Such an enjoyed two days at the Gwahumbe Reserve with the most brilliant crew and models in every way. A valid excuse to miss two days of training, sponge off an open bar, lounge around, and shoot the breeze like never before.
(Rhino in Gwahumbe Nature Reserve near Mid-Ilovo in Natal)
The ring leader was the same director as two years ago, Don, who is a comical eccentric genius with more energy than most kids. He’s had numerous 40th birthdays, but only just proudly fathered a son 5 weeks ago. He was the centre of every laugh, the pour-er of most tequila, and a major motivation for the shoot’s success.
(Mark on the left, then Don – the art director, Kim on the ground, shooting Andrea and Irvin)
He worked with the same photographer who blew Ruth’s and my perception of reality two years back, Kim Thunder. He is beyond gifted, and able to make the colours change, textures soften, faces portray emotion, and even me look good. Together with Don, they’re a perfect balance of outrage and sense.
(Kim playing with lighting)
Bianca Cadwell joined me on the previous shoot, but Irvin and Andrea Alexander brought a dazzling cappuccino feel to Jeep Apparel for the first time, as well as much accompanying humour. I love South Africa, and a cosmopolitan mix of diverse energy like this weekend’s, is second to none elsewhere globally.
Then there’s Di, Kim’s patient and calming assistant (also wife), Bev, Don’s calming better half (business partner but not wife), Pia, the makeup artist, Mark, a jack of all trades and saving saint numerously, and Jeep’s head office representative, Dimitra.
A sizeable group to move around the stunning reserve to the various locations passed zebra, impala, wildebeest, water buck, giraffe, and at the end, two rhino. It’s lush Natal country side, with rolling greens in the backdrop of sugar cane and indigenous forestry. Pockets along the river running through the reserve were lush tropical forest impressions. A well suited options for the rugged, trendy and sophisticated aspects of Jeep Apparel.
(The giraffe on a near by hillside)
(Grazing Zeebra)
Jeep Apparel are touching on more than the traditional lifestyle apparel to broaden to urban sophistication, active wear, and trendy class with an edge. In the softer morning and evening light we shot winter range items – a hard ask wearing a three layer jacket and beanie when its 30 degree’s and humid just after sunrise… And during the harder light some brighter summer styles.
More fun than I expected. I truly enjoyed that. Great giving back to my main sponsor, yet I’m in far greater gain from the exposure to come. Jeep Apparel – live life without limits.
