What an amazing journey this has been. One of fun, weird, wacky creativity, but also the realization of the impact cancer has and had on so many individuals. From the person diagnosed with the dreaded decease, to the family members holding their hands and walking this tough path with them, to the doctors and nursing staff caring for them, to the ones who fought this battle and won, to those who had to say goodbye to a dear and loved one.
I have had moments of pure joy reading about the journeys of the cancer fighters I started following on Facebook and Instagram who won their battles, hearing how the models and make-up artists who joined me on this campaign were touched by the big C to crying reading how others didn’t have the energy to fight anymore and said their goodbyes way too soon. What started as a campaign to keep me safe from falling into depression and sane from overthinking the rough patch I was going through end of 2016 and the tough 2017 lying ahead quickly became a very humbling experience to realize that I had SO much to be grateful for. Working with close to 100 different personalities during this campaign one realizes that this is not about me, or the service provider or the model. Even if we do awesome make-up, the model is drop dead gorgeous or super ripped or we take amazing images, this is a small drop in the ocean of the devastation cancer can spread without discriminating against whom it makes sick or takes away from loved ones.
From the first announcement about the idea I had the response was so amazing – people eagerly and willingly offered their help and services or wanted to be models. My homework started by getting ideas and themes for each shoot, but more so pairing the ideas with the models I lined up – stalking someone’s social media profiles help associating certain ideas with the right person, as reshoots were not an option. Sponsorships were lined up and my ideas were ready to come to life. Which started out as a 12-shoot idea ended up to be 31 shoots. Yes, 31 amazing shoots!! One post per day in October 2017
One of the biggest sponsors I’ll forever be grateful to is Camera Stuff. They believed in my ideas and were willing to assist. I have bought all my other lighting equipment from them too and even when I need advice or assistance they are always willing to help. They also offer workshops. Visit their site for amazing prices, specials, service and equipment.
Another thank you goes out to a wonderful photographer friend, Marika Wilkins, who was willing to help me out short notice with retouching my images the day I was supposed to start posting after experiencing a small bump in the road with the retouching of these. We have never met, but she has been an absolute super star since we met via social media and I have learnt so much about editing and retouching from her. Please visit her page to see her amazing work at Marika Wilkins Photography.
I am posting my images with pride and a grateful heart to all who were involved and helped me create images I would have otherwise never had the opportunity to create. It has challenged me and I have grown so much as photographer and person. Per image I’ll list the model, make-up artist and other sponsors involved.
For those fighting it and fighting for survival, for those fighting against it, for those fighting with others, for those fighting for a cure, I salute you! I want to dedicate all my shoots to MARINELL PRINSLOO, an amazing photographer friend. Her journey is one of bravery, believe, hope, love and trust in our amazing Father.
Also watch this space as I am taking on this task for October 2018 again!
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1 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Petra Rossouw
Make-up: Louise Reynecke
Nails: Tammy Taylor Nails Boksburg
Lighting equipment: Camera Stuff
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2 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Brett Palframan
Puppy: Friends of Rescued Animals (FORA)
Lighting equipment: Camera Stuff
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3 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Stephanie Perks
Make-up: Sammie Lehman
Hair: Hair Etc Olympus
Lighting equipment: Camera Stuff
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4 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Sibusiso Kotelo
Snake: Anita Marais
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5 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Christina Pappas
Make-up and Hair: Ultimate Glamour
Paint: Jack’s Paint President Hyper
Lighting equipment: Camera Stuff
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6 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Marco Araujo
Kisses: Ultimate Glamour
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7 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Gen Brand
Make-up and Hair: Ultimate Glamour
Lighting equipment: Camera Stuff
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8 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Ivan Green
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9 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Leanne Chiddick
Make-up: JvK Make-up
Dress: Silver Swallow Design
Sweets: By model
Lighting equipment: Camera Stuff
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10 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Marc Dryden-Schofield
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11 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Logan Coleman
Make-up: Model herself
Dress: Silver Swallow Design
Accessories: Jolene Hill
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12 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Bernato Breedt
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13 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Tertia Visser
Make-up: JvK Make-up
Accessories: Jolene Hill
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14 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Wesley Robertson
Rhinestones: Ultimate Glamour
Accessories: Jolene Hill
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15 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Tersia Oosthuisen
Make-up: Cuan Kemp
Accessories: Jolene Hill
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16 OCTOBER 2017
Models: Monique Lopes and Adrian Colyn
Make-up and Hair: Ultimate Glamour
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17 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Jaco van Wyk
Accessories: Commalong Tours
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18 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Candice Somerset
Make-up: Image Alchemy
Accessories: Jolene Hill
Lighting equipment: Camera Stuff
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19 OCTOBER 2017
Model and Art: John Adams
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20 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Eileen Janse van Rensburg
Make-up: Terry Bloem
Accessories: Jolene Hill
Lighting equipment: Camera Stuff
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21 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Rual Laubscher
Art (angel wings): John Adams
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22 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Charlene Lombard
Make-up: Monique Lamprecht
Accessories: Commalong Tours
Lighting equipment: Camera Stuff
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23 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Matt Lindner
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24 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Wayne Young
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25 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Veronique Mitchell
Make-up: Rumbidzai
Accessories: Arina Finch
Lighting equipment: Camera Stuff
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26 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Johandré Kruger
Accessories: Arina Finch
Lighting equipment: Camera Stuff
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27 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Donovan Saunders
Watches: Johandré Kruger
Body paint: Samantha Dejay Kitchener
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28 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Nicol Esquino
Make-up: Rumbidzai
Accessories: Arina Finch
Lighting equipment: Camera Stuff
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29 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Andre Rossouw
Hair: Ilze Oberholzer
Accessories: Arina Finch
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30 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Yolandi-lee Oberholzer
Make-up. hair and nails: By model herself
Accessories: Arina Finch
Lighting equipment: Camera Stuff
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31 OCTOBER 2017
Model: Troye Larson
Accessories: Boo!beloobies from Mie’s Art & Crafts
Lighting equipment: Camera Stuff
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