Photography in Centurion

Centurion is home to the adore' photography studio, where sessions are calm, personal, and beautifully natural. From maternity and newborn shoots to relaxed family sessions, every photoshoot is guided with care and focused on connection, not posing.

Deciding between studio or outdoor maternity photos

May 19, 2026 by Jackie

Deciding between studio or outdoor maternity photos is a lot easier when you do not actually have to choose just one. With me, you can do your studio photos as well as make use of the grassfield and greenhouse on site, which gives you beautiful variety without having to drive around to multiple locations looking for the perfect spot while pregnant and already over life.

The studio gives you that clean, soft, timeless look with no weather stress, no wind, and no worrying about whether your toddler is about to vanish into the distance. Then the grassfield adds that lovely open, natural feel, especially if you want a bit more warmth and movement in your gallery. The greenhouse gives you something a little different again – soft light, texture, and an organic feel without needing to depend on sunset or perfect weather.

It is such a lovely option because you get different looks in one session while still keeping the whole thing easy. So if you have been stuck wondering whether studio or outdoor is better, the answer is happily both.

What is the best time in pregnancy for maternity photos?

May 14, 2026 by Jackie

maternity photoshoot

The best time for maternity photos is usually between 30 and 34 weeks. At that stage your bump is nice and round and properly visible, but you are hopefully still comfortable enough to move, stand, sit, and enjoy the shoot without feeling like you have just completed an extreme sport. Leave it too late and things can start feeling a lot less glamorous very quickly, especially if baby is sitting high, your feet are swollen, and getting dressed already feels like a group project.

That said, every pregnancy is different. Some moms carry small, some pop early, some are having twins, and some are already very over it by 28 weeks. So this is not a hard rule carved in stone. It is more of a sweet spot. If you are unsure, rather book earlier than later. It is much easier to photograph a happy, comfortable pregnant woman at 31 weeks than a very determined but deeply fed-up one at 37.

And if you are reading this while already further along, do not panic and write yourself off. Beautiful maternity photos can absolutely still happen later in pregnancy too. The main thing is not hitting some perfect number on the calendar. It is doing the shoot while you still feel up to it, while your bump looks amazing, and before baby decides to move the deadline up for everyone.

Cake smash with twins

May 10, 2026 by Jackie

A cake smash with twins is double the fun, double the chaos, and usually double the personality too. It is such a lovely way to mark a first birthday, especially because their little differences already show up so clearly by then. One baby might dive straight into the cake like they have trained for this moment their whole life, while the other sits there looking mildly suspicious and deeply unimpressed. That is exactly what makes it so good.

With twins, timing and simplicity matter even more. The best age is usually just before their first birthday, while they are sitting well, expressive, and still very much in that baby stage. Outfit-wise, I would keep it coordinated rather than matchy-matchy. Soft tones always photograph beautifully and stop the whole thing from feeling too busy. And yes, I would definitely include a few family photos first, before the icing starts flying and everyone looks like they have been through something.

A lot of parents worry that one twin will not cooperate, or that the whole thing might be a bit of a circus. Honestly, that is half the charm. A twin cake smash does not need to look perfectly polished to be gorgeous. It just needs room for personality, a bit of patience, and a sense of humour. The result is such a special record of who they both were at that age – together, but already completely themselves.

Extended family pictures | Why photos with grandparents matter more than you think

March 25, 2026 by Jackie

big family photos

Last year, one of my clients booked a family session and made sure to include the grandparents. At the time, it probably just felt like a good idea. One of those, “Let’s quickly do a few with everyone while we’re here” moments.

Not long after that session, her mother-in-law died suddenly.

And just like that, those photos became something else entirely. Because now it is not just a nice family photo. It became a core memory. That’s the part people forget when they think about family photos. We tend to focus on the admin. What everyone will wear. Whether the kids will behave. Whether Dad will smile properly. Whether Gran even feels like being in front of the camera. Whether we should maybe wait until life is a little less busy, a little less messy, a little more ideal. But life does not really pause and present you with a neat, well-timed window for these things.

