REEF
When Kim and Grant from Reef in Muizenberg reached out to me about capturing lifestyle imagery for their new range of sandals, I jumped at the chance. Reef is a beloved brand deeply connected to the ocean-loving, sun-chasing lifestyle of the Cape coastline—and it’s always a joy to create for a brand that lives and breathes its ethos.
Kim, a talented creative herself, usually shoots their product images in-studio, but for this range she wanted something more: vibrant, relaxed lifestyle shots that reflected the energy and personality of their community. We chatted through the kind of imagery they envisioned, the models they had lined up, and the story we wanted to tell through the shoot.
The day before our shoot, I popped into the store and collected a few pairs of sandals to start working on solo product shots. I love this quiet time with the products—just me, my camera, and the freedom to experiment creatively without the pressure of a full shoot. Some ideas work, many don’t—but it’s always fun, and hours can fly by without me even realising it!
Shoot day brought a completely different kind of magic. Our models were an absolute delight—full of ideas, energy, and such great vibes. We photographed them skateboarding in the sandals, strolling along the sand, hopping on the back of a bakkie, walking toward the ocean with boards in hand, and waxing up at the iconic Muizenberg huts. It felt more like documenting a day in the life of this vibrant surf community than a staged shoot, which is exactly what we were going for.
The final images captured that essence: joyful, sun-soaked moments that speak to the heart of what Reef stands for—freedom, movement, and connection to the ocean. One of my favourite things as a brand photographer is seeing the work go out into the world. These images didn’t just sit in a folder—they showed up on Reef’s social media, across their website, and even made it onto a shop window sticker! That’s when I know I’ve truly captured what the brand needed—content they’re proud to use and excited to share.
