The Dragon Mill

'The only wealth is the profoundness of your life experience.' ~ Sadhguru

Have you had a fantastic adventure?

Are you celebrating someone special?

Have you lost a beloved?

The Dragon Mill keeps your memories safe forever.

Find Happy Clients Here

HERITAGE PHOTO BOOKS & DIGITAL ALBUMS

'Everyone has a story to tell.' ~ Savi Sharma

These days families and loved ones are literally worlds apart.

More than ever, your story matters ~ now.

I'm Jennifer, a curator of memories. Recording precious moments for posterity is my vocation.

As a freelance photographer, image editor and writer, I delight in listening to personal experiences, capturing and safeguarding them for future generations.

Together we create bespoke hardcover books and digital photo albums that preserve your priceless treasures ~ family history, anecdotes, life lessons, joys and wisdom ~ to share with loved ones, anytime and anywhere in the world.

Follow this link for real clients' examples.

CANDID PHOTOGRAPHY

'When people ask me what equipment I use, I tell them my eyes.' ~ Anonymous

I've taken photos and made connections for as long as I can remember. My style is informal and real, reflecting people, places and objects in their natural, perfect state through my unique perspective.

In post-production I sometimes use Black & White and special effects for impact and resonance.

My Imaginators© ~ montages of photos and text ~ are a quick and catchy visual feast for print and social media marketing, event invitations, personal gifts and home décor.

{P.S. Spot the watermark: my insignia 'DM' is always in a different spot on each of my shots}

My gallery drops down under 'GEMS', enjoy!

DIGITAL CREATIONS

'Creativity is piercing the mundane to find the marvellous.' ~ Bill Moyers

I love creating unique imagery from different images, whether I've photographed the subject or photogrammed it, like this dragon: a favourite 3D ornament became a 2D scan, then a Photoshop file I played with, and finally a print, back to 3D in a gorgeous circle of light and colour.

Find Inspiring Imaginators here

SCANNING AND RESTORATION

'People give one another things that can't be gift-wrapped.' ~ Nadine Gordimer

Individual histories outline our lives with meaning, and are worth preserving for those who come after us. In every family there's someone who keeps the old shoebox full of pictures, knickknacks and letters ~ is this you?

One of my most valued services is to expertly scan, edit and restore old family photos, 35mm and 120 negatives, positives (slides) and delicate written records to digital images.

These are instantly available to you and your loved ones via an email link, kept safe forever.

Honouring the past in this way ~ with true colours, Black & White, sepia tones and creative imagery ~ transforms yesterday's photos into today's highlights.

Your favourite pictures become unique collages, making highly personalised gifts or advertising tools for framing in albums, on canvas, fridge magnets, calendars, mugs, T-shirts and almost anything else.

Below is an example of me as a little girl, taken by my Dad on slide film and unearthed from a box after his passing.

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING

'I photograph like a documentarian but print like a painter.' ~ Todd Hido

I began my working career as a young 'varsity student in a busy photographic laboratory in Johannesburg. In time I was taught the fine art of printing, in those days from negatives, adjusting colour according to the professional photographers' preferences.

Techologies evolved, and after many years I found myself printing at events in real time. My recent acquisition of a high quality dye-sublimation printer has enabled me to offer my clients a unique service ~ bespoke branded prints up to A5, either on site at events, or of imagery I've already restored and digitised. Printed collages make such unique gifts!

MEMORIAL COMPILATIONS

'I just wanted to do something important.' ~ Norman Rockwell

I gather memorabilia about past people, pets and places to celebrate and honour them properly.

From funeral slideshows to memorial books, these careful compilations of treasured photos and individual messages bring great comfort in the challenging times after bereavement, and remain sources of joy for many years to come.

Find Memorial Mementos here

FREELANCE JOURNALISM

'You can make anything by writing.' ~ C.S. Lewis

Writing has always helped me make sense, of what's inside me and what's outside in the world. As a born researcher with a vast repertoire of interests, I dive down rabbit holes to understand my subjects and condense them for my readers.

Whether it's interviews with fascinating folks or articles on ancient artworks, each piece is a fresh canvas crafted with precision and a dash of perspicacity.

jen@thedragonmill.co.za

073 947 1979

KwaZulu-Natal

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