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The Photowalkers provide a welcoming space for photographers to connect, learn, and see the city differently, with members ranging from locals who want to explore the city on foot to expats and tourists looking to connect with curious and like-minded people. Photography outings range from city strolls and festivals to creative experiments with light, macro, and skyline photography. They often collaborate with Johannesburg In Your Pocket for events such as our annual #JacarandaInYourPocket season walks.
Cameras and camaraderie for Women's Day 2025
The Joburg Photowalkers took to the streets on Women’s Day (Aug 9, 2025) for a sunrise walk focused on street photography, exploring the city in gentle light through their lenses.
Detailing the day's activities, Mark Straw tells us: "We met mega early for coffee at Da Vault before heading over to the Maharishi Invincibility Institute. From there, we walked to the Johannesburg City Library [for the reopening]. Once back, we drove over for an afternoon event at Grayscale Store and Gallery, where artists were adding to a new wall, and did a walk around Braamfontein and across Nelson Mandela Bridge to see more graffiti and to see the newly installed benches, painted columns, and light boxes."
From long-time members to first-time participants, the walk offered a mix of urban adventure, artistic inspiration, and the joy of seeing Joburg from fresh angles. We spoke to several photographers about their experiences on the day and what keeps them coming back to the Joburg Photowalkers.
SEEING THE CITY THROUGH FRESH EYES
For seasoned photographer Maryam Sanatkaran (@darkoarnautovic) Johannesburg’s streets offer a long-awaited sense of freedom and inspiration. "I am Persian, born in Nigeria, and moved to Joburg a year ago. I have been friends and colleagues with Mark for almost 20 years, and I’ve been taking pictures for the last 15 years," he says. "I joined the Photowalkers about a year ago. I’m a big fan of street photography, and shooting in the streets of Johannesburg felt like freedom – it's a dream come true to walk my own city like the photographers of London and Europe, capturing its soul for the world to see."
Long-term member Bill Ward shares, "I have been a member of The Photowalkers since March 2017 and have had the privilege of spending many happy hours in this fascinating city of ours." Meanwhile, for Angolan newcomer Joao Paulo Dapiedade, "The Women's Day event was my first time walking with the Joburg Photowalkers, and I had a blast! I didn’t take many pictures because I was there more for the experience and the adventure."
Regan Levendale reflects on the city’s shifting atmosphere. "I joined the Photowalkers in 2022/2023, so I’m fairly new to the group of amazing photographers who I learn from and inspire me to think outside of the box and explore the city with fresh eyes," Levendale shares. "I don’t usually go into the Joburg CBD on the weekend but it was a different city compared to during the workweek. The buildings had a different look and feel. The cherry on top was the Johannesburg City Library reopening – a majestic architectural building housing stories and tales, but also history, beauty, and grace. It was a day to remember and cherish."
For Esther Louw, an amateur photographer from Centurion, the Women’s Day outing revealed Johannesburg in a new light. "It was a mind-blowing new experience that exceeded my expectations. I learnt so much – about history, different cultures and beliefs, and even about photography itself," Louw says. "Mark guides and advises us while he shares his hidden treasures. Whether you’re in the inner city or the suburbs, it is always a delight. The group is mainly from Johannesburg, but very diverse. However, we all go on the walks to capture special moments – not to make money off of it, but for the love of photography. This unites us despite background, race, or language. The people are so wonderful and friendly."
Meanwhile, for veteran and photographer Clare Appleyard, the return to the City Centre stirred memories of the group’s early days. "If I recall, my first walk with the Joburg Photowalkers was in 2011. It was a nighttime shoot under the M1 bridge in Newtown and introduced me to the community that is still going strong today. Sadly, many of the old members whom I met on that first walk have passed away. The group is a great way to meet enthusiastic photographers and allows one to take advantage of the 'safety in numbers' concept when you're photographing Johannesburg," Appleyard says. "[The Women's Day walk] was the first time that I hit the CBD streets in over a year, and I must say, it was good to be back. There's a vibe and an energy about downtown that is hard to explain. It's gritty, it's edgy, and, whilst it's far from perfect, it's a city I love. Spending a brief couple of hours there has inspired me to get back to it more often, to capture what I love."
Urban Sketchers Johannesburg admin Penny Ward found the walk to be a heartfelt tribute to a friend and fellow creative, Gail Scott Wilson. "I have been urban sketching since 2016. I have always loved the inner city and haven’t sketched Marshalltown for a while," she says. "Gail’s untimely death put me back in contact with Mark, allowing me to join the Photowalkers last week. I thought it would be a good way to honour Gail’s legacy. She had such a passion for Johannesburg and was always telling me about new venues we could visit to sketch. I miss her greatly."
Join the Joburg Photowalkers
The Joburg Photowalkers offer more than just photography outings – they create a space for connection, discovery, and shared passion. From first-time participants seeking adventure to seasoned members revisiting familiar streets with fresh eyes, each walk celebrates the city’s unpolished and offbeat beauty. These walks reveal a Johannesburg as alive and vibrant as those ardent enough to capture it. If you're interested in joining, get in touch with the group here.The city, framed: More photos from the Women's Day walk
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