CREATING A LEGACY

“The goal isn’t to live forever, it is to create something that will.”
~ Chuck Palahniuk

Spring brings with it a sense of rebirth, regrowth and reassessment of ones priorities doesn’t it? It’s a chance to create something new and with that a time for reflection. It’s a good time for me to reflect on how I’m channelling my energy into my creativity and to look at what the big picture of what I’m trying to achieve at the end of the day … and I find myself coming back to the same thing that I always do: my family.

There is a little black and white photo on the pin board against the wall above my desk … a small 6cm X 6cm, black and white, hand developed photo of a 19 year old girl with long dark hair, dark eyes and enigmatic Mona Lisa half smile. This photo is around 45 years old. It’s a perfectly lit studio portrait and time capsule of my mom. MY amazing mother.

The photo is worn from age and in itself isn’t earth shatteringly brilliant or anything, it’s nothing, you’d barely notice it if you sat down with me for a consultation. But to me, it’s everything. In it I see her, her shy strong determined personality, her self confidence, her innocence. In it I see myself, my daughter, my gran, my sister, my niece … and all our traits and characteristics as well. It’s my personal little treasure and it’s a priceless heirloom I will pass down to my daughter.

There are no defining marks on the photo to show who the photographer is, but I’m thankful for their life’s work whomever they are. This Spring brings me around to the affirmation of my heart, which is that I am on the path to create such personal treasures for others. If I can create a handful of portraits that epitomise someone for generations to come, that families can hold close to their hearts and pass on as treasured heirlooms then that is a legacy I will be proud to leave behind …

“What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.”
~ Albert Pine

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Thanks to my amazing team for contributing towards my creative vision, your hard work is immensely appreciated and will live on with the images:
Model: Jo Van Zyl, wearing her ‘Duchess’ style wedding dress by Jenny Packham
Hair and make up: Rika Van der Veen, Studio RX
Food and table styling: Leolita Maroun, Caffeiniista
Painted biscuits: Julie Myers, Yummylicious
Photography Assistant: Toni Butterworth, Toni Butterworth Photography
Furniture, tableware and other props: Bentwoods, Zafari Hire, Daphne Timm, Cheryl Moss
Perfect proteas: Carol & Basille Glanville
Bouquet flowers: sourced locally and created by Robs & Toni

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