Fashion Photo shoots.

Here is a recap on our Fashion Photo Shoots from 2013 to 2014 containing photo shoots of the North West School Of Design students, Alumni and the Get it Magazine.  All photo’s was  done by Donovan Roets Photography collaborating with  talented makeup artists, hairdressers and models in the Klerksdorp area .

 

Monique Talita Couture and Rythm Wear Costume Hire

Street passion by Tebogo Tebjoy







Get It Magazine - 50 Shades of Pink Photo shoot

  

Designer: Itumeleng Mercia Matlhaku

 

 

3rd Year fashion design student, Ernst Schutz's NWSD/Sanlam Graduation Show 2013 collection "Tartan Fiesta"

 

 

 Designer: Jose

3rd Year Fashion Design Student, Marisca Koekemoer. "Santorini Spice"

For more info about these photo shoots go to : http://x-actlynwsd.blogspot.com/

I do I do...love wedding photography!

“Love unlocks doors and opens windows that weren't even there before.” -Mignon McLaughlin, the Neurotic's Notebook

There’s nothing more exceptional than capturing the smitten on their wedding day.  From the décor, to the amazing venues to the happy couple themselves, here is a few breath taking photos.
 
All photos were taken by Donovan Roets Copyright©. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

 



Check out the more remarkable wedding photography By Donovan Roets: Facebook Wedding album

 

 

Makeup by Donovan Roets

Donovan Roets completed his makeup course 2013 at the Face 2 face university in Potchefstroom and started to get creative at his on photo shoots with the model portfolios and student events at North West School Of design.

Here is a few illustrations of Model and student photo shoots that he did in the past year. Exploring imaginative ways to splatter faces with his makeup art.

All photos was taken by Donovan Roets Copyright©. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

 

 

 

Check out, more makeup done by Donovan Roets at:

Facebook link to Makeup by Donovan

 

Egyptian Showgirls lookbook

Egyptian Showgirls lookbook

This lookbook video is of a North West School Of Design’s Fashion Show 2013  2rd Year student collection, by Alicia van der Merwe, compiled to show of her Egyptian Showgirls theme.

Video by Donovan Roets

Makeup by Donovan Roets

1st and 4th  Model   – Marisca Koekemoer

2nd Model      – Ezrah Ranjato

3rd Model   – Karla Bosch

 



So....You are a model?

Hey guys,

Long time no post!

For today's post I will be talking about modeling, the ups and downs for a photographer and I will be giving tips to aspiring models out there!

Note: This is my personal opinion and experiences.

In the model industry we get different kinds of models, check out this awesome website which shows you exactly the different types of modeling:
http://www.modelingpage.com/models2models/Types-of-Modeling.cfm

The reason I have posted this link is to show you that as a model or an aspiring model, there are many different options to choose from, BUT it's not all glitz and glamour, it's hard work!

I think that girls/guys that say they are models mistake modeling for "being a pretty face". That my dear friends would be untrue. Modeling is about hard work, dedication and a lot of compromises! It's like a relationship, you have to work on it everyday.

I believe that if someone comes to you and say "I am a model", that they would be able to know how to work it in front of a camera. Taking a great photo of a model is not only the work of the photographer, it's a connection between the model and photographer, and that is what makes a great shot.

When shooting a model, I always give a platform to the model to show me what she/he's got, that's why its called modeling and not "listen to the photographer to give you a pose". I want to see YOUR potential as a model. I believe that every model has something special to photograph, and that's what you need to work on.

Hard work???

Even though some models have the natural ability to stand out in front of the camera, there is always the hard work behind that, modeling school, A LOT of photo shoots and disappointments. I would recommend a model school to any aspiring model out there. It's a good way to start and build confidence in front of the camera and on the runway.

Poses???

Poses are the most difficult thing for aspiring models sometimes, BUT let me tell you a secret, we LOVE models who can think outside the box! Sometimes no matter how weird you feel to do a certain pose, that might just be the shot you and the photographer might be looking for. BEND everything you can bend, twist your body like you have never twisted before and trust yourself enough to know who your are and what you can do! NEVER stand in front of the camera and say out loud "I don't know what to do". JUST DO IT!

“The secret to modeling is not being perfect. What one needs is a face that people can identify in a second. You have to be given what’s needed by nature, and what’s needed is to bring something new.” 
― Karl Lagerfeld

My message to all the aspiring models out there is:

Being beautiful is not the only thing you need to be a model! Work hard on your skills and be confident with yourself and in front of the camera!

References:

http://www.modelingpage.com/index.html

Photos by Donovan Roets Photography

All images are copyright (c) Donovan Roets Photography

Signature Pose Explained (One Eye)

Every photographer has got his/her own style and skills and with that, they create what is called their product. 

I have taken this to my own level and created a signature pose for every photo shoot that I do. 

The One Eye!

 

Some may believe it means something else, but oh well, that's their belief and I don't share their beliefs. 

The truth behind my signature pose is (and this I have never told anyone before) when I started out as a photographer, my first logo was one eye, my own.

FIRST LOGO

And the inspiration behind it was that I use one eye to look through my viewfinder on the camera, one eye to focus on the subject, with the other eye closed. So now I make sure with every shoot I capture at least one photo of my signature pose! 

Hope this explains a few things to you!

My new logo is also one eye

I guess it's my salute to all the photographers out there. Here are more of my signature poses. Hope you like them!

All images are copyright (c) Donovan Roets Photography

Working for free?

My personal opinion why photographers shouldn't work for free! 

Let me start off by saying, my opinion does not apply to the charity work I do or big sponsoring I do and this is MY personal opinion.

I started my photography career 5 years ago and back then I didn't know what, where or who- I wasn't in the know. When we start out as photographers we want to get our name out there as quickly as possible, but quick is not the way to go. For the first year of my photography career I didn't charge any of my clients or models- as I was just starting out. I guess I can call it my "Gap Year". 

Why not charge? 

Simple example: Before a car manufacturer sells the car, they test drive it to check the safety, compatibility on the road etc. This was exactly what I did, I took my photography for a test drive. By doing so, I built up my portfolio and I don't regret it for one day. I learned a lot about myself and my skills as a photographer, breaking a lot of rules and abiding by some. 

I believe that photographers starting out should do the same, even if it does not take you a full year, take some time and develop your skills and personal style. Yes we studied photography, yes we know how a camera works, how lighting works, but we don't have our own style until we develop it. 

Still not answering the question; "Why shouldn't photographers work for free?"

All that said, working hard to become a good photographer takes time, patience and a lot of deleting...

When you start charging clients for your work, it means that you believe in your work and believe that you will do a good job. 

As photographers we get a lot of "free" requests and for me, as with other photographers, we believe that we will get our name out there and people will see our work. But, are we setting ourselves up for a trap? My answer is YES! After talking to a lot of my close friends, colleagues and people I meet randomly, I have learned that people will start seeing you as a photographer that gives away free shoots and the requests will grow. Unfortunately word travel fast! I always argued and said "No, it's not like that" but the sad truth is that IT IS! 

To get to my point, no photographer should ever do free shoots, because life is not free. We have to pay for our equipment, gas, house, car, food...we have to pay for life! Before you say yes to a free request, look back at the hard work you have done, that has gotten you to be where you are as a photographer today and ask yourself: "What is the value of my work?"

As said in the beginning this is my personal opinion and do not apply to charity work I do and sponsors. Ultimately, you need to do what is right for you, but learn from me and other photographers- do not sell yourself short. You are a professional and you also deserve to make a living.

(Self portrait by Donovan Roets)

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