Chasing That Moment

The talented Chase Liebenberg candidly admits he is still relatively ‘wet behind the ears’, but is focussed on building a name for himself behind the lens as one of South Africa’s up-and-coming young photographers.

The 28 year old hails from a family steeped in horseracing and the L’Ormarins King’s Plate day’s eclectic mix of fast horses and fashionable people makes it one of his favourites.

Then of course there’s a small matter of a horse called Charles Whatsisname…!

Chase sat down for a coffee with the Sporting Post and we pitched a few questions to find out who the man is in those natty shirts and trousers, behind that not- so-expensive (apparently!) camera.

SP: Where were you born – please tell us a bit about your school and family life.

Chase: I was born and bred in Cape Town. I first saw the light of day on 18 March 1994 and grew up predominantly between my grandparents in Bothasig and my mom, Wendy Michel in Table View.

I have two older half siblings in my brother Craig and sister Genevieve. I went to Edgemead Primary and High School and matriculated in 2012.

I was blessed with a horse racing background as two of my great uncles – Frankie Serra and Dennis Houston – were jockeys. My sister Genevieve was the first female jockey to qualify through the SA Jockey Academy and has been a massive inspiration in my life to achieve. My mother was an assistant trainer for many years for various yards. Her longest stint was with the late Peter,  and then Dean Kannemeyer. I was very lucky to grow up with horses like Dynasty, Free My Heart, Capetown Noir, Eyeofthetiger – the list goes on!

SP: Did you study after school?

Chase: I took a gap year and worked for Charles Faull and Jehan Melherbe at Form Bloodstock. I decided I wanted to further my studies after a year so I worked part-time at Form and studied at Ruth Prowse School Of Art in Woodstock. I studied Advertising and design, my majors were illustration and graphic design. Funny enough, photography was only a minor subject in my first year.

SP: What makes you tick and thrive?

Chase: I think I thrive on the fact that I love to work. I’m not somebody that can just sit and do nothin. Most days and nights I’m behind my laptop either designing or editing. But when I do eventually take time off I take it off properly – down time is important!

I also am lucky enough to run the stable media for Bass Racing which places me in a yard four days a week. Being part of a stable and team such as the powerful family operation and being around horses every day and outside the typical office environment is something that also makes me tick.

SP: Was photography your very first choice?

Chase: Photography, funny enough, was not my first choice in life. Graphic design and art direction were. When I worked at Form Bloodstock, Charles Faull  actually was the first person to ask me to shoot to assist with photo cataloguing for the Thoroughpedia Project. I did start to enjoy what I was doing and my uncle, who is also a photographer, helped me get my first camera. But it wasn’t until quite a few years later that the photography bug bit and went from a part-time endeavour to a fully-fledged passion – and now a business!

SP: What challenges do you face in the workplace?

Chase: Racing comes with many challenges. One being that your clients are depending on you to capture that special moment in time as best you can. And  if I miss a finish or have a technical mishap, or even someone walking in front of the shot ( yes it happens), there is no retake. This is it, this is your moment. We are all humans and we all make mistake. Peter Kannemeyer used to say when things didn’t go to plan in a race, “Well nobody died” – certainly words to live by. But I do pride myself in going out there and trying my very best.

SP: What have been some of your best moments?

Chase: I have so many really, really good moments in racing, be it laughing at the finish line with my colleagues to recently being able to photograph my own horse crossing the line. Literally I could go on and on. Going to photograph in Hong Kong in 2019 has to be a truly special moment for me and seeing the likes of Admire Mars and Glory Vase in the flesh and race and photograph on an absolutely massive scale.

Locally I’ve had a few good memories.

Photographing the Green Point stakes back in 2018 was something truly special, four incredible horses finishing on the line together, with Legal Eagle the eventual winner.

But I am known for shedding a few tears after a Grade 1 victory, especially if it is a horse I have been following throughout my career. I remember when Clouds Unfold won her second Majorca Stakes I kept fogging up my viewfinder from my  tears – that was a very special win.

SP: What’s the best time of the year and your favourite course to photograph?

Chase: My favourite course to shoot is Hollywoodbets Kenilworth – and definitely the summer course. But I do enjoy shooting at Turffontein and I must say Hollywoodbets Scottsville, because I find it such a challenge and love the outcome if you get it right.

SP: Who has been your biggest supporter?

Chase: My biggest supporters are my friends and  family as they play a role in always being behind me and encouraging my career and work. I can’t actually thank them enough. When it comes to role models I have to say my contemporaries. I wouldn’t be the racing photographer I am without the likes of Liesl King and John Lewis who have been massive influences and sounding boards in my career. Both are legends in their own right and have always been there for guidance and assistance.

Candiese Lenferna is also a role model to me as she just gets it right. The long days, the sleepless nights, doing her best for clients all for the sake of the passion for horse racing.

Besides the above, the love and support of my clients really makes everything so much more special. I have enjoyed the support of some clients for many years now – Winning Media, Drakenstein Stud, Hollywoodbets, Bass Racing and Woodhill, are amongst valued supporters who have been with me since the very start.

SP: What philosophy do you live by?

Chase: “It’s not the tool, it’s the fool”. I love this quote because many people have gone out and bought the most expensive equipment – but it’s not about that. It’s about living for what you do and having an eye for the unique. That’s always been what I have tried to invoke in my work.

SP: So where is the future for Chase?

Chase: Doors are slowly opening for me abroad. I have already travelled to Dubai for the World Cup and to Hong Kong. Offers have made their way to me but I feel I will always be based in South Africa and if anything I would travel for the major global racedays. It’s still very early days in my career and I do see myself as wet behind the ears.

Have you seen the Sprint? Chase took the cover photo!