby wants to get a bearded dragon but they give me the creeps.

cat (233 comments.) - November 6, 2009 - 11:15 am

I have said to the hubster that my kinds can have all sorts of pets, but not reptiles. Although the dragon is attractive we have silkworm pets!

Gilz (177 comments.) - November 6, 2009 - 10:11 am

You’re very brave to have been that close to those creatures! Some lovely shots.

Janet B - November 6, 2009 - 9:23 am

OMG! It’s times like these I am glad I don’t have a son! LOL! I wonder if I could have handled it?

Cheryl - November 6, 2009 - 8:43 am

Lovely photo’s but you got to be kiddin me!! Snakes ALIVE!!!!

Angela at mommy bytes (8 comments.) - November 6, 2009 - 7:15 am

Wow, those kids are so brave as well as you!

Sharon (60 comments.) - November 6, 2009 - 6:52 am

Jeanette you are very brave!! These are very good photos, although I’m hoping the close up of the evil one with its tongue out was taken with a zoom lens at max zoom! I have now added to my list of questions to ask a potential client if they will be wanting any photos with their pets. If those pets are reptiles I will give them your no!

Avril (Mom) (385 comments.) - November 6, 2009 - 6:45 am

Me too, Kathy, I would not have been able to take a steady photo!!! OMW .. they’re huge!!! Oh yes .. no snakes pleeease … bearded dragon maybe although don’t let it come ‘to play’ .. Jackie and large ‘lizard’ ? I don’t think so!

Meriel - November 6, 2009 - 5:58 am

magnificent pics – but oooh such creepy reptiles

Kathy - November 6, 2009 - 5:56 am

Great photos!!! I would have dropped my camera and headed for the hills if that snake slithered up my leg!!! You are very brave..

Kat Forsyth (4 comments.) - November 5, 2009 - 10:08 pm

There’s something so beautiful about reptiles. As long as I know a snake can’t or won’t hurt me, I like it! And the bearded dragons are adorable! Aww.

Nov 01 2009

The Staal Family

Posted in Children, Families Tags: animal, client, family, Garden, kids, pet, portrait, Weekly Winners

When Michelle phoned me in August and booked their family photos, she asked me right at the very end of the conversation whether I minded taking photos of them with their pet snakes as well. Now, I’m not afraid of snakes, but it has made me look forward to this photo session since that day.

And I wasn’t disappointed, in fact, I wish I’d taken my boys with me, they would have had a BALL at their house. Not only were there snakes, but also bearded dragons, chickens, ducks, rabbits, guinea pigs and a pig… and not to forget the dogs. That’s right, a HUGE pig in the middle of suburbia I had a BALL!

The house and garden was magnificent too, with so many levels, and nooks and crannies just perfect for photos. I’ve only chosen a small variety of photos for the sneak peak, but I can assure you Michelle, there are plenty more!

Trampoline fun On the swing

Kids and the bunnies Staal family and the dogs

Henry

Michaela

Mom and dad

A kiss for dad

A hug for mom

While I was taking portrait shots of Michelle, I felt something on my leg. At first I thought it was Henry’s hand as he had been standing behind me with his yellow snake… then it started moving and I realised it WAS the snake going up my leg LOL! It was possibly the most fun I’ve had on a photoshoot yet!

Bearded dragons and pythons

Michelle, I hope your foot is feeling better and you got to casualty yesterday afternoon.

A piece of the jungle gym came loose and a nail went into her foot half way through the shoot. She was amazing… just bandaged it up and carried on… I would not have been so brave!

Anyway, as you can tell, those are my Weekly Winners… without a DOUBT! I think that this shoot is truely what Lifestyle Photography is all about

Posted in Children, Families Tags: animal, client, family, Garden, kids, pet, portrait, Weekly Winners

28 comments

Karin (117 comments.) - November 3, 2009 - 9:49 pm

Wow, what an impressive collection of animals! Love the close-ups of their faces, beautiful!

Angel (192 comments.) - November 3, 2009 - 9:24 pm

Its a fabulous shoot! I love the ones on the swing!

killlashandra (66 comments.) - November 3, 2009 - 5:06 pm

What a wonderful family shoot! That must have been fun with all the animals. And how nice they had a piggy in the city too. I know people around where I live that have some wonderful pot belly pigs for pets.

