Meet Stacey and Wes, the married powerhouse couple behind Photography and Videography business The Shank Tank. We first came across Stacey when we featured her business I do Deals on the blog. Since then we've been keeping a close eye on her business and stumbled across The Shank Tank - a business born out of their love of destination weddings in Mozambique. They began their focus there and are now shifting out to service KZN and surrounds too. Grab a warm drink and let's get to know them!
If you're interested in videography, go and watch one of their wedding videos here - it's a winner!
Kev & Cindi's Wedding Video from The Shank Tank on Vimeo.
How did you get into photography? Was it a hobby that expanded into a business, or has it been a dream since you were young?
Hubby (Wes) and I (Stace) officially started our media company, The Shank Tank, in February this year. Although sometimes it feels like we have been building up to it since we met almost 10 years ago. We have always loved working together and knew that for us married life meant “loving the life we live’. We love our home studio and the fact that we get to drive each other crazy every single day. I find it best to have clear roles to ensure we don’t clash, so we each take on jobs that play on our individual strengths.
Tell us about yourself in three words.
Married, Media Wizards
What were you doing prior to becoming a photographer?
Wes was a producer on the Breakfast Show at East Coast Radio. I was a destination wedding planner (The Love Bucket) but decided to give it up to focus more time and energy in growing The Shank Tank. Before that I was a Marketing Manager at a boring corporate…
What did you study?
Wes studied Sound Engineering which then led him to furthering his knowledge in Video, Editing and Photography. I have BCom in Marketing Management and completed a course in Event Coordination.
Where are you based? And do you travel for your photography?
We live in Durbs, but love to travel. We’ll happily jump on a plane for a wedding booking… (hint hint)
How would you describe your photography "aesthetic"?
Our style is very much documentary style. We love those behind the scenes, unposed moments. Nothing too cheesy…
What inspires your photography?
We are inspired everyday by the incredible talent around us. Durban and South Africa is filled with some amazing photographers and videographers.
Besides photography, what are your other loves? Wes and I are totally obsessed with our Fat Ginger cat, Bella. She rules the roost in our home. We also love to travel and experience the great outdoors. When Wes isn’t editing or filming, he is usually fishing off his kayak.
Do you do wedding photography? If so, besides weddings, what else do you shoot?
We love shooting weddings but sometimes like to do some corporate video work on week days. Some of our clients include; NIVEA, Roxy, DC, Bearing Man Group, Magnet Electrical and more!
As a design and wedding blog, we have to ask: do you enjoy photographing weddings?
Yes, we love it! Even though the day itself can sometimes be exhausting, weddings are always filled with so much love and all those warm and fuzzy feelings. We love connecting with like-minded people and love the kinds of people and families that we get to meet through our work.
If you had to choose a photographer to take your own wedding photos, who would it be?
Our friends at Knot Just Pics, Andy & Szerdi, took our amazing wedding pics and I wouldn’t change a thing about them. I love how relaxed they made us feel and how naturally the whole day was captured. We have also made some new friends in the biz and are constantly inspired by; Photocase Photography, Alexis Diack, Kelly Daniels and of course the amazing Fiona Clair.
What do you see in the future for yourself in the next few years?
We hope to grow The Shank Tank to a recognized name in the media industry. Our portfolio is growing week to week and we are excited to see where the company will take us. Our goal is to be happily loving life, drinking coffee, working from our home studio… maybe with a bambino…
What are your wedding/engagement/general shoot rates?
Our packages are priced around R9000.
How can people get hold of you?
stacey@theshanktank.co.za
Please finish these sentences:
Right now I am happy about love, life and everything in between…
Photography is about capturing a moment, not creating it.
Rooibos tea (Wes) is the best. (Stace) is for old grannies.
I am so grateful that I get to work with my best friend every day.
People would say that I am talkative and a bit bossy
I get annoyed when my data bundle runs out
A photograph is a memory that will last forever (now that’s cheesy)
In a year I will hopefully be a little fitter, richer and have a better wardrobe
When I wake up in the morning I get licked and pounced on by our Fat Cat until we get up and feed her breakfast.
I don't understand iTunes… at all! Its sooo confusing!
I am terrified of small tunnels in objects… it’s a long story
Tomorrow I will be catching up on admin and getting ready for a shoot this week.
If I had a million Rand I would buy a house. Haha exciting stuff when you married!
Labels: Destination Wedding, Mozambique, photography, Photography Feature, The Shank Tank, videographer, videography, wedding video