Build a great portfolio while contributing to important grassroots causes in Cape Town
Join the award winning photography internship program in Cape Town, South Africa! It’s a great opportunity to improve your skills through tutoring by a professional photographer, to build a diverse portfolio, and to contribute to nonprofit work through your photography.
You’ll start your photography internship by joining a week-long workshop by humanitarian photographer Anna Lusty. During this workshop, Anna will teach you the best and most effective ways of documenting the work of nonprofit projects through your lens, and she’ll introduce you to cultural nuances that are important to take into account. The workshop is partly theory and partly practical, as you’ll be visiting and photographing some social development projects.
After this initial week, you’ll be placed with one or more nonprofit(s), and you’ll be documenting their work with your camera. Depending on your skills and interests, the projects can be focused on environmental, social development, human rights, or animal welfare. You’ll learn about the organisation’s mission and projects, and create a portfolio of images that the nonprofit can use for communication and fundraising purposes. It’s a great way to gain practical photography experience and help raise awareness of important development programs. You’ll have the option of getting continued tutoring by Anna, if you’d like mentorship throughout your internship.
ORGANIZATION
During this photography internship, you’ll be working with one – or several – nonprofit(s) based in Cape Town, South Africa. Your exact projects depend on when you join, the needs of our partner organisations, and your personal passion and interests. Either way, you’ll be working with nonprofit initiatives that are doing incredibly important work in Africa in areas such as human rights, gender equality, animal welfare, climate change, health, and education. Throughout your internship you will have the opportunity to better these causes through your photography. Given the intimate size of our organizations, you will be able to see evident change to the communities you will be helping.
TASKS & REQUIREMENTS
Your photography internship will start with a five-day workshop by professional photographer Anna Lusty. Anna will help you improve your technical photography and post production skills, and introduce you to nonprofit photography. She’ll give you a solid understanding of the nonprofit sector in Cape Town, the way photography can contribute, and how to approach it in the most effective and culturally sensitive way.
After the workshop, when you’re placed with individual NGOs, you’ll be guided by designated supervisors at the charities you’ll be photographing, and if you opt for it, by Anna on a continuous basis. That will allow you to learn further, reflect on your experiences, and asses your work. Please note there is an additional fee involved in this – please enquire to find out more.
What you’ll do
As a photography intern on this program, your exact work will be customised to your skills and interests, and to the needs of the nonprofits you’ll be joining. Your tasks can include the following;
- Photograph nonprofit projects on the ground, with the aim of equipping these organisations with strong visual material that will help them raise awareness for their work
- Assist the nonprofits with using your – and other – images in an effective way through digital communications channels
- Assist with setting up exhibitions or online campaigns to highlight photography of important causes
- Depending on your interests, you might also get involved in other areas, such as fundraising, website management, communications, or impact assessment
Requirements
- You need to be an intermediate / advanced photographer. (You don’t have to be a seasoned pro, but you do need to have a decent camera, good technical skills, and some experience.) We will adapt your projects to your photography level.
- An ability to work fairly independently.
- A passion for using photography as a tool for positive change.
- You’ll need to bring your own laptop with editing software.
- You’ll need to bring your own DSLR or mirror-less camera. Nice to have: range of lenses (but not a must).
WHERE YOU’LL STAY
You’ll be staying at the Lenox, a comfortable guest house in the heart of Cape Town. Built in the old Cape Dutch style, the Lenox is characterful and spacious. It has a garden with a barbeque area, a large dining room, and several other communal spaces. Shared bedrooms take four to eight people, and there are plenty of single rooms available as well (at an extra fee). You’ll be walking distance from a wide range of shops, cafes and restaurants, and at a great spot for some of the touristy highlights Cape Town has to offer as well. (As well as for views of Table Mountain!)
DATES & RATES
You can join us for 3 to 8 weeks starting on May 14, July 17th, or October 16th. Alternative start dates are possible pending availability of the photographer to facilitate the workshop. Additional fees apply.
What you’ll pay (2023 rates)
3 WEEKS USD 2,600
4 WEEKS USD 2,900
5 WEEKS USD 3,200
6 WEEKS USD 3,500
7 WEEKS USD 3,900
8 WEEKS USD 4,100
NB. If you are interested in combining Cape Town with f.e. Livingstone (Zambia) or Nkhata Bay (Malawi), please contact us to discuss options and fees.
Includes:
- Transfer from Cape Town International airport to your accommodation and back on arrival and departure day
- Accommodation based on a dorm room (4-8 pax). If you prefer a single room, please contact us for availability and prices
- Two meals (breakfast and dinner) a day from Monday to Friday
- Workshop by Anna Lusty including transport to the projects that week
- Assistance with your visa arrangement & other preparations
- On the ground support during your stay
- Free WiFi
- Assistance with finding the perfect work placement
- Supervision during your internship by the host organization
- Optional: one or more check-ins with the humanitarian photographer during your internship (USD 85 per session).
- Check-in and feedback as well as a reference letter after your internship
- Your own account on a career development platform that offers content and courses focused on exploring different career opportunities
- Reference letter at the end of your internship
- A discount on weekend activities, exclusive to Roots interns
Excludes:
- Flights
- Visa, medical and travel insurance costs for the duration of your placement – must include cover for repatriation
- Lunch, drinks, snacks, and items of personal nature (f.e. curios, gifts, clothing)
- Meals during the weekend
- Transport to the project(s) after the workshop week
- Costs for additional excursions or activities
QUICK FACTS
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Cape Town, South Africa |
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Various Nonprofits |
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Photography |
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3-8 Weeks |
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From USD 2,600 |
INTERNSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Get practical experience in nonprofit photography
- Contribute to a social enterprise organizing photo tours but also using photography as a tool to support important conservation and community projects in developing countries
- Gain insight in the daily operations of a nonprofit programme
- Possibility to also get involved in communications, fundraising, and project management
- Live and work in Cape Town, arguably one of the most stunning cities in the world.
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Enjoy exploring South Africa’s many highlights during your time off
3 WEEKS USD 2,600
4 WEEKS USD 2,900
5 WEEKS USD 3,200
4 WEEKS USD 2,900
5 WEEKS USD 3,200
HOW TO APPLY
If you’re ready to apply for this photography program or internship, here’s what to do:
APPLY
Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV and portfolio with us.
SELECTION
We will review your application and discuss it with the supervisor and/or program manager. An interview might be part of the selection process
CONFIRMATION
If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you all the information you need.
PAYMENT
We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit. Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.
NEED TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY FIRST?
Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this program or internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!
