A Summer of Memories.

Timeless Portraits

Family moments are precious and fleeting.

A professional family photo shoot is more than just pictures; it's about capturing the love, laughter, and connections that make your family unique. Whether it’s a fun-filled family beach holiday or an outing in the Outeniqua mountains or Knysna forest, my family portraits are designed to turn your holiday moments into beautiful, timeless images that you’ll treasure forever, creating cherished memories that you can look back on for years to come.

Family Photo shoot on the beach in Glentana.

Imagine the joy of looking back on professional family portraits that captures the laughter, love, and fun of your time together in the Garden Route.

Mother and Son on the beach in Wilderness.
Family Photoshoot on the beach in Wilderness.
Golden Hour beach family shoot.
Family Portraits at Stormsriver in Tsitsikamma.
Hartenbos Sunrise Family Shoot.

Garden Route

Discover the Scenic Beauty of the Garden Route. 

The Garden Route is a photographer’s dream come true - a stunning backdrop of pristine beaches such as Santos and Diaz beach in Mossel Bay, the long stretch between Tergniet, Kleinbrak and Grootbrak River, including Hersham and Glentana close to George. Herolds Bay and Victoria Bay beaches are always popular for photo shoots and the beaches between Wilderness and Kleinkranz offers easy access for everyone. Knysna’s Brenton and Buffalo Bay, Plettenberg Bay’s Lookout Beach and Robberg Nature Reserve, and the serene sands of Sedgefields Myoli and Swatvlei beaches work very well in the early mornings.

These coastal treasures, alongside the forests and mountain trails of the Knysna forest, George Mountain, and the dramatic cliffs at Robberg Nature Reserve, create breathtaking settings for family portraits. This beautiful stretch of South Africa's coast offers endless opportunities for picturesque family photos that are as unique and diverse as the landscape itself.

George Dam Sunset View of Outeniqua Mountains.
An afternoon Beach Landscape in Great Brak River.

Let the natural beauty of the Garden Route set the scene for your family’s special moments, making your photo shoot not just a session, but an experience to remember.

Hello

Hi! I’m Ruan, your Photographer.

Hi, I’m Ruan Redelinghuys and I’m the Photographer behind Garden Route Portraits. I have been a photographer for close to 20 years and have photographed well over 600 family portrait shoots in the Garden Route area. With a relaxed, fun approach and a love for capturing genuine emotions, I specialize in creating relaxed and fun photo shoots that put your family at ease.

My goal is to create images that not only reflect the beauty of the Garden Route but also the priceless memories of your family together, turning these moments into keepsakes that you can hold onto for years to come.

Family Photo on Outeniquas Mountain with Cross in the backround.

“Ruan captured the most beautiful moments that made us all shed a tear or two.”

Limited Offer

Summer Family Photo Shoot Promotion

I have three photo shoot packages, tailored to suit different needs and budgets. Whether you’re looking for a quick session or an extended photo shoot with multiple locations, I have options to accommodate your requirements. All packages include professionally edited images that you can treasure forever, with the flexibility to add on extra prints, albums, or digital files to perfectly capture the memory of your family photo shoot.

20% OFF for SUMMER

Day in the Life

Family Documentary Photo Shoot

R 7 200.00

REGULAR PRICE R 9 000.00

  • 5 Hours of of shooting at your desired location or in the privacy of your home.

  • 1 X USB with average of 350 Hi-Res Images of the shoot.

  • High + low resolution digital files on USB.

  • Private Online Gallery with one year of images access and backup.

20% OFF for SUMMER

Lifestyle

Family Lifestyle Photo Shoot

R 4 400.00

REGULAR PRICE R 5 500.00

  • 3 Hours of of shooting at your desired location or in the privacy of your home.

  • Average of 250 Hi-Res Images of the shoot available as DIgital download.

  • Private Online Gallery with one year of images access and backup.

15% OFF for SUMMER

Portraits

Family Portrait Photo Shoot

R 2 600.00

REGULAR PRICE R 3 000.00

  • 1 Hour of of shooting at your desired location or in the privacy of your home.

  • Average of 80 Hi-Res Images of the shoot available as DIgital download.

  • Private Online Gallery with one year of images access and backup.

TRAVEL – Travel to the majority of locations within the Garden Route, South Africa is included in each option. PRIVATE ONLINE GALLERY - The private online gallery includes online sharing, email and download of your high- and low resolution images within a password protected gallery and works on desktop computers, laptops, tablets and mobile devices. DELIVERY TIMES – The delivery time for images is 3-4 weeks from the date of shoot. CANCELLATION - All cancellations or date change requests must be done 48 hours in advance. Returning of any booking fee(s) are only applicable when the shoot cannot take place due to Government imposed restrictions or Severe Weather.

Creative Family Photo shoot in the Garden Route.
Cute Moment with boy during photo shoot.
Sunset family photo shoot in Mossel Bay.
Karoo farm family photo shoot.
Photoshoot of girl with elephants in Knysna.

Golden Hour

The best time for a photo shoot in the Garden Route.

The best time for capturing the magic of the Garden Route is during golden hour - those moments just after sunrise and before sunset.

Early Morning shoots between 5-7am creates soft, dreamy light with an added bonus that the beach areas are not as busy during the peak summer season.  It is early but you’ll be finished just in time for a family breakfast and a whole day to explore the Garden Route!

