About Me
An Introduction to Photography
Photography, or being a photographer was not my career path of choice as a kid. Like most kids I wanted to be a fireman or astronaut, but my fear of heights and lack of a space academy squashed those ideas. However, I had always found taking photos to be exciting and calming both at the same time, and remember the excitement of waiting for a roll of film to be developed, just to see how they came out.
I started taking photos when I was about 8 or 9 years old, and it was all thanks to my Gran, who decided that considering that I was always using my mom’s - read expensive at the time – Pentax to take photos, that she would buy me a camera for Christmas. So I got my first 35mm Point and Shoot with a book on learning photography, and thats where it started. Like most kids however the passion was replaced with other exciting toys and things to do, and my camera took a back seat.
It was only many years later that my passion for taking photographs was ignited again and I have my good friend Marcus Maschwitz, who is a brilliant Portrait and Band Photographer, now living and working in the UK, to thank for it. Like Marcus, I love skateboarding and we used to all head off to the park to skate for a couple of hours and shoot some pictures. On one particular day, I had hurt my ankle and asked Marcus if he would mind if I shot a roll of film with his Nikon F90X while he skated. Being as supportive as he is, even to this day, he said of course and I guess the feeling of that marvelous camera in my hand and the addictive sound of the shutter is what made my decision for me.
To cut a long story short, I finished school and after working for a company doing some dead-end job, I packed in the office job, borrowed some money from my ever supportive mother, bought myself a Nikon D50 under the advice of Marcus and started my “career” as a photographer. Since then I have been fortunate enough to work alongside Marcus at the 2005 LG Extreme XPO as a photographic partner, shot photos for SA Gardening Magazine, worked with the Natal Drummies association as well as shooting band and music photography in my spare time.
Music and band photography is what I would call my biggest passion behind the camera. There is something about capturing the energy and the essence of what makes the fans love those bands so much that keeps pushing me towards getting better shots. I have been extremely lucky to have shot some big shows and worked with some of the big names in the South African music scene.
I have also recently started shooting weddings as well and I am busy building up my portfolio.
My Inspiration
I cannot define specifically what inspires me. With music and bands, it has always been the music itself. I have played guitar for years, played bass guitar in 4 bands and have even been known to smack the drums. With weddings it comes down to the happiness that I can capture in the photos. Sometimes its just the need to feel my camera in my hand, and the sound of that shutter.
What I can say specifically that does inspire me however is looking at other photographers work. There are definitely people that inspire me to shoot more and to try harder. My family and friends, the bands that I shoot, and the people that appreciate my work. Nothing says inspiration to me more than a few kind words.
Now for that bit about me
I am 24 years old. I live in Cape Town with my wife and 2 dogs – “The Kids” and I run a small web development agency called Eighty Six as well as handle all the marketing and financials for my wife’s business and school. I am a tattoo enthusiast, and have 2 full sleeves, well 1 and a bit, the other is still a work in progress. I am a musician and I love to write, but I am sure you can see that. In my spare time I enjoy walking my dogs on the beach and good company.