Naledi Mahomane is a Johannesburg-based creative photographer, filmmaker, and the founder of SHE Media, a female-owned creative space dedicated to authentic storytelling. At just 21, she has already carved a space for women’s stories to be seen, felt, and celebrated. Her work moves beyond documentation; it transforms emotion, identity, and lived experience into images that linger long after the viewer looks away.
Her love for the camera started early. “I was always a creative child, constantly capturing moments with a phone,” she recalls. But it wasn’t until a short course in Digital Photography during her gap year that the spark fully ignited. “That was the very first time I held a professional camera, and from that moment, I knew something in me had awakened,” she says. Today, photography remains her language — a way to translate stories of womanhood, African authenticity, and everyday life into visuals that speak when words cannot.
Becoming, her most recent project, is deeply personal. It emerged during a period of growth and self-reflection, a time when Naledi was learning to accept, let go, and move forward while honoring her femininity. “I used flowers intentionally: petals woven into her hair and pressed against her skin echo the seasons of womanhood, moments of shedding, healing, and slowly unfolding into light,” she explains. The series is both intimate and symbolic, a reflection of resilience, vulnerability, and the continuous journey of becoming.
For Naledi, photography has always been about connection. “When people see my work, I hope they feel a connection — to the story, to the moment, and to the humanity within it,” she says. Every frame is carefully composed yet alive, intimate yet universal, capturing both the external world and the inner landscapes of emotion. It’s a style she describes as creative, intimate, and cinematic, with a distinct African perspective woven through every image.
The journey to Becoming was not without challenges. Translating such personal growth into visual form required patience, experimentation, and trust in her own vision. “I allowed myself to embrace imperfection, explore multiple approaches, and stay deeply connected to the story I wanted to tell,” she reflects. The result is a body of work that is both a creative achievement and a personal testament to resilience, courage, and self-discovery.
“Becoming is both a mirror and a message, a reminder that womanhood is not a fixed destination, but a journey of constant blooming.”
Looking ahead, Naledi sees her work evolving, bridging still and moving images, and exploring stories yet to be told. “I consider myself a walking visionary, and my passion, creativity, and commitment to growth drive everything I do in my craft,” she says. Every project is an opportunity to push boundaries and ensure her storytelling remains authentic, bold, and ever-evolving.
Through her lens, Naledi doesn’t just capture moments — she witnesses them. She reminds us that womanhood, identity, and personal growth are not destinations but ongoing journeys. And in her work, every season, every stage, and every story holds a beauty and power all its own.