A Beautiful Pitfall

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   UNASHAMED SERIES - FEATURE STORY 5

                                         
Many of us sleep and wake up with dreams of being the best versions of ourselves. We are determined to make beautiful realities, and then along the way we meet people that silence our inner man. Our energies run low, and the once known excitement fades. We are left with the question. 
When life gives you lemons should you make lemonade?


                                                            Damalie Kalagi


                                                  Freelance female Cinematographer


 Damalie Kalagi is a young passionate female cinematographer with the drive to produce quality pictures.

A female Cinematographer is a woman cameraman that has the power to make technical decisions that fall in line with images.

She shares her story on identity loss.

"If someone throws stones at you, pick them up and build something". - Damalie

I am proud to be a female cinematographer because of the beauty that comes with it.  Having the ability  to touch, feel and capture images has been a heart warming experience for me.

 I came to the  realization  that the world is an evil place when I met some men doing the same profession as mine, These men, did everything possible to make me doubt my capabilities, I was called a tiny child. I was insulted because I had a small body. 

I soaked in depression, I tried to play volleyball and go to the gym but nothing seemed to really work, all joy was lost. I came  to the understanding that some men hold cameras to appear superior. I do not need to work as twice as hard to be accepted but to change the narrative of rebuilding the standard of quality photography. 

In the year 2017 , I made my first appearance as a female cinematographer at the Federation of Uganda Employee awards. The event is a national voice of employers in Uganda that represents the interests of all businesses. I met fellow cinematographers , women that have left unforgettable marks in my life, they have been strong shoulders to lean on and have made me believe more  in myself. I now know that if they can do it, surely I too can. I celebrate them as my she-roes, they are my mothers, friends and sisters.

My love for photography has made me feature at charity fundraising events like Watch and Dine for Bena, a fundraiser organised by Tell a story Foundation Uganda with the aim of raising funds to support the education of Benadette, a young girl with albinism. 


" Watch and Dine for Bena event in 2018"

I have been the lady behind the camera at a charity walkathon for education that contributed to a school structure for children with autism.

                                                " walkathon for education 2019"

The  mean men I met along the way were my pitfalls , my photography became my lemonade and I believe it is the best reward I ever got  because with it I can contribute to a better world with the different stories that lie in every single picture I take.

At times all we need to do is to stand tall and make beautiful lemonade not only for ourselves but others too.

Damalie


Comments

  1. UnknownMay 27, 2020 at 2:57 PM

    Go girl💪. Shine on⭐. With this esteem am sure even the sky cannot be the limit

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Noreen AsekenyeJuly 3, 2020 at 11:06 PM

      Thank you so much for your kind words. We need people like you to cheer on fellow women.

      Delete
  2. Racheal WyetteyMay 28, 2020 at 12:10 AM

    Inspiring!!! May we all find the strength to keep moving during such days in our lives.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Noreen AsekenyeJuly 3, 2020 at 11:07 PM

      Thank you Racheal for the postive energy you give us.

      Delete
  3. NoreenMay 28, 2020 at 12:47 PM

    A story of resilience that deserves to be read

    ReplyDelete
  4. Melanie SmickJune 11, 2020 at 6:24 AM

    Wonderful, I love reading such encouraging stories because we need to empower and urge each other on(sheroes).Kudoz Damalie! To making beautiful lemonade.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Noreen AsekenyeJuly 3, 2020 at 11:09 PM

    Thank you Melanie. There are so many unsung sheroes out there. As women we should rise by lifting others too.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Noreen AsekenyeJuly 3, 2020 at 11:09 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete

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