Canon Canada — Ajani Charles

Canon FUTURES: Becoming Featuring Ajani Charles

Ajani Charles has been shooting exclusively with Canon products, beginning with Canon SLR cameras and lenses, since the age of twelve, when he began learning the art and technologies of photography through the Toronto School of Art. His formal photography education continued through the Claude Watson Arts program at fourteen.

He is honoured to be an ambassador for his favourite photography and filmmaking brand, working closely with Canon Canada senior executives since 2020.

His role involves teaching adults and youth about the technical aspects of photography and all of the essential skills, habits, mindsets, and paradigms that he wishes he had learned when he was in high school and university, including but not limited to the cultivation of mental health, mindfulness, introspection, and more.

He also promotes Canon products and services and contributes to the Canon FUTURES program as a mentor.

The Canon FUTURES program is designed to support young artists and entrepreneurs (including photographers, filmmakers, and others) who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents between 20 and 25 years old and passionate about creative storytelling and content creation.

Through the program, and specifically through a workshop entitled Work On Yourself More Than You Work On Your Craft, Ajani has taught the inner game of being a professional creator, emotional intelligence, meditation, transcending limiting beliefs, the psychology of money, the importance of clearly-defined values and boundaries, creating a unique value proposition, sales, and far more.

He has also asked the Canon FUTURES creators challenging questions that would have benefitted him and his career’s trajectory during his early stages while addressing his many mistakes and how he lacked foresight and wisdom.

The youth and adults he has mentored are talented, curious, and have the skills and work ethic to reach their goals.

Challenging their first principles, assumptions, cognitive biases, and knee-jerk reactions has benefited everyone involved, including Ajani.

He is grateful for the opportunity to share his skills, experiences, and wisdom through the FUTURES program and other Canon Canada projects in collaboration with Canon U.S.A. and Canon Canada’s partners, including but not limited to Canon Creator Lab, Henry’s Socality, and 7 Communications.