My Photography Journey

+throughMylens 📸 

#Highlights Photography Assignment ; The 37th Edition of the Annual MYSA Championship 🏆#GrassrootFootball #MpiraMashinani #FootballMadeMeSeries #MYSAMadeMe

#Quote #PhotographyPhilosophy 

“My best photograph is the one I have yet to create. I measure my craft not by the number of pictures I take, but by the depth of the moments I am able to capture." - Wilson Masaka, +throughMylens

📌 SKILL UP 101 - December 2025

Are you an aspiring photographer ready to elevate your craft? 

This December, I will be offering five hours of complimentary, high-impact training, drawing from my core philosophies in Learn to Learn and the Self-Made Series.

If you are part of a youth group within Nairobi, this is your chance to gain practical insight, sharpen your creative eye, and understand the mindset that fuels sustainable growth in photography. I will be donating these five hours to a maximum of 25 committed young creatives—a gesture of #GivingBack to the community that continues to inspire me.

Whether you’re seeking mentorship, motivation, or a deeper understanding of the art and discipline behind photography, this session is designed to set you on a path toward excellence.

📩 Reach out, if you're  a youth group and let’s create something remarkable together.

✉️ wilson.masaka [at]gmail.com

10 Points You Must Watch Out For - Idea Bubble Burst

1. Consulting too much without trying anything 

2. wrong timing: launch too early or too late

3. Working with people who aren't passionate or don't connect to your mission and vision

4. Lack of resources and requirements support at every stage.

5.  Lack validation points bas on fact, figures, frustration ( the problem you seek to solve). 

6. Fear of failing

7. Copying others' practices blindly.

8. Uncaptured eureka moment.

9. Not open to new learning.

10.  Unmeaningful partnerships (no shared vision and values).

📌 Insightful Quote Tag #DigitalEra #DigitalError #DigitalHela

"Our biggest task and challenge as mentors, facilitators or educators is to inspire more youthful generations to become content creators rather than just content consumers. On the other hand, we should aspire to create many platforms for youth to learn and earn a decent wage through the use of technology." - Wilson Masaka, Youth Advocate and Social Entrepreneur.

Related post 

📍 https://wilsenx.blogspot.com/2025/07/do-you-have-idea-my-philosophy-about.html?m=1

Do More / Be More / Be Different

wilsenx.blogspot.com

Eleven Key Areas That Holds Back Organizational Growth and Success.

 

Work Place Series 101 #WorldOfWork
+throughMylens / Consult

1. Ineffective leadership at all levels of organisation, starting with the board and management.

2. Rigid processes and unsupportive culture.

3. Lack of innovation and creativity that aligns with the current trends.

4. High employee burnout  and turnovers, while everyone or anyone is a 'master' of everything.

5. Lack of entrepreneurial and implementation spirit while over depending on dwindling funding.

6. Poor systems for hiring, firing and promoting staff to the next job group.

7. Poor Communication: Unclear communication channels and a lack of transparency.

8. Bad workplace cultures for example  prioritizing short-term results over long-term innovation, status quo that can never be challenged even when things aren't working, nepotism, corruption, unhealthy competition etc.

9. Fear of Failure: A culture where employees are afraid to make mistakes or propose new ideas due to fear of criticism or negative repercussions suppresses innovation and creative thinking

10. Insufficient Capital: Inadequate financial resources for growth initiatives and lastly lack of impact measurements.

11. Unskilled staff and lack of capacity building prospects with the organisation development plans.

What else? 📍YOUR TAKE

#ReadMore The McKinsey 7-S model :Strategy, Structure, Systems, Skills, Staff, Style, and Shared Values.

Do More / Be More / Be Different
Book a Skill-Up Master Session +throughMylens / Consult @ Wilson Masaka #FreelanceTutor
🌎 wilsenx.blogspot.com

Youth Employability Program at MYSA

📍School Holiday, 3 Days Bootcamp : Digital Literacy and Life Skills Training. 

I had the privilege of leading a training session at MYSA Kenya from November 19–21, 2025. The three-day boot camp was held for school-going youth who are currently on school holiday.  

The primary goal of the workshop, which was attended by 40 participants in total, was to help the learners understand more about current and emerging technologies and their impact on our lives. 

