Photographer reflects on election drama and emotion

RENOWNED American photographer, Terri Cappucci, who captured the drama and excitement of South Africa’s first ‘free and fair’ elections on April 27, 1994 (basing herself on the South Coast at the time) was recently back on South African soil.

Terri lives in Turners Falls, Massachusetts, and visited the area to celebrate 20 years of democracy, as well as to spend time with her close friend Pastor Maggie Moonsamy, whom she met in downtown Port Shepstone, three days before the first elections. It was almost a chance meeting, but it sealed a friendship which would last, one rich and steadfast.

“Maggie took me to areas where I would not have been able to go safely. I was able to capture the emotion of first time voters, as well as the excitement, with voting lines extending for miles in some locations,” said Terri.

Terri described the historical period as one that had a lot of joy, but also a lot of fear around what would, or could, happen back then.

“There were lots of military and police around for protection and to keep the peace. Without Maggie, I would not have really seen the heart of the South African people as they voted,” she said.

Terri was hired to cover the elections by editor at the time, Linda Hooper, and she worked with several of the Herald reporters, Colleen Haggard, Judi Davis and Iain Hush.

“These are all connections that I still have and I look forward to seeing the staff at the Herald every time I return,” she said, smiling.

Terri said there was symbolic moments that she had captured, one of her favourites being the photograph titled ‘Cup of Water’ – a white arm extended to give a cup of water to a thirsty first-time voter.

“I can still feel the moment when I took the photograph,” she added.

Terri has been to South Africa 18 times since 1986 and the majority of these trips were between 1994 and 2014, after meeting Maggie and her family.

“They have made me part of the family and I truly have a connection here. It’s like having a second home and another life that is completely separate from my life in the USA,” she said.

Terri’s son Aaron has also visited a few times with her. She has also flown Maggie over to visit her several times over the years.

“Our lives are beautifully woven together and our families are all part of our friendship. It’s very special to us both and we celebrated our 20-year friendship with a photograph in front of Pep (where they met all those years ago) and a big steak at Spur,” she said.

Terri has been teaching at photography online for the Pittsburgh Art Institute since 2012. The Creative Quarterly recently selected her as one of 25 top photographers for 2013. Her incredible photographs of leaves have featured on Rfoto Folio, a curated online gallery for fine art photography. She has also received rave reviews for her wet plate collodion photographs. She also plans to compose an unique coffee table book.

Terri flew home this week … but hopes to be back before too long!