Family, Event, Maternity & Newborn Photographer Across Johannesburg & Pretoria
Family Photographer in Johannesburg
Hi, I'm Camilla, a natural light family photographer in Johannesburg. I absolutely love what I do, capturing families with warmth, care and authenticity. My goal isn't to create perfectly posed photos; it's to capture the real moments that make your family yours. The genuine smiles, the giggles, the tickles, the cuddles, and all those fleeting moments in between.
My sessions are relaxed, fun and completely pressure-free. I'll gently guide you when needed, but mostly I want you to simply enjoy being together. The best photographs happen when you're being yourselves, and that's exactly what I love to showcase. Just genuine connection, beautiful light, and chilled vibes that result in timeless memories you'll treasure for years to come.
A Mum Who Understands Family
I know how important your family is to you. I am a mama myself, and my family is my entire life. They inspire me and drive my passion for what I do. I love seeing them smile, laugh, ponder and live their little lives. This is what I want for you—a moment where you can take in all these beautiful attributes of your family.
Sessions That Move at Your Child's Pace
My sessions are structured by your children and your family. We start off slow, and I am guided by how you all respond to me, my camera, the location, the light, your outfits—every single aspect of the shoot—and we go from there.
Sometimes kids just need a moment to let off some steam, so we give them that. Sometimes they need a little time to get used to the big camera. Your little one might smile for your phone, but a camera is very different! These are all things I take into account during your session with me.
Real Smiles Beat Perfect Smiles
Don't you just love it when your kiddo has a good ol' belly laugh? Something so uncontrolled and full of pure joy? Me too!!
This is what I aim for—natural, authentic, real moments. Yes, I do ask for a couple of "smile at the camera" shots because every granny deserves one for Christmas, but more of you being you is what we want out of your session.
Finding the Perfect Location
Location, Location, Location!
This is one of the most important decisions you will make for your session. I have so many gorgeous locations we can discuss when planning your family shoot with me.
First, what vibe are you going for? Manicured gardens or a rustic reserve?
Second, what story are you telling? A family that loves being at home, or a family showing off their best outfits at Shepstone Gardens?
We work through each location together, and if nothing stands out, I hunt for something that suits your family. I handle the venue bookings, payments and everything needed to secure the perfect photoshoot location for your family session.
Over the years I have hunted, scouted & communicated with so many venues, narrowing them down to my favourites. My blog - with over 25 000 visits - has broken them down to give you the best options to choose from, including the price, travel fee and photographs from each venue. You can click >> HERE << the link below to check the out.
Natural Editing
Let's chat editing.
My style of photography doesn't just depend on where I shoot, who I shoot, when I shoot or how I shoot—it also relies heavily on my editing. Over the years, I have fine-tuned my editing style using the best editing software available. I like to go a little moody, but not too dark, focusing on beautiful skin tones while carefully removing background distractions. I always take a very natural approach.
Every single image delivered to you is personally selected and edited by me. From what is often over 1,000 photographs, I carefully choose the very best images, colour correct them, retouch them and remove distractions—all by hand, one image at a time.
I don't outsource my editing because I believe your family photographs deserve my full attention from start to finish. It takes time, but it is time well spent making sure your photographs are the very best they can be.
14 Years of Photographing Families
Being in this industry for over 14 years, I have built relationships with hundreds of families who have trusted me with their photographs and with telling their family's story.
My years of experience have taught me what a family needs to feel relaxed and at ease with me, including the little shy people. I have the experience that only comes from photographing families for well over a decade.
A couple frequently asked questions
What to wear to your photoshoot?
This can be tough, but you've got this! And remember, I am always here if you want to run your outfit ideas past me.
Here are a few tips, and if you stick to these, you're good to go:
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Avoid clothing with big brand names or logos. Leave the superheroes and Disney princesses at home.
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Soft, neutral colours always photograph beautifully. Bright reds, hot pinks, bold yellows and very busy patterns don't photograph as well and can distract from the most important thing—you.
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The blue jeans and white shirt combination has had its day. We want your photographs to feel timeless and elegant, not dated.
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Matching doesn't mean everyone has to wear exactly the same thing. Instead, choose colours that work well together and keep it subtle. A pink scarf, a shirt with a touch of pink, or complementary tones work far better than identical outfits.
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Long, flowy dresses are almost always a winner. Jeans are easy, but dresses tend to create a softer, more feminine look in photographs.
