Engagement {Danielle & Johann}

February 12, 2025

From Matric Dance to “Marry Me” – A Love Story Eight Years in the Making

In 2017, Danielle and Johan attended their Matric Dance, dressed in their finest, hearts young and full of dreams.
It was a night to remember, and one of marking the end of one chapter and the start of a new adventure.
For Johann, it was more than just a dance—it was the night he knew she was the one. For her, it was a night of laughter, joy, and a date she would never forget.

Fast forward to 2025.
Eight years of memories and unwavering love later, he had something special planned.
It was her birthday, and he wanted to celebrate it in a way she would never forget.

They arrived at Adene’s Flowers, in Irene, a breathtaking location of colorful blooms for a couple shoot.
The couple shoot was his idea—a way to capture their love in the most beautiful setting.
Danielle loved being between the blossoms, and carefully selected the blooms she could take home, unaware that the best moment was yet to come.

In a moment, between the flowers, Johann dropped to one knee and asked Danielle to marry him! and she said YES!!!

What started as a high school dance had become a lifelong love story. And now, their next chapter begins—hand in hand, heart in heart, forever.

eShoot {Heidi & Johan}

May 10, 2024

Heidi & Johan opted for a Studio engagement session after their planned outdoor session rained out twice!

Dress: Belly Beautiful – Dress Hire

Elize Mare Photography Engagement Session_Kliek Studio

Engagement {Danielle & Lorenzo}

May 2, 2023

You are my Happy Place, and may you always know you have my heart and hand to hold….

Elize Mare Photography ADORES this simplistic and love filled rooftop session with these two.
I can’t wait to capture your wedding day!

Engagement {Claire & Percy}

June 10, 2022

I had such a fun session with Claire and Percy who will be saying their I do’s in August. How beautiful is the setting they chose – tall Pine Trees for a forest feeling.
These are some of my favorites:

Engagement {Johan & Mikayla}

October 27, 2021

Mikayla booked a couple shoot as a celebratory session as their anniversary of dating, but Johan had other plans. He contacted me before the session to tell me he is planning on asking her to marry him! So, a couple shoot turned surprise engagement shoot! I love what we captured, and these two are just adorable together.
It was a super chilly afternoon on location at Lewis Family Farm, but we braved the cold and captured s0me special memories!

Engagement {SW & Celeste}

October 27, 2021

Finding happiness a second time around is a true fairy tale for these two. And having four children between the two of them, we decided on a Family-engagement session at Irene Dairy farm to include the children in the happy memories!

These are some of my favorites.

Engagement {Chane & Jacques}

November 25, 2020

Chané & Jacques picnic engagement session with Elize Mare Photographyt will for sure be one that’ll be remembered.
We planned a pretty Picnic setting at Bojangles venue outside Pretoria, and even though rain was predicted on the day of the shoot, we all decided to continue.

On our way to the venue, there were some rain clouds in the sky, but it did clear up and I though we would have perfect weather…. well that changed 5 minutes into the session and we quickly had to move the outside setting to indoors. The rain came BUCKETING down, and with them seated as close to the door as possible, I was hunched under an umbrella outside the venue to capture their love – it was SOAKING but worth it!
The change in weather and off course the lack of natural light because of the storm clouds, had me thinking on my feet and my trusted assistant (for those of you that have shot with me before know it’s my husband) assisted with off camera flash work – this really made for some dramatic images, but I really do love the outcome.

When the heavy rain passed, there were still a good drizzle coming down, and off course I had to get some rain shots. Despite Chané being cold she went with it, as this is what memories are made of!

Champagne in the rain!

These are just a few of my favorites 🙂

Engagement {Wouda & Francois}

September 9, 2020

One late Sunday afternoon, Elize Mare Photography got to stand on the top of a mountain overlooking the valley for an engagement shoot.

I got to see the love Wouda and Francois have for each other… I can’t wait to capture more beautiful memories for them at their wedding later this month! Even though we didn’t have the spectacular sunset we had in mind due to a cloudy afternoon, in Brits North West, we still had some beautiful images. I think my most favorite is the ones with the horses just before I left for the afternoon. Even Francois’ kids joined for a few images, after all THIS is family!

