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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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  • 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

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
Love doesn’t fade with time — it deepens. Photogra Love doesn’t fade with time — it deepens.
Photography for older couples isn’t about recreating youth. It’s about honoring years of shared life, quiet strength, laughter, loss, resilience, and choosing each other through every season.
The way hands rest together.
The ease of being understood without words.
The stories held in a single glance.
These sessions are gentle and unhurried. There’s no pressure to perform — only space to be present and to celebrate a love that has grown richer with time.
Because every chapter deserves to be remembered.
And every love story is worth telling — especially the ones that have stood the test of time.

Reach out to Melissa Joao to book your couple session! 

Email Melissa@by-joao.com

By-Joao

www.by-joao.com
Senior pet photography is a reminder that some of Senior pet photography is a reminder that some of the most meaningful work happens quietly. 🤍
These sessions aren’t about perfection or performance. They’re about presence. About honoring years of loyalty, resilience, and unconditional love.
Grey whiskers, slower movements, softer gazes — these are not signs of decline. They are markers of a life well lived, and a bond deeply felt.
At By João, senior pet sessions are approached with patience, care, and respect. We work at your pet’s pace, creating space for comfort, familiarity, and authenticity — because dignity matters at every stage of life.
These photographs become more than images.
They become legacy pieces.
A way to remember how it felt to love them.
👉 If you’ve been thinking about capturing your senior pet “one day,” this is your sign.
Let’s create something meaningful — while the moments are still here.

📩 Reach out to book.
Melissa Joao 071 293 9978

Melissa@by-joao.com 

By-Joao Photography

www.by-joao.com

#petlegacypieces #seniorpetstories #MeaningfulMoments #Digital art #ByJoaoPhotography
Small Weddings in Gauteng, Big Love Stories Worth Small Weddings in Gauteng, Big Love Stories Worth Remembering

There’s a special kind of magic in a small wedding.
It’s found in the quiet moments,the deep breath before the ceremony, the way your closest people gather around you, the calm joy of a day that’s intentional and deeply personal.
If you’re planning an intimate wedding in Gauteng over the next four months, this is your sign to slow down and truly savor it.

Small weddings allow space for what truly matters:
Genuine connection
Real, unscripted emotion
Moments that unfold naturally

Whether you’re celebrating in a garden, private venue, family home, or a hidden gem in Gauteng, your wedding day deserves to be documented with care.

Our approach to photography is calm, romantic, and story-focused. We step in only when needed, allowing your day to unfold naturally while capturing the moments you didn’t even realise were happening.

You can expect:
Natural posing with plenty of candid moments
A relaxed, supportive presence on your wedding day
Timeless images that feel honest and emotional
Investment & Availability
To ensure every couple receives a personalised experience, we take on only a limited number of intimate weddings.

Intimate wedding photography packages starting from R6.500
 

Mid-range packages typically include:

Two Photographers 
Up to 7 hours of wedding coverage
A professionally edited online gallery
A music slideshow 
High-resolution images ready for print and sharing
Additional hours and custom options are available to suit your timeline and vision.

We are currently booking small weddings across Gauteng for the next four months, with limited availability remaining.

Let’s Tell Your Love Story Beautifully 💓 

Your photographs should take you back  to the feeling of the day, the people who mattered, and the love you chose.

If you’re planning a small, meaningful wedding in Gauteng , I’d love to hear your story.
 

Enquire now to check availability and receive full package details.
Melissa Joao
Email : Melissa@by-joao.com 

Small weddings. Big meaning. Beautifully remembered.

By Joao Photography

www.by-joao.com
Of all the subjects we photograph, cats might be t Of all the subjects we photograph, cats might be the most honest 🐾
They don’t perform.
They don’t pose on command.
They decide.
Photographing cats is an exercise in patience, presence, and respect. You don’t enter their world with an agenda — you observe, wait, and earn their trust. When a cat chooses to stay, to look at you, to settle into a beam of light… that’s the moment.
It’s in the flick of a tail.
The slow blink.
The way they claim a space as entirely their own.
At By-Joao Photography, cat sessions are calm, quiet, and entirely on feline terms. No forcing, no rushing — just letting their personality unfold naturally in familiar surroundings.
Because cats aren’t just pets.
They’re companions with opinions.
Observers of our lives.
And masters of subtle connection.
👉 If you’ve ever said, “My cat would never sit for a photo,”
you’re exactly the person this is for.
Let us capture your cat as they truly are — beautifully themselves.

Reach out to book a session.

Email info@by-joao.com 

www.by-joao.com
Birds are often the first sign that nature is heal Birds are often the first sign that nature is healthy — and the first warning when it isn’t.

They connect ecosystems, mark seasonal change, and remind us to look up and pay attention. Loving birds isn’t just about admiration; it’s about awareness, respect, and understanding our place within the natural world.

Photographing birds deepens my connection to nature and reinforces the importance of protecting the environments they depend on. It’s a quiet reminder that observation leads to appreciation — and appreciation leads to care.

www.by-joao.com 

#WildlifePhotography #BirdConservation #NatureAwareness #VisualStorytelling #PhotographyWithPurpose
“You don’t take wildlife photos. You’re allowed t “You don’t take wildlife photos.

You’re allowed to witness them.”

I photograph animals first because they taught me how to see — and that perspective has shaped how I approach every form of photography.

Animals don’t perform or rush. They require patience, observation, and respect - qualities that now guide how I photograph people, families, weddings, and stories of all kinds.

Great photography isn’t about control.

It’s about presence.

- By Joao Photography

www.by-joao.com 

#PhotographyWithPurpose #VisualStoryTelling #Wildlifephotography #CreativeProcess #ByJoaoPhotography LearningFromNature
Senior pet photography holds a special kind of ten Senior pet photography holds a special kind of tenderness 💓 
It’s not about perfect poses or playful tricks.
It’s about honoring a lifetime of loyalty, quiet companionship, and unconditional love.
Grey muzzles.
Slower steps.
Cloudy eyes.
These aren’t flaws to be hidden — they are stories. Stories of years spent waiting at the door, curling up beside you on hard days, and loving you in ways only a pet can.
Over the last five years, we’ve said goodbye to five of our own pets. Each loss has deepened my understanding of just how precious — and fleeting — these moments are. It’s changed the way we photograph senior animals and the care we bring into every session.
When we photograph senior pets, we work gently. We move at their pace. There’s time for breaks, cuddles, and familiar comforts — because this stage of life deserves patience, dignity, and deep respect.
These sessions aren’t just photographs.
They become keepsakes.
A way to remember the way they looked at you.
The way their ears rested.
The way their presence filled a room.
Because while they may only be part of our lives for a chapter…
to them, we are their whole story 🐾
✨ If you’ve been thinking, “I should do this someday,” this is your sign.
Someday is now Photography By João . www.by-joao.com 
DM or get in touch to book a senior pet session Email Info@by-joao.com Whatsapp Melissa Joao 0712939978.
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