With little over a month to go until the 10-part reality TV series The Perfect Picture hits your screen, the contestants have shared their experiences on the show. The new season is hosted by popular TV presenter, model, and fashion designer Maps Maponyane. It features nine Mzansi celebrities, all photography beginners.
Hosted by Maps Maponyane
Maps said that The Perfect Picture is unlike any other presenting job he’s worked on. “I had no real idea about reality TV show presenting. Because there are so many moving parts, I needed to build relationships with the contestants to better understand their process and vision. Every week, it was incredible to see how their skills kept improving with the help of the Canon experts. It was a fun challenge that I would gladly take on again.”
Meet the Contestants
The contestants for this season are YouTuber Lasizwe, reality TV star and DJ Tira’s wife Gugu Khati, entertainer Luyanda Mzazi, artist and presenter Zahirah Marty, travel show host Ivan Roux, musician Anele Zondo, media personality and presenter Jonathan Boynton-Lee, presenter Tshego Koke, and TV personality Christall Kay.
Contestant Experiences
Here’s a snippet from each of the contestants about their experiences on the show:
Lasizwe Dambuza
“As someone typically found in front of the camera, switching direction was a learning curve — but one that was super interesting. I’m a videographer and YouTuber so pictures are more technical for me, but I love growing in front of you guys.”
Christall Kay
“I’ve always loved taking pictures of my world, but my photography skills were limited to my smartphone. I’d never used a professional camera, so it was challenging when this started. But the Canon team who helped us were amazing. Because of this experience, I have a new respect and passion for photography.”
Gugu Khati
“You won’t believe the journey we’ve had to go through. That first episode was close to a nightmare, but we improved each time we picked up our equipment. Now you won’t see me without a camera. I’ve learned so much and I try to find photo opportunities in my everyday life. It’s changed me for the better.”
Tshego Koke
“There’s a huge difference between taking pictures with a cellphone vs a Canon camera. And that’s where my knowledge began. During the show, I found my transformation quite beautiful. I moved away from being anxious about holding the camera to understanding what it takes to get the perfect shot.”
Jonathan Boynton-Lee
“The Perfect Picture isn’t just a reality show — it’s where I made amazing friends. The journey was spectacular and something I won’t forget. I think I speak for everyone when I say thank you for the opportunity to learn so much in such a short space of time.”
Luyanda Mzazi
“Out of this world. I would do it again in a heartbeat.”
Zahirah Marty
“I began the show quite literally having never used any camera other than my phone. I’ve always had someone or a crew with me to do that. I left not only understanding how to use a camera but armed with knowledge and skills to take amazing photos. The roller coaster of anxiety taught me so much about myself too.”
Ivan Roux
“The Perfect Picture was an eye-opening experience. It taught me to be patient and meeting all these other amazing creators was out of this world.”
Anele Zondo
“Being a part of The Perfect Picture felt like an out-of-body experience … a great one.”
Tune In
Tune in for the season 2 premiere of The Perfect Picture on July 23 at 6 pm on e.tv.