CANDY INSPIRATION – LOLLIPOP FANTASY SHOOT
Model: Yolanda Steyn
A dream turned into reality – My creative model shoot experience
What an incredible experience. I recently took part in one of the most creative and exciting model shoots I’ve ever done—and I just had to share my excitement with you.
This shoot was something truly special. It had been planned since last year, but as life goes, the timing only aligned recently—and what a perfect moment it turned out to be. I knew I wanted to do something different, something bold and a little “extra,” something that would reignite my creative spirit. As the saying goes… to spice up my life a bit.
It all started with a single screenshot—a simple image that sparked this entire concept. The socks and sneakers immediately caught my imagination—I’m such a sneaker lover. That small detail lit a fire of inspiration in me. I just knew this wouldn't be an ordinary shoot. I wanted something not only beautiful but also bold and unique.
Although the shoot was originally planned last year, it only came to life recently—and what a magical moment it was. The anticipation made it even more exciting, and when everything finally came together, it felt like pure art in motion. A true reminder that good things take time—and when they finally happen, they’re extraordinary.
Every detail was carefully planned—from the venue and wardrobe to the makeup and hair. I had the privilege of working with an incredible team of creatives who each brought their passion and talent to bring this vision to life. The energy on set was electric—everyone gave their all, and it showed.
Our theme?
Candy Inspiration – Lollipop Fantasy Shoot
Deon van Dyk from Dú-Mànt Hair Studio created magic with my hair—two vibrant hairbuns adorned with glitter and colourful accents. His creativity and dedication shine through in everything he does. We started before sunrise with hair and makeup—that’s where the transformation truly began.
Liezl Nortje from Liezl Boutique Couture styled the perfect outfits—as always. From flowing fabrics and playful colours to the custom-designed accessories, everything came together flawlessly. She even designed the socks that sparked the entire concept.
Viki Pienaar – Professional Makeup Artist brought her signature flair to the shoot. With precision and artistry, she crafted a look that was both whimsical and bold. She also handcrafted several accessories—including the iconic lollipop prop, earrings, and hair clips using polymer clay—which added a magical, one-of-a-kind touch to the theme.
I’m so incredibly grateful to have been part of something this special. This wasn’t just a shoot—it was a candy-inspired celebration of imagination and collaboration, brought to life by a vibrant, energetic team. As I always say, teamwork makes the dream work. Pure magic.
Social Media links
https://www.facebook.com/share/1BujQKER7a/
https://www.instagram.com/yolanda._steyn?igsh=MTRyd3h2MmxoNnF6cA==
Tik Tok
https://www.tiktok.com/@yolanda_steyn?_t=ZM-8xFnLNtlRJe&_r=1
The Photographer & Venue – Natashwa Stander & Doc von Paul Studios in Pretoria.
My husband and I have been a photography team for the past 13 years, working professionally under the name Doc von Paul Studios — a high-tech studio in Pretoria specialising in product, commercial, and portrait photography.
I’m currently expanding my portfolio on social media under the name Natashwa “FOTOGRAFIE”, aiming to connect more directly with the general public by offering portrait and lifestyle shoots, and broadening our creative footprint.
Yolanda has worked with us on three previous shoots, so when I presented this new concept to her on 23 August 2024, she immediately loved the idea.
The basic concept was inspired by a video I saw on Instagram. We wanted to test our new RGB LED lighting with that theme in mind. Yolanda jumped at the idea and quickly contacted Liezl Nortje Boutique Couture to arrange the outfits — which were sorted in no time.
As for the newspaper backdrop — there’s really only one newspaper we think of, and that’s Rekord. From 2009 to 2011, Doc von Paul was the official photographer for Mr & Miss Rekord and Rekorvoice Singers under the name Dr. Paul’s Photografix, so the backdrop choice was a natural one. Thank you, Rekord.
Due to a few hiccups in 2024, the shoot was rescheduled to 4 June 2025.
Yolanda originally planned to bring a “lollipop” prop but wasn’t able to find one in time. Thankfully, Viki, our makeup artist, offered to create one herself — a perfect fit for the theme.
Once everything finally fell into place, we combined our creative skills and had an amazing session at Doc von Paul Studios.
