Paul Ward is a professional photographer and film director in Cape Town, South Africa. Paul used his ability to capture moments to create a community. He spoke to Amy Cloete about using his unique perspective from behind the lens, and how this helped him to develop the Nine Four, a running community meant to inspire.
Paul Ward’s nickname at school was “snapshot” because he always had a camera with him and was documenting everything, he says. PHOTO: Amy Cloete
While photographing fashion in Berlin in 2013, someone asked Paul Ward to take photos of their running group, he says. “Running was not something I connected with. It was like all white guys in tiny vests and short shorts.”
However, taking photos of the group showed Paul that it was more than just an activity, he says. It was a group of people who had created the environment to better themselves on an individual level, he recalls.
“It allowed you into this broader scope of connecting with like-minded people, which was really fascinating,” says Paul, a professional film director and photographer who has lived in Cape Town since he was five years old. After his experience in Berlin, he recognised a gap to create a community within the Cape Town running sphere, explains Paul. In 2014, he founded the urban running crew, the Nine Four, to create a sense of interconnectedness.
“Paul [Ward] is the captain, he is the catalyst and [he] makes everything happen,” says Warren Papier, a member of the Nine Four running crew and long-time friend of Paul’s. PHOTO: Amy Cloete
The man behind the lens
Paul’s mantra when he was younger was “create to inspire, or inspired by life”. In his current phase of life, his mantra is, “just fucking believe”, he says. It’s about believing in yourself, and staying driven, explains Paul.
Paul got his first camera for Christmas when he was in grade nine, he says. It was a basic, entry-level digital camera that he wanted to use for art at school, states Paul. There was no end goal of making it a career; it was just a passion, says Paul.
Paul studied advertising at Vega from 2007 to 2009, and entered the professional scene as a documentary photographer. He then transitioned to commercial photography before making the switch to commercial directing, he says.
“The photography that I enjoy is more documentary than commercial,” he says. In commercial photography, you are given the image you need to capture. “Even though it comes with its own creative challenges, it didn’t connect with my soul as a photographer,” says Paul.
Documentary photography, and filming give you the freedom to explore the subject. You can uncover a story and capture the essence of somebody through simply observing them, explains Paul.
Being behind a camera gives you a unique perspective, says Paul. It allows you to uncover and explore a story and capture the essence of a person without imposing your own aesthetic on them, he states. “I think that’s what draws me into photography,” says Paul.
“Paul is driven by pushing himself and the others around him to continuously create and inspire,” says Warren Papier, a member of the Nine Four. Warren and Paul have been friends of 21 years.
Creativity is a big part of Paul Ward’s life, and he used his perspective from behind the lens as a professional photographer to create a unique and diverse community that aims to inspire, he says. PHOTO: Amy Cloete
Inspired to inspire
When Paul returned from Berlin, he realised that there was a big running culture in Cape Town, but that it lacked a sense of community. So, he reached out to some of his friends, and they started running on Saturday mornings, he says. “Basically, we’d be hungover and tired, but [the Nine Four] started from that,” states Paul.
“I really hate running, to be honest, and I’m not particularly good at it,” says Paul. Though, there is something special about having a support system of people around you that can keep you motivated, he says.
“I think the magical thing about Paul is that he is inspired by everything, [but] particularly ordinary things. He has a special gift to see beyond the ordinary,” says Hana Sho, Paul’s girlfriend and a member of the Nine Four.
Paul Ward founded the urban running crew, the Nine Four, in 2014 to create a community that fostered a sense of interconnectedness, says Paul. Paul is pictured above with some of his crew members after a 12km trail run. PHOTO: Amy Cloete
The Nine Four
The ethos of the Nine Four is centred in diverse connection with people, says Paul. “We try to keep it fun, exciting and entertaining on the surface, but there’s quite a lot of important stuff that’s happening,” states Paul. “[The Nine Four] represents freedom and a sense of interconnectedness.”
The Nine Four is about more than just pushing yourself physically, it is about creating an environment of support and developing yourself on an individual level, according to Paul.
During apartheid, there was the Group Areas Act and significant restriction of movement, says Paul. “We wanted to celebrate the idea that we could mix cultures, interact freely and all run together,” he explains. The name is inspired by the desire to create something people could be proud to be associated with, especially following the country’s democratic transition, says Paul.
“[The Nine Four] creates a multi-layered social dynamic which is addictive and formulates tight bonds which previously might not have been made,” says Warren.
“It is that magic of having people connect who would never connect in their normal lives,” says Paul.
“There are people who you would never really cross paths with, that you’re now cracking inside jokes with, and I think that’s quite unique and quite cool,” says Hana. She describes it as a family that is focused on being a community, rather than just running.
“You will find an architect now connected to a panel beater, connected to a film director, connected to a political commentator, connected to a finance person, connected to an IT guy,” says Warren.
The intimate size of the running crew, the Nine Four, is an important factor because it places weight on all the members and requires more commitment from everyone, says Paul Ward, founder of the crew. PHOTO: Amy Cloete
“The thing about running though, is that no one can run for you,” says Paul. There is something magical about focusing on something and making sacrifices to achieve a goal you’ve set, states Paul.
There is a lot of personal development within oneself, particularly through building the mental fortitude to overcome and do things you thought you couldn’t do, he states.