Hi there, and welcome to my page! I am Jessica Marais, a Cape Town based professional photographer who specialises in multiple genres as well as editing and retouching.
I started my photography journey in 2016 while Au Pairing for a year in Houston, Texas. I completed a "Fundamentals of Photography" course and fell in love with the creative process. I then returned to Cape Town, South Africa and studied online through Shaw Academy and obtained various Professional Diplomas and Diplomas in Photography, Photoshop and Lightroom.
After a year at home, I started a new journey in 2018 as a Junior photographer with Royal Caribbean International Cruise Liners. I spent the next 4 years sailing around the globe, capturing unique memories of the guests onboard. In no time at all I was promoted to Senior Photographer, where my responsibilities included training the new hires and leading a diverse team. After a few contacts I was given the opportunity to become a Private Portrait Artist, where I did private portraits and lifestyle photoshoots for the guests in the studio, on the private islands and around the ship.
Whether it's a portrait of a loved one or a still life of a carefully curated collection, I strive to create images that are not only visually stunning but also emotionally resonant.
Browse my portfolio to see a selection of my work and feel free to contact me for any photography needs.