Tag Archives: hotel

78/365 – Birthday celebration at Forum Homini

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.

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.

[...] 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, [...]

Adina’s Batmitzvah

Adina had her Batmitzvah last night at the Capri Hotel in Savoy, Johannesburg; and it was quite a bash!  Her mom booked me for this evening months ago, and in the build-up to it, I also did a portrait session with her and her family and produced a photobook which was used as a guest book last night.

The tables were so prettily decorated with pinks and purples and loads of butterflies; and the food was awesome… they even had milkshakes on tap for the kids!

I was so pleased with the way the photobook turned out!


Last night it was Purim, and so the Megillah was recited from these scrolls. Some of the guests were even dressed in mock prison gear for the occasion.

And of course there was LOTS of dancing, and giggling and fun to be had by all:)

It was a fabulous evening, and Mazeltov to the Davidovitz family again.

Catering:  Riva Flax from Capri Hotel

Band:  Zenith

Flowers: Kari Berkowitz from Flowers by Kari

Kim - March 1, 2010 - 8:34 pm

I love your photos Janette!

tanya (50 comments.) - March 1, 2010 - 4:09 pm

gorgeous colours in the decor shots! and i love all the “action” shots of the dancing with the girls’ hair flying around them!! so awesome! she must love these pics

Chantelle @ photo mommy (10 comments.) - March 1, 2010 - 3:01 pm

Wonderful photos! You definitely captured the spirit of the event.

Jackie K - March 1, 2010 - 2:46 pm

I love the colours and the way you captured everything, you do amazing event photography which not many people can get right… Stunning pics!!

Denise (5 comments.) - March 1, 2010 - 9:46 am

Can I just say one word about these shots? Incredible!

cat@juggling act (218 comments.) - March 1, 2010 - 9:31 am

Oh forgot to say I love the one of the girl taking a picture of the others.

cat@juggling act (218 comments.) - March 1, 2010 - 9:30 am

Oh I love love those flowers – perfect for a young girl. Your pictures are stunning as always.

tara (3 comments.) - March 1, 2010 - 6:53 am

so very vibrant. great angles.

Girish (78 comments.) - March 1, 2010 - 6:53 am

Cool shots again.

The b/w photos of the band are very nice.

Kathy - March 1, 2010 - 5:27 am

Fantastic!! Love the colours

Domestic Extraordinaire (42 comments.) - March 1, 2010 - 2:41 am

Love!

Amy @ Bitchin' Wives Club (1 comments.) - February 28, 2010 - 11:43 pm

Fabulous shots! I love seeing everyone having such a great time and your colors are all so rich and vibrant. Loved the flowers and really loved that little girl in the front of the next to last shot. What a great capture of a smile!

Secret Agent Mama (86 comments.) - February 28, 2010 - 11:27 pm

Absolutely beautiful work, Jenty!

Colleen Sevitz (23 comments.) - February 28, 2010 - 11:05 pm

I love these, your event photography just amazes me, well done!

Avril (Mom) (385 comments.) - February 28, 2010 - 10:21 pm

Vibrant and joyful!! Fantastic photos of such a happy occasion! Love the one on the chair! Table flowers are gorgeous!!

Anelle (47 comments.) - February 28, 2010 - 9:45 pm

Lovely photos, Jeanette!

WackyMummy (30 comments.) - February 28, 2010 - 8:10 pm

Such a beautiful collection of this party. =)

Lotus / Sarcastic Mom (4 comments.) - February 28, 2010 - 6:47 pm

Oh, such fabulous, vibrant shots!
I adore the dancing, and the raising her up on the chair. Great!

Rachel (A Southern Fairytale) (5 comments.) - February 28, 2010 - 6:38 pm

those are AMAZING shots.
The first two just took my breath away with their colors and snap and DOF.

I love the one of her in the chair! They are all fantastic!

Sarah (9 comments.) - February 28, 2010 - 5:55 pm

I love these shots….

