Crown Moments Photography Stories shaped by mountain light

Magoebaskloof has always attracted people who see the world with curiosity and imagination. Perhaps it is the mountain air that encourages fresh thinking or the shifting light that invites a slower, more attentive way of seeing. Whatever the reason, the area has become home to a remarkable community of innovators. Organic cheesemakers shape flavours drawn straight from the land, craft brewers experiment with mountain water and local botanicals, writers find inspiration amongst misty forests, and photographers chase the glow of late afternoon sunlight.

It is a place where creativity feels deeply rooted, where makers and storytellers bring their own artistry to the celebrations that unfold here. Behind every gathering held in these mountains there are talented people working quietly to make each moment feel special, whether through food, flowers, music or the images that hold the memories long after guests have gone home.

Crown Moments Photography brings a quiet depth and sincerity to the art of celebrating life’s milestones. Behind the lens is Wendy Strydom, a photographer whose work reflects both her creative spirit and her deep appreciation for the unscripted moments that define human connection. Living in a landscape rich with atmosphere inspires Wendy to craft images shaped by the natural moods of the region. 

She often seeks out hidden corners around Tzaneen, from the classic bushveld sunsets of Mooketsi to the sweeping mountain views of Magoebaskloof, the grassy fields surrounding Haenertsburg to the orchards of Letsitele and Hoedspruit. Each space lends its own character and emotion to a session, allowing the photographs to reflect a true sense of place. Krabbefontein Café is one of her favourite locations, offering rustic ruins, soft golden light, and a sense of stillness that allows stories to unfold naturally. 

Her portfolio includes weddings, engagements, couple and family sessions, milestone birthdays, as well as lifestyle shoots for products and accommodation. Her style is natural and relaxed, always guided by the shifting moods of the outdoors and she focuses on genuine emotion, easy movement, along with a sense of authenticity that allows each person’s story to shine through.  The venues she chooses also echo what Wendy loves most about Magoebaskloof, particularly its silver mist mornings and glowing late afternoons like Blueberry Heights Farm with Stanford Lake and Ebenezer Dam for golden hour shoots capturing calm and peaceful moments.

Her wedding work has taken her to some of the area’s most atmospheric venues - Mina’s Farm Venue at Zwakala River Retreat offers whitewashed walls, old trees, and valley views that create an elegant, slow-living backdrop.  She also enjoys Silver Mist Resort which brings forest light, mountain mist, and quiet expanses that turn each celebration into a gentle adventure. While MAC Country Venue blends woodland calm with warm rural charm, its outdoor chapel and open lawns invite couples to laugh, embrace, and celebrate beneath a golden sky. 

While she spends her days working as a PA on a busy avocado farm, photography remains her grounding force and her chosen way of engaging with the world. Over the past five years this passion has grown into a heartfelt business dedicated to capturing stories that last.  For Wendy, photography is less about posed perfection and more about preserving the honest, fleeting instances that can so easily be missed. She is drawn to the moments that unfold quietly: a couple sharing a soft glance, the child with a muddy grin, or the family wandering through a sunlit field hand in hand. 

These are the images that hold meaning long after the day has passed, and her joy lies in knowing that they will continue to bring warmth and smiles for years to come. Her work helps people see themselves as their loved ones do, reminding them of their own beauty and value within the world. She welcomes new projects with enthusiasm and a spirit of adventure, ready to create images that celebrate life in its most treasured moments.

Connect via WhatsApp on 063 800 8633 | firstwendystrydom@icloud.com. 

Instagram: @crownmomentsphotography | Facebook: Crown Moments Photography by Wendy Strydom.