After completing a BA DRAMA degree at University of Stellenbosch, Lavonne completed a photography course at City Varsity, Cape Town 2000. Worked as stills photographer at DIS, Bree Street Studios Cape Town and assisted various photographers, Robert Koene, Gerda Genis, Mickey Hoyle, Brooke Fasani and Klaus Tiedge.
Travelled and worked in UK, London and Ireland.
Returned to Cape Town in 2004, freelancing, travelling Transkei, Lesotho, Zambia. Specializing in reportage photography.