Gita Claassen Photographer

06/08/2026

Test print consultation today with Lauren from Dog Ear Editions 👌🏼
Less than a month before we open!

25/05/2026

Super inspiring creative reset during the group workshop. We made cyanotype prints at - first starting off in the darkroom with some UV lights that our facilitator brought as the city was shrouded in mist, but as the mist burned away and the sun peeked through, we were able to take our prints outside.

22/05/2026

As I come up for air from a week of soul-draining admin, I remind myself I can do anything because I climbed this enormous monster of a mountain and have these pictures I like from that experience.

Arangieskop is also known as the "Kilimanjaro of the Cape". Relentless uphill, a huge challenge if you have vertigo like me, with a heavy pack for overnight at the top. I couldn't make the way down as I wasn't quite as healthy as I hoped, but climbing the 1400m and 9,5km was a great experience and I would like to do it again in better health.

These images were shot on a trusty but ancient little Nikon Coolpix that can shoot in RAW format and which always accompanies me on hikes and adventures. It will also be joining me for the Fish River Canyon next month.

09/05/2026

My first presentation for the mentorship in Woodstock at last week. What an enlightening experience and incredible to see the other students' work and perspectives.

13/04/2026

Camel Herder
Afar Region, Ethiopia
2025

10/04/2026

On shapes of nature

09/04/2026

08/04/2026

The word "Zimbabwe" has, particularly in South Africa, become a very scary word. Zimbabwe has become the bogey man of African countries. Expressions like "one way and that's Zimbabwean way" has become such an integral part of our language and culture that it requires zero explanation (and immediately indicates political affiliation). But despite heads tilted in concern and raised eyebrows on people who base their opinions entirely on hearsay, Zimbabwe is showing signs of economic growth - something they had been denied for decades. There exists a thriving middle class of average people who travel their country and welcome visitors from outside. This country is not only safer than South Africa, but also pulsing to a unique African rhythm, which is a beautiful beautiful thing. In the geopolitical West, we often make the mistake of thinking entire countries stop existing once we pull out our tourist dollars and other investments.
Life will find a way, and it does so in the most incredible ways.
My last trip to Zimbabwe was during the dry early Spring and the red dust has a way to make everything much more dreary than it truly is. Yet, under the hot ochre is a resilience and a hope, and a positive disposition that is both endearing and welcoming.

06/04/2026

Christmas Swallows
2025
Okavango Delta, Botswana

European Bee-eaters make the journey from southern Africa to Europe and back every year, twice a year. Around Christmas time, Karoo evenings are sultry with their distinctive calls as they fly high above to their roosting place, so in the folk tongue, they became "Christmas Swallows". Colourful unlike most other things found in the area, mysterious in their appearance and disappearance, they brought some sense of adventure and excitement with them.

Photographed is a tree full of Christmas Swallows in the Okavango Delta, but more common here are White-fronted Bee-eaters, who nest in the river banks in their hundreds.