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Photography By Joao

Photography By Joao

Recording your special memories
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Photography By Joao
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  • Emma Turns 7
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  • The Steyl Family

    Celebrating 20 Years of Love: The Steyls’ Anniversary ShootTwenty years of marriage is no small milestone. It’s a story shaped by shared laughter, challenges weathered…

  • Meet the Syed’s

    Love, Laughter, and a Bulldog: Capturing a Special Couple’s Session There’s something undeniably charming about photographing couples who include their furry family members in the…

  • Emma Turns 11 Yarr!!

    Ahoy, Mateys! Capturing an 11th Birthday Adventure – Pirates of the Caribbean Style There’s something truly special about returning to a family year after year—watching…

  • Mihailo Turns 7

    Dear Mihailo, “At seven, you’re officially a wonder-seeker! May your birthday be as magnificent as your imagination.” We recently photographed Mihailo’s 7th birthday and this…

CREATIVE GALLERY

The Steyl Family

Meet the Syed’s

Emma Turns 11 Yarr!!

Mihailo Turns 7

Maya Turns 5

Emma Turns 10!

Aansh Races to 6

Let’s get wild! Roooaaaarrrr!!!!

MOOving and GrOOving at Heith’s 4th Birthday Party

Maya Turns 3

Susan, Caitlin & Schnauzers

Susan, Anay en Kinders

The Siverpersad Family

Kai Turns 2

Louise Simeon & Fur Family

Mandy & Family

The Somaroo Gender Reveal

Andre & Daria Tie the Knot

Este’s Shoot

Emma Turns 8

byjoaophotography

Those ears. That face. That attitude. 🐾 Basset Ho Those ears.
That face.
That attitude. 🐾

Basset Hounds have some of the most expressive personalities— and photographing them is always an adventure.

Slow walks, curious noses, and those soulful eyes that melt hearts instantly.

If your dog has a personality worth celebrating (and let’s be honest… they all do), a pet photoshoot is the perfect way to capture it forever.

📸 Outdoor pet sessions starting at R2350.00
🐾 Dogs always welcome
📍 Gauteng

DM PET SESSION to book your shoot.

#BassetHound #DogPhotography #PetPortraits #FurFamily #PhotographyByJoao
Outdoor family sessions are a little bit magical 🌿 Outdoor family sessions are a little bit magical 🌿

Kids run freely.
Dogs join the adventure.
Parents laugh more.

And somewhere between the giggles, the hugs, and the chaos… the real memories appear.

These sessions aren’t about perfect poses — they’re about connection, love, and capturing the season your family is in right now.

Because one day these photos will mean everything.

📸 Outdoor family sessions
🐾 Pets always welcome
📍 Gauteng

DM to book your family session 🤍

#FamilyPhotography #OutdoorSessions #FamilyMemories #PetFriendlyPhotographer #PhotographyByJoao
🌸 Maternity Photography: Celebrating the Miracle 🌸 🌸 Maternity Photography: Celebrating the Miracle 🌸
There’s something magical about the journey of motherhood — the quiet anticipation, the gentle glow, the tiny life growing inside.
Maternity photography isn’t just about capturing a belly. It’s about honouring this fleeting, transformative moment — the love, the hope, the excitement, and the bond you already feel with your little one.
Whether it’s soft, intimate portraits at home, a dreamy outdoor session, or a mix of both, my goal is to create images that you’ll treasure forever — memories that speak of love, strength, and the beautiful beginning of a new chapter.
✨ Maternity Sessions Now Available
Packages starting from R2350.00
Limited slots — book early to capture this once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Email: Info@by-joao.com
WhatsApp Melissa Joao 0712939978
www.by-joao.com
I’m excited to share that I’m launching a new vent I’m excited to share that I’m launching a new venture.

This has been a journey of growth and realignment for me, and it’s something I’m incredibly passionate about.

If you’d like to support me, I’d really appreciate it if you could follow my new page @theinnerlensjourney and share it with anyone who might benefit. Every bit of support means the world when starting something new.

Thank you to my friends and family who always encourage me to keep creating and building a life around what I love.
Winter weddings have a magic of their own. ❄️ Sof Winter weddings have a magic of their own. ❄️

Soft light.
Dramatic skies.
Candlelit celebrations.
Moments that feel even more intimate.

Winter creates the perfect setting for timeless, romantic wedding imagery — the kind you will treasure for a lifetime.

✨ Winter 2026 wedding bookings are now open.

If you're planning a winter celebration and want your story captured beautifully:

📩 Send a DM or enquire via email at Melissa@by-joao.com to secure your date.

