MENTORING PROGRAM

David is looking to transfer his skills and experience to young photographers in the countries in which he is involved.

It is anticipated this mentoring program will be conducted in association with the country's national tourism authority or a government agency involved in promoting the country's traditional culture.

While details of the program will need to be determined in consultation with the co-sponsoring agency, it is envisaged it will involve a 12 month to three year commitment where the young photographer will accompany David on assignment while he is in country and be trained to become proficient in all aspects of commercial travel photography including  the use of equipment, recognising and capturing successful tourism photographs, establishing effective business relationships and marketing. A final phase of the training program is likely to be spent with David in his office in Australia, developing expertise in image management, desktop design, printing and managing a small business.

Anticipating the program's success, the student will be in a position to either establish his/her own photography business or work inside the co-sponsoring agency to provide on-going assistance as a photographer with desktop publishing expertise.

Profile Colin Taimbari (Training 2007-2010)

Sponsored by the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority

 

In July 2007, Colin Taimbari (above) was nominated by Peter Vincent - the Chief Executive of the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority - to train with David to become a professional photographer. Over the next three years, Colin will accompany David on all of his assignments around the country to produce a comprehensive photo library of Papua New Guinea. Colin will be equipped with a new camera and work alongside David, learning new camera techniques and studying the skills which have made David one of the top travel and tourism photographers in the Asia Pacific region.

Following is a summary of Colin's background:

Colin attended primary school and high school in Popondetta, Northern Province; completed year 11 & 12 @ Aiyura National High School - Eastern Highlands; Attained a Bachelor of Journalism Degree minoring in Politics & Public Administration from the University of PNG in 1995; Bureau chief of Post Courier newspaper in Lae in 1996; 1997 - 2001 journalist with Post Courier in Port Moresby; 2001 - 2003 chief political reporter for The National newspaper; October 2003 joined PNG Tourism Promotion Authority as public relations coordinator; Others -  1997 won JICA Friendship Scholarship to Japan for one month;  2002 accompanied Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to cover the 33rd Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji; May 2003 won the PNG Journalist of the Year Award from the Divine Word University; June 2003 travelled to England, Northern Ireland & Wales as a Fellow of the Commonwealth Press Union's prestigious Harry Brittain Fellowship.    

 

 

National tourism authorities or government departments interested in co-sponsoring a student in this mentoring program while setting in motion a project which will see your country's culture captured on film through the eyes of a local photographer, are asked to contact David directly on david@kirklandphotos.com