Gina (30 comments.) - February 28, 2010 - 5:38 pm

The photo of Adina and her friend doing the Tango is so beautiful!
They are all such great photos but that one really speaks to me :)

Wedding Photography at Forum Homini Part 2

I can’t resist posting a few more of the workshop photos I took at Forum Homini.  I’ve been editing more of them, in order to choose my favourites to submit for review by Dror and Andrea, and found more gems in the process.

I also thought I’d show you some shots of the other photogs that were there, because in true blogging style, I had to record other memories from the day, and not just take photos of the gorgeous couple!  They include Lisa,  Ichizu, Kat Forsyth, Stella Sassen, Ursula Tocik, Chanique and Monique

Kim - March 1, 2010 - 8:37 pm

What a fabulous day I had so much fun and learnt so much from you guys,what awesome company to be in!!

Stella (19 comments.) - February 28, 2010 - 7:54 am

Bwahahaha!!! Me and my dud foot :)

Gilz (177 comments.) - February 27, 2010 - 2:27 pm

lovely…

Gena @ Thinking Aloud (14 comments.) - February 27, 2010 - 1:49 pm

Hi Jeanette … more gorgeous images … this workshop looks like it was a lot of fun and a great learning experience!!!!
Have a grat weekend!!
Gena @ Thinking Aloud
a photoblog
South Africa
PS. if you are interested in checking out the farm *the vintage car* (there are some old buildings and trees etc.etc.etc.) let me know, we can arrange…

Avril (Mom) (385 comments.) - February 27, 2010 - 10:07 am

Still like the one with the veil – soft pretty colours .. and happy!!

cat@juggling act (1 comments.) - February 27, 2010 - 8:16 am

Oh that first one must be my favorite of your whole shoot!

Anelle (47 comments.) - February 27, 2010 - 3:11 am

Oh, I love these, Jeanette! You really have a great eye for composition!

Carole (14 comments.) - February 26, 2010 - 10:55 pm

WOW wish I’d been there. Fabulous shots Sue. I love the one where the veil is floating in the air. It’s fabulous

Angel (192 comments.) - February 26, 2010 - 10:54 pm

It looks like an awesome day. Musta taken quite a bit of coordinating to let all the photogs have a turn!

A Wedding Workshop at Forum Homini

I attended the RE.Invent workshop that was held in the gorgeous surroundings of Forum Homini, in the Cradle of Humankind, today.  The wedding photography workshop was held by Dror Eyal and Andrea Carlysle, and it was amazing! I learnt so much, and got to spend some time chatting to photographers that I’ve only chatted to via Twitter and through blogging… so that was awesome too!

After the learning sessions, we did a shoot with a couple, Genevieve and Greg.  We not only took photos around the hotel, but Dror and Andrea took us to one of their spots on the property for some fun and grungy photos too.  It was the perfect venue for this… and you know how I like veld and open spaces for my photography, so it suited me down to the ground!

I’m posting a lot more than I usually do, it’s a little bit of overkill, but I cannot choose fewer shots! I like them all for different reasons.  I’m also really hoping that I got different shots to the other 20 photographers that were there:)

Now the problem is going to be choosing 5 from these images to send to Dror for review!

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

Gavin Blok (1 comments.) - March 1, 2010 - 9:38 pm

Very nice set of photos! No7 & 18 my favourite :-)

Wenchy (49 comments.) - February 27, 2010 - 6:43 am

The second pic is my favourite!

Liezel (9 comments.) - February 26, 2010 - 7:52 am

Those first two shots, AMAZING!

Corey~ living and loving (210 comments.) - February 25, 2010 - 11:23 pm

these just blow my mind. they make me want to let myself take on such projects, but I just don’t feel I have the time to give.

Domestic Extraordinaire (42 comments.) - February 25, 2010 - 11:13 pm

these are breath taking. Great shots!

Corinaho (1 comments.) - February 25, 2010 - 9:48 pm

I am shooting my first wedding this summer. I only hope that they come out half as good as these photos. Stunning.

Madi (1 comments.) - February 25, 2010 - 9:33 am

Love the last one. Like the fact that the bride changed her hair for different shots

Phil Mitchell - February 25, 2010 - 5:53 am

Gen is my daughter and I really love the photos you have taken.
Well done – she looks beautiful and Greg, as always, is with her in everything she does.
Best of luck from a very proud Dad.