I retouched all the images myself — and just like that, the job was done.
Photo Credit Byline:
Natashwa Fotografie at Doc von Paul Studios – Pretoria
Email: natashwa@docvonpaul.co.za
Social Media links
https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bd5gxEzcD/
https://www.instagram.com/natashwa_fotografie?igsh=bG9weGRzMm9uNmdq
https://www.instagram.com/docvonpaul?igsh=Z200dmt3NWd5bm1u
The Makeup Artist – Viki Pienaar
This entire concept began as a collaborative idea. Photographer Natashwa Stander and designer Liezl Nortje sent me playful, colourful lollipop-themed inspiration to work from. I built on that vision and added my own touch to make it fresh, fun, and eye-catching.
I created custom props—such as the oversized lollipop, earrings, and clips—using polymer clay to give the look a handmade, artistic finish.
For the makeup, I used soft pink shades, blending them into a dreamy smokey eye. A half cut-crease with shimmer added a touch of fantasy, while crystals and fine detail gave it sparkle and dimension. The lips were kept bold to balance the softness of the eyes.
Deon van Dyk from Dú-Mànt Hair Studio completed the look with a fantastical hairstyle, incorporating vibrant yarn for added texture and colour. His skill and creativity elevated the look to something truly unique.
And of course—Yolanda Steyn, our stunning and spirited model, brought it all to life with her confidence, energy, and playful presence. She’s always open to our fun, out-of-the-box ideas and embraced this look with flair.
The outfits, especially the rainbow gown and ethereal white dress by Liezl, perfectly complemented the fantasy theme and rounded out the concept with elegance and imagination.
This project was a beautiful expression of creativity, and I’m honoured to have been a part of it.
Social media links
https://www.facebook.com/vikipienaarmakeupartist
https://www.instagram.com/vikipienaarmakeupartist
The Hairstylist – Deon van Dyk
Whimsical Candy-Inspired Fantasy Hairstyle
This hairstyle was designed as a whimsical, vibrant expression of our candyland theme—ideal for fantasy shoots and creative styling.
Key Elements:
Structure: Two high, voluminous buns with teased texture for a candy-floss look
Colour Palette: Electric green, pink, purple, and hints of blue woven throughout
Decorations: Handmade accessories including miniature lollipops, ribbons, glitter, and colourful yarn
Finish: Iridescent shimmer and mixed textures gave the hairstyle a dreamy, over-the-top finish
The result? A playful and avant-garde hairstyle that enhanced the overall fantasy aesthetic and celebrated colour, movement, and imagination.
Dú-Mànt Hair Studio
071 493 6922
Cnr 1285 Justice Mahomed & 20th Street, Menlo Park, Pretoria
The Designer – Liezl Nortje Boutique Couture
The outfits played a vital role in completing the theme. From the vibrant rainbow dress to the flowing white gown, Liezl’s designs elevated the entire look with elegance and imagination. Her eye for colour, detail, and fabric created that final magical touch that tied everything together.
Social media links
https://www.facebook.com/share/1AnXhPE55y/
https://www.facebook.com/share/1JFvpBXPkg/
https://www.instagram.com/liezlnortje?igsh=OG5jOGJyemowamt2
Tik Tok
https://www.tiktok.com/@liezlnortjejansen?_t=ZM-8xFmkv0QbvJ&_r=1
Final Thoughts
This shoot was more than just a creative project—it was a celebration of bold ideas, shared passion, and the magic that happens when imagination meets collaboration. From concept to execution, every element was crafted with care, creativity, and joy. The Candy Inspiration – Lollipop Fantasy Shoot stands as a reminder that when talented individuals come together with a shared vision, the results are nothing short of extraordinary.
This joyful celebration of colour and creativity wouldn’t have been possible without this incredibly talented team:
Credits:
Model: Yolanda Steyn
Photographer: Natashwa Stander – Natashwa Photography
Designer: Liezl Nortje Boutique Couture
Make-up Artist: Viki Pienaar – Professional Makeup Artist
Hairstylist: Deon van Dyk – Dú-Mànt Hair Studio
Veneue - Doc von Paul Studios
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