Once dreaming of soaring through the skies as an aviation professional, Nhlanhla Mkhwabane has found a different way to fly high — through the lens of his camera. Today, his photography and design business, Pixel Art Studio, is reaching for new heights. Pixel Art Studio is nestled in the heart of Mamelodi East township in Tshwane, where Nhlanhla is pursuing his mission to share the spirit of Africa, both locally and globally.
Nhlanhla founded his business in 2020 and officially registered Pixel Art Studio in 2021. Through photography, videography, and graphic design, he tells compelling stories about the continent.
Pixel Art Studio specialises in corporate photography, high-volume shoots, landscapes, and African lifestyle imagery. Nhlanhla’s vision is clear: “Pixel Art Studio is all about changing how stories are told through visuals.” The team is currently building a stock image platform to showcase Africa and its people, carrying the continent’s stories into the world.
Just like any new business, Nhlanhla’s journey has not been without difficulties. His challenges have ranged from managing the costs of expensive equipment to navigating the complexities of business administration. Without formal business training, he turned to the Nedbank-funded Ranyaka Building Business programme, gave him the essential guidance he needed on his entrepreneurial journey.
With the lessons learned from the programme, Nhlanhla and his team are now dreaming even bigger. They aim to secure 20 full-time clients within the next year and aspire to make Pixel Art Studio one of South Africa’s premier photography businesses.
Pixel Art Studio has earned a reputation for delivering top-quality visuals while prioritising customer satisfaction. For Nhlanhla, starting his own business was a natural progression. A creative at heart, he found his calling in visual storytelling after studying information technology and working in the field for four years.
The Covid-19 pandemic brought its own set of challenges, but Nhlanhla remained determined to keep going. For aspiring entrepreneurs, Nhlanhla offers the advice: “Start as soon as you can. You will make mistakes, but keep going until you succeed.” He firmly believes in the power of small businesses to drive economic growth and is passionate about reshaping the world’s perception of Africa, showcasing its beauty and vibrancy through his work.
Nhlanhla’s journey —from aspiring aviator to a visual storyteller — demonstrates how following your passion can not only transform your life but also allow you to share something special with the world. Through Pixel Art Studio, he is not just capturing images; he is capturing the spirit of a continent, one frame at a time.
Images: Lizelle Lotter Photography