Model turns photographer

The dream of well-known model Wellem Kapenda started in 2012 when he was scouted by local model scout Kalistu Mukoroli. Seven years later he is on billboards, modelling on the 'it' runways and in fashion shows, not forgetting being nominated as the favourite male model of the year in the Simply You Magazine Awards. Hailing from Ongwediva and being raised in a modern household setting, Kapenda says modelling was an escape for him and making peace with himself. “I've had such a tragic childhood especially in junior high school with massive bullying, name-calling, peer pressure etc. The reason why I am so passionate about this is because I am telling my younger self that he is enough for him. Modelling is my escape and my first love,” he said.Having built his brand thus far, Kapenda says he slowly started eyeing the camera. Having gotten compliments for his pictures and it being a passion, he decided to take the challenge up and today, he is the sole owner of Pearl Avenue, a photography company. tjil had a one-on-one interview with the bubbly 23-year-old businessman. tjil (T): What do you think of the state of the Namibian modelling industry? Wellem Kapenda (WK): I think nothing about it actually. Everyone is busy with something, and that's a good thing. I would say where we are right now is okay, because if someone were to tell me that in 2017 Namibian models would be finally used to promote big local companies, I would laugh my head off. If someone were to tell me all the downloaded pictures from the net would be removed off our billboards and replaced with local models, I'd spill my cocktail. So I believe we are at an okay place. I don't really know what the government is doing for the modelling industry, so I don't really have words for that. T: As a model, what makes a good photographer? WK: Everyone with a camera is a good photographer. THE EYE, that's the golden medal. T: Can you please tell us what Pearl Avenue is and how it came about?WK: Pearl Avenue is my new studio that I've set up from home. I've always been passionate about photography, I just never thought of making it into a big deal. Ask almost every photographer I've worked with, I am a headache because I always have something to say about the shots taken. An opportunity presented itself and I went for it. I am a Gemini and my birth stone is a Pearl hence the name. The name Avenue was just catchy. I'll be doing all kinds of shoots, from studio to outdoor etc. The past days I've learned so much, about photography and with time I will be doing more than just shoots for Pearl Avenue. T: Has social media influenced your discussion in becoming a photographer? WK: LOL NO! Social media for me is just an advertising agency to be honest. We have so much control over it, especially when it comes to what we choose to do with it. But what I see from recent acts we are using it in the most wrong and inhuman way. It's not supposed to be like that. I always say what we portray on social media is not always gospel truth on who we are, unfortunately in the world we live in, companies look at these things when it comes to recruitment. T: There are so many photographers, what will distinguish you from the others? WK: Same thing that distinguishes me from the other models, me. T: Which photographers influenced you, and how did they influence your thinking, photographing, and career path?WK: I am amused by how someone can turn such raw images into something out of this world. The way people smile because they cannot believe that IMG008 is them that is how I want to make people feel. The past weeks have been the most stressful because detail on pictures is everything and editing can be real tricky. I always thought that finalising images was the easy part, but the last few days of being mentored by Jonathan Paulus of Ino Photography opened up my eyes a bit more realised that this would be a real challenge. I am super grateful to him. T: What motivates you to take pictures? WK: I take pictures with an excited heart knowing that the person I am shooting feels the same way. T: What do you love about photography? WK: The beauty that can be made from just a little box with a lens. T: What projects do you have lined up for Pearl Avenue and who are you looking forward to working with? WK: I would like to work with everyone actually, mostly models who don't make the cut or are cast out from the spotlight. We all deserve a chance. I have so many completed projects I've been busy with the past month with completely new faces. It's just a matter of time before I put my work out there. T: With all of these things, where do you find yourself most often pulling the inspiration?WK: I find inspiration from everything. That's the beauty of it all. June Shimuoshili

Model turns photographer

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-12

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Model turns photographer

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-12

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