The year was 2016 when Kgotso Michael Aphane aka Maverick Seizure decided to grab a camera and embrace his talent behind the lens to not only go on an adventure of a lifetime with each shot he took but also to uncover the complex connections in culture, highlighting the unseen bonds that unite us.
Critically acclaimed as a passionate advocator for bridging Western and African creative spaces, a commitment vividly reflected in his photography, Maverick Seizure is well-known for being a visionary walking his lane while influencing the South African youth through his signature approaches to documenting moments and ultimately shaping artistic by being unconventional with his pursuit for success.
In our new cover story titled “YOURS TRUTHFULLY”, we intentionally spotlight Maverick’s fascinating world by capturing how his passion for photography continues to drive his human experience and add-on to his developments as a creative plus connector of worlds as witnessed via his lifestyle, work ethic and overall progressive spirit that he tends to function with.
“Traveling the world has broadened my perspectives, exposed me to new cultures, and inspired my work in countless ways.”
When you look at where you’re at in life right now with all the experiences you’ve had, the work you’ve helped bring to life, and how you’ve affected your family positively, what feelings do you get?
Reflecting on my life experiences, accomplishments, and positive impact on my family evokes feelings of gratitude, appreciation for the opportunities and experiences I’ve had, satisfaction in my achievements, and the value I’ve created.
And happiness from seeing my family thrive and knowing I’ve made a difference, just by being able to help my mom when she needed it most. Also Recognising that my journey is not just about me, but also about the people who have supported and inspired me.
How would you describe your journey so far, especially in these frequently crazy but inspirational worlds of photography and creativity?
My journey so far has been so unpredictable full of twists and turns, with unexpected opportunities and challenges. Transformative… Shaped by experiences that have helped me grow and evolve. Last but not least, steeped in learning, it’s been punctuated by valuable lessons and insights that have helped me navigate the crazy and inspirational worlds of photography and creativity.
I’m constantly impressed by how you’ve navigated and positioned your career to a point where you’re living out your dreams. What role did your upbringing play in your artistic vision?
My upbringing played a significant role in shaping my artistic vision. My Mom supported and nurtured my creative expression from a young age. I was encouraged to explore and question the world around me.
Being from Soweto My upbringing taught me the importance of hard work, perseverance, and staying true to myself and what I’m passionate about. The combination of these factors helped shape my artistic vision and fuelled my desire to pursue a creative career.
“My Mom supported and nurtured my creative expression from a young age. I was encouraged to explore and question the world around me.”
Can you share a defining moment in your life that significantly impacted your work?
A defining moment that significantly impacted my work was when I faced a creative block and self-doubt early in my career. I felt lost and uncertain about my future but that’s when I came up with Maverick Seizure I believe those moments shape an artist way better because after that all I knew was I needed to take risks and experiment with new ideas.
I should embrace failure as a learning opportunity and I must stay true to my unique voice and vision…
This moment marked a turning point in my life besides just my career, and I began to approach my work with renewed confidence, creativity, and a clear direction.
“The understanding of a photographer and the importance of the character within an artist’s life. Photographers just need to be taken more seriously.”
Today, most creatives recognize you for capturing and documenting A-list global artists such as Bas, Drake, Jaden Smith, Dave, and Viola Davis and the list goes on & on… Can you summarize the challenges you had to overcome locally before you started playing on a global level?
Before playing on a global level, coming from Soweto I faced limited opportunities and resources but had to unlearn a lot to understand how to get myself out there with what I had most importantly finding my unique style and voice now we here taking the craft to the world.
To overcome these challenges, I collaborated with local artists and creatives, built a strong online presence, experimented and honed my craft, learned from failures and setbacks and most importantly I stayed persistent and focused on my goals.
Work for you doesn’t look like “work”, so how have you found the balance between pursuing your ambitions versus meeting professional obligations?
To balance pursuing my ambitions with meeting professional obligations, I set clear goals and priorities, manage my time effectively, learn to say no to non-aligned projects, find joy and fulfilment in my work, and continuously seek inspiration and creative outlets.
For me, work doesn’t feel like “work” when I’m passionate about the project and the people involved.
“I should embrace failure as a learning opportunity…”
What other hobbies or interests does Maverick Seizure have outside of photography that also act as sources of inspiration?
Outside of photography,I used to play violin so I’m so in tuned with my music from listening to Jazz music and classical to alternative music which helps me understand my self more easily ground myself. Also in to writing about my experiences one day I seek to share all that in a photo book, give me 2 years.
Traveling and exploring new places which is one of my favourite hobbies as it helps me unlearn and help me figure out what more I need to take it to the world. Reading (philosophy, art, and history)and just learning about artists that shaped the world as we see it. Can’t forget about Meditation and mindfulness practices…
These hobbies help me clear my mind, spark new ideas, and find fresh perspectives that I can apply to my photography and creative work.