The main objectives of the training were as follows;

1. How to effectively utilise the internet and related technologies.

2. Introduction of the 21st-century skills 

3. How to manage personal social media presence.

4. Personal branding (online vs. offline)

5. How to create content for social media (shoot and edit videos and photos using the smartphone). Content creation vs. content consumers. 

6. Inspiration/discussion point/insights: school smart vs. street smart. Preparing for both the known and unknown future.

 📌 Featured Quote 

“Those people who develop the ability to continuously acquire new and better forms of knowledge that they can apply to their work and to their lives will be the movers and shakers in our society for the indefinite future.” — Brian Tracy

Our biggest task and challenge is to inspire more youthful generations to become content creators rather than just content consumers. On the other hand, we should aspire to create many platforms for youth to learn and earn a decent wage in the future through the use of technology.

Do More / Be More / Be Different 

wilsenx.blogspot.com

7 Unspoken Challenges That Aspiring Photographers Face.

1. Long hours, less pay in the name of exposure.

2. People posing randomly from all corners asking for pictures, again no pay. (Outdoor events).

3. Harassment or being called rudely with all manner of names.

4. Less pay versus high expectations.

5. Basic equipment, entry level.

6. Higher expectations (unmatched): a jack of all trades trying  to find the right footing.

7. Lack of great mentors in the space; everyone is chasing for a slice of the big pie

 

📌 Skill UP Master Class.

Book a masterclass session with me to learn more about how to move up from an amateur to a mid-level to a pro photographer. 

In my session I share the art, science and business of photography, inspiring the learners to find their own pathways by becoming lifelong learners. I'm a lifelong learner and a self-made photographer with more than 16 years' experience in photography.

Remember, the best camera is the one you have in the moment and that can be your smartphone. 

© +throughMylens - Wilson Masaka

Do More / Be More / Be Different 

N.O.V.E.M.B.E.R — A Month of Motivation

Self Made Series Bits and Pieces
+throughMylens ❤️

N.O.V.E.M.B.E.R — A Month of Motivation

N – Never give up — Every setback is a setup for a comeback.
O – Own your journey — Take responsibility for your dreams and your choices.
V – Value every moment — Time is the most precious gift; use it wisely.
E – Embrace change — Growth begins where comfort ends.
M – Make it happen — Stop waiting for the right time; create it.
B – Believe in yourself — Confidence is the foundation of success.
E – Elevate others — Lifting others lifts you higher too.
R – Rise again — No matter how many times you fall, stand up stronger.

Do More / Be More / Be Different
wilsenx.blogspot.com

Life on a Bumping Lane

Life Series +throughMylens 

#SelfMade 

Here is my life hack, and to everyone experiencing any kind of adversity, never give up.  

📍 Focus on your lane and avoid comparison, competition, and complaining.  Don't be bitter, Be better and If you must compete, your best challenge is your former self.

📍 Spend more time with individuals who are willing to listen, support you in your endeavours, and, most importantly, who share your ideals. 

 📍  There are two sides to life: possibilities and impossibilities. People succeed in a variety of ways, but never rely solely on luck. There's your plans and God's plan, play your part and seek God's intervention in every step.

📍 There are people with whom you will share a status, such as coworkers, teammates, and those who are unemployed etc, but keep in mind that only your family will be constant factor throughout your life.

📍 Wealth and power don't inherently transform people; rather, they enable them to reveal who they really are. 

📍 There are many good people in the world, if you don't find one be one and expect nothing in return.

📍 You will assist many individuals in overcoming life's obstacles, but never expect the same in return. A good person from the heart will remain the same even if their external circumstances change.

Inclusion

You never know what someone is going through behind the scenes to make it happen for the following day, so never call someone lazy just because you live on the freeway of luxury and prosperity.  However, it is very possible that they are doing everything correctly and only that their moment has not yet arrived.

Do More / Be More / Be Different wilsenx.blogspot.com

School Holiday - End of 3RD Term

 Parental Guidance 101

#Parenthhood #ParentGood

Safeguarding Children During Lengthy School Holidays: (22nd  October 2025 - 5th Jan 2026).

