About

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At 28, I enrolled in Vega Design School's intensive two-year photography programme. I had never considered a career in the Arts and it took a decade of nine to five stints in the wrong jobs to realise my passion could be turned into a career. I am Garreth Leigh Lombard and in January 2015, amid a sea of 19 year-olds, I took a leap of faith that changed my life. 

 

I was blown away by the myriad of photography possibilities. Immediately, I was transfixed by the precision of product photography; the bold monumental lines of architectural shoots;  the intimacy of portraiture and the moody power of abstract work.  Soon photography gave me a new lease on life. The creative atmosphere was unlike anything I'd ever experienced. I was both humbled and encouraged to attain the highest mark in my class of 15 extremely talented photographers at the end of my first year. The leap had paid off. 

 

Before I'd even completed the courses, I formed G.L.L Photography and began shooting as a freelancer. My projects are varied in genre partly due to my unstoppable curiosity and partly because I am hungry to up-skill myself in all aspects of the industry and hone my eye.

 

Some memorable projects I'v undertaken was a male model's portfolio, a mommy-to-be shoot, baby shoots and various product shoots for a friends belts and accessory line. 

 

I plan on specialising in either architectural or product photography, but enjoy the odd portrait shoot. Abstract photography, strangely is also very alluring.

 

In October a friend and I collaborated on a project to explore the many abandoned buildings in Joburg. This soon grew into a powerful photo essay which accompanied the editorial Ghost's of Jozi as a double-page spread in City Press and is an ongoing passion. This was followed by a portrait of a very funky shop owner, and interior shots of a restaurant the following week. This was the first time my images were published in the mainstream media.

(Links to online versions at bottom)

 

I fondly remember being the subject of my father's portraiture lot of the time growing up, and yet I was already grappling with the question of who was looking at who and developing my eye as a boy. My Dad thoroughly enjoyed taking pictures and filled countless albums (he still does). It rubbed off. While in Primary school I received my first point and shoot camera as a birthday gift (from Dad no less) and I went wild. By the time I finished high school I had amassed a vast collection of images, and with the introduction of cell-phone cameras, I grew obsessive. 

 

My attention to detail, work ethic, talent and passion for perfect pictures is evident in my photography. At G.L.L Photography I will go above and beyond to deliver this perfection to you. 

 

 

Ghosts of Jozi ran on Sunday the 15 October 2015 (online version http://www.traveller24.com/FindYourEscape/Joburg/the-ghosts-of-jozi-our-abandoned-landmarks-20171015 ) , and another titled Its Joburg Modern the next week on Sunday the 22 October 2017 (Online version http://www.w24.co.za/Home/Interior-design/mid-century-modern-the-design-aesthetic-thats-all-the-rage-in-joburg-20171022-2 )