Stuart Forster visits Zimbabwe and concentrates on portrait photography at the Sanganai Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in Bulawayo.

The 2018 Sanganai Hlanganani World Tourism Expo was held in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The event attracted exhibitors and governmental representatives from African nations plus buyers and media from around the world. It proved a great opportunity to photograph portraits of attendees.

Disclosure: Stuart travelled to Zimbabwe as a guest of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority with Rwandair. Rwandair flies between London Gatwick and Harare via Brussels and Rwandair’s Kigali hub.

Portrait photography at the Sanganai Hlanganani World Tourism Expo

Stands were ranged across two halls at Bulawayo’s Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre. The ZIEC is located close to the centre of Zimbabwe’s second city and covers a vast area.

Woman by a ‘Bulawayo City of Kings’ sign.

Equipment for portrait photography

I travelled light to the ZIEC, using two Canon camera bodies with L Series lenses.

I used the same equipment while photographing rhinos in the nearby Matobo National Park and wildlife in Hwange National Park.

My photographic objective was to capture portraits of people feeling comfortable in front of the camera.

Many of the attendees wore tan safari suits and other forms of bush wear. Bushwear? That’s right. One of the objectives of the Sanganai Hlanganani World Tourism Expo is to promote tourism to game lodges in southern Africa. Inevitably, that means several of the exhibitors wore the clothing that they would also don on a day-to-day basis at their properties.

This lady talked about tourist attractions in and around the City of Bulawayo.

Zimbabwe is open for business

There were other attendees who preferred traditional business attire.

Nice use of an accessory! Portrait of a man in a blue suit and scarf at the 2018 Sanganai Hlanganani Tourism Expo.

One chap, wearing a blue business suit, also wore the multicoloured scarf of the ZANU-PF political party.

Working through a series of poses.

The nation’s newly elected president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, announced his cabinet while Sanganai Hlanganani was underway. The slogan ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’ was associated with his campaign.

A lanyard-wearing female attendee at the Sanganai Hlanganani Tourism Expo.

Sanganai Hlanganani World Tourism Expo

There’s widespread optimism among people involved in the tourism industry that Zimbabwe is on the cusp of positive change. Many businesses in the sector are reporting a significant hike in bookings, year-on-year, during the first six months of 2018.

In addition to people representing tourism-related businesses and products, several manufacturers were present to showcase wares that could be of interest to travellers and visitors to Zimbabwe.

Beyond bushwear and fashion items, I found it fascinating to chat to producers of traditional souvenirs and people recycling plastics and other items, including bottle tops, to make handbags and accessories.

Portrait of a man at his craft stall at the Sanganai Hlanganani Tourism Expo.

Photographing people at stalls

I chatted with Mary Filannino, the founder of Nnion Ceramics about why she founded her business in Bulawayo.

Mary Filannino of Nnino Ceramics holding one of her designs.

The region around Bulawayo is renowned for its traditional beadwork. Sanelisiwe was working at a stall selling handicrafts and wearing some of the colourful beads. She agree to be photographed and proved a natural in front of the camera.

Sanelisiwe wearing traditional beadwork at the Sanganai Hlanganani Tourism Expo.

Violet was also wearing beadwork and an eye-catching red hat at the Soko Leather Craft stall.

Violet in an eye-catching red hat at the Sanganai Hlanganani Tourism Expo.

Photographing people at the Sanganai Hlanganani World Tourism Expo proved enjoyable and rewarding. I hope you like the selection of portrait photographs I’ve chosen to display on this page.

Book a session of portrait photography

If you’d like to commission a portrait photography session then please feel free to get in touch with me via the contact page of this website.

Why Eye Photography is a North East England photography company. To commission a photography shoot by Why Eye Photography please call 07947 587136 and ask for Stuart. Alternatively, send an email to [email protected] and discuss your photography requirements.

Enjoy this post about portrait photography at the Sanganai Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in Bulawayo? Take a look at this post about people photography in northern Manitoba.

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