Living life through the lens

Self-taught photographer Kamohelo Mahlatsi aims to block out the negative and infuse pride through his photos.

September 18, 2019

Leigh Hodgson 2 minutes read

Kamohelo Mahlatsi, a Germiston High School learner and Katlehong resident, stares pensively at one of the photos he has taken in his The Envisioned Self series.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

For 19-year-old Germiston High School learner and Katlehong resident Kamohelo Mahlatsi this saying could not be more true, as he aims to tell a story and raise awareness through his photography.

The GCN met with the self-taught photographer, who works under the pseudonym Groovy Kamo, last Monday to hear more about his passion.

“The opportunity to pursue my love of photography fell into my lap in 2016,” Kamohelo said.

“A group of friends, who were musicians, needed someone to help shoot their videos and promotional photos, and being interested in photography I said I’d do it.

“My passion just grew from there.”

When asked what he loves most about photography and what grew his passion and kept him motivated, Kamohelo explained.

“I am really intrigued and fascinated with being able to freeze a moment in time and keep it forever,” he said.

“Knowing I, and others, can then look at the photograph and be taken right back to that moment and remember all the smells, sounds and emotions that are attached to it.

“It is amazing to me the emotions a photo can invoke.”

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This year Kamohelo began work on a photo series entitled The Envisioned Self.

“The series was inspired by late South African activist Steve Biko,” Kamohelo said.

“The series features solely black subjects with the intention to infuse black pride back into the community through powerful imagery.”

Kamohelo felt a need to do the series after personal experiences within his own community.

“I have noticed throughout my life that people will make fun of others for their features,” he said.

“If you are really dark skinned, people make fun of you or if you have really big lips people make fun of you.

“I think that this behaviour is wrong and strongly believe I need to address it, and I am doing so through art.”

All of Kamohelo’s models are his friends, friends of friends or his own community, which he said has been a blessing.

“The best part of this series, not having the budget or access to models, has been meeting and using people I have known for years or everyday people from my community,” he explained.

“I feel this makes the series more relatable.

“I choose each model for a feature that captures my attention and stands out to me.

“People viewing the photos can’t believe they aren’t models and this in itself helps toward my ultimate goal of infusing black pride into the community.”

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Kamohelo is responsible for his whole production, from taking the photos to editing, and the results have been met with positive reviews from his teachers and peers.

“The most important part of my process is planning,” Kamohelo explained.

“Once I have a clear vision in my head, everything else falls into place.”

When asked where he sees himself in the future Kamohelo said he didn’t want to make any false promises.

Germiston High School learner and Katlehong resident Kamohelo Mahlatsi (19), who works under the pseudonym Groovy Kamo, is a self-taught photographer who is aiming to infuse pride into his community through his art.

“I know I would love to pursue my passion, but I don’t want to say too much more.

“I’d much rather show people what I can do, let my work speak for itself and share my journey five years down the line than making promises I cannot keep.”