For evening sessions, I recommend a start time of 6pm for warm, lingering sunsets and ample time to explore the late summer afternoon light. Forest and indoor areas we can adjust the times to later in the morning or earlier in the afternoon to accommodate each area, where the timing can vary slightly based on each location.

Booking Calendar

Easy Online Booking.

Booking your portrait photo shoot has never been easier! Simply choose your preferred date and time from the online calendar below. I’ve streamlined the booking process to make it quick and hassle-free, allowing you to secure your spot in just a few clicks. Once you've selected a date, you'll receive a confirmation email with all the details to help you prepare for your session. An invoice will follow, and we are all good to go!

Step 1: Select your date & time. Step 2: Receive confirmation & Invoice. Step 3: BOOKED!

Happy Clients

Client Reviews.

Don't just take our word for it—see what our clients are saying! I pride myself on delivering exceptional service and stunning portraits that families love. my satisfied clients rave about their experiences, from the relaxed atmosphere of the shoots to the beautiful, timeless images. Check out the reviews to hear firsthand how I’ve captured the magic of family connections and created memories that last a lifetime. Join my happy clients and let me create something special for you! 

Sunrise Family Beach Photoshoot in Glentana.

  • “Ruan is pleasant, polite, able to accommodate to the dynamics of photoshoot with various audience. Without a doubt, we are also impressed with his skills and ability to work with light, processing these images for us as a lifetime of memory to treasure. It is our second time engaging Ruan, and it will not be the last.”

    Jun Jie Lim, 2024

  • “Wow what an experience, had an absolute blast. Ruan made us feel so relaxed and comfortable. Ruan put an immense amount of effort into ensuring the best moments were captured, the results really show in our beautiful portraits. ”

    Jessica Warwick, 2024

  • “Ruan was simply amazing. We recently booked a family photoshoot with Ruan last week. We wanted a mountain scene and with his experience, he knew the best locations which brought our vision to life. Ruan was calm, kind, professional and didn’t rush us as he directed our shoot. We are very pleased with the outcome of our shoot, now having captured beautiful memories that will last a lifetime. Highly recommended his services 10/10. Thank you Ruan!”

    Brenda Enns, 2024

  • “My family and I so enjoyed our morning with Ruan. He was kind, flexible, and patient with our large family group. The pictures are gorgeous - just what I had hoped for. He helped us pick such a special location and the way he captured our family and the scenery was just perfect. 10/10 would recommend and book again.”

    Lara Vancans, 2023

  • “Ruan is an incredible photographer! He has done our family Photoshoots for many years! We highly recommend him for any occasion. We will be booking many photoshoots with him in the years to come!”

    Wayne Varty, 2022

Book your spot

Limited Season Availability.

My calendar fills up fast, especially during peak holiday season.  Don’t miss the chance to capture these special moments with your loved ones. Secure your spot today and let’s create beautiful memories together!

Mother and Daughter Portrait in the Outeniqua Mountains.
A family Photo shoot at home in George.
Cute Home family shoot in Riversdale.
Pastel palette family beach shoot.
Summer beach family shoot in Knysna.
Golden Hour family portraits in Leisure Isle in Knysna.

Clothing

What should we wear for your photo shoot?

For clothing I usually recommend shades of a colour palette to ensure colour harmony, semi-formal always adds to a timeless feel to the shoot. Try and avoid big brands or logos on the outfits, it can work for kids but for adults it almost puts a time and date stamp on the shoot. That said, dinosaur or themed outfits are always welcome!

Accessories such as a hat and blankets to sit on can add to different looks during the shoot and are always welcome.

FAQ

Do you have any questions for your family photo shoot?

  • The Garden Route offers a stunning variety of locations, from the serene beaches of Plettenberg Bay and Knysna to lush forest settings in George and Wilderness. We can choose a location that is closest to you, or we can go on an adventure. I have a large library of location images available.

  • Most family photo shoots last between 1-2 hours. This allows plenty of time to capture a mix of posed and candid moments in various settings. With children, I like to keep things fun and relaxed to keep everyone happy and engaged.

  • Weather along the Garden Route can be unpredictable, but cloudy days can create beautiful, soft lighting for photos. If it’s raining heavily or the conditions aren’t suitable, we’ll work together to reschedule for the next available day that suits you. If we cannot shoot due to severe weather, your payment will be returned.

  • I typically deliver a preview of your photos within a week, with the full gallery available within 3-4 weeks. I know how excited you are to see the final images, so I aim to make this process as smooth and quick as possible!

  • Absolutely! Pets are family, too. Just let me know in advance so I can recommend pet-friendly locations and tailor the session to include your furry friend. View more info on Pet friendly beaches here, https://gardenrouteportraits.com/latest/dog-friendly-beaches-in-the-garden-route

  • Keeping things lighthearted and fun helps kids enjoy the session. Bringing a favorite toy, snack, or small activity can help keep little ones engaged. I’ll guide the flow to make sure it’s a positive experience, resulting in natural and happy moments.

  • Many people feel nervous at first, but I’ll guide you throughout the session to help you feel comfortable and natural. The goal is to capture genuine moments rather than forced poses. My approach is to let moments unfold, so you can relax and enjoy the experience together as a family.

  • Yes, I offer a range of high-quality print options and custom photo albums to beautifully showcase your photos, all available from your online gallery.

Prefer to discuss your shoot requirements in person?

Send me an email, phone or message me and we can discuss all your plans for your unique family photo shoot.

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