Smile, Pose, Click!
Through the hardships of choosing a career path, as well
as “trying out” studying something suitable to pursue, like any other pupil,
Lerato was undecided on what to study after completing her matric. “I took a
gap year in 2009, and did a learnership at a call centre and worked there for a
couple of months” she said. Although she discontinued working at the call
centre due to a lack of interest, she also approached nursing as a field that
she felt she could prosper in.
“I applied in nursing and got accepted in 2010” she said.
She is currently at her 4th year in being a student nurse at one of
the biggest hospitals in Gauteng. With
having an impact in her community, Lerato would like to pursue a career as a
doctor two years after completing her course in nursing. “It puts me in a good
position in helping other people, I love the autonomy part of it, where you
have to take decisions of your own and you don’t have to rely on anybody else”.
Lerato does not only help people medically, but socially
as well. Her passion for photography has captured millions of memories of the
events of her community members, family as well as friends.
“Having a good photographer is quiet essential for
memories for the future, forever” she said. This self-taught photographer
acquires her skills through reading books, as well as by taking many photos using
her Canon compact camera. Lerato also aspires to have her own studio in future,
as a platform for her to grow as a photographer as well as to fulfil her future
plans. “I would like to take photos of new born babies because I believe it is
beautiful and a mother deserves to have pictures of their babies” she added.
Her journey started last year (2012), by attending baby showers as well as
birthdays where she would take photos of such events to explore her skills
behind the camera.
In every field of work, it is expected to be approached
by challenges, in which encourage or discourage individuals. Photography in
comparison to nursing is a challenge for the young lady as feels the crime in
her neighbourhood restricts her from being free from capturing pictures of her
neighbourhood, in which she would have referred to as “the ghetto”. “I cannot
do the things that I want due to crime, I believe taking my camera out there to
take pictures is a risk” she said. However, with nursing her only challenge is
her workload, as well as the amount of hours she works. In order to overcome
her challenges, Lerato aims to avoid taking risky pathways and arrange a rather
“safer” alternative to obtain the pictures she desires.
The young photographer is compensated by friends for her
work, which could possibly open doors for her passion into becoming a business.
Lerato claims she would love to be nationally recognized into becoming famous
for her work “right now I would like to build up my skills in photography and
be the best that I can be because I’m doing this for myself, an award would be
a cherry on top” she adds.
Lerato was fascinated by DJing as well, however she could
not be taught because she was overwhelmed with school work. “I would have loved
to be a commercial DJ because I am from the hood” she said. “I would have liked
making people dance” she added.
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