Lens liberates entrepreneur
Shabeleshu Tilly Nkadimeng from Ga-Sekhukhune is a self-taught photographer who decided to answer her calling after she was retrenched.
LIMPOPO – Previously an accounts manager, the 26-year-old wanted to capture beauty through a lens and decided to chase her dreams by founding Tilly Photography.
She decided to act on this passion and calling about five months ago after losing her job of three years.
“It was a blessing in disguise because if I had not lost that job, I would still be an unhappy person working a job I wasn’t passionate about because of a comfortable salary,” she explained.
Tilly added leaving her workplace set her free, giving her the freedom and liberation to do what she loves.
She wants to be a photographer who tells stories through images, help people express their feelings and document moments people are not always able to put into words.
“My passion for photography comes from my love for quality pictures; I enjoy capturing moments more than being captured.
“I always felt I belonged behind the lens because it didn’t make sense why it’s always cameraman and never a woman doing the work at functions.
“Having never attended an event where the photographer was female, I took a stand to change that.”
Shabaleshu believes her camera can help her tell African people’s stories and culture and hopes to one day have a photography centre in the rural area where she will educate kids and introduce them to her world. She also hopes to have a burst foundation that funds rural kids who are interested in photography.
