Michael van Rooyen Photo & Media

10/01/2023

I hope everyone had a restful and fun summer holiday break, although I'm assuming we could all do with another week at an island like Cosmo, a far-flung, luxury Robinson Crusoe vibe in the Seychelles...

05/01/2023

06/01/2022

Check out this giant baobab, nicknamed The Teapot, situated in the Reniala Nature Reserve on the southwestern coast of Madagascar - part of the "spiny forest" ecoregion, which boasts incredible biodiversity and endemism.

Reniala means "mother of the forest" and is the nickname of the baobabs endemic to this area.

This particular baobab is believed to be over 1000 years old and has a perimeter of about 13 metres.

20/12/2021

Taking it way back to 2009, when we shot a short film called Wandering & Wondering, in the arid Northern Cape of South Africa, about man's constant search for meaning and awakening.

This film was a finalist in the international Louis Vuitton Journeys Awards. Contestants were asked to make a 2 minute film using the provided script.

The jury included award winning film makers Wong Kar Wai Anthology (Happy Together), Sofia Coppola (Virgin Suicides, Lost in Translation, Marie Antoinette), and musical composer Gustavo Santaolalla (Amorres Perros, 21 Grams, Babel, Brokeback Mountain).

Check out https://vimeo.com/18530058 for the original video (although it's a bit old now 😬 😅 )

Writer, Director & Cinematographer: Michael van Rooyen
Editor: Jonathan Cornelius from Wagtale
Sound Designer: Gustavo Stutterheim
Actor: Harrison Khumalo
Costume & Props: Delaray @ Afrikanus
Equipment kindly sponsored by PhotoHire
Special Thanks to: Craig, Ezra, Stan, David, Rob, Rohan & Khamkirri

13/12/2021

A photo tribute to the massacred rhinos of Inverdoorn

I was horrified to hear about the recent poaching incident at Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve, just outside of Cape Town in the Western Cape, South Africa. On the night of Wed 8th Dec, four massacred rhinos (including one pregnant female) were discovered by the anti-poaching team, and later, a fifth rhino with critical injuries.

"Allegedly, large calibre rifle rounds from silenced weapons were identified on the scene and patrols were intensified to protect all against the heavily armed perpetrators."

Management and staff have been working around the clock to bring the perpetrators to justice and a R100,000 reward has been offered for confidential information.

I've been working with Inverdoorn and photographing these same rhinos since 2018, and instead of the horrific images of the slain rhinos that have been published recently, I wanted to share some images from recent years, as a tribute to these majestic, prehistoric-looking beasts that we have now tragically lost.

For the full story, go to: https://aquilacollection.com/rhino-massacre-in-western-cape-as-festive-season-starts/

08/12/2021

Klyntji is having a launch event for their new zine this Sat 11 Dec at 11am at Obz Books, with readings by featured poets, photographers and artists, followed by beers and merriment. Pull in!

If you haven't heard of it... "Ons Klyntji is die eerste en oudste Afrikaanse tydskrif, gestig in die jaar 1896. Dit herleef as zine in die 1990’s; die gedrukte Ons Klyntji zine verskyn steeds elke jaar.
www.Klyntjie.com bestaan van 2014 af. Klyntji is ’n onafhanklike webjoernaal wat fokus op diverse en progressiewe kuns en kultuur." Edited with love and care by local legends: Toast Coetzer, Alice Inggs, Joe Botha & Erns Grundling.

I'm stoked to have a few of my images featured in the zine from a project called "Dreams of a White Christmas". You can view more of these images in my old photo journal website at: https://cargocollective.com/mvrjournal/Dreams-of-a-white-Christmas

If you can't make it to the event, pick up a copy of the zine at
Book Lounge, CT
Clarke's Bookshop, CT
Obz Books, CT
Love Books, Melville, JHB
Email [email protected] for orders

Cover art by

06/12/2021

Who else wouldn't mind retreating to a pristine, tropical island right about now?

Cosmoledo Atoll forms part of the Outer Islands of the Seychelles and is one of the last vestiges of conservation in the region, offering a single off-the-grid eco-camp situated on Wizard Island, featuring 8 of these light-footprint container units.

I was lucky enough to be commissioned by Blue Safari Seychelles to shoot an extensive image library of the island for their website and social media.

Visit my website for the full story: https://www.michaelvanrooyen.com/blog/blue-safaris

29/11/2021

Lamu Island (Unesco World Heritage Site), Kenya, 2011

Lamu is one of the longest established and best preserved remaining settlements of the Swahili tradition in east Africa that remains today, continually inhabited for over seven hundred years. Traders and sailors from the Arabian Peninsula, China, India and South-East Asia traveled across the Indian Ocean to the East African Coast to reach the island of Lamu, all contributing to the rich Swahili culture and way of life.