That is the real value of family photos. It is not about perfection. It is not about performance. It is not about creating some polished version of your life that never existed. It is about keeping something real. Something honest. Something your children and grandchildren can look back on one day and say, there she is. That was her. That was us. And I don’t mean that in a gloomy, doom-and-gloom kind of way. I mean it in the most practical, human way possible. Life is fragile. Families shift. Time moves fast. Kids grow. Parents age. Grandparents slow down. The faces around your table do not stay the same forever. That kind of thing cannot be recreated later.

And when people talk about legacy, that is what I think they really mean. Not stiff formal portraits that sit in a drawer. Not fake perfection. Not a glossy version of your family that looks nice but says nothing. Legacy is being able to look back and feel something real.

It is your children seeing who loved them.
It is them seeing where they came from.
It is them recognising expressions, features, and little mannerisms that live on in the family.
It is having actual photographs of the people who shaped their world.

And this is also where I think we need to be honest about the strange little world we’re living in now, where AI can generate almost anything. It can make a pretty picture. It can make a dreamy version of a family. It can smooth skin, change lighting, invent backgrounds, and spit out polished illustrations in ten seconds flat. This is why I feel quite strongly about the difference between real photographs and all the polished AI-made versions of people floating around everywhere now. AI can create something pretty. But it cannot give you real.

I think sometimes we underestimate how much that will matter later because right now we are still in the middle of living it. We are busy. We are tired. We are putting out fires and buying groceries and trying to answer school emails and get through the week with some form of dignity intact.

So if you’ve been meaning to organise a family session and keep putting it off, let this be your gentle nudge.

Include the grandparents.
Take the photo with the older hands and the younger ones together.
Get the three generations in one frame.
Do the full family photo, yes, but also do the smaller in-between ones.
The ones where your child sits on Grandma’s lap.
The ones where Grandpa stands slightly awkwardly but proudly with his people around him.

The ones that seem simple now, but will mean everything later.

Did you know we offer photo shoot vouchers?

March 20, 2026 by Jackie

Any of my packages can be purchased as a gift voucher. As soon as you made the payment and send me proof of payment I will forward a .jpeg gift voucher to you to print and present as you please. The recipient can then contact me directly to make a booking.

Extended family photo shoot outdoors

March 10, 2026 by Jackie

all white all natural maternity studio session

February 27, 2026 by Jackie

Tips for maternity photos with a toddler and a bump

October 15, 2025 by Jackie

Tips for maternity photos with a toddler and a bump

If you’re expecting baby number two, you already know life feels a little different this time around. You’re balancing morning sickness with school runs, nap schedules with growing a whole new person, and the thought of a maternity photoshoot might sound… complicated. Add a toddler into the mix and most moms imagine chaos instead of calm. But here’s the thing: toddlers don’t ruin maternity photos, they make them even more special.

Why toddlers belong in your maternity photos
Your first pregnancy was all about you and the bump. Now, your story is bigger. Including your toddler in the session captures the transition into life as a family of four (or more). It’s messy, real, and full of personality-exactly what makes the photos priceless later on.

Keeping toddlers happy during a shoot
Toddlers don’t thrive on being told to sit still and smile, so I don’t expect them to. My approach is play-based, with plenty of movement and interaction. We explore, we cuddle, we play little games. I keep sessions short enough to match their attention span but long enough to catch those in-between moments where their love for baby shows naturally.

Choosing the right setting
For moms in Pretoria, Johannesburg, or Centurion, you’ve got options that work beautifully with toddlers. The studio is perfect if you need a calm, controlled space with my maternity wardrobe ready to go. The greenhouse offers natural light and plenty of room without worrying about the weather. And the grassfield is ideal for toddlers who want to run wild while you get those glowing golden-hour images.

Outfits made simple
The last thing you need is the stress of coordinating everyone’s outfits. I provide a maternity wardrobe that flatters beautifully and I’ll give you styling boards so your toddler’s outfit complements yours without looking too “matchy.” Soft neutrals, muted tones, and easy textures keep the focus on your family instead of busy prints or logos.

