What services do you offer?

We offer both photography and cinematic services for weddings and elopements, individual and couple portraits, engagement sessions, family, newborn, maternity, and more. All sessions are on-location of your choice, and our work is created by natural outdoor lighting rather than an indoor studio. If you have an idea or vision that you do not see on our pages please get in touch we’d love to hear about what you have in mind!

I’ve never had my photo taken — what do I do with my hands?!

Believe us when we say, we even feel awkward in front of the camera sometimes! Our guess is that you do not have professional modelling experience on your resume, and you certainly don’t need to in order to have great photos taken. We don’t like to use the word “posing” because often what comes to mind is those third-grade photos with your palms framing your face as you grin up at the camera (you may or may not be wearing a pink scrunchie in these photos).

However, we will help guide you to some natural positions that will look great in your photos. I encourage you to interact with your partner or family members as much as possible. I encourage movement, dancing, hugs, and twirling. I’ll even bring some beer or wine upon your request if it helps loosen you up a bit! My goal is for you to have fun, be interactive with your loved ones, and capture awesome photos.

How do you describe your photography style?

We like to describe our style as authentic and candid, with gentle guidance and direction for portraits and group photos. Our goal is to capture the true moments of the day and we want you to be able to enjoy your event without being bombarded by a camera in your face. It is important to us to be able to capture your wedding day moments without taking anything away from your experience. we don’t rely too much on posing, but we do provide gentle guidance and direction to get the best photos of your day. Our editing style varies depending on the time of year, the weather and the natural light your venue or shooting location allows. Our editing style is intended to not drastically change the look or colouring of an image. Rather, they subtly enhance & elevate the already present colours and lighting to give a timeless element to your wedding images. You can view some examples of our most recent work on Instagram or Facebook.

What if there is inclement weather for our scheduled session?

South Africa has some of the most amazing venues and locations for weddings, but it’s imminent that the weather may not always work in our favour. The best way to combat this is to be prepared! Have a back-up location for your ceremony or a tent in case of rain, provide umbrellas for guests and, if nothing else, just roll with the punches! Umbrellas can make for some fun photos, even if it is a little drizzly outside.

How long does the processing and editing of our images and video take?

Oh, we could write a whole book about this one! But in short, our editing and processing time typically ranges from 10 to 12 weeks, depending on the season. Factors such as load shedding and other circumstances beyond our control can occasionally affect our turnaround time. It’s essential to remember that capturing your wedding day is only about 30% of the work. The real magic happens afterwards — when we carefully curate, edit, and artistically refine your images. Every photo receives the time, attention, and love it deserves. Some galleries are ready as early as 10 weeks, others may take 12 weeks or more. But we promise—it will be absolutely worth the wait.

Do we get the original raw images and videos?

Would you walk into an art gallery and purchase a blank canvas? We believe photography is much the same. For this reason, we do not provide raw images/files to clients. Our heart, craft, and creative vision go into transforming raw captures into a final product that reflects the signature Mona-Liza Photo & Film experience – refined, intentional, and full of emotion.

Do you watermark your images?

No! We strongly believe you should have photos that are unmarked.

Will I have the ownership to the photos?

Yes, once delivered, you have the rights to do whatever you would like with the photographs. I do, however, ask for credit by name for any businesses that use my work for any public or marketing purposes.

How will the photos be delivered?

The photos and film will be delivered to your email with a link to your online gallery. From there, you can download your photos and film with the provided PIN, share the link with friends/family, share to social media, and order prints. All our wedding investments also includes a luxurious Mona-Liza Photo & Film branded wooden keepsake box with a USB.

Should I opt in for a second shooter?

Having a second shooter can be beneficial for several reasons. First, having two photographers is helpful to capture some of those “getting ready moments” while you and your partner may be in separate locations before the ceremony. A second shooter can also help capture different angles and guarantees excellent coverage during your ceremony and any other important moments of the day. Think of it this way — if you are walking down the aisle, you may want photos of your excited smile as well as the back of your dress or garments while also capturing your partner’s reaction. We do our best to capture this all when working solo, but a second shooter can help make sure that all those boxes are checked. Finally, a second photographer is suggested for weddings with more than 150 guests to ensure coverage of guests and families while the primary shooter may be working exclusively with the couple.

Do you travel and what is your traveling costs?

Great question! The first 100 km from our base of operations in Pretoria, Gauteng (South Africa) is included in all of our investment packages. Beyond that, a flat travel fee of R6.50 per additional kilometer will apply (both ways). Please note: this travel allowance does not apply to your complimentary engagement sessions.

How does accommodation work for your team when traveling for a wedding?

For venues located more than 150 km from our base in Midstream, Pretoria, overnight accommodation is required for our team on the night of the event. For distances over 300 km, accommodation is required for both the night before and the night of the wedding. We’ll arrange our own stay and invoice a flat rate of approximately R1 500 per night, which will be added to your final invoice and due as per our standard payment terms.

What steps do we need to take to secure our booking with you?

You can start by filling out the contact form to provide details, including your wedding or event date and location, and telling us a bit about what you are looking for! This part is always exciting! Please be sure to check our available dates – our calendar fills up quickly, often up to two years in advance. If your date is still open, it’s time to make things official: simply sign our Service Agreement and pay the 50% non-refundable retainer fee. And just like that—voilà, you’re officially booked!

You are more expensive than other photographers we’ve talked to, why?

Discussing the financial aspects of this profession is complex. While factors like equipment costs, business operations, taxes, and insurance are universal concerns for all photographers, it’s not just about these expenses. Each of us invests significant time with our clients, both pre and post-wedding, including the unseen hours of editing and post-production.

In an industry without a standard rate, photographers are free to determine their value. Our rate might be higher than some but not the pinnacle. It reflects our seasoned experience, our knack for capturing beauty regardless of circumstances, the superior quality of the final products, our proficiency in achieving most of the desired effects in-camera without heavy reliance on post-production, and the inherent value of our work.

Defining the worth of creative work in monetary terms isn’t straightforward. But with the vast experience we’ve accrued, we can assertively state that our services, especially on your wedding day, are priced aptly for the quality provided.

We’re always open to discussing rates and tailoring a package to align with your budget. Feel free to reach out, and let’s converse.

Where are you based?

We are based in Pretoria, South Africa. Our adventures have taken us across the globe — from the sandy beaches of the Caribbean and Mauritius to the captivating landscapes of Greece, France, Switzerland, Namibia, and even to American destinations like Chicago and the Grand Canyon, among numerous others. As seasoned travellers, we’ve accumulated a wealth of travel experience and an uncanny knack for catching sleep on flights. When you hire us for your destination wedding, know that you’re partnering with seasoned travellers and obsessive travel magnet collectors. As for travel costs, they’re straightforward — any expenses like airfare, hotels, visas and car rentals are simply reimbursed directly by you.

For local weddings, we’ve got wheels and genuinely enjoy hitting the road. So, wherever your story unfolds, we’re ready to capture it.

Can some of our images be delivered in black and white as well as colour?

Absolutely! Every image is provided in both black and white and colour. This offers you the flexibility to select the version that best suits your preferences.

What is the ‘online gallery’ you mention in your investments?

Your wedding photographs will be housed in a confidential, password-protected one year gallery on our website, accessible to you, your family, and friends. This gallery doubles as a secure shopping portal, enabling you and your loved ones to order prints, cards, and choose album photos online. Simply share the password with those you’d like to grant viewing privileges to. This platform is also your gateway to retrieve your wedding day digital files. With a provided PIN for downloading, you can access your images the moment the gallery is in your hands.