Engagement {Deidre & Jack}

August 31, 2020

Deidre & Jack dreamed of a shoot among the Cherry Blossoms, but a trip abroad to where they are most commonly found was definitely not on the cards – especially with the Global Pandemic.
But then I shared in July that it’s Blossom Season, Deidre saw the ad and they booked their gorgeous engagement shoot with me on a warm July afternoon at this gorgeous location with Pink Blossoms!
Yes… the Blossoms actually bloom in July and not August/September!
I just LOVE the energy and love these two shows – it was such a pleasure being part of these beautiful cherished memories.

eShoot {Abi and Lowen}

February 10, 2020

“Choose me. Marry me. Let me make you happy.” ~ My Best Friend’s Wedding

Last year, around October, I did this gorgeous engagement session for Abi and Lowen at Wits University. They wanted a bit of a glamorous feel to their images with some architectural structures, and I love the outcome of their session. They are absolutely perfect for each other and I can’t wait to share their wedding images with you.

eShoot {Stephanie & Wesley}

December 29, 2019

I Love the way you make me Laugh like no one else

I loved spending time with Wesley and Stephanie at their Engagement session at Ground in Muldersdrift. We initially had their session planned for the week earlier, but heavy rain had us postpone the session a week later.

Ground gave us so many photo opportunities, that I could easily have spent more time there! From climbing into the bushes to the forest area, and ending up at the vineyard we had the best time and laughs. Trying to hold a straight face for the camera isn’t always that easy when you are filled with laughter – but these are the best shots, natural, true to them.

Steph and Wes, I can’t wait to share your wedding day with you… we are already in the countdown of the last three months! I hope you enjoy my favorites I’m sharing here.

eShoot {Tjar-Lize & Max}

September 15, 2019

Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning. Your love paints a beautiful picture of what love really means. ~ Unknown

Just over a week ago, we headed out to a farm outside Delmas in Mpumalanga for Tjar-Lize and Max’s engagement session on the farm.

I had loads of fun with these two… from climbing into the kraal with the cattle (I just love the little ones, they’re so fluffy!), to walking in the veld and losing the engagement ring – but no fear, Tjar-Lize quickly found her gorgeous engagement ring, which is a little too big for her ring finger – to climbing onto the hay-bales and dancing into the sunset. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect afternoon to capture these memories for them.

I am looking forward to your wedding in December, and I hope you enjoy just some of my favorites from our session.

eShoot {Jaco & Anita}

July 17, 2019

Anyone can make you happy by doing something special … but
only someone special can make you happy without doing anything.

I loved spending time with Jaco and Anita for their engagement session at Idlewild Country Estate, outside Centurion. They are so much fun to be around with and loved the humor and jokes.
I am really looking forward to their wedding in August!

eShoot {Denise and Clive}

May 29, 2019

“I found the one my heart loves” – Song of Solomon 3:4

An engagement session with Denise and Clive filled with love and the most gorgeous sunset light we could dream of at one of my favorite Autumn locations. When in the company of these two, you can feel and see the love they have for each other, and they make it easy to capture some gorgeous images.

I hope you enjoy some of my favorites.

eShoot {Bronwyn & Keegan}

March 31, 2019

“When I look into your eyes, I know I’ve found the mirror of my own Soul”

I met up with Bronwyn and Keegan at Bryanston Golf Course for their engagement session. Keegan wanted their shoot to take place here as its his first love… oh no wait, his second love 😉 heehee
This space make for some really awesome images, and we loved whirling around the course of the golf carts arranged with a ‘tour-guide’.
At one point I had them walking away towards me, and they literally got attacked by a Kiewiet on the course! We had such a laugh and I did get it on camera, although not a hundred percent in focus due to us all moving a bit fast – but for sure a memory that will last a lifetime!

We also saw a Moorhen on course, and after a bit of background from Keegan that this is ‘their bird’ – because of his surname being Moore – my trusty assistant and husband went in search to get this little guy on camera, as this just had to be part of their session’s images.

With dancing at sunset we ended of the afternoon and I am looking forward to their wedding in August!

Enjoy a few of my favorites

eShoot {Justin & Chantelle}

February 6, 2019

“There is never a time or place for true love.
It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment.”
– Sarah Dessen, The Truth About Forever

Early one Saturday morning in January, just after sunrise, I met up with Chantelle and Justin at The Maboneng Precinct for the engagement session. I just loved working with these two, in the streets of Johannesburg, and I’m really looking forward to their Wedding in August!

eShoot {Elsie & Japie}

August 20, 2018

” My Love for you is a journey” – Unknown

What a pleasure it was to have Elsie and Japie in front of my lens for their engagement session at Harmonie Proteas. With some of the Proteas in full bloom, it made for some really stunning images.

The love these two have for each other shows in every look and touch, and I can’t wait to be part of their wedding day in November.

