Photography and Writing for Social Transformation

To be honest, I never saw myself in front of the camera performing official tasks, but for some reason, I always knew that I had a part to play in social change and communication. I have helped a friend with photography before but this has never been something I told myself that I would do. The idea of using communication in a way that will bring positive change to society has been on my mind for a long while but I did not know how to unfold it and bring it to practicality until I was privileged to be part of the 5th Cohort of Emerging Public Leaders. Through their partnership with Norsaac, I joined the communications team, and my soft spot for photography was triggered.

During my interview to be part of Emerging Public Leaders, I kept mentioning my love for communication because I believed that it was the center of everything that revolved around us, from promoting human relationships to driving change and enhancing collaboration. Communication runs through everything we do in life. What I did not know was that communication is a broad subject and so I had different expectations when I heard I was going to join the communications team. I wondered what exactly I would be doing there.

Fast-forward to my time in the unit, I found something that I love to do which is capturing the essence of change through the lens of a camera and the power of the written word. Fuelled by a genuine passion for social change and education, I've seen this as a way to weave narratives that transcend borders, champion inclusivity, and spark meaningful dialogue.

My journey into the realm of social impact began with the experiences I have had with various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) committed to driving positive change. Each experience has deepened my understanding of the interconnectedness of human struggles, aspirations, and the power of collective effort. This has ignited my desire to support the cause of improved living circumstances for everybody.

Photography is something that I would love to explore more. Exploring photography alongside my writing skills will offer a powerful synergy, enriching my storytelling with visual depth and emotional resonance. Capturing moments through my camera lens will enable me to add a new dimension to my narratives. Integrating images with my writing will not only evoke powerful emotions but also foster deeper connections with my readers. Embracing photography alongside writing is not just a creative endeavor that I want to explore but also a journey of personal growth and professional opportunity in tomorrow's digital landscape.

However, my journey doesn't end with capturing images; it extends to the realm of storytelling through the written word. Through articles, essays, and social media captions, I strive to contextualize my photographs, providing a deeper understanding of the situation in which they are found. These narratives will serve as bridges connecting disparate worlds and fostering empathy and understanding among diverse audiences.

Learning from my supervisors at work and coming into contact with some amazing photographers is sharpening my skills and elevating my thirst for social change in every single way I can. Through these experiences, I've been inspired to amplify diverse voices and perspectives.

As I continue on this journey, I remain steadfast in my belief that we all can bring positive change in genuine ways we can through our little talents, skills, and passion. Mother Teresa says “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” It is these little things that can bring the change that we are all looking for. Leveraging the synergies between photography and writing, I aspire to foster inclusive narratives that go beyond barriers and inspire collective action.

Watch this space for more of my personal stories on personal and professional growth and how I am using it to influence change.