This past Saturday my fellow creative deren naiker(@Derennaiker) invited me to co-shoot victoria around the rivertown precinct. Never being one to shy away from AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOOT FASHION I GLADLY AGREED. I SHOT VICTORIA BEFORE EARLier IN THE YEAR with clay (@Clayymaker) AND IT WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. It was lovely to hear about the growth in her life since. As you flip through, you will get to know more about her through some questions she answered for me.
Victoria: I would like to have a really cool punch line in a different language to open but I don't speak any other exotic language , so hello reader! I’m victoria graaf-raw. Yes it is a strange surname but it’s striking so you won’t be able to forget it (or pronounce it correctly). I met lonwabo through a collaboration shoot with clay simelane in February and got signed to a modelling agency a couple of weeks later.
It was my first time in front of a camera like that but wow did they make Me feel like I was meant to be there. They were patient, funny and encouraging. I wouldn't have gotten through the shoot without them yelling “stank face� at me or getting me to crack a smile once in a while.
Lzimelaphotography: tell us a bit about yourself. Victoria: I am currently doing my honours in drama and completed my undergrad in Music and drama performance. I’m addicted to watching series and procrastinate a lot which makes studying a bit difficult. Having studied music and voice at ukzn, I grew to love jazz which influenced my singing and playing style. Soon I’m going to be gigging in a neo soul/jazz style fusion style around dbn.
I feel like there is such a great need for young black women to be told that it’s okay to be confident and there is more to life than being beautiful. The neo soul genre explores this and many other issues around identity and learning to love your natural self. Lzimelaphotography: profound. Who inspires you? Victoria: the following goddess’, Corrine bailey rae, Lianne la havas and esperanza spalding.
Lzimelaphotography: what are some of your goals/aims? Victoria: in my twenties I want to try as many things as possible and take lessons from everything I do. Lzimelaphotography: that’s great. Any last words? Victoria: I’m so glad I’ve found a friend as talented and genuine as yourself, you’re going to very far! You can follow my slightly bizarre instagram page @victoria.raw Lzimelaphotography: Thanks Vicky! I wish you all the best with your current and future endeavours.