DETROIT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
ASTRID
Photographer, Artist, Dreamer
Traveler, Doggie lover
I STRIVE TO MAKE EACH PERSON FEEL SEEN AND SPECIAL.
Your special moments' matter. The moment that a couple's eyes meet for the first time on their special day, the tear streaming down a proud father's face while handing his daughter's hand to her soulmate, and the intense joyous moment when a couple shares their first kiss!"
I live for these moments. I cherish them, because I understand how fleeting they are and that one day, this precious photograph that I took, will be the only thing left to connect this priceless moment to the feeling.
I was born and raised in the beautiful country of South Africa. From a young age I fell in love with art. I saw it in everything around me, from the breathtaking nature that I was surrounded by on our small farmstead at the foot of the Soutpansberg mountains in the north of South Africa to the pristine beaches of Jeffreys bay in the south, we moved to when I was a bit older. I loved drawing and painting these beautiful things and places growing up. My first time I really fell in love with photography was when my sisters started their modelling classes and I picked up an old-school film camera and did my first photo shoot on the beach in Jeffreys bay.
My first European Adventure with my aunt and uncle.
After I returned from Europe I enrolled in the 1st Year Arts program at Nelson Mandela University and by the end of the first year I decided to major in Photography. I absolutely love the freedom photography offers an artist and the way I could use my love for the art to also start my own profitable business. During my 4 year Degree I won numerous awards, including the Grand prize for the International PIEA Award for my Digital Manipulation Photographic artwork (2008), this award absolutely changed my life, the prize was a Canon 1D Mark 3 (top of the range DSLR camera) which until this point I would never have been able to afford. I saved up for over a year and bought the specialized lenses I needed for this magnificent camera.
I received a merit bursary to do a Masters Degree and I was thrilled to be able to further my studies and explore the old photography masters. I specialized in black and white fashion photography and I still believe that this time in my life really influenced the unique style of wedding photography that I have today.
My time in South Africa
After my final year of school my aunt and uncle took me on a life changing adventure through Europe. It was my first time travelling abroad and awakened a whole new world. I was privileged to view famous artworks which until then I had only studied about in art history class. I felt so energized and inspired by Europe I knew I would have a love affair with this continent till the day I die.
My Masters Solo Exhibition
17 Years with the love of my life
Our love story
In 2004 I opened the summer camp tourbus door and I saw the most beautiful boy with black curly hair and a shy smile. I know it sounds corny but it was love at first sight. We didn't speak for the whole camp, because we were both too shy but later that year my family moved to the same hometown as this shy boy and he asked me on a date.
Juan and I dated for 7 years before we married and we have been blessed with 10 years of marriage this year. These 10 years have been the best years of my life. During these 10 years we have lived in 3 continents, travelled to 23 countries and met the most amazing people along our journey. I would not be the person I am today without him by my side. He is my rock, my biggest supporter, a fantastic travel buddy and the best wedding assistant ever. We have done over 250 wedding together and we make a mean team. I would not want to be on this journey with anyone but him.
How did we get here?
THE TIMELINE
2005
First year art school, exploring painting, drawing, sculpture and of course photography
STARTED DOING photo SHOOTS OUT OF my BASEMENT
2008
Won Grand prize International PIEA Award
( Canon 1D Mark 3 camera!)
WON THE NELSON MANDELA UNIVERSITY STUDENT AMBASSADOR AWARD
2012
Masters Solo Exhibition
2019
MOVED TO GERMANY
Registered my German Photography & Art business
Photographed 4 weddings
as well as my 1st SPD political campaign
Sold 9 Multimedia Artworks
2004
Fell in love with the boy with the black curly hair ( my husband )
Also fell in love with Europe
2006
photographed my 1st wedding
Decided to mayor in Photography
2011
Married my best friend
COMPLETED MY MASTERS TREATISE
Working with international commercial clients
2014-2016
TRAVELling back and forth TO EUROPE
Photographing International weddings
2021
Moved to Clarkston, Michigan, US
excited to start exploring this beautiful new country
Some of my
FAVORITE THINGS
FAMILY
My husband and I have been married for 10 years and together for 17 years. We have no (human) children but we have 2 doggies, Gatcha (9 years) and Coco(10 years). They have traveled with us to 3 continents and where ever they are, it feels like home.
I am also blessed with 4 beautiful talented sisters. They are my best friends and although I am thousands of miles away it feels like they are just around the corner, thank goodness for Skype and video calls.
We are so blessed with our parents and we would not be here today if it wasn't for them.
ARCHITECTURE
I am obsessed with beautiful architecture. I draw inspiration from it for my photography and art.
When we are traveling to new places, one of the things I enjoy most are the new and different architectural styles. I fell in love with European Architecture and I enjoy seeing its influence in the US as I travel to new states.
MUSIC
In the morning when I wake up I put on some music and it always energies my spirit!
When we traveled to New Orleans I just fell in love with the Jazz on the streets! I absolutely love George Ezra and everything from Taylor Swift!
My latest obsession is country music. Since moving to Michigan I just can't get enough of Walker Hayes and anything from Dierks Bentley and Kane Brown. I just want to start dancing when the country starts playing!
THE OUTDOORS
Whether it is hiking in mountains in Germany or swimming in a lake in Michigan, it just makes me feel alive when I am close to nature. I also love mountain biking and I even have some scars to prove it.
This photo was taken kayaking outside the ancient city walls of Dubrovnic
(for those who love Game of Thrones "me", this was where the Battle of Blackwater took place)
TRAVEL
I have been blessed to have seen so much of the world, to have lived in 3 continents and explored 23 countries so far and so many more on my bucket list.
I love the feeling you get when you arrive in a new country, the sense of adventure, the smell of new aromas in the air. Meeting a friendly face and trying to say hello in their language. Trying a local dish on the menu that you can not even pronounce and getting lost, literally and figuratively, in the streets of this new world around you.
Nothing broadens your perspective like traveling.
CREATING ART
I have always loved creating art, whether the platform is photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, or digital art, as long as I am creating something unique and inspiring I am happy.
While we were living in Germany I decided to create a Multi-Media Art Range, It took me 8 months to finish 9 artworks. Above is one of my favorite Acrylic paintings called Barcelona.