Enjoy a few of my favorites:

eShoot {Cor & Nathalie}

August 9, 2018

“The best love is the kind that awakens the soul;
that makes us reach for more,
that plants the fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds.
That’s what I hope to give you forever.” — The Notebook

Cor and Nathalie decided to have their engagement shoot done at Rietvleidam Nature reserve and we headed out to Hippo View at the Marais Dam.
I love the outcome of their images, and we had loads of fun with paper planes because they are both Pilots and we included Cor’s son, Johan, who came with on the shoot.
These two will be saying their I-do’s in Feb 2019 and I can’t wait to show more of their love story…. for now, a few of my favorites.

eShoot {Aneka & Francois}

July 23, 2018

“I love you slightly more
than you love Beer” – Unknown

It’s not often you see a love like these two have… loads of love and laughter and just being themselves. What a fun afternoon at Mad Giant Brewery we had with their engagement session. Why at a brewery you might wonder… well, these two LOVE no REALLY Love their beers – and what better place to have your engagement session done at a venue where you can have beer with your shoot!

It was super fun, and I can’t wait for your wedding later this year!

eShoot {Lezandre & Braam}

March 23, 2018

“I Dream of you in Colors that don’t exist”

This week is just wet all around with rain in Gauteng, and we were lucky enough to have a beautiful morning for this engagement shoot at Bell Amour Wedding Venue on Human Rights day before the continuous rain started later that day. Even though it was a cloudy morning, with rain during the night, we had perfect light throughout the session.

While we waited for the gates to be opened we took advantage of the opportunity to use the gorgeous entry gate as a backdrop. Once inside the venue the clouds lifted just enough around sunrise for us to have the most beautiful light in a few of the images.

The venue’s cute cat insisted on being part in a few photo’s, and he (or she) gave us some perfect posing.

With all the beautiful sites on this venue, combined by the outfit changes, we were able to create some gorgeous engagement photo’s and I loved working with these two.

Can’t wait for their wedding later this year!

eShoot {Sam & Stefan}

February 20, 2018

“They say you only fall in love once, but that can’t be true. Every time I look at you, I fall in love all over again.” – Anonymous

Samantha and Stefan will be saying their I-do’s later this year in the beautiful little town called Simon’s Town and I am super excited to spend their special day with them. Having both grown up in the Western Cape, they have a love for nature and especially Tokai Forest. Well, with Tokai Forest being so far away, we met up at the Bryanston Pine Forest for their engagement session.

These are some of my favorites ….

eShoot {Val & JP}

January 22, 2018

“When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” – When Harry met Sally.

Val & JP is getting married in May and we met up for their engagement session recently, which shows the romance and fun in their relationship. First off we headed out to one of my favorite gravel roads in Centurion where we got to play a bit with a smoke grenade. After that it was off to a games arcade for something a bit different as these two love playing games together at the arcade. I love the outcome of their session and I’m looking forward to their wedding!

eShoot {Marlizna & Wayne}

December 7, 2017

“You are my blue crayon,
The one I never have enough of,
The one I use to color my sky” – A.R Asher

Marlizna & Wayne will be getting married early January 2018 and we met up at their wedding venue, Padlangs, for their e-Session at Sunset. We added some color with smoke grenades to their session and I absolutely love the outcome.

I’m really looking forward to spending their wedding day with them!

Engagement {Nomcebo & Siya}

September 4, 2017

“What ever our souls are made of,
his and mine are the same” – Emily Bronte

This is Nomcebo and Siya at their engagement shoot we recently did at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The light was amazing with a spectacular sunset, and I loved creating these images for them.

Engagement Shoot {Amoré & Roy}

August 29, 2017

“You are my best friend,
my human diary,
and my other half – I love you!” – Unknown

On a VERY cold Saturday morning in August – it was when the cold front hit Gauteng – I met up with these two beautiful souls for their sunrise engagement shoot at Nelson Mandela Bridge. I’m sure with the wind factor it must have been -5 degrees on the bridge, but we stuck it out and managed to capture some really beautiful images as the sun started to cast its rays over Johannesburg.
From the bridge we moved to a still quiet and sleepy Maboneng precinct to finish off their session with some good coffee from the only shop open so early.

Here are a few favorites from my session with Amoré & Roy 🙂

Engagement Shoot {Ané & Anrich}

August 21, 2017

“For it was not into my ear you whispered,
But into my heart ” – Judy Garland

I met up with Ané & Anrich on a beautiful warm winters day at Mad Giant Brewery, 1Fox for their engagement session. It’s a gorgeous location, and we loved roaming around the area rich with history from earlier years. It was late afternoon, which meant we were (almost) the only people there, and we could move around freely. I just love the light we had!

