Johan grew up between South Africa and the UK, which might explain why his work often balances contrast — light and dark, raw or polished. After completing his economics studies, he decided to follow his passion for filmmaking.

After gaining experience for top-tier production companies across Europe he was working as a Director of Photography for several years. He has since transitioned into directing, bringing with him a strong visual sensibility and a deep understanding of cinematic language. His background means he’s just as comfortable crafting stylised high-end spots as he is building quiet, grounded scenes that hit emotionally.
Johan has shot campaigns for major clients including Netflix, BMW, Raffaello (Ferrero), Gardena, and Silhouette. His commercial work spans a wide range of genres — from VFX- and CGI-heavy productions to AI-generated imagery, as well as working with children, food, and automotive. His music video work’s been nominated at a few festivals, but what really matters to him is the creative collaboration — working closely with others to craft something meaningful, emotionally honest, and visually sharp.

Currently based in Vienna, Austria, he continues to work across Europe and Cape Town.