Melinda Stuurman

I am 35 years old. Studied photography in '97, but couldn't afford the tuition – I dropped out and decided to work for a couple of years and then continue my studies. I worked at SBH Cotton Mills as a machine operator for 9 years, and then quit to pursue my photography career. I spent my whole provident fund on my studies and I do not regret it for one moment. I studied at CityVarsity, School of Media and Creative Arts under the watchful eye of Jenny Altschuler. I loved every minute of my studies and was very excited when I had a photo essay exhibited at the fourth Month Of Photography (MOP) at the Castle of Good Hope – this series documenting an individual’s use of the drug tik. My first love has always been photojournalism, and my passion for documenting everyday life through images is my biggest motivation. I am always working on stories that come out of just taking pictures and then end up being a photo story. The story of my mom is no different, as I was just trying out my new camera and started shooting around the house.