Metamorphosis (Part 2)

I suppose I could have said everything I wanted to in one post, but I know I sometimes give up halfway through reading something if I don't find it interesting and I'm not sure how interesting my life is to other people.

So besides all the stuff that I mentioned in Part 1, here, there is even more happening and that has happened. My life is changing at a 1000 miles an hour.

As you know I have plans for world domination *insert evil laughter*. Seriously though, I am planning on going to America which you can read about here and here. That being said. Three weeks ago (Monday; March 3rd) I received a reply from Zack reading: "So sorry getting back to you late. C'mon. I don't know what we'll do with you when you get here but we'll figure it out when you do. We'll take part in your adventure"!

How f**ing exciting is that?! Man!

I have to admit though, I had some doubts for a while, because of an opportunity arising here. I have in the meantime prayed about it and I spoke to some friends and that has put things into perspective for me in a big way.

So, it looks like I might be going to America soon if I'm lucky and things work out for me.

Anyway, let me move on. Another awesome thing I did, was a shoot for local acoustic guitar duo CH2. These guys can flippen shred, but not in the sense of how metal guitarists do (well, they could probably do that too), but they play a mix of classical, flamenco and latin influenced instrumental music. We shot in studio - something I wasn't too keen on at first, coz I like doing environmental/on location type shoots, but I am really happy with the results.

They also had a make-up artist come in and man; what a difference that makes. So rad to have worked with Melissa. We met years ago and now our paths crossed again to make something rad. Go check out her work here.

Here are a few images from that shoot.

Thank you for reading

Metamorphosis (Part 1)

Oh man! So once again, I've had a post ready and waiting, just to be trumped by something else. I warn you, this post is a BIG one, so I'll be doing two parts. 2014 has been insane! In less than two months the amount of changes happening in my life are outweighing all of the changes in the past six years I have lived in Pretoria.

Today is my final day of working an office job and it feels good. I'm much calmer about it than I initially thought I'd be. It's probably one of the scariest things I've ever done though. Giving up the security of a monthly paycheck to pursue a career in photography. I prayed about it for a long time and asked for wisdom and peace in my heart that I was making the right decision. And I believe I have. I have to remind myself that I'm not in control. God has a much bigger plan.

I am thankful for having had a job, to pay bills, buy some worthless crap (and some awesome crap too) and to just stay alive. My mom played a big part too and I'm hoping with this decision, I can start giving something back to her as well.

So that's only part of what's going on with my life. I've been involved in some pretty awesome projects. After I did the shoot for The Watermark High, he (Paul) asked me to be part of a music video for one of his songs. I'm the dude with the long hair and cap!

Watch it in HD if you can.

And at the end of last year I helped shoot some videos for a friend's record company; Emote Record Company. Click on the name to check that out. The six newest ones are what I helped shoot along with the super talented Ett Venter and I'm sharing one of my favourites.

I'm also part of something called 43 challenge. Busy documenting this whole process - at the SABS Design Institute - of designers and entrepreneurs and generally creative people doing some amazing things which you can go check out here as well as follow, if it tickles your fancy. They're on Instagram and Twitter as well. This was probably the biggest proponent of why I felt the need to quit my job and pursue making and taking photographs. Seeing people doing really inspiring things and come up with possible world changing ideas. It's inspirational.

The Watermark High

Meet Paul van der Walt (The Watermark High).

Paul messaged me a couple of weeks ago about doing some new press shots for him. This was weird, because a few days prior to that, he posted a photo to his Instagram account about the progress on his new EP and I thought; "I wonder if he needs new photos"?

So yeah, I'm clairvoyant or something.

I was keen. I've been following Paul's work since 2009; I think. He's undergone a metamorphosis since those days of dreamy ambient post-rock/electronica to where he is focusing more on the electronica side of things. That's not a bad thing though.

You can check him out at the following links:

Website

Bandcamp

Facebook

Thanks for reading

Remember that letter I wrote?

I had another post ready to go, but in lieu of yesterdays events I have decided to push it back just slightly.

For the four people that check out my site, I'm sure you'll remember this post I did at the end of last year; "So Here's The Plan". Remember? Good! Now seeing as I've already told the four of you, there's nothing to share actually, but I'll do it anyway :P

This happened yesterday.

If you're sight isn't too great, it reads: "Well @Bernard_Brand00 you've definitely gotten our attention. Well done. We'll be in touch".

Who is Meghan Arias you may ask and why does this matter? Well, Meghan is the wife of Zack Arias whom I've mentioned before here. And why does that matter?

Well, Zack is the guy I wrote the letter to that I mentioned in that post from last year. He's the guy I want to go intern for and he's the guy that replied to me via email yesterday morning (depending on where you live in the world). Now I haven't gotten a definitive answer yet, but the fact that he replied and said he'd be in touch and that a seemingly meaningless letter made it halfway across the the world and into their hands is just awesome!

I can't even explain how often I would track where the letter was and how often I checked my email - after it was delivered - to see if Zack had replied yet.

So yesterday was a pretty rad day and I am still somewhere outside myself for what this could mean. I met with awesome potential clients and might have a big job coming up. So I am hoping and praying that these things comes to fruition. Thanks to everyone that believes/believed in me when I didn't and the support and kind words. It's all a little overwhelming and I don't always think I deserve it, but I do appreciate it. What a blessing you all are.

Next up will be some shots from my shoot with The Watermark High.

Thanks for reading.