Olive harvest / shot for Monkey Business Olive Oil / Caledon, South Africa

Olive Harvest in Caledon shot for Monkey business olive oil

Farming is fascinating, hard, real… We love going to the countryside (and always dream of living just surrounded by nature). So when we were asked to document a day of the olive harvest on a farm close to Caledon, we immediately said YES. The key was to take portraits of the pickers and orchard caretakers. We loved spending the day with the crew as well as get to know their nicknames for each other and take in the scenery on a very hot day. Have a look at Monkey Business Olive Oil’s Instagram to follow what they’re up to.

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Nafissatou “Nafi” Thiam / shot for Red Bull with ICONIC / Stellenbosch, South Africa 

Nafi ThiaM for Red Bull

???? Last week Nafi Thiam broke the indoor pentathlon world record in Turkey. (A pentathlon is a contest featuring five events.) It was incredible shooting her just two weeks prior for Red Bull  and Iconic. It’s not often you get to meet and work with a GOAT. Thanks for the good vibes Nafi and team!

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Bryan Habana / shot for Markets.com / Cape Town, South Africa

BRYAN HABANA X MARKETS.com X DNA

We spent a day in the studio with rugby legend Bryan Habana and Markets.com to create images and moving images to announce their 2023 partnership.  ???? Markets.com is an innovative, world-leading trading platform that offers financial trading products.

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Winterised campaign 2022/2023: running / shot for INTERSPORT / Cape Town, South Africa

RUNNING IN THE RAIN

[commercial] For the INTERSPORT Winterised running campaign, we had massive rain showers set up by a special effects team as you cannot plan rain in Cape Town. INTERSPORT is one of the world’s biggest global sports retailers. Brands we shot: Adidas, Asics, Nike, and Energetics. Our pictures are used for all the INTERSPORT market’s social media channels, websites, and in-store prints.

Agency: Wilderness.

Check out the Winterised campaign 2022/2023: training & calisthenics.

Keen to create some magic with us? Shout!

Winterised campaign 2022/2023: training & calisthenics / shot for INTERSPORT / Cape Town, South Africa

training & calisthenics CAMPAIGN

[commercial] We love working with INTERSPORT (one of the world’s biggest global sports retailers) and are happy we can always convince them to shoot in our favourite city Cape Town. This shoot was done in the South African winter of 2022, ideal coldish weather for the INTERSPORT Winterised campaign 2022: training & calisthenics. We worked with fabulous athletes. Brands we shot: Adidas, Puma, Under Armour, Nike, and Energetics. Our pictures are used for all the INTERSPORT market’s social media channels, websites, and in-store prints.
Agency: Wilderness.

> Keen to see more? Check out the Back to sports training campaign we recently shot in Amsterdam & the Winterised running campaign we shot in Cape Town.

DNA’s main work scope covers the worlds of the automotive industry, fashion, and consumer goods. We work closely with brands, creatives, and advertising agencies to create unique and compelling content.

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Tobie & his Fox-Body Mustang / Cederberg, South Africa

[automotive] A cowboy and his horses. ? ? ?
Tobie and his Fox-Body Mustang in the Cederberg (South Africa). Shot yesterday.

#V8 #mustang #foxbody #mustangfoxbody #youngtimer

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Audi 2022 campaign / shot for Audi South Africa / Johannesburg, South Africa

[commercial] We shot the Audi 2022 campaign for Audi South Africa. Fabulous locations in Johannesburg: seriously out-of-this-world safari and nature experiences and a fabulous crew made this one fun. The images are used all over the Audi South Africa website, their Audi freeway, maintenance and service plans as well as social media, etc.

Production: Artists & Legends
Agency: Ogilvy


Energade Zero / shot for Energade / Cape Town, South Africa

DNA X Energade Zero

[commercial] ? ? ? R-E-F-R-E-S-H with 0 sugar ? ? ?

It’s so awesome to see the roll out of the images we got to take alongside the video production for Energade over two days in Cape Town and Pretoria with the Springboks (The South Africa National Rugby Union Team), the SPAR Proteas (The South African national netball team) and other athletes. Have a look at some of our images of the Springboks here. In this post, we focus on the athletes. Give this drink a try, it’s brand new on the market: #StepUpYourGame with Energade ZERO in three refreshing and delicious flavours. DNA’s favourite: Lemon, Lime & Ginger. ?

agency: Levergy 
CD: Andy Croly / Matchstick 
Producer: Chris Coetsee / Dare
DOP: Ramon Mellett  & more. Thanks team!

