“Creative photography is all about capturing vibes. A vibe is like a feeling of freedom. Every-one shares ideas without judgement, and we go with the flow,” said 23-year-old Ambokile Newton. Newton is a creative photographer who shoots birthday parties, weddings, and special events. He strives to make his clients feel relaxed and comfortable during photoshoots. Through conversations and interaction, he helps them overcome any nervousness, enabling them to express themselves better. However, this is just one aspect of his process.
Newton has a methodical approach to photography. He prefers a structured environment where he can anticipate potential variables that might impact a photoshoot. He asks his clients about their preferred timings, emphasises punctuality and requests to be informed if they are running late. This not only maintains professionalism but also influences the type of photos captured. Newton takes it upon himself to educate clients about how the time of the day can affect their photos, empowering them to make informed decisions.
Providing such insights is a natural part of Newton’s personality. Apart from photography, he is also a civil engineer and plays basketball. He compares his photography to his defensive role in basketball, where he anticipates opponents’ moves before they happen. Similarly, he visualises the final outcome of a photo, crafting an image in his mind before processing it in Photoshop. This meticulous approach ensures client satisfaction and helps him achieve his goals.
Newton’s methodical approach can be traced back to his childhood. He had disassembled his parents’ laptops, trying to understand their inner workings. He had the same fascination with cameras, using small film cameras in his house to capture photos, albeit most of them being blurry. This sparked his interest in photography. He dedicated himself to honing his skills in both photography and civil engineering, as they came naturally to him.
Recalling a life lesson from his father, Newton said, “There was a time when my dad and I were doing some construction work in the yard, and my hands were blistered. He told me that if I don’t work hard now and make something of myself, I’ll have to work hard for the rest of my life.” Newton pursued engineering studies at the Government Technical Institute (GTI), where he experienced gruelling schedules during his two-year diploma course. Starting his day at 7:30 am and ending it at 10 pm taught him discipline with time management. At GTI, late students had to wait outside the classroom and would have to catch up on missed work.
Newton has carried this discipline into his photography career. He always arrives half an hour early to a shoot and immediately offloads the photos once the session concludes, ensuring a fast turnaround time for his clients. He believes that secure digital (SD) cards are not to be trusted and offloading the photos promptly guarantees that his clients always receive their pictures, mitigating the risk of a corrupted SD card ruining them through his efficient workflow.
While Newton approaches photography in an analytical and matter-of-fact manner, he still appreciates its creativity and the broader purpose it serves in society beyond the photographer-client relationship. He finds the art’s ability to capture moments in time, document fashion history, and explore the characteristics of older cameras particularly impressive. Newton’s enjoyment of photography explains his belief in how photographers can enhance their craft. He likes to experiment with different styles, avoiding the confinement of a specific aesthetic. Instead, he views photography as free and this allows him to capture the essence of his subjects without being limited to a particular style. His openness to experimentation has also allowed him to collaborate with other creatives who have a less structured approach.
Newton acknowledges that he particularly enjoys working with creative models because they have a deep understanding of their craft. Unlike regular clients, these models are conscious of their movements and poses, which present an exciting opportunity for Newton to capture the perfect moment. He eagerly awaits those instances when they begin to pose, ready to seize the magic unfolding before his lens.