It was such a pleasure capturing the love these two have for each other – their wedding is in full planning mode, and I wish them all of the best with all the planning and journey ahead!

Enjoy a few of my favorite images of their session.

eShoot {Liezl & Karel}

May 24, 2017

Rain…. is just confetti from the sky!

The day I met these two it was a real cold winters day, blessed with some rain…. our session started out with no rain, but as we continued soft rain started to fall and looked JUST like confetti!

How blessed are they to have such beautiful confetti falling on them on the start of their wedding journey 🙂

I’m really looking forward to capturing their wedding day later this year, but for now, let me share some of my favorites of their engagement session with you.

Maboneng Engagement shoot {Dietrich & Marquerite}

April 11, 2017

“He is more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” – unknown

These two will be saying their “I do’s ” later this year, and I can not wait to capture their beautiful wedding after their stunning engagement shoot we had.

It really was worth it getting up SO early on Sunday morning, to be on the Nelson Mandela bridge with sunrise after which we headed off to a very quiet Maboneng precinct for the rest of their session.

eShoot {Nadia & Barry}

March 21, 2017

“Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone – we find it with another.” -Thomas Merton

Nadia and Barry met during one vacation on a KZN beach.. a holiday romance that turned into real love and one that will last a lifetime. They also got engaged on a beach, so it was only fitting that their eShoot was to be done on a beach.

But, living in Gauteng the beach is just a little bit too far so we opted for a little ‘beach’ just outside of Gauteng in Hartebeespoortdam, die Vette Mossel.

Service Providers:

Make up: Salome – Pink Hotness Beauty Boutique
Venue: De Vette Mossel, Hartebeespoortdam

eShoot {Shazia & Shaheer}

March 7, 2017

“I will never finish falling in love with you” – Nicole Williams

I met up with Shaz and Shaheer at the beautiful Bryanston Pine Forest for their shoot and managed to capture their laughter, smiles and love for each other – Such a stunning couple and I really look forward to our next shoot!

eShoot {Lorencia & Lourens}

March 2, 2017

“In a room full of art, I’d still stare at you” – Unknown

I just love the energy these two have around each other – they are a perfect fit, and I could see that at our first meeting to discuss their wedding photography.

They decided on the beautiful outdoor venue, Irene Dairy Farm for their eShoot, and I am really happy with their images. Really looking forward to their wedding in June this year – it’s going to be stunning.

eShoot {Gerhart & Lizelle}

February 24, 2017

“You are my sun, my moon and all my stars” – EE Cummings

On a rainy Friday afternoon in Pretoria, Elize Mare Photography met up with Lizelle en Gerhart for their eShoot. I just love spending time with the couples who booked me for their Wedding day photography – the eShoot gets the couple more comfortable in front of the camera, and I get to see which poses work well with the couple, because not everyone is the same!

Owning a beautiful plot on the outskirts of Pretoria, with the most gorgeous house, these two’s session truly reflects who they are. I am really looking forward to capturing their special day in April at their venue on the banks of the Vaal River – but more about that after the wedding!

Here are a few of my favorites from their eShoot …..

Engagement shoot {Conor & Candice}

January 18, 2017

What better way to close off the year 2016 than to get proposed to HIGH up in the sky!?

This is exactly what Conor did to propose to the love of his life, Candice. A Hot Air Balloon ride with Bill Harrops’ Balloon Safari in Skeerpoort. Candice did not suspect anything, seeing that a balloon ride was on her bucket list, and she just thought this is a really great gift from her boyfriend for the day before New Year’s.

I couldn’t exactly take pictures of them before their balloon ride – we didn’t want her to suspect anything – but I captured the preparations and a few sneaky pictures before they headed off.

Once they reached the highest level – and I’m under correction here, but I think it was over 6000ft – Conor got down on one knee to ask the big question….. and she said YES! Talk about ending your 2016 on a HIGH!

Once back on the ground again where I waited for them with the ground crew, their Pilot, presented some Champagne to celebrate before heading back to the Club house where I captured a few more images before their breakfast.

Conor & Candice – The bonding of your love was officially declared on the day of your engagement, handle it with care and expand this love throughout your life.

eSession {Angelique & Francois}

September 1, 2016

Angelique and Francois will be getting married in December this year, and yes, I’ll be there to capture those memories for them! But to get a bit comfortable with me and in front of the lens, we headed out to Hatfield to do their eSession…. a bit of a City vibe and some good coffee at Underground Coffee, as these two just love a good cup of coffee.
Underground Coffee is situated in the professional print lab I use, and we as pro photographers also has a great space to use as well as a small studio, so naturally I started off at the studio section, with some shots in the coffee shop and then we headed out to the area outside…

I loved the different type of setting we had for their shoot and enjoyed capturing these beautiful images for them.

