What a session with a family photographer in Cape Town looks like
Lee-Ann's family session is one hour; across Cape Town, family sessions usually run one to two hours. The first minutes are for warming up, especially for small children; the photos families keep tend to be taken once everyone has forgotten about the camera. Expect a mix of a few organised group photos, parents with each child, the children together, and plenty of candid moments: walking, tickling, chasing the waves.
A family beach session, start to finish
“As the years pass, children grow, seasons change, and life gets busy. But photographs? They become your memories on the wall. Your legacy.”Lee-Ann Alicks
Barefoot hug
A tight hug in the shallows and two wide grins: an easy, close pose to start a session. The sun sits low and hazy behind them, so the sea turns pale and silvery and the black dresses read as clean, simple shapes against it.
Photograph: Lee-Ann Alicks
Grey sky, soft faces
Kneeling close on a wide, empty beach, the boys tucked in at either side of their parents. An overcast sky works like a giant softbox: even light, no harsh shadows and no squinting, with the sea a calm band behind them.
Photograph: Lee-Ann Alicks
Toes in, then off he goes
First steps into the water with mum holding both his hands, mountains hazy across the bay. Then he is off on his own, bow tie and all, splashing through the wash and laughing in warm, low sun.
Photograph: Lee-Ann Alicks
Lifted into the sun
Shot straight into the low sun, so light flares around the mother's hair and spills across the frame. She lifts her son high, he beams down at her, and the sparkle on the water behind adds to the warmth.
Photograph: Lee-Ann AlicksBest family photoshoot locations in Cape Town
| Location | Area | Why families choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Llandudno Beach | Atlantic seaboard | White sand, granite boulders and sunsets over the ocean |
| Noordhoek Beach | Southern peninsula | A long, open beach with space for children to run |
| Bloubergstrand | West coast | Table Mountain across the bay |
| Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden | Southern suburbs | Lawns and trees below the mountain (permission required for professional shoots) |
| Strand and Gordon's Bay | Helderberg | False Bay beaches with the mountains behind |
| Helderberg Nature Reserve | Somerset West | Fynbos paths and mountain views |
| Your home | Anywhere | Lifestyle photos of everyday family life |
The best time of day for a family shoot
The softest light is in the last hour before sunset, which in Cape Town falls around 16:45 to 17:45 in winter and 19:00 to 20:00 in midsummer. Those times can clash with dinner and bedtime for small children, so early morning, soon after sunrise, is the other good option, with calmer wind in summer too.
Expressions on the bench
Gathered on a garden bench in soft green shade, the family fits into one tidy frame. The real story is in the faces: the baby wide-eyed on dad's lap, the older brother with his hands at his mouth mid-word, mum turned towards him with a smile.
Photograph: Lee-Ann AlicksFamily photos with babies, toddlers and older children
- Babies: book the session after a nap and a feed, and bring a blanket to lay them on.
- Toddlers: expect short bursts of attention. Get the group photo early, then let them run, and bring a snack and a favourite toy for breaks.
- Older children: give them a job, such as leading the walk or holding the little one's hand. Teenagers usually relax once they see they are not being made to pose all the time.
- Grandparents: plan seated photos and a shady spot, and photograph the generations together early, before anyone gets tired.
What to wear for a family photoshoot
- Coordinate, don't match: pick two or three colours that sit well together and spread them across the family.
- Soft, natural tones (cream, sage, dusty blue, rust) suit outdoor light; avoid big logos and neon.
- Choose clothes children can move and sit in; bare feet work on the beach.
- Bring a warm layer: the wind on Cape Town beaches can turn quickly.
Poses that keep a family session relaxed
The poses that work best give everyone something to do: walking towards the camera holding hands, lifting a child up high, or chasing the waves. A few quiet portraits of each child and of the parents alone round off the session.
All in white
Under tall trees the family of four stands close, the girls in tulle skirts at either side and everyone smiling into the lens. Then the youngest steps forward on her own, still holding mum's hand and beaming, the spotted tulle of her skirt catching the dappled light.
Photograph: Lee-Ann Alicks
Held up high
From behind dad's shoulder, against a clear blue sky, a little girl beams down at the camera with her arms out like wings. In the second frame a baby boy is lifted towards the leaves while mum holds dad around the waist, both of them laughing up at him.
Photograph: Lee-Ann AlicksCouples and anniversary sessions
Lee-Ann brings the same relaxed approach to couples: anniversary shoots, couple sessions and celebrations of a marriage that has lasted. Weddings, maternity and every other session she offers as a photographer in Cape Town are listed on the home page.
High above the sea
An older couple stand close on a rocky slope high above the water, his arms around her and her hand resting on his. The hazy sky and sea turn almost white, so their dark clothes and warm faces stand out against the dry hillside.
Photograph: Lee-Ann AlicksLifestyle photography: everyday moments at home
Lifestyle photography is a family shoot without the beach: Saturday pancakes, reading on the bed, the dog on the couch. It suits families with very young children and anyone who wants pictures of real life, and it costs the same as a short outdoor session.
How much does a family photoshoot cost in Cape Town?
Lee-Ann's family session is R950 for one hour. For context, on current published lists a one-hour family session in Cape Town costs R1,000 to R2,950 and a two-hour session R1,899 to R4,650, usually with 30 to 50 edited images. Each shoot type is priced side by side in the photoshoot prices in Cape Town table.
Questions people ask
How much does a family photoshoot cost in Cape Town?
Lee-Ann's family session is R950 for one hour. Typical Cape Town prices run from about R1,000 for a single hour up to R4,650 for two, depending on the number of edited images and travel.
What if my children won't cooperate?
That is normal. Sessions with children are paced with breaks and games, and some of the best photos come from the moments that were not going to plan.
Can grandparents or the dog join?
Yes. Say in the form how many people (and pets) are coming, so the session is long enough to photograph each group.
How many photos do you get from a family photoshoot?
On current published Cape Town lists, a one-hour family session delivers about 30 edited images and a two-hour session about 50. Check the number on your quote.
What happens if the weather turns on the day of a family shoot?
Outdoor sessions in Cape Town depend on the weather. The wet season is winter, roughly May to August, and the south-easter blows hardest on summer afternoons. Ask when you book how a weather postponement works, and keep an at-home lifestyle session in mind as the backup.
Do you have a studio for family photos?
No. Lee-Ann photographs family sessions outdoors or in your home, in natural light.