What does a typical day in your life when you’re not working on a project, for example, look like?
A typical day in my life when I’m not working on a project looks like:
- Morning routine: Meditation, journaling, and exercise.
- Creative exploration: Reading, writing, or playing music.
- Personal projects: Experimenting with new photography techniques or editing styles.
- Connection time: Meeting friends, family, or fellow creatives for inspiration and support.
- Self-care: Relaxation, reflection, and rejuvenation.
I prioritize self-care, creative exploration, and connection to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Who are your biggest influences, both within the field of photography and other art forms?
My biggest influences within photography include:
- Annie Leibovitz
- Andy Warhol
- David LaChapelle
Outside of photography, I draw inspiration from:
- Music: Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Miles Davis
- Film: Stanley Kubrick, Martin Scorsese, and Ava DuVernay
- Literature: Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, and Maya Angelou
- Art: Jean-Michel Basquiat, Frida Kahlo, and Banksy
These creatives inspire me to push boundaries, challenge perspectives, and create meaningful work.
What is your favorite subject to photograph, and why?
My favorite subject to photograph is people, particularly those from diverse backgrounds and cultures. I’m drawn to capturing their stories, struggles, and triumphs. I believe that everyone has a unique perspective and experience that deserves to be seen and celebrated.
How has traveling the world and having the experiences you’ve had influenced your work and perspectives on life?
Traveling the world has broadened my perspectives, exposed me to new cultures, and inspired my work in countless ways. It has definitely Challenged my assumptions and biases, introduced me to diverse stories and experiences, fuelled my creativity and curiosity, helped me develop empathy and understanding, shaped my worldview and artistic vision.
Traveling has been a transformative experience that continues to influence my work and life.
As a creative, how do you handle creative blocks or those moments when the motivation is low?
Watching documentary of the people that inspire me and movies such as the Dead Poet Society, “ seize the day!” This helps me connect to a future self that has worked through it and I also find inspiration and drive after that.
Do you have a story about a photograph that holds some significant personal meaning to you?
I mean definitely the Drake pictures, being able to see the man performing in front of more than 50 000 people and as a boy from Soweto being able to see that from backstage and capturing my favourite artists seeing that magic and capturing that moment helped super speed my career. Incredible stuff right there.
This question is for those studying you, how do you typically prepare for a shoot? Can you briefly walk us through your creative process from concept to final image?
I believe in clearing my mind through jazz music and also finding great locations then help with styling for the muse, then the magic takes over, you have to let it flow.
What technical skills or personal attributes do you consider essential for any photographers to flourish today?
Technical Skills:
- Camera Proficiency: Mastering and understanding your camera and lenses.
- Editing Software:Skilled in Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom.
- Lighting:Effective use of natural and artificial lighting.
- Composition:Strong grasp of framing and composition rules.
- Exposure Settings: Understanding aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
- File Management: Efficient digital workflow and backup processes. (Very, very important)
Personal Attributes:
- Creativity: Seeing and capturing unique moments.
- Attention to Detail: Meticulous in shooting and editing.
- Adaptability: Flexibility in different environments.
- Patience: Waiting for the perfect shot and persisting through challenges.
- Communication: Clear direction with clients and collaborators.
- Business Skills: Marketing, pricing, and client management.
- Passion: Genuine love for photography and continuous improvement.
Combining these skills and attributes helps photographers thrive in today’s industry.
How do you approach collaboration with other creatives and clients?
Humanity is the source to great collaborations, I believe that being humble and good to other creators opens them up more and direction becomes easy as the vision becomes one.
What is the most memorable project you’ve worked on, and why?
Shooting behind the scenes of Bas’s music video Diamonds in Paris, so I don’t really believe in external lighting like using a flash and on that day everyone told me how bad I needed that because the studio was dark, but I’d rather invest on a lens that can go low light and I surprised everyone especially the Parisian crew we had on set. This was my first international artwork also
When you look at the state of the creative community in South Africa, what opinions about our space do have? (good or bad)
Things are looking great, we get to travel through our work and change lives of our families, now it’s time to focus on worldwide business.
If you could change two things about our creative community what would they be?
The Understanding of a photographer and the importance of the character within an artist’s life. Photographers just need to be taken more seriously.
Your latest personal project, Connecting the Dots, is one that is quite close to your heart. What kind of outcome are you hoping you and those who attend absorb from that experience?
Connecting the dots is literally all about connecting people from different perspectives of life bridging the gap and inspiring the mass as a visual artist, the first was a success this past weekend and we looking to do more activations in the near future.
Knowing what you know today, what advice would you give to your younger self who’s just starting out?
It’s Business too! Not just about the art.
Finally, when all is said and done… If you could leave a lasting impact on the world, what would you want that impact to be and how do hope your life inspires future photographers and creatives?
Inspiring the people around the world more like Nelson Mandela, making people from different backgrounds understand that nothing is impossible.
END.
