Koto Bolofo, a South African London-based fashion photographer, has reached the top of his craft despite a turbulent upbringing; he fled with his family as political exiles from South Africa in his youth, ultimately settling in Great Britain. An interest in the visual blossomed during Bolofo’s time in London and he quickly decided that a camera was the best medium to express himself. Despite having no formal education in photography, he moved up quickly in the industry and has become quite renowned for his work, appearing in editorial and fashion magazines such as Vogue and GQ and was the first photographer to have ever received a “carte blanche” from the Hermes Maison workshops.
Using only a basic set up and relying on natural light and an old film camera, Bolofo’s images are intimate yet rich in texture and colour and, in his own words, capture a “raw luxury” that is unique to himself. Bolofo has a romantic approach to photography and strives to “capture the infinite point of timelessness”. To achieve a stronger connection with his subjects, he visits all of them before the shoots, so that they can “grow as friends”. “You have to love people and understand them,” Bolofo explains. A series of his images are currently on view at Kahmann Gallery, in the Netherlands.
Koto Bolofo, between black and white
May 13 to July 1st
Kahmann Gallery
Lindengracht 35
1015 KB Amsterdam
The Netherlands
https://www.kahmanngallery.com/
