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Take a Shot at These Aesthetic Spots in Johannesburg

Take a Shot at These Aesthetic Spots in Johannesburg

Whether it’s a simple day out with your family or your big wedding day, photoshoots are a fabulous idea. These snaps live on forever, allowing you to immortalise some of life’s most special moments.

If you’re in Joburg, there are a lot of areas that make great locations for shoots for different reasons. To help you out, we compiled some of our favourites for you – read on to learn more!

Where can I do a photoshoot in Johannesburg?

1. Johannesburg Botanical Gardens

Johannesburg Botanical Gardens
Photo by NJR ZA from Wikimedia Commons
AddressOlifants Road, Emmarentia, Johannesburg, 2195, South Africa
Best For Family Shoots

Johannesburg Botanical Gardens is a beautiful and peaceful spot for picnics – and naturally, a great photoshoot location.

It’s a vast space with clean lawns, lush trees and pretty flowers – perfect for a natural backdrop for your family photo. 

Plus, your kiddos can run around and play while you’re here. The upside is that they won’t feel too stifled during the shoot and feel more in their element, looking more natural in the shots.

Pro Tip: come as early as you can to avoid any big crowds and anyone else disrupting your shoot.

2. Victoria Yards

Victoria Yards
Photo from dailymaverick.co.za
Address16 Viljoen Street, Lorentzville, Johannesburg, 2094, South Africa
Best For Prenup Shoots

If you’re still looking for a prenuptial shoot location, we’ll let you in a little well-kept secret: Victoria Yards!

From the name itself, you can already get a glimpse of what to expect. It’s a series of large brick structures with a lush garden, giving off that lovely Victorian manor feel.

It’s perfect for couples who want a quirky touch to their shoots and prefer to do something out of the norm. Oh, in case you’re worried about entrance fees and the like, it’s free of charge if you’re doing it by the gardens so you can save on cost already.

By the way, the yards have restaurants in the area on the off chance that you want to grab something to eat after the shoot – you might need it after a long day!

3. Gold Reef City

Gold Reef City
Photo by J@M€S from Flickr
AddressNorthern Parkway & Data Cres, Johannesburg, 2159, South Africa 
Best For Birthday Shoots

When it’s our birthday, we’re the stars for the day – and where else to capture us in our element than in Golden Reef City? 

It’s one of the best amusement parks in Johannesburg for the young and young-at-heart – perfect for a lighthearted shoot that shows you living your best life.

Whether it’s by the carousel or the Ferris wheel, each corner of the place is snapworthy. The only challenge is making sure strangers aren’t in the frame – but if you have photographer friends, they should be able to help find a workaround!

4. Shepstone Gardens

Shepstone Gardens
Photo from shepstonegardens.co.za
Address12 Hope Road, Mountain View, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa
Best For Maternity Shoots

Although the Shepstone Gardens are primarily known as a wedding venue, it’s also a majestic spot that’s suitable for maternity shoots. 

Expecting mothers would feel like a queen in their castle at every corner of the place – it’s lush, dainty, and is the perfect backdrop for a mum in full bloom.

By the way, there’s an R2,000 fee for using the venue for an hour – but we can say it’s worth it because of how aesthetic every nook and cranny is. 

5. Dreambox

Dreambox
Photo from dreamboxza.com
Address10 MacMillan Road, Glenferness AH, Johannesburg, 2191, South Africa
Best For Editorial Shoots

Whether it’s editorial shoots for magazines or the next post for your Instagram feed, you can do it all here at Dreambox. It’s an interactive shooting location found in Joburg (Fun first date ideas in Johannesburg) with different backdrops for you to enjoy.

What we love most about it is that it lets us think outside the box, thanks to its unique backdrops – think eccentric yellow ducks, or even vintage cassette tapes!

Shootign here only costs R165 per person for an hour and we can definitely say that each corner is worth every second.

BONUS: Best Photo Studios in Johannesburg

1. Lenzhub Studio

Lenzhub Studio
Photo from lenzhubphotography.mypixieset.com
Address66 Carr Street, Newton, Johannesburg, 2113, South Africa
Business Hours9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays
9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturdays
12:30 PM to 5:30 PM on Sundays
Websitehttps://lenzhubphotography.mypixieset.com/
Contact+27 81 473 4775

Whether it’s maternity or family shoots, Lenzhub Studio caters to different kinds of clientele. Their studios are fully equipped with all necessary equipment like lights and backdrops.

Plus, the photographers’ are great guides who help you feel comfortable throughout the shoot. 

You can even book their packages for out-of-studio shoots like weddings or birthdays.

2. Sunnystudio SA

Sunnystudio SA
Photo from sunnystudio za
Address46 Park Drive, Mayfair, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa
Business Hours9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Mondays to Thursdays
9:00 AM to 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Fridays
9:00 AM to 4:00 AM on Saturdays
11:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Sundays
Contact+27 62 200 5928

Sunnystudio SA is popular for their iconic maternity shoots, where they offer over 30 different looks for expectant mothers. What’s more, the rates are affordable – so you won’t have to spend much for a memorable experience.

3. Keneilwe.M Photography

Keneilwe.M Photography
Photo from keneilwem.co.za
Address38 Van Beek Street, New Doornfontein, Johannesburg, 2094, South Africa
Business Hours9:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Mondays to Thursdays
9:00 PM to 12:00 AM on FridaysClosed on Saturdays
11:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Sundays
Websitehttp://www.keneilwem.co.za/
Contact+27 73 878 9613

Keneilwe.M Photography’s goal is to provide photography and videography services for the special moments in their lives. 

They’ve been in the business for 7 years already and most – if not all – locals know them. You can even book them for shoots outside of the studio by simply sending an email or a message through their WhatsApp number.

4. Daniel West Wedding Photography

Daniel West Wedding Photography
Photo from danielwest.photo
Address36 1st Avenue East, Parktown North, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
Business Hours9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays
8:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Saturdays
Closed on Sundays
Websitehttps://danielwest.photo/
Contact+27 79 671 8966

Quoting from Daniel West Wedding Photography, “a photograph is forever”. And they seem to understand the weight of this well – take it from their breathtaking photos. 

They are focused on capturing raw and authentic moments with your significant other during your big day.

Plus, they offer videography services if you’re interested in having an entire film to look back on the moments of your special day. 

In fact, they were awarded as top wedding photographer in the country by One Eyeland in 2018, along with other amazing recognitions from other awarding bodies worldwide.

5. Shamasa Studios

Shamasa Studios
Photo from shamasestudios.co.za
Address14 Van Beek Street, New Doornfontein, Johannesburg, 2094, South Africa
Business Hours8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily
Websitehttps://www.shamasestudios.co.za/
Contact+27 83 687 1215

When it comes to creative shoots, Shamasa Studios does not disappoint. They cater to a wide range of clients, especially those who want unique concepts and directions – such as fashion editorials.

But more than being good photographers, they love sharing their skills and knowledge with others too. They offer a master class for anyone interested for only R700 per person.

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