BLOG | Derryn Schmidt

5 Wedding planning tips from a wedding photographer

5 Wedding planning tips from a wedding photographer There is sooooo much information available online for the wedding planning couple. I want to share some tips that are less spoken about, but just as important. These points aren’t directly related to photography, but I’ve shot over 250 weddings and seen some things. These are my […]

5 beach photo locations on The KZN North Coast

5 of the best KZN North Coast beaches for photoshoots, according to local family and wedding photographer.

Carla & Kyle’s inner-city wedding

Carla & Kyle’s inner-city wedding I love shooting in the nature of the KZN country side, but I REALLY love shooting in the city. It’s not something we get to do often because there aren’t many inner-city venue options in the Durban, but Carla and Kyle found a gem, The Bond Shed. Together with their […]

A ‘non-shoot’ photo session

It felt good to strip this shoot back to the real, raw and natural. I took my time before pressing the shutter, I intentionally composed some of the photos in a haphazard way to keep it looking real, and I tried not to obsess over the edits.

Under the Jacaranda Trees

It’s the end of a chapter for Reverend Alice and her family at Inanda Seminary, and these photos represent the memories they have made and the connections they formed during this time.

DERRYN

WARM. NOSTALGIC. SINCERE.

It’s pillow fights with the kids, followed by tickles and cuddles. The way their little faces snuggle tightly into the nape of your neck and how they look at you when you laugh. It’s your life – in all it’s natural beauty.

A tribute to the Moms, Aunties, and Grannies.
For the ones who never met their babies, and the ones who had to say goodbye too soon.
Thinking tenderly of those who face today with their Mom.
🧡🧡🧡

A tribute to the Moms, Aunties, and Grannies.
For the ones who never met their babies, and the ones who had to say goodbye too soon.
Thinking tenderly of those who face today with their Mom.
🧡🧡🧡

Part 2 of Sammy & Patrick’s wedding

I’ve always felt deeply connected to the couples I photograph on their wedding day. As photographers, we don’t just observe - we feel. We ride the waves with them: the giggles with her girls, the quiet nerves before the dress goes on, the anticipation as he waits at the top of the aisle. We feel the ache when a loved one is missed, and the warmth when a father’s eyes well up talking about his daughter. My heart thumps too. I get giddy too. I tear up too.

And maybe that’s why this wedding hit me so hard. Patrick couldn’t take his eyes off Sammy. The way he complimented her, held her hand, looked at her like she was the only person in the world - it was pure, sincere, and incredibly moving. These two were completely smitten, and their love was honest and effortless.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of @olwandleestate every moment was curated with care by @simply_fabulous_events and beautifully framed in blooms by @lovelaughproteas. I’m still feeling this one in my bones.

@nixonmakeup @lemanmedia

#LuxuryWedding #FineArtWeddingPhotography #DestinationWeddingPhotographer #LuxuryWeddingPhotographer #EditorialWeddingPhotographer #RomanticWeddings #WeddingInspiration #WeddingsWithSoul #WeddingPhotographerLife #SouthAfricaWedding #DurbanWeddingPhotographer #KZNWedding #OlwandleEstate #SimplyFabulousEvents #LoveLaughProteas #SouthAfricaWeddingPhotographer #WeddingDetailsMatter #LuxuryWeddingSouthAfrica #VogueWeddings #TheLaneWeddings #StyleMePretty #OverseasWeddings #TimelessWeddings #WeddingStoryteller #LoveInEveryFrame

Part 2 of Sammy & Patrick’s wedding

I’ve always felt deeply connected to the couples I photograph on their wedding day. As photographers, we don’t just observe - we feel. We ride the waves with them: the giggles with her girls, the quiet nerves before the dress goes on, the anticipation as he waits at the top of the aisle. We feel the ache when a loved one is missed, and the warmth when a father’s eyes well up talking about his daughter. My heart thumps too. I get giddy too. I tear up too.

And maybe that’s why this wedding hit me so hard. Patrick couldn’t take his eyes off Sammy. The way he complimented her, held her hand, looked at her like she was the only person in the world - it was pure, sincere, and incredibly moving. These two were completely smitten, and their love was honest and effortless.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of @olwandleestate every moment was curated with care by @simply_fabulous_events and beautifully framed in blooms by @lovelaughproteas. I’m still feeling this one in my bones.

