How a high school musical kickstarted Mandy Sass’ photography career
When Mandy Sass took up photography as a hobby at just 15-years-old, she could never have imagined that the passion would turn into a full-fledged career.
Now, almost two decades later, she is one of the most sought-after photographers in Cape Town, gigging all over the province and even the world! Surprisingly, the ever-smiling Capetonian never formally studied the art, but taught herself through tips and tricks she picked up along the way.
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“I never studied photography,” Mandy says.
“I did a short course on it, but nothing formal. I took all the tips I’d see and tried it. And it just kept growing and that’s when I knew that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”
The bug bit
Mandy is no stranger to putting herself out there and will often take up a challenge if it means pushing herself and finding a different aspect to who she is. It is the same with the photography when she followed in her father’s footsteps. The only difference is, she turned it into a business.
While still at school, she recorded a musical on her father’s old camera. The orders came streaming in and she realised that there is potential for a business.
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“My dad would go to different events, be it a family gathering or a do at church, and he’d take the video camera along with him. So, I started doing it, too,” Mandy adds.
“One Christmas, my brother bought me a digital camera and I actually photographed an entire wedding on it! When I look back, I can’t believe I did it with that small camera!
“But that is how my journey started and the love for photography just grew.”
Big plans
In the coming weeks Mandy will travel to Greece, but she has big plans for when she returns. In addition to upgrading her equipment and expanding her prop basket, she also has a vision of hosting a photography workshop.
Admittedly, the workshop is the one dream she is very passionate about, seeing as she can transfer her knowledge to aspiring photographers.
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“I would love to host a workshop one day for young people who want to learn about photography,” she says with a sparkle in her eye.
“That is the big dream I want to see come true in the near future.”
