A record of flights logged, permits secured, and edits delivered. This page documents the practical side of aerial photography — the conditions, the clearances, and the post-production decisions that turn raw captures into finished frames.
Client notes
A few words from architects, editors, and developers who commissioned aerial work. The comments focus on how the images were used, not on promises.
"We needed a full set of aerial views for a coastal development proposal. The flight plan was shared with us beforehand, and the final selects arrived with clear notes on wind conditions and editing choices. That level of documentation made the approval process with our client much smoother."
Martha van der Merwe
Architect, Cape Town studio
"The series on the Foreshore ran in our print edition. What stood out was the consistency of light across the whole set, even though the images were captured over several months. The technical notes helped our production team match the colour profile without back-and-forth."
Daniel Khumalo
Photo editor, quarterly magazine
"We licensed a set of Karoo landscapes for a documentary segment. The footage was delivered with a clear breakdown of what was shot where, which saved our research team days of fact-checking. The images themselves held up well in the final cut."
Lindiwe Nkosi
Producer, independent film unit
"The aerial survey of our site near the harbour was more detailed than we expected. The photographer flagged a few access issues we had not considered, which changed how we briefed the ground team. Practical input, not just pictures."
Pieter Botha
Development manager, property group
"We have worked together on three separate commissions now. Each time the brief was discussed properly before the flight, and the edits came back with a clear explanation of what was adjusted in Capture One. Reliable process, consistent results."
Sarah van Wyk
Communications lead, non-profit trust
"The salt pan series was licensed for an exhibition catalogue. The images arrived with full metadata and a short essay on the shooting conditions, which we reprinted in the catalogue notes. That context added real value for our audience."
James Ferreira
Curator, contemporary art space
A few clarifications about what this portfolio does and does not claim. These notes keep the expectations honest, both for clients reviewing series and for editors considering licensed material. If something remains unclear after reading, the contact page is the right place to ask.
The series published here were shot across the Western Cape and the Karoo over the past several years. Each project page lists the general location and the year of the flights. Conditions on the ground, airspace clearance, and seasonal light all influence what was possible to capture, so the images represent the best frames from each session rather than a complete survey of a site.
Every image passes through Capture One for raw conversion and colour grading, with selective retouching done in Photoshop when needed. The technical notes on each project describe the editing decisions that shaped the final look. Minor adjustments for exposure and contrast are standard; compositing or removing elements is never done silently and is always disclosed.
Images from the archive are available for editorial and commercial licensing. A licence covers specific usage, territory, and duration, and it is issued after a short conversation about the intended context. Unauthorised reproduction, including screenshots or crops used without permission, is not covered by any implied licence. Full terms are provided with each quote before files are delivered.
Assignments for architects, developers, and editorial clients are handled on a case-by-case basis. Unless a contract specifies otherwise, commissioned images remain available for the studio's own portfolio and for future licensing. If a project requires full exclusivity or a buyout, that is arranged in writing before the first flight and reflected in the final fee.
All flights are conducted in line with South African civil aviation regulations. Permission is obtained for restricted zones, and private land is only overflown with the landowner's consent. The technical notes mention airspace constraints where they shaped the shoot, so clients understand why certain angles or altitudes were not possible on a given day.
Final files are delivered as high-resolution JPEGs or TIFFs, with the option of DNG masters for commissioned work. Colour profiles are agreed on before delivery, and a basic set of edited frames is always included alongside the selects. Raw files are retained for a defined period after a project closes, so re-edits are possible within that window.