Debbie Votin - February 24, 2010 - 11:07 pm

Have to agree with someone else’s comment on your logo – i liked the other one better. This one too busy.

Debbie Votin - February 24, 2010 - 11:05 pm

These are awesome!!!!!!! Stunning seriously you are just getting better and better girl – go Jenty!!!!

Cheryl - February 24, 2010 - 6:45 pm

Absolutely stunning photo’s.

Lone Pix (1 comments.) - February 24, 2010 - 5:29 pm

I always would have wanted to be shot in my wedding photos just like and exactly the way Jeannette captures.

Gena @ Thinking Aloud (14 comments.) - February 24, 2010 - 5:08 pm

Hi Jeanette! just found you through a search I was doing on photographers rights in public spaces on Paul’s blog …. linked through to you.

Love your blog and your work is really fantastic!!! This photoshoot/ workshop looks like it ws alot of fun!
I am also Jhb based – always nice to connect with local bloggers ….. have added you to my blogroll also….
Gena @ Thinking Aloud
a photoblog
South Africa

cat@juggling act (218 comments.) - February 24, 2010 - 3:41 pm

Oh yes, it will be difficult I love the stone wall ones – I love texture like that. But all beautiful.

Mitchell Wong Ho (3 comments.) - February 24, 2010 - 2:08 pm

Love the dramatic sky in #1. I’m sure you learned a lot =)

Stella (25 comments.) - February 24, 2010 - 1:14 pm

It was lovely meeting you and they came out stunning! Love the first “make it darker” shot and the veil ones :)

Angel (192 comments.) - February 24, 2010 - 9:57 am

They’re fantastic Jeanette!!

Jackie K - February 24, 2010 - 9:17 am

Wish you were around when I got married!
Simply stunning.
Shot number 10 is my fav.

Girish (78 comments.) - February 24, 2010 - 9:06 am

Too good :)

I still feel I like your earlier logo. The flower isn’t looking that nice.

ah yeh it’s going to tough to pick 5 shots.

The third last shot is pretty similar to a a bit old bollwood shot where the actress in the lead role poses someways similarly. The fabric in her hand would be generally a ‘dupatta’.

Take care.

Firefly (284 comments.) - February 24, 2010 - 8:54 am

Simply stunning shots… as expected of you

Mandy (15 comments.) - February 24, 2010 - 8:48 am

Was great meeting you, and you were right the veil one was the shot of the day stunning.. haven’t had a chance to check my shots if they anything like yours wow…

Sally-Jane (13 comments.) - February 24, 2010 - 8:24 am

Almost makes me want to get married again, beautiful

Elaine - February 24, 2010 - 8:05 am

WOW J, these are awesome! I absolutely love them.

Tanya (50 comments.) - February 24, 2010 - 7:56 am

all gorgeous!
i love the colours in the last few… the blue-ish sky with pinky clouds… so beautiful!!

Janet B (55 comments.) - February 24, 2010 - 7:36 am

Perfect! Just perfect!

Avril (Mom) (385 comments.) - February 24, 2010 - 7:10 am

Oh wow !! Breathtaking!!

Natacha (38 comments.) - February 24, 2010 - 6:50 am

Absolutely lovely!!!!

AndreaC - February 24, 2010 - 6:12 am

You have definately picked up the “Droresque” style in the first two. Nice and Dark ;-) . You got some awesome shots. My personal favourite has to be the second last one – the one you showed me oncamera, I think…absolutely breathtaking …wish it was mine!

Michelle - February 24, 2010 - 3:17 am

stunning shots.

WackyMummy (30 comments.) - February 24, 2010 - 2:12 am

Very nicely done! I envy you that opportunity to play around with the camera. Great work. =)

killlashandra (66 comments.) - February 24, 2010 - 12:35 am

Beautiful sky in all those shots. :)

Secret Agent Mama (86 comments.) - February 24, 2010 - 12:10 am

Stunning!