Really looking forward to their wedding!

eSession {Genene & Shaun}

July 18, 2016

“I have died every day waiting for you
Darling, don’t be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more” – Christina Perry

On 3 July 2016 Genene won an Engagement shoot from Elize Mare Photography by participating in a competition hosted by Trou Idees to celebrate their 5th Birthday.

When I heard they are getting married the end of July I immediately decided we have to do their engagement shoot before their wedding date, which was quite a challenge finding a suitable date on such short notice. Within a couple of days from receiving the email that she has won the shoot, a date was selected, a venue for their session was chosen, wardrobe ideas discussed and it was time for their engagement shoot.

These two have been together for 7 years, and engaged for 4 years. Life has given them a few knocks, but they are just growing stronger in their relationship.
They decided middle June 2016 it is now time to tie the knot and they secured their venue. Arrangements are continuing, and their wedding date is now literally less than two weeks away!

Capturing these special engagement images for them, I could see how strong the connection between the two of them is. They really do have the ‘look of love’ when looking at each other – so precious!

Genene & Shaun, may your upcoming Wedding Day be blessed beyond anything you have experienced, and may your Marriage be one growing stronger each day. Keep the love you have for each other – it is beautiful!

eSession {Laura & Danny}

July 14, 2016

Laura and Danny is getting married on 20 August 2016 and we set out to Modderfontein Nature reserve for their eSession (engagement shoot). The location I chose for their session within the reserve had some really awesome settings for their session. These two are casual fun loving gorgeous people, and I enjoyed capturing these for them.

An eSession is not JUST a photo session – it helps the bridal couple as well as me (as the wedding photographer) to see what and how we work together, and it prepares us for the wedding day. I am looking forward to their wedding day!

Here is their story….

“Danny and I met through a mutual friend that went to the same design college as I did. Danny really didn’t have to look far, one Friday evening the friend invited me out and we literally showed up on Danny’s doorstep! At the time, Danny and I were both seeing other people but we became good friends and bonded over our shared love of music and animals. I fell in love with Danny’s Jack Russel Spaniel X, Kakashi, (the same dog who would later deliver my engagement ring to me when Danny proposed) and over time I also fell in love with Danny. A few months later Danny went to Cape Town for a holiday and upon realizing how much I missed him I knew that I had to tell him how I felt, luckily the feelings were mutual and well, here we are almost 4 years later! ” – Laura

eSession {Juanita & Chris}

April 10, 2016

I had to hold myself back in wanting to publish these beautiful images from these two’s eSession, and as hard as it was, I am glad that I could allow them to publish some of the images first on their very own Wedding Website as part of their Wedding Invitation!

Juanita absolutely LOVES the Protea Flower, so when we booked their eSession, their was no doubt in my mind that their shoot just had to take place at one of my favorite venues to shoot at, Harmonie Protea Farm, just outside of Pretoria.

It was a beautiful, hot and sunny afternoon on the farm. Different parts of the farm were used for different outfits, and even the owner’s cat was following us around all afternoon, and yes he featured in a few images too! Just couldn’t resist.

I’m looking forward to the wedding on 24 September 2016 – more magical images to be captured!

Here is a few of Elize Mare Photography‘s favorite images from a magical afternoon:

Thank you to our Service Providers:

Venue: Harmonie Protea Farm

Make up & Hair: Isma @ Beauty & The Brush

eSession {Chandre & Wouter}

March 31, 2016

Chandre & Wouter’s eSession took place at a local mall in Centurion. We didn’t want their eSession photo’s to be the same as their Wedding photo’s with background, as they’ll be getting married in the Bushveld later this year. The contrast of the walls of the mall worked really well, and I love how I’ve been able to capture their love for each other.

When I met them during a one-on-one meeting to discuss their Wedding day, Wouter mentioned that we have met a few years ago – in 2011 to be exact – at a wedding he was Master of Ceremony of. It is such a privilege for me to be part of their day, and to know that they contacted me after all this time!

They’ll be getting married on the same farm we first met – how awesome is that! I get to go back to a beautiful farm just outside of Warmbaths to capture their beautiful wedding. I cannot wait to share that with you, but first, here is some images from their eSession.

From Matric Dance to “Marry Me” – A Love Story Eight Years in the Making

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