Whether you are preparing for a portrait session, planning a documentary project, or simply wondering which format suits your needs, this page points you in the right direction. Find practical answers about how commissions work, what to expect during a shoot, and how to get in touch when you are ready to start.
A few practical answers about how sessions are planned, what to expect when we work together, and how to find what you need on this site.
For studio portraits, two to three weeks is usually enough. Documentary and event coverage depends on the schedule, so the earlier you share dates, the easier it is to plan around lighting and location. If you have a tight deadline, send a message anyway — sometimes gaps open up.
We start with a short conversation about how you want to be seen — the context, the mood, the intended use of the images. Then we work through the shoot at a relaxed pace. Most sessions run between one and two hours, and you will see proofs within a few days.
Both. Studio work gives controlled light and a clean frame, but many of my favorite portraits happen in places that mean something to the subject — a workshop, a stage, a street corner. If you have a location in mind, we can scout it together.
Yes. Usage rights are agreed before the session and written into a simple contract. Whether you need images for a website, a press kit, or an exhibition, we define the scope upfront so there are no surprises later.
If the goal is to capture a person or a brand in a controlled way, a portrait session is the right fit. If you want to tell a broader story — a community, an event, a process — a documentary approach gives more room for context and candid moments. When you write in, describe what you are trying to communicate and I will suggest the format.
A rough idea of the purpose, the audience, and any references you admire. You do not need a full brief — just enough to start a useful conversation. I will ask the rest during our call.
Still unsure which direction fits your project? The contact page is the quickest way to get a straight answer.
Reach out hereA few notes on how this studio works, what a commission includes, and where the boundaries sit. Reading this before reaching out usually saves both sides a round of back-and-forth.
An editorial portrait means a session planned around a specific story, publication, or body of work. It is not a standard headshot session. The subject, setting, and lighting are chosen to support a narrative rather than a generic corporate look. If you need a clean headshot for a profile page, that is a different kind of shoot and should be discussed separately.
Documentary photography in public spaces follows South African law and basic ethical practice. People photographed in identifiable ways are asked for consent before any image is published or included in a portfolio. Street scenes where individuals are not the main subject are treated differently. If you are commissioning documentary coverage of an event or community, we agree in advance on how consent is handled on site.
Every commission includes a written agreement that states exactly where the images may be used: print, web, social media, or a combination. Usage is limited to the purpose described in that agreement. Additional usage, such as a different campaign or a longer time period, is negotiated separately. Full copyright transfer is not offered; the photographer retains the right to show the work in a portfolio unless an exclusive arrangement is explicitly made.
A typical portrait session delivers between fifteen and thirty edited images within two weeks of the shoot. Documentary coverage is delivered as a curated selection rather than every frame taken. The number of final images depends on the length of the assignment and is confirmed before work begins. Raw files are not included unless requested and agreed upon in advance.
The studio is based in Cape Town and most work happens within the city and surrounding areas. Travel outside the metro is possible but is quoted separately based on distance and time. For events, a site visit before the date is recommended so that lighting conditions and access points are understood before the actual coverage begins.
The studio does not take on work that involves staged news events, political campaigning, or content intended to misrepresent a person or situation. Retouching is limited to standard color correction and minor cleanup. Heavy manipulation that changes the context of an image is not part of the workflow, and this is stated clearly so there are no surprises later.