Phoenix Photography
Weddings · Boudoir · Couples
Johannesburg · Gauteng
Most people tell me they hate having their photo taken.
Usually followed by, “No, really. You don’t understand.”
I do.
There’s a reason I take the photos and I’m normally not in them. I never know what to do with my hands. I feel ridiculous posing, and the second someone points a camera at me I suddenly forget how to stand like a normal human being.
So I don’t expect you to arrive knowing what to do either.
We start slowly. I’ll give you something small to do. We’ll talk and probably laugh at something stupid. Somewhere along the way, you’ll stop thinking quite so much about the camera.
Getting you comfortable isn’t your job. It’s mine.
Moments in and around the moments
The big moments matter.
So does everything happening around them.
While everyone is watching one thing, I’m usually looking for three others.
The stuff you saw. The stuff you missed. And sometimes the stuff you completely forgot happened.
Weddings
I’ll keep the day moving. But I’m not going to rush you through it.
Weddings rarely run exactly to plan. Someone is late. Something takes longer than expected. Suddenly everyone has an opinion. That’s okay.
When the day needs direction, I’ll step in. I’ll keep things moving, deal with the little bits of chaos and give you space to actually enjoy what’s happening.
The two of you come first.
If we’re twenty minutes behind and you’re laughing with the person you just married, I care far more about that than forcing you through a timeline.
Boudoir
Before anything else, boudoir is trust.
You’re trusting me with how you see yourself, with parts of yourself you may not show easily and with photographs that are yours to keep private if that’s what you want.
Nothing gets shared without your permission. I take that seriously.
There isn’t one version of boudoir you have to fit into. Quiet can stay quiet. Bold can be bold. We work with who you are, not who you think you’re supposed to be in front of a camera.
Your vulnerability deserves respect. Always.
The person behind the camera
Hi. I’m Ruan.
I’ve been photographing people since 2005. I’m far more comfortable behind a camera than in front of one. I’ll probably make a bad joke when things get awkward, and I still get a kick out of showing someone a photograph they genuinely love.
Phoenix is pretty personal to me too. There’s a longer story behind the name, the cameras and the person who helped me build all of this.
A little more about meFrom the other side of the camera
What it actually feels like.
5.0 on Google Maps · 4 reviews
“It feels more like being guided by a ridiculously talented and wildly creative friend who just happens to carry a camera and casually produce magic.”
“From the moment we started, I felt completely comfortable and at ease. The environment was so relaxed, supportive, and empowering.”
“Ruan made the whole experience such fun — he didn't need us to pose or do anything fancy, but rather captured candid moments. I felt completely at ease all day and only wish that we could repeat it!”
Start a conversation
Think we might get along?
You don’t need to have everything figured out. Tell me what you’re thinking about and we’ll take it from there.