Anelle (47 comments.) - February 23, 2010 - 11:55 pm

OH MY WORD!!!! These are AWESOME!!!!

Colleen Sevitz (23 comments.) - February 23, 2010 - 11:31 pm

These are really awesome!! That sky in the first one is magnificent!

Charms - February 23, 2010 - 11:28 pm

Fantastic photo’s!!!

[...] can’t resist posting a few more of the workshop photos I took at Forum Homini.  I’ve been editing more of them, in order to choose my [...]

Sunset and sunrise at Kloofzicht

I’ve just come home from a strategy weekend at Kloofzicht Hotel, in Muldersdrift; and although I didn’t have very much time to myself, I managed to catch the sunset last night, and then I woke up early (which was a huge feat considering the time I got to sleep) to get photos of the sun rising too.

Dam reflection

Place to reflect

Natural shapes

Sunset over the dam

Birds at sunset

Misty icy dawn

I’m probably not going to be posting on my blog tomorrow, I’m flying to Cape Town to do some presentations and more corporate portraits (with some borrowed equipment), so until Tuesday night… have fun and  behave yourselves;)Don’t miss me too much.

Pia (46 comments.) - August 2, 2009 - 5:29 pm

gorgeousness – love that orange glow!!
.-= Pia´s last blog ..Happy Times =-.

Corina (18 comments.) - July 28, 2009 - 10:18 pm

Oh, gorgeous. You live in beautiful country. AMAZING.
.-= Corina´s last blog ..Sisterhood =-.

Claudia (1 comments.) - July 28, 2009 - 3:46 pm

Enjoy your trip!

Momisodes (40 comments.) - July 28, 2009 - 3:37 pm

These are simply gorgeous. The light in the skies are so peaceful.
.-= Momisodes´s last blog ..BlogHmm… =-.

Tanya (86 comments.) - July 27, 2009 - 9:15 pm

oh my! those are just amazing!! I feel so calm looking at them!
.-= Tanya´s last blog ..I’m a bit upset =-.

Mandy (15 comments.) - July 27, 2009 - 4:34 pm

you saved the best for last the mist/steam on the water very cool… and the birdies…
.-= Mandy´s last blog ..MontBLANC- office play =-.

ExMi - July 27, 2009 - 10:37 am

how awesome is the V formation with the geese?

nice one!
.-= ExMi´s last blog ..What’s Pink and Fluffy? Pink Fluff. =-.

Gilz (177 comments.) - July 27, 2009 - 10:27 am

Postcard stuff. STunning!!!
.-= Gilz´s last blog ..702 Discovery Walk The Talk 15km =-.

Firefly (284 comments.) - July 27, 2009 - 8:57 am

The very last photo is an supurb one. The fog rising over the water, the sun just just behind the mountain and the reflextion in the water. Perfect.
.-= Firefly´s last blog ..Maya the Bee =-.

Janet B - July 27, 2009 - 8:01 am

P and I have spent a week-end at Kloofzicht. It really is a beautiful place. Enjoy CT!

Avril (Mom) (385 comments.) - July 27, 2009 - 6:55 am

Tried to make another comment but the power was obviously reduced before it went off completely – for hours !!!! My comment was : wished I could have put a smiley face on your suitcase too!!!
.-= Avril (Mom)´s last blog ..Weekly Winners : 19 – 25 July =-.

Carole - July 27, 2009 - 12:13 am

fabulous images. lovely refelctions

killlashandra (66 comments.) - July 26, 2009 - 11:51 pm

That last shot is excellet!
.-= killlashandra´s last blog ..Support a Mom =-.

Michelle - July 26, 2009 - 10:54 pm

Picture perfect!!

Gina (58 comments.) - July 26, 2009 - 6:26 pm

Magnificent! I dont know which one I like the best, I kept thinking ‘this one’ then I saw the next one and each one blew me away.
.-= Gina´s last blog ..A little known fact… =-.

Avril (Mom) (385 comments.) - July 26, 2009 - 6:12 pm

Absolutely stunning!!! Enjoy your trip! .. and don’t wear turn-up trousers!

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