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Most importantly, be comfortable! Make sure your little ones are comfortable too, especially when it comes to their shoes and clothing. A happy child is far more important than a perfect outfit.
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If your little one is wearing something new, let them wear it a few times before the session. It helps them get used to it, which can make a big difference on the day.
If you're ever unsure, send me photos of your outfit options. I'm more than happy to help you put everything together before your session.
What If My Child Doesn't Cooperate?
Honestly... they're kids! It happens more often than you think, and it's completely normal.
I never expect children to sit still, smile on command or behave perfectly for an hour. My sessions are built around your children, not the other way around. We take our time, have little breaks when needed, play games, explore and let them warm up at their own pace.
Some of my favourite photographs come from the moments in between, when they're simply being themselves.
Where Do Family Photoshoots Take Place?
This is one of my favourite parts of planning your session.
Whether you're dreaming of beautiful gardens, a rustic nature reserve, somewhere close to home or even your own garden, we'll choose a location that suits your family and the story you want your photographs to tell.
If you're not sure where to go, don't worry, I have plenty of favourite locations around Johannesburg and I'm always happy to make recommendations.
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What Happens If It Rains?
If the weather doesn't play along, we'll simply move your session to another available date.
South African weather can be unpredictable, and I'd much rather wait for beautiful light than rush your session in bad conditions.
How Long Does a Family Session Take?
Most family sessions last around an hour but I do offer petite session with are 30 minutes.
That gives us plenty of time for everyone to relax, explore the location and capture a beautiful variety of photographs without anyone feeling rushed.
Can We Bring Our Dog?
Absolutely! Dogs are family too!
If your furry friend is well behaved and enjoys being outdoors, I'd love to include them. Just let me know beforehand so we can choose a suitable location.
When Will We Receive Our Photographs?
After your session, I personally go through every photograph and carefully select the very best images.
Every image is individually edited by me before being delivered through your private online gallery. I never outsource my editing because I believe your family photographs deserve my full attention.
Delivery times can vary depending on the season, but generally 4-6 weeks turnaround time.
We Feel Awkward in Front of the Camera. Help!
You're definitely not alone!
Almost every family tells me this before their session.
The good news is that you don't need to know how to pose. I'll gently guide you when needed, but I won't ask you to do anything that feels unnatural. Most of the time, I'll simply encourage you to chat, walk, cuddle, tickle the kids and enjoy spending time together.
Within a few minutes, you'll forget the camera is even there.
How Far in Advance Should We Book?
Weekend dates, especially during autumn and spring, can book up quite quickly.
If you have a particular date or season in mind, I'd recommend getting in touch as soon as possible. If you're more flexible, I'll always do my best to find a date that works for your family.
I know budget can also play a role in booking your photographer and I aim to be 100% transparent every step of the way, this includes adding my prices to my website not only for transparency but for convenience. You can take a look at my packages >>HERE<< and if you have any questions, I am just a phone call away!
What customers had to say about
Finding Light Photography
I am beyond thrilled with the incredible experience we had with Camilla for my son’s first birthday photoshoot. Her patience was truly remarkable, especially considering how unpredictable an almost one-year-old can be. She never once rushed us, calmly waiting for those genuine smiles and candid moments that perfectly captured my son's personality. Camilla’s creativity shone through in every shot, as she used unique angles and beautiful lighting to turn simple birthday setups into stunning pieces of art.
We were also incredibly impressed by the speedy service, receiving our gallery much sooner than expected without any compromise on the final look. The quality of the pictures is breathtaking, every image is crisp, vibrant, and professionally edited to a standard that exceeded all my expectations, my wife and I ended up taking ALL pictures. Given the high level of skill and the memories she captured, the pricing is exceptionally fair and worth every cent. I cannot recommend Camilla highly enough for anyone wanting to preserve their most special milestones.
Let's Plan Your Family Photos Together
Whether you're celebrating a new addition to the family, updating the photographs hanging on your walls, or simply wanting to capture this season of life before it changes, I'd love to help.
My goal isn't just to give you beautiful photographs. It's to give your family an experience you'll genuinely enjoy, with images that will remind you exactly how this chapter of life felt.
If you think Finding Light Photography might be the right fit for your family, I'd love to hear from you. Tell me a little about yourselves, your little people, your ideas, or even if you have no idea where to start—that's what I'm here for. No question is too small. Even if you're still deciding whether a family photoshoot is right for you, I'd love to chat.
I can't wait to meet you and your family.
Camilla xx
