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Photography By Joao

Photography By Joao

Recording your special memories
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Photography By Joao
  • Customer Reviews
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  • Kian & Tanuja Turn 7
  • Aansh Turns 6
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  • Biyong & Izzy Engagement
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  • Emma Turns 8
  • Thandie & Family
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  • Deon & Lucy
  • Pranisha & Coco
  • Venessa Dewing
  • Israel & Heavenly
  • Kian & Tanuja’s Birthday Party
  • Diviana Turns 6
  • Samone’s Maternity
  • The Joubert Family
  • JP & Gaileen Family
  • Jack & Lulu
  • Nikki Timothy Family
  • TKA
  • Jared & Janice Wedding
  • Gina and Khloé
  • Sam & Family
  • Vihaan Turns 3
  • Maya Turns 2
  • The Zuvelas
  • Leah Turns 3
  • Isabel Turns 60
  • NPI Governance Consulting
  • Bailey the Beagle
  • Terryn, John & Kids
  • Ziyana Turns 1
  • The Pacific Institute Africa
  • The Louw Family
  • Namasha’s 40th
  • Rodrigo’s Baptism
  • Aliya Turns 1
  • Cocomon & Bella
  • The Struwig Family
  • The Wark Family
  • Kavi’s Family
  • Serrão Family
  • Aphrodite’s Baby Shower
  • Roscoe & Lola
  • Tayla’s Persians
  • Carneiro Family
  • Athena & Malakai
  • Summer & Wesley
  • Emma Turns 7
  • Kaizlin Turns 1
  • Kai the Labrador
  • Monkey & Trouble
  • Reid Family
  • Nala & Mufasa
  • Theo the German Shepherd
  • Elsie Benadie
  • Kistens Family
  • Chino & Kai
  • Sloane Turns 2
  • The Patchappa Family
  • Mihailo Turns 3
  • The Rajahs & Family
  • Jhoti’s Maternity Session
  • Siobhaun’s Maternity
  • Zoe’s Christening
  • Eva Pure
  • Damian & Tivana
  • Philip Hoff Pet Session
  • Sian Louw
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  • Magic in Pennington

    Celebrating Julia & Dennis: Three Years of Marriage on the South CoastOne of the greatest joys of being a photographer is being invited into people’s…

  • A Sudbury Autumn

    Yesterday’s autumn family session at the park was the perfect way to close out our autumn season There’s something incredibly special about photographing families during…

  • Golden Memories

    There’s something truly special about a family who embraces the beauty of the outdoors—especially when their beloved dogs are part of the story. This particular…

  • Maya Turns 6

    Some stories unfold slowly, quietly, beautifully over time—and Maya’s is one of them. This year, we celebrated Maya’s 6th birthday. But what makes this moment…

CREATIVE GALLERY

Magic in Pennington

A Sudbury Autumn

Golden Memories

Maya Turns 6

The Steyl Family

Meet the Syed’s

Emma Turns 11 Yarr!!

Mihailo Turns 7

Maya Turns 5

Emma Turns 10!

Aansh Races to 6

Let’s get wild! Roooaaaarrrr!!!!

MOOving and GrOOving at Heith’s 4th Birthday Party

Maya Turns 3

Susan, Caitlin & Schnauzers

Susan, Anay en Kinders

The Siverpersad Family

Kai Turns 2

Louise Simeon & Fur Family

Mandy & Family

byjoaophotography

Last week Tuesday was 🦏 World Rhino Day! We've ha Last week Tuesday was 🦏 World Rhino Day!

We've had the absolute joy and privilege of photographing rhinos across South Africa and in some truly incredible reserves.

And there are some encounters that stay with you.

When you’re behind the camera, you’re not just looking through a lens. You’re watching. You’re waiting. You’re observing every movement, every interaction, every moment of stillness.

You begin to see beyond the photograph.

You see an animal with presence, character, and a story of its own.

We've photographed rhinos from a distance, watched them move through the landscape, and experienced those quiet moments where you simply put the camera down for a second and take it all in.

Those are the moments I treasure most.

Because wildlife photography isn't just about capturing something beautiful.

It’s about creating a connection with something wild, reminding ourselves what we have, and giving people a reason to care.

Today, on World Rhino Day, I’m incredibly grateful for every opportunity we've had to stand behind my camera and experience these magnificent animals in their world.

May we continue to protect them, respect them, and make sure future generations get to experience that same sense of wonder.

