ABOUT | Derryn Schmidt

Derryn Schmidt, photographer

I am a mom of 3, and I adore and cherish every image that I have with my family. With each passing year, and as my girls move into new stages of childhood, those images become even more valuable to me.

The photos allow me to hold onto that special time in our family’s life. That’s why I believe so strongly in photography.

It’s the best gift we can give one another; a legacy to our kids.

My work is guided by reverence, empathy, and a deep understanding that the power of any image lies not only in its technical perfection, but in its ability to transport you to that moment.

I’m glad that you’re here in my little corner of the internet. Thank you for visiting.

Thanks to Dillon Kin for the photos featured on this page.

The artist in me strives to create something unique and exciting every time I pick up my camera. The parent in me seeks to capture and document the most meaningful and fleeting moments that occur during everyday life. My style represents this attempt to balance these two important aspects of photography.

DERRYN

WARM. NOSTALGIC. SINCERE.

It’s pillow fights with the kids, followed by tickles and cuddles. The way their little faces snuggle tightly into the nape of your neck and how they look at you when you laugh. It’s your life – in all it’s natural beauty.

Just a girl and her horse.

Just a girl and her horse.

A sunrise maternity session for Carrie & Jono in beautiful Ballito. ☀️🌊

With the sun rising earlier these days, it’s quite a commitment to book a sunrise session but MAN! The pay off?? Often times I’ll need to postpone a shoot like this until I see the right weather is on its way, but it’s so worth it. The photos just wouldn’t have been the same without that golden morning sun.

Being on the beach in Ballito at this time, sand between your toes, sea water lapping your ankles, creating something with clients who feel like friends - is soul stuff for me.

These are the moments I love most about being a maternity and family photographer on the North Coast. 🤍

#BallitoMaternityPhotographer #SaltRockPhotographer #BallitoFamilyPhotographer #NorthCoastPhotographer #BallitoMaternityShoot

A sunrise maternity session for Carrie & Jono in beautiful Ballito. ☀️🌊

With the sun rising earlier these days, it’s quite a commitment to book a sunrise session but MAN! The pay off?? Often times I’ll need to postpone a shoot like this until I see the right weather is on its way, but it’s so worth it. The photos just wouldn’t have been the same without that golden morning sun.

Being on the beach in Ballito at this time, sand between your toes, sea water lapping your ankles, creating something with clients who feel like friends - is soul stuff for me.

These are the moments I love most about being a maternity and family photographer on the North Coast. 🤍

#BallitoMaternityPhotographer #SaltRockPhotographer #BallitoFamilyPhotographer #NorthCoastPhotographer #BallitoMaternityShoot

🎄Christmas - but make it colorful ⭐

I don’t know about you, but my family will spend the entire Christmas holiday in cozzies by the water, eating litchis and watermelon. Which is why I’ve decided to lean into the bright and colorful for this years Christmas mini sessions.

Raquel from @the.studio_at_27 will be doing the Christmas set up, so you’re guaranteed an absolute treat!! We’ve discussed the theme at length and I just KNOW it’s going to be perfect.

On one wall we’ll have a vibey, fun, Christmas themed set up, and the other wall will be left blank. That way, I can still deliver the classic close up portraits that can hang in your home year round.

If you’d like to book a spot, head to the link in my bio. The info is all there.

#christmasmini #christmasmini2026 #christmasminikzn #christmasphotoshoot

🎄Christmas - but make it colorful ⭐

I don’t know about you, but my family will spend the entire Christmas holiday in cozzies by the water, eating litchis and watermelon. Which is why I’ve decided to lean into the bright and colorful for this years Christmas mini sessions.

Raquel from @the.studio_at_27 will be doing the Christmas set up, so you’re guaranteed an absolute treat!! We’ve discussed the theme at length and I just KNOW it’s going to be perfect.

On one wall we’ll have a vibey, fun, Christmas themed set up, and the other wall will be left blank. That way, I can still deliver the classic close up portraits that can hang in your home year round.

If you’d like to book a spot, head to the link in my bio. The info is all there.

#christmasmini #christmasmini2026 #christmasminikzn #christmasphotoshoot

This is just a reminder that you don’t need to have kids to have a family shoot. All relationships deserve to be celebrated. Jamie booked this shoot to celebrate her graduation and she invited her parents, brother and sister-in-law along. ❤️❤️❤️

This is just a reminder that you don’t need to have kids to have a family shoot. All relationships deserve to be celebrated. Jamie booked this shoot to celebrate her graduation and she invited her parents, brother and sister-in-law along. ❤️❤️❤️

Gosh how I love a branding shoot. We go into it with a very rough mood board just to get us started, but inevitable veer off in a different direction - but it’s always one that reflects the clients personality. Not knowing exactly what the outcome will be and just vibing together until we create something we both love is what makes these shoots so much fun.

This particular client happens to be my sister. She has created a new brand for kiddies wallpaper, off the back of her established business @houseoftan.decor

Please give her some love by liking and commenting on a few posts, so the algorithm Gods push her content. I’d really appreciate it, and I know she will too. @littlehouseoftan

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have been busy lately. So busy, in fact, that I’ve been forgetting to update my portfolio.

Here are some sweet tender moments between my friend Claudia and her precious family. ❤️

#ballitophotographer #ballitofamilyphotographer #saltrockphotographer #familyphotos #beachphotos

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have been busy lately. So busy, in fact, that I’ve been forgetting to update my portfolio.

Here are some sweet tender moments between my friend Claudia and her precious family. ❤️

#ballitophotographer #ballitofamilyphotographer #saltrockphotographer #familyphotos #beachphotos

These are FAST becoming my favorite shoots. 15 minutes is ample time to form a connection and to get a good group of photos. If early morning beach shoots are not your thing - pls reach out so we can slot you in for the next shoot date.

These are FAST becoming my favorite shoots. 15 minutes is ample time to form a connection and to get a good group of photos. If early morning beach shoots are not your thing - pls reach out so we can slot you in for the next shoot date.

Ashlyn & Henry - Oxford, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Part 2

Ashlyn & Henry - Oxford, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Part 2

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | ALL PHOTOS BY @DERRYNSCHMIDT