First and foremost, I want to wish all the candidates sitting for the end-of-year national exams. Secondly, I want to wish all the students a happy and safe long school holiday.

Quotes.

📍 Schools Life 

"A school curriculum can go for a long time before it is revised, but the best foundation in any of the adopted systems is that it must prepare the students to cope with street life, which is ever-changing without notification." - Wilson Masaka

" Spend meaningful time with your kids so they can acquire the values and skills that society and education cannot provide. When you do this, your kids will be on your side no matter what and won't ever flee when you need them most." - Wilson Masaka 

📍" If you're too busy for your children, someone else will fill the gap. Be present, listen, guide them, and be the first contact person in any matter." - Wilson Masaka 

There isn't a parenting school that can qualify someone as an excellent parent. In raising our children, everything we do is influenced by our past experiences, outside forces, our own creations, what we are told, how we feel, and generally what we have borrowed from many sources. Some things are best learnt by exposure and influence; therefore, set a good example. You can't teach the kids everything.

The Challenge 

I know in both rural and urban informal settlements, where children are left to play outside and only come home at sunset, keeping an eye on the youngsters can be extremely difficult.

 📌 These are a few questions parents should think about throughout the break from school.

1. Who are your kids friends? What is their character?

2. Where do they spend most of their time?

3. How can I make their time meaningful and fun?

4. What are they watching?

5. How are their spending patterns when I give them money?

6. How safe is your child in different spaces?

7. What are some of the repeat patterns?

8. What new things have they learnt?

9. Do they remember to read books?

10. How do you spend time together?

Remember, if you're too busy for your children, someone else will fill the gap. Be present, listen, guide them, and be the first contact person in any matter.

+throughMylens @ Wilson Masaka Parenthood Series 2025

Do More / Be More / Be Different 

wilsenx.blogspot.com

Life Series, Life Circle

 Life Series Bits and Pieces 💔 

Semi Za Maja

📍 People will compete at all levels; for example, who had the best wedding or best dress? But when it comes to funerals, only the witch compares and competes on how many they have held. 

📍 Death strikes people in different ways; for some, it's simply news, but for others, it marks the end of a long-standing relationship that will only live on in memory.

📍 There are many things in life that are temporary, including life itself. 

📍 In all the titles that are there, the title 'The Late...' is the one everyone will acquire in the circle of life. 

The Brand - YOU

 Life Series +throughMylens 

#SelfMade

 🚨 There's only one person called YOU! 

#PersonalBranding #SelfDiscovery

Bits and Pieces Life Series 

📍 " It's either you are going through life or life is going through you." - Wilson Masaka, Youth Advocate and Social Entrepreneur.

📍 "What we have overcome is the easiest part, but what awaits us that is unknown should be the main focus by doing what is humanly possible and seeking God's intervention in every step." - Wilson Masaka, Youth Advocate and Social Entrepreneur.

📍 "The worst you can be in life is to live a life of imitating others without knowing what you want, need or where you are supposed to be." - Wilson Masaka, Youth Advocate and Social Entrepreneur.

📍 "We all live on the same planet, but everyone has got their own map that leads to a certain destination". -  Wilson Masaka, Youth Advocate and Social Entrepreneur.

📍"Sometimes you have to be all in one to win the game of life. The referee, player, fan, etc.- Wilson Masaka, Youth Advocate and Social Entrepreneur.

It's golden to know the 5 Ws

#TheWiExperiencePhilosophy #MentalMap

     📍 Where you've come from

     📍 Where you are 

     📍 Where you're going 

     📍 Where you need to be

     📍 Who's with you in the journey? REMEMBER don't forget yourself as the driver.

 🚨 Book a master class session with me on how to kickstart a self-discovery journey. 

 

Do More / Be More / Be Different 

wilsenx.blogspot.com

World Of Work - 5 TYPES OF EMPLOYEES

 World Of Work Series 

+throughMylens 

I've worked a 9-to-5 job in at least four different organisations with various job titles and descriptions.  One thing I've discovered is to never focus on titles because they are subject to change and are associated with various job descriptions. Your primary focus in your career paths should be on lifelong learning while developing abilities that will allow you to earn, survive and contribute positively in an ever-changing work environment.

