Why intern in photography?
Are you a keen photographer looking for an exciting opportunity? Here’s your chance to sharpen your skills, expand your portfolio, and contribute to social development work. You might be the perfect candidate for one of our photography projects in Cape Town. We’re excited to have launched a Humanitarian Photography Project and a Nonprofit Photography Internship, both inspiring photographic adventures in a stunning setting. Read more below about how you can apply!
5 reasons why you should do a photography internship
1. Shine a light on an important cause
On both photography programs, you’ll be photographing grassroots nonprofit organisations. We’re mainly focusing on projects in Masiphumelele, a township on Cape Town’s Southern Peninsula, that deals with high poverty and unemployment rates, a wealth of social issues, and a lack of good education. The area also has a high number of street animals that live in poor conditions. As a photography intern or a participant on our humanitarian photography program, you’ll document the work of a number of nonprofit organisations that are working in Masiphumelele or surrounding communities. You can then donate a selection of your images to each organisation, so that they can use them to raise awareness for their cause.
As a photography intern, you’ll have a flexible program that we’ll put together for you that meets your interests and goals. If you join our humanitarian photography workshop, you’ll embark on week-long assignments with nonprofits. Either way, we’ll make sure to match you with nonprofit organisations that you feel particularly passionate about.
2. Achieve incredible milestones
As a photography volunteer or intern on these Cape Town programs, you’ll be guided by a professional humanitarian photography, Anna Lusty. She’ll guide you throughout your stay, and help you make the most out of the experience. Some of the things you can get excited about include improving your photography skills, building an extensive portfolio of images, learning about the role visual media can play in the nonprofit sector.
At the end of the day, you’ll make an impact! A selection of your images will be used to raise awareness about and fundraise for important social development, environmental, and/or animal welfare causes. You’ll spend time in Cape Town! Okay, not an achievement per se, but definitely a brilliant thing to do. Cape Town is an incredible place, and there will be plenty of time to explore your stunning surroundings.
3. Stay in a beautiful and peaceful neighborhood
As a photographer on these programs, you’ll stay in a gorgeous shared house on Cape Town’s Southern Peninsula. You’ll share the space with international travellers, volunteers and interns. It’s a stunning setting with views of Chapman’s Peak and nearby beaches. There’s shops and restaurants a few minutes drive away, and the centre of Cape Town is a 30-minute drive. It’s a lovely balance of wide open spaces and proximity to the buzzing of the city. During days off, you can go onto Table Mountain, explore the wineries in Constantia, go surfing in Muizenberg, visit the penguins at Boulder’s Beach, or hang out at the V&A Waterfront, with all its markets, shops, and restaurants.
Who Should Join?
If you’re a keen photographer with a passion for using your skills to make an impact, one of these programs might be a perfect match. The requirements for both programs are slightly different; if you’d like to join our Cape Town photography internship, you’ll need to be an intermediate to advanced photographer. You’ll need to have some solid experience with photography and an ability to work quite independently. It’s an ideal opportunity for a student of photography, media studies, or similar degrees, or anyone who wants to advance their career as a photographer. To join the humanitarian photography project, you don’t need to be as advanced, though you’ll still need to have basic photography skills.
On both programs, these are the requirements;
- You need to have a good DSLR or mirrorless camera, and ideally a range of lenses.
- You need to have some experience in photography and image editing.
- You’ll have to bring a laptop for post production of your images.
- Obviously you’ll need to be keen to learn about nonprofit photography, and to use your images to contribute to worthwhile causes.
Ready to apply?
If you want to sign up to one of our new photography programs, you can fill out this online application form. After completing the form application, please send your CV and a portfolio of images to info@rootsinterns.com. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Not too sure yet, which option is best for you? We’ll be happy to give you a call to discuss it through.