Limited winter dates available.

Www.by-joao.com
This lion portrait was captured at a wildlife sanc This lion portrait was captured at a wildlife sanctuary — a place dedicated to protecting and caring for animals that cannot return to the wild 🦁

Moments like this are why Photography by João began — a deep love for wildlife and respect for the natural world.

This image is available as part of our fine art wildlife print collection, with A3 prints starting from R850 (unframed).

Bring a moment from nature into your home or workspace.

📍 Collection: Buccleuch or Woodmead, Sandton
📦 Courier available
📩 info@by-joao.com
📱 WhatsApp Melissa 071 293 9978

#byjoaophotography #wildlifephotography  #wildlifeprints #natureisart #worldwildlifeday
Throwback to a beautiful family session from almos Throwback to a beautiful family session from almost two years ago 🤍

The Louw family brought such ease and warmth to this shoot — relaxed, natural, and full of connection (paws included 🐾).

Soft overcast skies gave us the dreamiest light, and the final images were timeless.

Two portraits were selected for canvas — including one that required detailed post-production work to perfect. Because the magic often continues long after the shutter clicks.

If it’s been a while since your last family photos… maybe it’s time.

DM us to book your session 🤍📸

#FamilyPhotography #GautengPhotographer #PetFriendlyPhotographer #CanvasPortraits #PhotographyByJoao
Mama 🤍 When last were you in the photo? Not behi Mama 🤍

When last were you in the photo?

Not behind the camera.
Not cropped in.
Not hiding.

Your children will one day search for photos of you.

Autumn light is soft.
Golden.
Forgiving.
Beautiful.

🍂 35-minute Sandton outdoor session
🍂 10 edited images
🍂 Cozy, natural, connection-focused

Stop waiting for the “right time.”

DM AUTUMN SANDTON and let’s get you in the frame 🤍🍂

Email Melissa@by-joao.com 

WhatsApp Melissa 071 293 9978 

#SandtonPhotographer #AutumnMiniSessions #MomsInTheFrame #FamilyPhotography #GoldenHour
Cosmos Mini Sessions 🌸✨ They bloom once a year. F Cosmos Mini Sessions 🌸✨

They bloom once a year.
For a few short weeks.
And then they’re gone.

Golden light.
Soft pink fields.
Effortless, romantic family portraits.

🌸 30-minute outdoor session
🌸 10 edited images included
🌸 Upgrade options available
🌸 Limited seasonal release

If you’ve been meaning to update your photos — this is your moment.

Comment or DM COSMOS for dates and investment details 🌸

#CosmosSeason #MiniSessions #FamilyPhotography #GoldenHour #SeasonalSessions
#valentinesday #love #family #valentinesday #love #family
Valentines 2022 vs 2023 vs 2024 vs 2025 vs 2026 😍 Valentines 2022 vs 2023 vs 2024 vs 2025 vs 2026 😍
Im so happy this boy joined our family #Odin you a Im so happy this boy joined our family #Odin you are a beautiful soul. #ragdollcat
Anniversaries, at home 🐾 Back in October 2025, we Anniversaries, at home 🐾

Back in October 2025, we captured Suvigya and Waqar celebrating their love in the place that matters most — their home.

With Leo the bulldog stealing hearts (and a few frames), the session was relaxed, playful, and completely them.

Because the best anniversary photos aren’t about perfect locations — they’re about the life you’ve built together.

— By-Joao

Celebrating a milestone soon? Anniversary sessions at home are always welcome.  

 Enquire via DM or email Melissa@by-joao.com 

#AnniversarySession
#CouplePhotography
#HomePhotoshoot
#LifeWithDogs
#AuthenticLove
VisualStorytelling
PhotographyWithPurpose
✨ Throwback ✨ This maternity session started with ✨ Throwback ✨

This maternity session started with careful planning, weather worries, and a mum-to-be glowing with anticipation — and ended with a surprise proposal we’ll never forget.

What Micaila didn’t know was that this shoot wasn’t only about welcoming Baby Ezekiel. It also became the moment Brandon asked her to marry him. A quiet signal, a fetched ring, and suddenly a maternity session turned into a whirlwind of tears, joy, and celebration.

These are the moments photography gives back to us — the unexpected, the emotional, the stories you didn’t even know were unfolding.

📩 If you’re expecting, celebrating, or standing on the edge of a new chapter, now is the time to capture it. Book your session with us and let your story unfold naturally.

