Vuyo Polson: South African portrait and editorial photographer exploring stillness, belonging and the inner world

Vuyo Polson (b. 2002) is a photographer and visual artist based in Cape Town, South Africa. Raised in Johannesburg without any formal exposure to art, he found photography only after moving to Cape Town for university, and quickly fell in love with it. First with the medium, and later with himself through the practice.

The more he clicked the shutter, the deeper he went, uncovering his inner world: his spark. He attributes his worldview to art and the people it has allowed him to connect deeply with.

His practice centres on portraiture and editorial photography, working at the intersection of interiority and stillness. There is a world running parallel to this one, quieter, older, and mostly forgotten, and Vuyo's work is an act of recovery, turning attention towards the overlooked, quiet, and seemingly unremarkable moments that carry the deepest layers of what it means to be human. To look at his work is to be invited back into yourself.

How did you get started in photography?

Without realising it, I had always been drawn to photography from a young age. My mum bought me a tiny Fujifilm point-and-shoot camera when I was younger, and I loved playing around with it, but I never imagined taking it any further.

Eventually, I stopped using it, but I still found myself taking pictures on my phone. Even then, photography wasn't really a hobby until the end of university. I was studying for my final exams and really struggling. I needed something.

I had looked at camera prices the year before, but they were way too expensive for my tiny student budget. Something told me to check Gumtree.co.za, the South African equivalent of Facebook Marketplace. That's where I found a Pentax K1000 film camera for R700. "Afford' is a strong word here because I starved for the rest of that month, but it was worth it."

When the camera arrived, I had no idea how to use it. I went to the film store, where a guy named Nick showed me the basics and recommended a roll of Kodak Gold 200 to get started. I walked around the neighbourhood near my university residence, took some photographs, got them developed, and the rest was history. From then on, the spark was lit.

How would you describe yourself?

I would describe myself as playful, especially when I feel comfortable with the people I'm around. Being able to be myself and enjoy good company allows me to play and show the layers of myself I would otherwise shy away from.

I'm also very introspective. I have a rich inner world and I'm constantly imagining, dreaming, and in dialogue with myself. I've been told I can be a bit aloof, but really, I'm just contemplating the economic and political state of the world.

What are the main themes that inspire your photography?

The themes that guide my work are interiority, stillness, and belonging. Images that make people pause and reflect stay with us long after we've seen them. That's what stillness represents to me.

Belonging is about finding a sense of home wherever you are. Interiority exists somewhere between those two ideas. It's shaped by our heritage, ancestry, environment, spirit, and personal experiences. I'm interested in making photographs that invite people into that inner space.

What moment in your career are you most proud of?

One moment that stands out was creative directing a concept for the Adidas × Studio88 competition. I asked a few friends to join me on the project, and together we developed the idea from scratch. Our work finished in the Top 10 nationally.

Although we didn't win, seeing an idea that began in my head receive national recognition reminded me that trusting my creative instincts is always worthwhile.

Another proud milestone was seeing my work exhibited at Artvark Gallery in Cape Town. Having my photographs displayed — and available for collectors — felt like an important step in my journey.

What is the biggest challenge you've faced as a photographer?

One of my earliest lessons came from shooting film. I'd spend money on film, photograph carefully, wait for development, only to receive rolls that were badly underexposed — or completely blank. It was frustrating.

Instead of giving up, I became obsessed with understanding light. I experimented with exposure, flash, and different lighting situations, often dedicating entire rolls simply to learning.

Through trial, error, curiosity, and persistence, I eventually understood how light behaves — and that lesson still shapes the way I photograph today.

What type of photography do you specialise in?

I specialise in storytelling. It started by photographing those closest to me. As I became more confident, I began creating small visual narratives — using the same subject across different locations and moments to suggest a story rather than simply document one.

I became fascinated by how much emotion and meaning still images could communicate without words. That curiosity naturally led me towards editorial photography.

What is your unique technical or visual approach?

Composition is usually the first thing I think about. I use it to guide the viewer's attention through the frame. Lighting then supports that vision, whether it's harsh, dramatic light that demands attention or soft, balanced light that creates a sense of calm.

The photography scene in South Africa

Photography is relatively well established in South Africa, but much of the industry remains concentrated in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Durban also has a growing creative scene, but outside these cities, opportunities become much more limited.

What is one professional standard you never compromise on?

Making the person in front of my camera feel comfortable and genuinely seen. If someone isn't feeling like themselves, I'd rather postpone or cancel the shoot than push through just to produce images.

What do you think of the 54Ruum platform?

I think 54Ruum is both necessary and impactful. We need more platforms built by Africans for African photographers and image-makers. Seeing photographers grow through this community has been genuinely heartwarming, and it gives me hope that even more spaces like this will continue to emerge across the continent.