From the bustling newsroom of the oldest daily newspaper in Southern Africa, the worlds largest companies, social and sporting events.
Jonathan has created content across a wide range of industries, capturing the energy of the Comrades Marathon to producing thoughtful, brand-aligned visuals for schools, newspapers and advertising campaigns. His approach is always rooted in presence. He focuses on understanding the story behind the subject or business and translates it into imagery and messaging that is real, intentional and effective. Whether it’s a single image or a full content strategy, he creates with clarity and connection in mind.
He made the Isle of Man his home in 2019 and in doing so, has come to understand the quiet strength of what it means to be Manx. It’s not something loud or self-declared, it’s lived. There’s a deep-rooted sense of reflection in that, a quiet dignity. The island itself mirrors that same spirit, rugged, resilient , beautiful and honest. From its wild coastlines to its close-knit community, it has a way of showing you who you really are.
In 2012, Jonathan Burton began his career as a photojournalist for The Witness in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. It was a transformative period that opened his eyes to the raw, unfiltered rhythm of daily life—far removed from the confines of a desk job. Jonathan covered predominantly hard news, but his lens captured everything from sweet potatoes shaped like ducks to major sporting events, political moments, business stories, and even the president of South Africa’s Nkandla homestead. The experience was profoundly eye-opening, offering an unadulterated view of humanity—its triumphs, its struggles, and the extraordinary depth found in ordinary lives.
Our Children’s Rhino 3
Jonathan James Burton
JonathanBurtonPhotography@gmail.com
0724018031
22 November 2012.Nambiti Private Game Reserve, 10km outside of Ladysmith
Exposure: 1/200 sec at f/6.3
Focal Length: 18mm
ISO: 400
Camera: Nikon D90
Lens: 18.0-50.mm f/2.8
A white rhinoceros or square-lipped rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) lies on the grass after its horn is removed. The recently removed horn lies next to the stump that is left. This was done to deter poachers from killing the animals for their horns.
Our Children’s Rhino 2
Jonathan James Burton
JonathanBurtonPhotography@gmail.com
0724018031
Nambiti Private Game Reserve, 10km outside of Ladysmith
22 November 2012. Nambiti Private Game Reserve.
Exposure: 1/100 sec at f/7.1
Focal Length: 18mm
ISO: 400
Camera: Nikon D90
Lens: 18.0-50.mm f/2.8
Nambiti vets and rangers tranquilize a white rhinoceros or square-lipped rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) and remove its horns to stop poachers killing the rhino for its horn. In the for ground the larger of the two horns sits on a rock while rangers are sawing off the smaller of the two horns.
Our Children’s Rhino 4
Jonathan James Burton
JonathanBurtonPhotography@gmail.com
0724018031
22 November 2012. Nambiti Private Game Reserve, 10km outside of Ladysmith
Exposure: 1/800 sec at f/6.3
Focal Length: 270mm
ISO: 400
Camera: Nikon D90
Lens: 70.0-200.0mm F2.8 with Nikon 1.4 Tele converter
A white rhinoceros or square-lipped rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) stands up for the first time after being tranquilized and its horn removed by Nambiti vets and rangers in an attempt to deter poachers from killing these incredible animals.
03112012. SADTU members marching from Freedom Square, down the streets of Pietermaritzburg and delivering their memorandum outside the municipal buildings. The ANC and COSATU also showed their support for SADTU by joining in the march. Photo- Jonathan Burton
President Jacob Zuma stands amongst the chiefs of KZN at the Inkosi uMatomela Day commemoration. Photo – Jonathan Burton
140413.Jonty Neethling from the Western Cape takes the last jump in the SA National Downhill Cup 2013 Men’s Elite to claim first place with a time of 3.56. Photo. Jonathan Burton
South Africa’s Greg Minnaar takes the final jump before he claimed third place in the UCI Downhill world cup at Cascades, Pietermaritzburg. photo. Jonathan Burton
Jean Hackland carrying the ball up to the goal scoring area for her number one against Zambia yesterday. Photo. Jonathan Burton
The victorious South African polo cross team lift the polo cross world cup into the air where they beat Zambia 32 to 23 at Durban Shongweni Club yesterday. Photo. Jonathan Burton
130413.Dean Morgan takes a tumble down the rock garden at the South African National Cup 2013. Photo. Jonathan Burton
170113. Police Diver Warrant Officer Michael Bennett holds up a karp that was trapped in the car when the car was swept into the Duzi last Thursday. Photo-Jonathan Burton
03112012. SADTU members marching from Freedom Square, down the streets of Pietermaritzburg and delivering their memorandum outside the municipal buildings. The ANC and COSATU also showed their support for SADTU by joining in the march. Photo- Jonathan Burton
04102012. Henry Nel protesting the retrenchment of the Dunlop workers in Howick. Photo-Jonathan Burton
21102012. Two ATM’s outside Spar in Howick central that were bombed on Saturday night. Photo-Jonathan Burton
The experience gave me one of the greatest gifts life has to offer. It made me deeply question what I value. What story did I want to tell…
