I have watched this family grow from three to five and I am here for ALL OF IT!!!
There are some families who become so much more than clients.
The Sueltz family are one of those families for me.
When I first met Codey and Dani, life looked a little different. It was just the three of them, with little Jet only a few months old. Fast forward a few years, and I’ve had the incredible privilege of watching their family grow, welcoming Sadie and now baby Lenny into the world.
I think this must be around the sixth time I’ve photographed them, and every time they invite me back, I feel so grateful. There really is no greater compliment than having a family trust you to document the chapters of their lives as they unfold.
For this session, we met at one of my favourite places, Keurboomstrand, just outside Plettenberg Bay, on a warm December evening.
Summer on the Garden Route always has a little magic about it.
The beach was glowing, the ocean was calm and, as the sun slowly dipped towards the horizon, the sky treated us to one of those beautiful golden evenings that make you fall in love with this coastline all over again.
As always, we spent our time exploring the beach, laughing together and letting the kids simply be kids. No pressure. No perfect poses. Just genuine moments with the people they love most.
But I had one little surprise planned.
If there’s one thing you need to know about Sadie, it’s that she absolutely loves puppies.
So, without her knowing, I asked someone to bring my puppy, Charlie, down to the beach for the last fifteen minutes of our session.
The look on her face was priceless.
From the moment Charlie arrived, the photographs almost became secondary. Sadie wrapped her arms around him, covered him in hugs and kisses and completely forgot there was even a camera nearby.
And Charlie?
Well, let’s just say it was his very first trip to the beach, and I’m not entirely sure who had more fun.
Watching him discover the sand and the waves for the first time while Sadie laughed beside him is a memory I’ll never forget.
Those fifteen minutes perfectly summed up why I love family photography so much.
Sometimes the best photographs aren’t carefully planned.
Sometimes they begin with a little surprise, a happy child and a puppy discovering the beach for the very first time.
Codey, Dani, Jet, Sadie and little Lenny, thank you for inviting me back into your lives again and again. It has been such a privilege watching your family grow over the years, and I genuinely treasure every session we spend together.
I already can’t wait to see what chapter number seven has in store.
Until next time…
S
Keurboomstrand
Nestled just outside Plettenberg Bay, Keurboomstrand is one of the Garden Route’s most breathtaking coastal destinations. Known for its untouched beaches, rugged cliffs, rolling dunes and endless ocean views, it’s a place where nature takes centre stage. Whether you’re watching the sunrise paint the sky in shades of pink and gold, spotting dolphins cruising through the waves or simply enjoying the peaceful sound of the ocean, Keurboomstrand offers a sense of calm that’s hard to find anywhere else.
It’s also one of my favourite locations for photographing couples, families, maternity sessions and special milestones. With wide open beaches, beautiful natural light and a coastline that changes with every tide, every session feels unique. If you’re looking for a location that combines adventure, tranquillity and the incredible beauty of the Garden Route, Keurboomstrand is the perfect place to slow down, make memories and create photographs you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
