Category: Uncategorized
Family photo shoot is a great tradition.
Photographing this beautiful family is turning into a tradition: from pregnancy with their first child to big busy family with two kids. It is exciting to watch Viljoen family grow and to capture their journey.
© Jenya Zhivaleva Photography
Family photo shoot as a tradition.
Paxton Family Shoot
Life is made of small moments like this. The moments we create together, remember and lean on when days get tough. Like they say, a hug from family lasts a lifetime.
Paxton family, thank you for amazing afternoon together. Thank you for letting me catch a glimpse into your family.
© Jenya Zhivaleva Photography
Birth of Ethan De La Croix
Birth Photography. It is raw. It is real. It is emotional. It is beautiful. It is life arriving right in front of you. I felt at owe watching De La Croix family birthing their baby boy Ethan.
Yes, it is a family affair. Dad was helping his wife through all her waves of contractions, catching his own son and cutting his cord. 6 year old sister was hugging mommy’s tummy to help her with pain, jumping out of excitement on arrival of her brother and hugging everyone around of happiness.
And mother was breathing through every contraction which came closer and closer and eventually hit one on top of another. She birthed her son with no painkillers. Surrounded by family she welcomed baby boy she carried for so many months under her heart. Melissa cried from happiness of finally meeting Ethhan and knowing that the worst is over. In fact everyone was crying, including me. As I have just witnessed something so powerful, beautiful and inspiring.
Once again I can see that birthing your child at home is a real VIP experience of births. Comfort of your own home, everyone you love are around, no random people or check ups, freedom of movement, no interventions, no unnecessary medication, delayed cord clamping, and midwife or doula at your own disposal to help you at any moment.
Photographing birth made me feel so humble, as I have witnessed life at its grand arrival.
Jenya Zhivaleva Photography www. yourfotostory.com
Birthing mama Melissa De La Croix – check out her page to hear her own birth story.
Doula – Heidi van Zyl
George – South Africa – 2019
Garden Route Birth Photography
Birth Photography – Welcome Ethan De La Croix
Birth Photography. It is raw. It is real. It is emotional. It is beautiful. It is life arriving right in front of you. I felt at owe watching De La Croix family birthing their baby boy Ethan.
Yes, it is a family affair. Dad was helping his wife through all her waves of contractions, catching his own son and cutting his cord. 6 year old sister was hugging mommy’s tummy to help her with pain, jumping out of excitement on arrival of her brother and hugging everyone around of happiness.
And mother was breathing through every contraction which came closer and closer and eventually hit one on top of another. She birthed her son with no painkillers. Surrounded by family she welcomed baby boy she carried for so many months under her heart. Melissa cried from happiness of finally meeting Ethhan and knowing that the worst is over. In fact everyone was crying, including me. As I have just witnessed something so powerful, beautiful and inspiring.
Once again I can see that birthing your child at home is a real VIP experience of births. Comfort of your own home, everyone you love are around, no random people or check ups, freedom of movement, no interventions, no unnecessary medication, delayed cord clamping, and midwife or doula at your own disposal to help you at any moment.
Photographing birth made me feel so humble, as I have witnessed life at its grand arrival.
Jenya Zhivaleva Photography www. yourfotostory.com
Birthing mama Melissa De La Croix – check out her page to hear her own birth story.
Doula – Heidi van Zyl
George – South Africa – 2019
Garden Route Birth Photography
Maternity: Human Family
I always feel so privileged to photograph these special family stories. By now this baby bump is a beautiful little girl who is busy getting to know her family.
RIANA. Fitness shoot
Meet gorgeous Riana – fitness coach and mother of two beautiful kids.
What an inspiration, ladies.
You can sign up to be trained by Riana at Diaz Hotel Gym, that opened up at the beginning of August in Mossel Bay.
© Jenya Zhivaleva Photography.
Â
Nicola and Tinus Wedding.
Nicola and Tinus exchanged wedding vows on the 7th of March, in front of family and friends, at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, just outside Klein Brak River. It was a real international wedding. Nicola’s family came all the way from Wales to meet Tinus’s South African family and celebrate this special day. Being a foreigner, I know how important it is to share these special moments with family members from home, far away.
I knew that every single moment captured on that day will mean the world to Nicola and Tinus. And to their entire family. No pressure at all! I was on a mission, to quote Nicola’s mother: «to preserve that day through the lens, into an image, so that their special day will always be remembered!» Thank you Nicola and Tinus for a gorgeous wedding!
Photos: Jenya Zhivaleva Photography
Your Foto Story
2015
SURISA AND RONALD
Wedding of beautiful Surisa and Ronald. These love birds traveled all the way from Pretoria to celebrate their wedding day surrounded by the unique beauty of the Garden Route’s stunning landscapes. They have chosen Fancourt, South Africa’s premier golf resort in George, to host their big day. Surisa was incredibly calm throughout the whole day, impressive, considering that everything had to be arranged from Pretoria. The wedding ceremony was run and blessed by her grandfather, which made the event even more special. Surisa’s gentle nature, bride and groom’s evident love for each other and elegant style of the whole wedding blended so naturally together.
Surisa and Ronald’s wedding shoot was an inspiring collaboration with Eon Coetzee from Eonmedia. I can’t wait to see Eon’s video creation!
Photos by Jenya Zhivaleva. Your Foto Story.
Fancourt, George.
Garden Route . South Africa.
Ilze and Tal wedding in the forest of Knysna
On the 20th of December 2014 IÂ photographed an amazing, fairy-like wedding in the forest of Knysna. Ilze and Tal made a lifelong promise to each other at their self-made altar at Jubilee Creek, outside Knysna. The ceremony was very special, with lots of tears, smiles and blessings. At times it was challenging to stay focused. All I wanted to do is to watch these beautiful souls dancing with each other in their celebration and bathe in their love.
Ceremony was followed by fun reception at Totties, outside Knysna. Its impossible not to mention creative decorations and unique style of the wedding, created by bride Ilze. Thank you Ilze and Tal for a wonderful experience!
Dress: Besters Bridal
Make up: Bianca Professional makeup artist
Reception: Totties Farm Kitchen
Style and decoration: Ilze Stadler
Music: Disco and Sound
Photography: Jenya Zhivaleva. Your Foto Story
Wedding shoot in collaboration with Eon Coetzee from Eonmedia
Garden Route. South Africa
