Derrick Ssenyonyi is a celebrated travel and tourism photographer. For that, he has been variously been recognised and awarded.
He is recipient of the Uganda Best Travel Photographer 2020 in Ekkula Awards, Uganda Press Photo Award 2021, The Reflect Uganda Influencer Photographer, Pulse Awards 2022, Uganda best Travel photographer 2022 – Ekkula Awards and Uganda Tourism Ambassador 2023-2024 – Ekkula Awards.
How would I describe myself to a stranger?
I would describe myself to a stranger as a kind, honest, dedicated and focused person. I am a dreamer who knows what I want and I am not hindered by any external forces. I do not see myself as a victim of anything and my background does not limit me. I am only loyal to my dreams, goals, and purpose.
I focus on what I can control and neglect what I can’t control. This includes policies, politicians, decision-makers, institutions, governments, religions- anything that is beyond my reach. I put my energy into things I can control and move on from whatever I can’t. I am a spiritual being and I can get whatever I want and set my focus and manifestation on.
What do you do for a living?
“What do I do for a living?” good question…I have a diverse skill set to answer that. I run two companies- BOLD NARRATIVE and Linck Media, specializing in content creation, social media management, influencing, stock footage, photography, and marketing.
As a social media communicator, I use my platform to inspire people to travel, step out of their comfort zones, and make bold decisions in their lives. I believe that the true treasures of life are beyond our comfort zones and familiar surroundings, and I use social media to promote that.
Talk to me about where your passion for tourism and travel began…
My passion for tourism started when I was a kid, growing up and living in my home district, Nakasongola. I used to see tourists driving towards Murchison Falls and I would dream of being among them one day. It was my top goal to wake up one day and go on a safari with my camera and equipment.
One day, I woke up and realized that I had achieved my lifelong dream. It was an amazing feeling, and it remains one of my best memories. This is where my love for tourism and travel began.
How did you get to where you are today?
I remember that you and I did an interview about two years ago, and back then, I was different from where I am today, I have grown mentally, spiritually and have gained more awareness on what I want and need.
As far as I can see, being consistent, knowing what I want, staying loyal to my WHY, goals and dreams, and mainly valuing people have been some of the key reasons that have helped me get where I am today.
I talk to everyone as if I am talking to the most important person in the world, regardless of their status. Valuing people has been one of my top tricks. Furthermore, I have reached a point in my life where I am not seeking more fame or more money.
I am seeking my purpose, my value, and how I can be of use to this world. I want to contribute to my community, my country, and make this world a better place. I want my kids and grandkids to enjoy living here and be proud of it, this is what has made me get where I am today.
And, I question everything. Another thing is that I am still growing, and I think I am just getting started, there is a lot to see, a lot to come, a lot to experience, and a lot to do. I can’t wait to move forward on this journey that I am just starting.
How have you been able to invest in equipment over the years?
Investing in equipment is one of the most important things to do. It is a continuous process that you will never regret. As you grow as a person, you will need to upgrade or change certain equipment to keep up with your growth.
By doing so, you will learn and understand how the previous equipment was holding you back and how the new equipment can help you improve. Therefore, it is crucial to keep investing in equipment, knowledge, and learning to help you grow. It is a continuous game that you need to play if you want to succeed.
What cameras do you use, and what informed your choice for these brands and types?
I currently use two cameras, the Nikon D850 and the Sony A7 IV. What led me to choose these brands was my understanding of the market and how it is constantly evolving.
As I continue to develop my skills, I become more aware of my needs and the limitations of my existing equipment. I cannot claim that this is the best equipment out there, but what I can say is that it’s important to use what you have and grow with it. As you do, you will begin to realize when your current equipment is limiting you and when it’s time to upgrade to better meet your needs.
What has been key in your success as a photographer and content creator?
To begin with, understanding my WHY, purpose, values and motivation is crucial for me to wake up every day and keep doing what I do. As one of the top photographers and content creators in Uganda, now pursuing for Africa and internationally – I believe consistency, commitment, valuing people and pushing myself outside my comfort zone are what have led to my success.
