GIRL POWER
EMPOWERING OUTREACH STUDENTS WITH LOWEPRO
THE MISSION
To make a real positive impact on our community and natural environment, at Lowepro, we’ve partnered with the South African NGO Wild Shots Outreach. Through this project, we’ve proudly supported young photographers on their first professional assignment, raising their employability, while massively growing their self-esteem and confidence.
WILD SHOTS OUTREACH PROGRAMME
Karabo Magakane is 23 years old and lives in a rural community bordering South Africa’s Kruger National Park. She was part of a group of six young female African photographers who were commissioned by Lowepro to shoot their new environmentally-friendly Pro Trekker camera backpacks.
"I feel so proud that Lowepro trusted young black African women with this product shoot. It was such an amazing opportunity—thank you for making us feel proud and valued."
These young women are all graduates of the Wild Shots Outreach Programme. This South African NGO supports young Africans from disadvantaged communities in accessing their wildlife heritage and developing employment skills in wildlife and tourism through photography. Wild Shots Outreach teaches new skills and provides a “focus” and introduction to the natural world, helping to raise the aspirations of these young people—the conservationists and photographers of tomorrow.
Lowepro’s parent company, Videndum, has partnered with Wild Shots Outreach since 2017. With the launch of their exciting new range of high-performance Pro Trekker backpacks, Lowepro had the visionary idea of commissioning some of Wild Shots’ most talented young female photographers for the product shoot.
"We can achieve our dreams—this is possible if you’re really determined and put your heart and soul into everything you do."
- Nothando
THE ASSIGNMENT
The assignment took place over three days in the Greater Kruger Area in South Africa. It was hard work, with early starts and late finishes to catch the best light. But the girls rose to the challenge, making sure they completed all the required product images on Lowepro’s shot list.
"We were photographing the backpacks by a water hole when, all of a sudden, two rhinos appeared out of the bush. We had to quickly jump into the vehicle to get out of their way and make sure we were safe. Despite interrupting our work, we then realised we had a chance to photograph the camera backpack with the rhinos in the same shot! Never waste an opportunity-this was an unforeseen, dream shot. "
Nothando, aged 20, explains: "It's very inspiring being part of a female photography team—I’d only ever seen male photographers before." Previously unemployed, Nothando took the Wild Shots course in early 2020. Her creative and technical photographic talents immediately shone – and she is now helping run the photography workshops in her local community.
Karabo concludes, “We all grow up with the perspective that wildlife and conservation is a white man’s thing. I believe photography can change the narrative in black communities about conservation. If more photographs are taken by young black people, and they are showcased more widely, this will help our local communities value Africa’s wildlife and why it needs to be conserved”.
Pro Trekker Collection is made of 4 carry-on compatible and backcountry ready backpacks and roller cases, delivering your digital imaging gear to the destination without missing a beat.