Throughout his life, Chance Nkurunziza wasn’t just camera shy but also couldn’t stand taking photos or anyone taking a photo of him. Although pictures are good for memories, for the 23-year-old this wasn’t enough to convince him to love or take photos, and he tried to avoid them as much as possible. The fourth year pharmaceutical student at University of Rwanda - Huye campus, says back then, he never posted any pictures on social media and despite the pressure from his peers, he was okay with it because pictures just weren’t his thing. This, however, all changed last year when he was just starting the third year, after he realised a gap in the photography and videography section at his campus. “As students, every day is a new experience and we get to learn new things. Since we are always open to opportunities and new challenges, I realised that whenever a function or occasion was organised at campus, they had to hire a photographer from Kigali,” he explains. Nkurunziza says this to him at first didn’t mean anything but after thinking about it for a while, he decided to take the risk and start learning and practicing photography, even though he knew nothing about it. Within a few months, he had mastered the basics and started with that. The more he practiced, the better he got at his craft. “In the beginning, I used to hire a camera and take photos whenever the school had a function. When I realised that I could earn some money from this, the passion for it started growing and soon, I was into it completely,” he says. From his bursary money and with the support from some friends and family members, he managed to buy a quality camera last year. After realising the potential in the photography field, he resorted to opening a studio, now known as Inganji Studios, near his school and he employed two friends who are good at videography to help him out. Today, his photography business has grown by leaps and bounds. For instance, apart from having a studio, the trio have made connections and have been able to take pictures at different ceremonies, including weddings, parties and other occasions. This, according to him, has improved the students’ life not only financially but also in terms of gaining photography knowledge. Besides, he can now cater for his own bills without having to depend on anyone like many students do. His advice? It’s crucial for young people out there, especially students, to always invest in something using the little cash they get as pocket money. “You don’t need to start big, what is required is to save the little you have so that you can start out something to keep you busy,” he adds. After completing his pharmacy studies, he wants to juggle both photography and pharmacy since they both make him happy. “After school, I am not going to laze around waiting to land on a job opportunity, I have already created one and I believe it is beneficial to myself as an individual, and others,” he says.
