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Michelle | Johannesburg Maternity, Newborn & Family Photographer

@michellesteynphotography

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Today is a big day… ✨

I’m beyond grateful to share that my work has been featured in @heartfulmagazine Spring 2026 issue!

Out of over 10,000 submissions, having my image chosen feels absolutely surreal. Saying I’m honored would be an understatement. To be recognized in a magazine that set the standard for family photography worldwide, truly is a dream come true.

If you'd like to see a collection of imagery that celebrates family photos that are more than just pretty smiles or perfect outfits then you definitely need to have a look at their magazine and knowing mine is alongside all these talented artists is a real pinch me moment.

A huge thank you to @brookebschultz and the entire Heartful Magazine team for creating a space that not only inspires but also fosters community, knowledge, and a deep love for what we do. Last but not least a heartfelt thank you to @this_is_berniemac for trusting me to capture these precious moments and allowing me to share them.

One of my big goals for this year was to be featured in Heartful magazine and seeing it come to life is a moment I’ll cherish forever.

I can’t wait to see what the rest of this year has in store! ✨

#HeartfulMagazine #gautengfamilyphotographer #johanessburgfamilyphotographer #gautengnewbornphotographer #johannesburgnewbornphotographer taken in Johannesburg, South Africa by @michellesteynphotography

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9

7 months ago

A small note to mark a big moment I’ve been meaning to share for a while now.

Honoured to have my work selected and shared on @photovogue ✨

Proud and grateful.

A very big thank you to @gabriellavwyk for trusting me to document this sacred time in her life. taken in Johannesburg, South Africa by @michellesteynphotography

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9 months ago

Today, I’m overjoyed to share a milestone close to my heart. I’m deeply honored to be featured in @thebelovedjournal alongside so many incredibly talented family photographers from around the world.

This feature includes two images from my session with the radiant Sandra. Thank you, Sandra, for trusting me to tell your story and for allowing me to capture your beauty and journey into motherhood in such a meaningful way.

A heartfelt thank you as well to @thebelovedjournal for creating a magazine and community I look forward to with every new season and for giving my work a place among its pages.

You can download their latest digital issue for free or treat yourself to a keepsake hard copy. Head over to their page.

#thebelovedjournal #gautengmaternityphotographer #gautengfamilyphotographer #johannesburgmaternityphotographer #sandtonphotographer
#bryanstonphotographer
#michellesteynphotography taken in Johannesburg, South Africa by @michellesteynphotography

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a year ago

Sweet Leshego and her little tribe.

Documenting those early sweet, but chaotic days in the newborn bubble.

#sandtonnewbornphotographer #johannesburgnewbornphotographer #fourwaysnewbornphotographer #gautengnewbornphotographer #roodepoortnewbornphotographer taken in Johannesburg, South Africa by @michellesteynphotography

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2 days ago

The Kretschmers welcoming their second little one.

I LOVE me a crying newborn shot. 😅🤣

I know initially it might not be something you think you'd want in your gallery, but as time passes and their little face changes in all sorts of ways, you'll look back at that photo and feel that little tingle of remembering what their newborn cries sounded like. Vaguely hearing them, almost as if this version of them is still here, just a little further away.

Because their faces are ever-changing and one day, even the tiniest expressions will feel like a little piece of them you've been given the chance to keep.

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Gauteng newborn photographer, Johannesburg newborn photographer, Bryanston newborn photographer, Sandton newborn photographer, Fourways newborn photographer, newborn photoshoot gauteng, Centurion newborn photographer taken in Centurion, Gauteng by @michellesteynphotography

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10 days ago

If there’s one little thing I always tell families before a session, it’s this....

Let your kids be kids. Even the teenagers!

You don’t have to make them sit still, smile in every shot, or spend the whole drive reminding them to “behave for the photographer.”

Honestly, I want them feral!! Give me all the FERAL you’ve got, because that makes for the most gorgeous photos!!

And let’s be honest, kids often have so much more fun when they’re allowed to be themselves, showing me their favourite toy, riding the bike they’re obsessed with, running around, being silly.

