Canon Canada has opened applications for the second installment of its groundbreaking FUTURES program, geared to developing emerging photographers between 18 and 24. How often do we see major corporations make a point of nurturing, not just sharing five-minute videos, but actually committed to nurturing?
Canon FUTURES is year-long, mentorship-focused course intended to provide passionate and emerging creators and storytellers an opportunity to broaden their creative practice as well as their knowledge of the business of photography.
Canon Canada, FUTURES, 7 Communications
Certainly, Canon makes money for its shareholders by selling cameras, copiers, semiconductors, medical equipment, and other imaging tools. That being said, the team at Canon Canada is also passionate about seeing emerging photographers develop. In the competitive world of photography, it's great to see a corporation using some of its marketing and advertising budget to help mentor photographers. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: as a long-time proponent of mentoring and community building, I'm really excited to see a major camera company put its focus on learning.
What Is Futures?
The Program
Canon FUTURES, a hybrid program delivered through exclusive virtual workshops, industry mentorships, and an intensive in-person retreat, runs from August / September 2022 to July 2023.
Canon FUTURES workshop, by Dylan Kaniski
The FUTURES program provides mentorship from industry-leading experts to help participants with their creative development, building their businesses, and their marketing and branding strategies. Given the demands and stresses of the business, Canon FUTURES also helps participants develop mindfulness techniques to prioritize their mental health.
Last year's workshops included: technical talks, (for example, filmmaking, filmmaking editing, creating depth in photography, post-production in photography, food photography and styling, landscape and adventure photography, and posing), a personal mental health talk, and business-related talks (like NFTs, pitching, and rate cards).
Canon Canada, FUTURES, 7 Communications
Replicating the success of last year, FUTURES includes an exclusive, all-expenses-paid, in-person creative retreat with mentorship from Canon Ambassadors. Last year's retreat was held in Alberta. I'm confident that the retreat will be somewhere just as beautiful this year.
The Mentors
This year, among others, Canon FUTURES will be taught by industry experts like Justin Wu
The Gear
This year's participants will be given a Canon EOS R full frame mirrorless camera kit.
The Application
Applications close on July 25. Take time now to put together your application package. The application consists of a four-part process, including:
- a basic online application
- a 30-second video explaining who you are
- an in-depth Q&A explaining your brand and professional ambitions
- a portfolio review
Canon Canada FUTURES.
Of note, applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents aged 18-24.
So, what do you think about applying? Don't forget, applications are free. What do you have to lose? Canon Canada is promising you have a lot to gain!
All images provided by Canon Canada or attributed to their IG creators. Lead video from RJ Bruni.