Some photographs capture a moment.
Some remind us what is worth protecting. 🦏

📷 By-Joao Photography 
www.by-joao.com

#WorldRhinoDay #RhinoConservation #WildlifePhotography #ConservationPhotography #photographywithpurpose
Malachite Kingfisher 🐦 ​A tiny jewel in the reedbe Malachite Kingfisher 🐦
​A tiny jewel in the reedbeds. Tracking a Malachite Kingfisher takes a lot of patience ,they move like lightning across the water, but when they finally settle on a perch under soft backlighting, the detail is incredible. 
​Moments like this make sitting quietly in the bush for hours completely worth it. 
​To bring a piece of wild nature into your living space, prints from our collection are available:
​📧 Email: info@by-joao.com
📱 WhatsApp (Melissa Joao): 071 293 9978 
www.by-joao.com 

​#Kingfisher #MalachiteKingfisher  #Birding #AfricanWildlife #WildlifePrints
“Where there is love, there is life.” — Mahatma Ga “Where there is love, there is life.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Family Shoot Thursday 📸
Family photography doesn't stop when the children grow up.
In fact, there is something incredibly special about photographing adult children with their parents.
The little children have become adults.
The relationship has changed.
Life has moved forward.
But the love remains.
These sessions aren't about recreating childhood. They're about celebrating the people you have become, the bond you still share, and the memories you've created along the way.
Because sometimes the photographs we treasure most aren't of how things used to be but of who we are together now.
And one day, these photographs will become part of your family's story for the next generation.
Where there is love, there is life. And every generation has a story worth remembering. ❤️
📸 By Joao Photography 

www.by-joao.com 

Email: Melissa@by-joao.com to book! 

I have a few October and November dates left before we jump into Christmas shooting. 

#FamilyPhotography #familymemories❤️ #AdultChildren #FamilyPortraits #FamilyMemories
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! 🌿🦌 ​Caught this moment d Happy #WildlifeWednesday! 🌿🦌
​Caught this moment during a quiet morning out in the bush. While big cats get all the headline hype, there’s an underrated elegance to a pair of male impalas blending seamlessly into the lush greenery.
​Notice how the one in the foreground locked eye contact right as the camera clicked,that alert posture with those iconic lyre-shaped horns makes for such a striking subject. Wildlife photography is often about waiting for that exact split second when an animal acknowledges your presence before going back to grazing.
​Behind the Shot:
​Subject: Male Impalas (Aepyceros melampus)
​Lighting: Soft, filtered morning light cutting through dense brush
​Composition: Depth of field keeping the foreground sharp while softening the companion in the background
​What’s your favorite "unsung hero" animal to photograph in the wild? Let me know in the comments! 👇

www.by-joao.com 

📷 By-Joao Photography 

​#WildlifePhotography #NaturePhotography #Impala #WildlifeWednesday AfricanWildlife NatureLovers Bushveld
🌍 TRAVEL TUESDAY | OU TENIQUA PASS 🇿🇦 Some roads t 🌍 TRAVEL TUESDAY | OU TENIQUA PASS 🇿🇦
Some roads take you from one place to another.
Others become part of the adventure.
Ou Teniqua Pass is one of those roads.
Tucked away in the beautiful landscape of the Garden Route, this historic pass takes you through incredible mountain scenery, indigenous vegetation and the kind of landscapes that make you want to stop the car and reach for your camera. 📷
There is something special about travelling through places like this.
No rushing.
No itinerary packed to the minute.
Just winding roads, mountains, changing light and the feeling that there is always something new waiting around the next bend.
For photographers, it's a reminder that sometimes the best photographs aren't found at a famous viewpoint.
They're found along the way.
🌿 Adding Ou Teniqua Pass to our South African bucket list? Absolutely.
And if you're planning a Garden Route adventure, this is one for the road-trip list.
Because sometimes the journey really is the destination.
📷 By Joao Photography
Have you travelled the Ou Teniqua Pass? What South African road trip should we feature next on Travel Tuesday?

www.by-joao.com 

#TravelTuesday #OuTeniquaPass  #LandscapePhotography #gardenroutesouthafrica
🐒 Happy International Primate Day ,but Tuesday was 🐒 Happy International Primate Day ,but Tuesday wasn't only about celebrating them. It's about standing up for them.
Primates are intelligent, social, emotional beings. They form families, build relationships, communicate, learn and experience the world around them.
And yet, across the world, their existence is threatened by habitat destruction, wildlife trafficking, exploitation, hunting and the illegal pet trade.
So perhaps #InternationalPrimateDay shouldn't simply be a day to share a beautiful photograph.
It should be a reminder that admiration needs to become action.
🌿 Protect the habitats they depend on.
🚫 Don't support the illegal wildlife trade.
📚 Educate yourself and others.
📢 Speak up when animals are exploited.
🤝 Support legitimate conservation organisations doing the work on the ground.
📸 And use your voice , use your camera  to tell stories that make people care.
As a wildlife photographer, I believe photography can do more than create beautiful images.
It can create connection.
Connection can create empathy.
And empathy can inspire action.
Every animal deserves to be seen as more than a photograph, a commodity or a tourist attraction.
They deserve to exist wild, protected and free.
Today, let's celebrate primates ,but let's also ask ourselves:
What are we doing to ensure they have a future?

