ABOUT

At my core, I've always been a creative person, driven by the need to apply that creativity in meaningful ways. With a mother who was both a writer and photographer and a father who was an engineer, I grew up at the intersection of creativity and pragmatism, shaping my approach to visual storytelling as both a means of artistic expression and a tool for purposeful communication.

This desire to tell stories was fostered by my upbringing in South Africa, a country of incredible natural beauty, cultural diversity and complex social dynamics. Immersed in this dynamic environment, I developed a deep curiosity about the world, fuelling my desire to explore further and see life through a broader lens. Photography became both a means of discovery and a way to share those experiences.

After studying art direction and graphic design, I began my career in advertising, but soon gravitated back toward photography, enriched by extended periods of travel. This fusion of experiences and abilities eventually led me to a role as the creative director of a digital marketing agency specialising in travel and hospitality. I thrived in that space, crafting communication journeys for luxury hotels, resorts, and safari lodges across multiple channels.

Since then, I’ve been working independently, specialising in photography and design for purposeful brands and special places—offering a blend of creativity, strategic insight, and over 20 years of experience to help you connect with your audience in meaningful ways.

SERVICES

  • I’m in my element when shooting comprehensive photo libraries for purposeful brands and special places. From luxury island resorts to safari lodges and boutique hotels, I cover both the architectural and experiential aspects of a destination.

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  • From crafting unique logos to developing complete brand identity systems, including colour palettes, typography, and visual guidelines, my goal is to help your business stand out with a distinct and recognisable identity that resonates with your target audience and communicates your brand’s values effectively.

  • I provide comprehensive graphic design services for marketing collateral in both print and digital formats, crafting a consistent and compelling brand experience at every touchpoint of the customer journey, including presentations, brochures, flyers, posters, digital banners, ads, email templates, and just about anything that requires a creative and cohesive visual presence to effectively communicate your brand’s message.

  • I offer comprehensive web design services that create engaging and user-friendly experiences across all devices. I ensure every element is thoughtfully designed to reflect your brand identity, drive engagement, and convert visitors into loyal customers.

  • I offer specialised social media design services to help brands create engaging and visually appealing content across all major platforms. From eye-catching posts and stories to impactful cover images, profile banners, and ad creatives, I ensure your brand maintains a cohesive look and feel and resonates with your target audience.

  • The new imperative for brands is to tell a compelling and consistent story across all touchpoints of the user’s journey, online and offline. I help businesses and organisations solve these types of challenges by bridging creative and strategic thinking, often teaming up with other specialists, to deliver innovative and impactful communication campaigns.

CLIENTS

TESTIMONIALS

  • "Mike is a pleasure to work with. His guidance and strategic approach has helped us clearly articulate our offering. His in-depth understanding of travel marketing makes him the perfect fit for our business."

    Stanley Cornelius, Founder & Director, Focus Online Travel

  • "We value Michael's attention to detail and his ability to translate a brand strategy into creative assets that not only bring the brand to life, but differentiates it from the competition. He is an invaluable member of the Destinate team."

    Mariëtte du Toit-Helmbold, Founder & Director, Destinate (Travel Marketing), ex CEO of Cape Town Tourism

  • "I would recommend Mike to anyone wanting to work with a photographer and all-round creative, not only for his expertise and eye - but to have the peace of mind that the brief will be well interpreted, the job will be done better than imagined, and it’ll all be done with a smile. He is an asset to any team, agency or project."

    Thaya Bedford, Content Strategist, Aquila Collection

  • "I was extremely impressed with Mike’s level of diligence, attention to detail, commitment to the job, and going above and beyond with his ability to add value in ways that I hadn’t even thought of."

    Daniel Eppel, Founder & Director, Edible Audio

  • “What truly sets Michael apart is his extraordinary ability to breathe life into digital spaces. Where most designers see a webpage, he sees a canvas of storytelling. Working with Michael wasn't just about upgrading our site; it was about imagining how our brand communicates in the digital world.“

    Jacques du Toit, Founder & Director, Sidewalk Africa Travels

  • “With his wealth of knowledge and experience in his industry, Michael immerses himself in one’s brand as if it were his own. With a keen ear as to what we as the client requested, Michael magically transformed our brand into something way beyond our expectations, including a clear roll-out plan and timeline.”

    Eugene Theron, Founder & Director, Travel Bugz

PUBLICATIONS / PLATFORMS