“I always joke and say that I’m not just the photographer, I see myself as an extra groomsman or even a bridesmaid… There is so much more to it than just pressing a button.”
Rico Myburg is a local full-time wedding photographer and videographer. He says everything he knows about photography is self-taught, with hours and hours spent watching YouTube videos as well as tips he got from friends who have made it in the industry.
“I can actually pinpoint the exact date when my love for photography started. It was on a camping trip with my family and I just started taking photos of nature and rocks by getting all the different angles, I imagined I was a NatGeo photographer and my parents and friends raved about the photos. When I look back at them now, I realise my photography improved a lot,” he says.
Rico, who studied Journalism and Media Studies at the University of the Free State, says that when he first started photography in 2013 he would have never thought that he would be a wedding photographer. “The thing I love most about wedding photography is that I get to be a part of the best day in someone’s life and I get to capture those memories that will last forever. It is a huge responsibility. Nothing beats the feeling you get when you see the bride walking down the aisle with her dad and the groom sees her for the first time. I just love that I can be a part of someone’s special day, even though I’m just their photographer,” he says.
He adds that he has a passion for photography and enjoys working with people. “What excites me about photography is that every day you get to see and meet new people and every experience is different. I am proud to say that 2022 was my most successful year and I really have to give God all the honour, He blessed me with this talent and really helped to grow my business through the toughest times.”
Rico defines a good wedding photographer as someone who loves working with people and has a lot of patience. “You should be there for your clients every step of the way. From planning the timeline to fixing the groom’s tie or helping the bride carry her dress. It’s the small things that count and leave a lasting impression,” he says.
“For me, wedding photography is different from other types of photography because there are so many aspects to a wedding and unpredictable factors that play a roll. You can’t reschedule a wedding and if it rains you have to make the best of the situation and think out of the box. Sometimes there can be a bit more pressure because all of the moments only happen once. The bride walking down the aisle, first kiss and the first dance.”
Clear umbrellas are your best friend during the rainy season and remember to always pack an extra pair of pants in your car. I may or may not have ripped my pants at a wedding before…
“For me, Bloemfontein is all about the people. Because if it weren’t for all the amazing people of Bloem who gave me a chance, I would not have been able to live out my dream of becoming a full-time photographer. I just love all the beautiful spots in Bloemfontein, from shooting downtown to beautiful sunsets at Seven Dams. Bloemfontein also has some of my favourite wedding venues and some of the best wedding vendors that I have ever worked with.”
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY FROM A TO Z WITH RICO:
Once I receive a new booking I try to meet with the couple as soon as possible so that we can get to know each other and plan their timeline together. We then arrange a date for their engagement shoot. On the Friday before the wedding I usually have a ritual that has to happen or I will feel unprepared. Batteries must be fully charged, all my lenses must be cleaned and memory cards cleared and double checked. On the wedding day I usually start at 10am to get some photos of the decor, then it is time for the groom’s preparation photos, then the bride’s preparation, ceremony, family photos, couple photos, and lastly the reception. This all happens within 12 hours. When I say my goodbyes I immediately take out my memory cards from my camera and put them in a safe spot for my drive home. When I get home – usually at around 11pm – I know it sounds crazy but I immediately back up all of the photos on a hard drive and the cloud. Only after that, I will have peace of mind knowing that the photos are safe. I will then have a shower and go to sleep. A few days after the wedding I will send a preview of the photos to the couple. Editing takes a few weeks and after that, I deliver the photos in special packaging with my branding and a few canvases.
Text: JUSTINE FORTUIN Photography: GYPSEENIA LION
