Family Photography in Cape Town — The Complete Guide
Updated 27 October 2026
Why Family Photography Matters
Children change faster than you think. The gap-toothed grin, the way your toddler holds your hand on the beach, the teenager who still laughs at dad’s jokes — these moments do not wait. After 12+ years photographing families across Cape Town and the Western Cape, I can tell you the sessions people treasure most are not the perfectly posed ones. They are the ones where real life happened in front of the camera.
This guide covers everything you need to plan a family shoot in Cape Town: the best locations, the right time of day and year, what to wear, and how to prepare children (and grandparents) for a relaxed session.
Planning a family shoot in Cape Town? See my family photography page or view packages and pricing.
Get in touch: +27 82 556 7427 · info@riekertcloete.com
Types of Family Sessions I Photograph
Over hundreds of family sessions, these are the formats that come up again and again:
- Beach sessions — the Cape Town classic. Bloubergstrand with Table Mountain behind you, Noordhoek’s endless sand, or the rocks at Camps Bay. Barefoot, relaxed, golden light.
- Home sessions — newborns, young babies, and families who want images that look like their real life. The couch, the kitchen, the garden.
- Wine farm sessions — Stellenbosch and Franschhoek estates give you oak avenues, vineyards and mountains in one location.
- Extended family reunions — three generations, overseas visitors, December holidays. Big groups are their own craft; see my post on photographing big family groups.
- Something different — I have photographed families on yachts in the V&A, on horse farms, and at sunrise on mountain trails. If it fits your family, it works.
The Best Family Photo Locations in Cape Town
Cape Town is spoilt for choice. These are the areas I work in most, each with its own character:
- Bloubergstrand — the iconic Table Mountain backdrop. Best in the late afternoon. See my Bloubergstrand family photography page.
- Camps Bay and Clifton — white sand, granite boulders, the Twelve Apostles behind. Details on my Camps Bay page.
- Noordhoek and Kommetjie — wide, quiet beaches with mountain views and space for kids to run.
- Stellenbosch and the Winelands — oak trees, vineyards and estates. See my Stellenbosch and Winelands page.
- Durbanville and the Northern Suburbs — close to home for northern families, with surprising variety. See the Durbanville locations page.
For the full list with photographs of each spot, browse my family photoshoot locations guide.
The Best Time of Day — and Year
Time of day: The last 90 minutes before sunset — golden hour — gives the softest, warmest light. It is also when the beaches quieten down and the wind often drops. Early morning is the alternative for toddlers who fade by evening: the light at 7:00 AM is just as beautiful and the beaches are empty.
Time of year: Cape Town’s dry season (November to March) is reliable for beach sessions, but it is also windy season — I watch the forecast. Autumn (April and May) is my favourite: still weather, warm light, green returning to the winelands. Winter brings soft, overcast light and some rain days; it is not ideal for beach sessions, but forests and vineyards work well.
Visiting from overseas? Read my guide on the best time of year to visit Cape Town to plan your trip around your shoot.
What to Wear
The most common question I get. The short answer: coordinate, don’t match.
- Choose a palette, not a uniform. Two or three soft colours that work together — creams, muted blues, earthy tones — look better than everyone in white shirts and jeans.
- Avoid big logos and neon. They pull the eye away from faces.
- Dress for the location. Flowing fabrics move beautifully on the beach; smart-casual suits the winelands.
- Comfort wins. A toddler in an itchy outfit is a toddler who will not smile. Bring a change of clothes for little ones — someone always ends up in the water.
Photographing Children — How I Work
I do not expect children to sit still and smile on command — that approach produces stiff photos and grumpy kids. Instead, I build the session around play. We walk, run, throw sand, tell jokes, and let the real moments happen. The posed shots take ten minutes; the rest is about your family being your family.
- Schedule around nap time. A rested child is a cooperative child.
- Bring snacks — but save them for emergencies, not bribes every two minutes.
- Let go of perfect. The tantrum photo often becomes the family favourite five years later.
- Trust the process. If a child needs ten minutes to warm up, we take ten minutes. The best images come after they forget the camera exists.
Wondering whether an indoor or outdoor session suits your family better? See my post on indoor vs outdoor family photography.
Short Video Answers to Common Questions
Three questions I hear before almost every family shoot, answered on video:
What about posing?
Should we bring props?
Can kids be too wild?
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a family session take?
The standard family session is 2 hours, which is long enough for variety and relaxed moments and for moving between nearby spots. If you are based near Durbanville and only need a short session, there is also a 1-hour Mini Shoot, from R2,950. Newborn home sessions are paced differently: we work around feeds and naps. The time of day affects how the session feels. The last 90 minutes before sunset, golden hour, gives the softest, warmest light and is also when the beaches quieten down and the wind often drops, while early morning is the alternative for toddlers who fade by evening, because the light at 7:00 AM is just as beautiful and the beaches are empty. Riekert Cloete Photography will agree the length and the time of day with you based on your children’s ages and your location.
How many people can you photograph in one session?
There is no hard limit. I regularly photograph large extended families during the December holidays, including three generations and overseas visitors. Big groups need a little more structure and time, so I choose locations with easy access and plan the session around the group. A list of combinations helps: the full group first, then each household, grandparents with grandchildren, siblings and cousins. Riekert Cloete Photography has photographed extended families of every size across Cape Town and the Winelands. See my big groups post for how I handle them, and tell me the number of people and their ages when you enquire so I can recommend a location and timing.
What happens if the weather turns bad?
Cape Town weather is changeable, so I watch the forecast closely in the days before every shoot, and we agree a plan together. Cape Town’s dry season, November to March, is reliable for beach sessions, but it is also windy season, so the forecast matters. If the weather turns there are options: we can move the time of day, choose a more sheltered location, or start at home and finish outside if the weather clears. Home sessions have their own charm, capturing the family in its everyday routine, such as the couch, the kitchen and the garden. Riekert Cloete Photography will talk through the plan with you before the day, so that the whole family knows what to expect.
Do you photograph newborns and maternity?
Yes, both at home and on location. Home sessions suit newborns and young babies, and families who want images that look like their real life: the couch, the kitchen and the garden. Newborn home sessions are paced differently, because we work around feeds and naps. See my newborn and baby rates and maternity rates for details. Riekert Cloete Photography also photographs families on location, so a maternity session, a newborn session at home and a later family shoot can follow the same family through these stages. Tell me what you have in mind and when the baby is due, and I will advise on the timing.
How soon do we get the photos?
Your images are delivered in an online gallery, within 7 days of the session, through Google Drive. You receive all usable photos from the session, with no cap and no cutoff, so the gallery is the full story of the session rather than a handful of favourites. Because a Google Drive link can be shared, you can send it to grandparents and relatives who live elsewhere. Full details are on my pricing page. If you need the photos for a particular date, such as a birthday, a gift or a card, tell Riekert Cloete Photography when you book.
Ready to book your family shoot? Tell me about your family and the kind of images you are after.
Riekert Cloete · Cape Town Family Photographer
+27 82 556 7427 · info@riekertcloete.com · WhatsApp
100+ Google reviews · 12+ years in Cape Town
Family photography · Packages & pricing · Portfolio