A Family Shoot Close to the Heart | Capturing Moments in George, Garden Route

Lizanne Schraader
Jul 21
3 min read

Some moments feel bigger than a camera frame can hold.

Recently, I had the privilege of photographing a family in George, right here in the beautiful Garden Route. While I don’t often take on photography sessions anymore, every now and then something comes along that tugs at my heart.

And I simply say YES. This shoot was one of those moments.

The setting wasn’t a styled studio or a golden field at sunset.

It was the home they grew up in.

A place that held 45 years of memories.

A place where childhood happened, meals were shared, birthdays celebrated, and life was lived in its full, ordinary magic.

Their parents had just sold the house, and they were getting ready to move out. After four and a half decades, the family was coming together one last time in the home that shaped them. And they asked me to capture it.

More Than Just a House

As a family photographer, I’ve photographed people in many beautiful spaces, but none as meaningful as this one.

There’s something deeply emotional about a childhood home. The garden where you once played barefoot. The kitchen where you learned to bake. The dining table where news was shared, and stories unfolded.

This shoot wasn’t just about smiles and poses.

It was about feeling.

About soaking in the space that shaped them.

About documenting the essence of this house before it became someone else’s.

A slice of real life

What made this shoot even more special was how natural it all felt. Just real life and real connection. A family that gets each other.

We started in the garden, where the sun filtered through trees they’d seen grow over the years. Later, they made coffee and cut cake, gathered around the dining table, and laughed at old memories. I stood back a lot during this shoot, allowing them to just be and quietly captured the in-between moments. The glances, the hugs, the quiet knowing that this chapter was coming to a close.

Why I said YES

I don’t usually take on photography clients anymore. My business has grown in other directions - I now focus on branding and website design for service-based entrepreneurs and business owners.

But every now and then, I return to the camera when something truly meaningful calls.

This was one of those moments.

Because photography, to me, has always been about people. About memory.

About capturing the now before it slips into then.

The Heart behind it

What struck me most that day was the simplicity of it all. They didn’t do anything fancy. They just spent time together, in a space that mattered.

And it reminded me

- again -

that where you are right now is worth documenting.

It doesn’t have to be perfect.

It doesn’t need Pinterest-worthy decor.

If there’s love, if there’s meaning, if it matters to you - it’s worth remembering.

Whether you’re in your forever home or just passing through a season, this is your story.

This is where memories are being made.

Capturing the Present Before It Becomes the Past

So often we wait for the “right time” to take photos. When the kids are older. When the house is neater. When life slows down.

But this shoot reminded me that now is the perfect time. Because change is always just around the corner and one day, the everyday moments become the most precious.

A Message to Families

To every family reading this - whether you're based in George, the Garden Route, or anywhere else - I want to gently say: Don’t wait too long to capture your story.

It doesn’t have to be formal or planned. It just needs to be you.

Maybe it’s your backyard, your messy kitchen, your Saturday morning routine. Maybe it’s your last weekend in the house you raised your kids in. Or your first month in a brand-new place.

Wherever you are, right now, it’s part of your story. And it deserves to be remembered.

Why I Still Say Yes (Sometimes)

Even though my creative business is no longer focused on photography, I still say yes to shoots like these.

Because at the heart of it, I believe in the power of storytelling, whether it’s through photos, through branding, or through a website that captures your voice.

This shoot was a beautiful reminder that no matter what kind of work I do, people and their stories will always be my WHY.