When Gert-Jan and Barbara asked me in February at the wedding of his sister whether I would like to shoot his wedding in Portugal I didn’t have a clue that it will have such an impact on me.  Having a wedding on the Saturday before I flew to Faro  on Sunday morning to capture the wedding from 14:00 onwards. My ShootinQ colleague and friend Daphne arrived the evening before and witnessed a great B-B-Q and the celebration of Gert-Jan’s birthday at 00:00. Gert-Jan and Barbera knows this place very well which has a very special meaning to them.

It was so cool arriving at the airport and saw a lady having a sign with “Mr. Nel” on it. Always wanted to have the privilege of somebody officialy picking me up at the airport this way. In the back of the Mercedes I enjoyed the breathtaking Portuguese scenery. The wedding was at the Sheraton Pine Cliffs and it was just magnificant! If you ever need a holiday adress in Portugal, this is a good and luxurious one! The shooting was just amazing and having shot with Daphne before I had all the confidence that she will deliver spectacular shots being very quiet on the background. She did!

The after party in the Lobby was also fun with the bridegroom entertaining us with his piano skills. Monday consisted out of swimming, a bad round of golf (had my camera with me and she should have stayed in the hotelroom) and a lovely chil TTD (Trash the dress). In the evening we had  diner  with the family and had a good laugh with the groom’s father and his friend with all their jokes and stories.

Tuesday went very well on the golf course which is awesome just to see, let alone play there. The first 6 holes I played like a semi-pro and then I lost my ball at the 7th and it went downhill from there. Nevertheless, it was fun and relaxed.

This wedding was one of the highlights out of my photography career not only for the results and the type of assignment but because I met lovely people again! THANK YOU Gert-Jan and Barbara for a fantastic time, for the trust you have in me and for being such generous people. Thank you also to all the family and friends who treated us as guests rather than labourers!

Here is a link to the slide show of the time in Portugal. Obrigado!