A Sunrise Family Shoot Filled With Farm Life Magic

Some families simply feel like home the moment you step behind the lens—and for me, Lene and Anker are exactly that. Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of photographing their milestones, their growth, and the quiet, beautiful evolution of their family. Every time they step in front of my camera, it feels as if we’re adding another treasured chapter to their ongoing story. So when they told me they wanted to do a family shoot at the farm where Lene keeps her horses and runs her small business, my heart did a little jump of excitement. This farm is where their life unfolds, where their children play, and where memories are created daily. It’s the perfect embodiment of who they are.

Family photography in Cape Town.

This shoot wasn’t just about capturing their immediate family—this time, it was even more special. Their dear friends were visiting all the way from Dubai, and they brought their children along to join in the experience. The moment these two families came together on the farm, the atmosphere shifted into one of pure joy and adventure. And that is one of the many reasons I adore family photography—children have a way of reminding us how magical the simplest things can be. A field. A tree. A pony. A blanket. Suddenly the world becomes a playground.

We started shooting at sunrise, not just to avoid the intensity of Cape Town’s summer heat, but to embrace that soft, golden light that makes everything feel dreamy and serene. In the world of family photography in Cape Town, sunrise sessions are truly unmatched—the colours, the quiet, the sense of a new day beginning all add to the emotion of the photos. The farm glowed gently as the sun crept over the horizon, casting long shadows across the recently ploughed wheat field.

What I loved most about this shoot was the absolute lack of rigid posing. Nothing felt forced. Nothing felt scripted. We simply let the children be who they are—wild, curious, full of wonder. They dragged each other on blankets through the fields, giggling as the wheels of the day began turning. They played in the grass, ran beneath the trees, chased shadows, whispered secrets, and fed the ponies with tiny hands eager to help. Every moment was genuine. Every moment was real. And as a photographer who values authenticity, this is the kind of session that fills me with gratitude.

The ponies, of course, were a highlight. For Ava and Gracie, these animals are not just part of the farm—they are part of their childhood. Watching them confidently feed, stroke, and interact with the ponies reminded me of how powerful it is to photograph families in environments where they feel comfortable and free. These are the images that will matter one day—not the perfectly posed portraits, but the ones that show children living their truth.

The farm life theme came so naturally because it is their life. Lene and Anker have built a world around this land—a world their daughters get to grow up in. A world filled with fresh air, open space, animals, dirt paths, and sunlight. It’s calm, grounding, and deeply connected to who they are as individuals and as a family. Capturing them in this environment felt like stepping into a day in their life, and that is what family photography should be all about: telling honest stories through imagery.

This session also reminded me why Cape Town is such a phenomenal location for lifestyle and family shoots. Its diversity—mountains, beaches, forests, farms, vineyards—means that every session can look entirely different, yet equally captivating. Here, in this quiet pocket of farmland just outside the city, we had a perfect blend of natural textures, warm tones, and open landscapes that brought a sense of calm and nostalgia to the photos.

Family photography in Cape Town.

As the sun continued to rise, soft beams of golden light wrapped around the families, creating the most tender scenes—little hands brushing through wheat stubble, parents laughing as they watched their children run free, the wind weaving through everyone’s hair, and the ponies standing patiently as if they, too, understood they were part of something special.

Lene and Anker, photographing your family always feels like being welcomed into a memory that is still being written. Thank you for trusting me—again—to capture moments that reflect who you truly are. Shoots like this are a reminder of why I love family photography, especially here in Cape Town, where every sunrise feels like an invitation to create something beautiful.

I cannot wait to see what the next chapter holds for all of you.