Heidi is senior stylist at Rob Peetoom Hair + Make-up in Hoorn. To be honest, I’m not too keen on going to the hairdresser, but I completely trust Heidi. I just know that I’ll look better when she’s done. So when Heidi told me she was pregnant, I was super happy for her. But also a bit worried, cuz who was going to be doing my hair while she was on leave? Fortunately, one of her colleagues did very well, but I’ll be happy to see Heidi back at the salon again. When Heidi was about 32 weeks pregnant, she came to our studio for a cool maternity photosession. We created quite a few different looks and photos, and these are some of my favorites.

Heidi looked absolutely stunning pregnant. She has meanwhile given birth to a beautiful baby boy.

Sometimes I’m ‘stressed’. Don’t get me wrong, there’s always plenty to do around here – in the studio, outside the studio, at home, you name it. Usually I’m fine with that, but sometimes I get a bit antsy. Last Sunday it was a bit like that. It was cold outside, but nice and sunny so on a whim I decided to take the doggies to the beach for a long walk. It was great! Flo found a tennis ball and she wasn’t gonna let go. She chased the ball like crazy. Miss Daisy calmly followed us at her leisure. When you’re her age (she’s twelve), you don’t need to show off anymore. It was awesome to get some fresh air!

Moving to Singapore and then organizing your Amsterdam wedding – that isn’t easy, that’s for sure! Fortunately, the bride’s brother was willing to do a lot of the ‘organizing stuff’. And during short stays in the Netherlands, the bride and groom would arrange for lots of things for their wedding. Laurentien and I had been in contact via email, but it’s always a good to meet your wedding photographer ‘in real life’ before your wedding day. So a few days before the wedding, Laurentien came to our studio to meet and talk about the last details. What a great gal! On her wedding day, the Sassen & Verstraaten two shooter team consisted of Verstraaten and …Nel. Marco was the first shooter at this wedding, and our good friend, colleague and very talented photographer Gerhard Nel of Kiekiebox, came along as second shooter.

Even though Laurentien and Ralf live in Singapore now, they’ve not sold their Amsterdam home, and that’s where their wedding day started.

Detail of all the eyeshadow boxe (image by Gerhard):

Laurentien and Ralf have a son together and he was looking on with large eyes how his mommy was turned into a princess. He was totally intrigued by his mom getting ready, and a bit scared as well! Cute!

Totally awesome wedding shoes!

The outside of their home and Ralf handsomely awaiting his bride (images by Gerhard):

Laurentien walks towards her groom.

The bride and groom walked from their home to their wedding venue, followed by their day guests. The wedding ceremony took place in the beautiful House of Amsterdam.

The beautiful wedding room of the House of Amsterdam – great colors, amazing paintings, a truly beautiful wedding venue!

Group photo with everyone who attended the wedding ceremony (Marco actually climbed on top of a parking meter to get this image…):

Two more images featuring son (image on right by Gerhard):

In between the ceremony and the drinkies, there was a bit of time for a photosession with the bride and groom – obviously in the awesome Amsterdam downtown area! Drinks, dinner and party all took place in the amazing The College Hotel, at walking distance. And even though it was a bit chilly, the weather was fine for some photos outside. The last two images in this series were taken inside The College Hotel .

And of course there was time in the schedule to take some more group shots. These not too formal photos are always best!

During dinner, the father of the groom speeched.

The bride and groom chose to have their wedding cake as dessert. A beautiful, colorful creation who was officially cut by the couple.

We met him a few times in 2010, and he was there again at Laurentien and Ralf’s wedding: Ferdinand of Feest in Verve. With Laurentien’s gorgeous engagement ring on the right. And the rings another time, with a detail of the stunning IWC watch Ralf received instead of a ring (he doesn’t like to wear any jewelry apart from a watch).

The bride and groom’s first dance and an evening shot of The College Hotel.

What a gorgeous day!

We counted the votes and we’ve got a winner for our Dutch Wedding Photo of the Year 2010 award! Photo number 1, with Minoo’s gorgeous eyes, has won by far. Congratulations!

There was a bit more competition for the runners up. Images 3 and 20 were in the race for a long time, but in the end photo 5, Petra and Jan Albert’s fireworks, came in second, just before photo 6, the Abe Lenstra Stadium with Siebine and Hielko. Congratulations to you as well!!

I will contact you about your prices!

A big thanks to everyone who voted – totally awesome! I hope to see you all around on our blog later this year!