Cape Town advantage
Based in Cape Town, he points out that many production houses, casting agencies and model agencies are situated in the city, offering work potential to photographers. There are more than 25 stills production companies, around 45 commercial service companies and the city has one of the best filming locations in the world.
The weather is also favourable, providing over 14 hours of sunlight daily in the middle of the European winter. This means that a European summer commercial and catalogue shoot can be created in time to have them on the shelves in time for the European summer.
There is an average of 1 200 local and international commercial service projects facilitated each year as well as around 800 still campaigns. 58% of foreign originated commercials facilitated by South African companies are filmed in Cape Town. Stills generate approximately R350 000 per day. Each production results in job creation.
"Choosing photography as a career path requires a basic education and social understanding of people. It is not about or age, nor how many degrees you might have under your belt, it is about being creative and being passionate about your career and doing something about it," says Lazarus.
"Once you feel the connection, you can decide what path is best tailored for your needs; you can work either as a freelancer or as an employee. Either way, you will have the chance to gain the respect and recognition in this profession. It offers you the chance to be flexible in your work, as well as the freedom to work anywhere in the world. Once you establish a name for yourself, you can really start to live the dream.
"The choices are vast in terms of where you wish to specialize, from photojournalism to fashion, from social and corporate events to publications, from coffee table books to reportage and feature work; the world is literally your playground, it is where you choose to play," he says.
DLphoto offers practical courses run monthly on Saturdays over a four-week period. Lessons run for approximately three hours per session. Classes are small, personalised and hands on, with much personal and group interaction. Students are taught how to build relationships with clients, such as wedding parties, children and the corporate sector, which is an essential part of the job, as well as be educated on how to market themselves in the workplace.
All equipment is supplied, so no money is wasted on purchasing equipment that might not be suitable. Once students have completed the course, they will have a better idea in terms of the area in which they wish to concentrate and can then purchase the necessary camera equipment.
Students may also decide to arrange one-on-one lessons during the week should Saturdays not be suitable, at the same cost.
For more, go to www.dlphoto.co.za.
