Richard, 18, enters college, head bowed. The S E A College of Science, Commerce and Arts is decorated for the Cultural Fest- rich, colourful and vibrant. Richard felt like a spectator, lonely in the crowd around him. Believing that he did not have the talent or skills to participate in any extracurricular activities, he trudged towards his classroom.

Richard’s father worked as a painter before entering the Real Estate business. Family income depended on the clients he secured every month. His mother is a homemaker and his younger sister, not keeping well, dropped out of college. 

Feeling lost and unsure of what to do in life, he enrolled for a Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) course in S E A College, K R Puram, Bangalore. In 2017, some of his friends, who were attending the like skills programme at Dream a Dream’s Thriving Centre in K.R.Puram, pulled Richard along. While attending his first session there, he felt different, he felt that he could learn. He grabbed the opportunity to learn Photoshop and photography here.  

“I was drawn to Photography and the life stories shared by my photography facilitator inspired me. It gave me the courage to take my hobby to the next level. I started exploring myself and began questioning my purpose. I joined this programme believing that I didn’t have any talent or skill but during the programme, I developed the confidence to take the bold step of making photography my career. After completing my BCA, I bought my first DSLR camera by selling my bike. I was determined. My family and friends called me crazy and put me down multiple times, saying that even though I am a graduate, I was pursuing something other than my studies. I didn’t listen to them as I believed I could excel in photography. In it, I found my calling.”

Richard did not let society define success for him even when it was hard to convince people closest to him. Choosing not to walk the traditional path of a BCA graduate, securing a white collar job in a corporate company, he redefined success for himself. This did not mean that his dream was small. He dreamt of opening his own photo studio. 

Dreaming with eyes wide open, he returned to Dream a Dream, to learn the ropes of entrepreneurship through a programme run at the Thriving Centre, K.R.Puram. Even though Richard was a technically skilled photographer, he did not know how to convert this passion into a business venture. 

“I did not want to work under anyone. I had all the technical knowledge to be a photographer but didn’t know how to build my network and secure clients for my business.”

This programme helped him understand the business side of photography, helping him build his client base. He also received a scholarship to start his own studio.

While pursuing the Entrepreneurship course, he also decided to give back to society by facilitating a free photography course for young people in the Thriving Centre in K R Puram, Bangalore, India. Richard has facilitated 11 batches of Photography for more than 200 young people. 

“Over 4 years, Dream a Dream helped me discover my career path and transformed me into a confident and enterprising person. It was time to give back.” 

Richard Roy, at the young age of 21, established his own photography studio and specialises in fashion and event photography, earning handsomely per photo-shoot. Recently he represented Dream a Dream at the “Finding Solution to the Problem” conference organised by UNICEF. Here, he got an opportunity to talk to Ms. Smriti Irani, Minister of Women and Child Welfare about Dream a Dream’s work  and how he was impacted by its programmes. 

On a thriving journey, which has only just begun, Richard is a force to reckon with. Unstoppable, determined and fiercely ambitious, he has inspired many young people to pursue their passion and to learn continuously, even when the road to thriving is tough and elusive. 

“Success is not just achieving something, but being an inspiration to others and seeing them succeed in life.”