Cape St Francis Holiday Family Portrait Sessions

Every summer, my parents would bundle us four kids into the Caravelle Combi, along with a box of Elvis Presley and Air Supply cassettes, and off we’d go on the long journey from Durban to Cape St Francis for our annual holiday. The 14-hour drive always felt endless, especially for my folks, who had to put up with us fighting in the backseat and asking, “How much longer?” But after what seemed like a lifetime, the smell of the Fynbos would drift through the air, and all that frustration would fade into excitement.

We spent three weeks each year down in Seal Point, and those family holidays created the strong bonds we share today. Days were spent surfing the beach break, hunting for pumpkin shells in the rock pools, or exploring the wild side when the wind picked up. On foul-weather days, we’d head to J Bay to buy clothes at the factory shops and eat waffles at the Wimpy. Those are some of my favourite childhood memories.

I often wish I had an iconic photograph to hang in my house—something that would take me back to that time, to the essence of those holidays. My parents did take photos, and my mom lovingly made us all albums. But hiring a professional photographer wasn’t really a thing back then, and I doubt one even existed in sleepy Seals at the time.

Mom and Dad and one of my sisters have moved to Cape St Francis, and I bought a plot there during lockdown, so the area remains close to my heart. My focus has always been to relax and reconnect with family, friends, and the place itself when I visit. This year, however, I decided to offer family portrait sessions for the first time. The location is perfect for it—the scenery is breathtaking, and it’s a peaceful, safe place to shoot. Unfortunately, I can’t share everything I captured, as some clients requested that their images not be published online, but the experience of creating in such a stunning location was truly special.

For the first time ever, I’ll be offering five family portrait sessions over the high season, from 26th December to 7th January. I already have two families pencilled in, so if you’re interested, please get in touch soon! This is the perfect opportunity for those who would like to create a special piece of photographic art to hang on your walls—a reminder of the good times and the strong bonds that tie you together.