Cyril Zuma is a famous South African photographer known for his recognisable brand, including commercial and lifestyle photography. He’s also an entrepreneur and the founder of  Colour Space. Zuma’s interest in photography began during childhood, thanks to his mother, who frequently bought him Kodak cameras. After quitting his job to pursue photography full-time six years ago, he’s already worked with global brands like Netflix and Showmax. We recently caught up with him to pick his brain on what it takes to succeed in the industry, his passion for stock photography, and his efforts to uplift the next generation of creatives.  

Why stock photography?

Stock photo websites are a goldmine of images businesses can use to upgrade their visual projects. Zuma noticed a significant gap in representation during his time in the advertising industry; there was a shortage of high-quality images showing black and brown people in everyday activities, which posed a challenge for companies looking to advertise to African markets. To bridge this gap, he founded Colour Space, a platform that showcases diverse imagery and allows photographers to monetise their work. Anyone can contribute photos to the platform, whether shooting with a professional camera or simply snapping pics on their phone. The result is a marketplace where photographers can connect with individuals and businesses needing unique and representative imagery. As Zuma puts it, “Colour Space exists to facilitate that exchange between photographers and people who need their images.”

Landing gigs with big brands

Zuma considers his opportunity to travel to Tanzania in 2017 with the Somafco Trust to document an educational trip as one of the major highlights of his career. “I had just quit my job to pursue photography full-time, so it affirmed that I was on the right path,” he reflects. Although building and maintaining lasting relationships with different clients can be challenging, he believes that anticipating their needs and nurturing connections can be game changers. “There are many talented photographers in South Africa, and so you need to find ways to remain top-of-mind with clients constantly,” he explains. This strategy has paid off for Zuma, who has worked with leading brands such as YFM, Joe Public, Airports Company South Africa, and True Love Magazine, among others, in the six years since getting his big break. 

Advice for young photographers and entrepreneurs

“When I started, Instagram was just starting to boom, and it was the perfect platform to showcase my work and connect with potential clients,” Zuma recalls, adding that there are more social media platforms now available for creatives to take advantage of. While photography equipment can be technical and pricey, he insists that all you need to get started is a good smartphone, coupled with patience and curiosity. “Believe it or not, magazine covers have been shot using camera phones. These devices have settings that you can manipulate to produce world-class photographs.” As for advice to aspiring photographers, Zuma recommends formalising their businesses and setting up contracts to protect their work and themselves. For more tips and gems, check out Zuma’s podcast, BRoll Conversations, and his YouTube channel, which he created to share information that can help young photographers thrive.

Tell us: what kind of photos do you like to take? 

If you enjoyed this article, read about a photograph that shook America here.