Canon Miraisha Returns to SOS Children's Village Cape Town for a Second Round of Photography Training

Fifteen young people took part in the three-day programme, which took participants through the photography process, from learning the fundamentals to creating, editing and preparing finished images.

The training moved progressively from theory to practice and then into the edit suite. Day one focused on photography fundamentals, including composition, lighting and how to work naturally with subjects in front of the camera. On day two, participants moved into the field for hands-on shooting practice, applying the techniques they had learned. Day three focused on editing, including how to prepare images for printing and final output.

That progression, from capture through to a finished and printable image, gave participants an understanding of the complete creative process rather than a collection of isolated technical skills.

The workshop was led by Woody Knox, Canon Trainer, but one of the most significant moments of this second session came from someone who had been a student during the first.

Dimbu Tulomba Lukembeladio, who participated in the 2025 Cape Town workshop, returned this time in a supporting role. Rather than sitting among the learners, he helped capture content and support his peers throughout the programme.

His journey from participant to contributor offers a tangible example of the kind of progression the Miraisha programme aims to create. A student who once sat in the same position was now helping others navigate the experience.

Career development was another important part of the programme, continuing a key element of Miraisha's training approach. Participants were introduced to the basics of freelancing, considerations around investing in equipment at the beginning of a career, and some of the practical expectations of working professionally within the imaging industry.

Canon Trainer Woody Knox described the experience positively, saying: "Overall, the training was highly successful; the second session proved as valuable as the first. The students both had excellent experiences.“

The workshop concluded with participants receiving certificates of participation. But the interest did not end with the final session. Several students directly expressed interest in follow-up mentorship and additional workshops, giving Canon Miraisha and SOS Children's Village an opportunity to build continued learning into future sessions.

There is also an opportunity to build on the example set by Dimbu Tulomba Lukembeladio, bringing back previous participants not simply as learners, but as emerging mentors who can support the next generation of students.

That progression captures an important part of what Canon Miraisha seeks to build through its programmes: not just teaching young people a skill, but creating pathways for them to keep learning, contribute to others and gradually take on new roles within the creative community.