Shane Burnell’s perfect Sunday
Shane Burnell, Puma influencer, Fuji brand ambassador, alternative model and photographer
The most perfect morning for me is waking up and having a coffee — definitely my No 1 priority. The time I decide to get up and at ’em depends on whether I went out the previous night, but usually I love getting up bright and early, making a great cup of coffee and spending the morning with my dogs, Koga and Shinobi. Then it’s time to face the world. I love being out and about, seeing my city with good company. So ideally, my mate, Shaafik and I will go grab a bite to eat. I strive to lead a healthy lifestyle, so the menu for lunch is usually sushi, a good steak or something health conscious at a restaurant that provides amazing food.
My ideal afternoon is summed up in one word; photography.
The Fuji Film family recently asked me to be a brand ambassador. If it wasn’t for them and their amazing support, I doubt I would be as passionate about photography as I am now. Because of them I live, eat and breathe photography. Table Mountain is an amazing place to shoot. There’s something about it, a majestic quality if you will, that forces you to forget about the stresses of day-to-day life and focus on its sheer beauty and magnitude.
I’m addicted to photography. Even though I’ve only been shooting for about a year, I have found my calling in life and just can’t get enough of it. I find myself constantly uploading pics to my photography Instagram page, @ShanesFrame. I like to shoot until the sun goes down to get that golden light — the best kind of light without doubt. I’m actually so obsessed with light composition, how colours play off one another and so on that I drive my friends up the wall. As a photographer, I’m constantly assessing my perfect picture. If my dog, Koga, tags along on my photographic excursions that just makes it all the better.
All through Sunday, classic gangster rap will be playing, especially Wu-Tang Clan. That genre of music has inspired a big part of my life, particularly their references to struggle and the ups and downs a person goes through. I find classic rap speaks the truth, as the artists have all gone through difficulties which I can relate to.
Finally, squeezing in a bit of exercise after I get back from my shoot wraps up my ideal day. I’m trying to live by the mantra “healthy body, healthy mind”, so the more active I am, the better it is for my wellbeing — both mentally and physically. If I haven’t pushed myself too far during training, I’d then go catch up with my friends at Caprice. Partying on Sundays is a real thing for us Capetonians, and what better way to complete the perfect day than by spending it with my people?