Meet the Masterclass East Africa: Miora Rajaonary

We asked each of the 11 participants of the satellite Masterclass East Africa six questions. Today, we are talking with Malagasy photographer Miora Rajaonary.

Miora during her introduction on the first day of the Masterclass East Africa. © World Press Photo

What was your first encounter with documentary photography?

I’ve been familiar with documentary photography since I was young. People from France would come to Madagascar and bring Paris Match magazines with documentary photography projects and different reportages. But it was only when I moved to France that I really learned about documentary photography by having access to culture, museums and lots of magazines.

Can you tell us about the photo story you made for the masterclass?

My project for the masterclass is called Terminus Yeoville. Yeoville is the oldest suburb in Johannesburg. It used to be a jewish neighborhood, bohemian and trendy. After Apartheid, all of the people left the area and the neighborhood began to fall apart. Migrants came from all over Africa and decided to settle in this area, which became a real pan-African village in a few years. Residents of Yeoville are fighting to improve the area while keeping this pan-African touch. It is an incredibly diverse neighborhood.

Joseph (far left), a migrant from DRC, has been living in South Africa since 2004 and he is the manager of a hair salon in Yeoville. Hair salons have proliferated in the neighborhood, and hair dresser is seen as a profitable activity in this area where migrants want to have their hair done by fellow countrymen and women. Joseph lives and works in Yeoville, and admits he will “never go anywhere else”. © Miora Rajaonary for the World Press Photo Masterclass East Africa

What is the most helpful thing you’ve taken away from the masterclass?

The editing process was the best thing that I have learned. I am older than the other participants and I think that I am more impatient. I have to work hard and it will happen, but I still need to improve my craft and have faith in my work.

The masterclass was an experience that I will never forget. Being nominated as one of the participants first was an incredible confidence booster. Then meeting the other participants and getting to know them was great. It was a fantastic group. We all got along very well with each other, and were willing to learn from each other and from the masters.

The masters were amazing. Their availability, desire to share their knowledge with us at any time of the day (and sometimes the night) is something that I’ll always remember. I loved Neo’s class. As a black female photographer from Africa, it is really hard sometimes to believe that I’m going to make it in an industry where professionals are mostly white men from Western countries. And when in self-doubt, it is important to have this one person in the world we can relate to to keep going. Because then I can believe that if she managed to be successful today, I too can be successful tomorrow. In this way, I think that Neo inspired all the female photographers that were here. And her drive impressed us all.

Miora and Neo having a one-on-one mentoring session during the East Africa Masterclass. © World Press Photo

What part of the job do you struggle with?

I struggle with marketing. I am not really good at it. I am someone who is always thinking, and often overthinking. I am in constant self-doubt. When you watch Neo’s video, we also see that she feels vulnerable and not confident, but she faces her fears. For me, it is hard to be convincing for photo editors because I doubt about myself.

Do you use social media professionally?

I do, but I am not proactive enough on Instagram. I’ve been on it for two years and I don’t post enough, which is also part of the problem. I don’t use social media enough. I have been rethinking all of that since the masterclass as I realized the potential of social media. I am now cleaning my Facebook and Instagram profile to look more professional.

How do you see your project and career progressing?

My masterclass project is an ambitious one because I want to make a book out of it and an exhibition. I am not sure if I will succeed, but I hope it will happen. I want to exhibit it in Yeoville. My main objective will be to go to potential funding organizations and ask for funding. I want to take my career to the next level next year by applying for festivals, getting more exposure, and perhaps even getting some NGO assignments. My goal is to navigate between exhibitions and NGO assignments.

Parishioners fervently pray during a mass organized by the King of Kings International Mission in Yeoville. The mass takes place weekly in a classroom providing additional income for the college. The church welcomes a majority of West African migrants. © Miora Rajaonary for the World Press Photo Masterclass East Africa

Miora was one of 12 participants selected for the 2016 Masterclass East Africa, the second in the World Press Photo Foundation’s series of satellite masterclasses based on the formula of the annual Joop Swart Masterclass for the world’s most talented upcoming visual journalists.

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