Hmmmm okay. I arrive to shoot Jody and Karl’s wedding at Groenvlei and everything is hunky-dory. The bridesmaids are marvy, the bestmen are cool, Karl is relaxed and joking, Jody is calm and collected. Lovely stuff. I pop a meatball into my mouth and start shooting. It’s all good. It looks like it might rain, but I reckon there’s only a 50/50 chance so I’m not overly phased. The first hour passes by without a hitch. Then my world comes tumbling down because in marches 1 x half-pint human being called Olivia – Jody and Karl’s little girl. Now Livvy is like all kids – very cute and hugely unpredictable. Which is bloody scary when you’re trying to shoot a wedding. She hasn’t been in the room for more than I don’t know, 30 seconds, when she cracks me this big smile before popping a hotdog into her mouth. We hit it off straight away. I looooove Livvy. She walks around the room telling us how old she is and muttering the sort of things that nobody really understands (except for mom of course). I just keep on saying: ‘REEEEAAALLY,’ to her as she passes on by, shaking her head in agreement. We’re good mates by now. So off I go to the ceremony area, shoot guests arriving, say hello to the Minister and just sort of enjoy the moment. Then its wedding time. Jody arrives, Karl is chuffed and the two of them stand up at the front and laugh and smile a heck of a lot. Next thing it’s ring time and who should decide that it’s time to make a guest appearance? Why Livvy of course. So Jody and Karl pick her up and I’m bobbing and weaving like a flipping boxer in trouble as I try to get the all-important shots. But Livvy really doesn’t care. And so onto the First Kiss. I’m hitting the shutter button like a man possessed as dear Livvy pokes her head right into my shot. I’m going through severe angst at this stage and Livvy, well, she’s just enjoying the moment with mom and dad. And so, for the first time ever in my career I didn’t quite get that First Kiss as I’d have wanted to. Well I did, but if the truth be told, it is a little blurred. But then that’s married life for you I suppose – sometimes it’s crystal clear, sometimes it’s a bit blurred and oh yes, sometimes kids do get in the way. But that’s what makes it such a fun and sometimes scary ride! And I reckon when we all look back on it one day we wouldn’t change it for the world. Here are some of Jody and Karl’s photos. And Livvy, thanks buddy!