Fiona - November 3, 2009 - 3:00 pm

I think these are amazing Jeanette! I’m sure the Staal family are going to be over the moon with their pics…you have some stunning shots. Well done

Fairy Girl (31 comments.) - November 3, 2009 - 12:16 pm

Wow, your photo’s are awesome. Will definitely keep you in mind for our next family photo’s – early next year

Laura (47 comments.) - November 2, 2009 - 9:02 pm

What beautiful children! These are lovely Jeanette!

cat (233 comments.) - November 2, 2009 - 12:47 pm

I would have wee-ed in my panties! I am so afraid of snakes!

Firefly (284 comments.) - November 2, 2009 - 10:27 am

These pictures are absolutely beautiful. You really are value for money.

Janet B - November 2, 2009 - 10:16 am

What a stunning place!

amy2boys (13 comments.) - November 2, 2009 - 5:18 am

What a great shoot! I really love the close ups of the kids – so sweet.

Tanya (86 comments.) - November 1, 2009 - 10:04 pm

LOVE the cheek kiss, and the close ups of the kiddies and of the “creatures”. Absolutely fabulous!

this n that (6 comments.) - November 1, 2009 - 8:59 pm

Wow, those are all so cute, nothing like getting the WHOLE family!!
-Shellie

Gilz (177 comments.) - November 1, 2009 - 6:18 pm

What a fun-loving gorgeous family.

Nik (10 comments.) - November 1, 2009 - 5:53 pm

Those are so wonderful. I love how bright and clear they all are. I really like the ones with the swing, and the cheek kiss!

Kathy - November 1, 2009 - 5:03 pm

Fantastic photos – well done!!!

Tracey - November 1, 2009 - 4:59 pm

Its stunning – well done once again… love the way you have captured this entire family… (incl pets).

Domestic Extraordinaire (42 comments.) - November 1, 2009 - 4:47 pm

Jenty, as always beautiful photos!

Secret Agent Mama (86 comments.) - November 1, 2009 - 3:23 pm

Beautiful portraits, Jenty!

Secret Mom Thoughts (52 comments.) - November 1, 2009 - 2:44 pm

Great portraits. I love the fun way you captured the family.

Cortney @ evanhaslanded (5 comments.) - November 1, 2009 - 2:00 pm

I love the shots on the trampoline! Candids are my favorite!

Karen (3 comments.) - November 1, 2009 - 1:58 pm

That looks like a wonderfully happy family. And the beardie! Great shot.

Natasha Whiteley (53 comments.) - November 1, 2009 - 1:12 pm

awesome Jeanette, well done

Avril (Mom) (385 comments.) - November 1, 2009 - 12:58 pm

Photos are LOVELY!!! They will be delighted with them, I’m sure.
Very interesting home with a menagerie of pets!!! … especially the snake up your leg!!! Would have made my skin crawl!!! Remember Bradley was exposed to snakes and lizards with Teacher Ch when he was little – does he still remember?

Gina (58 comments.) - November 1, 2009 - 12:34 pm

Gorgeous children, looks like you all had fun!

Meriel - November 1, 2009 - 12:20 pm

beautiful – makes us all laugh with

Sally (24 comments.) - November 1, 2009 - 11:01 am

That looks like loads of fun, well done Jeanette you really captured the spirit of this family

Tara R. (58 comments.) - November 1, 2009 - 10:16 am

The children are beautiful and you captured them in such a fun way. I love the portraits with their parents, very sweet.

Snakes and Dragons | Johannesburg Lifestyle Photographer | Jeanette Verster Photography - November 5, 2009 - 9:52 pm

[...] posted photos from the Staal family shoot a few days ago and the last set of photos was all about their snakes and bearded dragons. I have [...]

Oct 28 2009

Party at a farmyard

Posted in Parties Tags: animal, cake, fun, horses, kids, party

The kids and I were invited to a party on Sunday morning at Farmyard Frendz close to Northgate. Another photographer did the main photos for the party, so I just had some fun with the camera and took photos of my kids and the animals. We’ve never been to a party there, and I was quite impressed with the venue, and we all had a great time, although I think the venue would be chaos on a Saturday if there were 3 parties going at the same time.

These cupcakes were the the main reason I actually got my camera out of my bag. They were STUNNING!! They were made by Magnolia Cakes (I’ve taken photos of her cakes at other parties) and this was the first time I’ve seen a cupcake tower from her. I just had to take photos of them to show Angel (who is a cupcake fundi of note).

Farmyard cupcakes on stand

It was so nice to see Bradley enjoying his horse ride, but it always makes me slightly sad that he stopped riding… he used to be so good at it.

Horse riding

And this place had emus! Which is more than a little strange to see in this country, so of course I had to take some photos of them.

Emu

White rooster

Posted in Parties Tags: animal, cake, fun, horses, kids, party

8 comments