And teenagers? Let them bring the things they’re into. Let them bring the cards they’re collecting, that favourite book they can’t leave at home, or wear their favourite band T-shirt. ( I know I say no logos, but some rules are meant to be broken )

And if we’re doing an in-home session, let them play their favourite song. I’m not just looking for the “smile at the camera” photo. I want them to enjoy the experience too and hopefully look back at their photos and love seeing themselves in them.

Because I’m not only interested in photographing what your family looks like.

I want to photograph WHO they are.

The personalities. The weird little quirks. The silly faces. The things they love right now that you might not even realise you’ll miss one day.

Let them be themselves.
Lean into the chaos and the silliness.

I’ll take care of the rest!!

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Gauteng family photographer, johannesburg family photographer, sandton family photographer, bryanston family photographer, fourways family photographer, centurion family photographer, Roodepoort family photographer taken in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa by @michellesteynphotography

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17 days ago

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a month ago

Here’s what I’d photograph during you're in-home newborn session if I knew you were going to look at these photos again in 10 years.

I’d photograph how the ordinary and mundane season of family life looks right now. Because let’s be real, when they’re this little, how it looks changes almost every month.

This might not be your Pinterest-saved, perfectly posed photo, but it’s your real life.

Burping baby. Newborn cuddles because they don’t want to leave your arms. Tummy time. Nappy changes. The little routines you don’t think twice about.

I’d photograph the way your family dog is completely smitten with your new baby, too. Because life didn’t only change for you. It changed for them as well.

These are the things you might not think to photograph now, but in 10 years, you’ll want to remember exactly how it all looked.

#gautengnewbornphotographer #johannesburgnewbornphotographer #sandtonnewbornphotographer #fourwaysnewbornphotographer #roodepoortnewbornphotographer taken in Johannesburg, South Africa by @michellesteynphotography

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8

a month ago

My heart has been so full these last few weeks with the sweetest clients and so many beautiful sessions.

And what a blast I had with this sweet couple. I honestly had the best time with them and can't wait to share more from this session.

#gautengmaternityphotographer #sandtonmaternityphotographer #johanessburgmaternityphotographer #fourwaysmaternityphotographer #bryanstonphotographer taken in Johannesburg, South Africa by @michellesteynphotography

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2

a month ago

The Kretschmers, growing from 3 to 4.

I adore this family so much.

Every time I get a message from them about doing another shoot, I get so excited I can barely keep it in. There’s something so special about being invited back every year to document their family story.

#gautengfamilyphotographer #centurionfamilyphotographer #sandtonfamilyphotographer #johannesburgfamilyphotographer #fourwaysfamilyphotographer taken in Centurion, Gauteng by @michellesteynphotography

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3

a month ago

What if your photos looked exactly like your real life and you loved them MORE for it?

The sibling interactions you'll one day be able to show them. The chipped nail polish on your toddler’s tiny hands, that has it's own little story behind it.

The little moments that make your family, well… your family.

#gautengfamilyphotographer
#sandtonnewbornphotographer #johannesburgfamilyphotographer #bryanstonphotographer #fourwaysphotographer taken in Johannesburg, Gauteng by @michellesteynphotography

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2 months ago

There’s a different kind of friendship that grows between women who are raising children together, who are in the same season.

There’s something about being seen by someone who has also sat through the sleepless nights, the hard days, the fear and the guilt, but who has also stood in wonder at their children, in the laughter, the love and the immeasurable joy of watching them grow.

The kind of friendship where you don’t have to explain the happiness, the fear, the pain or the overwhelming joy of motherhood.

They just know.

And that’s always my goal when I photograph a mother, to add something to her. To make her see just how loved and special she is. To remind her that she is not alone.

To always have a safe space and an open heart for the stories that need to be shared, to know you're not alone in it all.

#gautengfamilyphotographer #johannesburgfamilyphotographer #sandtonfamilyphotographer #roodepoortfamilyphotographer #familyphotographer taken in Johannesburg, South Africa by @michellesteynphotography

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2 months ago