@nixonmakeup @lemanmedia

#LuxuryWedding #FineArtWeddingPhotography #DestinationWeddingPhotographer #LuxuryWeddingPhotographer #EditorialWeddingPhotographer #RomanticWeddings #WeddingInspiration #WeddingsWithSoul #WeddingPhotographerLife #SouthAfricaWedding #DurbanWeddingPhotographer #KZNWedding #OlwandleEstate #SimplyFabulousEvents #LoveLaughProteas #SouthAfricaWeddingPhotographer #WeddingDetailsMatter #LuxuryWeddingSouthAfrica #VogueWeddings #TheLaneWeddings #StyleMePretty #OverseasWeddings #TimelessWeddings #WeddingStoryteller #LoveInEveryFrame

Part 1 of Sammy & Patrick’s wedding

I’ve always felt deeply connected to the couples I photograph on their wedding day. As photographers, we don’t just observe - we feel. We ride the waves with them: the giggles with her girls, the quiet nerves before the dress goes on, the anticipation as he waits at the top of the aisle. We feel the ache when a loved one is missed, and the warmth when a father’s eyes well up talking about his daughter. My heart thumps too. I get giddy too. I tear up too.

And maybe that’s why this wedding hit me so hard. Patrick couldn’t take his eyes off Sammy. The way he complimented her, held her hand, looked at her like she was the only person in the world - it was pure, sincere, and incredibly moving. These two were completely smitten, and their love was honest and effortless.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of @olwandleestate, every moment was curated with care by @simply_fabulous_events and beautifully framed in blooms by @lovelaughproteas. I’m still feeling this one in my bones.

@nixonmakeup @lemanmedia

#LuxuryWedding #FineArtWeddingPhotography #DestinationWeddingPhotographer #LuxuryWeddingPhotographer #EditorialWeddingPhotographer #RomanticWeddings #WeddingInspiration #WeddingsWithSoul #WeddingPhotographerLife #SouthAfricaWedding #DurbanWeddingPhotographer #KZNWedding #OlwandleEstate #SimplyFabulousEvents #LoveLaughProteas #SouthAfricaWeddingPhotographer #WeddingDetailsMatter #LuxuryWeddingSouthAfrica #VogueWeddings #TheLaneWeddings #StyleMePretty #OverseasWeddings #TimelessWeddings #WeddingStoryteller #LoveInEveryFrame

Part 1 of Sammy & Patrick’s wedding

I’ve always felt deeply connected to the couples I photograph on their wedding day. As photographers, we don’t just observe - we feel. We ride the waves with them: the giggles with her girls, the quiet nerves before the dress goes on, the anticipation as he waits at the top of the aisle. We feel the ache when a loved one is missed, and the warmth when a father’s eyes well up talking about his daughter. My heart thumps too. I get giddy too. I tear up too.

And maybe that’s why this wedding hit me so hard. Patrick couldn’t take his eyes off Sammy. The way he complimented her, held her hand, looked at her like she was the only person in the world - it was pure, sincere, and incredibly moving. These two were completely smitten, and their love was honest and effortless.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of @olwandleestate, every moment was curated with care by @simply_fabulous_events and beautifully framed in blooms by @lovelaughproteas. I’m still feeling this one in my bones.

@nixonmakeup @lemanmedia

#LuxuryWedding #FineArtWeddingPhotography #DestinationWeddingPhotographer #LuxuryWeddingPhotographer #EditorialWeddingPhotographer #RomanticWeddings #WeddingInspiration #WeddingsWithSoul #WeddingPhotographerLife #SouthAfricaWedding #DurbanWeddingPhotographer #KZNWedding #OlwandleEstate #SimplyFabulousEvents #LoveLaughProteas #SouthAfricaWeddingPhotographer #WeddingDetailsMatter #LuxuryWeddingSouthAfrica #VogueWeddings #TheLaneWeddings #StyleMePretty #OverseasWeddings #TimelessWeddings #WeddingStoryteller #LoveInEveryFrame

During a casual chat two weeks before my special friend’s wedding, she casually mentioned that she didn’t have a hired photographer for her wedding. There was absolutely NO WAY I was going to arrive as a guest and not bring my camera along. I came with the gear, excitement, a lot of love, and killer dance moves (if I do say so myself!) 😂😆

@granny_mouse_country_house

I have so much respect for this chick. She is mighty clever, so loyal and an Olympian too! Love you so much. X

During a casual chat two weeks before my special friend’s wedding, she casually mentioned that she didn’t have a hired photographer for her wedding. There was absolutely NO WAY I was going to arrive as a guest and not bring my camera along. I came with the gear, excitement, a lot of love, and killer dance moves (if I do say so myself!) 😂😆

@granny_mouse_country_house

I have so much respect for this chick. She is mighty clever, so loyal and an Olympian too! Love you so much. X

We’ve been spoiled with the most magical sunsets on the North Coast lately, and this one was next level!
I may be a summer girl at heart, but wow—there’s something special about that soft autumn and winter light.

Lize and Jaco are in Ballito celebrating their 1-year wedding anniversary, and we marked the occasion with a golden-hour shoot by the ocean.

