Soweto-native contemporary photographer Themba Mbuyisa excels in storytelling through his distinctive portraits. His work, influenced by his subjects' lives, features intricately dressed individuals in everyday settings, highlighting the contrast between the ordinary and the extraordinary. "Photographing the spaces we occupy daily holds our true identity," Themba explains.
Using both film and digital photography, Themba crafts narratives that blend into contemporary fashion photography. As the first African finalist at the Villa Noailles Fashion and Photography Festival in France, he has seamlessly integrated his storytelling into fashion. His tenure as ELLE Magazine’s Style Reporter has led to cover stories for ELLE, Glamour, and features in Vogue.
Themba’s commercial portfolio includes commissions from Netflix, DSTV, GQ, Levi’s, and Fassi G.R.u Cranes. His personal work has been exhibited in London, France, Brazil, and South Africa, showcasing his ability to capture profound human stories across various platforms.