Photographer Bassie Maluleka’s photographs probably have a common theme, whether she is shooting an advertisement for Nike or a photo spread for Vogue. That’s on purpose. She aims to spotlight Black women in order to draw attention to a sometimes ignored group.

Maluleka stated in a recent video interview that she believes Black people are frequently depicted in terms of struggle and general hardship. “And I just want to shift the narrative in that way — I want to highlight the stories that we can tell, like the lovely side of being a Black woman.”

Black Women

Maluleka grew up in a creative environment because she comes from a South African family of business owners. She got the chance to take up a camera while pursuing her studies in finance at the university, and it quickly evolved into her very own creative tool. She chose to go into a career in photography because she was already unsure about the future of a career in finance.

I just took the jump and told my parents, Listen, it’s my fourth year, but I’m dropping out, according to the student. I have a plan and know what I’ll do.

upgrading her craft

Maluleka was a budding photographer who spent many test shots honing her craft. These self-funded photoshoots, which she organized with the help of her model, makeup artist, stylist, and art director friends, had the double advantage of allowing for complete creative freedom and acting as useful additions to everyone’s professional portfolios.

But as a female photographer in South Africa, breaking into the field wasn’t simple. Maluleka quickly realized that despite the industry’s claims of collaboration, there was a significant amount of “gatekeeping,” as she put it.

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