 

I work as a freelance consultant ( self-employed) at the moment. I do offer training and facilitation services in the 21st century skills, digital literacy, creative entrepreneurship and financial literacy targeting mostly the young people from undeserved communities. 

📍 5 TYPES OF EMPLOYEES 

Over the course of two decades, I have encountered the following five sorts of employees.  

1. Employees who will just follow their job description and perform what they are expected to do.

2. Employees who will fulfil their obligations while going above and beyond to find new and creative methods to improve things.  

3. Employees who rely solely on the efforts of others and are unsure of their own responsibilities but are quick to take credit.  

4. Employees who attempt to do nearly everything that falls under the purview of other people's job descriptions. 

5. Employees who are aware of their responsibilities yet require constant reminders and encouragement.

Now you know, my advice is always to go the extra mile without overshadowing anyone. 

Just remember, there will always be politics at the workplace, but you need to learn how to handle each situation or avoid them in totality.If you would want to learn more about working in a toxic workplace, please email me to schedule a session with your team.

Do More / Be More / Be Different © 2025 

10 LESSONS I HAVE LEARNED AS A FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER.

 10 LESSONS I HAVE LEARNED AS A FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER.

#SelfMade Series World Of Work 

1. Understand the assignment well and check if your gadget is capable or else you will need to hire.

2.  Agree on the delivery time.

3. Agree on the file type to be delivered.

4. Do your pricing well; remember, I do charge separately with or without my watermark.

5.  Avoid accepting any assignments; follow your niche. Don't be a generalist, but aspire to be a master. 

6. Always have the down payment and receive the other balance in full, then submit. On the flip side, don't submit all the files before receiving your full balance. 

7. Know your exposure limits. There's nothing bad with pro-bono assignments or free shoots, but just have your limit because you have bills to pay. 

8. A gentleman's agreement is great, but having written proof will save you a lot of back-and-forth discussion. This can be in the form of email confirmation, which still works ok.

9.  Go the extra mile and surprise your client. Just remember not to overdo the extra shot box.

10. Only share the best shots, and don't forget to have an online presence/portfolio. Lastly, remember the learning process continues from one assignment to the next one.

Do you want to learn? Book a session with me with your youth group to learn the basics on how you can kickstart your photography journey, especially using the available tool starting with your Smartphone. 

Do More / Be More / Be Different 

wilsenx.blogspot.com

The World Of Technology For Change

The World Of Tech 🖥️ 📸 🤳 ❤️

Vision 2030 :  𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙗𝙞𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧-𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙣𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙? What is your primary position?  Are you a creator or consumer?

My first encounter with computers occurred in the year 2000. Looking back, a lot has changed, and more is yet to come.  Owning an email (Hotmail, Yahoo, or Gmail) was one of the in-things or must-haves to join to the tribe when I was just getting started with computers.

Today, having a smartphone has become fashionable among young people, but what many people don't realise is that what you create and learn with your smartphone is what will open new doors of opportunities and keep you relevant as the world of technology evolves at breakneck speed.

Just thoughtful 🤔 #YouthSpace

📍 Why purchase a high-end smartphone only to listen to music, to belong to a tribe, make countless selfies, chat with friends, and make phone calls? Incase you didn't know, there's more that you can do with your smartphone especially on content creation.

So, what do I see moving forward?

1. Increased Speed 
2. Increased Accuracy 
3. Improved integration
4. Increased high definition user-generated content.
5. Impacted all sectors 
6. Increased accessibility 
7. More positive disruptions in the workplace (simple, fast and accurate)
8. Increased security

In conclusion

We live in an exciting moment, and by clicking the appropriate buttons, we can wield enormous power and opportunities. 

On the other hand, I know there are many tools that are designed to solve the majority of tasks with the click of a button, but the true gem of learning everything is diving into the backend.

Imagine designing the next app to positively transform our lives through a simple touch of a button.  The space looks more saturated with different apps, but I believe there's more room not only to come up with a new app but also to improve the existing ones to serve us better.

📸 📍 AI Image Generation

Here's a basic exercise I completed with Gemini AI in less than 2 minutes, which would have taken a beginner using Photoshop a day or two to complete in the year 2000.

