Waldo Swiegers
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Waldo had an early start in photography, after he received his first camera, a Canon FTb with a 50mm lens, at the age of 11. His father (who was also a photographer) taught him the basics of photography, and Waldo observed and assisted him during many of his shoots from an early age.
Waldo went on to obtain a degree in Journalism at the University of Pretoria, after he matriculated in 2003. He specialised in Journalism and Visual Communication during his student years. During this time, he freelanced on a contract basis for Beeld, one of the leading daily newspapers in South Africa. This taught him how to work under severe pressure in conditions that often challenged him and his equipment to the extremes. He spent an initial 3 years in the fast-paced world of photojournalism freelancing for The Associated Press and several of the country's leading newspapers.
In 2008, Waldo decided to pursue his real passion - editorial portraits. People fascinate him. He loves shooting portraits, and this shows in the work he produces. He has shot many of South Africa's most prominent actors, models, performers and musicians. He has a unique style that is simple, but technically structured to make the most of the elements, or lack thereof, in any image. He is as at home in the studio as he is out on location, wherever it may be.
Waldo has found himself back in press photography, after Sunday Times asked him to shoot for them on a freelance basis in 2013. He is a weekly contributor to the news, sport and lifestyle sections of the paper. He is also a regular contributor to various South African and international magazines as well as Bloomberg Media.
Waldo is available for editorial and advertising commissions.
- Breaking news
- Editorial
- Fashion
- Portrait
- Reporting