What if your toddler has a meltdown?
That’s part of the charm. I’ve had four kids myself, so nothing surprises me. If your toddler decides they’re done, we roll with it. Sometimes those grumpy expressions or sudden cuddles turn into the most memorable shots. You don’t need to micromanage-I’ll guide the session and handle the chaos so you can relax.

Maternity photos with a toddler are less about perfection and more about documenting the stage you’re in right now. Your family is growing, your toddler is learning their new role, and this is your chance to freeze the beauty of it all before everything changes again.

Maternity photoshoot ideas in Centurion: from studio to grassfields

September 26, 2025 by Jackie

Maternity photoshoot ideas in Centurion: from studio to grassfields

Centurion is one of those places that doesn’t always get enough credit. Stuck between Pretoria and Johannesburg, it’s the perfect in-between hub that makes travel easy for both sides of Gauteng. And when it comes to maternity photos, Centurion has the best mix of options—whether you want the calm of a studio or the romance of an open field.

In-studio comfort
If the thought of leaving home with swollen ankles already makes you tired, the studio is your best friend. It’s calm, private, and comes with everything you need. I provide a full maternity wardrobe, so you don’t have to panic-buy dresses online, and you can even book in with my in-house makeup artist for the full experience. It’s the easiest way to look and feel beautiful without adding stress to your to-do list.

Greenhouse sessions
For moms who love a modern, natural look but don’t want to risk rain or wind messing things up, the greenhouse is a dream. It’s filled with soft, natural light that makes photos glow, and it works in every season. You get that outdoorsy feel without the weather gamble.

Grassfield sessions
Nothing beats the timeless look of a field at golden hour. The long grasses, the open sky, and that relaxed feeling of being outside—it all adds up to photos that never feel dated. Grassfield sessions are especially good if you’re bringing older kids along, because they get to run around instead of being told to sit still.

How to choose the right vibe
Your choice really depends on what feels most like you. If comfort and convenience are top of the list, the studio ticks every box. If you want something airy and light but still practical, the greenhouse is perfect. And if you’re dreaming of romantic, natural images, the grassfield delivers every time. Many moms actually choose two settings, which gives you variety without doubling the effort.

When you book a maternity session in studio, you have access to the full maternity wardrobe, so you don’t need to spend a second worrying about outfits.

Best maternity photoshoot locations in Pretoria, Johannesburg & Centurion

September 18, 2025 by Jackie

Best Maternity Photoshoot Locations in Pretoria, Johannesburg & Centurion

When you’re pregnant, everything feels like a mission. Deciding what to eat? A mission. Finding shoes that don’t feel like medieval torture devices? A mission. So when it comes to maternity photos, the last thing you need is another exhausting decision. That’s why where we shoot matters-it sets the mood, keeps things simple, and makes the whole experience feel like an actual treat instead of a task.

Studio Sessions
Think calm, controlled, and zero surprises. In studio, the lighting behaves, the aircon works, and you don’t have to worry about Pretoria’s famous four-seasons-in-a-day weather ruining your hair. My studio wardrobe is ready to go, so you don’t have to buy or iron anything. It’s the easiest option if you want styled, relaxed images without lifting a finger.

The Greenhouse
This one is for moms who love a natural, airy feel but don’t want to risk mud, rain, or mosquitoes plotting against them. The greenhouse is flooded with soft light all year round, and it’s weather-proof without feeling like we’re trapped inside. It has that organic, outdoorsy vibe-without any of the “I should have packed bug spray” regrets.

Grassfield Sessions
If you’re craving wide open skies and the kind of backdrop that never goes out of style, the field is your friend. These sessions have that soft, romantic glow (thank you, late afternoon light) and feel relaxed and expansive. Plus, toddlers usually have more fun here because they can run around instead of being told to sit still.

How to Choose
Your comfort comes first. If you’re 36 weeks and walking from the car feels like a marathon, studio or greenhouse will feel easier. If you’re bringing little ones, think about where they’ll be happiest-and let’s be real, a toddler in a field usually wins over a toddler cooped up. Some moms love a mix of variety, while others prefer to keep things as straightforward as possible.

The good news? You don’t always have to choose. My maternity sessions often include a bonus second location-either the greenhouse or the grassfield-so you get the best of both worlds without the extra effort.