The Johannesburg Photowalkers are a community of photography enthusiasts, led by Mark Straw, who have been exploring Johannesburg and beyond together since 2009. Born from an impromptu walk through Newtown, the group quickly grew into a regular gathering, hosting hundreds of photowalks over the years across suburbs like Kensington, Troyeville, Sandton, Soweto, and Diepsloot, as well as road trip destinations such as Cullinan, Parys, and the Drakensberg. Photowalks range from city strolls and festival outings to creative experiments with light, macro, and skyline photography. They often collaborate with Johannesburg In Your Pocket for events like the Jacaranda season walks. Despite the disruption of Covid-19, the Photowalkers remain a welcoming space for photographers to connect, learn, and see the city differently.

The group took to the streets of Joburg on Women’s Day for a sunrise walk focused on street photography, exploring the city in gentle light through their lenses. The group visited the reopening of Johannesburg City Library and ended at Grayscale Gallery in Braamfontein, where artists were adding to a new wall. 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.

Mark Straw
"We met mega early for coffee at Da Vault before heading over to the Maharishi Invincibility Institute. From there, we'll walk to the Johannesburg City Library. Once back, we drove over to Braamfontein for an afternoon event at Grayscale Store and Gallery and did a walkaround Braamfontein and across Nelson Mandela Bridge to see more graffiti and to see the newly installed benches, painted columns, and light boxes."

Bill Ward
"I attended the library opening and then the Grayscale Gallery in Braamfontein, where the artists were working on a new wall. I have been a member of photowalkers since March 2017 and have had the privilege of spending many happy hours in this fascinating city of ours."

Joao Paulo Dapiedade ('Djoca')
"I am from Angola, yesterday was my first time walking with the Joburg Photowalkers. I had a blast! I didn’t take many pictures because I was there more for the experience and the adventure." 

Penny Ward 
"I am the admin for the Urban Sketchers Johannesburg group. I have been urban sketching since 2016. I have always loved the inner city and haven’t sketched Marshalltown for a while.
Gail Wilson’s untimely death put me back in contact with Mark Straw, 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."

Maryam Sanatkaran (@darkoarnautovic)
"I am Persian, born in Nigeria and moved to Joburg a year ago. I have been friends and colleagues with Mark for almost twenty years and I’ve been taking pictures for the last fifteen. I only joined the Photowalkers about a year ago but I have been attending walks with Clare and Anton for years. I love this city but I struggle to find people to go in and take urban pictures with me. 
I’m a big fan of street photography and shooting in the streets of Johannesburg felt like freedom — a dream come true to walk my own city like the photographers of London and Europe, capturing its soul for the world to see."

Regan Levendale ('Kullrd Photography') 
"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. 
I don’t usually go into the Joburg CBD on the weekend but it was a different city compared to during the work week. The buildings had a different look and feel. The cherry on top was the 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." 

Esther Louw
"I am an amateur photographer from Centurion and joined Mark and the group for the Women’s Day opening. It was a mind-blowing new experience that exceeded my expectations. I learned lots of new historical information, and I learned about different cultures and beliefs, and about photography too. 
Mark guides and advises us while he shares his hidden treasures. The group is mainly from Johannesburg, but very diverse. However, we all go on the walks with the aim of capturing the special moments. Not to make money off of it, but for the love of photography. This unites us despite background, race, origin or language. 
I have now seen Johannesburg from a totally new perspective. The people are so wonderful and friendly. Whether you’re in the inner city or the suburbs, or photographing the Northcliff Water Tower, it is always a delight. 
I am thankful for people like Mark that are so willing to facilitate the walks and open a whole new world for us."