This is one of the most real content have seen on social media because am still trying to stand after few years as a creative here if you know you know thanks for this.
I remember hearing when you first said you were coming to Toronto. I was actually quite surprised because it’s hard enough for people who are born here to be a creative. It’s a top 1% for photographers to succeed here. I thought you would’ve been better off in LA personally. Maybe you’ll go there one day ❤ what I will say is foreigners do have a tendency to do better than people born here, so maybe you’ll be in the top 1% here. The grind is different with people who aren’t born here.
Welcome to Canada! I have seen your name a few times over the years when it relates to photography. This is the first time ive sat and watched a video. I live 15 or 20mins from you and can relate to everything you are saying. However, take it from me...the ones that push and persevere will make it here in Canada. If you give up too easy then its over. Yes things are way harder than 10 or 20 years ago but you have to be diligent with the budgeting.
This definitely resonates with me, it's the reality. 2 and half years of being in the UK and still yet to settle in. The unexpected happens and as a creative, you might be on the brink of shutting down a business that you have built over the years. But if one persist, we shall Excel. Peace of mind is key, moving abroad is not for everyone. Well said Prince 📌❤️💯
I'm glad to hear that the topic resonates with you. Your experience of spending over two years in the UK and still finding your footing is a common one for many creatives who move abroad. The unexpected challenges, especially the potential of having to close a business you've worked hard to build, are indeed challenging. But, as you rightly said, persistence is crucial. Finding peace of mind and recognizing that moving abroad isn't for everyone is an important realization. It's about finding the best for you and pushing through the challenges. Keep up your resilience; I'm sure your persistence will lead to success. Thank you for sharing your experience!
I haven’t been following up with you over the last few months so didn’t even realize that you moved. Canada is a country that is/was dear to me as I moved there for post graduate studies when I was young like you. Wasn’t into photography then. I was able to comfortably live off my scholarship in what was the a remote province, Nova Scotia. Being black like you are I didn’t see much creatives in photography, especially of my hue. I couldn’t get a job when my visa expired so went back home. Fast forward to now, I couldn’t move back to Canada as it is far more expensive, worse there is a housing crisis (in Toronto) and cost of living has been really bad. I’m sure there are far more creatives in your field and of course many from African descent. Things are much more formal and organized in Canada as back home (Jamaica) it was easy for me to get into events or get models from SM. The good thing is that YT still pays you if you make content and you still have your equipment (I’d imagine) so make contacts on campus and reach out to corporate businesses by organizing your portfolio. Talk to other creatives and maybe be an assistant for a while until you get your foot inside. I’m too old for all of that so I’ll stay put!! Cheers PS Good luck with the weather. I didn’t hate winter but hated the length of winter/speing- it was too cold for too long and my skin dried easily even with Razac lotion.
Thank you for sharing your journey and valuable advice! It's inspiring to hear about your experiences in Canada and how you navigated the challenges, especially in a creative field. Your insights about adapting to different environments, both culturally and professionally, are truly helpful. I'll definitely take your suggestions about making connections and exploring assistant roles. And yes, the Canadian winter is quite an experience! I'll be sure to keep the Razac lotion handy. Cheers!
As someone who was born and raised in Toronto to Caribbean parents (Jamaican/St. Lucian), your experience sounds very similar to many of my friends that immigrated from the Caribbean and from Africa. As a creative, even if you are a native, it's extremely difficult, but the tips you provided, are what others need to take hold of. You also touched upon many significant current impacts that would make it extremely difficult for others moving to Canada as creatives. A lot of the main creative spots are in the bigger metropolitan cities, primarily Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. Montreal would be the cheapest of the 3 places to reside, but it comes with its own struggles (ie. if you're not fluent in French, it's a bit more difficult to navigate). Keep in mind also, that most people between 15 - 30 are active creatives/creators, so you really have to stand out, and you have to emphasize that your mind/lens is unique to others who have grown up here. Allow them to appreciate that you can still capture the essence of Canada, but you can also showcase it from a diverse lens, because Canada is always actively seeking more people to immigrate to its country. PS... That Razac hits different, but you're right - even in certain winters, it still isn't enough. lol
@@Quest1luv You've shared great points about the challenges and opportunities for people from the Caribbean and Africa who move to Canada to work in creative fields. In big cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, it's important to stand out with a unique style. Your advice about showing Canada from a different viewpoint is really helpful. Thanks for your insights!
Moved to canada (brandon to be specific ) about 4 months now and havent had the chance to shoot a single paid job..another problem is my african people, they expect you to shoot a whole program, personal and birthday shoots and charge according to the minimum wage..i dont know to make them understand that photography services can't follow the minimum wage rule. 100% agree with you..settling in as a creative aint easy..but it would be worth it with time.
I think it's a thing of the mind. I don't know maybe you understand how low purchasing power of people has been in Nigeria right now. I will gladly take the option of building my business from scratch in Canada and hope to stabilize in 2/3 years than keep on investment my craft in Nigeria. Like you said, people's experiences are different, I know a Nigerian photographer who got his photography business on track within 6 months of landing in Canada. If not for anything, I will choose Canada because of my children and be happy to start from the scratch. Nice video. Hope to meet you in Canada soon 😊!🎉
Not just Canada, it's applicable to any country you move to even if it's a neighboring country. It's a process everyone passes through except if the person has the opportunity of soft landing whereby a job is on ground with free transport, free accommodations, free this and free that then you might not experience such.
What camera are you using for the headshot, I really love the nice shallow depth of field. I plan to get the Sony ZV E10. I have never done this before. I see CapCut and Resolve as options for editing.
-35, why? 😂😂😂 Was USA an option before you moved? I feel like U.S. might have been a better option for a creative like yourself...I'm from Jamaica and I've been in the U.S. for 30+ years and still consider Jamaica my home. You moved as an adult so I can just imagine how difficult it is for you to get adjusted...good luck my brother, I feel like someone as talented as you will make it anywhere.
😂😂😂 Nigerians will hide travel plans from you. Get there and pepe you with snow pictures only to now say; DON'T COME HERE OO😂😂 OR Say stuff like it's LONELY HERE.😢 Pele O Asake😂 Even if the advice is legit!! Just like this one is and I'm THANKFUL for it. I always find it funny 😂😅 This also attest to the sad situation in naija... people go through what they go through abroad and STILL STRONGLY INSIST ON NOT COMING BACK.😢 Kinda like refugees!! But this time its psychological.
I hope you watched the video and listened to me saying I wouldn’t change anything if I was to do it again. I love it here and it’s been an amazing experience for me. I do not mind the struggle it takes to build, I am ready to break down and build back up. It was only a video to advise people who want to make this journey. Thanks for the comment and bless 🙏🏿
Canada has that seasonal depression too. Long dark winters lead to many suicidal thoughts, especially for foreigners. As for culture shock, Canada is the most woke nation in the global north....so there's that shaved in your face and your family's too. Cost of living is a nightmare. With all this said, people back in Africa think you'll balling up there and they ask for money. After 5 years, you'll lose touch with people back home because of this. Only real friends and family with stick around. At the end of the day, this life move is worth it. You'll excel and grow in your career of choice and get more opportunities than you can in Africa. This is the reason why most of us want to leave Africa. 🤣
Building my business for 10years and moving to a a country like Canada & start afresh? Nope not worth it. The advice came quite timely though, thanks always... 🙏🏼
