RYSE Youth Month | How GUESSWHOSHOTME is capturing a generation through photography

At just 24, Soweto-based photographer, Tumiso Misapitso, professionally known as GUESSWHOSHOTME, is using his lens to tell powerful stories of fashion, identity, culture, and memory.

His journey into photography began during one of the most difficult periods of his life after dropping out of college.

“Photography became a form of healing for me. It gave me a way to process my emotions, express myself without words, and find beauty even in moments that felt difficult,” he says.

What started as a personal coping mechanism soon evolved into both a passion and a career. Today, Misapitso’s work is defined by a nostalgic, cinematic style that places emotion at the centre of every image.

“My goal is to make people feel something when they look at my work, whether that’s nostalgia, curiosity, or a deeper connection to the subject.”

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Deeply inspired by Soweto and township culture, his photography explores resilience, identity and nostalgia through fashion and portraiture.

“I’m most passionate about telling stories of resilience, identity, and nostalgia. A lot of my work is inspired by everyday people and the environments they come from.”

For Misapitso, photography is more than creating visually striking images, it’s a collaborative process that allows people to tell their own stories.

“I want the final image to feel true to the person in front of the camera. That’s what inspires me most – turning emotions, ideas, and personal stories into images that people can connect with and remember.”

Growing up in Soweto continues to shape his creative vision.

“I aim to capture the beauty, resilience, and creativity of everyday South African life while showing it in a way that feels timeless and relatable.”

As South Africa commemorates Youth Month, Misapitso believes young people have an important role to play in shaping the country’s future.

“Our generation has the responsibility to keep pushing boundaries, creating opportunities, and using our voices to inspire change.”

Like many young creatives, he acknowledges that building a sustainable career remains one of his greatest challenges, particularly in an industry where creative work is often undervalued. Despite this, he measures success by his own growth rather than external recognition.

“Seeing the massive evolution in my visual style, technical execution, and creative voice is incredibly fulfilling.”

He is currently working on his annual photography series, Resilience, a project inspired by his own personal journey.

“Photography is my therapy, my voice, and my proof of survival.”

Looking ahead, Misapitso hopes to collaborate with creatives across Africa before taking his work onto the global stage.

For young people hoping to follow a similar path, his advice is simple:

“Don’t wait for someone to give you an opportunity when you can create one for yourself. The industry doesn’t hand out invitations. You have to create your own entry point.”

Through every frame, GUESSWHOSHOTME continues to show how photography can be a powerful tool for healing, storytelling, and preserving the spirit of a generation determined to shape its own future.

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe