Lezandra Payne of Standerton sends in winning photo

Standerton’s own Lezandra Payne won a photography competition.

It all began with scrolling on Facebook and noticing the ‘unapologetically you’ post of Wild Women Sisterhood South Africa.

“I decided to enter and sent three photos,” Lezandra said.

“It was the first time in my life that I entered a competition.”

This community organisation informed her that one photo is necessary and she decided on a portrait of a more feminine women, giving the caption, “The best make-up a woman can wear is her smile, because a smile can change a life, can change the world’.

The sisterhood was sufficiently impressed and will host her on the first weekend in April in the village, Kaapsehoop, for a a get-away.

There was more to it.

A cash prize and two restaurant vouchers, as well as two-year-membership, free of charge of the sisterhood.

Lezandra will also have access to discounts at various service providers.

“The organisation’s mission is to inspire and motivate women,” Lezandra also said.

They are against child trafficking and all kinds of gender-based violence.

No doubt the seed was sown to enter other competitions as well.

She began taking photos in her matric year at Hoërskool Standerton. Lezandra and Adriaan van Zyl were celebrating a six-year-companionship on Sunday, 31 January.

The question as to what she finds difficult as photographer, was met with silence and deep thought.

“Photos of people have to represent their personality,” she finally said.

“People who do not like their photos to be taken, are daunting as well.”

Her previous Canon’s shutter that gave in, paved the way for a new model.

When it was time to take a photo of Lezandra, the newspaper was put on the spot, but managed to take a few, inviting a crit afterwards.

Her philosophy in life is to be the best that she can possibly be.