At just 17 years old, Lily-Ann Geldart, a learner at Table View High School in Cape Town, is already building a remarkable story of resilience, talent, and creative excellence.
A Passion Sparked in Grade 5
Lily-Ann’s love for photography began in Grade 5 when she received her very first camera — an Instax. What may have started as a simple gift quickly became something far more significant. Through that lens, she discovered not just a hobby, but a calling. From that moment, her passion for photography grew steadily, shaping both her creative expression and her future ambitions.
Overcoming a Life-Changing Diagnosis
In 2021, Lily-Ann faced a profound challenge. She was diagnosed with bilateral optic nerve glioma tumours — non-cancerous tumours affecting both optic nerves. At the time of diagnosis, she had lost 80% of the vision in her left eye. Emergency surgery restored some of her sight, and she now has 40% vision in that eye.
The damage is permanent, but the tumours have remained stable to date.
For many, such a diagnosis — particularly one affecting vision — could have ended dreams of photography. For Lily-Ann, it became part of her story, not the end of it.
Rising Through the Ranks
In 2022, as she entered Grade 8, Lily-Ann joined her school’s photography club as an extra-mural activity. It was here that her natural talent and determination began to shine. She has since won “Photographer of the Event” on multiple occasions and has received the annual Cultural Award for Photography.
Her achievements continued to grow:
2024: Awarded her Half Colours for Photography and named Junior Photographer of the Year.
2025: Re-awarded Half Colours for Photography.
Now, she has her sights set on achieving her Full Colours — a milestone that would further cement her commitment and contribution to the art form at school level.
A Clear Vision for the Future
After matric, Lily-Ann plans to study photography further, with a specific interest in fashion photography. Her long-term dream? To one day work for Vogue — one of the most iconic fashion publications in the world.
Her artistic preference leans strongly toward black and white photography. In a world saturated with colour, she is drawn to contrast, texture, emotion, and the raw storytelling power that monochrome imagery provides. Black and white photography strips away distraction and demands attention to light, shadow, composition, and feeling — elements Lily-Ann clearly understands instinctively.
More Than a Photographer
Lily-Ann’s journey is not simply about awards or aspirations. It is about perseverance. It is about refusing to let a medical diagnosis define limits. It is about seeing possibility — even when vision itself has been compromised.
Her story is a powerful reminder that creativity is not confined by circumstance. Through discipline, passion, and resilience, Lily-Ann Geldart continues to prove that true vision comes from within.
And this is only the beginning.
