love – Jenya Zhivaleva Photography – Garden Route. South Africa.

Ilze and Tal wedding in the forest of Knysna

On the 20th of December 2014 I 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

Jenya Zhivaleva Photography. Your Foto Story

A love-story photo-shoot turned proposal!

couples, travel, wedding

Meet beautiful Russian couple Anya and Roma.

What started as a love-story photo-shoot, ended up with Roma on his knees holding a ring!

These two love-birds joined a recent Surf Еxpedition to Mozambique via Kruger Park, South Africa, organised by Unravel Surf Travel, June/July 2014.

Being an organiser and photographer for Unravel Surf Travel, Roma approached me in advance and told me about his plan to propose to his girlfriend, Anya, during our Surf Tour.

At more or less the same time Anya contacted me and booked a couple’s photo-shoot during the Surf Tour.

Obviously this was the perfect setup for a proposal! Anya would be convinced that she was getting ready for their couple’s photo-shoot, while Roma and myself were preparing for something far more special!

After an hour of taking beautiful photographs of the couple, we moved to a little beach-restaurant where Anya thought we would simply carry on shooting.

But as we moved onto the beach, in the gentle light of a setting sun, I stepped aside and Roma’s eyes started glinting mischievously.

He took Anya’s hand and opened his hand onto hers. At first she had no idea what was happening.

But then she saw the ring. At first there were no words. She had had no idea, but now it was clear. Roma wanted to marry her! She was surprised. She was happy. And I was quietly saying to myself “please say yes, please say yes!”

After a few moments, but what seemed like ages to Roma and myself, she finally said it. Softly. Yes.

There were lots of tears. There was laugher. And there were hugs all around!

It felt incredibly special to be a part of such an important moment in their lives!

They spent the rest of the night alone at their private dinner table on the sand, surrounded by nothing other than stars and the warm Indian Ocean waters along the coast of Mozambique…

All photographs by Jenya Zhivaleva

Place: Barra, Mozambique

VALENTINE’S DATE

couples, Uncategorized

Happy Valentine’s day everyone!

People say you have to spend Valentines day with the ones you really love, the ones that touch your heart! I was lucky enough to photograph a special date. A perfect date!

Meet Olga Naumova and her special one!

Yes, that’s right! He is her special one. Skydiving is her love and passion!

She is the only female instructor at Skydive Mossel Bay, and only one of the two in the whole of South Africa!

Originally from the Republic of Belarus, she’s come quite a long way! And what a journey it’s been! After all these years, this is her with the love of her life!