South African photography trailblazer Thickleeyonce has officially opened the doors to her brand-new, purpose-built creative space, marking the milestone with the announcement of her anticipated new show, Studio Dates.
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Supported by an accompanying photo series titled The Art of Blooming, the project serves as a deeply personal love letter to iconic human beings who have profoundly shaped her decade-long career through their respective mediums in music, acting, content curation, modelling, and lifestyle.
A labour of love and overcoming creative nerves
Having poured her all into building her own professional studio from the ground up, Thickleeyonce describes the space as the ultimate expression of her love language: photography. The studio serves as an intimate sanctuary where she creates enduring artwork alongside cultural heavyweights, aiming to give her peers “their flowers” while they are still here to receive them.
The journey of capturing these portraits, however, was not without its nerve-wracking moments. Reflecting on the star-studded line-up, Thickleeyonce admits to feeling genuinely starstruck and intimidated while working with hip-hop icon Nasty C and actor Tabang Molaba.
Despite having photographed Tabang consistently for a decade, she confesses that the butterflies never truly go away when capturing someone she holds in such high regard, even though Tabang remains remarkably chill, collaborative, and easy to direct on set.
Similarly, working with Nasty C brought a quiet intensity, where despite the rapper being laid-back and encouraging her to do her thing, the sheer magnitude of his presence kept her adrenaline running high behind the lens.
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Surprising chemistry and visually daring collaborations
Beyond the initial nerves, Studio Dates captures unexpected moments of chemistry and unfiltered vulnerability. Thickleeyonce notes that guest Sbongele Kajani completely surprised her, turning the experience into something far more profound than expected with deep, flowing conversations and hilarious banter on set.
When it came to visual experimentation, guests like Luyanda and Sbongele brought an unmatched fearlessness to the studio, diving headfirst into cool, avant-garde, and unconventional poses that elevated The Art of Blooming photo series to new heights.
Every single portrait across the collection incorporates floral motifs, symbolising Saturn, rebirth, a return to self, and the universal journey of blooming that connects all creative spirits.
Where and when to watch
Fans can experience the magic, the laughs, and the deep artistic exchanges firsthand when Studio Dates with Thickleeyonce premieres. New episodes drop every Sunday at 18:00 across her official social channels, including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, inviting audiences to subscribe and join the journey.
Featured image: Instagram/@thickleeyonce
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