81 on Church
A commissioned visual storytelling project documenting boutique hospitality through photography, videography and aerial imagery.
Destination
Understanding the character of a place before creating the imagery that represents it.
Visual Storytelling
Photography, videography and aerial perspectives working together to communicate atmosphere, experience and identity.
Context
Revealing the relationship between architecture, hospitality and the surrounding townscape.
Some destinations are defined not only by where you stay, but by what surrounds you.
Situated in the heart of Prince Albert, 81 on Church offers a boutique hospitality experience shaped by the character of one of the Karoo's most historic towns. From Cape Dutch and Victorian architecture to the Swartberg Mountains rising behind it, the destination invites guests to experience both the property and the place it calls home.
Among its most distinctive features is a lush garden, grown from nothing by owner Johan Lubbe in a town where the Karoo asks little of anything to grow. Its lemons find their way into his kitchen, its flowers into the rooms, and its rusks, baked by hand, onto the tray waiting for guests when they arrive.
Commissioned on several occasions to create photography, videography and drone imagery, my work has focused on capturing the atmosphere of the establishment while placing it within its wider setting. The resulting visual narrative celebrates not only the accommodation itself, but also the surrounding landscape, architecture and experiences that define a stay in Prince Albert.
Selected Works
A curated collection of commissioned photography, videography and aerial imagery created for 81 on Church.
Every destination is shaped as much by its surroundings as the place itself.
Creative Practice
This commission brought together multiple visual disciplines to communicate the identity of 81 on Church across digital and print platforms.
Photography
Architecture, interiors, hospitality, lifestyle and destination photography documenting the character of the establishment and its surroundings.
Videography
Cinematic visual storytelling capturing the atmosphere of the property, the guest experience and the surrounding landscape.
Aerial Photography & Videography
Drone imagery providing perspective, context and a broader understanding of the relationship between the establishment and its historic setting.
About This Project
Where is 81 on Church located?
In the heart of Prince Albert, a historic Karoo town at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains.
What was this commission for?
Photography, videography and aerial imagery capturing the property and its wider setting in Prince Albert.
Who is Johan Lubbe, and why does the garden feature so heavily?
Johan is the property's owner, and the garden he's grown from nothing in Karoo conditions, now supplying lemons, herbs, flowers and homemade rusks, became one of the most distinctive parts of this story.
Do you photograph boutique guesthouses and small hospitality properties?
Yes, scale matters less to me than character, and small, personally run properties often have the richest stories.
How do I commission similar work for my own property?
Yes. Get in touch and tell me about the property, the town and what you'd like the images to communicate.