ABOUT
I never set out to work in hospitality. Looking back, though, it feels inevitable.
I studied art direction and graphic design before building a career in photography, but I was always drawn to travel. Photography gave me a way to explore the world, ask questions and share what I discovered.
Everything changed when I joined Grootbos Private Nature Reserve in 2012. What began as a freelance project evolved into a creative role that introduced me to an industry where all my skills, interests and passions finally came together.
Since then, I've spent over fifteen years partnering with hotels, lodges and travel brands across Africa, combining strategy, photography and design to help them become more desirable, distinctive and successful.
Alongside my hospitality work, I also collaborate with NGOs and purpose-driven organisations. These projects keep me connected to the curiosity that first drew me to photography and reinforce my belief that storytelling can create meaningful impact.
Whether through strategy, photography or design, my goal remains the same:
Helping remarkable places become more desirable, more distinctive and more successful.
SERVICES
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I’m in my element when shooting comprehensive photo libraries for purposeful brands and special places. From luxury island resorts to safari lodges and boutique hotels, I cover both the architectural and experiential aspects of a destination.
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From crafting unique logos to developing complete brand identity systems, including colour palettes, typography, and visual guidelines, my goal is to help your business stand out with a distinct and recognisable identity that resonates with your target audience and communicates your brand’s values effectively.
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I provide comprehensive graphic design services for marketing collateral in both print and digital formats, crafting a consistent and compelling brand experience at every touchpoint of the customer journey, including presentations, brochures, flyers, posters, digital banners, ads, email templates, and just about anything that requires a creative and cohesive visual presence to effectively communicate your brand’s message.
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I offer comprehensive web design services that create engaging and user-friendly experiences across all devices. I ensure every element is thoughtfully designed to reflect your brand identity, drive engagement, and convert visitors into loyal customers.
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I offer specialised social media design services to help brands create engaging and visually appealing content across all major platforms. From eye-catching posts and stories to impactful cover images, profile banners, and ad creatives, I ensure your brand maintains a cohesive look and feel and resonates with your target audience.
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The new imperative for brands is to tell a compelling and consistent story across all touchpoints of the user’s journey, online and offline. I help businesses and organisations solve these types of challenges by bridging creative and strategic thinking, often teaming up with other specialists, to deliver innovative and impactful communication campaigns.
CLIENTS
TESTIMONIALS
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![A smiling man with sunglasses outdoors during sunset, wearing a brown shirt and dark jacket.]()
"Mike is a pleasure to work with. His guidance and strategic approach has helped us clearly articulate our offering. His in-depth understanding of travel marketing makes him the perfect fit for our business."
Stanley Cornelius, Founder & Director, Focus Online Travel
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![A woman with curly blonde hair, blue eyes, wearing a blue patterned top, and earrings, against a black background.]()
"We value Michael's attention to detail and his ability to translate a brand strategy into creative assets that not only bring the brand to life, but differentiates it from the competition. He is an invaluable member of the Destinate team."
Mariëtte du Toit-Helmbold, Founder & Director, Destinate (Travel Marketing), ex CEO of Cape Town Tourism
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![A woman with long reddish-brown hair, blue eyes, and light makeup, smiling at the camera in a cozy room with a bookshelf filled with books in the background.]()
"I would recommend Mike to anyone wanting to work with a photographer and all-round creative, not only for his expertise and eye - but to have the peace of mind that the brief will be well interpreted, the job will be done better than imagined, and it’ll all be done with a smile. He is an asset to any team, agency or project."
Thaya Bedford, Content Strategist, Aquila Collection
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![A man working at a music production studio, sitting at a desk with a computer, mixing console, and several guitars on a stand behind him.]()
"I was extremely impressed with Mike’s level of diligence, attention to detail, commitment to the job, and going above and beyond with his ability to add value in ways that I hadn’t even thought of."
Daniel Eppel, Founder & Director, Edible Audio
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![Black and white headshot of a smiling man with short hair and beard, wearing a collared shirt.]()
“What truly sets Michael apart is his extraordinary ability to breathe life into digital spaces. Where most designers see a webpage, he sees a canvas of storytelling. Working with Michael wasn't just about upgrading our site; it was about imagining how our brand communicates in the digital world.“
Jacques du Toit, Founder & Director, Sidewalk Africa Travels
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![Close-up of a man smiling, wearing a light-colored hoodie, against a plain background.]()
“With his wealth of knowledge and experience in his industry, Michael immerses himself in one’s brand as if it were his own. With a keen ear as to what we as the client requested, Michael magically transformed our brand into something way beyond our expectations, including a clear roll-out plan and timeline.”
Eugene Theron, Founder & Director, Travel Bugz
PUBLICATIONS / PLATFORMS
