I am a photographer based in Pretoria, South Africa and I want to find out what the possibilities are of leaving my country to stay in Europe and either work for someone or establish my own practice there. Can anyone out there give some sound advice on what and how to go about this ?

My resume follows after this…..

Origins Willem de Lange (37) studied at the Pretoria Technikon and finished his 3 year National Diploma in photography in Dec 1990. During his 3rd year of study he received the Santam Art Student Bursary for the best art student with a documentary essay about the Afrikaner. He was also voted most promising student in 1989.

Professional Career (spanning 10 years) Joined the then SA Communication Service in Dec 1990 and worked on various publications including “Panorama Magazine”, leaving SACS in April 1992 to join National Magazines. At National Magazines he worked on Sarie, Fair Lady, Women’s Value, Drum, True Love, Huisgenoot & You doing a wide range of photography.

He has been running his own photography practice since May 1995 and also worked for The Joint Aerial Reconnaissance and Intelligence Centre (JARIC, SA National Defense Force) as lecturer in photography and intelligence systems.

Future Plans and Dreams He is building his business as photographer around Stock-, Editorial-, Corporate-, Fashion-, Wedding-, and Documentary Photography and wants to continue maintaining high standards in both creativity and business.

Social Documentary Photography is his passion and future plans include the publication of a coffee table concept book with people being the subject. HIV and AIDS, Women in Africa, and other social issues come to mind when thinking about such a publication.

People are his favourite subject and he has a very easy and relaxed way of working with them. Clients have said that he has a knack with people and that that they actually enjoyed being part of the production team! Willem is married to Riana, a journalist, has a two-year-old son and lives in Pretoria, South Africa.

-- Willem de Lange (wjdelange@webmail.co.za), May 03, 2001