Party Time...

So as the silly season officially kicks off for most people today, I thought I would share a song with you that should hopefully get you into the swing off things! It certainly makes me want to live in this street and party on down.

For all of you going on leave and holidaying in some exotic location, I trust you'll have a blast, for those of you remaining in Johannesburg, enjoy the peace and quiet.

Snowflake Shoot...

A couple of months ago I was invited to a studio shoot at the old Snowflake Mill in Potchefstroom that was hosted by Emil Wessels and sponsored by Graham Robertson Photographic. Of all the models that we had the opportunity to photograph there was one couple that for me really stood out from the rest. They were not your typical beautiful models, in actual fact they were anything but! No perfect features, no flawless skin, no toned bodies, just real people...

I think for many photographers present at the shoot, they were more fascinated by the couple because of the "freak value" they represented rather than anything else, this was an opportunity to get up close and personal with a couple that on any other day they would give a wide berth frantically dragging their horrified children behind them. This was  evident by the fact that hardly anybody spoke to them or paid any attention to them off set.

I had the opportunity to get to know the two of them a little better, they are a fantastic couple, real salt of the earth, good, kind people who have simply chosen a different path to that of the mainstream, a little hardened by life and its many lessons, they are no different to any one of us.

On set we were fortunate to have a glimpse into the passion they have for each other, they forgot about the cameras, paid no attention to the burst of flash and just got on with the business of giving us some great shots, the energy between them was electric, and I have got to say they remain some of the most beautiful people I have had the opportunity to photograph, there is an honesty between them that many so called "normal" people can only dream about.

I have seen some of the images of the other photographers that were present that day and have noticed that hardly any recognition is given to this couple. I personally would love the opportunity to work with them again.

This is my little tribute to them...

Cover up that damn tattoo!

So as you all know, I went down to Milo to have my new tattoo done. The only problem is that when I get back home from being tattooed my little minature dachshund Zsa-Zsa tries desperately to cover it up, we fist noticed this earlier this year on another tattoo and when she began trying to cover it up again this time we decided to record it. She only does it while the tattoo is healing, after that she is comfortable with it. Check it out on this clip we posted on Youtube...

http://youtu.be/q3AUnGOsxAU

Back to Johannesburg...

So after 4 amazing days, 15 hours of tattooing, some great laughs, introductions to some awesome people, I am finally going back home to Johannesburg. While I can't wait to be with my gorgeous wife and my three terrorist dogs, I cant help feeling as always when one travels to Cape Town, that you leave a little part of your soul here, life is truly good down here and I can't wait to be back in January for the Tattoo Convention and to get some more inking done...Mo Coppoletta of the famed London tattoo studio "The Family Business" says the joy of getting a tattoo is its chrysalis-like-transformation. Getting photographed by the tattooist just after you get it done. Leaving the shop with the design swaddled like a newborn. That first 24 hours or so of that slick shiny sheen forming over the tattoo. The days of the meticulous after-care, with the scabbing, the peeling. Then after about a week, it emerges, transformed, healed and just as you imagined, and you think, "This is me."

And then, you start thinking about the next one.

Its been a blast

Needles & Razor Blades...

Talk about a wild couple of days... Flew down to Cape Town yesterday to stay with my mate Milo (Mr Lucky), South Africa's undisputed "King of the Custom Electric Tattoo" Started a marathon tattoo session at 4-30 in the afternoon and finished up at 02-30 on Thursday morning, 9 hours of of jaw clenching... eventually my left arm was sleeved.

Then it was up at 07-00 to go for a traditional cut-throat razor shave at Burnet Fair in Bree Street, I've been shaving for about 25 years now and this was by far the most pleasurable shave I have ever had, guys should start doing more of this kind of thing, girls have all the fun pampering themselves! Tomorrow we start another 5 hour session to finish off my right arm (pic's to follow) and then it's back to Jhb to recover. If you're ever in Cape Town and need some inking, Milo is your guy, catch him at www.mrluckytattoos.com

Welcome to my Blog...

Welcome to this my first blog, a place where you can enjoy some of my favourite photographic images, music, tattoos and general stuff that makes me tick...