Wow, when I got this in my email this morning I was… just wow!! It’s actually quite difficult for me to read compliments like this…

The email was from Lerato, and was in response to her receiving her photobook and DVD’s with photos from her maternity shoot and Kutloano’s newborn shoot.

During my pregnancy, I wanted to freeze this happiest time of my life so I decided the best thing to do would be to do a maternity shoot. After weeks and weeks of Google, and almost on the verge of giving up on my idea, I came across your website. Everything about it spoke to me, your style, your unique eye and your unbelievably reasonable prices… I just had to choose you. I told my husband about it but he just couldn’t visualize or grasp the hype I had going about this ‘Jeanette Verster Photography’.

Meeting you for the shoot cemented the fact that you were the correct choice. The maternity shoot went so well, it’s nothing remotely close to what I had imagined. It was more! The penny finally dropped for my husband, he got it! You brought out and captured every bit of excitement and emotion that we felt in our hearts. We couldn’t end it there, we just had to capture and celebrate the eventual birth of our son Kutloano. Even though we couldn’t do it in the first 10 days of birth, it still came out beautifully! Our little nunus just shone for the camera.

What we admired most during both shoots is the fact that you’re not just a person behind a lens clicking away; you have that gentle, attentive humanity that we so needed with such a delicate and private project. The cherry on top was the patience you had when we were working on the photobook (which by the way I have not been able to put down since receiving it!). Gosh, you were so patient with us during the discussions of the layout of the photobook as well… I thought you’d throw in the towel at some point.

Your attention to detail is just absolutely amazing, the packaging so sophisticated… it makes one feel special. We haven’t stopped raving about the pictures and the gorgeous photobook! You hit the nail on the head! My family would like to extend a warm heartfelt thank you for capturing this special journey in our lives AND commend you on your professionalism. We wish you well with all future projects and hope to invite you on our next project.

And as for me, I’m very picky about who touches my hair at the hairdresser or who does my nails at the nail bar… now because of you, I’m definitely picky about who will be capturing those special moments in my life. You’re just absolutely FABULOUS!!

I’m so very glad they liked everything in the end and I’m so so very proud of that book. I’m actually wanting to print another one for my portfolio.

And I because I can’t possibly have a post on my blog without a photo… here are two from their shoots.

I hope I do see them again, that Kutloano is one cute baby!

This photo means more to me tonight, than it did last night (I took it yesterday afternoon).  The reason… I’m uhming and aahing about what to do.  Should I buy a Mac or not?  This question is of paramount importance tonight as the Beta version of Lightroom that I’ve been using has expired, and I don’t want to spend money on Lightroom twice!

The big thing is… I primarily use Lightroom for processing now, so I can’t actually go without it.

So now the question is… iMac or MacbookPro?  I can’t decide!! Help me in the comments!

In other fabulous news… I got another fabulous review on Leigh-Ann’s blog tonight about the photos I took for their family in May   Extra pleased that she likes them!!

An extract from her post:

A couple of years ago I had my own model agency and I was fortunate enough to work with many different photographers, some well known BUT I have never worked with a photographer that captures the actual feeling, moment and emotion – the way Jeanette did.  She has the most amazing approach when dealing with children.  Joshua had been feeling very left out  because of all the babies etc. and Jeanette made him feel extra special. He was involved from the start, helping her find little hidden pathways or taking a sneak peep thru the lens.  Joshua had so much fun.

Cool hey?!!  I actually had such fun with Josh   here are some fun photos from a face-pulling exercise when he started getting bored

Remember Jacqui and Richard’s wedding at Usambara in May?  Well, I got this email from Jacqui today…

Thank you, thank you, thank you, what an amazing day and what an amazing Photographer! Everyone always says that if you are going to spend any money on a wedding it’s got to be on your wedding photos, because after the party is over and everyone goes home that is all that is left, and thanks to you Jeanette our memories are so beautiful and we could not have asked for more! You took the most beautiful photos of even random moments when no one was looking. People have said to me that your photos make them feel like they were there as you captured such wonderful expressions and moments in time, and it is true, every time I look at them I am taken back to the happiest day of my life. You were so professional and wonderful to have around, you never made anyone feel uncomfortable and people enjoyed having you around, so much so that every time someone mentions the fact they need a photographer your name is fondly mentioned and only the highest compliments are made.

So once again, thank you for your beautiful photos, you have such a talent even when the odds are stacked against you i.e. miserable rainy weather you made it seem like it was a beautiful sunny day. Talent like that does not come around very often and I count myself very lucky that I had you there that day otherwise I have no idea how my photos might have come out! I wish you all the luck with your future clients and would love for you to use me as a reference.

Jacqui & Richard Swanepoel

Emails like this make me smile.  I LOVE that they LOVE their photos!! It was a very special moment in their lives, and I’m glad they like the memories that the photos evoke.

And of course, what’s a post on my blog without a photo… one of my favourites from their wedding…

Madi posted the following on her blog about the photos I took at her kids‘ party…

Somehow Jeanette just seemed to capture the joy and excitement of the kids. The pictures just seem to shout fun and good times ahead.And the pics of other kids that I wouldn’t want? They are beautifull. I’m so glad I have got a record of my kids friends at this moment in time and how they all interact. It’s special, priceless moments.
So here is just a few pics. There’s lots more and I have the hard task of choosing a few to print. Thanks so much Jeanette!!

She also posted one of my favourite photos of Carmen (that I haven’t posted on my blog yet)

Comments like that make all the work worth it… I LOVE knowing that I captured the spirit of the event and of the child in question Just LOVE IT!