📷 By Joao Photography
www.by-joao.com 
#InternationalPrimateDay #PrimateConservation #WildlifePhotography #ConservationPhotography WildlifeProtection EndWildlifeTrafficking AnimalActivism PhotographyWithPurpose ProtectWildlife KeepThemWild
Our hearts are so full 💙 with our little boy #Krat Our hearts are so full 💙 with our little boy #Kratos George Joao  #8monthsold #rescueadoptlove #ForeverHome @spcaboksburg
"No bird soars too high if he soars with his own w "No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings." — William Blake
Saterday was International Vulture Awareness Day! 🦅
​Vultures often get a bad reputation, but as nature's ultimate cleanup crew, they play a crucial role in preventing the spread of disease and keeping our wild ecosystems balanced. Tragically, species like our native Cape Vulture are vulnerable and face ongoing threats from powerline collisions, habitat loss, and poisoning.
​One of the most breathtaking places to appreciate these guardians of the sky is the Potberg Hiking Trail at De Hoop Nature Reserve in the #Overberg. It’s a challenging hike, but reaching the top and watching them soar on the thermals makes every step worth it.
​We tackled Potberg a few years back, and George Joao caught this incredible photo after our trek!
​Let's keep working to protect and celebrate these essential birds.
​#ByJoaoPhotography #InternationalVultureAwarenessDay #CapeVulture #VultureConservation SaveOurVultures WildlifePhotography DeHoopNatureReserve OverbergSouthAfrica
From Unpredictable to Affectionate: The Power of S From Unpredictable to Affectionate: The Power of Sanctuary Rehabilitation
​Over my nearly 8 years photographing donkeys, I’ve witnessed extraordinary behavioral transformations but Benjamin’s story stands out.
​Used previously as a breeding donkey, Benjamin arrived at Rest ur ass donkey sanctuary as an ungelded jack,unpredictable, defensive, and no longer wanted. On the day of his rescue, his distress was so severe he nearly injured himself and the transport team.
​Today, through patient care, and rehabilitation, Benjamins life has been transformed. He is affectionate, trusting, and thrives on human connection.
​Visual storytelling in animal welfare isn't just about pretty portraits; it’s about documenting resilience and the measurable impact of dedicated sanctuary work.
​🌟 Support the Mission:
You can help support the ongoing rescue and care of animals like Benjamin by attending the sanctuary's upcoming Eat, Bray, Love Gala:
• ​Date: 19 September 2026
• ​Venue: Avianto, Muldersdrift
• ​MC: Brent Lindeque ("Good Things Guy")
• ​Entertainment: Mr Saxx (Sheldon Sham)
• ​Tickets: Available on https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1596218866
​📷 By-Joao
Every photo has a story. This gorgeous soul #photo Every photo has a story.
This gorgeous soul #photographywithheart was so full of personality. A little bit of chaos, a whole lot of love, and a moment in time that will be treasured forever.
That's the beauty of photography. It's not just about capturing how someone looked but who they were.
❤️ Every photograph becomes a memory you'll never have to let go of.
If you've been thinking about booking a session with your furry best friend, let this be your sign. Don't wait for "someday",the moments you treasure most are the ones you capture today.
📩 Send us a DM or get in touch to book your pet photography session. We'd love to help tell your pet's story.
WhatsApp Melissa Joao 0712939978
Email : info@by-joao.com
www.by-joao.com 
#ByJoaoPhotography #PetPhotography  #MemoriesCaptured #PhotographyWithHeart
There are wildlife encounters, and then there are There are wildlife encounters, and then there are the ones that stay with you forever.
As a wildlife photographer, people often ask me what my favourite animal is to photograph. The truth is, it's rarely about the species. It's about the moment.
It's the quiet anticipation before sunrise.
The patience of waiting, sometimes for hours.
The privilege of witnessing an animal simply being itself, completely unaware of the camera.
Those moments remind me why I fell in love with photography in the first place.
Wildlife photography has taught me lessons that reach far beyond the lens:
🦒 Patience often delivers the greatest rewards.
🦅 Respect always comes before the perfect photograph.
🌿 Nature doesn't perform on command, and that's exactly what makes it so extraordinary.
📷 The best images are earned through observation, not interruption.
Every encounter is a reminder that we are visitors in their world. My goal has never been to simply capture beautiful photographs, but to tell authentic stories that inspire people to appreciate and protect the incredible wildlife we share this planet with.
Some of my favourite images aren't technically perfect. They're the ones that take me straight back to the feeling of that moment, the sound of the bush, the changing light, and the quiet privilege of being present.
Photography freezes a second in time, but the experience behind it lasts a lifetime.
What's the most unforgettable wildlife encounter you've ever had?

