Perhaps, one of the very first things you might be wondering is… “err.. how do you pronounce your name, exactly?”

Na-stash-a?

Na-stas-ia?

Natasha?

None of the above I’m afraid.

My friends and family call me “Tash”. Nobody I know calls me by my full name, probably because people don’t know how to pronounce it but I think primarily because I have not made the effort to say it properly myself. I have met so many new people being in the photography industry, and because your name in most cases is your brand, I suppose it’s quite important to introduce yourself correctly?

Let me introduce myself. Hellooo there! My name is Nastassja.

Pronounced: nah-stuz-yah – there is no “sh” sound, the double “ss” is pronounced “z”.

There have probably been a total of 4 people in my entire life who have pronounced it correctly without me needing to tell them, so please don’t feel bad if you struggle :)

Growing up, I became so afraid of this name. It wasn’t simple and known like everyone else’s. Back then in a world of simplicity, where being different was not cool and far from the fad it may be now, I was terrified of this name. I was a little-blonde-freckled-white-South African-Afrikaans girl with this name, completely surrounded by John’s and Mary’s. As crazy as it may sound, it was a terrifying time for me. I just wanted to be normal, with a normal name.

Thank goodness times have changed. Being older and grown up, I have a lot more respect and a huge appreciation for my name, especially where it came from. My late mother and my best friend specifically chose this name for me. She took it from the actress Nastassja Kinski and gave it to me with the hugest love.

My mother is the most incredible human being I have ever known and when the world was against me, she was for me. She supported and encouraged me through every single thing I ever did. She is my hero and I dedicate my business to her. I wish with every tiny bit of me, she could be here to share it with me.

There are many amazing photographers out there who have impacted me and to all of them I would like to extend the biggest thank you. Thank you for all the time you put into teaching me, supporting me and guiding me to be the best that I can be someday. I value all of you so greatly and I’m so honoured to call many of you, friends. Dewet van Rooyen, Riekert Cloete, Morne van Zyl, Nikki Meyer, Lizelle Lotter, Joanne Markland, Jani B, Adri Rupping, Christine Meintjes, Adene Nieuwoudt, Monica Dart, Jules Morgan, Wesley Vorster, Rebecca Meissner, Estie Thirion, Cheryl McEwan, Cindy de Bruyn, Lauren Kriedemann, Sybrand Cillie and Jaco le Roux, I appreciate every one of you greatly.

To my husband, my best friend for life, I love and treasure you. You are so much more than I ever dreamed of. Without you, there is no way I could do this. I love you so very, very much more than I could ever describe.

I can only hope that through my images and my work, you will discover the many different pieces of me, that make me, Nastassja.

Thank you so much for stopping by :)

Nastassja x

*I intend to insert a good picture of myself over here one day. One day, when I find one. For now I’ll stay behind the camera ;)*