Through her Lens: The story of Charmaine Chitate
August 7, 2024Published by AFRICAN FEMALE VOICES on August 07, 2024.
Charmaine Chitate is a self-taught interdisciplinary artist with over fifteen years of experience in computer-based media. Her work, rooted in photography and storytelling, explores her understanding of identity and its manifestations. In 2018, she was recognized as one of the Top 20 Contemporary African Artists by the FNB Joburg ArtFair, noted for her potential to shape and inspire the global art scene now and in the future. Chitate is actively involved with African Women in Photography (AwP), The Comms Avenue, and the Zimbabwe Association of Female Photographers (ZAFP). Additionally, she serves as an Advisor for Arts & Media on the Advisory Group of the Academy of International Extended Reality and judges for the VR Awards.
1. Can you share a brief overview of your journey as a photographer and what initially drew you to this art form?
At family gatherings, events, and the simple meetings I attended with my Mother, I would brace myself for the upcoming introduction where she shared a story about how my first words as a toddler were“What happened?”Not Mum, or Mama nor Ma.“What happened?” Looking back, I see how this question has influenced my career and the journey I’ve undertaken. I didn’t just want to know what happened but I evolved into sharing what I learned using visuals and written stories. At the same time, as I was working as a graphic designer for an advertising agency, it was challenging to find images that I could relate to. This pushed me into taking a cinematography course organized by the Zimbabwe International Film Festival Trust (ZIFFT) where I was trained by Azul Serra, a renowned Brazilian cinematographer. I began to build my portfolio covering sports, live events, and family portraits. However, these were not as fulfilling as documentary photography as they allowed me to engage longer and deeper with the subject. This allows me to select the most impactful way to share it. In addition to this, I began working with Shutterstock as a beneficiary of CreateFund–a diversity grant where I am contributing content that is more representative of Africa.
2. What have been some of the most significant challenges you’ve faced as a female photographer, and how have you navigated through them?
Every time I step onto a sports field I brace myself for a barrage of questions from my masculine colleagues. Their patronizing inquiry is frustrating as it is a barrage of questions meant to identify a shortcoming. On the other hand, being paid a fair price for our work is also a challenge as some organizations offer women lower rates compared to men. These challenges are shared across the continent and grateful to the networks of women photographers that I am in. The African Women in Photography (AwP) and Zimbabwe Association of Female Photographers (ZAFP) have been networks and platforms where we share our challenges and navigate possible solutions, together.
3. Can you describe a particularly memorable or rewarding experience in your photography career that has had a lasting impact on you?
I love stories about women, the challenges they face, and how they overcome them. A few years ago, while on assignment, I met a teenage girl who makes coffins to raise money for tuition. She wasn’t interested in making coffee tables and chairs as she felt they were low-value products. At the household, the teen was responsible for mentoring her younger siblings and the mother was responsible for sales and marketing. What made this inspiring was that they lived in a community that was predominantly of the Apostolic faith where child marriages continued to increase. Instead of marrying off his daughter like other fathers in his community, he bought electric materials to ease her physical exertion. Their story is inspiring as it shows their own agency towards fighting poverty. Replicated, it could change Africa’s battle with poverty.
4. How do you use your photography to tell stories, capture emotions, and advocate for important causes or issues?
I am drawn to a person’s identity and how that influences the lives they live. I look at how they were named, their totem, and their fondest memory. I find that it is during this initial conversation that I am able to notice experiences that overwhelm them and those that draw excitement. I use a mixture of natural and artificial light in my work to frame the stories better. I always ask my subjects how they want to be portrayed in my work and showing them a preview allows them to trust me and share more. These conversations allow me to sift between the ‘things I want to hear/see’ and those I ‘should.’ The stories I ‘should hear/see’ are the gems needed to address important causes and issues.
5. What advice would you offer to aspiring female photographers who are just starting in the field, based on your own experiences and learnings?
Tie your shoelaces and hit the ground running. There are many women ready to support you when you need it and they are proof that what you want to do can be done. Keep copies of your first images, without them, you won’t notice the progress you’ve made. Toot your horn every step of the way because women photographers are underrepresented online. Lastly, curate a portfolio that showcases the work you can do and the work you want to attract.