The #ProjectScouted Open Casting a huge success

Having a look at the finds of the scouts for this year’s cycle of #ProjectScouted, it’s difficult to imagine that their teams could be bettered. That was until the Open Casting took place on Saturday, 21 February, at the #Hashtag social restaurant and bar on Windermere Road.

#Hashtag was also a sponsored venue by Durban entrepreneur, Brendon Kader, for last year’s Project and everyone was thrilled to be back – and not just to shoot selfies at the “selfie zone” of the restaurant.

Tasked with interviewing and screening the girls in the VIP area of the restaurant, the Open Casting panel did not have an enviable job on the day. Daunting as any casting or audition may be, the panel – consisting of designers Becca Blair of Becca Blair Designs and Ryan Francis of Shoelaced Clothing; Sholene Ramdass, Lee Folkard Photography’s blogger and former Miss Teen Kwa-Zulu Natal; as well as model and Miss South Africa 2014 semi-finalist, Iman Sheik – did their best to put the girls at ease and assure them that the process was not as intimidating as it may have seemed.

Most of the girls, once they found their footing, sailed through the casual, conversational questions asked by the panel and posed with confidence for their portraits shot by Dalton Green, who is also one of our Instagram photographers for the Project. Once again, Durban did not disappoint in delivering talent and beauty.

The aspirants who attended the casting, coming from as far as Richard’s Bay and Hillcrest, varied from high school students to even a high school teacher, with their ages ranging from 16 to 25. This kind of array is definitely going to be one of the reasons why this year’s Project is so successful.

Several familiar faces paid a visit on the day, as well as some new ones, from scouts – previous and present – to photographers and family of the #ProjectScouted team. The Open Casting turned into a reunion of sorts and it was clear that these guys were sorely missing the Project’s shoots and events.

The casting was the last opportunity for girls to get to be a part of the Project and now the scouts’ teams have been finalized. The excitement is tangible as Phase One and the official launch approaches next week Saturday, 28 February, which will take place at #Hashtag once again, coming full circle from Cycle 1 last year.

Images from the day can be found as they are uploaded on the #ProjectScouted Instagram account as well as on the Instagram profiles of photographers, Zaheera Engar and Dalton Green. Also be on the lookout for the footage of the day shot by the Project’s videographer, Robbie Muller, to get the behind the scenes action of what went down at the casting.

Project Scouted featured photographer profile: Simphiwe Simz Mkhwanazi

A photographer who initially found his passion in fashion which turned into a love affair with taking photos, Simphiwe is one of the first two photographers who will be turning out images for the first stage of Project Scouted held at one of Durban's prime new locations, Hashtag Restaurant on Windermere Road. Lee Folkard Photography had a quick Q&A segment with this passionate and fashion-indulgent photographer about his beginnings in photography and his participation in Project Scouted.

Lee Folkard Photography: What was your inspiration to begin photography and how did you start in the business?

Simphiwe: Well, it actually all started with my love for fashion. My mother is a fashion designer, specializing in Bridal, so I fell in love with fashion that way. I'd began to download cool fashion pics for no particular reason. I just always loved it! When I got to varsity, my friends and I would take pics of each other with our phones when we thought we were dressed well. And then the more I followed fashion blogs and read magazines, the more eager I was to have pictures of that quality taken. So I saved up for a camera and then continued taking pictures of my friends and me. I guess that's how it all started. From then on, I just kept taking pictures of people which I still do today.

LFP: How did you find out about Lee Folkard Photography?

Simphiwe: I found about Lee through a friend, Jerome Stoffels (LFP: Who will also be a part of the project) at the Durban Fashion Fair. I looked up Lee's work and I loved it, so I started following his work on Facebook.

LFP: How did you become involved in Project Scouted and what motivated you to be a part of it?

Simphiwe: Lee and I met, as a recommendation from Jerome. I'm always eager to take photos of people, so the chances of me saying "no" to being a part of the project were very slim. I saw this project as an opportunity to meet new people. So here I am!

LFP: What do you think makes a good photo?

Simphiwe: I think when it comes to photography, there are no rules. It’s all based on how you see the photo. If you love what you see, then that's a great photo to you. A great photo for me is one that I look at and say "I'd print this photo and hang it on my wall".

LFP: What does photography mean to you?

Simphiwe: Photography for me is about more than just taking photos; it’s my passion, my love, and my joy. I sometimes find myself editing or just staring at one image for hours and I wouldn't have wanted to do anything else with that time. My mind is always buzzing with these cool images and my imagination can get very wild sometimes. I have found photography as a platform to express what my heart feels.

Be sure to keep an eye out for Simphiwe's pics of the pretty young ladies who were chosen to be a part of the first stage of Project Scouted shot on location at Hashtag Restaurant.