Kwa Zulu Natal Midlands Wildlife
http://www.africanrepublik.com/It's finally here... The African Republik web site featuring the 'Narcissus Exhibition'
As Cape Town's iconic Table Mountain is introduced as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, I can not help feeling proud to live in such a beautiful city. To wake up every morning to the sight of this wonder, the flat top, the 'table cloth' that engulfs it regularly, the 'Lions Head' that sits on it's shoulder... people travel from all over the world to see my 'back yard'!
Photos: Justin Cleaver
Camera: Canon G10 Powershot
Model: Marike at Full Circle
Make-up: Melissa Ovenstone
Body Suits: Dax Martin
Climbing Lions Head for the full moon is a beautiful experience. With the magnificent sunset over the Atlantic ocean the full moon rises from the distance over the land.
The climb it's self is a special experience, pushing on when you're tired and achieving the summit. It may not be Everest but you still get a great feeling looking down on the city below.
All photographs by Justin Cleaver taken on the Cannon G10 Powershot
PHOTOS: Justin Cleaver
Make-up: Melissa Ovenstone
Hair: Kyle Solms
Model: Jess Beth @ Trigger
Swim Wear: Dax Martin
I think this is the best 'editorial' shoot I have ever done. Raw, to the point that these images have just been downloaded off the camera and posted on the blog. No photoshop, no corrections, no manipulation, not even processed. Just shot on my Cannon G10 Power Shot.
A behind the scenes look at my shoot with Jess Beth photographed on my BlackBerry
LAZY DAYS ON LONG BEACH CAPE TOWN
As summer approaches and the long warm lazy days start filtering out the winter chills, Long Beach is a perfect setting to kick back and get into the season. Horse riding is as popular as long walks with dogs on this endless stretch of beach. Surfing and ski boats play around in the clear blue ocean and families are dotted around in the sand.
Welcome summer, you've been missed.
All images by Justin Cleaver on the Cannon Powershot G10
THE HERMANUS WHALE FESTIVAL
The Hermanus Whale Festival was, well... festive. That I can not deny. With live music, stalls everywhere, there is lots to do for the whole family it seemed like an amazing event. The vibe was fun and everybody seemed to be having a good time...
Except for the whales. I am no expert on whales, but my thought would be that all the loud music and excitement would scare the living daylights out of the rock, let alone a mammal that hears through sonar sound waves. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seemed more of a 'festival' rather than a 'Whale Festival'.
But, Hermanus is a beautiful destination, absolutely breathtaking! There are many places to eat and bars perched on top of scraggly cliffs dropping down to the ocean. It's worth a visit, just don't go to see whales at the whale festival... just go at another time of year!
God blessed the sky over Africa. The sheer natural beauty of colour and light, the changing visions and passion it evokes.
All images photographed on the Cannon Powershot G10
PHOTO: Justin Cleaver
CAMERA: Canon G10 Powershot
Make-up: Melissa Ovenstone
Model: Anna Maria @ Full Circle Models
My Serengeti Diary Part Two
The Serengeti is a place of wide-open space, plains that stretch on for what seems like eternity. As wild as it is vast the Serengeti fills your lungs with nature in each breath, a return to the innocence of the earth.
Danger does lie lazily under a tree or grazing sullenly on the long grass, but this connection with the wild is rejuvenating. The African skies hang dramatically overhead and each sunset could be the best you'll ever see. A daily dose of inspiration.
It's relaxing and stimulating at the same time, if you're willing to let go of your senses. The space seems to absorb all negative thoughts while the sheer beauty and wildness seems to enhance positivity.
The feeling is hard to describe, it is just something to be experienced...
All images by Justin Cleaver taken on the Cannon Powershot G10
My first post of the new year and I bring you some fresh wildlife images and some stormy scenes.
With summer just around the corner and so many wildlife and landscape images, I decided to heat things up with a swimwear editorial. A fantastic 'team' with very sexy swim wear from Dax Martin, the pressure was on me to produce some thing special... so these images are strait off the camera, no manipulation, no photo shop, not even image processing. Just some 'happy snaps' of a hot day.
Back to the Western Cape and a visit to the Hermanus Whale Festival and a warm lazy day at Long Beach.
Just don't try and say the title over and over too quickly...
Luxury and style in the most amazing setting.
This is not the worlds number one travel destination for nothing. Faru Faru at the Singita Grumeti Reserve in the Serengeti, Tanzania.
Like the hunters of the old colonial era I ventured into the Serengeti armed with a camera rather than a gun. Not ideal to shoot wildlife on a point and shoot, but my little Cannon G10 Powershot proved it can be done.
