Stefan Botha Studios

30/10/2026

A few frames from my very first roll of film. There’s something special about slowing down, making every frame count, and not knowing exactly what you’ve captured until later. Definitely won’t be my last.

Canon EOS-1N | Assorted Canon EF lenses

13/10/2026

In the very last row of a symphonic orchestra performance, I noticed an elderly lady sitting quietly with her little book and pen. Wearing her glasses on a string, she was completely absorbed in something I didn’t expect to see. She was sketching the performance on stage.

In this frame, she was drawing a young woman performing a solo. While everyone else was watching and listening, she was finding her own way of experiencing the music, translating what she heard and felt into lines on a page.

I later learned that rubbing or scratching the thumb is a common habit among artists, a small detail that somehow made this moment even more special to me.

As photographers, we spend so much time trying to capture the moments that move us. Yet, here was someone in the audience doing exactly that in her own way, with nothing more than a pen, a little book, and her own interpretation of the music.

I don’t think I’ll ever forget this moment. It’s a reminder that art doesn’t belong to one medium, and that sometimes the most meaningful stories aren’t happening on stage, but quietly, somewhere in the audience.

One of the most personal and meaningful images I’ve had the privilege of capturing. 🤍

06/10/2026

2nd Place — SAVAC 2026 | Photography 🥈🔥

Fire Rain.

I’ll be honest — this one hurts a little.

I entered this competition hoping that this image would take first place and that it would earn me the scholarship towards studying Commercial Photography at Stellenbosch Academy. I believed deeply in the image, both technically and, more importantly, in the story and meaning behind it.

So while I’m incredibly grateful to have placed 2nd nationally, there is definitely a part of me that is disappointed that it didn’t go all the way.

But at the end of the day, photography has never only been about awards.

Fire Rain was created when I was 16, shortly after joining the Hermanus Photographic Society as its youngest-ever member. My sister, Rosalia, stood in front of the camera while I tried to create a story about protecting yourself from the harsh realities of life — the things that can hurt us, but can also appear beautiful and draw us in.

Now, a year later, that same image has reached a national stage and has been seen by people far beyond the small room where I first created it.

And for that, I am incredibly grateful.

I hope that Fire Rain continues to resonate with people — that someone sees themselves in the girl beneath the umbrella, understands the feeling of trying to protect yourself from something beautiful but dangerous, or simply feels something when they look at it.

Second place isn’t the result I dreamed of, but I’m proud of this image, proud of the story behind it, and incredibly grateful that I get to share it with the world.

Thank you to everyone who supported me, believed in my work, and helped me get here. ❤️

Fire Rain — 2nd Place, Photography | SAVAC 2026 🥈🔥📸

06/10/2026

A special evening with Caylin and Zach for their matric farewell. There’s something about these moments that makes photography so enjoyable — the excitement, the nerves, the laughter, and all the little moments in between.

Really enjoyed capturing these two and giving them something to look back on from a pretty unforgettable night. 🤍

📷 Canon R
🔭 Canon EF 85mm f/1.4 IS L USM

27/09/2026

A Little Bit of Pink

A summer evening at Wildekrans…
golden light, open fields, and Mia in a dress that was impossible to miss.

A mix of soft portraits, wildflowers, and a little bit of fun, capturing the evening as it unfolded.

📍 Wildekrans W**e Estate
📷 Canon R + EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM

**eEstatePhotography Portraits SouthAfricanPhotography CanonPhotography CanonR 85mm CreativePortraits PhotographySouthAfrica

27/09/2026

A Little Bit of Pink

A summer evening at Wildekrans… golden light, open fields, and Mia in a dress that was impossible to miss.

A mix of soft portraits, wildflowers, and a little bit of fun, capturing the evening as it unfolded.

📍 Wildekrans W**e Estate
📷 Canon R + EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM

**eEstatePhotography Portraits SouthAfricanPhotography CanonPhotography CanonR 85mm CreativePortraits PhotographySouthAfrica

19/09/2026

Between Ruin & Wonder

There was something about photographing Viktoria in this abandoned building in Russia, the contrast between the forgotten walls and the quiet elegance of the moment.

The space felt like it had been left behind, but somehow, through a portrait, it came alive again. Sometimes the most beautiful photographs happen in places that were never meant to be beautiful.

🇷🇺 Russia | Viktoria

13/09/2026

Somewhere between the sea breeze and the sound of six strings. 🎸🌿

A quiet evening, a guitar, and a moment that didn’t need much direction — just good light and a little music.

📷 Canon EOS R7 + EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

50mmPhotography OutdoorPortraits Portraits Photography StefanBothaStudios

07/09/2026

05/09/2026

Yuki — Full Speed Ahead 🐾💨

Just Yuki doing what she does best, turning a quiet day at the beach into a full-blown sprint for her favourite ball. 😂

There’s something I love about photographing dogs in these moments. You get to capture their personality exactly as it is, the excitement, the chaos, and that little split second where they’re completely in their own world.

📷 Canon EOS R7
🔭 Canon EF 135mm f/2 L USM / EF 70–200mm f/2.8 L IS USM

PetPhotography