TAKE TEN: Menrad Holm

19-year-old Menrad Holm has been playing with cameras since he was a little kid. Recently, he co-founded the Youth Photographer of the Year photo competition, providing an avenue for younger photographers to showcase their talents. We chatted to him about his love of wildlife, photography as a career consideration, and what’s on his photographic bucket list. (Photo credit: Toast Coetzer)

When did you first pick up a camera and why did you pursue it?

It is hard to pinpoint when exactly I first picked up a camera since I have been playing around with our family camera for as long as I can remember. However, I received my own camera in 2017 at age 12 – a small point and shoot. I have been paging through magazines such as the Go/Weg magazine since before I could read, admiring the pictures.

There are two main motivations as to why I pursue photography. Firstly, the ability to capture moments in time and hold them forever is something so special and valuable.

The second reason is a slightly longer story. In 2021 I was given the “Intro to Photography” course by Orms Cape Town School of Photography for Christmas, and this is where my passion really took off. After spending six weeks learning as much as possible about photography through the course, I was certain that I now know a large portion, if not all, of what there is to know about photography.

I quickly learned that this is very far from the truth. After spending time with numerous talented photographers, I realised how little I really know and that the more one knows, the more one realises how much more there is still to learn. Just the thought that one will never be able to know everything there is to know about photography is something that fascinates me.

What attracts you to wildlife photography?

My love of wildlife photography is linked to my love of wildlife, which goes way back. As a family, we have been spending time in nature for as long as I can remember. From watching magical sunsets in the Cederberg, to sipping something cold in the scorching hot sun of Etosha while trying to count the amount of elephants at the Halali Camp waterhole – there is something about watching nature take its course and wildlife that truly fascinates me.

This is especially true for the interaction between wildlife, be it amongst their own species, other species, their habitats, or humankind. This is why most of my wildlife photography revolves around interactions of wildlife. It is once again a situation of wanting to know as much as possible – the more I understand about wildlife, the better I can plan a wildlife picture.

Ultimately, spending time where there is no signal, where you can think about things that you never get time for in your day-to-day life, while spending time with fascinating creatures, is very valuable to me.

Is photography a career you aspire to or are you set on something else?

Pursuing photography as a career is definitely something that I am actively considering. I do, however, have a vague plan to first study Mechanical Engineering and go into the prosthetics field. After my studies I will reevaluate the situation and decide whether I will pursue photography as a career or as a hobby. One thing is for sure, photography will always play an important and prominent role in my life.

You are one of the founders of the Youth Photographer of the Year photography competition for under 25s. Tell us more.

In 2024, we recognised a critical gap in the photography world: talented young photographers between 18-25 were falling through the cracks of traditional competitions. This inspired myself and Konrad Andrag to create the Youth Photographer of the Year (POTY) competition – Southern Africa’s first platform of its kind for emerging photographers under 25. We believe we’re not just running a competition, we’re nurturing Southern Africa’s next generation of photographic talent.

The competition has already closed earlier this year, and currently we are busy with the judging process.

With which Fujifilm camera do you shoot and why did you buy into the Fujifilm system?

I shoot with the Fujifilm X-T5 and X-T30. I did the six-week course and the Instructor, Greg Liss, advised us that Fujifilm is a good system to buy into. The old school style of the Fujifilm cameras is enough of a reason to have one in your collection.

What’s your favourite Fujifilm lens?

The Fujinon XF18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS is magic. Even if I were to choose from all lenses across all brands I have used, the XF18-55mm still takes the throne. It is compact, lightweight and versatile, so I can shoot astro at 18mm F2.8, or take portraits at 55mm F4. Seeing that I mostly find myself taking pictures in places where I am very limited to the amount of gear I can bring with me, the fact that this lens is so compact and still incredibly sharp and versatile is very convenient.

What’s on your photography bucket list?

Photographing Iceland is definitely on the bucket list. It provides an interesting combination between wildlife and landscape in a world that is very foreign to me as a South African.

Is there a specific photographic genre you would like to learn more about?

I have always been fascinated by studio work, especially product photography. One would think that because you work in a controlled environment it is easier, but this just adds more to think about and makes it a whole different ball game.

Find more of Menrad’s work here:

On his website: www.menradholm.com

His Instagram: @menradholm (https://www.instagram.com/menradholm/)