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Meet the Multitalented Creative and Entrepreneur Jarryd Kleinhans

Jarryd has always taken the most amazing photographs of his friends and family using his phone, and knew he had found his true calling when he started experimenting with an actual camera.

It was only after he graduated from the University of the Western Cape, with his Bachelor of Commerce degree, that Jarryd went on to actively pursue photography and videography full-time.

At present, his work speaks for itself. Thanks to the power of social media, his photography has caught the attention of prominent local influencers and celebs like Nadia Jaftha and Rasheeqah Karriem-Hock, to name a few, which has played an essential role in his increasing visibility in the picture-perfect world. We interviewed Jarryd to find out just exactly who the man behind the lens is…

You are the co-founder of co.Act creative and the man behind the camera for responsive studio. Please tell us more about these exciting ventures:

I recently started my own studio and production company, Co.act Creative, along with my business partner, Gareth Duncan. We’ve done a lot of work together over the years, so this venture was a natural next step for the both of us.

I’m very excited about it because it will take our careers to the next level in the content space. I’ve been delighted to be part of the Responsive Studio team. They are a group of some awesome creatives who work on amazing productions for some of the biggest brands in Africa and the world. They trust me to add my own special touch to their projects, while still molding me as a creative. I have been truly blessed with all these projects and opportunities.

Bio box

  • Full name: Jarryd Kleinhans
  • DOB: 20 January 1993
  • Current location: Observatory, Cape Town
  • Biggest pet peeve: Social media rants. LOL! And inauthenticity.

So what kind of photography do you shoot?

I do a wide range of work. If you look at my social media accounts, you will find a lot of creative lifestyle content.

I love pushing the boundaries and trying new concepts. Besides the edgy, extra and moody content I produce for influencers, many people don’t know that I shoot a lot of cool campaigns too: G-Star RAW, Archive and Sportscene being a few of the brands. I work with many universities and businesses as well who require storytelling in their marketing plans and, of course, I dabble in ‘love story-telling’ with my wedding content.

What does a typical day in your life as an entrepreneur look like?

I’ve learned the hard way that I need to wake up early. As they say, the early bird catches the worm! So I’m either getting an early start on editing or admin, or I’m on set for 6 a.m. call times. What I love about my career is that every day provides a new blank canvas where I’m able to create something new I get to shoot a wide variety of subjects in various locations.

So it’s all about planning my day and my route, and making sure I am well prepared for it. I do my best to make time for the love of my life, my wifey Tatum, as we love to create new, fun memories as a young married couple, especially with our closest friends.

As a photographer, what has life during a world pandemic taught you?

It’s taught me that you need to be adaptable to your circumstances and you must avoid being defined or limited by your challenges.

Quick-fire Q&A

  • I love: My wife
  • I fear: Also my wife. LOL!
  • One day I hope to photograph: Kimmy K
  • I am inspired by: The art of collaboration. Collaborative arts encourage cultural democracy.
  • I am thankful for: My family and friends. Their vibe is unmatched!
  • If I was an animal, I’d be: An elephant because they are strong, usually stay in small groups and they’re extremely loyal.

Have you been involved in any special projects related to Covid-19?

During the pandemic I took on a new venture and grabbed the opportunity to work with great people in my network at the University of the Western Cape to produce branded masks for the institution’s staff and all its students. Along with my in-laws and their CMT, we managed to produce 15 000 units over a 6-month period, which assisted us, as well as many of the local seamstresses within the Delft area, financially.

What have been some of your proudest career moments thus far?

Well, receiving an email from the ClubX team for this feature was a real ‘WOW moment’ for me. But there have been so many, big and small. Looking back, it’s still quite surreal with each and every huge brand, publishing house and the public figures that I have had the opportunity to work with.

What are your thoughts on the current South African photography landscape? How can people improve their work and subject matter?

As South Africans, we really tend to underrate ourselves. We are blessed with so much talent and skills. When I get the opportunity to scroll through socials, I always come across world-class content. While the creative industry can be tough to break through and make a name for yourself, it’s cool to see so many young individuals creating amazing things. I would encourage more collaborations when there is possible synergy, so we can help each other find a seat at the table.

Whats the rest of 2022-2023 looking like for you?

HONEYMOON! LOL. The year has been so busy that my wife and I have not taken the opportunity to do our trip to Europe yet. We got married on a Saturday and on the next Monday I had a 6 a.m. call time.

The lack of time, due to my busy schedule, can make things hard at times, but we’re learning along the way. It is so important to use these lessons to better myself as a creative and a professional to go on and reach new heights.

In closing. What would you say to new and upcoming photographers who aspire to be just as successful as you?

Listen to your heart; that inner, gut feeling. Set your goals and follow your dreams. It will never be easy, but make it worth it. If I didn’t listen to my heart, and to all the good advice around me, I would have been somewhere in an office cubicle doing something that I didn’t enjoy. Today, I’m living my dreams because I was brave enough to chase them.

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