Noel Khan strongly believes it was his passion for photography that allowed him to find himself at a time when all looked bleak in the world of work for a young man who had not completed high school.
“I was an unemployed youth in Berbice, and it was my sister who explored ways in which I could make myself independent and basically introduced me to a field which I’ve grown to love dearly,” he told The Scene.
“I am fascinated by the beauty I capture in people and their situation in a split second and the smile it puts on their faces when they look at it. It is now a way of life for me. It’s what I breathe and how I make a living which is perfect because I am doing what I love so my passion is my profession and it has made me an independent man with a talent that many admire.”
His sister is Capitol News Online Editor Tracey Khan-Drakes.
Noel dropped out of the Lower Corentyne Secondary School because he felt academics was not his forte. He recalled that he was somewhat in interested in Integrated Science because it challenged his thinking, but he never gave himself the chance to see where that interest could lead.
What sparked his interest, possibly more than the subject, were the girls at his school. He was a popular student and attracted them like a magnet, he said laughing, but added that it was nothing to boast about.
Though he didn’t quiet comprehend what he was doing when he walked away from completing his high school education, it didn’t take him long to realize what he had done when finding a job proved more difficult than he expected. When Tracey proposed taking photographs, Noel did not see that he had much of a choice since he was not doing anything else at the time. But his sister’s proposal turned out to be the best idea as before long, his curiosity got the better of him and he began learning more about photography.
To improve his skills, he spent many hours watching photography tutorials on YouTube and was then mentored by well-known Berbice photographer Andy Henry. On many occasions when Henry was covering events, he took Noel along with him, teaching him the ropes and giving him exposure.
Noel now works as the cameraman for News-in-Depth/Royston Drakes Production in Berbice.
“It remains a daily challenge,” he said, “because this is a field that many young people are venturing into for many reasons and so it’s important to me that I stand out in the crowd as I continue to learn daily and work to perfect my craft. Some people complain about the price and that is a challenge at times, but I intend to overcome every obstacle.
“I was without a camera for almost a year and would borrow cameras to do shoots and every time I get a little bit of money, I started saving… It took me months and I had to make a lot of sacrifices; cutting down on my recreational spending and other things because I was serious about owning my own equipment. I was actually surprised at the extent to which I went to save that it made me more disciplined financially. It taught me a great lesson. Things can happen but it takes hard work, support and sacrifice. If I can do it, anyone can once they put their mind to it.”
When he had accumulated enough savings to finally purchase his camera, Noel was overjoyed. “The day I received it I was filled with excitement because it was the first major investment I made in myself. I was on cloud nine for weeks; because I had finally gotten my own camera, I could do more photography. It has made me self-sustainable. I can provide for myself and help my family at the same time while I feed my passion. If it wasn’t for photography, I’m not sure what type of job I would be doing since I came out of school early and was unemployed for almost two years which was a challenging time for me.”
Noel is spreading his wings in both photography and videography and is hoping to make it big in the industry. He does a lot of portraits.
Working in Berbice, the photographer said, means a smaller market, though Berbicians are open to professional photography. Noel noted that although he has made the price rather affordable, people have been known to still complain. But things are looking up with many offers for him to work in the city, the young artist is now considering stepping out and stepping up.
“I am able to meet and interact with new people, understand their way of life and travel a lot. It’s always fun being around people who are like me and also different from me. I love that I am able to put smiles on the faces of the people I work with and being a part of creating memories for them that will last lifetimes,” he said.
Because photography can be seasonal, he tries to save for times when there are not many events, something he has become good at doing.
Two of the major events Noel has photographed are the Guyana Carnival Launch in Berbice, and the Miss Berbice I’m a Big Deal Pageant. The pageant, he said, saw him doing daring stunts to get the ideal photos. “When I did a beach shoot with the former Miss Berbice and had my camera close to the water, it was a risk I had to take to get the shot… My camera almost fell in the water.
“The most fun I’ve had on a shoot is with two of my female friends because on multiple occasions I almost fell in huge puddles of water and took huge risks to get the shots.”
Noel feels gratitude for life and for knowing that his work has benefited someone in one way or another. “Being a photojournalist, I have covered a lot of heartrending stories with my sister Tracey. One that will forever remain in my mind is this mother of six who was diagnosed with cancer and had nothing to eat or drink when we visited her and she was basically on her death bed, but thanks to my sister and brother Samuel we highlighted her story and were able to get her a lot of help which made her last days better.”
Noel hopes to own a studio in a prime location in Berbice someday soon and sees himself travelling the world and showcasing its beauty as well as covering international events and stories and showing the world the good and bad through his lens.
When asked about his inspiration, Noel said he admires Andy Henry and Keon Hector for their exceptional work. These men have also supported him at one time or another. His family has also supported him, especially Tracey. But as much as she is his biggest supporter, she is also his biggest critic, Noel said, adding that sometimes her critique can be a hard pill to swallow. Nonetheless, it is always constructive as she constantly pushes him to improve himself and rise to the occasion.
Noel beseeches children to complete their education and further encouraged that even after school they should not waste time sitting at home but try to learn a trade or specialize in whatever they are passionate about. He noted that it is not easy, but one could never go wrong with investing in one’s self.
Some other things to know about the photographer – he loves hanging out with his friends, going fishing, going to the beach or pool and watching YouTube videos. His favourite colour is red and all his best foods are cooked by his mother.
Asked what his astrological sign is, the photographer said, “I am a Virgo like my sister but I’m calmer LOL.”
Noel can be followed on Facebook at Noel Khan Photography, on Instagram @CapturedMoments or can be reached at via WhatsApp on 696-3750.