 
+throughMylens @ Wilson Masaka © 2025 Diary

The Change Making Journey, Social Sector and Actors.

 Founders 360° +throughMylens

#ProblemTreeAnalysis #AcceleratedImpact #OrganisationCulture

#TheBigQuestion 

📌 Why do so many organisations look and sound the same as time goes? And how can one entity stand out from the others when they are dealing with the same societal issues?  Learn more  booke me a skill-up masterclass session +throughMylens 

#POV Anyway, there is a lot of copying and pasting within social sector space and a lack of authenticity. I once came across an organisation that cloned the mission of another organisation simply by changing the location of the organization's name, but the rest of the text remained the same.

I understand that many people want to start their own businesses or organisation, but emulating others blindly won't last long; instead, discover and follow your own real paths to addressing developing or current challenges.  

📌 The question you should ask yourself, "What is your story?"  What is your 'why', and how do you distinguish from the others?

Did you realise that in each industry you choose, the problem is significantly larger because no single company or organisation can solve everything?  The solution is that via meaningful collaborations, we may expedite individual missions towards a common goal.

Aside from what we've seen in the past, there will be so many predicted and unexpected shifts that any entity that has structured itself to appear, feel, and be the same forever faces the prospect of becoming obsolete.  We must continue to innovate, which is why a Research, Innovation, Development, and Partnership Unit (RIDPU) is required in any dynamic business or organisation.

In case you didn't know, here is a simple scan of the marketplace.

1. You will compete with other organisations for the funding sources.

2. Your programme description will sound the same, but the separator will be your WHY, the values and different unique strategies towards tackling emerging or existing problems.

3. Many will copy what you do, especially if it has a good track record but you will always take the lead if you understand your authentic WHY. 

Moving Forward ⏩ 

A.S.A.P Model is the answer towards unlocking a prosperous future for all. 

📌 A.S.A. P =  Accelerated Sustainable Action through Partnerships. © Wilson Masaka, Wilsen Initiative (Wi) Founder 360°

#Founders360° #MeaningfulPartnership #UNSDG17

Related post https://wilsenx.blogspot.com/2021/01/collaborate-africa.html?m=1

Do More / Be More / Be Different wilsenx.blogspot.com

Muhuru Bay Visit

 Life Series Bits and Pieces+throughMylens #SelfMade

Three people you're most likely to meet 

📌 The living - Full of life, everything  planned, legacy etc.

📌 The warriors and survivors - Can do anything to make both ends meet, more discoveries, beaten but never gives up. 

📌 The walking 'Dead' #Metaphor - It's a dark tunnel, confused, hopeless etc. 

What Are You Telling Yourself Today? 🤔 

#MYTake I can, I should, I must, I will... #SelfMade 

To learn more of personal discovery, book a session for your youth group from 10th September.

Just remember, whether you're rich or poor, we all have 24 hrs in a day; the game changer is how you utilise your time. 

#Quote

"Time isn't money; it's what you do with it that attracts opportunities, which includes money." - Wilson Masaka, founder 360° at Wilsen Initiative (Wi).

A.S.A.P Model Founders 360° 

#MeaningfulPartnership #UNSDG17

📌 Accelerated Sustainable Action through Partnerships. 

Do More / Be More / Be Different wilsenx.blogspot.com

Skill Up Master Session At MASCA

#Highlight Day 2/2 Skill Up Master Session 

#OrganisationCultureBehaviour #DigitalLiteracy 

📌 The BOAT theory, analogy or metaphor.

📌 Social media (Organisation and You) 

📌 Content Creator Vs. Content Consumption 

📌 Ideation and Story Telling 

📌 Personal Branding 

📌 Organisation Change Management 

#Philosophy 

The B.O.A.T., an acronym I crafted that I use when talking about organisation change management. 

Here it is what it stands for:

B - Braveness

O - Optimistic

A - Attitude

T - Time-bound

+throughMylens/Consult @ Wilson Masaka 

I'll be available in September's second week to take the next assignment. #YouthSpace #SkillUPMasterClass

Do More / Be More / Be Different 

🌎 wilsenx.blogspot.com