The Sunday News
Peter Matika, Senior Life Reporter
FOR most people, taking professional photos is very serious business. Most of you should remember what it was like to be forced into your Sunday best and have your mother literally “spit shine you”, all while giving you a lecture that you better smile when you get in front of the camera because she wouldn’t waste her money on ugly pictures. That was of course before the invention of smartphones and digital cameras, it was that serious!
Nonetheless, have you ever walked into someone’s house and saw a photo that really made you stop and say “WOW”.
Sunday Life spoke to one professional photographer, Auntony Zinyange, who says photography changed his perception not only about the industry but life as well.
Auntony, who co-runs Blaqframe Photography in Bulawayo, revealed that he ventured into photography, after completing a course in graphic designing at Masvingo Polytechnic in 2007.
He literally came from nothing and hit the ground running, has helped change the landscape, visually. He has brought a new movement to photography and has left many seasoned players in the industry green eyed with envy.
“Photography is an art and since graphic designing is an art it was easy for me to make a transition. I have been working with a seasoned photographer, Malshon Masara and we make a good combination. When I ventured into photography it wasn’t to please anyone but myself,” he said.
Auntony said he took photography seriously in 2011, after responding to an open call for photographers to submit their pictures to be selected for an exhibition in Harare.
“That’s when I decided to really venture into the industry. In 2014 I went to South Africa to study photography, photo journalism and documentary photography at an institute called Market Photo Workshop in Johannesburg.
This really set the pace for me in the industry as a photographer. The style I was accustomed to and what I learnt changed thereof. I can say my style is impeccable,” he said.
Auntony mentioned that he has participated in various photography competitions, with his notable experience making him a nominee in the prestigious Joop Swart master class world press photo book.
Auntony, who is big on weddings, noted that most of his clients were youthful, as they understood his work more than adults.
“Most of my clients are youthful, as you can see from most of the work I have done. However, the partnership I have with Masara complements us, as we give each other direction. Since venturing into photography my lifestyle has also changed, as I can now relate with people better. My identity as a person has changed as well,” he said.
As a photographer keen on weddings, Auntony said since he ventured into the industry he had managed to cover at least 200 weddings.
“It is quite busy when we go into the season. People not only hire us for photography but also videography, which not many photographers offer. Even those that offer that service don’t apply the techniques we have. I will obviously not reveal the techniques on this platform but for those interested in knowing why I deem ourselves, Blaqframe the best. Seek our services and you won’t be disappointed,” said Auntony.
Auntony has also done photography for National Geographic and is part of a league of extraordinary photographers from across the globe, who calls themselves View Bug.
“I don’t like to brag but it is what it is. As a group we post pictures weekly and compete against each other, not for money but to improve each other,” he said.