#Throwback #MaternityPhotography #LoveStories #ByJoao #AuthenticMoments PhotographyAsStorytelling

WhatsApp Melissa 071 293 9978 

www.by-joao.com
Children show us authenticity naturally — their jo Children show us authenticity naturally — their joy, curiosity, and unfiltered reactions.
We create sessions where children feel free to be themselves, resulting in imagery that is timeless, honest, and meaningful.

And those candid moments? That’s where magic happens. ✨

#ChildPhotography #AuthenticMoments #ByJoao #FamilyPhotography #PhotographyAsStorytelling familyphotosession

Reach out to book your next outdoor family shoot!

Email: Melissa@by-joao.com
Whatsapp Melissa Joao 0712939978. 

www.by-joao.com
“Thank you for capturing my beautiful boy so beaut “Thank you for capturing my beautiful boy so beautifully.” - Nicky Lucka

At the time, this was just a photo.

Now, it’s a memory we return to.

This is why we believe in documenting the everyday moments - especially as our dogs enter their golden years.

📩 Now booking senior dog photography sessions.

Email: Melissa@by-joao.com 

WhatsApp Melissa Joao 0712939978

www.by-joao.com
A little sneak peek into a very special session 🤍 A little sneak peek into a very special session 
🤍
The Steyl’s celebrating 20 years of marriage, surrounded by nature, soft light, and the two rescue dogs they welcomed into their family five years ago.
Just presence, connection, and the kind of love that deepens with time.
Some stories don’t need grand gestures — they just need to be witnessed.
More from this beautiful anniversary shoot soon ✨

@heidigrobler
Why natural light and outdoor settings matter to u Why natural light and outdoor settings matter to us.
Natural light has a way of softening everything — people, animals, moments. It brings calm energy into a space and allows subjects to simply be, without pressure or performance.

Our photography has always leaned toward the outdoors and real environments. Nature creates honesty. It invites movement, breath, pauses. Whether it’s a family, a couple, a wedding, or an animal, being outside removes the stiffness and replaces it with ease.

Truthfully, studio backdrops were never for us. They always felt disconnected — almost unsettling — like something important was missing. 

Real life doesn’t happen against a seamless background. It happens in places that hold meaning, texture, and light.

Shooting in nature allows stories to unfold naturally. The wind, the light, the space — they all contribute to authenticity. Nothing forced. Nothing overly posed. Just presence.

That calm, grounded energy is what we strive for in every session.
Because the most powerful images don’t come from control — they come from comfort and connection.

If we sound like your photographers reach out to book your next session. 

Email: Melissa@by-joao.com 
Whatsapp Melissa Joao 0712939978

#ByJoaoPhotography #familyfun #Letscaptureyourmemoriesoutdoors 

www.by-joao.com 

— By-Joao Photography
🌿 Outdoor Family Shoots | Real Life, Real Love Out 🌿 Outdoor Family Shoots | Real Life, Real Love
Outdoor family shoots are where stories breathe.
Kids run freely.
Parents relax into the moment.
And dogs — yes, all dogs — are part of the family story.
This recent park session reminded us why we love working outdoors: a big family, joyful chaos, children exploring, and a gentle Pitbull right at the heart of it all. No forced smiles. No pressure. Just connection, laughter, muddy shoes, and wagging tails.
These are the moments that matter most — the ones you’ll want to remember exactly as they were.
✨ If you want photographs that feel like your family — not a performance — we’d love to tell your story.
📩 Book your outdoor, dog-inclusive family shoot today.
📍 Parks, nature & outdoor spaces
Your family. Your rhythm. Your story.

Email Melissa@by-joao.com 
WhatsApp Melissa Joao 0712939978 
www.by-joao.com
🦓 Because Zebra Conservation Matters — Every Day 🦓 🦓 Because Zebra Conservation Matters — Every Day 🦓

International Zebra Day may have passed, but the message remains just as important.

Zebras are more than iconic stripes — they play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, shaping grasslands, and supporting biodiversity. Yet habitat loss, human pressure, and climate change continue to threaten their future.

Conservation doesn’t belong to one day on the calendar. It lives in how we choose to respect wildlife, protect natural spaces, and tell their stories responsibly.

📣 Here’s how you can make a difference:

Support ethical reserves and conservation-led initiatives

Respect wildlife by keeping distance and not interfering

Share stories that educate and inspire protection

Make conscious choices that protect natural habitats

Every image shared with intention helps keep the conversation alive.

All images 📸 By Joao Photography
🌍 www.by-joao.com

#ZebraConservation
#ProtectWildlife #ConservationEveryDay
#ByJoaoWildlifePhotography
#EthicalWildlifePhotography
AfricaWild
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