Befriend Your Talents.

The Good Book states in Proverbs 18:16, “A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.” This is to say that our gifts and talents, when put to good use, can bring us opportunities we never imagined. I like the version that says that we will not serve obscure men once we activate our gifts and talents. I was made aware of this verse by my wonderful sister, and now it has become one of my favourites.

So why do we struggle as if we have nothing to offer? We are often blind to what is in our hands—namely, opportunities within reach that we can’t see, or latent abilities that would serve us and others well. We tend to focus on what we lack or what others possess that we don’t, which leaves us feeling deficient.

The last two months have been exciting for me, as I have been working on my wildlife photography passions; my trips to the Maasai Mara in August and to the Shompole Wilderness last month were exceptional. In fact, I feel like photography and coaching are siblings that fight for my attention. And coaching has been catching feelings lately because I’m giving too much attention to my nature photography.

I have been using my first digital camera, Canon 250D, which I bought in 2019. It has served me well, but over the last two years, I’ve been salivating for an upgrade. When I go on photo safaris, I find guys with serious, huge equipment, and I feel kaodo funny with my tiny camera. I remember when my photo was put up at the national museum in 2022, together with other qualifiers for the Benjamin Mkapa photo contest. I was elated to be grouped with serious photographers from around the world, but was silently hoping no one would ask me which camera I used hehe.

My photography buddies and mentors, Shiro and Usha, have often reminded me that while equipment is important, the eye and ability one has to create an image and take it are more critical. I consoled myself that I have the ability of a big prime lens and top of the range camera in my head, and that’s what got me this award.

But as time went by, I started feeling that I was outgrowing my camera and needed an upgrade, but shida ilikuwa pesa. Photography is an expensive hobby, so I struggled between paying my baby sharks’ school fees and getting my upgrade hehe. I’ve sold several images over the last few years. One way to sell is to print a few select copies and participate in photo exhibitions or ask to display them in establishments like hotels and members’ clubs.

That’s what I did, and two weeks ago, a photo I had printed on canvas and framed was bought after two years of hanging in a boardroom. Tom, the art curator at this place, told me that you never give a time limit for when your photo will be bought. It needs to meet its perfect match, and once that happens, you have a sale. The long wait is boring though, I must admit.

So, my ‘Urban Cats’ photo finally found a home. And guess what? The money I was paid was enough to get my upgrade! I was paid on a Friday, and the very next day, I was at the Canon dealer buying my new toy. The excitement I felt reminded me of when I got my first set of golf clubs; I’d even play music for them in the car while headed to the golf course, hoping to get them in the mood to reward me with a nice, winning round. Years later, we are still working on our relationship. It’s been an endless love and hate relationship. Golf indeed is a labour of love. I’m glad my camera has been cooperating so far.

I went home with my new baby in the box and was so excited that my baby shark even recorded me as I unwrapped the mirrorless camera. We have been getting to know each other pole pole and have even signed up for relationship classes by Canon next week so that we can learn how to live happily ever after hehe. I want to take it slowly this time and hope for a smoother relationship, unlike the one with my golf, which began without much thought, hehe.

So, what’s my point here? I’m still shocked that my photography has bought me the new superior camera I’ve been wishing for for two years. I was wondering where I’d get cash to fund this passion. Kumbe the passion can fund itself when put to work. And that’s the lesson, folks.

Sir God, in His wisdom, has blessed us with various and unique gifts and talents that are sufficient to take care of us. But often, we discount them and sacrifice them at the altar of comparison with others. Talents are like those faithful but quiet friends who are committed to helping us grow but will wait quietly out of sight until we approach them for help.

This experience now has me wondering what else I can unlock with what I have and how much I may have lost by not working my gift. Of course, imposter syndrome will always linger, but we have to find a way to mute it and go make our dent on the universe.

We come across people who say they have no friends, and while our talents can’t replace good human relations, they can be good windows for others to see what we are made of and desire to come alongside us. It takes a friend to make a friend, and the same applies to our talents. When we befriend them and put them to use, they attract other good people with their talents, and that creates good common ground for magic to happen. Just like this photography journey has shown me so far.

Make friends with what you already have, folks, and the rest will follow.