A strong community and invested mentors are key ingredients for sustainable growth and success. I recently had the opportunity to sit down and talk with two Canon Canada FUTURE alum, Eli Meadow Ramraj and Gessy Robin Shumbusho, about the importance of community in their cause. Deadline for Canon Canada’s FUTURE The Year Two Incubation is fast approaching. If you need that push you can only get from a dedicated mentor and supportive community, don’t hesitate, don’t worry, sign up.
Success in this industry is tough. Photography can be quite challenging at certain levels. Many successful creators don’t like to sit down and share what they’ve learned. Unless, of course, you sign up for one of those aspiring “you can become a photographer” courses, too.
As I noted before, I am impressed with the level of commitment Canon Canada has shown to the community of creators. Interested in an insider’s perspective, I reached out to two of the newest FUTURES folks to hear their stories.
Nothing to lose, Everything to gain
Both Ramraj and Shumbusho know they are creators, but both admit that they only have a little knowledge needed to take the next step in their careers. Ramraj graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Film Theory and Philosophy while interning at a production house. Ramraj is considering a career as a director, but isn’t sure how to transition from student films to commercials and dramas. Shumbusho grew up with a very creative father who encouraged a love of music. However, growing up in Kigali, Rwanda made Shumbusho feel that art made no economic sense. Shumbusho feels it makes more sense to find a job with a steady income. Shumbusho alludes to the idea that art can even feel a bit cliché in a community still learning to cope with the trauma of the Rwandan genocide. However, passionate about creativity, he does not stop taking pictures and is passionate about the ideals of documentary photography and cinematography. Said by many that he had an eye, Shumbusho wanted to find his way into the visual field, but was unsure how to negotiate a career in the arts.
Similarly, both Shumbusho and Ramraj spend a lot of time watching anonymously on YouTube in an effort to build their profession. Ramraj is nearing the end of his internship and is looking for a community of creatives, distinct from his academic community at school. Shumbusho is studying journalism, but finds herself drawn to images. As the FUTURES materials crossed his feed, Shumbusho realized that the instructors and mentors were the ones working on the projects he dreamed of. While reviewing the application requirements, Ramraj realized that he met the criteria of a passionate young storyteller. Knowing that the show would talk to other people was like talking to him, it made him realize that he wanted to be one of those people.
Stretch for it
Both Shumbusho and Ramraj asked me to pass on the same advice: capture and apply. Why not? What do you have to lose? As Shumbusho said, stretch yourself a bit and you might find a community of others giving their best too. Immerse yourself in the kind of success you want to achieve; Surround yourself with the kind of person you want to be.
Both Ramraj and Shumbusho noted that the best part of Year One FUTURES was meeting people in person at the Banff retreat. When they explained why they liked Banff so much, almost in unison, they agreed that it all started at the airport when they gathered to fly out. For FUTURES attendees, it seems this is the moment they realize they’ve found a community of people just like them, excited to learn how to create.
Sure enough, both Shumbusho and Ramraj list their favorite workshops, explaining how certain workshops have changed their entire approach to projects. However, it is the community of both mentors and attendees that they will take with them. Ramraj and Shumbusho both noted how mentors would sit, eat lunch untouched in front of them, answer questions off-schedule, how no questions would be off-limits, that it is the This intimate mentoring moment filled with unanswered Google questions changed their lives.
As Ramraj said, the relationships he builds at FUTURES go beyond the typical classmate and teacher relationship of seminars. He made connections and built lasting relationships.
For Shumbusho, seeing mentors work with so many creators across different genres has helped him understand and implement solutions in different ways. Shumbusho was able to attend FUTURES and take away a community of diverse mentors and classmates that will help him grow for a lifetime.
Canon’s efforts to organize this kind of knowledge exchange and facilitate the creation of this kind of community are startling. Sure, you could argue that Canon is trying to raise the bar for all boats, which means more camera sales at some point in the future, but it’s REALLY a game long-winded. I like to see Canon’s efforts as the efforts of a corporation that is so proud of their goods that they really want people to make better use of them, to use them to build community and to innovate.
What’s next?
Shumbusho has plans to work towards directing a new film and is hard at work on a new series of photos he wants to show in a Toronto or Montreal area gallery.
Ramraj is starting to make his feature film, The only bar on King Street. Ramraj is also working on developing his skills as an outspoken portrait photographer. His Shumbusho photo is being used by Canon Canada as part of their Second Year FUTURE promotion. I suppose this also makes Shumbusho a role model.
Before ending here, Canon not only shares mentorship with Shumbusho and Ramraj, but the whole experience has encouraged Shumbusho and Ramraj to help anyone who wants to apply to Canon Canada’s FUTURES incubator. So if you have any burning questions, feel free to contact us.
All images are provided by Ramraj and Shumbusho. Shumbusho main image (by Ramraj at Canon Canada’s Banff Retreat)