Many people fail because they fear discomfort and prefer to stay in their comfort zone. For me, limitations are only perceptions, and I can achieve anything I focus on. My goal has always been personal growth, development, and learning.
What should one consider to become a successful travel photographer?
To become a successful travel photographer, it is important to have a good understanding of the travel industry and dynamics. Travel photography goes beyond just capturing beautiful images of animals, landscapes, and sceneries.
It is about being able to communicate and portray the essence of travel to your audience. You can use these images to encourage people to travel responsibly, promote conservation, or highlight any valuable cause.
Therefore, if you’re interested in travel photography, it is important to invest in learning about responsible tourism and travel practices. Anyone can take good pictures, but only a few can communicate effectively and use their images for a greater purpose.
Who is your tourism personality, and why?
My tourism personality is a gentleman named Wode Maya. He is a Ghanaian content creator who has done an exceptional job in changing the narrative about Africa. He has painted Africa as one of the most amazing places to visit, which has influenced how people view the continent. In my opinion, he has done a great job in promoting Africa as a place to visit, stay and invest.
How do you prepare for a trip?
I prepare for my trips based on the nature of the trip and the requirements of my clients. Since I use high-quality equipment, I plan ahead and bring only the necessary gear based on the type of shoot I will be doing.
How much do you carry for a trip or excursion and what determines your luggage?
How much I pack for a trip usually depends on the agreement I have with my client. Most of my clients cover my accommodation, travel expenses, meals, and other expenses, so spending on the trip is not my top priority. I go on trips for work, unless it’s a personal trip that I have planned as a vacation.
I am a minimalist when it comes to clothes, shoes and packing, so I pack fewer clothes and more equipment that I need for work. This helps me focus on my work and get things done efficiently during my trip.
Which have been your favourite tourist destinations in Uganda, and beyond, and why?
My favourite tourist destination in Uganda is Mountain Rwenzori National Park because of its unique flora, breath-taking views, the rich nature, and the diverse wildlife that inhabits the mountain.
This is a mountain range located in Uganda, and I highly recommend that everyone reading this article should plan a visit to this beautiful destination. Outside Uganda, I would recommend Masai Mara, a national park located in Kenya that will leave you truly amazed by its stunning landscape, rich wildlife, and the sheer number of animals you’ll see. It’s definitely a national park where you can tick off everything on your list of must-see attractions.
What would you like to see done better in Destination Uganda?
I would like to see a centralized system in all agencies responsible for promoting, protecting and branding Destination Uganda with its rich culture, wildlife and natural beauty.
This will ensure that all the agencies work together towards a common goal rather than competing against each other. Currently, there seems to be a division among them, with each agency striving to prove that they are doing the best job.
This is counterproductive. Instead, there should be a way of ensuring that they are all connected and working together. For instance, if there is a campaign, all agencies should participate in a coordinated manner rather than each agency running their own campaigns. I am not suggesting that they should be merged, but they should find ways of working collaboratively.
What makes or breaks your travel experience?
I believe that good planning is what makes my travel experience enjoyable. If the trip is planned well in advance, everything runs smoothly, on time and as expected. Even if there are any issues that arise, having a solid plan in place beforehand helps to resolve them quickly and efficiently. So, I think that planning should be a top priority for anyone, for companies, for agencies etc. to plan everything to the last detail before the day trip begins.
What’s on your wish list?
I believe I have tried almost everything on the menu in Uganda, so now I want to start exploring places further away. One of the top activities on my wish list is skydiving. Initially, I would like to do it with someone else, and then I would like to learn how to skydive on my own.
That has been my long-term dream. I can only imagine how exhilarating it must feel to fly in the sky all by oneself. I have a big dream of running a marathon and participating in the Iron Man Rwanda event to represent Uganda.
It’s amazing to think that everything we see in this world was once just a dream for someone, which means I too am capable of dreaming and achieving my goals. Right now, I am focused on making this dream a reality and through this article I am manifesting my dreams once more.
I hope this story of mine helps anyone to reignite your dreaming spirit, to bring back hope in you, I am here to show you another bright perspective of life… all the love, all the power.
Reach out to Edgar:
edgarraymond@gmail.com
+256752630559 (WhatsApp)
