Family shoot Location in Camps Bay, Cape Town

Family Photo Shoots in Camps Bay

Camps Bay is one of the most striking settings in Cape Town for a family photo shoot. White sand, a palm-lined promenade and the Twelve Apostles and Lion’s Head rising behind give you mountain and ocean in a single frame — only about 25 minutes from the city centre. It is a natural, unposed setting where families relax and the photographs feel like real life rather than a studio sit-down.

Glen Forest is the sheltered alternative just above Camps Bay, off Kloof Nek: a quiet stand of tall trees where soft, filtered light falls all afternoon. It is calm, private and protected from the wind — perfect when the south-easter is up or when little ones need a relaxed space.

Where we shoot in and around Camps Bay

• Glen Forest — dappled woodland light, sheltered and calm; our wind-day go-to.
• Camps Bay beach & palm promenade — iconic white sand, palms and the mountain backdrop.
• Maiden’s Cove tidal pools — rock pools and boulders that children love to explore.
• Bakoven — quieter coves and giant boulders a little further along the coast.
• Lion’s Head & Twelve Apostles backdrops — dramatic mountain scenery framing the sea.

The best time of day and light

Late afternoon into sunset is the highlight here — the golden hour over the Atlantic is hard to beat, and we usually begin about two hours before sunset to finish in that warm light. In summer (November to March) the south-easter can pick up in the afternoons; on windy days we either start earlier or move into sheltered Glen Forest. Autumn and spring are the calmest, and winter brings dramatic skies between the fronts.

What to expect

Sessions are relaxed and child-led — we walk, play and let the moments happen rather than forcing poses. A typical family shoot runs around 1.5 to 2 hours, enough time to move between the beach and a sheltered spot. Before the day I will guide you on what to wear and exactly where to meet, and travel to Camps Bay from my Durbanville base is included in your session.

Whether you are a Cape Town family wanting the Atlantic seaboard look or visitors planning a shoot around your stay, Camps Bay delivers some of the most photogenic light in the city.

See family session pricing →  or browse family photography in Cape Town.