The wildlife was as magical and inspiring as the rest of the Serengeti. This place is truly something special, the feeling you get just walking through the wide and wild open space is life changing.
Having the opportunity to see Adrian Seirn in his natural habitat was an experience on its own, but more of him and his work to come.
Faru Faru Lodge in the Singita Grumeti Reserve is as sexy as it is romantic. A beautiful and luxurious lodge, where the wildlife is literally at your doorstep is a must visit destination if you ever have the chance.
My experience there was something I have no words to describe, other than if I ever get the chance again I'll take it with both hands and a broad grin.
Brad, thank you for your hospitality.
Click on the image above to see more of this ideal escape.
Photos: Justin Cleaver
Model: Lara
Make-up: Kim Rorich
Styling: Kim Rorich
Location: Singita Grumeti Reserve
SINGITA GRUMETI
This is my diary of my trip to the Singita Grumeti Reserves in the Serengeti, Tanzania. It was a trip full of adventure with an amazing group of incredibly talented people.
This diary will document the travels, the lodges and landscapes of this magical place... not to mention the abundance of wild life that I was lucky enough to have encountered.
The first posting is the arrival in the Serengeti, flying from Cape Town to Johannesburg, from Johannesburg to Nairobi, from Nairobi to Kilimanjaro and the finally the light aircraft flight to our destination in the Serengeti.
Welcome to my journey...
Photo: Justin Cleaver
Model: Callan @ Boss Models
Make-up: Melissa Ovenstone
As I look for inspiration in the month of August and as I move away from shooting models to look at nature. The snow capped mountains in Somerset West and a relaxing week away have been stimulating but two weeks in the Serengeti will be the ultimate...
The images from the trip will be posted at the end of the month.
All images by Justin Cleaver shot on the Cannon Powershot G10
As snow (yes... Snow!) covers large parts of South Africa, with people being rescued from cars, villages and all over, from this sudden cold patch... I wonder what words of wisdom could help?
Instead rather I've posted some images to remind you that there's always sun shining over Africa!
PHOTO: Justin Cleaver
MODEL: Akyria @ Base Models
MAKE-UP: Melissa Ovenstone
Shall I compare thee to a summers day...
Cape Town has been putting on a show of beauty. Hot, breathless and beautiful... and no, I'm not talking about a passionate encounter but rather the still, clear warmth we've been enjoying.
Photo: Justin Cleaver
Model: Aileen @ Boss Models
Make-up: Melissa Ovenstone
Swim Wear: Dax Martin
The Dax Martin Swim Wear show at Cape Town Fashion Week was amazing. His world class swim wear range was a revelation, as his ready to wear garments with bright prints was applauded by a sellout crowd.
Dax, thank you for the tickets and keep on blazing a new path!
The Bastille Day celebrations in Franschoek was a festive affair... with red white and blue everywhere!
PHOTOS: Justin Cleaver
MODEL: Aileen @ Boss Models
Make-up: Melissa Ovenstone
CORSETS: Dax Martin
DIE LAAITJIE
An ideal getaway for those beautiful winter weekends is Die Laaitjie. Set in the mountains, it offers beautiful walks and scenery with all the luxuries you'd need and a warm fire for the cold evenings.
JULY A FASHIONABLE MONTH
With Fashion Week underway we have a peek at some dresses and make-up for the fashionable elite...
PHOTOS: Justin Cleaver
MODEL: Klaudia @ Faith Models
Make-up: Melissa Ovenstone
DRESES: KLuk CGDT
PHOTOS: Justin Cleaver
MODEL: Nadia @ Boss Models
Make-up: Nabz
Corset: Dax Martin
Photography by Justin Cleaver
Candice @ Boss Models Cape Town
Melissa Ovenstone Make-Up
Lace Body Suits by Dax Martin
DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAINS
As the winter engulfs us, a weekend camping trip to the majestic Drakensberg mountains is always an option. Maybe only for the adventurous, but well worth the beautiful walks and scenery. Kwa Zulu Natal is ideal for South African winter retreats.
KWA ZULU NATAL MIDLANDS
Every sunset is a picture. Taken on my BlackBerry to prove that expensive equipment is not necessary to capture the moment.
FASHIONABLE MONTH JULY
With all the various Fashion Weeks taking place and the Durban July Showcase it's time to dress up and mess up.
CAPE TOWN ON BLACKBERRY
With this year round beauty it's just too easy to capture images like these... all on my BlackBerry
BABYLONSTOREN
The are special places that stimulate the eye and inspire the mind, there are few places where escapism and luxury go hand in hand... Babylonstoren is all of the above.
http://babylonstoren.com
