I bet you thought the person behind Nessa Photography was named Nessa. I take pride in my name, but Nessa Photography was and still is the miracle that enriches my life.   They say if you do what you love you won’t have to work a day in your life and that is why I chose the name nessa, which, in some languages means “miracle” and in others means “pure”.  I see and experience pure miracles in everyday life and am fortunate enough to capture some of these moments.

I live in a small town in the Western Cape in the Swartland Region, but I love to travel throughout our beautiful South Africa. Every region has its own beauty and greatness, from the Karoo to the Wilderness and everywhere in between and beyond.

I’m also very content at home, spending time with friends, family and my two pets Bessie and Griet. My sidekicks are getting old, but they keep me company every second of the time I spend at home.

One of my favourite sounds, is the sound the camera makes when you press the shutter release button. So much goes into the art of painting with light, depth of field, shutter speed and of course what happens in front of and behind of the camera.

“There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.”
— Ansel Adams

But more important than the art of photography is the art of capturing authentic; emotions, expressions, gestures, interactions etc.

“There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment.”
— Robert Frank

Capturing the perfect moment might be pure chance or luck, but there are so many variables that contributes to the most emotive images.  My perceptions, experience, expertise and point of view plays a role in how I see the beauty in front of me. Beauty has a different meaning to different individuals. I see beauty in passion, destruction, serenity, irregularities and the little bit of OCD in me finds beauty in the way shapes, sizes and colours are arranged.

I find so much joy in capturing the journey that many individuals undertake.  I have captured children becoming adults, getting engaged, getting married and then becoming parents. Being a parent brings so much change about. I admire the strength of a mother and adore the tenderness of a father.

My heart melts when families play together, laugh together and grow together.  Even though I’ll be at the edge of the circle or blending into the background to get the most candid shots, I feel part of every family that I have had the privilege to capture.