Meet the Team
Get to know the dynamic and creative team behind Light Mill Productions.

Founder & Director, Cinematographer, Photographer, Events Co-ordinator
David Naude
Ever since David received his first camera as a Christmas present for his ninth birthday, he instantly fell in love with the world of photography. After a few years, David took up the sport of rock climbing, Where he managed to take the sport in South Africa to new heights, receiving his Protea Colours when he was 15. David went on to represent South Africa in the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2018. Specialising in Screen Production Cinematography from the University of Cape Town, David transfers his passion and energy for climbing into his work on set. This journey continues till today, where David is eager to learn more about the craft which he has loved for so many years and is looking forward to working with his clients on many creative projects to come!

Co-Owner & Director, SMedia Manager, Photographer, Events Co-ordinator and Logistics Lead
Kiara-Tayne
Kiara is a dynamic force behind Lightmill — a creative strategist, logistical organiser, and visual storyteller all in one. As Co-Owner and Director, she plays a hands-on role in shaping both the vision and execution of every project, ensuring a seamless blend of creativity, professionalism, and impact.
With a strong foundation in social media management and media production, Kiara has a talent for crafting compelling content that not only captivates but converts. Her ability to spot trends, read audiences, and deliver high-impact campaigns makes her a powerful driver of brand visibility and audience engagement across digital platforms.
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Behind the camera, Kiara captures the essence of every event with precision and emotion. Her photography style is candid, expressive, and aligned with each client's vision — whether she's shooting for social media, press coverage, or high-end portfolio content.
A lifelong equestrian, Kiara’s passion for horses runs deep. Having competed since the age of 8 and proudly represented South Africa on the international stage by 15, her discipline and creativity are second nature. She effortlessly brings the same poise, purpose, and attention to detail into every event she helps produce — from concept and coordination to delivery and follow-through.
Whether managing complex event logistics, styling a photo shoot, or curating a social media campaign, Kiara does so with clarity, energy, and an innate sense of storytelling that leaves a lasting impression.

Photographer
Keenan Meyer
Keenan is a Cape Town based action, adventure and lifestyle photographer. Keenan worked as a loader and lighting assistant in the industry for a few years before deciding to specialise in stills photography. In 2023 he was a finalist in the Red Bull Illume Photo Awards and his work was placed into the DIG BMX 2023 Photo book and was selected by Single Track World as one of the top 10 bike photos of the year.
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Keenan's passion and dedication to his craft shines through his work, combining raw emotion with technical skill in timeless compositions.

Director and Events Logistics Lead
Chris Naude
With a foundation in electronics and sonar research, Chris brings a rare blend of technical insight and creative business acumen to LightMill Productions. His career evolved from the world of research and innovation into project management training and consulting, where he co-founded and built two successful businesses alongside his partner and wife.
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One of these ventures — an award-winning exhibition company — earned multiple “Best Exhibition” accolades from the Exhibitions and Events Association of Southern Africa (EXSA), a testament to his commitment to excellence, precision, and design innovation.
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Today, Chris channels his extensive expertise in Exhibition Management, Digital Marketing, Sustainability, Greening, and Project Management into developing forward-thinking, impactful experiences at LightMill.
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Curious and driven by collaboration, he believes that the best projects happen when like-minded people come together to create something extraordinary. His approach is simple: if it’s interesting, strategic, and makes business sense — he’s in.

Creative Arts Co-ordinator
Jess Fawthrop
Jess brings a dynamic blend of creative flair and artistic vision to every event she supports. With a strong background in arts facilitation and hands-on experience in crafting immersive experiences for children, Jess plays a key role in shaping the creative heartbeat of our programming.
Her calm, solutions-focused approach makes her a natural with young participants, while her attention to detail ensures that every activity — from painting sessions to themed craft installations — is beautifully executed, inclusive, and inspiring.
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Whether curating imaginative art stations, guiding children through creative expression, or collaborating on bespoke concepts, Jess brings warmth, originality, and steady guidance to everything she does. She is a cornerstone of the Lightmill creative team and a trusted hand in bringing ideas to life.

Event Operations
Stephan VD Merwe
Stephan brings a thoughtful presence and dependable energy to the Lightmill team. As part of our Event Operations crew, he plays a key role in ensuring that each event runs smoothly — from setup to breakdown and everything in between.
With a sharp eye for detail and a calm, can-do attitude, Stephan helps transform creative concepts into well-executed realities. Whether it’s preparing spaces, managing physical layouts, or assisting the production team, he brings structure, focus, and consistency to the ground-level delivery of each event.
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In addition to his operational support, Stephan also lends his creative thinking when needed — drawing from a background in copywriting and brand development to contribute to messaging and client-facing materials.
Reliable, flexible, and always willing to step in where needed, Stephan is an essential part of bringing our events to life from behind the scenes.