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Mercedes-Benz GLE400D / shot for Mercedes-Benz / South Africa

[commercial] Hello adventure! The good life for us means being on the road, travelling to remote places and breathing in nature’s absolute beauty. The quiet of the countryside and the vastness of landscapes just keeps us in awe of this experiment of life. ? We shredded quite a few kilometers for this shoot, and it was sooo worth it.

We were so lucky to shoot this GLE 400 d 4MATIC Coupé for Mercedes-Benz in one of our favourite places in the world, the Cederberg! Some of these shots were taken on the way there, on the West Coast. We also shot a bunch of reels on this trip, have a look at our favourite here and more here.


Subaru WRX / shot for Subaru Southern Africa / South Africa

[commercial] The all new Subaru WRX. Subaru’s got new babies in the country (South Africa) and we had the amazing opportunity to shoot one of Desmond’s favorite cars for Subaru Southern Africa. We took two WRX’s around the Western Cape for three days and it was fabulous.


Danielle Clough’s embroidery / shot for Jeremy Loops / Cape Town, South Africa

[documentary] Such colorful fun! On 8 July 2022, South African singer-songwriter Jeremy Loops new album ‘Heard You Got Love’ landed everywhere you stream and listen to music. He says “It’s my proudest body of work yet”.

A couple of months ago, we documented embroidery artist Danielle Clough (aka fiance knowles) creating the album cover for Jeremy Loops. It was such a wonderful morning, spending time with her and seeing her work. “The knots and chaos that goes into the creation of something is possibly my favourite part. It feels like the truth of what creating is, and it lets me be the abstract artist I wish I could be,” says Danielle. 


Porsche 356 B Super 90 Coupé / shot for Porsche Klassik / South Africa

[editorial] Driving a Porsche 356 in the Karoo (in South Africa) with one of my best friends Nic Grobler was a road trip of a lifetime. No plan, no map, just letting it happen. We ended up camping in a graveyard in freezing weather. Luckily we made a nice fire. While sitting there, we realized, the lady next to us (well, six feet under) is celebrating her 90’th birthday. So creepy and awesome! This story was produced for Porsche Klassik in Germany. If you’re based in the German world, the issue is out today! For our English friends, find Nic’s awesome story below. DNA – Desmond

Camping with the Super 90

As I finish checking the tire pressure before heading out of Cape Town, a ten-year-old boy with an old BMX takes over the pump. In the corner of my eye, a white flash coupled with a loud bang. I’m in the air, almost on top of the car — ears ringing. The boy glares at the giggles in the distance. Tears start running. Head in his hands, he sobs: “I just bought this tube!” — it seems like a big deal. Desmond, my friend, and road trip partner agrees that we need to help out. After fitting a new tire and tube, the local bicycle shop owner, asking about our trip, says with a smile, “that is not a camping car.” Crossing paths with the boy, confirms the tone for our journey — of synchronicity and U-turn style surprises.

“Nic, so what is our plan?” Desmond asks. When it comes to these types of trips, I usually prefer not having one, favouring only a direction, an idea — to give in to horizontal gravity in some way. Our ‘plan’: head into the semi-desert Karoo to wild camp somewhere, take the 356 for a service in a small town in between, and I’ll try to get a picture of a Koppie (a small hill), for a photographic project — the service, our only practical ‘destination’. I’ve also been curious about this 1963 Porsche’s ‘Super 90′ engine. Perhaps the mechanic, who happens to be a veteran engine builder, can tell us something about the ’90’.

I was ten years old, driving with my father, who has a very adventurous spirit, when he made a U-turn to buy this car. Growing up, I remember some trips, but I also remember it as an everyday runner. Thirty years later, and after a restoration project, our relationship has evolved. The 356 mostly waits ‘safely’ in a garage in Cape Town. Also, I don’t love driving in town — preferring a bicycle. But, every few months, it comes out for a trip, some over 1000km. I’ve taken it camping, and even had two bicycles on the roof!

Ascending into the Karoo on the N1 (national highway), our next mini-adventure appears. We pass a small roadside veld fire, probably caused by a cigarette. With the wind picking up, it could spell disaster. After a slightly dangerous U-turn, we stomp out the fire with our feet, a first for both of us. Later it occurs to me that I keep a fire extinguisher in the car — next time.

Desmond, a professional car photographer, mentions how he enjoys feeling connected to the elements in this 356 — “a bit like when I’m on my motorbike.” You feel closer to the road, and you can hear the wind — a visceral experience. I’ve also enjoyed trips in various cars, but engaging with the world from this one is different. It’s an object of beauty, in harmony with the environment. It is even different in a social interaction type of way. Whilst it may be in the category of ‘sports car’, it is not very aggressive — often enjoying waves and smiles. I sometimes think that if the 356 were an animal, it would probably be a dolphin — fast, but friendly.