22/11/2021

Dive below the surface with me, on assignment for Blue Safari Seychelles, shooting a snorkelling outing on a super remote outer island of the Seychelles called Cosmoledo.

In this series of images, I wanted to take the viewer from the macro perspective, shooting with a drone from high above, to the micro perspective, diving below with a GoPro.

View my portfolio entry for Blue Safaris at this link: https://www.michaelvanrooyen.com/blog/blue-safaris

22/10/2021

I recently enjoyed working with Sustainable Energy Africa (www.sustainable.org.za) to design an infographic about the level of progress to integrate municipal electricity grids with private renewable energy generators in South Africa.

The value of an infographic is that it takes a large amount of information and data and turns it into something that is visually accessible and insightful, in this case, facilitating effective communication to all stakeholders and the general public through an easily shareable and understandable graphic.

Other partners in the project include:
South African Local Government Association (SALGA)
CSIR

What infographic could your business or organisation do with?

18/06/2021

Join me and the team at Destinate on a "handcrafted" storytelling journey for Mango House Seychelles, here on Facebook and on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/mangohouseseychelles

Mango House, in the SW of Mahé, is the latest offering from LXR Hotels & Resorts, a collection of unique luxury hotels in the most intriguing corners of the world, and a subsidiary of Hilton Hotels & Resorts.

The original owner of the house was the legendary Italian fashion photographer Gian Paolo Barbieri, who has left a legacy of creativity which continues to inspire the resort's vision.

29/11/2020

The District Six Museum is feeling the pinch of the Covid19 Pandemic and needs to raise funds to keep their doors open so they can continue to share stories of heritage, history and identity.

is an initiative by a network of individuals, companies and creatives who have come together to raise funds through a digital auction hosted by Between 10 and 5 with the support of Orms and Business and Arts South Africa.

From Sun 29 Nov to Thur 3 Dec, you can bid on over 60 pieces by well-known artists and up-and-coming creators on Between10and5's Instagram feed: www.instagram.com/10and5/

I'm proud to be supporting this initiative with 3 artworks (as pictured below), which will be released on Tues 2 Dec, with bids starting for as little as R500!

Looking for a way to support a good cause and start/build an art collection? This initiative ticks both boxes. ❤️🔥

18/11/2020

The first time I shot Alphonse Island in the Seychelles was in 2015. At the end of 2019, I had the privilege to go back and do a complete reshoot for Blue Safari Seychelles (agency: DROID) with Wagtale on video. Here is my new portfolio entry...

Alphonse Island, Blue Safaris, Seychelles, Hospitality, Photography, Resort, Hotel

03/08/2020

I'm really looking forward to the tourism industry opening up and working with amazing clients like Machaba Safaris again.

View their Facebook profile for more photos from the last shoot, with Wagtale on video.

07/07/2020

Anyone looking for a flexible work space in Cape Town CBD? Here's a landing page I recently built for Marche.media with all the juicy info...

Co-working and private studios to rent in the heart of Cape Town

17/06/2020

Refresh your website! Emerge from the lockdown stronger than before. Take a look at my new price list and get in touch... 💪🏾🇿🇦❤️

Website Design Packages by Michael van Rooyen Digital Creative

18/03/2020

Hi guys, I hope you're all taking care during this unprecedented time for humanity.

As "life as usual" shifts to a more self-reflective and quiet space, and the shutdown of the tourism industry forces me to pivot my work strategy, I've finally found the space to launch this new project...

For the first time, I'm offering limited edition fine art prints of a series of three images entitled "Red Spirit", inspired by the magnificent red dunes of Sossusvlei and the Himba women of Namibia.

Have these archival prints delivered to your door anywhere in the world while you take some time out to redecorate your home.

I hope these images remind you of the quiet depth of our spirit as a species and our ancient dependence on the earth for our wellbeing...

Please click the link below to view the full project and please share 🤗❤️:

This is a personal art project inspired by the magnificent red dunes of Sossusvlei and the Himba women of Namibia. I am offering limited edition fine art prints of this series for

12/03/2020

Inverdoorn Game Reserve is a big five safari destination just 2.5hrs from Cape Town, offering luxury accommodation designed to complement the arid beauty of the Karoo. Amongst the many features at the reserve, the cheetah rescue and rehabilitation centre is the main attraction.

I have been shooting for Inverdoorn since 2018, supplying them with a steady flow of fresh photographic content. Here is a new portfolio entry...

hospitality photography, travel photography, wildlife photography, hotel photography, south africa, karoo

11/03/2020

Here's a little teaser of some new work I've just finished for Blue Safari Seychelles, commissioned by DROID with Wagtale on video...

03/03/2020

Machaba Safaris offers eco-luxury camps and lodges carefully placed in prime safari destinations in Botswana and Zimbabwe, including the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, Mana Pools National Park and Hwange National Park.

