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.
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.
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.
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;
You’ll be staying at The Lenox, a comfortable guesthouse in the heart of Cape Town. Built in the old Cape Dutch style, The Lenox is characterful and historic. It has multiple balconies, a large dining room, and many other communal spaces. Shared bedrooms include 2 twin beds, and there are plenty of single rooms available as well (at an extra fee). You’ll be walking distance from many shops, cafes, restaurants, and some of the touristy highlights Cape Town has to offer as well.
Be sure to prioritize hydration in the summer to avoid heatstroke. South Africa does have high crime rates, so it’s important to be aware and use common sense to stay safe. Some safety guidelines are to always walk in groups, take a taxi/Uber in the evenings, know safe/dangerous areas, secure your belongings, don’t walk around with large sums of cash (you can pay everything with a card), minimize wearing flashy accessories, and be cautious of overly friendly strangers.
The accommodation offers free Wi-Fi to keep family and friends up to date via WhatsApp, Zoom, etc. Cafes/restaurants also offer free Wi-Fi. You can also consider getting a local SIM card if your phone is unlocked, or setting your phone’s status to roaming, depending on your provider’s rates.
A simple breakfast, lunch and a delicious cooked dinner (vegetarian & vegan options available) from Monday to Friday are included in your fee. Indulge in local dishes, like bobotie and South African Braai! For desserts, don’t miss out on milk tarts and malva pudding. There is a diverse food scene in Cape Town, so no matter your cuisine preference or dietary restrictions you’ll have plenty of options. Let us know in advance if you have any allergies/dietary needs.
Discover Cape Town’s attractions: Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Gardens, city tours, historical sites, and the Cape Point Peninsula. There are also opportunities to surf, kayak, paraglide, cage dive with sharks, and more! Cape Town has a mediterranean climate with cool winters and hot summers so be sure to check what the temperature will be like during your stay.
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.
Some of our most commonly asked questions for programs in South Africa.
During your internship in South Africa you can expect to meet people from around the world, as well as indulging yourself into the culture of this beautiful country! If you want to know more about what to expect, make sure to check out our top 7 reasons for an internship in Cape Town.
Yes! We partner with various activity organizers that can offer discounts exclusive to Roots Interns, for example, a road trip through the Garden Route and bungee jumping off the world’s largest natural bungee. You may also explore the country on your own and we are happy to give recommendations.
Yes! You are able to do a part-time internship with certain organizations so that you can continue your studies, while also gaining valuable work experience.
Unfortunately, no. When working with a nonprofit organization, your internship will be unpaid, but there are many ways to fund your internship. Your experience will bring a wealth of knowledge and opportunities for both professional and personal growth that are invaluable!
If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:
Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us.
We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.
If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.
If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, getting started with the booking process and all the info you need.
Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.
Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!
ABOUT US
At Roots, we create the perfect balance between meaningful work and valuable learning through internships with nonprofits & social enterprises in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
CONTACT
UK: +44 139 269 0255
US: +1 617 500 6179
internship@rootsinterns.com
OFFICE: Cape Town, South Africa
SOCIAL
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
ABOUT US
At Roots, we create the perfect balance between meaningful work and valuable learning through internships with nonprofits & social enterprises in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
CONTACT
UK: +44 139 269 0255
US: +1 617 500 6179
internship@rootsinterns.com
OFFICE: Cape Town, South Africa
SOCIAL
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
ABOUT US
At Roots, we create the perfect balance between meaningful work and valuable learning through internships with nonprofits & social enterprises in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
CONTACT
UK: +44 139 269 0255
US: +1 617 500 6179
internship@rootsinterns.com
OFFICE: Cape Town, South Africa
SOCIAL
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