“Bring a piece of the wild home.” Email: Melissa@by-joao.com 
www.by-joao.com

#WildlifePhotography #NaturePhotography #Conservation #VisualStorytelling #ByJoaoPhotography Wildlife Rhino PhotographyJourney
#GoodThingsGuy, #LiveJazz, an unforgettable evenin #GoodThingsGuy, #LiveJazz, an unforgettable evening.
A beautiful cause.
And a few very special long ears counting on you. ❤️

Celebrating Impact: Happy 6th Birthday, Moonpie! 🫏✨ Documenting the journey of a rescue animal from infancy to a thriving, confident individual is one of the most rewarding aspects of our photography work with Rest ur Ass Donkey Sanctuary
 Yesterday, we celebrated Moonpie’s 6th birthday! Seeing her growth over the last six years highlights the real-world outcome of dedicated animal welfare, proper care, and community support.
 ​As resturassdonkeysanctuary1 prepares for its upcoming Gala this September, Moonpie stands as a wonderful ambassador for the cause.
 🎂 Give Moonpie the ultimate birthday gift by supporting the event:
 • ​Event: Eat, Bray, Love a Fundraiser Gala.
 • MC: Brent Lindeque ("Good Things Guy")
 • ​Entertainment: Live Saxophone by Mr Saxx (Sheldon Sham)
 • Date: 19th September 2026 @ 18h30
 • ​Location:  Avianto, Muldersdrift
 • Tickets: https://lnkd.in/d4wSgZxH

​Help us celebrate Moonpie’s birthday by supporting the sanctuary’s vital work. Join us this September or share this event with your network!

📱 Lloreen le Roux - 084 611 0089
💼 R12k for a table of 10 - Section 18A available

#ResturAssDonkeySanctuary #Gala2026 #Photographyforapurpose ByJoaoPhotography 

http://resturass.co.za
www.by-joao.com
As a photography business , some of our most meani As a photography business , some of our most meaningful work comes from partnering with mission-driven organizations. We’ve had the privilege of documenting Belo’s journey with Rest Ur Ass Donkey Sanctuary  since he was a baby donkey , capturing his growth and transformation through our lens. This week,he turned six years old.
​Visual storytelling plays a crucial role in highlighting animal welfare and the power of sanctuary work, but community support is what keeps these efforts alive.
​This September, resturassdonkeysanctuary1 is hosting their fundraising Gala to support their ongoing rescue, rehabilitation, and care efforts. We are proud to support this initiative and invite our professional network to get involved.

• ​Event: Eat, Bray, Love a Fundraiser Gala.
• ​Date: 19 September 2026 
• ​Location: Avianto , muldersdrift 
• Tickets: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1596218866

📱 Lloreen - 084 611 0089
💼 R12k for a table of 10 - Section 18A available

Consider joining us for an inspiring evening or contributing to their cause. Let's make this year's event their most successful. 

http://resturass.co.za
www.by-joao.com
After many weeks of event execution, culminating i After many weeks of event execution, culminating in excellence, I'm ready to get back to creating. 📷  The last few weeks have been about planning, coordinating, problem-solving, deadlines, and delivering a major milestone.
Now, I get to return to something that has always felt like home, creativity.
Photography has been a constant in my life. It’s where I slow down, observe, find beauty in the unexpected, and tell stories without needing words.

And today, on International Dog Day, it feels especially fitting to celebrate one of my favourite subjects to photograph, dogs! 🐾 🐕 

There is something so special about photographing them. Their personalities, their quirks, the unconditional love they give us, and those little moments that capture exactly who they are.

Whether it's a family session, a playful pup, an old soul, or a rescue dog with a story to tell, every dog has a personality worth capturing.

There is something incredibly powerful about moving from execution back to creation.

And perhaps what I love most about being both strategic and creative is knowing when to make things happen and when to stop and see simply.
Back behind the lens.
Back to creating.
Back to what I love. 📷

Email : melissa@by-joao.com WhatsApp Melissa Joao 0712939978. 
www.by-joao.com

#DogPhotography #Creativity #ByJoaoPhotography #CreativeEntrepreneur #VisualStorytelling InternationalDogDay
Hello 40!🌟 I had the best birthday holiday celebra Hello 40!🌟 I had the best birthday holiday celebrating my birthday with my little family and my soul doggo. Even after 22 years in Gauteng , Kzn is still my home and vibe. ❤️
The last night from our drakensberg trip. ⛰️ The last night from our drakensberg trip. ⛰️
⛰️😍 ⛰️😍
Autumn days ❤️ at #antbearlodge Autumn days ❤️ at #antbearlodge
The Berg is still my favourite place 💚 #Lovesa We The Berg is still my favourite place 💚 #Lovesa We are so blessed still!
Second part of our holiday ❤️ #antbearlodge #drake Second part of our holiday ❤️ #antbearlodge #drakensberg
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