Lize is a geologist, so we ended up having the most fascinating chat about the rock formations and their incredible markings—something I’ve always been curious about.

I truly get to meet the coolest people.

#BallitoMagic #AnniversaryShoot #SunsetVibes #AutumnLight #GoldenHourLove #NorthCoastSunsets #LoveInEverySeason #GeologyMeetsArt #SouthAfricaPhotographer #BeachLove #CouplesShoot #StorytellerWithACamera
#ballitophotographer #ballitofamilyphotography #ballitofamily

We’ve been spoiled with the most magical sunsets on the North Coast lately, and this one was next level!
I may be a summer girl at heart, but wow—there’s something special about that soft autumn and winter light.

Lize and Jaco are in Ballito celebrating their 1-year wedding anniversary, and we marked the occasion with a golden-hour shoot by the ocean.

Lize is a geologist, so we ended up having the most fascinating chat about the rock formations and their incredible markings—something I’ve always been curious about.

I truly get to meet the coolest people.

#BallitoMagic #AnniversaryShoot #SunsetVibes #AutumnLight #GoldenHourLove #NorthCoastSunsets #LoveInEverySeason #GeologyMeetsArt #SouthAfricaPhotographer #BeachLove #CouplesShoot #StorytellerWithACamera
#ballitophotographer #ballitofamilyphotography #ballitofamily

Part 2 of Lindsey & Chris’s wedding at The Groves.

#DurbanWeddings #KZNWeddings #SouthAfricanWeddings #LuxuryWeddingsSA #LuxuryWeddingPhotographer #HighEndWeddings #WeddingPhotographerSA #FineArtWeddingPhotographer #DurbanPhotographer #GoldenHourMagic #SouthAfricaPhotographer #DestinationWeddingPhotographer #ElegantWedding #TimelessWeddings #LoveInEveryFrame #AuthenticLoveStories #WeddingInspo #DerrynSchmidtPhotography

Part 2 of Lindsey & Chris’s wedding at The Groves.

#DurbanWeddings #KZNWeddings #SouthAfricanWeddings #LuxuryWeddingsSA #LuxuryWeddingPhotographer #HighEndWeddings #WeddingPhotographerSA #FineArtWeddingPhotographer #DurbanPhotographer #GoldenHourMagic #SouthAfricaPhotographer #DestinationWeddingPhotographer #ElegantWedding #TimelessWeddings #LoveInEveryFrame #AuthenticLoveStories #WeddingInspo #DerrynSchmidtPhotography

Part 1 of Lindsey & Chris’s wedding at The Groves.

There’s something about this venue that never fails to deliver pure magic. Every time I photograph a wedding here, the light feels golden, the moments feel softer, and the joy feels just a little brighter. Lindsey & Chris brought so much warmth and ease to the day, totally comfortable in the presence of their nearest and dearest. As I get older, I get more sentimental, and this is one of those weddings that got me all teary eyed. 🥹

#DurbanWeddings #KZNWeddings #SouthAfricanWeddings #LuxuryWeddingsSA #LuxuryWeddingPhotographer #HighEndWeddings #WeddingPhotographerSA #FineArtWeddingPhotographer #DurbanPhotographer #GoldenHourMagic #SouthAfricaPhotographer #DestinationWeddingPhotographer #ElegantWedding #TimelessWeddings #LoveInEveryFrame #AuthenticLoveStories #WeddingInspo #DerrynSchmidtPhotography

Part 1 of Lindsey & Chris’s wedding at The Groves.

There’s something about this venue that never fails to deliver pure magic. Every time I photograph a wedding here, the light feels golden, the moments feel softer, and the joy feels just a little brighter. Lindsey & Chris brought so much warmth and ease to the day, totally comfortable in the presence of their nearest and dearest. As I get older, I get more sentimental, and this is one of those weddings that got me all teary eyed. 🥹

#DurbanWeddings #KZNWeddings #SouthAfricanWeddings #LuxuryWeddingsSA #LuxuryWeddingPhotographer #HighEndWeddings #WeddingPhotographerSA #FineArtWeddingPhotographer #DurbanPhotographer #GoldenHourMagic #SouthAfricaPhotographer #DestinationWeddingPhotographer #ElegantWedding #TimelessWeddings #LoveInEveryFrame #AuthenticLoveStories #WeddingInspo #DerrynSchmidtPhotography

I opened up my app to create a new post, and came across this collection that I’d obviously made to share last year 🙈 So here are some 2024 treasures for you to enjoy today. ❤️

I opened up my app to create a new post, and came across this collection that I’d obviously made to share last year 🙈 So here are some 2024 treasures for you to enjoy today. ❤️

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | ALL PHOTOS BY @DERRYNSCHMIDT