The sun is now setting in the Karoo. Our wild camp idea, not working out yet. Passing through mostly sheep and game farms covering vast areas, we are kept on the road by fences and ‘private property’ signs — a tricky place to hide, especially if we make a fire. The weather is also making a turn for the worse. Passing a farmhouse, we realise that we might need to turn around at some point. The farmer’s son stops next to us with his pick-up truck further on, “you need to speak to the boss… my dad can be full of shit.” We turn back. Jan du Plessis, the farmer, isn’t very talkative. Desmond points up to the big sheltering trees near a kloof above the house. Jan says “yes, if you don’t mind the graveyard, you can sleep there.”

It’s freezing and windy. We take shelter between the 356 and the low graveyard wall. The fire, lamb, mushrooms, and sweet potato straight on the coals offers some comfort. Even though we dug a fire-hole and put some big rocks around it, embers are still flying off now and then with the severe wind. After securing more rocks around the fire, we make sure the last coals die out, then pitch our tents. With the sound of swirling pine trees and dreams of the deceased under the ground next to us, I struggle to sleep. The voice of Jan du Plessis wakes us up in the morning, with some flowers in his hands, standing next to one of the graves, “it was my mother’s birthday yesterday, she would have turned 90.”

Asking him about his life, he says, “this is a hard place to live, but I prefer it here, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else.” Jan invites us to visit again. “Come earlier. I’ll show you a better spot across this ridge — there are some wild horses there.”

Over the last few years, I’ve preferred servicing the car at Andreno Motors with Arno van Wyk. His engine-builder workshop is out in a small town, Villiersdorp. I refer to it as an ‘air-cooled shrine’, it’s been a family affair for over 60 years. Complete with floor-to-ceiling photographs of their old rally driving days and a unique collection of air-cooled cars, including a ‘prototype’ 1954 beetle with only 36000km on the clock, “the only one left in the world” — we’ll be in good company.

This time, although Arno only needs to replace the oil and filter and set the tappets and timing, you can appreciate his experience. All the years have given him a kind of poetic cadence. According to him, if you maintain an engine, it would keep going forever. Pointing to a display-wall of damaged engine parts, with the words ‘YOU BEND IT, WE MEND IT!’ he says everything that goes wrong is due to human error. Like failing to check the oil or overdoing it when driving — “it’s human, man-made trouble.”

In between servicing the car, having some tea with Arno and his wife, and plenty of rally stories, we walk through the workshop, past what feels like 100s of engines in progress. “We can adapt your Super 90 engine, from a 90 to 100.” Arno says, “the sleeve kits come from America — I’ve done two of them before.” He explains “you can’t see any difference from the outside, but you can feel it. Consider doing it once you have a problem. Otherwise, it is a waste of money.” I appreciate Arno’s practical approach.

It makes me sad to know that Arno’s son won’t take over from him — he can earn a lot more working in an office. I wonder, where will this 356 be serviced 20 years from now, will there be some poetic cadence there as well?

After another eventful camping night, and taking the picture I needed, we drive home, I’m processing the trip: I think about the uncomfortable moments, like not knowing where you’ll sleep as the sun is setting, and how being open to the new and unknown makes it all worthwhile. To be found, you have to get lost first. Those wild horses are waiting.


Subaru Forester 2021 / shot for Subaru Southern Africa / Cape Town, South Africa

[commercial] Subaru Southern Africa just launched the new Subaru Forester, it’s better and stronger than ever. The new 2.5-litre Subaru Forester is sporting a more powerful drivetrain and retaining the Forester’s all-around excellence and Subaru dependability. We got to shoot two models, the 2.5i Sport ES (white) and the 2.5i-S ES (bronze) and we loved the drive! Big thanks to everyone involved, especially our models and Thule.


Toyota Fortuner Epic / shot for Media 24 / Western Cape, South Africa

[commercial] We shot these advertorials for a couple of Media 24 magazines (Men’s Health, Bicycling, Women’s Health, Weg!, Weg! Ry & Sleep, Go, Go Drive & Camp). The star of the shoot was the New Toyota Fortuner Epic.
Great crew, lekker vibes, and loads of fun!


Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. X PUMA X MMM / Johannesburg, South Africa

[commercial] Playing with light and balls. We had lot’s of fun shooting the energetic dudes from Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. for PUMA and MobileMediaMob.


First Ascent’s Urban Compass Jacket / shot in Cape Town, South Africa

[fashion] It’s raining like nuts in Cape Town currently, we’re loving it! We shot First Ascent’s Urban Compass Jacket (available at Studio 88) in Cape Town in the rain last month. Somehow fitting as the Urban Compass Jacket is THE perfect winter jacket.