I was commissioned by DROID to shoot a comprehensive photo library for various marketing initiatives, accompanied by Wagtale on video. Not the worst job in the world! 😅

Photography assignment for Machaba Safaris in Zimbabwe and Botswana

03/03/2020

I've had the privilege of shooting for Aquila Private Game Reserve & Safaris on an almost monthly basis since 2017.

It's been so awesome to get out into the Klein Karoo air and the mountainous landscapes filled with wild animals, with the singular task of capturing the scene and the feeling of being there. It's certainly sharpened my craft, learning from each shoot and always striving to find fresh perspectives.

Here is a new photography portfolio entry...

Photography for Aquila Private Game Reserve, Karoo, South Africa

03/03/2020

The new edition of the Guide to Extra Virgin Olive Oil in South Africa (EVOOSA) is out there in the world doing its thing! Here's an updated portfolio of my work for the guide...

The Guide to Extra Virgin Olive Oil in South Africa, Portfolio, Project

27/11/2018

There's still time to go see Kanarie...

***Nóg 'n WEEK vir Kanarie!***

Kanarie is verleng tot 6 Desember by die volgende fliekteaters:

SterKinekor Cinema Nouveau - V&A Waterfront
Ster Kinekor Brooklyn Mall
Rosebank Mall Ster Kinekor Rosebank
L***a Theatre

As jy nóunog nie die kans gevat het om hierdie ongelooflike film te sien nie, bespreek jou kaartjie hier:

https://www.sterkinekor.com/details/HO00001282

Marche.media kykNET Schalk Bezuidenhout Germandt Geldenhuys De Klerk Oelofse Ludwig Binge Andrico Goosen Roelof Storm Charl-Johan Lingenfelder Francois Jacobs David Ralph Viviers Stella Talent Artists One APM-Artistes Personal Management Jacques Bessenger Gérard Rudolf Jaco Nothnagel Jaco Smit Annemarie Du Plessis Elmarie Botha Verene van der Heyden

07/11/2018

The film Kanarie, which I've been helping Marche.media to publicise, had its public release in South Africa recently to critical acclaim.

If you haven't already seen it, here is a list of participating cinemas:

STER KINEKOR
V&A Nouveau - Cape Town
Tygervalley Mall - Cape Town
Somerset Mall - Somerset West
Garden Route Mall - George
Brooklyn Nouveau - Pretoria
Kolonnade Mall - Pretoria
Rosebank Nouveau - Johannesburg

INDEPENDENT CINEMAS
L***a - Cape Town
Whale Coast Mall - Hermanus
Minimax Cine - Paarl
Epic Northridge - Bloemfontein
Victorian Theatres - Newcastle

For more info, please see the website, which I built 😊: www.kanariefilm.com

Official Film Website for Kanarie

23/05/2018

I'm very excited to announce the release of the official trailer for Kanarie, a film by Christian Olwagen, starring Schalk Bezuidenhout.

I've been working behind the scenes with Marche.media to assist with their marketing, and I'm so proud to be involved with this film, redefining Afrikaans cinema and opening up important dialogue. This little bird is definitely going to rattle some cages.

The film premiers at the Inside Out LGBT Film Festival in Toronto. Follow the Kanarie page to stay tuned for future release dates and other news.

KANARIE (Afrikaans for 'Canary') is a coming-of-age musical war drama, about a young boy who discovers how through hardship, camaraderie, first love, and the...

06/02/2018

For the past few months, I've had the privilege of working with Aquila Private Game Reserve, to shoot a library of images for their social media campaign. This is one of the first pics I took.

29/11/2017

I'm very happy to announce the launch of The Guide To Extra Virgin Olive Oil In South Africa, a printed booklet which I recently helped to redesign, with Sandra Slabbert on layout, as well as the new website: www.evoosa.co.za, which I designed and built. Dive into the wonderful world of !

06/04/2017

I've always been a fan of Magicseaweed Surf, the surf forecast website, but I've always thought their logo could be better. Just for fun, I designed this logo and sent it off to them. What do you think?

17/03/2017

I'm very happy to announce the launch of a new website I designed for an amazing project here on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.

Imagine going for a casual walk down the beach except this time there's hidden treasure that's yours to find! Tidal Treasures Vancouver Island is a non-profit organisation that hides 'glass floats' and other beautiful glass art pieces above the hide-tide line on designated beaches. The project was created to drive tourism in the quiet winter months, and it has been a huge success.

Parksville Qualicum Beach, Destination British Columbia, Destination Think!,

From November to April, you can discover glass treasures on the beaches of Vancouver Island's Oceanside region.

15/02/2017

Here's another awesome video from Grootbos Private Nature Reserve by the Wagtale team. Well done, guys, makes me so proud of our little corner of the planet and the beautiful Cape Floral Kingdom.