Gary Van Wyk is a South African photographer whose passion for exploration and ability to connect with people have seen him document some of the most notable individuals and moments of his country’s young democracy.

Gary’s journey as a photographer began during an internship at Independent Newspapers in 2003. Still a student at the time, he was quickly hired and started to work as a full-time photographer for the news group. Since then, working both for various media houses and in his own capacity, Gary’s images have gone on to appear in numerous local and international publications, group exhibitions and two solo exhibitions. He has gained access to some of the 21st century’s most significant people, travelling across the globe while on assignment. Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey and Desmond Tutu are among his most notable subjects, and he has worked in locations as remote and diverse as Nepal, New York, the Amazon rainforest and the mountains of the Caucasus.

Gary’s welcoming and warm nature enables people to relax in front of his lens, and often invites him into intimate spaces where he has a remarkable ability to capture the essence of a moment. His most intimate and emotive photographs are those of his fiance and their daughter.

Studying the Masters of Photography has always inspired him and, although so much is visible online these days, his preferred way is to view their pictures in his collection of photography books.