Featured Pro Photographer: Kobus Tollig

With almost a decade of experience behind him, Kobus Tollig is an award-winning proudly South African photographer with an insatiable and inspiring passion for wedding, portrait and lifestyle photography. A Sigma, SanDisk and ProFoto South Africa ambassador, Kobus has been featured in numerous publications such as My Wedding Day, Wedding Collections and the UK’s top bridal magazine, Perfect Wedding. Completely adept behind his camera, he is able to creatively capture the unique features of the venue as well as all the personal elements involved in a couple’s big day. The resulting images are ones that can be treasured for many generations to come.

The Interview

1. How would you classify your photographic style and who inspires you?

Timeless, elegant and beautiful would describe it most. I really try and capture weddings in a way that suits the client and makes them look their best. Most importantly, it has to be timeless. I want them to look back at their photos in 20 years and still love their images.

I'm inspired by the industry and I think, specifically, the South African wedding industry because the talent we have here is world-class. There is a very high standard in South Africa and I look forward to seeing what will happen in the next five years.

2. What is it that draws you to pick up your camera and take a photo?

Moments I see combined with beautiful light. Sometimes when talking to friends (non-photographers) I will interrupt them and say, “Look at that light” or “Look at that moment”. I sometimes kick myself for not having a camera with me.

3. What type of gear do you use and do you have any favourites?

I shoot with the Canon 5D MK III and have a few lenses. I'm a Sigma ambassador and love their Global Vision (Art) series of lenses. In the end, I can't really say that this or that is my favourite because I have a preferred lens for every situation.

4. What would be your ultimate shot and how would you shoot it?

I don't think I have an ultimate shot but rather an ultimate shoot. I would love to photograph weddings abroad and, more specifically, weddings in Venice, Maldives, Germany and Dubai. I love the old but also the modern.

5. What is the most challenging part of photographing your preferred subject?

I would say the weather sometimes makes it challenging. You can't postpone a wedding, you just have to work with what you have. But, having said that, unpredictable weather can also sometimes be used to create amazing images.

6. What’s next on the horizon that you’re most excited about?

Doing more international work and the fact that I don't know what exactly is coming next.

7. If you could go back in time and offer yourself one piece of advice when you picked up the camera for the first time, what would it be?

To make sure I spent as much time learning the business of photography as I did learning photography itself. 

 “Pictures are everlasting and reveal so much more than meets the eye. It captures the emotion and feeling meant at a certain moment, telling a story that goes far beyond the image border.”

- Kobus Tollig