Cheers to 40 Years: Celebrating Tumi at Kapensis Guesthouse
- Ashley Chapman

- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
Some celebrations are special… and then some are next level unforgettable. Tumi’s 40th birthday at Kapensis Guesthouse was exactly that — bold, glamorous, joy-filled, and set against one of the most breathtaking backdrops in the Western Cape.
Tucked away on an 8.5-hectare fynbos farm on the outskirts of Pringle Bay, Kapensis is one of those rare escapes that feels both luxurious and deeply grounding. Surrounded by dramatic mountain views, soft fynbos landscapes, and glimpses of the distant ocean, it offers a kind of stillness that makes celebration feel even more magical.

With eight spacious en-suite bedrooms, beautifully styled in African-inspired décor, and mornings that begin with the most delicious breakfast spreads, Kapensis isn’t just a guesthouse — it’s an immersive retreat. And for Tumi’s milestone birthday, it became the ultimate playground.
The Glam, The Energy, The Outfits 🔥
From the moment we started shooting, the energy was unmatched.
Tumi kicked off the celebrations in the most fabulous way — framed by a playful “Cheers to Tumi’s 40 years of living!” setup, she stepped out in a sparkling silver fringe bodysuit layered with a leopard-print robe. The shimmer, the texture, the confidence — everything about it screamed celebration. Her oversized tinted glasses and bold pose brought personality to every single frame. It wasn’t just a birthday… it was a statement.
And then came the outfit change.
Out in the golden light, with mountains towering behind them, Tumi and her girls turned the fynbos landscape into their runway. Crisp whites, feather details, sleek silhouettes, fishnets, statement earrings — the styling was fun, fierce, and fashion-forward. The contrast of those clean white looks against the earthy Western Cape tones? Absolute magic.
As the sun dipped lower, the laughter only got louder. There’s something about capturing women celebrating friendship, confidence, and a new decade of life that feels incredibly powerful. The poses were playful, the vibes were carefree, and every photo tells the story of sisterhood and joy.
And of course, the squad shots! The guys brought their own relaxed-cool energy, all in coordinated light tones, adding to the effortlessly stylish feel of the day. It felt like a destination editorial shoot — but with heart, laughter, and real connection at its core.
Why Milestone Celebrations Deserve to Be Captured
Turning 40 is not “just another birthday.” It’s growth. It’s wisdom. It’s stories lived and new chapters beginning.
Events like these are filled with raw, unfiltered moments — the belly laughs, the spontaneous dance moves, the quiet in-between glances, the proud “I made it” smiles. And those are the moments that deserve to be documented beautifully.
Photographing Tumi’s celebration wasn’t just about pretty outfits and stunning scenery (although we had plenty of both!). It was about preserving the feeling — the confidence, the freedom, the fun.
Years from now, these images won’t just show what everyone wore. They’ll remind Tumi how it felt to stand surrounded by her people, glowing in the Western Cape sunshine, celebrating 40 incredible years of life.

A Location That Elevates Every Frame
Kapensis truly provided the perfect canvas.
The soft neutral architecture, the wide-open fynbos fields, the mountains stretching endlessly behind us — every direction offered a new composition. Shooting at golden hour here? Pure magic. The light wraps around you in the most flattering way, enhancing skin tones and creating that warm, inviting glow I love so much in my work.
It’s locations like this that turn celebrations into experiences. And when you combine an immersive venue with bold fashion, genuine laughter, and a milestone worth honouring — you get something unforgettable.
Tumi, thank you for trusting me to capture such a powerful and joy-filled chapter. If 40 looks like this… the next decade is going to be iconic. 🥂✨
And if you’re planning a milestone birthday, girls’ getaway, or destination celebration — don’t let it pass undocumented. These are the memories that deserve to live far beyond the weekend.















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